Chapter 106
Chapter 106
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 106
Chapter Title: Interrogation
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Just because someone was a ceremonial mage didn’t mean they couldn’t handle magic circles at all.
They could seal the mouth to block the use of magic itself, but that wouldn’t neutralize magic circles already in place. If Park Seokhyeon decided to act right now, the magic in the basement would activate as is and come crashing down on Ian and Eun-ha.
But that wouldn’t be faster than Ian pulling the trigger.
He pressed down hard on the gun he gripped, shoving the barrel deep into Park Seokhyeon’s throat.
Park Seokhyeon gasped for breath, his breathing labored, but Ian paid it no mind.
“Release it. I’m done talking.”
“Cough—kehuk!”
“One, two…”
“Keurk!”
Ian’s finger shifted toward the trigger. Seeing this, Park Seokhyeon flailed his hands up in panic.
At the same moment, the magic circles filling the room began to melt away. The circles and shapes made of blood dispersed like steam, reeking of a thick, fishy stench.
But Ian didn’t pull out the barrel. He shoved it in even deeper.
“Urk!”
The edge of the gun tore into Park Seokhyeon’s palate and tongue. Blood flowed from the wound, and he grimaced in stinging pain. Ian looked down at him coldly and tapped the stake embedded in the man’s thigh with his fist.
“Do I look like an idiot to you? Release all the hidden magic circles too.”
“…Kuh.”
Of course, Ian had no idea there were hidden ones. But he’d hit the mark—Park Seokhyeon’s eyes trembled as he clenched his fists. Then, the magic circle engraved beneath the sofa melted and flowed away.
Drip…
Ian felt blood on his shoe as he slowly, deliberately scraped the gun’s edge along the wound before pulling it out.
“Cough, cough…! Kehek!”
With the obstructing metal gone, Park Seokhyeon coughed repeatedly. After a moment, he glared at Ian and Eun-ha, his lips twitching.
“You damn savage bastard… If you’re a mage, don’t use guns…!”
“Ridiculous. Why wouldn’t I use something this good?”
Ian let out a short laugh and fired a bullet into each of the man’s knees. The bang echoed loudly off the narrow basement walls.
Eun-ha winced at the unexpectedly loud noise, and Ian took out a cigarette, lit it, and struck the man’s mouth with the gun’s grip.
Crack!
With a brutal sound, several of Park Seokhyeon’s teeth flew through the air. Ian grabbed the man’s shaking head, forcing it back into place, then dragged over a nearby chair and sat. Eun-ha grabbed a relatively intact chair and sat beside him.
“Hoo, hoo…! You fucking foreign bastards, why the hell did you come here! What did I even do!”
“Not something a mage who kidnapped people for materials should say. As if you have any right to feel wronged.”
“What bullshit! Non-mages aren’t worth keeping alive! They should be grateful I even use them!”
“Crazy bastard.”
Ian clicked his tongue and flicked ash onto the man’s face. Some got in his eyes, and Park Seokhyeon screamed, writhing his limbs. Ian then shot bullets into both his shoulders before turning to Eun-ha.
“Let’s begin.”
“Yes, the spell’s ready.”
Eun-ha placed a bowl of clear water on Park Seokhyeon’s chest. The water, mixed with salt, sugar, and a few pebbles, didn’t ripple even with slight movement.
“It detects truth and lies. Wouldn’t work on a strong mage like you, Ian, but it should on him.”
“…You mocking me now, you little shit—?”
“Quiet.”
Eun-ha pressed a dagger to his nape, her voice flat.
“From now on, answer only what’s asked. Anything else, and I’ll hammer nails into every joint of your fingers.”
“Ha, you crazy bitch…”
“Didn’t I say no talking?”
Eun-ha pulled a large nail from her pocket. Park Seokhyeon’s face drained of color, not expecting her to actually have one. Before he could open his mouth again, she drove it into the tip of his thumb.
“Kaaaagh!”
Blood and muscle mashed together, joints shattering. But Eun-ha didn’t stop. She used Lemegeton like a hammer and nailed it into the sofa.
Thud thud!
With heavy thuds, his finger fused with the sofa in an instant.
“Quiet. Got it?”
Eun-ha wiped the splattered blood from Lemegeton with a handkerchief. Park Seokhyeon’s eyes shook wildly, but he nodded. Blood trickled from his lips in an arc with the motion.
“Good. First question. Did you sell information on community mages to a mage named Eddie?”
“No…”
Instant answer. Then, the water in the bowl on his chest sloshed violently.
“A lie.”
Eun-ha’s face turned icy.
Crack!
It took about a minute for Park Seokhyeon to tell the truth. Aside from new nails in his thumb and index finger, he didn’t look much different.
“Fuck, fine, I sold it! I did, damn it! So stop already!”
“Hm. Truth. Good. Next question.”
Eun-ha tilted her head. Her black hair flowed downward with gravity.
“How many did you sell? Not just to Eddie.”
“…Two.”
“Hm. What were their nicknames?”
“…A newbie mage to Eddie, and Dolores. But Dolores was famous already, so I didn’t get much. The buyers were just some crime group tied to anomalies.”
“Hmm.”
“They’ve probably set foot in Korea by now to catch Dolores. Don’t know the results, though…”
“Truth.”
Eun-ha nodded. As if she’d asked everything, she pocketed Lemegeton and shattered the bowl. The water inside evaporated and scattered.
“No need to drag this out further. Let’s wrap up and go.”
She turned to Ian. He nodded and aimed at Park Seokhyeon’s head. At the clear intent to kill, the man’s eyes widened, and he waved his un-nailed hand.
“W-wait! I did everything you asked! No need to kill me!”
“Can’t leave loose ends.”
Ian flicked his cigarette at him with a grin.
“You’re a mage—you know that.”
“…Ah.”
Park Seokhyeon couldn’t argue. Instead, he mumbled a spell, lifting his head.
“With the purest blood I command, by the will of blood—”
Bang!
Before the incantation finished, Ian pulled the trigger. A small lead bullet pierced his forehead and exited the back of his skull. Blood sprayed, crushed muscle and brain matter splattering everywhere. The impact popped his eyeball out.
The headless corpse slumped onto the sofa, reduced to mere meat.
Knees, shoulders, and head blown apart by bullets, nails in the hands. No matter how you looked, it was a gruesome murder scene. Police wouldn’t let it slide easily.
But no need to worry about media exposure. There was a company that handled anything for the right price.
“I’ll call Cartel services. Wait a sec.”
Ian nodded.
Calling the Management Bureau would’ve been easier for him, but to avoid dragging Eun-ha in, Cartel was better. He was curious about their service anyway—this was a good chance to check.
Ian thought that as he stepped back, slowly examining the basement’s items.
Nothing useful.
Being a blood mage, it was all professional torture tools and blades. No magical tools.
“Tch.”
Ian left the table and looked at the victims hanging upside down from the ceiling.
No plans to silence them.
If he couldn’t use Cartel or the Bureau, he’d have to, but otherwise, no need for more blood on his hands. They’d get their brains wiped and return to society safely.
Memories altered a bit, but still better than keeping the torture intact.
“Don’t worry. You’ll be back with your families soon.”
Ian reassured them and sat.
It wouldn’t help much, but it’d ease their fear of imminent death.
Fortunately, their trembling eased. Ian exhaled deeply, glanced at Eun-ha posting on the community, and lit a new cigarette.
“Fuu…”
Time passed.
No windows, so no sky view, but the dampening air told the tale. Not a short time.
‘When’re they coming?’
Just as impatience set in, footsteps echoed from the stairs.
Thud thud—the shoes.
At the clear outsider steps, Ian drew his grimoire and gripped his pistol. Eun-ha set her phone down and opened Lemegeton.
Someone entered the basement.
“Ah, you’re both here. I thought you’d be outside waiting.”
The voice belonged to a Cartel employee in an Eel mask. Her high feminine voice spoke, then she threw up her arms at their killing intent.
“Cartel employee, Eel! Also called Catfish spawn, Fish head, etc. Five-year vet! Mercy, please!”
At Eel’s quick surrender, Eun-ha sighed and pocketed her grimoire.
“…Phew, almost attacked. Be careful next time.”
“Got it!”
Eel nodded vigorously.
Strictly, Eel wasn’t at fault. But mages say be careful? You do it.
Obvious, so Eel approached without complaint, scanning the basement.
“You requested cleanup, right?”
“Yes. Those hanging are victims.”
Her gaze flicked to the upside-down ones, then back.
“Understood. No worries. We’ll take them, wipe brains. Your identities stay secret.”
Eel tapped her mask. Eun-ha nodded.
“Payment confirmed?”
“Yes. 5 million won for cleanup. Confirmed. We’ll handle now—leave easy.”
“Got it. Thanks for the work.”
“Yes. Have a good day.”
Eel bowed at ninety degrees. Eun-ha smiled faintly at Ian.
“Shall we go?”
“…Yeah. Let’s.”
Ian smiled back, and they left the basement together.
Tempted to take Park Seokhyeon’s corpse, but Eddie’s head was already unused—another was greed. Too damaged anyway.
Regrettable, but better left.
On the first floor, Cartel staff bustled. They passed, exiting the front door, walking slowly.
The sky, bright on entry, now glowed sunset. Hands would redden without pockets; temperature dropped. At least no strong wind.
“Haa…”
Eun-ha breathed white into the air. Gray smoke rose toward sunset clouds, scattering.
“Good it ended well.”
She pulled her hat low. Ian nodded.
“Yeah. Easier than thought.”
“A bit weak.”
Eun-ha replied with a laugh in her voice. Ian chuckled, looking down at her.
“I’ll cover half the Cartel fee.”
“Hehe, no need. I can handle it. Community incident anyway—my responsibility too.”
“Still…”
“Then buy me dinner.”
She tilted her head. Mint eyes sparkled through her hat, mysterious in sunset.
“Dinner time. Eat before parting.”
“…That okay?”
“Yes.”
Her lips curved softly.
“Won’t leave home for two months after today. Let’s eat out.”
Ian smiled wryly at her half-joking tone.
“Alright. Any cravings?”
“Hmm… Snacks?”
“Fine by me.”
“Snack shop then. Know a good one I order from.”
They did. Out to the road, taxi to her regular snack shop.
Small place, one auntie running a neighborhood joint. Eun-ha took the corner seat, ordered familiarly.
Food arrived soon.
Tteokbokki, mixed fritters, fish cake skewers. Classic snacks set on table. But Eun-ha didn’t grab chopsticks—instead thanked Ian.
“Thanks for treating. I’ll eat well.”
“No, thank you. I owe you. Order more if wanted.”
“Yes.”
She smiled, tilting her head. Ian noted her flushed cheeks, glanced at the open window.
“Close the window? You look cold. Cheeks red.”
“Ah, no. Not cold.”
“But ears and nose red too…”
“Not from cold.”
“…Really?”
“Yes.”
Eun-ha smiled, raising chopsticks.
“Won’t tell why.”