We're Going Too
The mana rejection cure, MRC, invented by Taehong Bio of the Samhan Empire.
The whole world rejoiced together.
Humanity's great leap forward—praise and acclaim poured in from everywhere.
All eyes turned to the Samhan Empire.
Orders for the cure flooded in like a tidal wave.
Taehong Bio's sales team was overwhelmed, utterly unable to keep up.
It far exceeded what a single company could handle.
Even the kings, presidents, and prime ministers of various nations were placing orders directly—how could they manage that?
So the imperial government had stepped in to handle the orders on their behalf.
Competition between nations was fierce.
"Please, more doses, faster, and with priority!"
The sellers held all the power; the buyers were at their mercy.
This was what elevating a nation's prestige looked like.
And it was all possible because Taehong Bio's chairman, Kim Taeju, was a citizen of the Samhan Empire.
But then—a mine terror attack in Paju?
Right where the factory had just been completed, gearing up for mass MRC production?
The empire erupted in outrage.
By imperial decree, combat units were dispatched.
'Protect the MRC factories in Paju, Gurye, and New Seoul.'
The Jirisan defense unit was rushed to Gurye.
New Seoul's factory went into lockdown, strict defenses in place.
If troops were short, they pulled from the pioneer units.
And to Paju, where the incident occurred, agents from the Imperial Justice Agency arrived by helicopter.
"Those fucking mines!"
Moon Kyungshik, deputy director of the Imperial Justice Agency, spat curses the moment he saw the scattered mine corpses. Spotting Taeju, he rushed over.
"Ch-Chairman! Are you hurt anywhere?"
"Nah, you got here quick."
"We're truly sorry. We were too complacent..."
It wasn't complacency—there was no catching a mine that was hell-bent on sneaking in.
"Deputy Director, I need a favor."
"Anything you say. We'll prioritize it."
"I need detailed intel on an organization called the European Black Mafia."
"Ah! ...So these guys?"
"Yeah. Black Mafia, or one of their subgroups."
"I'll scrape every last bit from the bottom up."
Intel from the agency would arrive soon enough.
Taeju scooped up Ilbaek and left the scene with Jeong Yeonhui.
"You'll need to renovate the hotel rooftop."
"Oh! That bad?"
"Hmm, it got pretty hot up there."
Edward's final spell.
Hellfire, flames of the underworld.
Without the Protective Talisman, it could've been dangerous.
He wouldn't have died, but full-body burns were a real risk.
Even the emperor called directly.
His voice was exceedingly cautious.
"Don't worry. Production won't be delayed."
"You know something about them?"
"Hmm, if you stir them up too hard, they'll just go underground."
"Tell him to be careful. They're no pushovers. Remember the Barun wheat farm?"
"Yeah. Here's how it went..."
Taeju explained in detail to the emperor what he'd learned from the fight with Edward.
And urged him not to engage directly if possible.
Two of them?
"Thanks."
"Why?"
That kind of lip service was no big deal.
'Guess I'll have to visit there too.'
But not now.
Once MRC production stabilized.
And after stocking up plenty on celestial flowers.
Dang Gunak was constantly filling the shared warehouse and subspace items to the brim with celestial flowers, shipping them over.
Bzzzzt.
Like this.
'It's here.'
Shared warehouse swap time.
This shipment included electric carts and various vehicles, plus generators.
Electricity consumption in the Celestial Realm was skyrocketing lately, or so he'd heard.
So he'd prepped elite crystal-processed generators amid the rush.
'Toss in the amusement park blueprints too.'
The so-called Celestial World project.
He was all in.
If the celestials could enjoy themselves happily there, what couldn't he do?
Of course, they wouldn't match Earth's rides exactly.
They'd make them as close as possible.
With immortals' spells, carousels would be easy.
But coasters like the Blue Dragon or major attractions? Tough.
He wanted to rip one out whole and send it over.
Anyway, the goods shipped safely.
Now, prep for the second batch.
Black Tower.
Originally, all five elders would convene, but now only three remained.
Edward had gone to the Samhan Empire, and Carmen was meeting "that one," leaving Matsumoto, Yonson, and Abraham.
"Doing well, Abraham?"
"Unfortunately not. Cancellations on mana rejector treatments keep piling up."
Abraham was a black mage skilled in summoning, handling most rejector treatments.
Of course, domination via treatment was the real goal.
"Just hold out a bit. If Elder Edward takes him down, production might halt."
"Yonson's right. News should come soon."
"Elder Matsumoto, increased the army numbers any?"
"Somewhat. Regular corpses are easy, but compatible and awakener bodies have dried up."
Matsumoto handled undead legions.
Yonson managed Black Mafia city branches.
"What's causing the corpse shortage?"
"That drug from Taehong Bio. People just won't die."
"Ah, the new Taehong recovery potion?"
"Yeah, monster raid fatalities plummeted."
"Sigh, that damn Kim Taeju again."
"Should've nipped him in the bud."
Suddenly!
The conference room door burst open as Carmen rushed in, face grim.
She handled comms with "that one" and tower operations.
"Elder Carmen, welcome."
"Come in."
"...Your face looks grim. Did 'that one' reprimand you?"
Carmen spoke in a heavy tone.
"I'll relay 'that one's' orders now."
The elders straightened up.
"Halt all missions and operations. Go underground. No external contact."
"...What?"
"W-Why?"
"Really?"
Incredulous expressions all around.
"Elder Matsumoto."
"...Speak."
"Undead legion in Paris?"
"Yes. Hidden in the catacombs."
"Stop further creation. Destroy zombies and skeletons. Keep only ghoul-level or higher—we'll move soon."
"Understood."
Her orders continued.
"Elder Yonson, gather all black mages from Black Mafia branches."
"Yes. Consider it done."
Abraham asked.
"What about me?"
"Help me dismantle the Black Tower. Burn all documents, sell the building."
"...The tower?"
"We can rebuild it anytime. Funds first."
"W-Why?"
Utter confusion.
Pausing business was one thing, but selling the tower?
"Edward? Isn't he in the Samhan Empire?"
"He's dead. Don't worry about it."
"Gasp?"
"What...?"
The elders couldn't believe their ears.
Edward dead?
"No way?"
"Yes. Kim Taeju got him."
"Uh... uh..."
It was a shock.
A 7th-class combat black mage, unmatched in curses and attacks?
"Anyway, we prepare the ritual."
"...R-Ritual?"
"Yes. We're starting a war."
"Ah."
For the great black magic ritual, they needed mass human blood and souls.
War was the only way to harvest enough.
"Samhan Empire?"
"No, too big. A small nation we can handle, like..."
Carmen pointed to a spot on the world map on the wall.
"Here."
"Ah!"
Moscow Kingdom.
Feasible there.
Seeds planted—artificial war was easy.
"Civil war, then."
"Exactly. Republican vs. royalist factions already tense, perfect size for control."
War and ritual decided on the spot.
But why so rushed?
A sudden suspicion dawned on the elders.
'No way...'
'Impossible.'
'Absurd.'
Blasphemous thought.
"That one," near-godlike, wary of a mere pharma chairman?
Hwangcheon Realm, Euphwagung Palace.
Yeomra and various judges, messengers, and lions gathered for the ledger council.
Thick smoke wafted up.
Most Hwangcheon staff were heavy smokers.
Makes sense—dealing with evil spirits daily, mental fatigue beyond words. Needed smokes to cope.
"Souls brought by lions today... total 85,678."
"Lower than expected."
"Of them, 3 ascend to Celestial Realm, 788 to hell as evil spirits, rest to Yeorae Realm for reincarnation."
Most souls reincarnate.
Souls are energy—never truly gone.
"Tsk tsk, Celestial Realm so vast, yet celestials trickle in."
Thus, celestials were precious.
Not just anyone becomes one.
Even Hwangcheon folk adored them most.
Yeomra too.
After endless ugly spirits, seeing celestials brought smiles.
"Messengers, finalize ledgers for judges. Judges, prep trials."
"Yes!"
Presiding Yeomra puffed his pipe thoughtfully, lost in something.
Kept recalling the upper realm rep council at Celestial Zami Palace.
Taeshang No-gun's robes, shoes, bag, tobacco, odd-sounding lighter.
'Driving me mad.'
Exuded elegance.
Every move stylish.
Strange artifacts from another world.
Wanted to try them himself.
'Go to Celestial Realm now?'
What excuse?
He'd grilled Taeshang No-gun and Seowangmo at the council.
No money anyway.
'Celes use flowers as currency, right?'
Celestials splurged on otherworldly goods with Celestial flowers.
Immortals with peaches.
But Hwangcheon? Nothing.
No currency for otherworldly buys.
Right then!
Scratch, scratch, scratch.
'Hm?'
What sound?
Yeomra looked over.
Kangrim the messenger.
'What's that?'
Other messengers and judges scribbled with ink brushes on ledgers and verdicts.
But Kangrim?
Using a black stubby stick with a sharp metal tip, not a brush.
And flashing silver bracelet on glimpses—wristwatch like Taeshang No-gun's.
'This bastard...'
No doubt.
Yeomra scowled fiercely and bellowed.
"Hey! Kangrim!"
"...Yes?"
"You punk, get out here now."
"W-Why?"
"Oh? Defying me?"
"N-No, sir."
Kangrim snapped to rigid attention and hurried before Yeomra.
"What's that?"
"This? ...A fountain pen."
"Bring it. And that watch on your wrist—off!"
"Th-The watch is expensive."
"Wanna die? I'll spin you in Avici Hell duty."
"Here..."
Kangrim sighed deeply, handing over the fountain pen and watch.
"You went to Celestial Realm?"
"Just a quick off-duty visit."
"How much for these?"
"Uh... Dokseon gifted them."
Trade with Dokseon, but details secret.
"You've been hogging the honey alone? Selfish prick! Grab this guy!"
"Huh?"
Judges seized Kangrim's arms.
"Body search."
"Yes!"
Out came candies, chocolate, cig pack, disposable lighter.
"Oho!"
Knew it.
Hwangcheon staff eyed curiously.
"Great King, what's this?"
"Edible?"
"Otherworldly stuff we've only heard of?"
Yeomra took a cig from Kangrim's pack, lit it with the lighter.
Handed lighter back.
"Light it."
"Y-Yes, sir."
Flick!
Whoosh!
Sizzle!
Yeomra inhaled deeply.
"Hoo, foooo..."
Yes, this flavor.
Smoother than harsh pipe tobacco.
Nearby judges and messengers sniffed curiously.
"Tobacco?"
"Seems so."
"Haha, first time seeing it."
"Smells good."
"Great King, just one for me..."
"Can we eat these?"
Yeomra glared at Kangrim.
Him enjoying alone?
"Kangrim."
"Yes."
"You confess your crimes?"
"...No idea?"
"Want me to enlighten you?"
"N-No!"
Yeomra resolved.
No more tiptoeing around Shangje or Dragon King.
I'm going too.
"Chance to repent. Pals with Dokseon?"
"Acquainted."
"Negotiate with him."
"Negotiate?"
"Yeah. Ask if Hwangcheon needs something like Celestial peaches or flowers. Can't just suck our thumbs."
"Ah!"
Got it.
Great King Yeomra wanted in on the Celestial multiplex.
Wallet fat.
But what to offer?
Anything useful from Hwangcheon?