329 – S6. Tumultuous (波瀾萬丈) -2

The lackey didn’t seem to like the fact that Woo Chaerin was joining us. The look he was giving me wasn’t exactly friendly.

“…Very well. Just because it’s Young Miss Jegal, I’ll let it slide.”

Let it slide my ass. Who they sit with is their own damn decision.

“Thank you, Young Master Hwangbo. Now, I must converse with my dear friends.”

“······Hmph.”

At Woo Chaerin’s gentle dismissal, that Hwangbo what’s-his-name glared at me until the very end before retreating back to his group. I, too, shot a listless gaze at his back. How dare he set his eyes on someone who’s already taken.

If the Goddess of Purity, Yuna, had seen this, his hair would have been blown off with a 『Minus』 for sure.

As soon as that guy vanished, Oh Hyein and I spoke simultaneously.

“Chaerin unnie, if he keeps hitting on you, should I take care of him?”

“Doctor, if that guy keeps approaching, should I resolve it for you?”

“······It’s okay, Hyein-ah. It’s okay, uh, Creator-nim······? Or Main Administrator? I don’t know what I should call you.”

“Mima is fine. You can call me whatever you like.”

Though it was merely an abbreviation of ‘Mad Mage,’ those two syllables were now used almost like a name.

“What happened?”

“I don’t really know myself. I was just doing my usual tasks when a beam of light of considerable intensity was emitted, and then I was dropped into this world. I could guess something had happened to the Goddess’s······Sub-Administrator, though.”

“And you haven’t heard anything about this world’s backstory or goals?”

“No. It would have been good if there had been such a knowledge-sharing process, but I’m struggling to adapt because I don’t know much about this Chinese-style media. Suddenly even my surname changed to Zhuge.”

It seemed Woo Chaerin didn’t even know the ‘mu’ of martial arts.

Woo Chaerin’s appearance made the situation even more complicated. It meant that not two, but three sessions were mixed up. And Woo Chaerin also didn’t know the goals.

Was Abraham’s case a special one?

No. That possibility was low. It was because Woo Chaerin had spawned as a person of the Zhuge Clan. Once a role was given to an NPC, information for that role would have been implanted along with it.

It could be the opposite. It might not be that she didn’t receive a backstory or goal, but that she received it, but couldn’t recall it. This needed to be checked.

“Here, Doctor, give me your hand. I need to read some of the inner data.”

“⋯⋯⋯⋯.”

Woo Chaerin hesitated slightly before rolling up her sleeve, revealing her smooth arm. Though Oh Hyein and I had grown quite close during our long conversations while she wore the Mungae mask, Woo Chaerin seemed awkward, likely due to the lack of interaction with me.

Oh Hyein nudged her side and asked, “Didn’t you say you didn’t have any magic, boss?”

“You have to replenish it for me. From now on, you’re my magic battery, Oh Hyein.”

“Okay.”

*Thump.* Oh Hyein placed her hand on the back of my neck, releasing pure energy. Good, it’s been a while since I’ve felt magic. I carefully converted and manipulated the magic, using it to read Woo Chaerin’s data.

The awkwardness was short-lived. Woo Chaerin seemed intrigued by my magic control. Her eyes, like those of an investigating researcher, started giving me feedback.

“⋯⋯What method are you using to channel magic? You’re not using any machine, yet it’s moving so precisely, as if measured with a ruler. And now, you seem to be breaking down information with magic──”

“I’ll explain later, so please be quiet for a bit.”

As I continued, I saw not Woo Chaerin’s original information, but the information that had been attached to her later. Jaegal Chaerin, the third generation only daughter of the Jaegal family, excellent in her five abilities and kind-hearted.

Some information on other individuals from the righteous faction. Suspicious tags attached to them.

And then…

[Access Forbidden Until Act 2 Begins].

“⋯⋯⋯⋯?”

I was stopped short. Information that was encrypted as solidly as concrete had repelled my magic. The warning message was quite suggestive. Act 2?

Is it like *Stellaria of the Explosive Star,* where there are distinctions between acts?

Let’s dig in a bit more. Just as I was about to break the encryption and read the limited information…

*Thump-thump-thump!*

That Hwangbo b*stard, snorting with anger, was coming this way, having drawn his great sword! His ferocity was like a wild boar on fire, quite savage indeed.

“You— how dare you grab Young Miss Zhuge’s wrist so carelessly! Get your filthy hand off her this instant!”

“Well, isn’t that something.”

Woo Chaerin, with a sharp look, warned him,

“Young Master Hwangbo. Do not interfere. This is a matter between my friends and me.”

“This fellow, the refined Young Miss Zhuge would never easily allow another man to hold her wrist. He must have used some evil sorcery to bewitch her!”

“…Ha, don’t act so irrationally, Young Master Hwangbo. I’m very rational right now. If anyone needs to be checked for being under sorcery, it’s probably you—”

“Just leave it to me! I will punish this villain and save Young Miss!”

It was a scene straight out of a picture. I quietly rose from my seat and looked around at this Hwangbo whatever, and the others. This guy wasn’t important.

The righteous sect members were observing. No one intervened to stop Hwangbo’s unreasonable harassment. This felt like the ‘corrupt and rotten righteous sect’ archetype.

If that was the case, it wasn’t even clear if the righteous sect was on my side. Then maybe I really would have to make contact with someone from the Demonic Sect…

First, ahem, I cleared my throat and raised my voice.

“Let me tell you something, Hwangbo whatever. I’m a technician with expertise in formations and mechanical devices, and Young Miss Zhuge and I have been friends since childhood. I’m just teaching her a good betting system I developed, so what’s the problem?”

“Hmph, how am I supposed to believe your words?”

“Then what is your basis for believing that your judgment is correct? You’re just making me laugh. If Young Miss Zhuge is really under some sort of sorcery, then what you should be doing is asking a renowned Taoist to dispel it. There seems to be a Taoist from the Wudang Sect sitting right over there.”

“You speak so smoothly, you must be a villain!”

That piece of shit.

My blood was boiling, for the first time in a while. Even if this situation was a cliché, talking to someone who doesn’t understand was not enjoyable.

Moreover, the righteous sect gentlemen watching on didn’t seem to have any intention of stepping in. I had raised my voice hoping there might be some righteous soul among them, but it didn’t look like it.

Then… shall we press the buzzer?

“You are no different from a child throwing a tantrum. Then draw your sword, Hwangbo whatever. I’ll teach you a lesson in humility in one exchange.”

“So, you finally show your true colors! Lady Zhuge, watch over me! I shall punish this wicked man with my Thunderclap Art! Take this! First Form──”

*BANG*──!!

I pulled out my pistol and aimed it at that Hwangbo b*stard’s thigh, pulling the trigger.

The harmony of gunpowder exploding sent the righteous martial artists sitting at the tables scrambling to their feet, and Hwangbo rolled on the floor, clutching his thigh.

“aaagh-!!”

“This is my First Form, Humility. There are still twenty-nine rounds left in the magazine, which means I can engrave proper manners on you all the way up to the Thirtieth Form.”

“Sorcery! It’s sorcery! Sorcery!”

“There’s a magical resonance to the lead bullets fired at 1,200 feet per second, isn’t there? Judging by your mouth, it seems you need a Second Form, Obedience!”

No matter how well they self-rationalize, they’ll understand after six rounds of lead-bullet treatment.

*Click*. As I reloaded and aimed at him again, the murmuring grew louder. They were in a panic, not knowing whether they should intervene or not.

Oh Hye-in whispered to me, looking worried.

“…Is this really okay, boss? The righteous guys have a lot of numbers. I can’t knock down this many people. Even escaping is as hard as a Level 3 Spicy Mala Tang.”

“Just wait, I’m drawing them out.”

“Huh, who?”

The Leader.

It was a fact I had learned by analyzing the information extracted from Woo Chae-rin. This story was a metaphor for Yoo-na’s past, and that’s why it included the twelve core characters, the child sacrifices.

In the previous floor, they were portrayed as puppets who simply followed orders without a thought. But in this floor, they seemed much more vibrant.

The Martial Arts Alliance Leader and that Hwangbo guy were one of the child sacrifices. That tag was attached to them.

They will, in some form or another, bring me into the main storyline. That’s why I aggressively pulled aggro. It’d be hard to get involved by remaining a normal human A without inner power.

And soon, the reaction came.

Pushing through the throng of the Righteous Faction, a man with a face that seemed fiercely good and upright stood blocking the path of that Hwangbo whatever-his-name-was, as if to protect him.

“Though I know not which noble house you hail from, I offer my apologies.”

From beside me, Woo Chaerin whispered,

“That’s the Alliance Leader, Manager.”

He must have heard her voice again. The Alliance Leader continued,

“Indeed. Though I am inadequate, this Dokgo Mo leads the Righteous Faction Alliance. It appears the match is decided with your single hidden weapon technique, but for the sake of the Righteous’s honor, I beg you, forgive Hwangbo.”

“Yes, take him. I have formed a deep bond with Jegal Chaerin, and I have no intention of bringing further trouble to her sect.”

“I am grateful for your magnanimity. Take Hwangbo away.”

Two martial artists grabbed Hwangbo whatever-his-name-was and dragged him away. Once he disappeared from sight, the Alliance Leader offered me a meal.

“The Jegal Clan is a strong pillar of the Righteous Faction Alliance, and if you are close to Jegal Young Lady, then we are as good as in the same boat. Please, enjoy your meal.”

“Yes, I was planning to anyway.”

I stowed my handgun and sat back down at the table. The Alliance Leader also retreated and began eating with the martial artists of the Alliance. For now, this was enough.

One, in the squabble with Hwangbo what’s-his-face, I deliberately emphasized that I knew about Inner Force Manifestation and formations.

Two, I showcased my sleek hidden weapon, the handgun, which shouldn’t even appear in a Murim novel.

Three, this is what I’m about to do: engage Woo Chaerin in an engineering discussion to further impress them.

The main stage of this story is Cheonmachong. And according to industry rules, Cheonmachong must be a very dangerous place plastered with all sorts of traps. That’s why I brought Woo Chaerin along with me.

But then a man, who just happened to be at the inn, who already has a relationship with Woo Chaerin, shows up and proceeds to boast about how capable he is?

If I were the Alliance Leader, I’d be making a recruitment offer, no doubt.

“I offer my apologies once again for the previous disturbance. It seems Hwangbo’s deep affections caused him to err. I will severely punish him. Here, as a token of compensation, I have brought a bottle of fine liquor──”

“It pleases me greatly that the Alliance Leader shows such keen interest even in a minor squabble. Your repeated apologies melt away all my resentment. If it’s alright, I would like to pour a glass for──”

“Hey, boss, can I have a drink too?”

“No way, you punk.”

Just as I’d predicted.

The leader of the righteous alliance proposed I join them. Offered a hefty sum to help explore the Cheonma Tomb.

When I mentioned the rumors that the Demonic Sect and Unorthodox Factions were also after it, they boasted that their brave righteous warriors would keep us safe. In the process, I finally found the goal of this whole thing.

“The ‘Golden Key’ deep inside the Cheonma Tomb. A key that saves people. We must obtain this treasure.”

The main quest was indeed the Cheonma Tomb exploration.

–

The righteous, the unorthodox, and the Demonic Sect were all after the Cheonma Tomb. And the “Golden Key” hidden within. They hadn’t been clear on what kind of power it held. Just went on about erasing pain and salvation and all that.

It’s good that I’m in the main storyline’s flow, but I need some combat power, and soon. If I can’t use magic, things are only going to get more dangerous and the difficulty’ll go up.

And, as luck would have it… there were specialists gathered here with the tech to bypass my magic block.

“So, what you’re saying, boss, is that I use the transformation device to make magic stones…”

“And I need to build a suit with a magic engine built-in, right?”

“That’s right. Don’t worry about the control difficulty. I’ll handle all the calculations. Just focus on the efficiency.”

And just like that, the temporary suit mk.1 was made. A magic circuit was stitched into the lining of my robe, and a magic engine was attached to my back.

Wooom-!

With the engine’s hum, magic flowed through my entire body. It was too rough for magic casting, but easily enough for a boost to my physical abilities. At this level, I could probably beat the crap out of most guys.

Now, there was only one problem left.

Woo Chaerin could get intel from the righteous faction, and Oh Hyein from the unorthodox. But about the Demonic Sect, we knew nothing. What kind of group they were, what they wanted. We needed to get information about them.

We bought information from various groups like the Haomun, but all they had were useless stories about the Sect appearing out of nowhere. Nothing valuable.

So, I took the risk and decided to make direct contact. It wasn’t right to just assume they were villains, and, besides, there might be some of our NPCs hanging around on the Demonic Cult side, too.

“I asked a rogue informant, and they said the Asura Blood Demon, Rakshasa, and White Day Fiend are staying on the top floor of this inn. Apparently, they’re seriously high-ranking members of the Demonic Cult…”

“You’re saying the Asura Blood Demon, Rakshasa, and White Day Fiend are all staying there, right now?”

“No, it’s all one person. Asura Blood Demon Rakshasa White Day Fiend.”

“Nine characters in one title?”

Looks like they just piled on a bunch of titles, the kind of person who likes to show off. If that’s the case, maybe I can get some info by buttering them up and playing along.

I negotiated a little deal with the inn (a fat wad of cash) and sent a fan letter along with a request for an audience with this Asura-whatever. I was going to try sneaking in if that didn’t work, but Asura-whatever readily agreed to meet.

And so, I reached the top floor. A bewitching woman’s voice came from beyond the paper sliding door.

“You wished to meet with me, did you…? How interesting. I know that you have ties to the young lady of the Zhuge Clan, and that you travel with a maverick hero of the unorthodox sects. You don’t distinguish between righteous and demonic, and now you show interest in the Demonic Cult as well?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

“I find you intriguing as well. Open the door. I will graciously grant you the opportunity to gaze upon the countenance of Asura Blood Demon Rakshasa White Day Fiend.”

Such an arrogant attitude.

It’s better than that Hwangbo whatever-his-name guy. At least I didn’t have to use lead pellets for conversation with this one; with someone like this, I just need to put on a show, and their mouth might open easier than expected.

Just as I was licking my lips, getting ready to unleash my flowery speech, the sliding door was opened by attendants… and the figure of Asura Blood Demon Rakshasa White Day Fiend appeared.

She was half-naked, reclining casually, lazily puffing on a pipe with a languid expression… and then she made eye contact with me, and froze like someone who’d seen Medusa.

I, too, froze, hands rubbing together, my engine of flattery all primed and ready.

“…Dad?”

“…Aisha?”

My daughter, who I’d left at the Magic Tower, was, somehow, ascending faster than me.