93
······The results of the practical exam were revealed on the day of the kidnapping incident.
——–
1st place, Lee Haesol [50 points]
2nd place, Han Seyeon [42 points]
3rd place, Cheon Woojin [27 points]
4th place, Eun Gaye [19 points]
5th place, Shun Lee [17 points]
6th place, Nicolai [15 points]
7th place, Kim Hoin [14 points]
8th place, Amelia [13 points]
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It wasn’t a result far from expectations, but we almost lost the top spot. And to someone completely unexpected.
I was so focused on Cheon Woo-jin that I failed to check Han Se-yeon’s points. I never dreamt she would gather as many as 42 points each.
Han Se-yeon was the one who rounded up the novices, except for the first night at the lodging. But what I later found out was that she would go out for a quick “martial arts hunt” before bedtime in the dead of night.
She called it a quick session, but with 42 points per session, her definition of “quick” seemed quite different from mine.
Amelia, once again, pitifully secured the 8th place, far below her actual performance.
Given the nature of the test that didn’t consider contributions, the outcome was inevitable.
Though consistently ranking low was quite a mystery.
Nevertheless, the practical exam was over, yet I still had one task to resolve.
“The Undemon Extermination Incident.”
Undemons are the creations of Demon Maker August, one of the Five Demons, who escaped and formed a group.
Although they are of the magical kind, they seek a way back to being human, as they did not choose to become magical beings.
The incident before the final exam was about August locating and exterminating the Undemon’s main base.
It was a major event marking the debut of the scenario, but I wasn’t worried. I had already penned my part. I would need to take action, though.
But before that, I needed to attend to a personal matter.
▶ Ring of the Abyss (Low Grade)
– A ring of Eternity designed to facilitate the accumulation and use of magic.
*Caution: Suitable for Mine Players.
[Required Points: 500 SP]
[Materials: 50g of Red Magic Stone]
[With sufficient points and materials, projection is possible. Would you like to proceed with the projection?]
“Yes.”
In an instant, the stack of red magic stones on the desk disappeared, and a simple gold ring with a red magic stone embedded in it appeared in my hand.
“It looks like a cheap prize ring.”
In this world, where red magic stones were treated as scrap, it looked like a cheap ring worth less than ten dollars.
But it was a legitimate magical tool.
A low-grade item used in the early to mid-stages to facilitate the accumulation and use of magic. Among the mine-exclusive items I could acquire, this was the best option unless I decided to switch to a mine.
An item of no use unless one was a mine player.
This was not for me; it was made for Han Se-yeon to use.
As a token of gratitude for obtaining the Mandragora, the first thing that came to mind was this Ring of the Abyss.
Accumulating magic that might flow out would be stored in the red magic stone without being exposed externally, assisting in the smooth use of magic.
Despite being a low-grade cheap item for an Eternity item, it would be quite helpful for Han Se-yeon, who was not familiar with using magic.
“I should give her this much.”
Unlike the other main characters, Han Se-yeon, as a supporting character, didn’t even have a “dedicated item.”
***
As the closing ceremony was wrapping up, I took the opportunity to hand the Ring of the Abyss to Han Se-yeon.
“Take this.”
“What’s this?”
“A ring for handling magic. You’ll know once you try it.”
Han Se-yeon wordlessly stared at the Ring of the Abyss in my hand.
Indeed, it was a discarded jasper embedded wand, so it did give off an aura of not being worth taking.
So, just as I was about to offer an explanation, Han Seyeon eagerly accepted the Abyss Ring.
“Thank you, I’ll make good use of it.”
With that, she removed the Mana Circulation Ring from my hand and put on the Abyss Ring. Her face resembled a child receiving a remarkable treasure as a birthday gift, looking extremely pleased.
Seeing her so delighted with a mere 500 SP cheap item made me feel awkward for giving it to her.
I felt somewhat like trash.
I wanted to say it was cheap, but I kept my mouth shut, not wanting to ruin her joy for no reason.
I realized that no matter what I give her, I should at least give her something that doesn’t prick my conscience.
***
After giving Han Seyeon the Abyss Ring, I moved to a small café on the 3rd floor of the Black Market.
As I sat in the empty café, ordering a cup of coffee, I noticed a familiar face sitting across from me.
“Long time no see.”
The blond young man with a mischievous look was Aren, a high-ranking member of the Undemons. He was the Chimera Human who had been with me when we captured Georg.
However, today, a seriousness was apparent on his face, despite his usual playful demeanor.
Aren, who had blocked the sound leaking out with magic, let out a sigh without even ordering a drink.
“Sigh, I thought I had seen all the surprising things last time… What exactly are you up to?”
He looked at me with a serious expression, as if trying to see through me.
Though he couldn’t possibly know anything.
But, Aren, nodding his head, got straight to the point.
“Is it true that you can help us escape August’s ‘domination’?”
“Do you think I would joke about something like that?”
“No. That’s why it’s even more surprising. The possibility of breaking free from August’s domination.”
Demon Maker August.
One of the Omah, a Grand Mage with the ability to forcibly ‘enslave’ ordinary humans into Mains.
Humans forced into being Mains by August come under his rule.
August’s magic had the power to compel his Demonspawn to obey his commands.
If a Demonspawn were to refuse a command, they would face ‘collapse’ caused by the magic August had instilled in them.
The Undemons knew better than anyone that breaking free from August’s domination was impossible.
They had witnessed countless Demonspawn perish from trying to break free from August’s control.
Those who had escaped August’s rule and hidden in the shadows were the Undemons.
Yet, Aren’s reaction to me knowing a way to break free from his rule was not unwarranted.
“If you’re deceiving me, I won’t let it slide quietly.”
“I’m not deceiving you, so rest assured. What if I help you break free first?”
“…What? Can that be done right now?”
“Well, it’s a bit tricky and overwhelming…”
Honestly, removing August’s domination wasn’t such a difficult task for me.
Simply severing the ‘contractual thread’ connected to the Demonspawn’s soul would suffice.
If the contract had been willingly formed, it might be different, but contracts forcibly made by others had weak links.
Just using a little bit of energy, it was possible to cut off the thread as if snapping it.
However, to owe a debt to the Undemons, it was good to give them the feeling that I was sacrificing for them. As if I were a saint performing very difficult tasks.
Indeed, when my expression wasn’t that good, Aren slightly asked, looking perplexed.
“What should I do to feel overwhelmed? If there’s something I can help with, I’ll do anything.”
“If that’s possible, it would be great, but this requires me to use my life force.”
“What?”
Perhaps it was a completely unexpected price as Aren’s eyes shook roughly.
Hmm, did I push too hard?
But it was necessary.
“It’s not about reducing my lifespan. I just need a few months to recuperate.”
“Still, are you willing to do that?”
“Of course, it’s not for free. If you want it for free, you’re a thief.”
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“Of course, we are not thieves. If we can escape that madman’s control, we are willing to pay any price.”
I chuckled inwardly as I looked at Aren, who even showed his desperation.
This was a golden opportunity where, if played well, we could swallow the Undemons whole.
But first, we had to stop August.
I chatted with Aren about various things, quietly biding my time.
Then, in the quiet café, strangers started to gather one by one.
Although they pretended to have a casual conversation, all their attention was on the two of us.
Aren also noticed this, and his expression turned sour.
“They seem to know who we are.”
“…They’re probably members of the Superhuman Association. Except for you, my appearance might seem different, so it seems like they’ve been onto us from the beginning. I’m sorry.”
It seemed like Aren was using some kind of magic to make anyone other than the person he designated see a different appearance.
Yet, judging by the fact that he brought himself here, he seemed to be quite disliked by the Superhuman Association.
Of course, the current situation was something I created.
I glanced around and asked.
“Are we surrounded?”
“It seems so. Since you also showed your face, it might not be easy to pass quietly.”
After Aren’s words, a while later, the people in the café quietly stood up as they realized we had noticed them. I twirled my coffee cup and asked.
“What if we collaborate with Main?”
“At the very least, you’ll be interrogated, and at worst, you might be sent to Mootraz.”
“I don’t like either of those options.”
“So, what do you suggest?”
“Let’s go with being kidnapped. I’ll say you forced me out against my will.”
“Okay, let’s do that.”
As soon as the conversation ended, Aren grabbed my neck and stood up menacingly.
Then, the Superhuman Association operatives in the café surrounded us.
A woman with a seemingly authoritative demeanor came forward, smiling sarcastically.
“Just a mere hostage game. Nothing will change.”
…Just a mere hostage game, how sad.
The woman seemed to consider Aren as a mouse already trapped in a cage.
Understandably so, for the café was thoroughly surrounded from the inside out, offering no visible escape route.
Yet, Aren’s expression exuded calmness. There was no hint of distress on his face.
Of course, I knew well where this calmness of Aren stemmed from.
“Mahwa.”
The black paper of the Undemon, Mahwa (魔話), was not merely a means of communication for dialogue.
The magic embedded within was an “emergency escape warp.”
The location was the Undemon’s headquarters. And going to the Undemon’s headquarters was my ultimate goal.
If it weren’t for the current situation, Aren wouldn’t have taken me to the headquarters even if I could release him from August’s control.
Of course, that was still the case now.
Aren gently removed the black paper from his embrace, revealing “Mahwa.”
“Stop!”
The woman and the agents rushed in.
As magic intertwined with the Mahwa Aren pulled out, it glowed darkly.
A precursor to activating the warp.
“This won’t work.”
Using my strength, I pulled Aren’s body. In an instant, Aren’s balance shifted towards me. And at that moment, the woman’s sword fell just above Aren’s head.
aaah!
A white light enveloped both of us.
***
When the once white-blanketed sight cleared, we found ourselves in a dim underground space after leaving the café.
Of course, to my eyes unaffected by the darkness, the underground scenery was clear.
“The underground of the cathedral.”
A massive sanctuary in the underground, adorned with a large cross on one wall.
“So this is the Undemon’s stronghold.”
“Hey, you!”
Aren turned to me with a startled expression.
“If you’re going to kidnap, you should at least do this much.”
Just as I was silently celebrating our arrival, the door to the underground swung open, and people in black attire entered.
Startled by the emergency warp activation, they widened their eyes upon seeing me and shouted.
“Aren! Who is this guy!”
“Bringing an outsider here…!”
As I pondered what to do amidst their wary gazes, one person among them calmly walked towards me.
“Aren, I’d like to hear the details of what happened.”
A woman who spoke with a composed voice as she faced me.
The moment I met the woman’s crimson eyes and gaze, a status window appeared.
[Scenario Quest: Met the Witch of Flames, Ivonne. Prevent the downfall of the Undemon from the Demon Maker August.]
[Reward: 3000 SP]
The woman, with an aura of fiery discovery. This woman was none other than the current leader of the Undemon, the Witch of Flames, Ivonne.