NOVEL NEXT WORLD Chapter 55
I found myself staring blankly at my feet.
‘I won.’
It didn’t feel real, but there was Agail’s lifeless body. No thought of denial crossed my mind even at the sight of the corpse.
‘…….’
In the last moments, he had bared his desires. Greed. Perhaps what he truly wanted was…
‘No. No need to think about it.’
That wasn’t my concern.
I attempted to ignite a fire to incinerate him, but halted.
‘Need it.’
Dragging the corpse, I climbed the stairs. The remaining floor in Block A was rare enough that using the elevator was unnecessary.
‘Where’s the Fairy Dragon?’
I was worried it might have gotten swept up in all this chaos first. Thankfully, it seemed to be okay. Good. But…
‘Why are you guys together?’
Euna, Chang-seon’s disciple and clan leader of the Forest of Euna, had placed the Fairy Dragon on her clasped hands, gazing at it with an entranced expression. Conversely, the Fairy Dragon was looking away with disinterest, resembling a sulking cat.
‘……?’
I shoved aside the hooks popping up in my mind. I hesitated to approach. If Euna lunged at me, I doubt I could escape.
‘No magic power left.’
Without magic regeneration, I would have collapsed from mental exhaustion. Luckily, I was still holding on. In the meantime, the Fairy Dragon noticed me and flapped its wings.
Euna’s enthralled gaze followed it, and then she was startled, aiming her spear at me.
‘Is that how you see me?’
In the novel, I didn’t know I came off as so dull…
“Let go of the Fairy Dragon!”
At that, I couldn’t help but chuckle.
‘What a joke.’
She called it a Fairy Dragon. A Fairy Dragon talking to a monster like me was one thing, but when I stared blankly at the Fairy Dragon, it looked like it had nothing to do with it. If I had hands, I would have facepalmed.
‘Still, you aren’t attacking me.’
She seemed to think of it as a hostage, even as the Dragon openly yawned. It’s true that eyes see only what they want to see. A quick glance revealed a healing scar across Euna’s abdomen.
‘Did it heal her?’
It wasn’t in the skills I saw through insight, but it might be a power of the Fairy-type race.
‘…….’
I tossed the corpse I was holding. Euna stepped back, clutching her abdomen, as the body rolled twice before coming to a rest on the floor.
***
“No way?”
Questioning the wolf’s actions as I threw the corpse, I turned to confirm the face.
“This man…!”
It was the mage I had been fighting moments ago. Agail. Yes, Agail, I recognized that name. He was the heir of the Purple Square, and the mage who had pushed me to my limits.
How on earth were the Team Leader and the mage here while I was standing with his corpse?
“…….”
Euna, now alarmed, glared at the Wolf. The Skull Wolf radiated a chilling energy. I vaguely recalled stories about the Skull Wolf being hunted by Dawn recently.
‘Can we win?’
Thanks to the Fairy Dragon, my wounds were mostly treated, but as Euna gripped her spear, she froze in place the moment she seemed to perceive the wolf’s hollow eyes—beyond which glinted the evolving fire.
‘…….’
I felt cold sweat trickle down both my hands gripping the spear.
‘The one who killed the Lee Baek-seom Hunter…’
It was the monster right in front of me.
I was certain. The magic I had been chasing, the black fur, the claw marks. Everything made sense… Just as the tension thickened, the wolf’s voice erupted, startling Euna as her eyes went wide.
“—Chase after the rascals.”
“……?!”
“Downstairs, behind the laboratory. There’s a space.”
Its tone was void of beastly howls yet unmistakably human speech, laced with coldness. Though devoid of malice, it sent chills down the spine. Under such watchful eyes, Euna unconsciously nodded. After a moment of observing, the wolf turned casually and disappeared into the shadow.
“Haaah…”
Sighing, Euna rubbed her temples. Pathetically, I felt intimidated by it. If we had fought moments ago…
‘I don’t think victory was in grasp.’
As soon as the wolf vanished, Euna slumped down on the spot.
“…….”
Her trembling hands spoke volumes about her feelings.
***
[Skill Intimidation (E) Level 1 has reached Maximum Proficiency. Intimidation (E) Level 1 → Intimidation (E) Level 2]
Having passed the body, the rest would be dealt with.
‘Thank goodness I didn’t fight.’
Fearing a confrontation with Euna, I was relieved that it didn’t come to that. It seemed the Intimidation skill bore fruit. Upon exiting the hideout, a crowd had gathered.
‘Of course, it would be noisy.’
As I summoned a gust, a strong wind suddenly blew, parting the mass of people. With the whirlwind and the swirling dust, I couldn’t keep my eyes open, making my stealthy escape.
‘Is that it?’
The Fairy Dragon brushed against my cheek, seemingly satisfied as it vanished.
[The skill of the Fairy Dragon fades away]
It came and went as it pleased. I let out a small sigh. I had expected nothing less…
‘What about Derek?’
Derek Clark. Finding him wasn’t difficult. My nose located him, already cold to the touch. I had anticipated this when I pierced through his chest, but it seemed he really was dead.
‘…….’
Lee Baek-seom. Derek Clark. Agail Morest. The devastation from the battle was now complete.
‘It wasn’t planned, but…’
That’s a good thing. As if in anticipation, the system sent a message.
[Destruction Chance 99.78% → 97.93%]
[You have gained 1.85% of the upgrade]
[Upgrade (業) 1.97%]
‘……?’
I tilted my head in confusion. Then I stopped breathing. After running about and failing to drop it, the destruction chance plummeted nearly 2% in an instant.
‘Crazy.’
What was everything I had done up to now?
The plague of the sewer. The cobalt mine disaster. Gu Ma-jun’s incursion into the temple. The dungeon of the fantasy world. Despite tackling all that, it barely budged…
“Kyu-rok?”
The one perched above me tilted its head. Upon reflection, it made sense.
‘I cut off the tail.’
By killing the tail known as Lee Baek-seom, the Forest of Euna was exonerated, and Euna would not face suspicions afterward.
‘And the blind spot.’
Just thinking about that name made me feel the heat rise again. I forced myself to calm down and consider. Following this, the Blind Spot would grow into one of the organizations snagging humanity. Under Agail, dozens of ‘proper mages’ would be born in the future. Whether they liked it or not, it was feasible to extract magic from people.
‘It will never happen again.’
I saved those who were supposed to die. I didn’t know how many, but perhaps among them could be an outstanding hunter. Plus, if the existence of such an organization became known, humanity would be on guard.
‘Certainly.’
This much chaos erupted. There’s a limit to blindfolding oneself. This event is something that cannot be hidden.
‘They’ll cower too.’
Not just the rascals but other organizations will also retreat. This incident will surely deal a blow. …Speaking of which, I noticed there were no incomplete products left in the hideout.
‘Was that the reason Agail was absent?’
He likely went to deliver the incomplete product.
So it took him longer to return, allowing me to deal with the hideout first?
‘That mostly makes sense.’
The reason the Team Leader and the female mage were together could also stem from this. They must have been lurking, searching for an opportunity.
‘Nothing else explains it.’
The level of the female mage was embarrassing compared to Agail’s. Though there was Gu Jin-ha, comparing it to Agail was impossible. A burglary. Surely he planned to wipe out the Blind Spot while Agail was away.
‘Right. Agail.’
He had kept his cards hidden until the end.
Thinking about the transformation, I figured even if he showcased his greed, it would be a worthwhile fight.
‘The Black Rose.’
I never imagined he would stall the 5th-level spell there. Frankly speaking, my battle with Agail was a matter of luck.
‘Unforeseen luck.’
Had there been no Fairy Dragon, I would have been dead, and they would have reclaimed the mock elixir. Naturally, in line with prior fates, humanity would have faced destruction.
‘…But.’
I was frustrated.
I wanted to win. Yet in the end, I had relied on luck. I could emerge from the illusion thanks to the system and the Fairy Dragon’s assistance. Burning the Black Rose wasn’t me; it was the Fairy Dragon. Some might call it luck, but it angered me that my unexpected fortune came along this way. Clashing barehanded with Agail in the end was not using the Fairy Dragon’s power. The taunts from Fairy Dragon being a fool were a result of that.
‘Frustrating.’
I understood it was unavoidable to rely on such help. At least, I couldn’t overcome the likes of the Black Rose.
Yeah. I get it about the irresistible force.
‘…….’
I recognize it, but knowing doesn’t change anything…
I exhaled deeply. I kept my promise. That fact alone remains unchanged. The sense of ending Agail’s breath is still vivid. Yet still, a sense of misery lingers. I was aided by unforeseen fortune.
‘Right. This time it was that way.’
Still.
‘Next time…’
I will become strong enough to not rely on such luck. That aspiration burned strongly in my heart.
‘There are still heaps of disasters ahead.’
The rascals of heresy. The Neverland incident. The purple Black Tiger. The sea disaster… Just recalling what comes to mind makes it hard to count on fingers. Let alone the unknown disasters yet to come. To thwart them, I will need to work tirelessly. So it becomes necessary to incite humanity’s wariness.
‘1.85%.’
Upon reflecting, it was a reasonable figure. The annihilation of the Blind Spot and Agail’s demise. Furthermore, considering who would drink the mock elixir after taking it… my heart chills.
‘This was a good outcome.’
The best possible result.
Unbeknownst to me, securing the mock elixir had likely contributed the most to lowering the destruction chances, more than taking down Agail or eliminating the Blind Spot. While I was lost in thought, I had somehow exited the city and was overlooking the battlefield.
‘What a view.’
Truly magnificent.
As I stood there dumbfounded, the Fairy Dragon tilted its head.
‘Speaking of which, why did it come along?’
I came alone fearing trouble, yet it had followed me. I worried it might have come out of fear, but that didn’t seem to be the case.
“Kyu-ruuk~”
It twirled its tail, rubbing against my ear. Indeed. Only now does it feel like everything has finally come to an end. The tension of the disastrous night faded, and dawn finally broke.
[Evolution Route Unlocked]
***
“Wake up.”
A strong magic force jolted the Team Leader awake.
He shook his head vigorously to shake off the dissonance between the fantasy and reality.
“…Since when?”
Everything was a jumbled mess. What was certain was that I had fallen prey to Agail’s magic. Why hadn’t I noticed? The events unfolding in the fantasy reeked of dissonance when looking back.
“…….”
His mind was in chaos.
He stared blankly at Euna, who had awakened Gu Jin-ha.
“Did we defeat Agail?”
Upon uttering that, the bigger question of ‘Why are you still alive?’ loomed larger in my mind. In response to that inquiry, Euna raised her spear and pointed.
“……!”
Agail’s corpse. Hunter stood searching through the hideout.
“He’s dead.”
Unbelievable, but it seemed Agail had truly been defeated. The natural question was met with Gu Jin-ha looking at Euna.
“Did you take him down?”
“No. A monster… it was the Skull Wolf.”
“Skull Wolf? The Alpha, you’re referring to, right?”
Gu Jin-ha frowned.
Before falling into the illusion, the last memory was definitely… Agail unleashing the 4th-level spell he had withheld.
“The Alpha must have fallen too…”
Does that mean he somehow escaped on his own? Perhaps a chimera immune to illusions didn’t affect him, but did he really withstand the magic of a 4th-level spell? Or did he just evade it?
‘…….’
Everything about him was shrouded in doubt.
“For now… thanks for waking me. Do you by any chance know how long I was out?”
Instead of replying, Euna stepped aside. Through the broken ceiling, sunlight poured in. It couldn’t have been long… but it felt as if I had spent decades in that illusion.
‘4th-level spell.’
Not merely 5th. Yet both Anela and I had been hit at once. It made clear just how high Agail’s level truly was. I never thought I’d falter while battling a mage.
‘…….’
His knowledge of casting spells along with forming pacts surpassed the known wisdom of mages he was aware of. And the notion of the Alpha defeating such Agail?
“Wait a moment. If you know that…”
Euna nodded.
“He found me. Tossed the corpse at me, telling me.”
“You’re saying he… spoke?”
Though Kang Tae-ho had mentioned it, hearing it from Euna left no room for doubt. He possessed intellect. Not simply an idea but a level of intelligence capable of understanding social structures and language. In response to Gu Jin-ha’s question, Euna nodded.
“He instructed to chase the rascals.”
Euna indicated towards those being rescued by hunters.
“And mentioned there’s a space behind the laboratory downstairs.”
“…….”
“Now it’s my turn to ask. Answer me, Team Leader. What the heck is that Alpha wolf you’re hunting?”
Euna gripped the handle of the spear firmly.
“Why does the Fairy Dragon obey him, no, why does it submit to him?”
Submission… it dawned on Gu Jin-ha.
‘Right. The Fairy-type was assisting the Alpha.’
Fairy-type. Dungeon of Lee Hyun Park. The scales I’d come across. It wasn’t merely a misunderstanding, after all. Euna spoke of ‘submission’. Was the Alpha forcefully subjugating the Fairy-type? While I gathered my thoughts, Gu Jin-ha replied to Euna’s inquiry.
“I don’t know. We were merely chasing it from Jirisan. I’d prefer to know what you mean.”
“What are you asking?”
“Even if not included in the plateau, being Chang-seon’s disciple is a fact.”
Seeing Euna nod solemnly, Gu Jin-ha internally wrestled. It was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, perfect timing to probe her further. Having let his words out, he resolved himself.
“The info on the Alpha was handed over by none other than your master Chang-seon leading the Plateau.”
“The Plateau?”
Euna looked puzzled. Her expression revealed no knowledge of the matter.
“The Plateau. They provided the information under anonymity. Our pursuit of the Alpha started from there.”
From that point, everything began.
Starting with the Plateau’s information, I had been chasing the Alpha in Jirisan. It was when my team member Euna was attacked… the rascal fled. For some reason, he didn’t kill her, though.
‘Looking back at it, it is mysterious that he was even there.’
The girl I had encountered near the Law of Ancestry’s first gate.
Of course, I knew. Who could possibly not know the one currently holding the Master title of the Square?
‘…….’
But why was she there?
She had to be confronting the disease and plague, yet she claimed that what occurred at the first gate was ‘more important than stopping the disease’. Euna’s incident of being attacked at the Law of Ancestry. Was it an event significant enough to mobilize the Square’s Master for? If so, why didn’t she rescue instead of blocking? Or was there something more?
‘What on earth transpired there?’
I had no idea. Only she knew the truth. Sorting my thoughts, I raised my gaze at Euna’s words.
“I don’t know. My master never conveyed that to me. Am I to suspect the Plateau?”
The act of questioning unveiled my intentions. The ensuing risk was obvious. Affirming Euna’s query, Gu Jin-ha nodded.
“As much as I’d like to avoid that, the Plateau indeed raises concerns.”
“There is no reason for my master to behave like that!”
“I have no idea. None of the events have been clarified. Only, a mere special breed Worg has grown considerably within just over a month.”
“…….”
“With no one able to guarantee the future, can we assure the Alpha won’t surpass his species? That no monster like the purple Black Tiger will ever appear again?”
“That’s…”
The two were at odds. Gu Jin-ha, awakening Euna’s caution, spoke firmly.
“The Alpha is still alive, and it’s clear there exists a mysterious organization called the Rascals.”
“…….”
“If the Plateau is truly involved in this matter… then Dawn will never let this slide.”
Turning his gaze, he spotted Anela, squatting beside Agail’s corpse.
“…….”
Resigned, Gu Jin-ha withdrew a cigarette from his pocket.
Despite dawn breaking, a lingering sense of incompletion hung palpably in the air.