Chapter 13
Chapter 13
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 13
Chapter Title: Exorcist
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Obviously, the better the materials that went into alchemy, the superior the end product.
If Ian had used a rusted knife instead of a proper kitchen knife when making that blade, the effect might have been the same, but it would have shattered after just one use.
Even the one made from a kitchen knife had broken, but he'd still managed to kill all the monkeys with it. It would have been impossible with a rusted one.
Just like that, even for the same item, the result varied depending on the materials. The same went for the thing Ian was trying to make now.
The Dying Eyeball. A vicious item that crushed the eyeball of whatever was reflected in its retina.
However, for its core material—the creature's eye—Ian had chosen one from a dead fish. Better than a bug, but far inferior to the eyes of other beasts.
He had no choice; it was the only eye he could legally obtain. He couldn't very well gouge out human or animal eyes, after all.
He had considered digging out the eyes from the corpses killed by the Monkey Dream, but ultimately decided against it.
Defiling corpses was a crime. He couldn't rummage through bodies in a place the Management Bureau was bound to investigate. If he didn't want to get caught by the scruff of his neck and dragged away, he had to behave.
So, a fish's eye it was. It was a bit cloudy and flatter than a human eye, but it was still a living creature's eyeball. It wasn't unusable for magic.
"Somehow, picturing a mage chosen by an Outer God's grimoire using a fish eyeball for magic feels a bit off."
He ignored the voice coming from behind him. With a serious expression, Ian drew the magic circle on the paper and carefully arranged the materials.
He poured the blood he'd brought in a bottle over the eyeball placed in the center of the magic circle. He sprinkled water around it and set the chunk of the Eight-Foot Ghost's arm he'd collected at the top of the circle. At the bottom, he placed the helmet flower he'd bought from the florist.
Preparations were complete. Ian told Lee Seo-ah to step back, then opened the grimoire.
"……!"
The moment the pristine white pages of the grimoire opened, goosebumps rose along Lee Seo-ah's spine. It felt like she was facing something she couldn't resist. It was as if bugs were crawling all over her skin.
And that was just from opening the pages. What would happen if she actually read it?
"……."
She was curious, but she had no intention of trying. As a mage herself, she valued her life more than most. There was no need to satisfy a curiosity that would obviously kill her.
She wasn't a cat. She wouldn't stupidly stick her head into danger.
Still, curious about the outcome of the alchemy, Lee Seo-ah peeked over Ian's shoulder to watch the process.
Ian felt her gaze but didn't stop her. Instead, he calmly chanted the incantation written in the grimoire.
"How dare a mere worm gaze upon the great one. Lower your head. If you cannot, gouge out your own eyes."
Wooong.
The magic circle vibrated. The trembling blood and water fused together, and the mixture flowed into the lifeless eyeball. Ether enveloped the circle like a barrier.
At that moment, Ian felt as if something indescribable was directing its gaze toward him.
It was different from when Grandmother had used magic. This gaze was far more malicious and murderous. He immediately realized these were the "corrupted ones" mentioned in the grimoire.
Perhaps because they were in the mage's workshop, the gaze failed to lock onto him and quickly dissipated.
If they hadn't been in the workshop, the things surely would have pinpointed his location and taken action. It was obvious—even a passing dog could see—that it wouldn't be good for Ian.
'I should absolutely avoid doing alchemy outside the workshop unless it's a dire emergency.'
Ian made that vow inwardly as he calmly finished the final incantation.
"Crush the gouged-out eyeball. Prove thereby that my form is not reflected in your eyes. Then I shall not take your life myself."
The incantation ended. Ian glanced at the sphere and flower crumbling into ash like before, then picked up the now slightly reddened eyeball to check if the alchemy had worked properly.
Fortunately, it had succeeded. Ian carefully wrapped the eyeball, which exuded a rather eerie aura, in the cloth he'd brought and placed it inside the ring case.
That should prevent it from breaking during transport.
He nodded in satisfaction and showed the case with the eyeball to Lee Seo-ah as well.
"What do you think?"
"……Think of what?"
"This. Doesn't it seem like it turned out well? That's how it looks to me, but another mage might see it differently. Just wanted your opinion."
As Ian shrugged and spoke, Lee Seo-ah narrowed her eyes and poked the squishy eyeball wrapped in cloth with her finger.
"Something special does emanate from it. It's really creepy. But is alchemy like this in general—making weird stuff like this? The Basic Primer on Magic Knowledge didn't mention anything like it."
"Basic Primer on Magic Knowledge?"
Ian repeated the question. Lee Seo-ah pointed to the various books on the bookshelf.
"Basic magic texts from the British Clock Tower. They're not supposed to leak out, but a ton hit the Cartel market once. I bought them then. They explain all sorts of magic."
"……Really? Mind if I take a look?"
"Go ahead. More importantly, I'm hungry—thinking of ordering something. Anything you want?"
"Nah, order whatever you like. I'll pay. As thanks for lending me the workshop."
"Alright, then."
Lee Seo-ah cleared her throat unnecessarily and scrolled through the delivery app. Ian left her to it and pulled out the books from the shelf to read their contents.
Most of it was stuff Ian already knew. But there was one piece of information that particularly caught his eye.
[It is possible to create fire with magic. Learning spells straight out of fantasy novels isn't entirely impossible.]
[However, the process of becoming able to use magic is extremely painful. If you want to handle fire, you must suffer full-body burns at least ten times.]
Ten full-body burns.
Ian found it ridiculous and settled into a corner to keep turning the pages.
[To handle water, you need near-drowning experiences at least ten times; for earth, survive being buried alive for a month; for wind, fall from near 100 meters without safety gear ten times. That is how one gains the power of the elements.]
[Each method borders on suicide. If you value your life, don't even attempt it. Even if you succeed and master elemental power, it's not worth the risk. I recommend abandoning any thoughts of wielding elements.]
'So there are spells like fireball.'
He'd thought that since magic worked differently from the norm, fantasy-style spells didn't exist—but apparently they did. The prerequisites were just far more brutal than expected.
Full-body burns, near-drownings, live burials, falls…….
They were all utterly insane. He couldn't even imagine attempting them. He wondered if anyone had actually succeeded and become an elemental mage. You'd probably die in the process.
Still, the fact that it was recorded meant someone had existed who did it. Better safe than sorry. Ian closed the book he'd been reading and opened one on alchemy.
It explained basic alchemy concepts. No recipes were listed.
But it did give examples of alchemical products—precious metals or potions. There were no records of making knives or eyeballs like Ian had.
The description of alchemy called it magic for crafting rare potions and talismans. Not a single line mentioned creating grotesque items like Ian's.
'Seems like only the alchemy I use can make stuff like this.'
It was a grimoire written directly by an Outer God. Of course it would differ from standard academy magic—overflowingly so.
He wasn't sure if he should be thrilled about it.
But since he had it, there was no reason to shy away. He should develop it further.
'I don't know if or when the Outer God's Madness will strike, but better to be cautious. Even if it does, the only way to control it perfectly is to raise my level as a mage.'
Ian had come to trust the grimoire's contents to a degree. It said 100% compatibility prevented Madness, and his current state suggested that was true.
Still, his compatibility could drop at any moment. Complacency might annoy the Outer God into toying with his mind.
With all possibilities open, he needed to prepare.
Developing as a mage came first.
That was Ian's goal too. Now that he'd stepped into magic, he intended to see it through to the end. Outer Gods and Madness were just excuses.
"Kuh……."
He closed the book and stretched. Lee Seo-ah, who had been awkwardly hovering nearby, turned at the sudden sound.
"Done reading?"
"Yeah. Thanks to you, I learned a lot."
"Good. The chicken's almost here—give me your card, and I'll pay."
Ian handed over his card without protest. Soon after, Lee Seo-ah returned with the chicken, set the boxes on the table, and opened them.
Half seasoned, half fried.
A classic lineup. Ian enjoyed the satisfying meal, and after cleaning up the trash with Lee Seo-ah, he stowed the Dying Eyeball back in his bag.
With his stomach full, he remembered something he'd meant to ask on the subway ride here. Without hesitation, he turned to Lee Seo-ah.
"But how do mages make money?"
"Oh, that?"
Lee Seo-ah answered.
"Usually, they deal with the Cartel folks for various jobs. Think of them as brokers—makes it easier."
"……Brokers."
"They offer all sorts of commissions, so you can pick what suits you—no need to worry. I've used them a few times myself."
"What kind of jobs mainly?"
"Oh, you know. Ghoul hunts, vampire hunts. Mystic Tracking, anomaly extermination. Stuff like that? I only take them when I'm in a pinch, though. Got my main gig."
"Student?"
"That's just a side thing."
She said that just as her phone buzzed with a message. Lee Seo-ah skimmed it, grinned, and showed it to Ian.
"This is my main gig."
[Exorcist-nim, I heard you're really skilled, so I'm messaging you. I visited a haunted house recently, and since then, too many weird things have been……]
The message cut off midway. Ian scanned it and looked back at Lee Seo-ah.
With a confident expression, she pulled out her guardian spirit and smirked.
"I'm an exorcist."