Chapter 60
Chapter 60
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 60
Chapter Title: Yu Eun-ha
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Thankfully, the line Grandmother had drawn vanished as soon as the magic was complete. Ian let out a sigh of relief and stroked the now-clean body of the bike.
“Thank you.”
“No need. The magic applied perfectly, and it’ll run safely without any accidents for the next year, no matter how you ride it. But if you reverse into something, crash into a truck, or fall off a cliff—anything deliberate like that—the magic won’t respond, so be careful.”
Grandmother straightened up from her bowed position and spoke.
“As I mentioned, this isn’t some standard spell; it’s one I modified myself. It still has a few unstable parts.”
“So riding normally or even speeding a bit is fine?”
“Yes. Just don’t go too crazy with the speeding. You’ll get pulled over by the cops.”
She’s been there a few times herself, Grandmother added. Ian chuckled and nodded.
“I’ll keep that in mind. Thank you again.”
“No problem. I don’t like seeing our community users drop off, either. We’re already short on numbers, so we have to look out for each other a little.”
No one knew exactly how many mages there were in Korea, but it was certainly fewer than a hundred. Superpowered individuals were probably twice that many, and shamans several times more.
A superpowered person who specialized in one thing might excel in their field, but they weren’t as versatile as a mage.
That was why cartels and other organizations ranked mages above superpowered users. The danger level was high, but there was good reason to take on that risk.
‘Mages all use different spells. The more mages, the better.’
Even Grandmother alone could accomplish so much through demonic power. Lee Seo-ah was the same, and while Han Yu-na was a bit iffy, no one could deny her magical prowess.
She’d only become a mage half a year ago, a total newbie. Purely in terms of potential, she outshone most others.
If independent mages like these were this capable, what kinds of people were hiding out in the mages’ stronghold in England?
He was curious, sure, but he’d rather not run into them.
He had no desire to get deeply involved with unpredictable beings. He didn’t care to meet and befriend those outside his own community.
It was a kind of tribalism. If Grandmother hadn’t created the community, Ian wouldn’t be mingling with other mages like this.
People often said not to get too attached to the community, but given its small size and like-minded members, there was no need to build walls. Drawing a moderate boundary and helping where it counted was a valid approach. At least, that’s how Ian saw it.
“There are good people and bad in the community.”
As he thought this, Grandmother suddenly spoke up. He couldn’t see her face, so no reading her expression, but he could tell her deep mint-green eyes—faintly visible behind her sunglasses—were gazing at the sky.
“Of course, good people outnumber the bad by far. Most of the bad ones… started out fine and changed along the way.”
“…….”
“But one thing. Doesn’t matter if they’re good or bad—don’t show baseless malice toward fellow community users. We made this place to get along, so we have to stop anything that goes against that spirit.”
“……Is that why you check someone’s tendencies before they meet up?”
“Exactly. Better to block problems upfront. Back when the community first started and there were no rules, it was chaos.”
Ian had no knowledge of those days.
At least a few years back, by the sound of it.
“Death threats flying around, detailed crime descriptions, unfiltered photos and rants… It was a nightmare. Things only settled down after we set rules and dealt with the troublemakers.”
Dealt with.
Ian mulled over her word choice as he leaned against the bike’s body.
All safety rules are written in blood, as they say. Not always true, but something like that had clearly happened in the mage community. Ian let out a groan and turned to her.
“Are there any mages from back then still around?”
“A few. Not many. Most are newcomers, invited by the old-timers. You’re one of those, right?”
“Yeah. Hard to believe it’s already been months.”
“Time flies, doesn’t it?”
Eun-ha smiled faintly and brushed snow off her shoes.
“These days, the bad ones don’t run as wild as before, but they’re not gone entirely. Even neutrals from a few years ago can turn criminal overnight.”
“Hm.”
“Anyway, what I’m trying to say is…”
Eun-ha tilted her head slightly to look up at Ian.
“I hope that tendency of yours doesn’t change. Please don’t turn bad. And don’t get swept up in any alien energies.”
At her words, Ian’s eyes slowly turned toward Eun-ha.
‘……She noticed?’
Telling him not to turn bad was fair game. But warning against alien energies? That was broader, more loaded.
It could just mean “don’t go mad,” but it might also reference the true nature of the two grimoires Ian possessed. As Lemegeton’s owner, she could’ve picked up on it ages ago.
But until she brought up “Outer Gods” first, no need to tip his hand. If she wasn’t threatening him, no need to react.
“……I’ll keep it in mind.”
“Sorry if that feels nosy. Wasn’t my intent.”
“It’s fine. Doesn’t bother me at all.”
Ian flashed a bright smile and took her words in stride. He rolled his wrists and climbed onto the bike.
“Well, I’ll head out then. I’ll repay today’s favor someday.”
“Ah, sure. Go ahead. And… well, I’ll let you know if I need something later. Pay it back then.”
Grandmother dipped her head slightly in response.
Not even empty politeness like “no need to repay.” Very mage-like. Ian let out a chuckle as he kicked the stand up.
“Got it. See you then.”
“Yeah.”
Ian left Grandmother’s reply behind, started the bike, and twisted the throttle. It let out a modest rumble and began moving forward.
Soon, he vanished from her sight. At that moment, Lemegeton—which had been holding its breath—finally spoke in a bewildered tone.
[……Unbelievable. That guy has two Outer God grimoires and he’s *this* normal?]
“You sure you’re not mistaken?”
[Impossible. I’ve fought Outer God grimoires directly before. Ancient history now, but I’m not so dim as to forget that intensity.]
Grandmother chatted with Lemegeton while scuffing away the magic circle on the ground with her foot.
[Still… he’s awfully atypical for an Outer God grimoire owner. Never seen anything like it. He should’ve lost it long ago, but he’s too damn sane.]
“You can control Madness through magic training, right? I think there was something like that.”
[That’s not control. It’s submission. Think about it—absurd, right? How do you master an Outer God’s magic without falling under its sway? You dive deeper instead. Become an obedient slave, step by step.]
“……Scary.”
[Exactly. That’s why everyone shuns Outer God grimoires. Ownership ends in death or plaything status. But that mage… was way too fine.]
Solomon said this, then added with a hint of doubt.
[Maybe because it’s two? Went mad from one, then mad from the second canceled it out into normalcy…?]
“That possible?”
At Eun-ha’s earnest question, Solomon fell silent.
Even he knew it sounded ridiculous.
*
Ian stopped at a nearby bike shop on the way home and bought gloves and a helmet. Unnecessary unless there was an accident, but better to have them. Helmets were illegal without one anyway.
“Thank you! Come again!”
He waved off the shopkeeper’s farewell and stepped outside.
Slipping on the gloves, he straddled the parked bike and checked the helmet’s visor.
No scratches or damage. A full-face that hid everything. Perfect for biking.
Just as Ian went to put it on—
“Excuse me.”
Someone spoke up right beside him.
A deep male voice, with a clumsy accent—not Korean. Ian set the helmet down and turned toward the source.
A middle-aged man with snow-white hair and a beard entered his view. His suit was sharp, his build tall and imposing. He gave off European rich guy vibes. No attempt to hide his upper-class status; he fiddled with an expensive watch—thousands per piece—and continued.
“Sorry, my Korean’s still rough. Just need directions.”
His face showed no change, but his tone was polite enough. Ian buried the vague unease rising inside and smiled like a friendly stranger.
“Ah, sure. Where to?”
“This hotel here. Not on the map.”
“Oh, it’s close. Straight that way, then left at the futsal court. Right there.”
“Hm…… Could you translate to English? Sorry.”
“No problem. One sec.”
Ian repeated the directions into the man’s phone. The man nodded after checking the translation.
“Thank you.”
“No worries. I’ll be off then.”
Ian ignored the man’s thanks, pulled on the helmet snugly. The man gave a slight bow and started walking in the direction Ian indicated.
Through the slightly fogged visor.
A business card peeked from the man’s back pocket, its name faintly visible.
No title or company legible, but the bold English name stood out.
[Eddy]
Eddie.
That was it.
No need to commit it to memory.
Ian felt no particular interest and started the bike, twisting the throttle.