Bomb Terrorist?
It seemed I’d blacked out for a moment.
What the hell had I done?
For one thing, the camp was completely obliterated.
This wasn’t going to end with me at the police station again, was it?
“Ugh…. I need to get up….”
My entire body hurt so badly that all I wanted was to flop down on the spot, yet it looked like running away was the only real option.
The grumbling voices of what sounded like important people drifted over.
“Dolmaeng-i? Dalguji? Where are you? Come out right now, it’s an emergency!”
A low mechanical hum answered from the side. Dolmaeng-i was using its one remaining arm to drag Dalguji free.
Both of them were half-buried in a shattered section of the building wall.
“Whoa, I’ll help! Dolmaeng-i, on three! One! Two!”
I was in a desperate, frantic, absolutely urgent rush.
We had to bolt.
> What’s that noise?
> Was someone still inside the building?
I avoided the direction of the voices in case we ran into anyone and slipped out through the exit.
The interior was such a wreck from the monster fight that nobody paid any attention to me limping along.
At least not while we were still inside.
The moment I stepped outside, a new ordeal slammed into me.
I had never heard so many camera shutters in my entire life.
It sounded like fifty versions of Mom and Dad were standing there taking pictures.
“Aaaagh! My eyes!”
Just like the goblins in the cave, I got flash-banged into oblivion.
Damn reporters. Do they even ask permission before they shoot? I’m going to get revenge later….
“Ah! Someone’s coming out!”
“Hello! This is Kim Ji-hyuk from SEC News. What’s the situation inside?”
“We’re from Daeju Daily! Is it safe now?”
Are you kidding me?
They were swarming anyone who appeared, shouting questions like maniacs.
This had gotten annoying. How was I supposed to handle it?
> Lady Ian, shall I clear a path?
“You have a way?”
> It appears so.
“Then do it, quick!”
As expected from my reliable golem friends.
But there were way too many people to just shove through.
> Please cover your ears.
My ears? All of a sudden? Well, if it told me to, I’d do it.
I clapped my hands over them.
What my palms touched wasn’t skin but reinforced plastic.
It was the helmet, of course.
Ha. Ha. Ha. What a life….
“Beeeeeeeeeeep—!”
A sound loud enough to pierce my ears, rattle my skull, and launch my soul into outer space exploded outward.
Dalguji’s maximum-power horn.
Ah. Aaaah. Aaaaaah. What the—? I can’t hear anything anymore?
“Uwaaaaagh! What is that?!”
“My ears!”
“Kyaaaaah!”
“Who is it?!”
“Stop iiiiiit!”
For some reason the people were writhing on the ground, mouths opening and closing like fish.
Dolmaeng-i tapped me, then grabbed my arm and pulled me toward an area with fewer people.
We walked for about five minutes.
The usual cacophony of the city—normally something I would have found horrible—sounded like the sweetest music in the world.
“Oh! I can hear again!”
> I am relieved….
I had been so worried I’d gone deaf.
The moment sound returned, I almost shed my thirty-two-thousandth tear of relief.
“Let’s sit down for a bit at that convenience store over there….”
> Yes. We could all use some rest….
Even golems get tired?
Both Dolmaeng-i and Dalguji looked completely worn out.
Sigh. My poor babies.
Dalguji was letting out a pathetic little engine whine.
Dolmaeng-i sat in the cargo bed, clutching the detached arm it had somehow collected.
And I was covered head to toe in dust from rolling around on the ground.
“Anyone who saw us would think we just came back from a war zone.”
> A battle against monsters, the defense of a fortress, and a bomb. Is that not a war zone?
Fair point…. I could maybe pass off the cave part as “I hunted some monsters,” but that last bit was really….
A massive explosion….
I kind of want to do it again.
> Beep. Beep. Lady Ian? Your heart rate is abnormal. It would be best if you calmed down.
Whoa, it’s like you’re psychic! I was just having a slightly dangerous thought, that’s all….
“We’re at the convenience store! Let’s sit first….”
Whatever else happened, I needed a break.
The golems were slowly repairing themselves, but rest would speed the process up.
“Haaah…. What a brutal day….”
> ….
Dolmaeng-i? The way you’re looking at me makes it seem like I did something terribly wrong.
Anyway, maybe I should buy something to drink.
“I’m going to grab a drink real quick. Wait here.”
> Understood. Please take your time.
The part-timer sounded terrified for some reason?
Hmm. I did roll around on the ground, so I’m probably filthy.
Zero. Zero. There it is.
Zero really does taste the best.
I grabbed some snacks too….
I piled drinks and snacks high on the counter.
“Ring me up, please.”
“….”
“Hello?”
“Eek! I’m sorry!”
The part-timer wouldn’t meet my eyes and was shaking. Did something happen?
I glanced around, but the only person in the store was me. Did I look like a robber?
Nah, probably not.
The scanner beeped several times.
“Th-thank you.”
“Have a good night.”
When I came back outside, poor Dolmaeng-i was pressing its severed arm back into place.
It would reattach eventually, but….
Why does this feel so heartbreaking?
We should just hurry home.
“Ugh. Kids, let’s eat while we walk and head straight home….”
I seriously wanted to hail a taxi.
But Dalguji probably couldn’t ride in one.
Every single step felt like hell. Seriously….
On the way to the subway, sirens wailed in the distance.
“Police and firefighters everywhere. The gate must be in chaos.”
> Probably because of the bomb, don’t you think?
“Do you think many people got hurt?”
> Since you were the closest and only ended up like this, I doubt there were any fatalities. There were many Awakened present.
Oh! That’s right!
If it really was because of a bomb….
Wouldn’t I be going to prison?
“Shouldn’t I… turn myself in?”
Was I about to walk the path of a criminal…?
Would I end up wearing the very shackles I had forged?
> It will be fine. If you had truly done something wrong, monsters would have poured out and far more people would have died.
That makes sense. Yeah….
I’ll do lots of good deeds from now on!
Please don’t arrest me….
“If anyone asks about the bomb, I’ll just say I don’t know anything….”
> That seems wise. There is no evidence, and you did a good thing.
Right. There’s no evidence left!
The mana stone fragments wouldn’t leave any circuits behind, would they?
Whew! Okay, from now on I’ll live like a saint! A saint!
> Moreover, if they learn that such a tiny mana stone produced that much power, you could be in danger. Keep it secret at least until you grow stronger or build more golems.
Yeah, a bomb is definitely something the government would be interested in.
A mana stone the size of a fingernail had that much force. If I made one ten times or a hundred times bigger… whew….
I could literally fit one in my pocket and wipe out an entire city.
“Right. Let’s just forget today ever happened. Thanks.”
> Not at all. Does this mean you will make me even better equipment?
“Pfft. What? Fine! I’ll make you whatever you want.”
> Thank you.
Just how greedy for gear is this thing?
So, to summarize….
Today I arrived at the camp, the door wouldn’t open, so I used a broken truck as a ramp and simply flew into the sky. That’s all.
Step. Step.
“…I’m going to die….”
When I get home I’m going to soak in hot water and then spend a full session in the massage chair….
Even so, taking the subway and then the bus home feels impossibly far.
“Haa…. Dolmaeng-i, can’t you just drive?”
> That would be illegal.
Yet you were my accomplice in a bombing just a little while ago….
“Maybe I should get my license and drive myself.”
> Please don’t!
“Huh? Why?”
It sounded like a very strong objection.
> Statistical analysis suggests you would cause a traffic accident once per month if you drove.
“Why? What for?”
> Did you not destroy the traditional kart you rode at home three times in two weeks, resulting in a ban?
Is that related?
I feel a little hurt.
“A car would be different!”
> It would not.
Wow. What a firm pumpkin.
A ridiculously firm pumpkin….
> I will drive instead.
“Oh! Great! Then let’s get you a license!”
> That was not a literal suggestion. It was an expression of my resolve.
Damn it….
Still, talking with Dolmaeng-i had carried us all the way up the hill to the house.
And right in front of the house….
“Oh no….”
A familiar car was parked there, red and blue lights flashing alternately.
I know that one…. It’s a police car!
My heart was pounding, but on the outside I walked toward the house with perfect confidence.
> Lady Ian. Please breathe. Deep breaths.
“Hoo. Hoo. Thanks.”
My plan was perfect.
I would simply cast ‘I don’t know anything.’
> Exactly as we discussed earlier. You know nothing.
“Yeah, yeah. You two go rest in the workshop. You worked hard today.”
I sent Dolmaeng-i and Dalguji to the workshop first.
The completely missing parts would need materials before they could be repaired.
I opened the front door carefully and stepped into the living room.
Oh my god…. How many people is this…?
“I-I’m home.”
We were hit by the combined gaze of twenty-six people—family members and guests(?).
It was so overwhelming I even stuttered.
“Why don’t you sit down?”
“Right now?”
“Yes. Right now.”
Mom seemed to have a lot of questions.
I forgot my muscle pain and dashed over to sit.
“So, what brings you here?”
“Witnesses stated there was an explosion behind this child. We came to find out exactly what happened.”
They had even dropped a heavy hint about the incident.
“Why didn’t you open the door?! How can soldiers just set off a bomb without saying anything?!”
First strike wins. I had to hit first to stay on top.
“Pardon? The soldiers said you were the one who did it.”
“No! What would I have done?!”
Maybe it was because I kept insisting I hadn’t done it, but genuine tears of injustice welled up.
Here comes the thirty-two-thousandth tear of this life!
“Hic…. Sniff…. Hic….”
“Um…. Miss…? Student? We’re not accusing you or anything. We just wanted to ask. I’m sorry. I spoke too harshly right away.”
“Uwaaaah. Waaah— Waaah—”
The crying party left the whole house unable to say a word.
Honestly, with Uncle and Grandfather glaring like that, even the officers must have felt a little scared.
Especially with all those bloodthirsty remarks flying around.
“Ah, we’re very sorry…. It seems we were completely mistaken…. We’ll be leaving now.”
In truth there couldn’t be any evidence.
No one could have seen or recorded me dropping a mana stone the size of a fingernail, and we had simply been the closest. All they had was suspicion.
It looked like the matter would quietly pass….
But then—
Knock knock knock.
“Come iiin~”
I had just finished a refreshing shower and was rolling around my room when another visitor arrived.
“….”
It was Mom, and her face looked terrifying.
What? Why does she look like that?
“Ian. What exactly have you been doing outside? Are you making bombs now?”
“Eek? No? Not at all?”
“Don’t lie. Mom knows everything.”
“But I really didn’t….”
I had decided to play dumb no matter what!
Crack.
Huh? That sound…?
Was Mom cracking her knuckles?
The prelude to a spine-smashing!
“It wasn’t me! Spare me! I was wrong!”
“….”
Mom simply tilted her head as if telling me to confess. As expected of the queen of charisma.
“There were too many monsters and the fortress was about to fall. If the fortress collapsed, monsters would pour out of the gate and people would be in serious danger. So yes, I did launch a bomb! But I assure you it was not dangerous at all. As you can see, we returned without a single injury!”
Whoa? Why am I so good at talking?
Survival instinct?
“Sigh…. So it really was you?”
“Yes….”
“It’s too dangerous. Can’t you just stop going to the gates?”
Here we go again.
“Mom. I don’t have to go, but if I don’t, I’ll die.”
This was the truth. If I never entered another gate, even if I died and came back to life I would still be stuck at 3rd Circle.
In a world this perfect for making magic items, you expect me to end my life at only 3rd Circle?
If I had never known, maybe. But now that I knew, there was no way I could stop.
“You! Don’t you dare throw around the word ‘die’ so casually!”
“Sorry….”
Even though she scolded me, Mom gently pulled me into a hug.
“Sigh…. What am I going to do with you…. Do you really have no thoughts of living an ordinary life, getting married, and starting a family?”
“That might be difficult….”
Would there ever be someone who could understand my passion for magic and engineering?
“Hoo…. Please, when you have a daughter someday, may she be exactly like you….”
“Come on…. That seems unlikely?”
Me getting married? That feels pretty difficult.
Still, it seemed Mom understood my determination to some degree.
“As I always say, don’t do anything dangerous.”
“Yes, of course!”
But why does it always feel like some new crisis is waiting?
Is it just my imagination?
“Hoo…. Fine. But if you come home badly injured even once, I won’t let you leave again even if it kills me.”
“Okay!”
I really needed to focus on improving my armor.
“Then I should get to work, right?”
“On what?”
Smack—!
Aaaargh! My spine! My spine is on fire!
My name is Kim Cheol-su, a perfectly ordinary twenty-two-year-old convenience-store part-timer.
“Have a good night.”
“Thanks for your hard work.”
Another ordinary night shift change.
“Ah…. They left without doing it again….”
Cleaning, stocking shelves—if you really looked at it, I did everything in this store alone.
Still, maybe I should count myself lucky?
Customers had dried up, so I finished quickly without wasting time running back and forth.
Oh yeah~ Lucky me~
Time to go in the back and read some web novels?
“Ugh…. There’s no part of me that doesn’t hurt….”
I was just about to start a new chapter when someone walked past.
I’d heard a strange gate had opened nearby. Was this person an Awakened?
Awakened customers were usually rough, so I didn’t like them….
But a part-timer can’t exactly choose their customers….
“Oh, a convenience store.”
“Let’s sit for now.”
Just as I thought.
At least the voice sounded like a young woman, which was a relief. Men could be ridiculously arrogant.
Women could be condescending too, though….
“Haa, it’s only been a few days… robbery… bomb… what kind of mess is this….”
Thud.
I accidentally dropped my phone. What had I just heard?
I’d missed bits and pieces, but—robbery? Bomb?
Shouldn’t I report this?
To the police? Or the Awakened Association?
Clatter clatter.
Damn it! My hands were shaking so badly I kept dropping the phone.
“I should buy something to drink.”
Please, please don’t come over here.
I need to report this!
Should I press the station’s speed-dial?
But what if she gets mad and slits my throat?
“Maybe I’ll grab some snacks too….”
Please let those snacks not be me….
In my twenty-two years of life, I had never experienced a day this terrifying…. Somebody save me….
“Did I drop something when I set off that bomb earlier?”
It was certain. She was definitely a villain!
Why weren’t any Awakened heroes passing by today of all days!
Couldn’t just one hero pop up like in the stories!
“Zero really is the best.”
The villain approached the counter carrying an armful of drinks and snacks.
Should I take the money? Or not?
She set the mountain of drinks and snacks on the counter.
“Ring me up.”
“Hello?”
I had frozen for a second, so the villain asked again. If I didn’t hurry, she was probably going to blow up the whole store, right?
“Sorry!”
With trembling hands I somehow managed to scan the items.
Beep. Beep. Beep.
“Th-thank you.”
“Have a good night.”
I was going to just give them to her for free?
She paid with a card and everything.
What? Was she not a villain?
Then what was all that about robbery and bombing?!!!
“Sh-shit…. I’m too scared to keep working here. I should quit or switch to the day shift….”
It felt like my heart had shrunk to half its size….