Whether venturing out on an exploration or embarking on an expedition, the process follows a similar pattern. It always starts with gathering information, then maintenance, departure, the actual mission, and finally, the return. This cycle repeats itself, and among these steps, maintenance is the most crucial. That’s because maintenance isn’t just about preparing for the target area—it also involves taking care of the individual user’s condition before setting out.
To put it in extreme terms, if I had attempted the “Tomb of the Barbarian King” expedition with less than half my stamina, I would have failed miserably. No, more than that—I might have been wiped out completely.
The point is, success in an expedition doesn’t mean the work is done. You always have to be prepared for unexpected incidents, like the one we just faced, by keeping yourself in top shape. And you need to use each expedition as a mirror to identify and strengthen any weaknesses.
Of course, that doesn’t mean pushing yourself relentlessly without rest. It’s better to handle things one by one, thoroughly, rather than juggling everything at once. Maintenance also includes the vital element of rest. I’m no exception to this rule, especially since I possess Hwajeong—a high-output, high-demand power.
So, after spending half a day in calm rest, I headed to my office in the afternoon to start work. Honestly, I had planned to just relax with Hwajeong today under the pretense of recovering stamina, but around lunchtime, Jo Seung-woo gave me a pitiful look and kept poking at his food. I told him to come to my office after the meal.
As expected, he brightened up suddenly, dug into his food with gusto, and hurried to follow me upstairs right on time. Then he slammed something down on my desk. Looking at the towering pile of reports, I felt a headache coming on. Forty days isn’t a short time, so a lot must have happened.
…Still, I couldn’t bring myself to read it all.
“So, what’s the latest update? Any major changes?” I asked, pushing the stack aside.
Jo Seung-woo smiled faintly. “First, I’ll report on the development status of the inner city.”
“The inner city? Looks like the central administration is putting a lot of effort into it.”
“That’s right. The outer cities have reached a certain level of development already. The debris has been thoroughly cleared, and now they’re constructing key buildings. In fact, the Starting Inn, the User Academy, and the Temple are all nearing completion. You’d be amazed if you came to see them.”
“Really? That fast?”
“It has to be. The east, west, south, and north, as well as the entire northern continent, are all paying close attention. Actually, our Mercenary Clan received a request for development funds as well.”
“Development funds, huh… How much are we talking about?”
When I asked, Jo Seung-woo suddenly clammed up, glancing around nervously.
“Well… after checking, large clans usually get about five million gold coins, and leading clans receive at least eight million…”
“Come on, just tell me.”
“We were granted ten million gold coins.”
“Ten million gold coins… What’s our current clan fund status? Excluding equipment and gems.”
“We have exactly 37.82 million gold coins in pure cash.”
“Ha.”
Jo Seung-woo’s Adam’s apple bobbed as he finished speaking, and I chuckled lightly. That guy still gets nervous no matter what. I told him I wouldn’t meddle much in administrative matters, but it’s a sign he takes responsibility seriously, so it’s not a bad thing.
This man in front of me is naturally frugal and careful. He even complained about unnecessary spending when we renovated the castle last time. So if he’s managing such a huge sum as ten million gold coins, there must be a good reason. And I think I know what it is.
“Alright. Thirty-seven point eight million gold coins. We still have some breathing room.”
“Is that so?”
“Then increase the support by another ten million gold coins. Of course, under the name of development funds.”
“Yes, understood. So… uh… yes?”
Jo Seung-woo, who had been relieved, suddenly let out a strange scream.
“You wanted to support more anyway, right? Even you, User Jo Seung-woo.”
“Well, that’s…”
“Do it. Then we’ll be unmatched.”
“Even so, ten million gold coins is too much.”
“It’s not too much. There’s a saying: ‘Penny wise, pound foolish.’”
“……”
“No matter how well we develop the city, it’s still just an outer city. Unless we build special structures… the central city will inevitably lead future changes in Atlanta. You know that, right?”
“So…”
“Do it. We’re not short on funds, and we have the capacity to cover about twenty million gold coins. Besides, you have to take credit when you can.”
“Understood. Thank you, Clan Lord!”
Jo Seung-woo finally smiled brightly, and I returned the grin. We were on the same page. Considering the future influence of the central city, twenty million gold coins is practically pocket change. Of course, I understand his concerns, but they’re mostly unfounded. Unless Lee Hyo-eul gets stabbed in the head, there’s no way he’d just let us Mercenary Clan off the hook. And if that happens, I won’t stand idly by either.
“What about the other matters?”
“Oh, the New Koran Union contacted us. Seo Ji-hwan, the Merchant Guild Lord, wants to meet you. He says he has something urgent to discuss.”
“Arrange a meeting. Anything else?”
“And… about the additional reforms you mentioned last time…”
Jo Seung-woo trailed off, rubbing his hands nervously. His eyes were full of expectation.
“Hm? Ah… yes. The reforms will continue. We’ll handle the urgent matters first.”
“I see! Got it. I’ll be looking forward to it.”
“Looking forward to it? You must have been under a lot of stress.”
“Ha ha. The administration tends to concentrate too much. I’m just waiting for the right moment.”
Jo Seung-woo spoke honestly, then bowed his head and said he’d finish the report for now before opening the door and leaving. The phrase “for now” stuck with me, but there was nothing urgent or complicated. I thought I could handle things calmly, one by one, and took a sip from my now lukewarm teacup.
But before the door even closed, I heard rapid footsteps in the hallway, followed by a loud kick as someone burst in. I immediately grabbed a communication orb and tossed it.
“Hey, Geomgeom! I’ve got huge news…! Ack!”
With a thud, someone collapsed. Nice shot.
“Ow… that hurts… sniff.”
Rubbing her reddened forehead, the person who got up was none other than Vivian.
“Don’t call me like that.”
“That’s not the problem! Do you even know who you brought this time?”
I said sternly, but Vivian didn’t care and bounced back to her feet. She strode over and slammed both hands on the desk. Ah, my head’s starting to hurt.
“Listen. I was having a really delicious lunch, you know.”
“Yeah? Was it so good it’s worth all this fuss?”
“Just listen! First, get up. We’re going somewhere. Hurry!”
“Enough, enough!”
Raising my voice made Vivian flinch and pull back. Cute.
“I don’t know what’s going on, but why are you so reckless?”
“Well… I want to go with you. But why are you mad?”
“Can’t you see this?”
I pointed to the towering pile of reports. Vivian tilted her head in confusion.
“Why? You can do that after you get back, or have the juniors handle it.”
Honestly, that was partly my plan. To some extent. But there were other things to do—check the warehouse for light, darkness, water, and fire crystals, and visit the summoning room. I had no idea what she wanted, but I wasn’t about to waste time on something that smelled fishy.
“Is it really that easy? Besides, you and I have different positions. I still have a mountain of work.”
“So you’re saying you won’t come with me?”
“No. I’m complaining about your attitude. If you have business, you should follow proper procedures, make an appointment, or at least explain and ask for permission first.”
“W-what? Suddenly acting all high and mighty.”
“If you don’t like it, come at night. I’ll probably be free then.”
“Tch, what’s between us…”
Vivian sighed, took a deep breath, and grumbled about how I’d changed. Then she calmed down, cleared her throat, and looked at me with gentle eyes, her tone more composed.
“Alright. I understand your position. You’ve been swamped with work right after returning from the expedition. It must be tough.”
“Hmm.”
“And I admit I was impatient. But please try to understand me. Because right now, I’m standing at a very important crossroads. So…”
“By the way, I’m still hungry even after eating. Want to go grab something tasty together?”
“R-really? Hehe… No! You weren’t even going to listen in the first place!”
“Slurp.”
Vivian shouted and threw her hands up in frustration. Amid the fluttering reports, I calmly sipped my tea and savored it. Vivian is fun to tease—her reactions are always so lively.
“Don’t be mad. Try this tea. It’s good, right?”
“Hey!”
“Oh, right. What about your explanation?”
“You… you…!”
Vivian opened her mouth in disbelief, then slumped onto the sofa, glaring with a mix of frustration and indignation.
“I want to explain it myself.”
At that moment, a slightly youthful yet mechanical voice echoed from the doorway. Turning my gaze, I saw the fragment of Origin staring at me with indifferent eyes—a little kid, or rather, a piece of the source itself. What was he doing here?
“An explanation?”
“Yes. Vivian La Clacidus failed to move user Kim Suhyun. Having become a thoroughly defeated dog, it was deemed better for me, the substitute, to step in.”
Vivian barked, “Who’s the thoroughly defeated dog!” but I propped my chin on my hand, feeling a spark of interest. Setting everything else aside, there had to be a clear reason why Origin was moving on his own.
“Alright. Tell me.”
“Before that, would you prefer a brief explanation or a detailed one?”
“Short and to the point. Just the essentials.”
“Understood.”
Nodding lightly, Origin stepped in slowly.
“I want to go to the ancient magical city of Magia.”
Then he dropped a somewhat unexpected line.
“Why there?”
“If my calculations are correct, we can gain two enormous benefits.”
“Explain in detail.”
“First, my current maximum output is only 15.28%. But if I acquire the latent magical knowledge in Magia, I can boost my output exponentially.”
“…I’m not quite grasping it yet. And the second?”
“We can improve Vivian La Clacidus’s abilities.”
Origin said this calmly, without even blinking.
I tilted my head.
“What does Vivian have to do with this in the first place?”
“Because she is the master of the Order of Order. And the Order of Order is a kind of essence that concentrates Magia’s knowledge. In other words, it serves as the key to liberating the city…”
“I know that already. But unfortunately, Vivian isn’t a traditional mage. She summons beasts through magic circles…”
“Which is why we need to go even more.”
As if to avenge my interruption, Origin cut me off immediately.
“All of Magia’s knowledge is stored in the form of magic circles.”
Hearing that, a sudden chill settled over me.
He was right. During the battle, when Mavolo unleashed the Order of Order, didn’t an enormous magic circle rise, covering the entire city?
Recalling that moment sent an unexpected thrill coursing through me.
“So… you’re saying Vivian might be able to summon higher-tier legions than she can now?”
“I’m certain there are summoning circles among them. Even if not 100%, it can’t fail to help.”
Trying to hide my trembling, I spoke, and Origin answered in his usual indifferent tone. Yet his voice felt more reassuring than ever.
I closed my eyes gently.
‘Thank you for saving me and giving me happiness. Because of you, I can return to where I truly belong.’
‘Once the king is born and the 1st Legion is revived… I must return to my original role as the 1st Legion Commander.’
‘May you be as happy wherever you are as you have made me.’
‘So… is this really the end…?’
Even though I knew it was impossible, a flicker of hope surged within me.
But…
Could it really happen? Was I just setting myself up for disappointment? Could I even be sure Mavolo possessed magical knowledge about hell?
Wait a minute.
He does. Yes, he does.
When he tried to stop my charge, Mavolo summoned two magic circles to the left and right.
‘This bastard really knows how to piss people off. I was genuinely surprised. Never in my wildest dreams did I expect to see the Sixth Flame of Hell, the Superheat, and Eternal Snow here. Damn bastard.’
I said that as I narrowly escaped. Definitely.
Yeah, even if it’s just a sliver of a chance, it’s worth it.
If I could see Gehenna again, or at least hear news of it…!
“Vivian!”
I jumped up and shouted, and Vivian, who had been sitting sulkily with her lips pouted, jumped in surprise.
“Let’s go.”
“Huh? W-what?”
“Right now. Hurry.”
“…But you said you’re busy?”
Her sulky voice came, but I had no time to deal with it. I quickly threw on my robe and turned around. Vivian was looking at me with a strange expression.
“Oh ho… your attitude’s changed completely. What’s gotten into our Clan Lord all of a sudden?”
Is that really…
No, hold it, hold it. Everything depends on Vivian.
“Enough talk. Let’s go.”
“No way.”
But Vivian smirked, stood up from the sofa, crossed her arms slowly, and wore an innocent expression.
“I’m really sorry. I want to go too, but I haven’t gone through the procedures, made any arrangements, or gotten permission. So I don’t think I can.”
“You little—”
“Well, if we start now, maybe we can go by nightfall? What do you think?”
“This is what I think.”
As I passed by, I swung my right hand with all my might.
“Why didn’t you do this sooner? The tide’s turned. Woohee…”
Smack! The soft, plump feel of a buttocks pressed against my hand.
“Hi-bi-bing-bi!”
Vivian tried to laugh but let out a strange groan.
“Enough nonsense. Follow me. Shall we go first?”
I grabbed Origin’s hand quickly and stepped out the door.
A moment later.
“Waaah… you bad guy…”
Just as I was about to descend the stairs, Vivian’s pitiful cries echoed down the hallway.
“Waaah… take me with you…”
---------------------------= Author’s Note ---------------------------=
The topic of magic circles was briefly touched on in episode 265.
Just in case anyone’s curious… ☞☜