Ever since inheriting the Awakening Secret Class, the “Brilliance Priest,” Ansol had a catchphrase he repeated like a mantra: if they weren’t dead, he could bring anyone back to life. And true to form, he had just demonstrated his skill to the fullest. Lee Yoo-jung had suffered severe injuries, but thanks to Ansol’s healing spells, Shin Jae-ryong’s support magic, and the copious potions they poured in, there was little cause for worry.
While Lee Yoo-jung waved her hands, signaling to stop pouring more potions, I began gathering the spoils I’d taken from the witch earlier. Equipment used by a witch of the Flower Witch’s caliber had to be powerful—I had no doubt about that.
Somnium of Chaos
Ⅰ. A magical broomstick symbolizing the Flower Witch, Philia Tritoris, known as the “One-Person Legion.” It contains the witch’s unique and mysterious sorcery, permanently sealed within. This is the ultimate equipment for those who pursue magic alone.
Ⅱ. Exclusive equipment for Wizards, Secret Mages, and Witch classes.
Ⅲ. Binds to its owner. Upon successful bonding, the Somnium of Chaos remains bound to the user until their death.
Warning: This broomstick is extremely averse to men—so much so that they can’t even bear to touch it. It recognizes only women as its rightful owners. If a man attempts to bond with it, failure is highly likely, and sometimes it simply refuses to respond.
Ⅰ. Imprinted with the Origin of Destruction. All spells cast by the user have their power output increased by 200%.
Ⅱ. Imprinted with the Origin of Acceleration. The user’s magical flow increases threefold.
Ⅲ. (Sealed) Imprinted with the Origin of Enhancement. (Seal lifts when paired with the Witch’s Hat.)
Ⅳ. Imprinted with the Origin of Storage. The broom can store up to 10 spells, resetting daily.
Ⅴ. Imprinted with the Origin of Flight. Allows the user to fly through the sky using the broom.
Ⅵ. (Sealed) Imprinted with the Origin of Protection. (Seal lifts when paired with the Witch’s Robe.)
“Wow.”
Using my Third Eye to inspect the broomstick, I couldn’t help but be amazed. This was on par with Vivian’s Order of Law in terms of quality. The general description was impressive, but the detailed effects? Not a single one was useless. And since I already had the hat and robe, unlocking the remaining sealed effects was only a matter of time.
I had planned to focus on training wizards and spirit summoners once we returned, and this was a fantastic result. If I put this up for auction, I was certain every mage on the Northern Continent would be scrambling to get their hands on it.
An expedition always ends with rewards, and good results naturally lifted my spirits.
“Wow, tripling magical flow… that’s insane. Anyway, I’ve got the broom. The hat and robe too…?”
Just then, as I hummed and gathered the scattered items from the ground, I suddenly felt a familiar gaze. I glanced over and saw a woman with violet hair staring at me intently. Her long hair matched the color of her eyes. Something about those eyes felt oddly familiar, and before I knew it, I was startled.
“A w-witch?”
Hwa-jeong’s light exclamation echoed in my mind.
That’s right. The mature woman sitting among the bushes, looking at me, was the witch. I had thought she’d vanished when the dimension shattered…
“Damn it, she’s alive?”
I quickly drew my sword and pointed it at her, glaring fiercely. But the witch didn’t flinch. She just stared back with the same indifferent, emotionless eyes as before.
Just to be sure, I activated my Third Eye, but I couldn’t read her at all. It’s rare to be unable to read someone in the current world, not even in another dimension. The only times I’d seen that happen were during the rites and when we encountered the Hell Duke.
I kept staring, feeling a strange sensation, but I didn’t lower my guard and slowly closed the distance.
‘Hwa-jeong? What’s going on?’
‘Talk to her?’
At that moment—
“This is strange.”
The witch’s voice, high-pitched yet cold and mechanical, like a robot’s, echoed in my ears. Before I could even speak, she opened her mouth.
“Analysis complete. That broomstick is a type of magic that refuses to be touched by men.”
“…”
“However, you, a man, are handling it without any adverse effects.”
“Oh? Now that you mention it…”
I felt like I’d read something similar before. I quickly glanced at the broomstick, then realized—this wasn’t the time.
“Who are you?”
“The scope of that question is very broad. If you ask more specifically, I can respond.”
The witch remained seated, her voice stiff and emotionless. Honestly, that kind of tone would be grating to hear, but somehow it suited her perfectly.
I paused to think, then asked again.
“What kind of being are you? And what is your purpose?”
The witch blinked slowly, then spoke quietly.
“I am a fragment that could not return, a minuscule part of the Origin. In other words, an incomplete existence. My current purpose is to await death.”
A fragment that couldn’t return? A tiny part of the Origin? And she’s waiting for death?
I didn’t fully understand, but Hwa-jeong seemed to grasp something and let out another impressed sigh. I kept my guard up and asked Hwa-jeong in my mind.
‘What’s going on?’
‘It’s okay.’
‘The source of magic, a super-information collective, collectively called the Astral Dimension.’
That made sense. I vaguely remembered hearing the Origin’s voice confirming the disappearance of those two during the battle. Suddenly, a thought struck me.
‘Then, could it be…’
‘Residual flow of the Origin?’
‘…’
My explanation was getting complicated. For a moment, I wondered if it’d be easier just to kill her outright. But I couldn’t show that in front of Hwa-jeong, who was explaining so earnestly, so I decided to listen patiently.
‘Really?’
I set aside my doubts for the moment. Even Hwa-jeong, who was practically a deity, couldn’t give a clear answer. What chance did I have?
After that mental self-justification, I asked one last question.
‘What does it mean that you’re waiting for death?’
I frowned slightly and stared at the witch—or rather, the residual Origin.
“So, it wants to die to return to the Origin? Then why not just commit suicide?”
“Negative. That is impossible. Suicide is the worst way to reach the Origin, as it blocks the path.”
Before I could stop myself, the words slipped out. The calm voice responded as if waiting for me to say it. I didn’t understand exactly what it meant, but it was clear suicide was off the table.
Since I’d already spoken, I decided to keep asking.
“Then are you trapped in that body right now?”
“Yes. An unexpected problem occurred during the return to the Origin. 84.72% of the flow has already returned, but since the conditions weren’t met, the remaining 15.28% is bound by forced principles.”
“So you’re waiting for death?”
“Yes. The original soul of the body has already returned to nothingness. I am sustaining the body’s limited functions, but it cannot last long. In exactly 37 minutes and 24 seconds, this body will meet complete death.”
“And then you’ll return to the Origin?”
“Correct.”
The Origin nodded slowly.
I stared quietly for a moment, then spoke softly.
“How can I trust what you say? What if I just leave you here like this, and you recover on your own and come after me?”
“…I understand what you mean. But right now, that goal is completely out of reach. Besides, killing you with my current power is absolutely impossible. I believe you know better than anyone why that is.”
“Hmm…”
“If you’re really that uneasy, there’s always the option to kill me right now.”
Without even blinking, Geunwon spoke calmly.
I stared straight ahead for a moment, then slowly lowered my sword and crossed my arms.
“Then, on the flip side, have you ever thought about wanting to live?”
Honestly, I don’t feel a strong desire to survive. But if what Geunwon says is true, then the being standing before me might be the greatest mage in this world. That means they could give the final phase of my return plan a significant boost. The power Geunwon demonstrated was truly impressive. Even Hwajeong seemed to be quietly hopeful about it.
Geunwon tilted his head slightly but soon spoke again.
“I’ve never really thought about wanting to live or die. The reason I want to die is simply an instinctive urge to return to where I belong. And to add, my current state is one of certain death. No method can bring me back.”
“Huh? No way? Not even with an elixir?”
“That’s right. Even if you brought the rarest, most miraculous potion, a soulless body cannot be granted life. That is the natural order of this world.”
“……”
“Unless, of course, there exists a miracle so rare it can even overturn this order… a Blue Dahlia.”
“Brother! The treatment’s doneoooo!”
At that moment, Ansoul’s frantic voice came through, accompanied by the sound of her running in clumsily.
Instinctively, I turned my gaze.
“Come to think of it…”
Is there still a miracle left?
---------------------------= Author’s Note =---------------------------
Wait a minute. I was just going to slump my shoulders and move on with other comments, but the ‘compression bandage?’ line made me burst out laughing. That’s truly out of left field. Surely you don’t mean what I’m thinking? And why would I, a man, need a compression bandage? I don’t even have a chest to cover! Oh dear.
Anyway, I briefly talked about the interview when I visited Joara last time. Unfortunately, my photo won’t be posted, but instead, a caricature will be. Haha. And I plan to add a beard to really emphasize my masculinity. :)
Also, I’m currently answering some additional questions sent by Joara in a Word document. There’s a particularly interesting one:
Q.5 What is the author’s gender, which readers are most curious about?
I’m grinding my teeth over this one. You can look forward to my answer—I’ll use every means at my disposal to express my frustration and prove that I’m male.
Please look forward to it. (__)