Kim Songcheol was researching magic in Bluebell’s lodging.

There was no time to learn many spells. That dreadful future could strike at any moment. This was not a situation to leisurely savor magic.

He had only brought two magic books.

Advanced Fly and a type of detection magic called ‘Hawk’s Mana Scanning’.

Both spells were preparations to find that Wolf.

Hawk’s Mana Scanning has a wide detection range but simply finds mana with high density.

However, judging by the presence of that Wolf, it was clear that it possessed a considerable amount of mana.

If it was within the detection range, he would surely be able to find it.

‘As expected, Advanced Fly is…’

Kim Songcheol nodded and closed the Advanced Fly magic book.

It was very similar to the Fly magic. Since it was an upgraded version of Fly magic to begin with, it was sufficient to just learn the additional magic formulas.

The differences between the two spells were acceleration, speed maintenance, and hovering. For Kim Songcheol, speed was more important than flight itself, so he put more effort into mastering the acceleration part.

Next was Hawk’s Mana Scanning.

Kim Songcheol opened the magic book and began to read its contents.

The magic formulas were not as complex as he thought. There were some completely new magic formulas because it was not a commonly used spell, but it was a 4th Circle Magic to begin with. Compared to 5th Circle Magic, it was just a flea trying to jump.

Kim Songcheol, who was engrossed in reading the magic book, suddenly felt a presence and turned towards the door.

Galen was standing there, respectfully waiting.

“Ah, what’s going on?”

Kim Songcheol habitually put on his sunglasses and asked.

“Ah, I apologize for interrupting your research, but…”

“No, it’s fine. Next time, you can just call me.”

“I cannot do that. In fact, just now… there was someone who wished to see you, so I had no choice but to be rude.”

“Me? Who?”

“Yes, Baron Magenta.”

Who is that?

Well… he’s the Thread-quality Administrator of Bluebell. It seems the rumors have already reached you.

On his first day in Bluebell, Kim Songcheol had a rather spectacular debut, at least among the Arcadians. It could even be said that his visit a few days later was actually late.

Ah, the Administrator… I’d like to meet him. Where should we meet?

He was already planning to visit, so having the request come from the other side felt like a burden lifted.

He’s already at your door.

Hearing that, Kim Songcheol slightly expanded his senses. A rather powerful Mana Flow was detectable at the door.

‘He’s not as strong as I thought.’

Objectively speaking, he was strong. He must be at least a 6th Circle Mage. But he was lacking compared to the owner of Bluebell that Kim Songcheol had imagined. Kim Songcheol’s desire for him to be very strong also played a part, making him feel even more inadequate.

‘Well, if he were incredibly strong, such a thing wouldn’t have happened.’

Kim Songcheol walked over and slowly opened the door. Standing outside were a male staff member in his early 40s, and behind him, two Mages who appeared to be his escorts.

“Hello?”

Kim Songcheol greeted them. Baron Magenta immediately showed an unpleasant expression upon seeing Kim Songcheol, then quickly composed himself, trembling slightly as if pricked by something sharp. His gaze immediately went to Galen.

“Is this him?”

“Yes, he is.”

“Ah… please forgive my rudeness. I judged you by Bormil’s standards.”

Baron Magenta bowed his head slightly with a noble gesture.

It was an apology for his unpleasant expression.

“It’s alright. Shall we sit down first?”

“If you permit, I’d be delighted.”

Kim Songcheol and Baron Magenta sat opposite each other at the table where they had been eating Black Bean Noodles.

Galen stood behind Kim Songcheol, and the escorts stood behind the Baron.

Neither of them was in a position to sit.

“I felt I should pay my respects, so I took the liberty of coming to see you. I apologize if I’ve interrupted anything.”

The Baron was in a humble position, fitting for an Attendant. Even if Kim Songcheol was wearing sunglasses, the Baron had heard things, so he had no choice but to be courteous. There was no reason for him to be disrespectful either. In fact, he had truly come only to pay his respects. A powerful Sanggis was like a religion even to the irreligious Arcadians.

Under the fluent Baron Magenta’s lead, a friendly conversation ensued, and it was when Galen awkwardly brought over drinks.

“How are the surrounding Bases? Are there any conflicts, or do Bases sometimes fight amongst themselves?”

Kim Songcheol asked casually.

Bases have specific territories. They normally respect each other’s territories, but there were also cases where they fought over them.

“Ah, Bluebell doesn’t have such issues. I put in some effort to maintain order here, so we generally don’t instigate disputes and try to smoothly resolve any situations that might arise.”

“You put in effort for order?”

When Kim Songcheol asked, the Baron puffed out his chest a little. Pride was evident in his expression.

“Ah, you don’t know. Well… I assume you saw the gate erected at the entrance of Bluebell.”

“Ah, yes. It said Bluebell.”

“Haha, that’s right. Seven years ago, Bluebell had a different name. The faction occupying it was also… a bit of a bad sort. So, I exerted some effort to drive them out and erected that gate.”

“Ah, I see.”

It was a new fact. He hadn’t heard anything about Bluebell’s history.

“Then, since the surroundings are safe, I’m thinking there might be fewer Mages stationed in Bluebell… What do you think?”

Oh, no, that’s not it. Maintaining order among the Hunters is a lot of work, so most of the Mages under me are stationed in Bluebell.

That wasn’t the answer he wanted. Kim Songcheol was wondering if he could deploy more troops.

In Arcadia, they distinguish between nobles and titled nobles. Baron Magenta had even received a title, so Kim Songcheol thought he would have some leeway, but it seemed that a Baron could barely maintain his position.

However, if Bluebell is in danger, I can call for as many reinforcements as needed. I have some acquaintances, so they won’t stand by and watch my hardship, haha.

But at his next words, a smile appeared on Kim Songcheol’s face.

That’s good news to hear.

Unlike Earth, Arcadia has Mages stationed in castles everywhere. A popular noble like Baron Magenta was in a position to call for reinforcements.

If reinforcements that weren’t in the future arrived, the situation would be much better. Any piece that could benefit the future was an illusion.

Excuse me…

They had been talking for a while, and the conversation had momentarily died down.

Baron Magenta spoke with a very cautious demeanor.

If it’s not too much trouble, would you mind showing me your eyes?

Yes, well… that much is fine.

Baron Magenta was the war horn to call for reinforcements. What was the big deal about showing his eyes once?

As Kim Songcheol’s hand went to his sunglasses, Baron Magenta straightened his posture and politely brightened his eyes.

Then, the moment Kim Songcheol took off his sunglasses and looked directly at Baron Magenta.

Oh…

Baron Magenta’s mouth and eyes opened wide, as if he had witnessed a wonder of nature.

Goosebumps rose and his hands trembled slightly.

He was so shocked that he couldn’t bring himself to speak.

This can’t be… more than His Majesty the Emperor…!

Baron Magenta knew because he had met the Emperor before.

He was also worried.

About what would happen when the Emperor, who was above all others, met Kim Songcheol.

***

A Board and a Hunter speeding across the wide plain.

Kim Songcheol went outside the Base alone. He was looking for the Wolf.

He couldn’t ask other Hunters for help. He couldn’t properly explain why he was looking for the Wolf anyway.

Saying ‘it’s suspicious, so I must find it’ would only make Kim Songcheol even more suspicious.

Informing others about ‘the future’s calamity’ had to wait until he found a valid reason.

Because the more people who knew about the future, the more variables would increase exponentially.

Kim Songcheol passed through the Forest, crossed the mountain, and entered the Plain. He stopped on the hill where he had seen the Wolf and looked around.

Let’s do it in order.

Kim Songcheol shot off powerfully in the direction the Wolf had disappeared.

He hadn’t seen it with his eyes, but it must have entered the northern Forest far away. Searching there first was the priority.

As Kim Songcheol crossed the Plain, Monsters who saw him swarmed like a swarm of ruptures.

Boom!

Electric shocks shot out in all directions, frying the Monsters like an electric mosquito zapper.

No matter how much the opponent was alone, they had to attack carefully.

Kim Songcheol entered the Forest. There was no path due to the dense trees. He rode his Board, dodging trees, advancing with almost acrobatic skill.

Boom!

He mercilessly dealt with approaching Monsters.

He just continued deeper into the Forest.

‘About now…’

Kim Songcheol stopped at a point in the Forest and Cast Magic.

He added a bit of Will to his Hawk’s Mana scanning to expand its range even further.

A strange Rupture spread from the Magic formation in concentric circles.

It could cover at least two to three kilometers.

‘You can’t get full on the first bite.’

As expected, there was no resonance.

Even if the Magic’s range was wide, the search area was by no means easy.

Finding a Wolf whose location was unknown might be like finding a Needle in a haystack.

Movement and scanning, movement and scanning continued.

It was after repeating that for a long time.

Perhaps it was thanks to the Needle detector’s wide range.

‘This is…?’

Something was caught in the Hawk’s Mana scanning.

It was different from Hunters. Normal Hunters move in teams, so multiple Mana clusters are detected.

But this time there was only one, and it was the first time only one had been detected.

He had a hunch.

Kim Songcheol began to fly towards it at maximum output.

He twisted his direction dizzyingly, brushing past the dense trees.

He didn’t forget to scan periodically. Since it was at the very edge of the range, he might miss it if he wasn’t careful.

‘Ah, is it moving?’

The stationary target moved. Calculating the casting Interval of the scanning and the distance, it was moving quite fast.

Kim Songcheol leaped from his Board, Casting two Magic spells consecutively.

He pulled the Board to his back with Telekinesis Magic and was propelled by Advanced Fly Magic.

The acceleration of Advanced Fly Magic is temporary. After one acceleration, it moves at a normal speed.

However, if used again before the acceleration ended, the initial high speed could be maintained.

Kim Songcheol flew over the trees, almost brushing them, heading towards the target.

Fortunately, the target stopped moving.

As the stopped time lengthened, Kim Songcheol got closer to the target.

When the distance narrowed to 500 meters, Kim Songcheol descended to the ground again, suppressing his presence with various Magic spells.

Kim Songcheol cautiously pushed through the bushes.

The distance gradually narrowed.

400 meters, 200 meters, 100 meters.

And 30 meters.

Kim Songcheol peeked out from behind the nothingness.

Through the bushes, he saw the Wolf. It was that very Wolf.

The Wolf was drinking from the babbling valley water.

It was completely at ease.

Kim Songcheol merely observed the Wolf. He needed information about the Wolf.

He knew nothing about that Wolf right now. If anything, it was just a strong suspicion, almost a certainty, that ‘there was something to it’.

That’s when it happened.

“It’s a weak point. Aren’t you going to attack?”

The Wolf spoke. It was a voice full of wildness.

The Wolf was looking directly at the nothingness where Kim Songcheol was hiding.

‘It spoke? It wasn’t a monster…?’

Kim Songcheol frowned. It wasn’t in a bad way. What Kim Songcheol needed was information. If they could communicate, it would be easier to get information.

“Then I’ll go.”

The nothingness vines around Kim Songcheol seemed to writhe, then sharpened their edges and shot out at incredible speed.

Kagang!

Kim Songcheol quickly cast a shield to block the attack.

Several shields shattered, and the vines stopped only when they were right in front of him.

It was too fierce an attack to be a warning.

‘Do I need to show off my strength…’

It seemed conversation would only be possible after subduing him.