Chapter 126
Chapter 126
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 126
Chapter Title: School Ghost Story
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Though the cigarettes—costing a staggering 100 million won for just sixty—were exorbitantly priced, Ian harbored no regrets.
Objectively speaking, it wasn't an unnecessary expense. They looked just like regular cigarettes but had no addictive qualities or harmful substances—simply a luxury good. On top of that, they cleaned the lungs and even eliminated any existing nicotine cravings. For anyone trying to quit smoking, stocking up was the smart move.
Health was something best taken care of sooner rather than later.
He'd started smoking because life had been tough back then, but things were pretty comfortable now. There was no reason to keep puffing away. They weren't exactly healthy treats either, so this was a perfect chance to quit for good.
"Hm."
Ian took the silver cigarette case from the shopkeeper and examined it from every angle.
The design was remarkably plain. A pure silver case with no engravings or decorations. Inside, twenty pristine white cigarettes were neatly packed. The remaining forty came separately wrapped.
"I threw in five extra as a bonus! And here's one to try on the way out—go ahead and light up!"
"Can I smoke it right here in the building?"
"Of course! The boss is a huge smoker herself. Everyone's just too polite to light up around others!"
No reason to hesitate, then. Ian nodded, slipped one between his fingers, and pocketed the rest. The metal case clinked against the complimentary lighter he'd received.
"If it's made by the Clock Tower, can mages buy it at their shops too?"
Chik.
Ian lit the tip and asked. The shopkeeper inhaled the spreading lemon scent and pulled out her own smoke—surprisingly, a cigar.
"You mean the 'Owl'? That closed market just for mages."
"Exactly."
"You should be able to get it there. Way cheaper than here, too."
"......"
"Oh, just to clarify—I'm not ripping you off. These are items only mages can normally access. I buy them at a premium and resell through the Cartel, so a handling fee is only fair! Non-mages like you can only get them here anyway!"
Come back often, and I'll give you a deal, she added with a wink. Ian just smiled noncommittally and left the shop.
Naturally, he had zero intention of returning. Why come back when he could get them cheaper elsewhere?
"Hoo."
Ian exhaled a plume of smoke as he walked.
'Once I'm done with things in Busan, maybe search the community for Owl info.'
He'd been active on the community boards for a while but had never seen Owl mentioned. Maybe there wasn't even a market in Korea.
Not surprising. Magic's heartland was Europe, not Asia—Britain leading the pack, followed by Greece, France, Germany, and so on. The Middle East had some too, like Damascus and Israel, but East Asia had virtually no connection to it.
Inevitable, really. Ancestors had always trusted superhuman strength and ghosts over peculiar forces like magic, putting faith in shamans and witchcraft. That's why Korea developed shamans, and Japan sorcery.
China was the exception. Uniquely in Asia, they obsessed over martial arts, leaving mages and sorcerers nearly extinct.
No wonder texts like the Classic of Mountains and Seas from China ended up in Korean mages' hands. The Yellow Emperor's Inner Canon, Jade Pivot Scripture, Scripture of Great Peace, and other Taoist grimoires had scattered worldwide, not staying in China.
Intentionally or not, China had effectively logged off its mages.
Though, honestly, it was their own karma.
All Chinese mages followed a single sect like it was martial arts succession. The problem? That sect was dead serious about cannibalistic magic.
And the bigger issue: they ran rampant during Mao Zedong's chairmanship.
For reference, Mao had once declared sparrows pests and wiped them out. Coincidentally—or not—mages got the same label.
The result? Mages server-terminated in China.
'A few criminal stragglers trickled in, but pure Chinese mages are extinct.'
Ian stubbed out the finished cigarette in an ashtray and exhaled deeply. A refreshing, sweet lemon candy scent filled his throat and sinuses.
Obviously, no Owl in China. No customers, no market.
Japan... who knew. Miko said mages were suppressed there, but they still outnumbered those on the peninsula. Maybe a hidden one operated quietly.
Korea? Time to find out.
Ian toured all the first-floor shops with that in mind.
Nothing really caught his eye, so he bought a prisoner's ankle bone and a gold candlestick, then shipped them home. Both were common alchemy staples—handy to have on hand.
"Shipping fee is 100,000 won. Thank you for your business."
Ridiculous price, but whatever. What did you expect from a Cartel obsessed with money?
After shipping, he headed straight to the second floor.
Unlike the first, it wasn't divided into shops—one massive floor packed with weapons.
Cold steel and firearms crammed every wall and display. The air carried a faint gunpowder tang.
"......"
No clerks to assist him.
Better than clingy salespeople. He downed the last of his Americano, tossed the cup in a bin, and slowly browsed.
'Something portable with solid firepower would be ideal.'
His only gun was the Management Bureau's pistol.
9mm packs punch, but it couldn't match his old revolver. Limbs were disabled, not severed. For clean cuts, revolvers edged out autos.
Ian's style leaned magic over guns. Firearms were always backup, never primary. Too straightforward—awkward outside ambushes or melees.
Most times he'd used one, it was surprise attacks. Facing Eddie, Camilla, or Unicorn Lover Dog head-on? Guns would've been useless. He'd be dead before firing.
Even he ignored bullets via coat spells—effective even against surprises, maximally stable. Headshots still killed, but easy to counter with proper aim.
Anyway.
As backups, no need to obsess over semi-autos' sustained fire. Better single shots with massive power to expose openings.
Revolvers reigned supreme there.
"......This one first."
Ian muttered, gripping a plain silver revolver.
Grip? Perfect.
Ammo? Cartel special rounds were pricey, but negligible recoil and watermelon-shattering power fit his needs perfectly. Nothing better.
A bit heavy, but tolerable. He nodded, cased it, grabbed a few daggers, paid, and headed back to the first floor.
"Oh, there you are."
Lee Seo-ah was already in the lobby, phone in hand like she'd just texted him.
"Got everything?"
"Yeah. You?"
"Same."
She shrugged and lifted her bags.
Inside: bone dust box, three curse dolls, horse blood, and fingers galore. Eclectic, but standard magic reagents.
"Also had a death row corpse delivered to the workshop. Pricey."
"How much?"
"About 50 million won? Not bad for a gutted skin-suit."
Ian grimaced at the corpse tab.
'My new smokes cost more than a body......'
The pack in his coat felt heavier, but he ignored it. Superior value, that's all.
"No more shopping? Or wanna peek at the arena?"
"Nah. Let's head out."
"Cool."
Lee Seo-ah grinned, humming as she skipped to the elevator. Ian followed with a chuckle. Cartel staff bowed deeply.
Overkill courtesy, but Cartel. He adjusted his bag and mashed the button.
"When you tackling the school ghost story?"
"Tonight, probably. Prep after we split. That's what the shopping was for."
"Ah."
"Shamans asked us to handle it, but they barely remember the place. Seems sketchy, so prepping thoroughly."
"Sounds risky."
"Name an anomaly that's not? Since when were they ever friendly?"
"......Fair."
Ian gave a wry smile. Lee Seo-ah snorted and boarded the elevator.
"Anyway, what's this? Worried about me? Kinda touched."
"......Yeah, a bit. We're not total strangers."
"......True. Friends, right?"
Her cheeks flushed as she beamed. She'd never had friends, so the word hit nice. Glancing up at him, she bit her lip.
"So, as a friend... wanna come? Help with the school ghost story?"
"......Together?"
"Uh...... skip if busy."
"No real plans, but......"
Ian trailed off, mentally checking his schedule. Nothing urgent. Owl could wait—not critical. Plenty of time to help her.
"Hm."
Short deliberation.
Her Outer God-induced suicide message still lingered. Better help than send her solo. He smiled faintly at her.
"Half the fee."
"Deal."
They shook, laughing.
Business was business.
*
Well past midnight.
Lee Seo-ah and Ian stood before Sayo High School's locked gates, staring.
Beyond: pristine artificial turf field, soccer goals, massive school building. Ian idly spun a fresh cigarette between his fingers, eyeing the eerie campus.
'High school after all this time.'
Years since graduation. Not ancient history, but nostalgic. School life? Average. No grand memories or nightmares...... Decent for an orphan.
"Dispelling school hauntings is surprisingly simple."
Orphan like him, Lee Seo-ah sidled up.
"Just mimic the ultimate victim."
"......"
"That's why we're dressed like this."
She grinned at him. He sighed down at her.
"......Cosplay uniforms at our age."
No hiding it.
She wore her old high school uniform; he, a rented one.
Uncomfortably familiar. Coat over shirt saved him from the chill.
"Don't complain. Necessary evil."
"Doubt it's necessary. We could've just—"
"Let's go!"
Ignoring him, she chucked the corpse bag over and vaulted the gate like a pro. Ian sighed, climbed the bars slowly, and dropped down.
The moment his feet hit ground.
Srash. Rustling accompanied sudden brightness.
"......?"
His face slackened dumbly. Blinking, he lifted his head.
And saw.
"Ugh, hate school. Already starting?"
"You slacked off forever."
"Slacked my ass. They called us in over break!"
"You there! No running! And you—dyed your hair? What color is that?"
"Teacher! It's gravel! For real! Ow, stop pulling!"
Night vanished into day. Cherry blossoms bloomed on the path. Students everywhere.
"......"
Thick cherry scent brushed his nose, faded.
Warm sunlight poured. Spring's vibrancy filled the air; kids bustled energetically to class.
Undeniable anomaly. Ian schooled his shock, face hardening, hand thrusting into empty air for his grimoire.
"Sunbae!"
Sudden. Someone latched onto his arm from behind.
"Ehehe, it's really you. Mmm, sunbae smells so good......"
"......What haunt is this—"
Ian muttered, turning to whatever clung.
His body froze.
"Good morning, sunbae!"
First: deep-sea-black hair fluttering with petals. Lightless tresses framed blood-red eyes mirroring his stunned face.
"......You."
"Yup! Your adorable kouhai, ■■■! And your girlfriend!"
Her casual claim choked him. Undeterred, the black-haired girl beamed and hugged his waist.
"Now school's back, I see your face daily! Ehehe, really really sunbaeee. I went crazy missing you."
"What insane situation is this."
"Ehehe, I'll visit your class every break! Brace yourself, sunbae......! Cheat and I'll kill you? Even talking to other girls when I'm there. Especially with Teacher Leah—both gone."
"......Hah."
"Cheating's a no-no! Mwah mwah."
She—the girl perfectly mimicking the Master of the Outer Sea—pecked his nape.
Ian squeezed his eyes shut, mind reeling.