Anomalous Phenomena (2)
The main screen rapidly cycled through photos from the recently cleared scene. Collapsed stone pillars, blood splattered everywhere, corpses so mangled they barely retained human form. And finally, the last image: an audio recording barely recovered just before communications cut out.
"This is... Special Task Force Team 3. Anomalous phenomenon detected. I repeat, this is not a B-rank gate..."
Static crackled, and the recording ended abruptly. The staffer who took over the report swallowed dryly before speaking.
"Confirmed casualties so far: the entire search team out of contact, Special Task Force Team 3 presumed wiped out. No mana reactions detected inside, and the entity's exact identity remains unknown."
Choi Cheolseung stared silently at the documents. This didn't match any existing patterns. An entity with no mana reaction?
'It's not an Irregular.'
If it had been an Irregular, at least he'd feel some relief. He could predict the type of disaster and how far it might spread. But this was different. An unpredictable enemy could be terrifying in itself.
An A-rank special task force wiped out. That meant only S-rank or higher could handle this now.
Choi Cheolseung bit his lip.
"President!"
One of the staffers standing nearby rushed over with a tablet.
"Breaking news just in. One of the four major guilds has expressed intent to join the Eroded Cave subjugation."
The staffer swiped the screen. It was an interview video. The man on screen wore a suit emblazoned with the Taesan Guild emblem, gazing calmly at the camera.
"We judge the Eroded Cave incident cannot be left unattended any longer. Taesan Guild is prepared to participate in the subjugation for the citizens' safety..."
'Full of bullshit as always.'
The four major guilds had never budged without ample compensation, even when the Association extended a hand first. Yet here they were, stepping up proactively. That meant something worth their while was at stake. They weren't the type to act out of pure goodwill.
Taesan Guild was especially sensitive to power struggles among the four majors. When they moved, there was always a reason.
"Any direct contact from the Association?"
"Yes. Taesan Guild has expressed intent to take charge of the Eroded Cave incident. They'll move immediately if granted official subjugation rights, on-site priority, and negotiations for a share of the gate's internal spoils."
Choi Cheolseung's brow furrowed. The spoils were just a plausible excuse. What they really wanted was something else.
Ownership of the Eroded Cave gate. And everything inside it.
Taesan moving first meant they'd already judged it more than a standard B-rank gate.
"Typical of them."
Handle one gate in exchange for swallowing the whole thing. Let the Association confirm the danger, then snatch the most valuable parts.
"President, what should we do?"
Choi Cheolseung drummed his fingers slowly on the desk in silence. Bringing in Taesan secured manpower. But from that moment, the Association would lose half control of the incident.
They'd enter under the guise of cooperation, but inevitably grab rights to the gate and its buried profits.
Yet outright refusal wasn't an option. With an A-rank task force gone, the situation had grown too big for the Association alone.
'Damn it...'
He gritted his teeth. It grated, but minimizing damage came first.
"Tell Taesan Guild: conditional approval. But the Association commands the site. Relay it now!"
"Yes, sir!"
The staffer bowed hastily.
-Master!
The ring vibrated. As Eugene walked the street after finishing his gukbap, Aria's urgent voice rang out.
"Aria?"
-If it's not too much trouble, do you have a moment?
Her excited tone made him glance at the ring. Something up?
"Sure. What's going on?"
-Well... I have something to give you, Master.
"Give me?"
-Yes. An item that boosts your mana.
The dungeon held various items with diverse effects—some cheat-level. Many were ones he'd stockpiled from his Dungeon Maker days.
-Just infuse mana into the ring to connect, and I can send over one item from the dungeon.
Eugene fiddled with the ring. An item, huh.
-Infuse it strongly.
He nodded and poured mana into the ring.
Shrrk.
Mana flowed from his hand, a faint red glow spreading across the surface. The air rippled lightly.
Flash.
A thin slit opened in space, and a small box tumbled out.
Eugene caught it. A new type of item. Of course—no such thing in his warehouse.
"This is..."
-A gift for you, Master.
He peered into the box, lined with black silk. Inside lay a ring shimmering with red light.
"A ring?"
-Yes. An auxiliary item. It enhances the wearer's mana and provides some resistance to external mana interference. It will... surely help you, Master.
Eugene silently picked it up.
◈ Effect: Mana x2
◈ Description: A ring imbued with the power of the red moon. Amplifies the wearer's mana.
-Do you... like it?
Eugene stared at the Ring of the Crimson Moon. It wasn't just good—it doubled mana? Beyond standard auxiliary tier. Top A-grade performance, maybe higher.
"This thing's no joke, Aria. Thanks."
A faint gulp came through the ring. Silence followed—so quiet he thought the connection dropped.
"Aria?"
-Y-yes!! Master!
Her voice jumped an octave late.
"What's up?"
-N-nothing! Just... glad you like it.
Joy laced her tone. Odd, but Eugene slipped the ring on.
Shrrk.
It resized perfectly. Mana burst from it, flooding his body.
His core filled instantly.
"Definitely different."
-R-really?
"Not just more mana?"
His shadow quivered faintly—far more responsive. Gravity and shadow control felt smoother already.
He clenched and released his fist.
"I'll put it to good use. Seriously, it's great."
A tiny gulp this time.
-O-of course... just doing what's natural...
"Didn't expect something this good."
-For you, Master, this is the least. Hehe...
Eugene glanced at the ring. Not from the main stock—maybe custom? If there were more like this...
"Got any more like this?"
-Th-that's...
Aria stammered, flustered.
-W-well, not none