Chapter 551 – Subjugation Plan (5)

Lee Ji-ah.

A veritable protagonist of life’s reversal in the ’90s, she climbed from the very bottom with not even the smallest hint of support. After adhering herself to an A-grade wizard, absorbing his knowledge, she entered the Mage Tower. There, her talent blossomed. She caught the Tower Master’s eye with relentless determination, becoming the Master’s proxy. Today, she herself is the Tower Master.

Now twenty-five, she is a promising mage and the Tower Master, poised to monopolize both wealth and honor—

‘It’s all over.’

—or so it was supposed to be.

How did it come to this? Ji-ah, holding her magic pencil, blankly opened and closed her eyes.

Lee Ji-ah is a rare master of illusion magic. She represents the ‘Purple Tower’, a place dedicated to the development and inheritance of magic concerning illusions, enchantment, and the spirit. She reached the pinnacle of her craft, and was supposed to walk an unobstructed path henceforth, but a single stumbling block had crushed her life.

‘The Tower.’

The Tower of Time, a stage constructed for the trials of King Mokryeong.

Rumors from the Tower spoke of an unusual light that confounded the mind, putting several hunters to sleep. As the Master of the Purple Tower, which specializes in enchantment magic, it was her duty to investigate this phenomenon. Comically, despite her title as the Tower Master, she found herself ensnared by this ‘light.’

The result? Her Danjeon was shattered. She was rendered incapable of casting spells.

She was dismissed by the MSI (Mage Tower Association), treated with disdain as a Tower Master devoid of lineage.

“Ah… Ahhh! Ahhh!” She pounded in frustration on her desk.

At such a young age, when things seemed to be falling into place, her life crumbled like a squandered fortune. This was the consequence of recklessly venturing into dungeons.

The arrogance of youth had set off a massive avalanche. In the end, she lost her honor, her name, and her power. Lee Ji-ah, who had lost her Danjeon, was now a mage in appearance alone.

– It is absurd to call someone incapable of magic a wizard. Isn’t she effectively a scholar?

To add insult to injury, petitions were emerging to overthrow her as the Tower Master…

“Ah, there’s no solution,” Lee Ji-ah conceded, raising both hands and feet. Regret was etched on her face.

“At this rate, I can’t do anything. Nothing is working.”

If she had met her end in the Tower, she would have left behind a legacy as a great figure in Korea.

While she is still regarded as a national hero, it was inevitable that she would step back from the front lines…

“In the end, I couldn’t even find him.”

Lee Ji-ah pulled out a photo, a montage of a man based on her memories. The image of a large man filled her gaze.

Her benefactor.

He had saved her when she had resigned herself to death. She wanted to repay his immense kindness if given a chance. Did he know how precious his life was to her?

Even by simple computation, the price to assassinate Lee Ji-ah through a contract was in the billions.

‘With such concentration of magical power and the capability to conceal their identity… It must be a rare sight even among those of S-class. Why can’t I perceive it?’

An identity that remains elusive despite the rumors. I had the child who was with me search just in case, but to no avail. I was in a state of semi-resignation, neither here nor there.

‘I can’t comprehend.’

What matters is my life at this moment. Why should the Garden of Others be of such significance…

At least that’s what I resolved to believe for the time being.

* * * * * * * * *

“Unless you have specific authorization to enter, it is not permissible.”

“If you ask, you’ll know.”

“… Well.”

The young receptionist seems flustered, perspiration glistening on his forehead.

‘Quite predictable.’

Why would they allow a man who walks into a major corporation to contact the president of this very corporation? Perhaps Lee Ji-ah had issued a separate directive, I wondered. But it didn’t seem to be the case.

As I stood there, the receptionist nervously shuffled his feet. Not long after, a man with an air of authority approached the receptionist and inquired:

“What’s the matter?”

“Well, he… he requested to see the Master of the Tower.”

“What?”

He scrutinized my face, releasing his mana to size me up.

If a mage who doesn’t even rank as an A-class attempts to gauge my capacity, they would see nothing of significance. To this man’s eyes, I might just be a mere F-class mage.

“Hmph.”

He chuckled lightly and shook his head. Taking a step forward, he addressed me in a loud, bullying tone.

“Sir, you should leave. Don’t pretend to be something you’re not, alright?”

Was he treating me as a fraud? The receptionist, freed from his responsibility, looked visibly relieved.

Although it was expected, in such cases, I have no choice but to insist.

“Where is the Master of the Tower?”

“…What? No, what are you saying?”

The man’s face flashed a hint of confusion.

I stepped closer, quickly grasping the layout of the building.

“It seems to be at the top.”

“Wait a moment. What on earth are you doing? This is a mistake, don’t you understand?”

His outburst attracted the attention of those around him. The foreign receptionist standing by, and the other foreigners nearby as well. The Tower was inherently a gathering of individuals from various nationalities.

“It appears you still don’t understand….”

Now, standing in complete opposition to the Hunter society, if there’s any advantage, it would be not being bound by these structures. It was somewhat amusing that whatever I did was deemed more respectable than my reputation.

– Thump.

I imbued my voice with power.

“I have a conversation to hold with the Master of the Tower.”

A deep, resonating voice, interwoven with potent magic, echoed throughout.

The man’s complexion paled to a ghastly blue under the immense pressure that convulsed the surroundings.

“… Ah.”

A man taken aback, his image starkly contrasting the self-perception he had crafted. The receptionist also started exuding sweat profusely, as if her heart had plummeted into an abyss.

“Wait, wait… No matter what.”
“Take responsibility.”

Gulp— the man swallowed, his head bobbing in acknowledgement.

“Just a moment to make a call….”

The man picked up his cell phone, retreated to a secluded corner, and muttered something while casting sidelong glances my way. Not long after, the man whose face had turned even bluer returned, his head lowered in apology.

“I’m, I’m truly sorry!”

The rest of the proceedings unfolded without a hitch.

* * * * * * * * *

“… You’ve surprised me.”

Lee Ji-ah was utterly astonished when she saw me.

“What?”
“I truly didn’t expect you to come. Oh, introductions have yet to be made…? Owner of the Purple Mage Tower, an S-rank hunter. I am Lee Ji-ah.”

Her long black dress left her shoulders bare. Lee Ji-ah courteously greeted me, her hand subtly covering her chest, while I accepted it nonchalantly.

“You said you’d honor me in the name of the Mage Tower.”
“Oh, yes… I still remember the mercy you showed that saved my life.”

She was more humble than I had anticipated.

No matter how much favor she owed me, her self-esteem seemed to have taken a significant blow. Well, losing one’s energy source could have that effect. I might not know much about the affairs of the Purple Mage Tower, but Lee Ji-ah is a wizard incapable of casting magic.

Her mere presence there was enough to tarnish the honor of the Mage Tower.

“Can you provide the promised hospitality? You don’t seem well.”
“… Ah.”

Lee Ji-ah’s face was ghostly white. She managed to keep her lips sealed, then tried to muster a confident tone.

“I do have enough power to repay the favor. Oh, right, the potion… How about the potion? I’ll first return the potion I received from you.”
“Just that?”
“Of course not. I’ll grant you access to the books owned by the Mage Tower, and there’s money… Wait, but when… when can I see your face?”

Lee Ji-ah was unable to recognize my face due to the perception-blurring magic and artifacts I was using.

I casually took off my hood and deactivated the artifact. Not my actual face, but the visage recognized as the ‘King’. As I revealed the countenance of the second King Mokryeong, Lee Ji-ah’s body stiffened.

“… Ah.”

A misunderstanding. Denial.

“Eh?”
Confusion. Followed by more confusion.

“You promised to provide hospitality.”
“You, you… No. Impossible.”
“Consider it as if you’ve dug my grave. You have no energy source, so you should understand, you never know what might happen here. Listening carefully would be in your best interest.”

Think of it as stepping on a landmine.

“Eh? Eh? Ah?”

Lee Ji-ah trembled as if malfunctioning.

“Mok, King Mokryeong. It seems I wasn’t mistaken… Hmm. Give me a moment.”

Despite the circumstances, she proved her mettle as a tower owner by responding quickly and with poise. With a sheen of sweat on her brow, Lee Ji-ah brought her clasped hands to her nose.

“The tower… the trials. So that’s why it was elusive.”
“Does it matter?”
“…No. Not exactly.”
“You seem less startled than I anticipated.”
“Well, regardless… I sought your assistance. It appears to be somewhat distinct from the rumors.”
“Rumors?”

Lee Ji-ah hesitated to delve into the gossip. As she pressed her lips together in reluctance, I gently reached out, prompting her to speak.

“… You neglect to save people… It’s said you violate every woman you encounter.”
“That’s not incorrect.”
“What? But I-“

When I remained silent, Lee Ji-ah, sensing something amiss, stuttered in response.

“I, I… I didn’t experience that.”
“What’s your type?”
“How would that matter…?”
“You’d learn that the rumors you’ve heard are true. Do you have a partner?”
“… I don’t.”
“Then the probability increases.”
“…Damn.”

Fear seized Lee Ji-ah, causing her to tremble. Yet, through our conversation, I discerned her surprising courage, even as her exterior remained icy.

“So being treated… had that implication.”
“That’s not the point.”
“Then what is it?”
“I have a question. And, I’ve sought you for a more enduring relationship.”
“A long-term relationship…?”
“I aim to obtain the information and techniques accessible to the Magic Tower. In return, I’ll offer something substantial.”

Lee Ji-ah pondered my proposition for a brief moment.

“I understand what you mean… But what’s your question?”
“The dungeon. Specifically, all dungeons associated with the spirit mages. I require the remains of a legendary spirit mage, ‘Abi’.”
“Ah… So you desire information regarding the ring dungeon managed by the Magic Tower.”

Ring dungeon, a term for an uncleared dungeon.

The government, along with the Hunter Association and the Magic Tower, periodically examine the trials and events within these dungeons. Dungeons are essential, functioning as mines to extract resources.

“But a connection to the spirit mages… I’ll search as if my life depends on it, but I doubt I’ll bear good news.”
“Why so?”
“Spirit magic’s security is incomparable to other fields. Perhaps only a three-star Magic Tower… or Japan’s spirit temples…”
“A three-star Magic Tower, you say.”

Guild-style Magic Towers are diverse. Depending on the nebula, their ranks vary. Three-star Magic Towers are rare, their access to information, vast.

“Yes. We were once a three-star Magic Tower… But not anymore. Unless we uncover valuable research or magic.”

Leaving Lee Ji-ah to her disheartened thoughts, I took a moment to reflect.

In essence, if you present valuable research outcomes, the status of the Purple Mage Tower will strengthen. Doesn’t that imply it’s nearing the stature of a Three-Star Mage Tower?

“If it could be acknowledged once more as a Three-Star Mage Tower, how long will it take to reach the information you’re discussing?”
“…Pardon? Why do you ask?”
“Speak swiftly.”
“Ah, yes… Considering the demotion of the Purple Mage Tower hasn’t been announced yet, if I act promptly, it might be reconsidered. If so, within three days…”

Three days.
I nodded, marking the timeframe.

“Arrive tomorrow. We’ll delve into the specifics then. Take some time to ponder the long-term relationship.”
“That… what exactly is this relationship? Are you, the king, asking for my cooperation as a Mage Tower Master?”
“There’s also the option of kneeling before me, as the rumors suggest.”
“… … .”

Lee Ji-ah was left speechless.
She should consider it unfortunate that she encountered me.

“Of course, as long as you cooperate, there are benefits. Among the countless Mage Towers, I can elevate your stature to the highest.”

But where is it written that this should be regarded as misfortune?
I extended an enticing proposition to Lee Ji-ah.

“What do you think?”
“It seems I should hear your answer first.”
“Without any experience, how can I readily agree?”
“Then we will discuss it again tomorrow.”

Had she accepted immediately, I might have reconsidered my decision.
At Lee Ji-ah’s astute reply, I nodded in approval and vacated my seat.

Her disoriented, empty gaze was the final image that reflected in my sight.