The Deceiver's Name
How can a person's name be...
I think a little that way.
Bongsik must have felt wronged in his position.
He was just born with that name, after all.
Coming out of nowhere to question why I'm from another world would be absurd, right?
But from my perspective, it was quite desperate.
It's been three years since I fell into the other world.
I've learned the language here, studied writing, mastered skills, and made friends with people.
Yet the emptiness about my hometown that wasn't filled always nibbled at one side of my chest.
Seir and Leraje?
They are demons.
No matter how much we can share the same world, pure human empathy is impossible from a purely human perspective.
So, it was inevitable.
It would be wonderful if there was someone I could share even the smallest memories with and the very significant path to return home with.
When I heard the name Bongsik.
Even though I thought it couldn't be, and even rejected Seir's advice, it was from that emotion.
Hostile relationship?
That's also true.
I didn't have any flowerbed-like thoughts like I must save you and make you a comrade.
However, if Bongsik is really a senior who fell into the other world before me, he might know something I don't.
If there are two, three is even easier.
There might even be a gathering of people like us.
Honestly, it was worth expecting.
How can a name like Bongsik not be Korean?
This is unacceptable.
This is a scam.
"What kind of nonsense is that..."
Kwiieeing-!
Conversation is no longer possible.
With the magic bullet fired without mercy, Bongsik activated the magic he had been preparing.
Chzeong!
Even though it was a magic bullet condensed to the limit, the defensive barrier didn't break.
Although his eyebrows twitched, Bongsik faced the magic bullet flying straight at him with wide eyes open.
Excluding personality, name, and such trivial things, the pure fact that Bongsik is skilled is the only thing.
The one who easily blocked my full-power magic bullet started his counterattack.
Without chanting, without incantation.
Only the flow of mana indicates the manifestation of magic.
Shadow?
The writhing shadow twisted like a snake in a zigzag and shot across the floor like lightning.
It's not elemental magic.
It's easy to mistake shadow magic for elemental magic, but it's not.
There is elemental magic that controls darkness, but shadow is a completely separate domain.
A class that uses magic utilizing the mystery contained in specific symbols.
It's the domain of a Conjurer like Fiona who handles magic that realizes the mystery of the object called a mirror.
Ninja, huh.
Like illusion magic, magic that doesn't exert much physical power unless the mage's ability reaches a high level, so it's a magic that is rarely touched.
However, Bongsik seemed to have already reached that level.
Pasit-!
The shadow extending from Bongsik raised its head like a cobra.
And the tip split, forming the shape of a trident.
The shadow spear falling down as if to pierce me through.
Should I use Blink?
It's safer that way, but I'll save it for now.
Bongsik's defense is solid.
To pierce that, I need to insert Ray's Argentooth for armor break or Leaf's water jet for one-point penetration.
Then, I don't need to reveal all my cards to reduce variables in Bongsik's calculations.
While raising my body enhancement to the maximum, I threw my body to avoid the shadow spear.
By shooting the magic bullet, I can also avoid the shadow spear by dispersing Bongsik's concentration.
Even in the worst case, with Blink, it's worth trying.
"Idiot."
Bongsik's voice full of excitement echoed in the basement.
"You thought it was the only one?"
Bongsik's shadow was not one.
The torches installed on both sides of the basement.
Two light sources divided Bongsik's shadow into two as well.
And Bongsik was a mage who had accumulated the skill to handle each of them separately.
"It's my turn to speak."
If I came out, I should have thought that the other two would have come out of the trap as well.
Pat-!
While two shadows were targeting me, Ray ran.
Bongsik turned his head toward the direction Ray was digging.
No surprise.
Bongsik had already deployed defensive magic.
With that, he could easily withstand a couple of hits from a novice-like braggart.
But that leisure was broken right after.
Magic that breaks magic.
The silver magic of the anti-magic that breaks the law broke Bongsik's defensive magic like clay and extended.
Bongsik had two choices given to him.
Whether to pour all his power into blocking Ray's attack somehow.
Or, whether to prioritize capturing me, whether it's mutual destruction or hostage situation, whatever.
Bongsik's answer was the latter.
Clever.
After all, he judged that Ray's attack couldn't be blocked.
The instantaneous thinking power to choose the more possible side is praiseworthy, but...
Pat-
Unfortunately, I'm a quick-witted guy.
Kwaja-jak!
The shadow spears that covered the spot where I had escaped with Blink from both sides.
Looking like a useless hand, it's quite pitiful.
"This, you bastard..."
If you're annoyed, use space magic too.
To Bongsik who was despairing over a choice with no correct answer from the beginning, Ray threw a cold one-punch.
Bwaeoeok! Kwoang! Kong!
Before Bongsik's body could even spew out the full rageful emotion toward me, his body flew into the air.
And hit the floor, and was pinned to the wall.
He really swung with all his might, huh.
"I won't kill you."
"What? This won't kill me. Body enhancement is quite good too."
Body enhancement also raises durability.
Ray had figured that out in that short time.
This punch was a bit stiff, so Ray was turning the shoulder where Bongsik was thrown around.
"But, does that guy move?"
Ray pointed at Bongsik who was wriggling and crawling.
"Hmm, he's a sturdy guy."
A mage maintaining consciousness even with Ray's sincere punch.
Ray's punch was something that the Abyss worshipper sorcerer was trying to avoid in some way.
"I adjusted the strength."
Anyway. First, I need to catch him.
Bongsik, how many hits do you think you can take?
Let's start by shooting five magic bullets loaded with exhaustion magic.
While the magic bullet was aimed, what Bongsik did was not to deploy defensive magic.
"Kruh, it's already too late! The sacrifice has been offered! Forgotten one! Fate that has lost its bearings! Come to me now, here!"
The place where Bongsik was was the end of this basement.
It was a stone bed that looked like an altar.
Even if it looks like a tomb, even if it is actually a tomb, the place we are in is the Abyss.
Even the stones and dirt underfoot may contain some mystery.
In such a world, a place like this is only natural if it has some functionality.
Vibration occurred with Bongsik's shout.
While the floor was shaking, Bongsik's laughter full of victory settled on the floor.
"Hey! Roman!"
"I know too."
Stop.
Was the carelessness on this side?
Abandoning the thought of keeping him alive, concentrate the magic bullet with the resolve to kill.
Ray also wrapped silver mana again and kicked the floor with a strong jump.
And before our attack cut off Bongsik's breath.
The vibration stopped.
"...There's nothing?"
Appearance, mana, everything the same.
He was shouting as if he had received a divine revelation.
Was this development one that Bongsik hadn't thought of either?
Surprise filled Bongsik's face too.
"The door is blocked."
Ray, who had grabbed Bongsik's neck, said.
The vibration from just before was from the process of blocking that passage, right?
Then what Bongsik did was...
"You got scammed, you."
Ray said in a tone without prayer.
It was a word that pierced everyone's hearts as one.
§
"Please let me out too..."
Leaf who fell into the trap was still there.
It was like an animal in a zoo enclosure.
Although it was good that I called Undine to prevent the fall damage, Leaf had no way to get out.
I escaped immediately with Blink.
Ray, who jumped up the wall with body enhancement.
And Leaf who quietly guarded the spot.
We didn't intend to abandon Leaf.
Of course, I thought Leaf could get out too.
There was no separate request for help, and seeing Leaf skillfully making water cushion with Undine, I thought he would come out on his own.
"...I'll get you out right away."
With Leaf raising both arms wide open with a sad face, I approached with Blink, and Leaf hugged me as is.
Because it was close contact, Leaf's sob was heard.
Was it that scary?
I need to get him out quickly.
I used Blink as is, and came out of the trap with Leaf.
"Thank you..."
Although there was no water stain on Leaf's cheek when speaking with a runny nose, his eyes were red, it seemed he was on the verge of crying.
"From now on, tell me right away. Don't hide."
"Yes..."
Returning to the basement with Leaf.
Bongsik, sitting with a soul-drained face under Ray's surveillance, muttered helplessly.
"It's over."
"What?"
Bongsik answered with a self-deprecating or mocking laugh that Ray couldn't tell.
"This room is a trap. Don't you know? You got scammed... Just as you said, you got scammed. I'm going to die here. Haha, I never thought the end of Yan Bongsik would be such a prison. The position of team leader of Grave Diggers will cry."
"Grave Diggers? Are you affiliated there?"
I've heard the name.
Clearly, when I first came to the Abyss, the guys who tried to backstab me said they received training at Grave Diggers...?
What kind of guild is that?
Not an explorer guild?
"Hut. Why? Are you coming to your senses now? If it's because you're afraid of revenge..."
"What revenge. There, I'll properly get them back later. Training was receiving weird guys."
"Ah, no. Grave Diggers, right?"
"So. It's not one of the top 5 guilds."
Trash, huh?
"It's not one of the top 5 guilds, but as a large guild, looking at just the exploration activities...!"
"Enough."
I cut off Bongsik's words.
"Tell me roughly what you know here."
"...You saw it? That I got scammed."
"That's my judgment."
Interrogation result.
My guess that Bongsik came here knowing that this place was a relic was correct.
He saw the words "flying altar" in another relic, judged that it was a floating island, and came here after researching alone within the guild.
And the altar's true nature was that he believed it gave the power of the gods in exchange for sacrifices.
He brought people here as sacrifices to remove the traps on the way here and as sacrifices for the altar.
No reason to keep him alive?
It turned out that the information I found was wrong.
I had seen my Blink that I was trying to hide as much as possible.
Is there any reason to spare someone who has already hurt people?
Noticing my killing intent, Bongsik shouted frantically.
"Wait a minute! I have a lot of use! If you kill me, the last hope to get out of here will be gone! Save me! Then, no matter what, I'll find the exit! Do you think the three of you with little experience can escape this place?"
"Of course."
You already saw, right?
When I pushed the Axis, Bongsik belatedly recalled my Blink he had seen and let out a sigh.
"Space movement..."
If there was no Axis, maybe not.
Now, as long as it's within the coordinate range of the Axis, even if not in sight, I can move freely.
Even if the wall is thick, it won't be to the point where the coordinate formation doesn't reach the other side.
Looking at escape alone, I'm top tier even among explorers.
"Should I finish it?"
Ray stepped in, wondering if it was because I was reluctant.
But why would I.
Instead of borrowing Ray's hand for this kind of thing, I should just do it myself.
Leaving aside whether I have experience in murder or not, ordering a 16-year-old girl to kill people is a bit much even for me, who has already had her conscience scale quite damaged.
I can easily order people to be hit, but anyway.
"I'll do it."
"Wait a minute! I'll do anything! Even though it's wrong, look! In the end, I guessed right that there is a relic!"
"Hmm..."
"I'll find another relic! I won't mention space magic!"
"How can I believe you. Roman, don't get fooled."
I don't believe Bongsik will keep his word either...
"You said you'd do anything, right?"
"Of course! No, of course!"
Bongsik said hurriedly with hope in his eyes.
"Good. Since I found a relic."
"You'll really save me? Grave Diggers? What if I get screwed by them."
"Yes. Here, we'll properly cut out the thorn!"
"I don't think he's useless."
"If it's relic exploration, there are organizations better than Grave Diggers..."
"That's also true. Do you know how to find people?"
"People?"
People who even the Demonologist's specialist in finding people can't catch.
Having surrounded the abyss with a veil that hides even the demon's gaze, in the end, I have no choice but to find them directly with our feet.
"Abyss worshippers. Can you find them?"
That name is both a target of hatred and a target of fear.
Maniac fanatics who openly terrorize even the city's great duke family.
When I asked if I could turn them into enemies, Bongsik's eyelids trembled.
However, how could it be more terrifying than death right in front of me.
Bongsik's head nodded.
"Good. I'll save you."
A bastard who sacrificed innocent people as sacrifices?
Yes.
Yan Bongsik is trash.
But the winner of World War II, the only 4-time consecutive Earth dictator, Franklin Roosevelt also said this.
That bastard is our bastard.
"You know how to summon demons?"
"Yes...?"
"I need to change jobs."
I didn't think I'd use the demon summoning circle I learned from Mea like this.
"From now on, your name is Bongsik."
Job is Demonologist.