Chapter 57
Chapter 57
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 57
Chapter Title: Yu Eun-ha
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A spell that absolutely prevents accidents.
A magic spell with a straightforward name, but its effect caught Ian's eye nonetheless. He let out an admiring exclamation without thinking and tapped away at his keyboard.
ㄴAnonymous: There's a spell like that?
ㄴ★Grandmother: Yes. It was originally a spell to prevent falls from horses, but I improved it with some help from a demon. The grimoire seemed to like it too, saying it was magic suited to modern times.
Magic improvements...
Not something just anyone could pull off easily. This wasn't about talent—it was a matter of intuition. Real-world magic wasn't like the math-infused discipline depicted in novels or games. It was purely the ability to wield mysterious powers, activated entirely based on pre-existing magic circles.
Of course, there were various factors to consider. There were even formulas for creating magic.
But improvement was a slightly different realm. Simply put, creation was like building a monitor from scratch at home, while improvement was modding that monitor into a phone screen or a massive billboard. Which was harder varied by person, but honestly, both were ridiculously difficult.
Ian couldn't even dream of attempting it. The spells he used all derived from outer gods, and tampering with them would surely end badly.
He might manage if he learned other magic, but in his current situation—where even opening a standard grimoire wasn't allowed—there was no point dwelling on it. His precious grimoires wouldn't permit learning other spells anyway.
In any case.
With him already wary of the dangers of riding a bike, there was no reason to turn down Grandmother's offer. He didn't know her well, but the fact that she'd run the community with mages involved without major issues meant she was no villain, at least.
Still, it was right to ask the key questions.
ㄴAnonymous: What's the sudden reason for helping?
People in the world helped others without reason sometimes, but mages wouldn't offer unprompted favors. There had to be some trigger for it to be believable.
ㄴ★Grandmother: Nothing major. Lemegeton said it wouldn't help with my demon contract if I didn't meet someone soon. I was looking for an opportunity, and your post popped up right on time.
ㄴAnonymous: Ah.
ㄴ★Grandmother: I ride bikes often and have a lot of interest in them anyway, so I figured I'd help out while we're meeting. And... well, I have some personal curiosity too.
ㄴAnonymous: What curiosity?
ㄴ★Grandmother: It's a secret. Nothing bad.
Ian let out a groan at Grandmother's reply.
'The trigger was Lemegeton, huh. No wonder there was that bit about Solomon's Lesser Key when I first joined the community.'
When it came to grimoires, the first that came to mind was Solomon's Lesser Key, commonly known as Lemegeton.
Lemegeton detailed not only the spells Solomon created and used in his lifetime but also vivid descriptions, traits, weaknesses, and summoning methods for the 72 demons he ruled. It was one of the rare grimoires holding both magical and religious value.
Lemegeton hadn't had many owners. Counting Grandmother as the current one and Solomon the creator, there had only been three owners total. Even for a high-grade grimoire with strict criteria for choosing masters, that was a low number.
The Book of Moses 8, which Ian had personally destroyed, had gone through nearly seven owners from ancient times to now.
Though that was now his claim to fame from his past life...
'At least the 6th and 7th Books of Moses are still around.'
Ian pushed the stray thoughts aside.
Books of Moses, Lemegeton, Pope Honorius's Grimoire of the Popes, Raziel's Book, and so on. Catholic or religiously affiliated grimoires never took interest in villains. Possessing them was proof enough of being a verified mage.
Mages were mages, but meeting one shouldn't lead to danger. And if it did, he had plenty of ways to handle it.
Ian nodded and tapped the keyboard.
ㄴAnonymous: Alright for now. I'll contact you after handling the bike registration and all that.
ㄴ★Grandmother: Use the Cartel's services, and it'll all be registered in a day. Costs a bit, but not a huge amount.
ㄴAnonymous: Cartel does that too? They handle everything.
ㄴ★Grandmother: They'll do anything if it makes money.
He knew it already, but hearing it like this made it feel fresh.
Makes sense—if they weren't obsessed with money, who'd think to do business with anomalies?
Ian soothed his parched throat with cold water, threw on his coat, and headed to the rooftop.
ㄴAnonymous: Then I'll wrap everything up today and come by. Where?
ㄴ★Grandmother: Sending the address via DM. Not my house—some back mountain where people don't go much. Perfect spot for magic. I'll be waiting.
ㄴTaming Master: Back mountain? Scary as hell. Newbie gonna get buried?
ㄴ★Grandmother: I don't do that stuff.
ㄴTaming Master: (Tracked and killed a rule-breaking mage with people and demons)
ㄴ★Grandmother: They struck first against one of our community mages. Keep nitpicking, and I'll ban you for a week?
ㄴTaming Master: Sorry, sorry.
ㄴDeletePlz: "Our..." she said.
He stared at the ensuing banter, then chuckled, pocketed his phone, and lit a cigarette.
With a sizzle, acrid smoke rose from the tip. The gray haze drifted toward the morning sun before scattering. Ian watched it briefly, then pulled out his phone again and opened the Cartel app.
'A place that handles vehicle registration and all in one day must sell bikes too...'
The familiar Cartel logo appeared, followed by popular categories and discount notices. He skipped to the services.
Fortunately, he found what Grandmother mentioned quickly.
Vehicle registration, plates, insurance, etc.—all paperwork and procedures in one minute. Cost: around 2 million won.
Not cheap, but reasonable. He could afford it.
The service was done on-site in front of the buyer, with a 10% discount if buying a bike from Cartel. Ian read the details carefully, tapped ash into his portable ashtray from days ago, and browsed the shop items.
[Transportation]
[Category] - [Cars][Bikes][Planes][Helicopters][Yachts][Bicycles]...
More vehicle types than expected. Ian exhaled smoke and clicked bikes.
A variety of bikes scrolled into view.
He took time cross-referencing Grandmother's recommendations, deliberated long, and bought one.
A liter-class replica bike.
Not for beginners, but with no-accident magic, no need for anything lesser. Cartel models came with auto-pilot, reduced exhaust and weight—rational choice, Ian thought.
He couldn't deny personal greed entirely. Every guy fantasized about speeding on a bike at least once. With safety assured and cash to spare, no reason to hesitate.
"Good."
He stubbed out the cigarette in the ashtray, pocketed the butt, and closed the lid.
His phone buzzed. A message from Cartel.
[Miko: Hello, customer! Thank you so much for buying our motorcycle! I see you also applied for the vehicle service. In these cases, we usually have you bring the new vehicle, show it off, and handle the service together! So, could you let me know a good date and time? ˓˓ (̨̡*°꒳°*)̧̢ ˒˒]
Unusually bubbly among Cartel staff he'd met. Deer and Crow were both serious. This Miko popped right off the screen.
Ian double-checked it wasn't a wrong message, confirmed, and replied.
[Me: ASAP if possible. You pick the address. Near Seoul.]
[Miko: Thanks for the quick reply! I'll send the location later, so get ready! Nothing special to bring!]
Ian replied he'd be ready, went home, and changed.
He reattached the reverse aimer to his blood-free coat, checked the hung spells for wear, and put it on. Packed all items into his bag and coat pockets.
Then his phone buzzed on the table.
[Miko: Location ready! Address attached! See you soon!]
[Miko: (Address and location photo)]
[Miko: (ง *´▽`* )ว]
Miko's spot was a closed logistics center not far from home. Heard it shut down recently and relocated—Cartel must've bought it.
Whatever. Ian loaded his revolver, patted his grimoires, and left.
Kim I-seo and Park Min-ah knocked on his door 20 minutes later.
*
He arrived at the logistics center about 10 minutes after leaving. Ian paid the taxi, pocketed Hand of Recreation, and entered the abandoned building.
Not long closed, so no eerie vibe like derelict hospitals or schools. Maybe just daytime.
'No ghosts.'
Unlike back mountains or fire-damaged neighborhoods, not even a stray imp. Cartel must've cleared it first. Disappointing.
Ian followed the phone directions inside.
Past the parking lot, a spacious warehouse for parcels appeared. Empty, of course. Just vacant space.
'Where?'
Miko should be waiting here.
Ian scanned while walking. Then, a girl sitting in a chair entered his view.
"Hmm-hmm-hmm..."
A lively girl with green hair humming. One arm prosthetic—severed long ago? Short tennis skirt swayed with her leg swings. A cloth-covered bike parked beside her.
No need to think. Ian gripped his grimoire and approached.
She sensed him, looked up sharply.
Her gaze flicked to his face, then the grimoire. Then she beamed.
"Ah, customer! Hello!"
A high-pitched voice burst from her.
Miko stood, smiling wide, grabbed her skirt hems, and curtsied lightly.
"I'm a Cartel Korea branch employee! Miko here! As the name suggests, I'm originally a Japanese shrine maiden!"
Her pink eyes curved into crescents.