Black Magician.
The era of mana rejection syndrome treatment had dawned.
The incurable disease once called heaven's punishment was now being cured with just a few injections.
There had been miracles before, of course.
Cases where mana rejectors overcame their condition against infinitesimal odds.
How exactly had those miracles come about?
Scientists had tried to investigate closely, but samples were scarce, and those who had overcome it refused to be research subjects, so proper studies never materialized.
Still, they had gathered some statistics.
The common thread among those who experienced miracles: without exception, they were the children of the powerful or the wealthy.
Were even these mana rejection cure miracles the exclusive privilege of the privileged?
Perhaps.
With more money and better families, they could afford finer care than other mana rejectors.
But there was a secret few knew.
They hadn't experienced true miracles.
In a high-rise in Neo Berlin of the European Empire.
On the top floor of the Black Tower—known as the Dark Spire—five people had gathered: the elders of the Black Mafia, rulers of Europe's night.
"Edward, have you analyzed the rejection cure?"
"I went to great lengths to obtain one and take a look. It was mostly a poison that neutralizes mana, as expected. But there were substances mixed in that defied analysis."
"Like what?"
"Who knows. Anyway, I swallowed one whole, and it didn't sit well. Felt like... holy power or something."
"Holy power? Are there gods on Earth too?"
"No way. Anyway, for something like that to pop up out of nowhere—totally caught us off guard."
"We got blindsided with our eyes wide open."
Mana rejection treatment.
It was one of the Black Mafia's main businesses, in fact.
They had been curing mana rejection with black magic.
By summoning the lowest-grade monsters from distant otherworldly dimensions and implanting them into mana rejectors' hearts.
These low-grade beasts were tiny but had a unique trait.
They parasitized their host, slowly and steadily absorbing mana over time.
Sure, you had to live with a monster growing in your heart, but it beat dying.
And the effects didn't stop there.
Over time, the implanted subject became the summoner's slave.
Naturally, through growing affinity.
Black magic could even trigger system awakening.
The targets were the mana rejector family members of the powerful and rich.
They made money and expanded their influence that way.
"America Republic's President Billy Pittman must've gotten the treatment too."
"Such a shame. We should've moved faster instead of holding back..."
Billy Pittman's daughter, Rachel Pittman, had been one of their prime targets.
Once her condition worsened and the president despaired, they planned to approach with her cure as bait and seize the White House.
But out of nowhere, a cure!
From the Samhan Empire, no less.
That was why the Black Mafia's supreme elder council was in session.
"Kim Taeju—that guy. Soul linker, maybe? Or a disciple."
"Highly likely. If so, probably an alchemy soul lineage."
"Hah! Alchemy? As if that piddling trick—"
"Don't underestimate it. Word is even system-awakened masters can't budge against his poisons."
"Still just alchemy."
It was laughable.
A paltry power unworthy of comparison to great black magic.
"I'm afraid that one will be displeased. Carmen, what do you think?"
"He hasn't said a word... but you know how he is. Never shows his true feelings."
"I know. I'm asking your thoughts."
"Sigh! Of course he's unhappy. Even he would be."
"...We can't just sit idle."
"What do you propose?"
"At minimum, we punish him for disrupting our business."
All nodded.
They couldn't let it slide.
Intentional or not didn't matter.
Because of him, their key business halted, their reputation tarnished, and that one's mood soured.
"All in favor of retribution?"
"Yes."
"Agreed."
"Let's kill him."
"Better hurry. Killing him might halt production."
"Good! Then the method?"
"Use subcontractors. The assassin guilds."
"Ah! Those scum? Well, disposable enough."
Then the elder called Edward spoke.
"Scum might not cut it."
"Then?"
"I'll go myself. I was heading to the Samhan Empire anyway."
"Business?"
"As I mentioned before, signs of someone outside our organization using Vampiric Touch."
"Ah! That incident in Free Barcelona."
A report had come in.
Vampiric Touch, life-force drain.
Black magic might have leaked; investigation was needed.
"Need backup?"
"No need. I'm enough. For that so-called alchemy."
And so retribution was decided.
The elders were 7th-class black magicians.
To them, Kim Taeju of the Samhan Empire was as good as dead.
Without a doubt, they all thought so.
Immortal Realm.
Dang Gunak had turned one multiplex theater into an exclusive venue for celestials.
Penguins and Jaws were the biggest hits, as expected.
To the celestials, this was paradise.
Far better than the boring heavenly realm.
Kids flocked endlessly.
Celestials got in free.
No credit cards needed.
Whether they brought heavenly flowers or not.
Some watched movies, some played games, and...
"Everyone ready?"
Electric carts lined up on the road Geomseon had built.
Haemnak Seonyeo led the pack, beaming brightly.
"Yes, Fairy!"
"Then let's go!"
Vroom! Vroooom! Vroom vroom vroom!
The electric carts sped off.
"Charge!"
"Waaaah!"
"Kyaaa!"
"I'm coming!"
Gwigok Seonin watched warmly, then said to Dang Gunak,
"How long do those last?"
"Three months without issue, I hear."
"Still, need charging stations midway. That means more generators."
"Taeju's sending them. Next shipment should have extras."
Vroom vroom vroom!
The carts raced the road.
Already a lap in?
"Tsk tsk, worrisome. Even celestials—if there's an accident..."
The kids were celestials.
No real harm from crashes.
Just worry they'd get scared.
"Geomseon's balance talismans prevent flips or falls. Seatbelts too."
"Tough world for raising kids."
"We just try harder."
"Speaking of, how about this?"
"What?"
"A space for kids to play freely. Here in the Immortal Realm."
A space for kids...
"Hm? Like...?"
"An amusement park, say. Call it Immortal World."
"Haha!"
Amusement park.
Not a bad idea.
Plenty of land.
"Rides from wood, or ask Taeju for blueprints."
"Haha, don't forget carousels, Ferris wheels. That slide with water—oh, water reminds me, a waterpark too."
"...Why's Juseon seem more excited?"
"Ahem, imagination."
Juseon Taepaek Immortal nearby perked up curiously.
"Immortal World? What's that?"
"Park with roller coasters like Blue Dragon Train and all sorts of rides."
"Blue Dragon? Why's East Sea Dragon King here?"
"No, it's..."
Dang Gunak began explaining.
Juseon nodded eagerly.
"What do you think? Join in?"
"Why not."
Immortal World construction plan.
Who'd have dreamed it?
"Thanks to Great Hero Taeju, we try things like this."
"Grateful guy."
"Wish he stayed forever... Though being mortal bothers me."
Dang Gunak's face darkened.
"Sigh, that's my worry lately."
Juseon asked,
"The mortal part?"
"Something like that."
"Lifespan? He can ascend. Already full of immortal qi."
"His world has no Immortal Realm."
"...True."
Taeju's world was wholly different.
No Immortal or Heavenly Realms.
"Lifespan's not the issue. He'll live long. But another Heavenly Demon on Earth..."
"Soul link, eh. Hm, might not be the only one. Could be worse."
Galhong Immortal, overhearing, muttered,
"Tsk, if he ate heavenly peaches as tonics instead of immortal ones, no worries."
Then—
Dang Gunak's head snapped up.
"...Heavenly peaches?"
"Yes. Better than nibbling immortal peaches..."
"Ah!"
"Oh!"
Exclamations rippled.
"Why didn't we think of that?"
"Hm, heavenly peaches."
"Right. If monkey boy eats them, why not Great Hero Taeju?"
"Let's plan it."
Thus, the Immortal Realm-to-Earth heavenly peach delivery scheme was born.
Time flew.
MRC production went smoothly; secondary shipment imminent.
Taeju was in Paju.
Taehong Bio's Paju factory had finally completed.
Given the times, a simple groundbreaking.
Just a few company folks, but surprisingly many showed.
Jeong Yeonhui, Seo Pilmyeong, Ryu Jincheol—Paju regulars; Baek Seoyeonn and Gurye HQ staff; New Seoul branch; even Baekdu Group's Chairman Jeong Ukcheol.
Ceremony wrapped quick.
Factory needed running.
Taeju, Ilbaek in arms, toured with Jeong Yeonhui.
"Equipment starts soon."
"Good work. Busy with all this?"
"Fine. Gotta pump out MRC fast, right?"
"Meow!"
"Hoho, you're adorable. Come here?"
Hop!
Ilbaek leaped from Taeju to Jeong Yeonhui.
"Busy with Phantom Bewilderment Swordplay practice too."
"On break. Forgetting it sometimes is practice too."
No practice, my ass.
Her stance, hand raises, gait—all razor-sharp.
A walking sword.
Peak sharpness now.
Couldn't hide her aura yet.
That's the Sword Dao.
Razor before great success.
Post-success: softened, aura like calm ripples.
"What stage?"
"90%. But the end's tough. Not sure about breakthrough."
Fast. Impressively.
"Shall we stroll downtown Paju?"
"They'll recognize you..."
No imperial photo ban, but Paju—his hometown.
"Mask, hat, sunglasses fine."
"Ah! That works."
No fox coat today.
Taeju and Jeong Yeonhui stepped out.
Paju, Samhan's fastest-changing spot.
Buildings rising everywhere.
Apts, department stores, hotels, shops... roads stretching.
Taeju poured all earnings into Paju.
Money never dried.
No cash issues.
Sturdy cash cow: fatigue drinks.
More factories, no production woes.
Develop more health supps like fatigue drinks.
Monster raid meds too.
Money aside, hunting monsters mattered.
Siberia rail restoration, for one.
Monster zones blocked routes; export issues.
Air freight too costly.
Sea lanes the problem.
Ocean monsters—any way to handle?
Blocked seas like arterial sclerosis for Earth.
"What're you pondering so long?"
"Meow?"
"...Ah! Haha, nothing."
Too absorbed?
Now downtown Paju.
Crowds everywhere.
Multi-ethnic Samhan: diverse races.
"So many people."
"Yeah. Floating pop quadruples Paju's. Mostly outsiders."
Paju livable now.
"Mostly construction, but many relocating."
Sudden pride swelled.
Good feeling.
Hometown where he was born, raised.
Once backwater village, now booming.
Just the start.
More to come...
Hm?
Taeju halted abruptly.
"Kyak!"
Ilbaek too.
"Hm? What's wrong? Ilbaek too..."
"Shh!"
Thick demonic qi stench.
Here, there.
Quite a few.
What? Not random infiltrators.
One's qi extraordinarily dense.
Taeju casually took Jeong Yeonhui's hand, walked on.
Jeong Yeonhui startled.
"Oh my?"
Seeing his grave face, she figured reason, walked ahead silently.
Moving.
Encircling, following from all sides.
Certain.
Target: him.
How'd they know?
Masked, hatted, sunglassed.
Handle here?
No.
Innocents at risk.
Lure to quiet spot.
Taeju glanced at tense Jeong Yeonhui.
For this...
- Don't panic, follow my lead.
Transmission sound: ventriloquism variant, qi-compressed voice to nearby.
- See that construction beyond downtown? Baekdu Hotel site. If you heard, squeeze my hand.
Jeong Yeonhui gripped tight.
- Take Ilbaek, evacuate workers fully. Clear everyone. Got it?...
Squeeze again.
- Good. Go now! Message when clear.
Jeong Yeonhui released his hand.
"Bathroom break."
"Okay."
She hurried off.
Now he sidelong-glanced approaching mines.
No awakening tattoos? ...Ah, covered.
Faint if looked close.
Thick face paint.
Taeju lingered downtown.
Acting casual, nothing amiss.
Moments later—
Bzzz!
Phone in pocket buzzed.
Checked.
Time to start.