Chapter 61
Chapter 61
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 61
Chapter Title: Proposal
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Under the house where Ian lived was a small parking lot. Fortunately, one spot was empty, so he parked the motorcycle he'd ridden in and turned off the ignition.
Thanks to the added iris recognition and fingerprint system, he didn't really need a key anymore. A single button sufficed to shut everything down.
[Ending operation. Thank you.]
As soon as he pressed the button, the AI murmured, and all the lights, including the dashboard, went out. Ian got off the motorcycle, shrank his helmet using Recreation magic, and slipped it into his pocket.
It was a newly learned way to use magic, which now let him carry large objects around.
However, it was still tricky to change only the size while keeping the shape fixed, so he needed more practice to use it perfectly.
Time would sort it out. No need to rush.
"Hmm."
He adjusted his disheveled bag strap and checked his watch.
5:30 PM.
He'd left home early in the morning, but time had flown by like this already. With a low groan, he shoved his hands into his coat pockets and climbed the stairs.
He considered grabbing ingredients for dinner, but today, delivery sounded better—just something quick. He was craving greasy, spicy food for a change, and after the long drive, he had no desire to cook.
Jjimdak with an extra bowl of rice ought to do it. Thinking that, Ian opened his delivery app and headed toward his studio apartment door.
"Ah."
"...You're back."
Just then, a familiar voice rang out. Ian halted mid-step and lifted his head toward the source.
"...."
In front of his studio door stood two people in suits, looking rather out of place.
Faces he recognized.
They were agents from the Management Bureau group during his hospital escape. He didn't know their names, but he knew for sure they were Bureau affiliates.
He'd expected the Management Bureau to send someone eventually. He'd prepared thoroughly, not knowing when it might happen.
But seeing them face-to-face now made his mind race furiously.
"...."
Ian had tangled with the Management Bureau twice so far.
The first was at the theme park. The agents there had opened fire and swung blades at him without hesitation. Clear hostility. If it hadn't been urgent, he might've dealt with them, but there was no need, so he'd focused on escape.
Luckily, they hadn't seen his face, so no aftermath.
The second time was different.
A transfer with zero preparation. Scouts from the Bureau he'd run into by chance. Then Response Division agents coming to his rescue. He'd crossed paths with all of them, and they'd seen his face. But no fighting—just smooth cooperation.
It could've ended there, but unfortunately, there was aftermath this time.
And it seemed like now was it.
"...Hoo."
Ian pocketed his phone and gripped his bag strap.
He didn't know exactly how the Management Bureau treated mages, but he knew they didn't view them favorably. According to Park Hee-su, the spontaneous human combustion incident had bred a lot of hatred, so statistically, more agents probably disliked mages.
So, which side were these two on?
No way to know.
Didn't matter anyway.
Just because they were from the Bureau didn't mean Ian planned to bend the knee. He had no intention of ending his life pointlessly, but he wasn't about to live groveling on someone else's leash either.
So, firmly.
At least enough not to look weak. He wouldn't show his full hand, but when needed, he'd demonstrate the necessary strength.
With that thought, he opened his mouth, face cold.
"Management Bureau?"
"Yes. Kim I-seo from Response Team 3 of the Management Bureau."
"Park Min-ah from Response Team 3 of the Management Bureau."
The two responded to his words. He memorized their names and walked toward the door.
That motion alone made Park Min-ah flinch. Kim I-seo naturally stepped aside.
Ding-dong.
He punched in the familiar door code and opened it.
A shoe rack with only a few pairs appeared, and Ian, bag in hand, turned to look at them.
"If you have something to say, come in. Otherwise, leave."
"...."
An open invitation into a mage's lair. Any sane person would refuse outright, but after a brief silence, Kim I-seo nodded.
"We'll come in."
"...Ugh."
Park Min-ah groaned at her decision but didn't object. The two followed Ian inside, took off their shoes, and closed the door behind them.
Click.
Now, inside and outside were cut off.
A 'door' held immense jujutsu significance. All the more so for a mage's home.
If Ian didn't want them to leave, they couldn't—not until death. By crossing the threshold of their own will, that's what it meant.
Ian wasn't versed enough in jujutsu for that, but regardless, he was already a skilled mage. Whether he willed it or not, the space would respond to him, tightening around their throats.
"...."
"...."
Feeling the weight of their gear, Kim I-seo and Park Min-ah entered the living room.
For a mage's place, it was an incredibly ordinary studio. That very normalcy heightened the tension.
Ian casually shrugged off his coat and hung it on the rack, but the two stood frozen, sweat pouring down.
The pressure was no joke. It felt like some unknown entity was gazing down, murderous intent gripping their napes. Their fingers trembled involuntarily.
"Sit."
"...Yes."
"...."
Kim I-seo and Park Min-ah obeyed his suggestion to sit, swallowing hard.
Ian looked down at them on the floor, then perched on the bed and reached into empty air.
Deep Sea Chronicles settled precisely into his grasp, responding to his will.
Even unopened, the grimoire exuded eerie vibes in all directions, as per his demands.
Just that made Kim I-seo and Park Min-ah's vision blur faintly. The edges darkened, red-eyed fragments flickering beyond.
"What do you want to talk about?"
His voice sounded muffled, like underwater. A thick scent of blood and salt filled their noses, cool water currents brushing their skin—like something swimming nearby. Unsettling. Horrifying.
"...Hngh."
Breathing grew irregular.
Fear? No, not that. From the moment he brought out the grimoire, it was like oxygen deprivation. Opening their mouths felt like bubbles rising.
All these sensations from that mage's hand. The grimoire's power. Ether infused in the space, heeding his will.
Kim I-seo now understood firsthand why you never entered a mage's home or workshop lightly, and forced her mouth open.
"We came... hngh... for a proposal."
"What kind."
"The Management Bureau wants a deep cooperative relationship with you, Wizard. Hoo... Please hear us out."
It was about what he'd expected.
He'd prepared countermeasures for the worst—forced detention or assassination attempts—but thankfully, no need yet.
At least until Reverse Aim triggered, no need for hostility.
Ian tapped the grimoire's cover with his finger, chin tilting as if to say, go on.
Arrogant, but no one called him on it. Kim I-seo gulped and glanced at Park Min-ah. She carefully pulled a stack of papers from her briefcase and placed them on the table.
"This is our standard contract for typical mages, and this one's newly drafted for you, Wizard. Please take your time reading."
Kim I-seo pointed to each with a finger, explaining. Ian let out a groan at her blatant deference.
"Sounds like you're openly offering special treatment."
"We won't deny it. The upper echelons judged your magic extremely helpful to the Bureau. The Branch Director ordered us to accommodate you as much as possible."
Branch Director's orders.
That explained it.
Ian nodded and leaned forward to check the documents.
No injustice here, and they were offering special treatment outright—no reason to refuse. Stroking his lip with a finger, he slowly scanned the papers.
[1. Party A (hereinafter the Mage) shall act as a collaborator to Party B (hereinafter the Management Bureau), and Party B pledges not to impose any restraints or disadvantages on Party A.]
Right from the start, it was quite accommodating.
Calling him Party A and them Party B showed just how low they were bowing. Honestly, it felt excessive. But no reason to turn down their voluntary humility.
Ian stroked the Deep Sea Chronicles' cover and calmly read on.
[Bzzz!]
[...Bzzz.]
The Deep Sea Chronicles vibrated happily under his touch. The Hand of Recreation in his bag trembled jealously.
To Ian, it felt like light affection and envy, but to Kim I-seo and Park Min-ah, it was like two colossal beasts roaring.
Cold sweat drenched their backs like mad.