00314 Game ------------------------------------------------------------------------
It was a situation that was neither good nor bad, a stalemate. The vagrants who had pushed past Kim Su-hyun to confront the users weren’t launching an all-out attack for some reason. Their movements were more like a cautious dance, a strategic maneuver rather than an aggressive assault. Despite the vagrants’ superior skills, the users held their ground, thanks to two key advantages: their coordination and the Shadow Queen. Without the timely support of the priests and mages, and Go Yeon-ju’s command over the shadows, the line would have been breached long ago.
But then, a fierce gust of change swept through the battlefield, threatening to overturn the balance.
Feeling the heat from above, Go Yeon-ju instinctively looked up. In the sky, a brilliant light was gathering, cutting through the darkness like a beacon.
She drew Tyrfing, a weapon she had been hesitant to use due to her lack of complete control over it. But now was not the time for restraint. The heat on her face was intensifying, and the vagrants were beginning to retreat. She knew instinctively that if she didn’t act, they would be overrun. There was no time to think. She poured her magic into Tyrfing and whispered softly.
“Come on, Bing Bing, hold on for me, okay?”
With a piercing scream, Tyrfing responded, unleashing a terrifying wave of magic.
The shadows that had been supporting the users began to swirl around them, gaining speed until they were a blur. Go Yeon-ju deftly manipulated the shadows, splitting and extending them, weaving them together. The shadows, spinning like a vortex from the ground, coalesced into a solid wall of darkness that rose to envelop the users.
As the dark barrier closed around them, the vagrants unleashed a concentrated barrage against it.
Boom!
Go Yeon-ju almost let out a groan but bit her lip to hold it back. Each impact against the barrier sent tremors through her, testing her limits.
Her magic power was at 93 points. Some of the vagrants likely had even higher magic, and they were firing not just spells but volleys of arrows. Yet, Tyrfing’s power was holding, barely, against the onslaught.
Then it happened.
A sharp, white spear pierced through the barrier with a crack, its tip sparking with yellow light, threatening to explode at any moment. Go Yeon-ju struggled to patch the breach, but the gap only widened.
Her hands and arms were growing numb. It was a crisis. The shadow barrier was on the verge of collapse. She could hear the hurried incantations around her, but they wouldn’t be enough. Determined to protect her clan members, she bit her lip harder.
“We’re almost there! Just a little longer!”
At Jo Seung-woo’s words, Go Yeon-ju glanced over. Despite the sweat pouring down his face, he was smiling. With a wave of his left hand, a shimmering light scattered into the ground.
”───. ───. ───. Rapid Growth!”
As his calm voice rang out, a transformation began. From the cold earth, sprouts emerged, quickly growing into a variety of plants—flowers, grasses, trees—forming a new forest around the users. Both the users and the vagrants watched in astonishment.
“Contract, Execute!”
With Jo Seung-woo’s shout, a powerful magical vibration resonated, and the newly grown foliage began to glow with a blue light.
“Mercenary Lord, we’ve completed everything you asked. We’ve lined up the surviving vagrants.”
“Thank you for your hard work.”
“Haha, it was nothing. Without you and the Shadow Queen, we’d be dead. Truly, thank you.”
Jo Seung-woo waved off the praise with a humble smile. The users’ attitudes had noticeably shifted after the battle with the vagrants. Where there had been hesitation, there was now respect.
Walking with Jo Seung-woo, I observed the lush vegetation still standing tall. I knew a bit about this type of magic. Normally, it would dissipate once the magic ended, but it was still holding. Curious, I decided to check his status with my third eye.
Name: Jo Seung-woo (3rd Year)
Class: Normal Mage, Expert
Nation: Barbara
Clan: Gaonnuri (Clan Rank: C Plus)
True Name · Nationality: One Who Seizes Opportunities · South Korea
Sex: Male (25)
Height · Weight: 185.1cm · 87.2kg
Alignment: Good · Opportunistic
[Strength 48] [Endurance 42] [Agility 51] [Stamina 46] [Magic 89] [Luck 78]
(0 ability points remaining.)
Noticing my gaze, Jo Seung-woo awkwardly raised his right hand, revealing a faded blue gem embedded in the back. He looked at it wistfully before plucking it out with his fingers.
“I don’t need this anymore.”
“Excuse me?”
Before I could say more, he removed the gem, leaving a small hole and a trickle of blood.
“It was a gem I acquired by chance. It had a spell to sow seeds and grow a protective barrier.”
“Is it single-use?”
“Yes. But it’s fine. It saved my life, so it was worth it. The foliage will disappear once the gem’s magic is depleted.”
Though he seemed a bit regretful, he was right. I nodded in agreement.
We stopped in the area still surrounded by the foliage, where the battle had raged. Eleven vagrants lay neatly lined up, stripped of their gear but still decently covered.
My task now was to disrupt their magic circuits. Every user has a magic circuit within them. More specifically, there are points within the body through which energy flows, known as meridians. The circuit is a pathway extending from the heart, where energy is processed into magic.
There were several ways to disrupt it, but I chose to target the magic circuit. While tampering with the heart or meridians could be fatal, the circuit was the safest option.
The moonlight glinted off the nearly bare bodies of the vagrants—six men and five women.
Before approaching the man on the far left, I glanced around. The surviving users, including An Sol and other clan members, watched with a mix of relief and anticipation.
“User Jo Seung-woo.”
“Yes?”
“Have you collected the equipment from the bodies?”
“No, not yet…”
I raised my voice to ensure everyone heard, drawing their attention.
“If it’s not too much trouble, could you gather the equipment from the bodies? Please.”
“Of course. But if you’re planning to take it all… isn’t it too much? Even excluding damaged gear…”
“That’s why I need everyone’s help. If you assist in carrying it, there will be a reward when we reach the city.”
“Oh…”
As I finished speaking, realization dawned on some of the users. They had lost much in the vagrants’ attack. Though we were allies now, we’d be strangers once we reached the city. The promise of a reward, however modest, was a chance to recover some losses.
I turned swiftly, spotting Go Yeon-ju leaning against a tree.
‘Go Yeon-ju, please handle the equipment.’
“Don’t worry. Just trust me, Suhyun.”
With a knowing glance, Go Yeonju seemed to catch my drift and dashed off to where the bodies were gathered, a grin spreading across her face. Though I had given an excuse, it was essentially my way of telling everyone to leave. The users exchanged glances, hesitating for a moment before they began to disperse one by one. Of course, a few lingered behind.
“Ansol, you too.”
“Oh, brother…”
“Kim Hanbyul, you too, sir. Please take Ansol with you.”
“Understood.”
Kim Hanbyul nodded without a word, and the old man replied quietly. Watching Ansol being dragged away by the two, I casually scanned the remaining vagrants with my third eye.
Everyone seemed to have gone to collect their gear, leaving the clearing empty except for me and the vagrants. As I approached the ones on the edge, something caught my eye, and I changed course toward the center. There lay a man, seemingly of the close-combat type. I knelt beside him, pressing down hard on his arm and placing my hand on his exposed chest. A faint tremor vibrated through my palm.
“I know you’re awake.”
”!”
The vagrant’s body flinched, then stiffened. Without hesitation, I channeled my magic into him. Damaging a magic circuit is a delicate task. While infusing magic is one thing, determining the precise amount is the real challenge.
But I have my third eye. For instance, if this vagrant has a magic level of 85, I just need to stop a little short of that. A bit more, and he could die; too little, and he might recover on his own.
“Don’t open your eyes. Do it, and you die.”
Sensing the foreign intrusion, the vagrant’s eyelids fluttered violently. I pressed harder on his arms with my knees, focusing on his internal state. When I judged it was enough, I released the magic without hesitation. There was no need to drag this out—I wanted it over so I could rest.
Bang! Boom!
“Argh! Aaaah!”
With a violent convulsion, the vagrant’s body swelled momentarily. Blood oozed from his mouth, eyes, nose, and ears. He let out a piercing scream, his body twisting in agony before he passed out again, eyes rolling back and tongue lolling.
“That’s one down.”
After confirming the damage to his magic circuit, I stood up. Including the crucial Baek Seoyeon, there were still ten left.
On a sunlit desk lay a small, white creature curled up. It was the baby unicorn Kim Suhyun had brought. Looking utterly dejected, the unicorn rested its head on the desk, occasionally rubbing its cheek, sniffing, and shedding tears, clearly missing someone dearly.
The baby unicorn, who had been reluctant to leave the desk, suddenly perked up its head. Footsteps echoed from outside the door.
Bang!
“Kyukyu, are you here again?”
The door swung open, and a sweet, girlish voice filled the room. It was Baek Hangyeol. The baby unicorn’s face fell, and it lowered its head again.
Baek Hangyeol turned off the still-lit light stone and gazed at the desk. With a sigh, she moved closer to the unicorn.
“Kyukyu, you can’t keep doing this. You need to eat something, okay?”
“Kyuu…”
Despite her gentle coaxing and the plate of food she set down, the baby unicorn didn’t even glance at it. Instead, it let out a weak whimper, its drooping tail swaying listlessly—a clear sign it wasn’t interested in eating.
“I told you, your brother didn’t abandon you. He just got caught up in an accident and lost contact.”
“Kyukyu…”
“Don’t worry. He’ll be back soon. Haeyeon, Sangyong, Yujeong, Ahn Hyun, and Vivian all went to find him, remember? He’ll definitely come back. But if he sees you all skinny when he returns, do you think he’ll be happy?”
”…Kyuu.”
The words seemed to have some effect, as the baby unicorn slowly lifted its head. Baek Hangyeol, relieved, rummaged through her pockets with a slightly forced smile. She pulled out a round crystal orb and showed it to the unicorn.
“Good, that’s it. Eat up. See this crystal? Haeyeon said she’d use it to send us a message. So let’s wait patiently, okay?”
The baby unicorn looked at her with a questioning gaze, as if asking if it was true. Baek Hangyeol nodded reassuringly.
As the unicorn began to nibble hesitantly, Baek Hangyeol gently patted it, exhaling softly. She glanced down at the crystal orb, alternating her gaze between it and the unicorn, filled with hope that news of Kim Suhyun’s whereabouts might come any day now.
But Baek Hangyeol didn’t know yet. The message she longed for wouldn’t arrive for another two weeks.
---------------------------= Author’s Note ---------------------------=
Haha. Hello, everyone. Oh, I had a bit too much to drink yesterday, and the hangover lasted well into the afternoon. I’m not much of a drinker, so I usually avoid it, but yesterday was a special occasion. A younger friend I’ve grown close to over the past year is heading off to the military. Haha, I gave him a taste of the freedom that comes with being discharged.
Ah, as this part is about reunions, the next chapter will feature some interactions with the vagrants, and the chapter after that will focus on the reunion. :)
『 Reader Comments (Episode 312) 』
zjekfksqlc: Congratulations on being first! Haha, I didn’t skip this time. Your comment made me feel a bit guilty. :) Congrats again on being first!
Lea: It’s a bit of both. There will be changes, and new users might appear. :D
sHaremMania: We have to wrap things up, even if the ending is a sad one. :)
Haen: I bet the Joara staff who were lurking felt a bit uneasy. Haha. I’m still a bit uncomfortable too, but they said they’ll make adjustments, so I’m waiting with anticipation.
Astrain: Thank you for the coupon. (__) I’ll keep working hard.
『 Reader Comments (Episode 313) 』
Samgwonbunlib: Oh, congrats on being first. I think this is the first time I’ve seen you in the first comment section. :) Enjoy this episode!
Cheonnyangboeun: Haha, I can’t deny it. I noticed a few errors myself. ㅜ.ㅠ
Gidongdaedae: It’s a wish, but not an all-powerful one. Some things are possible, others aren’t. It’s limited by the angels. For example, you can revive a dead user. That’s about it.
Witaewitae: Unfortunately, Go Yeonju doesn’t have much luck with equipment. But she does have a sexy figure. Ah, sorry, sorry. Ahem. Suhyun will take good care of her from now on. Haha.
Flute: Shin Sangyong is married to alchemy. Haha. This is a secret, but Shin Sangyong is a wizard. (I wonder if you’ll understand? Hehe.)
Thank you for always reading. Your recommendations and comments are a great source of strength.
I hope you always read my work with a relaxed mind.
Recommendations, comments, critiques, and questions are always welcome.