65
Yggdrasil.
It is a legendary tree known to possess the power to expel all negativity from the world.
Even though its existence is not clear, what was once created as ‘fiction’ in Norse mythology is now considered a fact.
However, in the world-renowned guild Yggdrasil, they firmly believed that this World Tree existed and still exists somewhere on Earth.
It was not a matter of religious belief or blind faith in ‘fiction.’
It was because they possessed remnants of the World Tree, known as ‘branches of Yggdrasil.’
An eternal forest located deep within the Native American archaeological site.
Somewhere on the vast land of ‘Lifeline’ where the spirits of Yggdrasil harmonize with nature.
Kim Do-jun, the killer of horses, looked at the white branch placed in front of him, contemplating whether his current actions were contrary to his beliefs.
At the age of 8, his family was massacred by a horse, and since then, Kim Do-jun had vowed to dedicate his life to fighting against the horses in Yggdrasil.
Through this vow, he awakened the ‘Anti-Magic’ and was chosen by the superior spirit of justice, Ignis.
Kim Do-jun was well aware that his power was not just given to him, but was a result of this ‘belief.’
For the sake of this belief, Kim Do-jun could easily throw away his own life.
When he moved at the request of Ehesol to bring a branch of Yggdrasil, it was not because he now regretted his life, but because he had ‘seen.’
The radiant light of dawn burning away the darkness.
The blue flames of life burning brightly.
Kim Do-jun could hardly imagine what kind of destiny one must bear to obtain such ‘sacred power.’
One thing was certain, however, that one who possessed such power would never engage in wrongful acts.
He was the chosen one, favored by the divine, the Phoenix’s selection.
If someone desired the branches of Yggdrasil, there must have been a valid reason for it.
These branches were not objects to be misused for evil deeds.
The power held by the branches of Yggdrasil was in purging and cleansing, driving out toxins and magic that threatened life.
Having made up his mind, Kim Do-jun grasped the branches of Yggdrasil.
***
A week had passed since the hands-on experiential learning session, during lunch on a Tuesday, at the magical training ground.
As planned, I replicated the blue elixir and conducted an experiment on Amelia.
To meticulously assess the effectiveness of the replicated cooling elixir on the people of this world.
The results were more than satisfying.
The duration remained the same as the existing red elixir, showing about a 1.3 times enhancement in magical potency in 10 minutes.
“This is insane.”
Exiting the training room, Amelia was astonished by the effects of the blue elixir.
“It’s like double the usual, no, maybe triple. Can I buy this?”
“No.”
“I won’t tell anyone. Please.”
“Still no.”
“Ugh…”
Amelia persisted in requesting to buy the blue elixir several times, but I adamantly refused.
Given the limited production quantity from the start, and considering the potentially significant repercussions of releasing it into Eternity, it was out of the question.
Of course, there was no concern about the story spreading since we had promised through a magical oath not to disclose it before testing the elixir. Amelia also kept quiet on this matter.
“Hmm~ It’s obvious that security must be tight for such things. Alright, I’ll give up on this.”
With a hint of regret, Amelia changed her tune.
“But what if we commercialize a slightly downgraded, mainstream version of the enhanced elixir? It could be slightly better than what’s currently available in the market. Oh, and about the red potions from before…”
Amelia laid out her business ideas with sparkling eyes. It was indeed a wise decision to involve Amelia.
If Han Se-wool and I had tried to sell potions together, it would have hit a snag from the start.
“Talk to Se-wool about that. He’s the one who made it.”
Since raising Han Se-wool’s level required reputation and achievements, I didn’t oppose Amelia’s plan to sell the ‘potion’ version of the blue elixir.
With the help of the Star’s See, it would be easy to raise Han Se-wool’s level. Plus, it would fill my pockets, killing two birds with one stone.
“By the way, could you sell this for me?”
As I took out a dark stone from my pocket, Amelia’s eyes widened.
“Wow, is this a spirit stone?”
“Yes.”
“Where did you get this one?”
“We went to Gangwon Province last week and did some fieldwork. I picked it up then.”
“Ah, you should’ve told me earlier. I need to go there again.”
Amelia expressed her intention to visit Gangwon Province over the weekend, excitedly.
‘…Did I say too much?’
There was no way it would come out.
Unable to say that Blue had pooped and a spirit stone came out, I emphasized that I had ‘accidentally’ picked it up.
From Noble mtl dot com
Well, even if I roam around Gangwon Province like this, that’s not my responsibility.
That aside, with the amount of Blue consumes increasing, I should make some serious money and acquire a mana refining factory altogether. It’s a good opportunity to gather spirit stones as well.
***
After entrusting the spirit stones to Amelia, the next person I sought out was Han Seyeon.
I was thinking of asking her to store the magic in my belongings because I knew that the mines were having a meeting before the Eunga incident occurred.
I sneaked into that meeting place to hear the detailed plans and also because there were items I needed to take with me.
The reason why the mines were invading Eunga was to steal the mana stone ‘Pearl of the Sea God’ that would turn Eunga into a land of mana.
In the process, Eunga’s guards fell into a stupor under the performance of ‘Harbinger of Rest’ Norton.
Norton’s performance had the ability to not only make the target faint but also lead them to death.
Of course, if one had the skills to resist Norton’s performance, they wouldn’t faint, but being influenced was inevitable.
To be free from such a performance by Norton, what was needed were the consumable mana stones provided directly by Norton during the mines’ meeting.
The reason I infiltrated the meeting was precisely to obtain those consumable mana stones. Hence, the need for Mordo’s magic. If I stored Mordo’s magic in my belongings, at least there would be no risk of being exposed as a “mine” due to the lack of magic.
The problem was that it was difficult to explain why Han Seyeon needed magic. However, this concern of mine was resolved too easily.
“Got it.”
“Do I just put it in here?”
“If you do, I’d appreciate it.”
After school, an empty classroom. Han Seyeon putting the magic into my wallet.
In the flowing silence, I asked casually, feeling awkward.
“Don’t you want anything?”
Want something? With her index finger on her lips, Han Seyeon, who tilted her head, said:
“To be in the same group for the field class?”
“Is that okay?”
“Yeah.”
Smiling broadly, Han Seyeon nodded her head.
Whether she was simple-minded or just didn’t want much, only wanting to be in the same class.
As I bit my tongue, I realized belatedly.
Ah, come to think of it, the field class was in pairs.
“Anything else?”
“Going to school together?”
“…Let’s just stick to the field class together.”
“Yeah.”
Han Seyeon chuckled at my awkward expression.
······This kid seems to be enjoying this subtly, maybe it’s because of the mood?
***
······Early June, 3 AM. Abandoned factory site in Osan, Gyeonggi Province.
If the game’s content hadn’t changed, this would be the place where the mines gathered to head to the meeting place.
Upon entering the abandoned factory, there was a small table.
Seeing the man in a black mask seated on a chair, I inwardly nodded.
“As expected.”
The masked figure’s power was not as high as I had expected. I could clearly see the ‘Mana Core’ in my field of vision.
The condition for seeing the Ether in my sight was that the disparity in power had to be significantly lower than mine. Even if it reached the level of Amelia’s, seeing the Ether was extremely difficult. And even more so, it was a challenge to hit and break the Ether moving around the body. However, if it was at this level of disguise, it seemed quite possible. Perhaps because of the tangent strategy, the power was nothing remarkable.
Silently, the masked figure gazed up at me. I pulled out the opposite chair and with a clatter, set down the glass cup on the table.
“I’ve come for a cup of coffee.”
“Did you bring tea?”
Without a word, I shook my hand, and the masked figure nodded.
“Name.”
“Koo Junmyung.”
I mentioned the name of Mine, who had attacked the Academy not long ago, attempting to take away Amelia’s magic but ending up backfiring on me.
The masked figure didn’t seem concerned about whether I was Koo Junmyung or not.
After all, there was no intention from the start to participate in the meeting as Koo Junmyung.
“Oh, you’re alive.”
The man seemed to only know Koo Junmyung’s name as he nodded. There was no hint of doubt.
Well, with all the magic-infused belongings I had brought, I was blatantly advertising myself as Mine.
It was rather strange for him to not think that I was Mine.
“Collect the magic. You can’t participate in the meeting in that state.”
“Why?”
“Those who can completely conceal magic would have been the only ones invited.”
“Oh, I didn’t know that.”
“?”
Crack!
The focus disappeared from the masked figure’s eyes, who had been harboring doubts.
It was my energy that had shattered the Ether swirling around the masked figure’s chest in an instant, leaving only a very small portion intact.
“Name.”
“Yoo Jonghyuk.”
“Tell me your personal information and what to be cautious of at the meeting venue.”
Leaning back in the chair, drinking the water from the coffee pot the guy had boiled in advance, Yoo Jonghyuk, a Mine, revealed everything he knew.
“You’ve come to participate in the meeting. Where have you been hiding for two days?”
“…Got it.”
I changed into the clothes the guy had handed me and took the mask off.
─Mask Meeting.
Since the Mine Union’s meeting was held wearing masks, it was easy to deceive one’s identity by taking someone else’s mask like this.
Of course, to prevent this, they checked thoroughly at the meeting venue whether one possessed ‘magic,’ but as long as one had Morudo’s magic, there was no fear of being caught.
Gathering magic using ＜Sensory Block＞ Lv.2 made it possible to block any signs.
The important thing was the voice…
“Oh. Hmm, this is really good.”
My voice had completely changed to mimic Yoo Jonghyuk’s voice, the Mine. A few days ago, I had demanded from Amelia to sell me Spirit Stones and received part of the payment in the form of a magic tool.
A magic tool called [Voice Form] that could collect the opponent’s voice and make it similar, said to be created by a voice phishing organization.
Anyway, the effect was outstanding.
“Then, go.”
With a wave of his hand, Yoo Jong-hyuk disappeared.
Seeing his condition wasn’t great, I felt I should step in to help.
“Ugh, such a bother.”
As Yoo Jong-hyuk left, a young man in a hooded sweatshirt, who had entered alongside him, briefly glanced back at Yoo Jong-hyuk and then sat down across from me.
“I came for a cup of coffee.”
“Did you bring the tea?”
***
······Black Market, 2nd floor, Loaetown.
Somewhere in this chaotic city, a mishmash of all the countries in the world.
At the entrance of a mansion illuminated by the dim moonlight.
“I’ve brought them.”
“Hmm, well done.”
The man in the white suit, the leader, gestured towards the 20 mines I had brought along. As I stepped back, the leader began inspecting each mine one by one and ushering them into the assembly hall.
Witnessing the leader’s inspection method, I was taken aback.
‘What? They’re even inspecting beneath the clothes?’
The leader didn’t just inspect the mines but also their belongings.
As someone who had hidden a mine in my possession, I couldn’t help but feel flustered.
During the inspection of belongings, it would be revealed that I had a mine in mine.
‘What should I do?’
Just knock them out? I glanced around.
Except for the leader, there was no one else around, so I could potentially use my abilities to handle the situation, but even that wouldn’t be easy. The leader’s abilities seemed exceptionally powerful and unclear.
If I failed to target their abilities, it would be over. Not only would I be at risk, but the situation here could also be exposed.
While I was looking around and contemplating, the number of mines gradually decreased.
“Next.”
As each one passed through, the number of mines decreased, but a sharp plan didn’t come to mind.
Finally, the last remaining person went in, and it was my turn. By then, I hadn’t found another way.
‘Ugh, damn.’
I had no choice but to aim for their abilities. If I failed, I’d have to fight to the death.
The expendable mana stones or whatever were not more important than my life.
This was a one-time opportunity.
‘Pretend to hand over the belongings and attack.’
As I formulated my plan, observing the middle-aged man’s small, rapidly spinning abilities, it was time to take out my belongings from my pocket and make a move.
“hahahaha, Yoo Jong-hyuk. Long time no see. It’s hard to greet with so many eyes watching.”
The middle-aged man unexpectedly welcomed me with a smile. Instead of inspecting the belongings, he pushed my hand in. I held back the energy that surged in my hand.
‘What? Did he know me?’
As the tension eased with the fading excitement, a sigh escaped me.
“Why the sigh? Seems like you’re having a tough time.”
“Yes, a little.”
“Yes, how’s your brother doing?”
“···Oh, he’s doing well.”
“Hmm, I see.”
The man in a suit who scanned me from head to toe smirked.
“But it seems like you’ve grown taller in the time I didn’t see you.”
“Is that so? I feel good, though.”
“hahahaha, just kidding. Come on in.”
“Sure.”
The man in the suit opened the door, patting me on the shoulder.
It seemed like Yoo Jong-hyuk, whom I disguised as to pass the inspection, had built up quite a network, hence why he managed to pass the inspection without being checked. This guy seemed to have a decent standing despite his lack of power.
‘Perhaps luck is on his side.’
I breathed a sigh of relief and stepped inside.
In the grand hall consisting of three floors, dozens of mines had already arrived before me, leaning against the railings of each floor and chatting away.
Even though they wore masks, they seemed to recognize each other quite easily.
And of all people, there was someone who recognized me, disguised as Yoo Jong-hyuk.
And that someone seemed to have a particularly bad relationship with me.
“Yoo Jong-hyuk. I warned you not to come, didn’t I?”
As I pondered what to say in response, I casually replied for now.
“Why?”
“What?”
“?”
“hahahaha! A low-ranking guy using informal speech. Treating you as Yoo Hyuk’s brother made you lose your mind completely.”
······Was that even relevant?
Still, it seemed like I didn’t even bother acknowledging the bad relationship from the start.
“Step outside for a moment.”
“And if I refuse?”
“I’ll drag you out myself.”
Shoulders relaxed, the guy approached me with a dark magic in both hands, ready to use it.
‘Trouble ahead.’
Of all the people to encounter right after arriving.
As I pondered what to do with his aggressive demeanor, a tired voice, like a savior, resonated throughout the hall.
“Let’s catch up later.”
Hearing the voice, the guy hesitated, then put away the magic and returned to his seat.
I gazed at the center of the resonating hall.
A massively overweight man was walking towards the center of the hall, his belly protruding as if it might burst any moment.
Thump. Thump.
With each step, his legs covered in layers of fat reverberated through the hall.
A presence that was impossible to miss.
My eyes, having discerned the man’s true identity, sank deep.
“Yawn—”
The man, slumping into the giant chair with a yawn, was a high-ranking member of the Mine Association, the head of the Seven Evils, Geoerg of ‘Indolence.’