Chapter 16
Chapter 16
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 16
Chapter Title: Negotiation Division
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It was already evening by the time Ian got home. He ordered some delivery for dinner, then dumped the contents of his bag onto the desk. He carefully set aside the fragile items.
The [Dying Eyeball] he had crafted with considerable focus. And various other items piled up on the desk. Ian stared down at them for a moment and let out a groan.
“……Should I buy a safe or something to store them in?”
He didn’t think burglars would break into his house, but if one did and made off with his creations, it would be a disaster. Leaving them anywhere carelessly didn’t seem like a good idea.
Who knew? Some Santa anomaly might suddenly smash through the window, not to deliver gifts but to steal everything in sight.
The problem was that he couldn’t dismiss such delusions as mere fantasies. He hadn’t realized it before, but now he knew anomalies were alive and breathing in this world.
Christmas was right around the corner, too. If something Santa-related was going to show up, now would be the perfect time.
‘I should get a storage box first.’
It wasn’t just Santa he had to watch out for. In case the Management Bureau ever raided his place, hiding obvious evidence was the smart move.
“Whew.”
Ian pushed the stray thoughts aside for now, took a shower, and stashed the items in a drawer. He figured he’d keep them there until he got a proper storage solution.
It wasn’t completely safe, but it would do for temporary storage.
After tidying up, he lay on the bed and pulled out his phone.
There were no piled-up messages. Just a few ads.
He deleted them all and opened the community. As the phrase “Solomon is opening his book” appeared and vanished, he logged in.
[Oh good night.]
[Has anyone seen a vampire noble? Do they have no hair like regular vampires? Just curious for solidarity.]
[Heard some Arab mage suddenly started hunting for a grimoire that vanished in Israel. What’s going on?]
Amid the usual crap posts, one title caught his interest. Ian turned off the living room light and clicked on it.
[Title: Heard from an Arab mage acquaintance—suddenly hunting for a grimoire that vanished in Israel. What’s up?]
[It’s hot.]
Yeah right.
Said they’re tearing the country apart to check if any stored grimoires went missing.
Heard it’s at the request of the Korean Management Bureau. Anyone know anything?
[Recommendations 0][Disrecommendations 0]
[Comments]
-Management Bureau request? Why are they looking for grimoires? They’re not the Clock Tower or anything.
ㄴIt’s hot: Exactly. Ah, suddenly pissing me off? Why are these bastards sticking their noses into mages’ territory?
ㄴㅇㅁ: Emperor of the Island going full throttle is badass as fuck.
-Something must’ve blown up grimoire-related, so they’re searching. It’s anomaly stuff anyway. Maybe they found Book of Moses 8 somewhere. Some place must’ve had anomaly-induced flooding recently.
ㄴIt’s hot: Makes sense? Come to think of it, didn’t these guys hunt grimoires last time something happened too?
ㄴDuring the spontaneous human combustion incident yeah.
ㄴIt’s hot: Oh right. Some crazy mage flipped out back then. Thinking about it, searching for grimoires isn’t that weird.
ㄴㅇㅁ: Emperor of the Island switching to battle mode is badass as fuck.
ㄴIt’s hot: Fuck off.
Spontaneous human combustion.
Ian had never heard of the incident. The Management Bureau must have covered it up.
‘More importantly, searching for grimoires.’
Ian groaned, recalling recent events in Korea.
The Eight-Foot Ghost encounter probably wasn’t grimoire-related. It was fairly strong as anomalies went, but closer to a stray spirit if anything. Not serious enough to warrant Management Bureau intervention.
“……Then it has to be the Monkey Dream.”
In terms of likelihood, that topped the list. Something even worse might have happened elsewhere, but Ian focused on what involved him.
If the Management Bureau was competent, they’d realize the Monkey Dream wasn’t a normal anomaly. The puppeteer behind it was obvious to anyone steeped in anomalies.
The figure pulling strings was most likely a mage or someone from another force that handled anomalies. No reason for the Bureau to request grimoire tracking otherwise.
And that was assumption one.
The second was far simpler.
‘Survivors from the subway might’ve given statements tying back to me. I was ranting Christian terms all over, so hunting a missing grimoire from Israel—the holy land itself—isn’t strange.’
He’d meant to pose as a simple priest, but carrying a grimoire had backfired. Might not raise eyebrows with civilians, but the Bureau was different.
Either way, it was good news for Ian.
Whether probing another mage’s identity or tracking a Christian grimoire’s owner.
Ian fit neither, effectively out of the investigation’s scope. With Lee Seo-ah’s magic knocking out CCTV, he was in the clear for now.
All he had to watch were any detection methods the Bureau might use and that female agent from the convenience store.
‘When will they show?’
The incident was just two days ago. Not a huge commotion, so their visit was dragging.
What if he spread word about meeting the Eight-Foot Ghost far and wide?
“……No, they wouldn’t believe me anyway.”
Even if he recounted the day’s events in earnest, no one would buy it. They’d gently suggest a psych ward visit.
Blabbing about anomalies could draw Bureau eyes too. Maybe that’s what they wanted.
Paranoia, perhaps. Overthinking turning to suspicion.
But he didn’t mind.
Caution bred options and countermeasures.
As a mage, he couldn’t slow his thoughts. Might get used to mage life someday, but not now.
“…….”
Ian stretched on the bed, quickly posted to the community, and closed his eyes.
[Title: Heading to bed. Night night, turn off the light.]
[Yeah.]
(Lights off, con.)
Even with a cluttered mind, he had to do what needed doing.
*
Knock knock knock.
“Anyone home?”
“……Nngh.”
Ian opened his eyes at the voice. He checked the time unconsciously and sat up.
8 a.m.
Not a time for casual visitors.
Definitely not ordinary folk.
“…….”
He splashed cold water on his face and scanned the room.
The grimoire he’d left on the desk was now right beside his pillow. Everything else was in the drawer. No anomalous items visible to the naked eye except the grimoire.
Knock knock knock.
“Anyone home?”
Another knock and a bright male voice. Ian bolted up, stashed the grimoire in the boiler room.
Click.
He locked it from inside. Key went on the bathroom shelf.
A spot hard to find without rummaging.
Ian checked his reflection, mussed his hair, steadied his breath, grabbed a crumpled talisman from the desk, scowled like a weary human, and shuffled to the door.
“…….”
Footsteps must’ve tipped them off—no more knocking. Ian peered through the door lens.
‘One guy, one woman. Suits. No sign of the convenience store one.’
But same vibe.
Management Bureau agents.
He’d half-expected it, but damn if they actually came.
Ian tsked inwardly, unlocked the door, and glared irritably at the visitors.
“……Who are you? If it’s delivery, leave it out front.”
“Ah, sorry. We’re not delivery—we handle this kind of thing.”
The man from the pair spoke. He smiled brightly and pulled a business card from his pocket.
[Gyeonggi Suwon Police Station]
[Detective Division: Kim Min-su]
Plain card. Detectives showing up out of nowhere could spook civilians, but otherwise unremarkable.
Ian’s eyes saw the truth.
[Bureau of Mystery Management]
[Negotiation Division]
[Employee Kim Min-su]
The card’s true face, visible only to those who’d faced anomalies.
A civilian would blurt “Management Bureau,” but not Ian. He clocked it as a leading interrogation.
A card revealing itself only to anomaly witnesses. Saying “Bureau” confirmed contact.
‘Test for uncertain targets. Confirms exposure and response.’
He knew the game—no falling for it.
He looked up at the man casually.
“Why are detectives here all of a sudden…….”
“Detective” softened the man’s face briefly.
He recomposed quickly, pocketed the card nonchalantly, clasped hands politely.
“We have questions about the incident at your part-time job. Need your testimony—got a moment?”
“Ah…… Sure. Come in. Place is small, but.”
“Haha, no worries. Just a quick chat.”
Ian kept up the sleepy act, easing the door open.
“Then, pardon the intrusion.”
“Feel free.”
The two Bureau agents entered. Man casually slipped off shoes into the living room; woman nodded slightly to Ian and followed.
“…….”
Ian stared coldly at their backs, shut the door.
Creak.
Click.
Outside and inside eyes severed.