A Moment with Barbara
There’s an old saying: “The birds hear what you say by day, and the mice hear what you say by night.” It means you should always be careful with your words, even when you think no one is listening. In today’s world, people might laugh it off, but in a place like Hall Plain, you must be extra cautious. Especially in crowded areas like this.
Most users here have magic within them. This magic flows through circuits embedded in their bodies, reaching every corner. While the specifics vary from person to person, these circuits are fundamentally connected to the eyes and ears. By channeling magic to these areas, one can temporarily enhance their functions.
In other words, in a place teeming with users, someone could secretly amplify their hearing to eavesdrop on conversations. While this technique is mainly used during expeditions or group battles, some users employ it for other purposes. It’s a skill anyone with a bit of magic can learn, which naturally breeds anxiety. If I can do it, so can others.
To alleviate such concerns and prevent the leakage of important information, a particular spell is often used: the Block Field.
The Block Field is a spatial magic that creates an invisible barrier, isolating a designated area from its surroundings. This significantly reduces the chance of conversations being overheard, enhancing security. However, since it blocks both outgoing and incoming sounds, it’s not always practical in places like pubs or restaurants.
Still, a table with a Block Field likely hosts important discussions. Of course, simply enhancing one’s hearing won’t penetrate a Block Field. But there are ways around it. I planned to use my third eye to scan for tables with active Block Fields.
“Suhyeon, the prices here are steep…”
“It’s fine. Saving gold is good, but sometimes you need a little indulgence.”
Of course, that was just talk. Having entered a high-end pub, I intended to make the most of it. Activating my third eye was part of a plan to gather valuable information. If I stumbled upon something useful, it would be a profitable venture.
Without looking at Hayeon, I closed my eyes. She seemed to sense my focus and gently released my arm. I began to scan the entire first floor.
”…”
As expected, I identified two tables with invisible barriers. One was at a nearby table, and the Block Field seemed mediocre, suggesting the users weren’t particularly advanced. The other, however, was different. It was at the far end, and the barrier was significantly thicker.
Deploying a Block Field of that magnitude required a magic capacity comparable to Vivian’s. I was curious about who it might be, but I decided to save that for later. For now, I quietly channeled my magic into the pub’s floor. The magic flowed, splitting into two streams, each heading towards its target.
What I intended to do was Occupy. It’s the second stage of magic release. In simple terms, I planned to blend my magic with theirs, seizing control of their field. Once my magic mixed in and took over, a sort of passage would form in the Block Field. If I could open this passage, I could listen to the conversations within.
To achieve this, two conditions were necessary. First, my magic had to be significantly stronger than the user’s. Second, I needed excellent control over my magic. I had to blend in without disrupting the flow of their magic. Approaching too cautiously could alert the other magic user. I needed to envelop them swiftly, leaving no time for suspicion.
In my first life, I reached the level of a Sword Master with a magic stat of 48. While there’s no fixed threshold for becoming a Sword Master, there’s an average. Considering that average is in the high 70s, I was certainly an exception. Back then, I couldn’t increase my magic stat no matter how hard I tried, so I focused on honing my control.
Now, I can handle a magic stat of 96 with ease. Thanks to the relentless practice in my first life, I can execute what I once only imagined.
I concentrated on the magic tendrils extending from me. The first tendril reached the nearby table. It subtly infiltrated the weak Block Field. As anticipated, I matched the flow of magic and smoothly blended into the invisible barrier. And then…
”…It’s no secret, really.”
“True.”
I managed to follow the flow without much trouble. A quick glance revealed users engaged in a serious conversation. With the passage open, all I had to do was listen. Though I could already hear faintly, I quickly directed magic to my ears.
“It seems something’s off. They’ve been suppressing a lot over there.”
“Damn, what a mess. Just the other day, they were so confident of success. I can’t believe it.”
“My friend joined the expedition, but I haven’t heard from them. Did you know? There were only three distress signals.”
“Excluding duplicates?”
“Yeah. I overheard our clan’s senior saying it was almost a wipeout.”
“No way. A wipeout? From a top clan with elite members? In less than a week?”
“I don’t know. I just heard it.”
After listening for a while, I withdrew my magic from the area. The expedition talk was interesting but not particularly useful. So, I turned my attention to the table across the room. The thick barrier made me a bit nervous, but I carefully enveloped it with my magic tendril.
Given the distance, I enhanced my hearing towards that table. Amidst the overlapping sounds, a sharp voice pierced through, accompanied by a cold female voice and a deep male voice.
“Where did you hear that?”
“The user who sent the first distress signal said it. We barely got hold of it. Though it’s hard to take it at face value, piecing it together suggests the advance team lost contact entirely.”
“Really? So they were all wiped out? Not a single survivor?”
“That’s likely. Wasn’t Park Hyunwoo leading the advance team? Tsk, tsk. Acting all high and mighty, only to fall in an instant.”
“Park Hyunwoo? Ah, but if it’s him, he might have survived. What about the main and supply teams?”
“I don’t know. I can’t understand why they separated the main and supply teams in the first place.”
“Wasn’t it to secure a safe path with the advance team? The main team was supposed to clear the rest, and the supply team was to secure the route.”
“That’s why it’s stupid. How overconfident were they to set up such a vulnerable formation? Haha.”
“You… seem to be enjoying this.”
“Hehe. Why not? It’s amusing. Pfft.”
“Then let me make you even happier.”
“What is it? Tell me.”
“This is top secret. Among the distress signals, there was one from a user in the main team. Apparently, the Golden Lion Clan…”
“Wait. Lee Chanwoo. Shut your mouth.”
“Huh?”
“Hey. The Block Field…”
Just as I was engrossed in listening, the conversation abruptly stopped. Instinctively, I withdrew my magic. It seemed there was a magic user with a stat in the high 80s or 90s. If it was over 90, I should have known. I tilted my head in puzzlement but soon let out a sigh of disappointment.
I had been eagerly anticipating the top-secret information, but a perceptive user had caught on. However, knowing the future, it was merely a confirmation of what I already knew. I decided to let it go. I had confirmed the information I wanted, so there was no lingering regret.
“Sigh.”
“Kim Suhyeon, why the sigh?”
“I’m hungry.”
“Now that you mention it, I’m hungry too. I hope the food comes soon.”
Vivian nodded solemnly. I wanted to ask how her research was going, but I decided against it. Seeing her react to my sigh, it seemed she was subtly gauging my mood.
“Did you order?”
“Yeah, oppa. We decided on something simple.”
There was a peculiar edge to Yujeong’s voice, a hint of irritation that suggested Hayun’s thriftiness had once again come into play. I let out a sigh, not directed at Hayun, but at the kids.
Just then, a new waitress approached our table with a lively step, having seemingly taken over our order in hopes of a generous tip. Such opportunism was common everywhere. The waitress who initially seated us was probably shedding tears by now.
“Hey there, everyone! Your food is here~.”
Despite having hijacked the order, the waitress beamed as she placed the tray on the table. It struck me again how expensive restaurants always served such small portions. The tray held eight sandwiches and eight cookies, each the size of a woman’s palm. With eight of us, it was hardly enough to satisfy anyone.
I clicked my tongue and flicked a coin her way, feeling a bit begrudging about the tip, but it wasn’t my place to make a fuss. The waitress deftly caught the coin, her face lighting up when she saw it was a silver piece. Her bright smile reminded me of the time Ahn Hyun kicked around gold coins and jewels during the Chaos Mimic incident.
“Wow, you’re so generous! Thank you! If you need anything else, just call me!”
With a cheerful bow, she skipped away. Despite the food being served, no one reached for it. I wished they’d break this habit. I had mentioned it once before, but they just laughed it off. According to a tip from Shin Sangyong, the female members of the clan found my awkwardness at the start of meals amusing.
Hayun picked up a fork and speared a sandwich. It was so small that it stood upright without drooping. She slowly brought it towards my mouth.
“We’re not staying long, right? Let’s just have a light snack here and save dinner for the inn.”
“Oh? Right, yes.”
“I heard the honey meat sandwich here is quite good. I haven’t tried it myself, but they say it tastes a lot like the honey we had on Earth. Go on, try it.”
”…”
Since Go Yeonju joined us, Hayun had become bolder. Watching her, Go Yeonju suddenly tilted her head, and I noticed Yujeong’s eyes narrow slightly. Ahn Sol gripped her modified shield tightly, as if it might break, while Vivian drooled over the sandwiches.
“I-I’ll eat it. Hand me the fork.”
Only after taking the fork from her could I suppress the awkwardness and stares. Watching this scene, I could almost see a bead of sweat forming on Shin Sangyong’s forehead.
---------------------------= Author’s Note ---------------------------=
Hello, this is Ro Yujin.
Dear readers, if any of you were waiting for a Saturday update, I sincerely apologize. (__) No excuses, but I’ve been feeling a bit under the weather. ㅜ.ㅠ I’ll make sure to update on Sunday. To motivate myself, I’ll aim to post by 4 AM. Once uploaded, I’ll dive straight into writing the next chapter. Roar!
PS. I’ll start replying to messages on Sunday morning. :)
『 Reader Comments 』
GradeRown: Congratulations on being first! Is this your first time? :) Haha. No single user can do it alone, except for one. (Who that is, well~.)
UserGandalf: Ah, the art of continuous updates! Hmm, I see. Having been recognized for my cliffhangers, it’s time to be acknowledged for my consistent updates. Hehe.
zjekfksqlc: Apologies for not responding to the summons. Sigh. ㅜ.ㅠ Thank you for the sticker. (__)
]Radier[: The gem mage didn’t appear in the first round. Hehe. And Hanbyeol didn’t prove himself in the rite of passage. There’s foreshadowing in the trap point section. :)
EyeSeeYou: No, you must choose! Is it Ahn Sol or Vivian?!
Let’sNap: I once considered introducing a rose knife. But I decided against it. Hahaha.
Biunrok: NO. It hasn’t appeared yet. But there’s a hint, just a tiny one. Depending on the reader, it might seem significant or not at all. :)
Toranoanal: Ah, I see. Haha. I used to get a lot of recommendations from readers too. The ones I remember are “Desire and Struggle” (the blessing scene is unforgettable), “Military Life of a Pig” (I used to enjoy comics about military life), and “The Church’s Exit.” I recommend these!
Idrian: Haha. It’s Kim Hanbyeol. Please don’t hate Hanbyeol too much. ㅜ.ㅠ I’ll work on changing Kim Hanbyeol’s image. Hehe. Look forward to it!
gkgngh: Hmm. Deserted islands or locked rooms. I’m not sure about locked rooms, and deserted islands… I might have enjoyed some works about them in the past. But locked rooms, I really don’t know. ;ㅇ;
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