Episode 63: People Gather in Search of Hope (2)
Immediately after the incident, Kang Min-hyuk, who had escaped his body for a while, organized his thoughts. He reflected upon his incredible performance and his use of ungraded magic. Even before he defeated the A-class Werewolf, Kang Min-hyuk had faith in the strength of magic. But his discovery proved it beyond a doubt. If the magic emits the power of the 6th circle, even reinforced warriors can’t ignore it. Kang Min-hyuk held power to counter the trend.
In the Tower of Trials, he observed a total of five flows of mana.
[Explosion]
[Meteor shower]
[Taesan]
[Earthquake]
[Tsunami]
Sufficient verification was required, but the effect of ungraded magic would be similar to the phenomenon seen in the trial space. Kang Min-hyuk categorized them mentally so as not to forget them. The drawback was the vast mana consumption it caused, but that was the wizard’s lifelong burden. The only way to master the technique was to make most moonshine and mana room to accumulate a large amount of mana within four circles.
After the clean-up, it was time to remedy the situation. The symbolism of Min-hyuk’s triumph was great. As a warrior, he was injured by an A-class monster, which drove him to turn away from his future as the successor. The magical world seemed to be a good fit when he put down his sword, as it was known that magic could not defeat A-class monsters. Deep in his heart, he had always been hoping for the moment where he would defeat an A-class monster. Such feelings became stronger when Klinssman defeated the Class A Werewolf, and he was forced to recognize the possibility that he could achieve it.
He was reckless. Kang Min-hyuk gave his life to possibility. That was just the way he worked. For him, training did not take place in a greenhouse. He decided to risk his life in a situation that was nothing but ‘training.’
“When you die, you die.”
However, when he defeated an A-class monster, a new world unfolded in front of Kang Min-hyuk.
“I am strong. And in the future, I can be stronger.”
His confidence was heightened. He clenched his fist in the rising joy. His victory filled him with a sense of pride that almost choked him. It was a joy beyond words.
“What should I do next?”
He had the Master Key…although he had used Incognito Mode, traces were left by using the tool. His identity would be revealed soon. Min-hyuk didn’t care too much. It was a great honor for a wizard to defeat such an intimidating foe. Such achievements would work in his favor when constructing his tower, but Kang Min-hyuk, who tamed his excitement, thought,
“It’s not the best timing.”
Many questions would follow the revelation of his identity, especially because he was only a fourth circle mage. He had to keep up with his research and growth…he wasn’t ready to share the secrets of ungraded magic and circle strengthening noisily.
If people’s common sense is exceeded to excessive degrees, there is a high probability that Kang Min-hyuk would be crowded into a corner in the face of too many questions. People who wanted to be strong had the same heart. There would be many who yearned for his answers.
Would it be right to ignore his instincts and make his endeavor public? Yes, it would bring him fame, but fame wasn’t the most important thing.
If Kang Min-hyuk, a reinforced warrior and successor to the Guardian Gate, defeated a class A monster for the first time, there would be those who would feel hatred against him. That is human nature. There would be jealousy and suspicion. The progression of Kang Min-hyuk was so sudden that there would be a high possibility of revolt.
Kang Min-hyuk always accompanied Hak-beom Lee in his research presentations. Hak-beom Lee’s presence could calm the backlash against Kang Min-hyuk.
“Anyway, this month, I have a way to prove my strength. I think I’m ready.”
That was the reasoning behind revealing the power to Yoo Jae-myeong.
* * *
“Why? Why didn’t you disclose your achievements?”
Yoo Jae-myeong’s expression was hard. At first, he was surprised. Then, he was astonished. Kang Min-hyuk was a monster-like guy, as rumored, but looking back, a strong question filled his thoughts, “Why?”
He couldn’t understand Kang Min-hyuk’s actions. He just revealed that he had done it and revealed the facts in a place where only one other person could witness his glory.
Kang Min-hyuk said, “I think you’ve heard rumors about me. I have published techniques such as double casting, magical shape change, and mana fairy tales. There is much more knowledge in my head, including the magic we just used and the six-circle magic that Archmage Yoo Jae-myeong hopes for.”
Gulp. Yoo Jae-myeong swallowed hard. He tried to contain himself, but he was nervous. “I will tell you straight. I’m thinking of building a tower, and its purpose is to advance magic and destroy the monsters of this world. If Archmage Yoo Jae-myeong is a member of the Tower and makes a ‘Pledge of Mana’ to give me allegiance, in return, I will give you the information on the sixth Circle magic that you desire. Furthermore, I will provide more information when the time comes.
Yoo Jae-myeong’s eyes shook in their sockets. The situation took time to thread together. The boy was only 17 years old! It was an unbelievable proposal to come from the mouth of a freshman student. Mana’s pledge was a euphemism for the more abruptly titled ‘Mana Shackles.’ The technique was discovered by chance.
A wizard fed his mana into a circle to alleviate the burnout symptoms of a fellow wizard. Unfortunately, his efforts did not restore the fellow wizard’s body but acted malevolently. The mana was too much. It was forcibly injected and led to an accident that burst the heart of the receiving wizard. Mana Link is an extraordinarily complex and sensitive skill but using it without proper knowledge caused big problems.
However, as time passed, the incident gave birth to a technique called mana shackles. It involved a heavy shackle that could explode when desired by planting enough mana in the opponent’s circle to avoid problems. The amount is not enough to burst the heart, but the explosion caused by mana would destroy the circle. So, at one time, the trading method with mana shackles was overused by sorcerers, but it is now officially banned due to the judgment that it adversely affects the wizarding world.
Kang Min-hyuk had mentioned the dangerous technology.
“I am offering you power. It’s not a deal I really need. As we saw earlier, the magic I used has already exceeded the level of Archmage Yoo Jae-myeong. If you agree to accept my proposal because of mutual interests, I will provide high-quality information to you in the future. Still, if that is not the case, I will just step in front of people and reveal that I was the one who defeated the Class A monster. The power and reputation of Archmage Yoo Jae-myung are helpful to me, but not necessary.”
Lee Hak-beom and Jeong Sang-hoon posed no threat of disloyalty. Why? Hak-beom was a scholar. It could be inferred that they are the source of knowledge because they do not have usable power. He wouldn’t betray him anyway.
Sang-hoon was a disciple. It wouldn’t be good if it were known that the shackles were imposed when Sang-Hoon was put forward in the future – it was integral that he followed willingly.
Yoo Jae-myeong was different, though. He was a sixth Circle Wizard. Sharing the magic of Circle six with him was the same as giving power. There was a legitimate justification for the ban, and there was no reason to give information unless it was under such conditions. The reputation of Yoo Jae-myeong would help Kang Min-hyuk a lot…if he accepted the offer.
Kang Min-hyuk would bring Yoo Jae-myeong to the forefront. He would reveal that it was himself – an archmage – who defeated the Werewolf and be recognized as the first sixth-circle wizard. Then, the situation that Kang Min-hyuk was concerned about would not happen. Yoo Jae-myeong was universally appreciated and had spent enough time practicing magic. If he reached the level of the sixth circle, people would have hope. It would show them that, like Jae-myeong, they too could climb to the sixth circle. The unexpected existence of Kang Min-hyuk would cause a backlash, but Yoo Jae-myeong would be accepted.
Hak-beom Lee was a scholar. Sang-hoon was the sprouting seeds. Yoo Jae-myeong is the established wizard, hungry for power. Kang Min-hyuk required the three characters and tried to attract them. The moment it was revealed that Kang Min-hyuk was above the three characters, the new tower would gain strong power.
Yoo Jae-myeong fell into indecision. He was a real wizard. He would have given his life to reach the sixth circle. However, to entrust his life to Kang Min-hyuk was different…he had to contemplate his decision.
He couldn’t say no. It had been 100 years of history, and circle six remained an unattainable dream. However, when the opportunity to reach it arrived, Yoo Jae-myeong wasn’t sure what to do. He could refuse, but he would never forgive himself. It was unacceptable. The problem was that Kang Min-hyuk had nothing to lose, as he had said, “…Will you give me time to think a little?”
“Okay. But we can’t wait long. Just one day. After a day, I’m going to reveal that I defeated the Class A Werewolf.”
That evening, Yoo Jae-myeong surrendered to Kang Min-hyuk even before the new day dawned.
* * *
After sealing the deal with Yoo Jae-myeong, Kang Min-hyuk met Go Young-cheol.
“How is the situation?”
“Not bad. There are plenty of funds, but since you were of a different mind, there were a lot of friends to follow.”
At the request of Kang Min-hyuk, Go Young-cheol founded an intelligence unit. First, he gathered reliable people and built a basic system, and devoted himself to buying the red mana stones that Min-hyuk had emphasized were the top priority. As a result, most of the red mana stones currently on the market were owned by Go Young-cheol. Even if a new red mana stone came out, the system was connected to him.
He conducted his business with the utmost discretion. He was an excellent choice of ally. It wasn’t just because of blood ties that the huge group of Suhomun tried to elect Go Young-cheol as the next chief of the intelligence unit – he excelled at almost everything he turned his hand to.
“But why do you need this?”
Go Young-cheol handed over a bunch of documents. There were numerous profiles of people in it. All of them were wizards. It also contained detailed information about wizards with considerable skills.
“Hope brings people together.”
“It looks like you’re doing something fun.”
“You could say that, yes,” Young-cheol smiled.
Kang Min-hyuk motivated Go Young-cheol just by taking the initiative, unlike before.
“By the way, are you going to attend the Mother’s Day celebration in a few days?” Mother’s Day caused a subdued atmosphere in Suhomun.
By attacking the highly difficult dungeons left by the U.S, the Guardian Gate’s status was once again known to the world. That was why Kang Min-hyuk stepped back.
“Of course, I have to go. My mother would want it from me.”
His return would cause both of his lives – warrior and wizard – to collide. At the spot where both worlds merge, his strength would be proven.
It would be an opportunity to change the prejudice from being a reinforced warrior and how warriors view wizards.
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