“You crazy bastard!!”

The Black Mage screamed curses and raised a Dark Hawkter.

Bang, bang!!

Black tendrils burst from the ground, countering the approaching red lightwave.

His hands trembled, and blood flowed between his tightly clenched teeth.

Time stretched long before his destined death, and the funeral march began to play.

‘I’m going to die? Me?’

The Black Mage clenched his fists. Then, black tentacles sprouted from beneath the battlefield, where the fight was raging, and wrapped around the Hunters.

They were all Raiders. The only reason was their proximity.

The life force absorbed from them was entirely transformed into the Black Mage’s power.

“I will never die!”

His will to live, combined with fresh life force, created a miraculous power.

The contradiction of craving life while using power born from death created a desperate farce.

Kieeeek!

A giant Dark Hawkter erupted from the Black Mage’s entire body, screaming. The massive, wicked mass threw its whole body against Kim Songcheol’s attack.

It had an effect. The approaching red lightwave slowed down.

It was the moment the Black Mage’s expression brightened.

Kim Songcheol, who had been watching him indifferently, moved a finger. The moment the three-dimensional figure above his hand subtly changed its form, the output of the red lightwave doubled.

The initial low output was merely due to the need for adjustment, as it was the first time he was using this magic.

But now it was different.

The enormous red light instantly evaporated the Dark Hawkter and rushed towards the Black Mage’s face.

His vision was entirely red.

His destined death became a reality, and the funeral march reached its climax.

“Ah…”

His lone gasp was the finale of the funeral march.

The Black Mage’s entire body was engulfed by the red lightwave.

Kwagagagak!

Not only that, but the lightwave violently tore through the earth, sweeping a long path before disappearing.

The red light that had filled everything went out, and the red sky returned to its original color.

Where the Black Mage had stood, only two ankles remained. The severed ends were charred black, and the protruding leg bones looked like charcoal.

Kwagagang!

At the subsequent noise, Kim Songcheol looked back at the battlefield.

Explosions erupted, engulfing several Hunters.

That side was also over.

All the Raiders had been dealt with.

The Arcadia Mages were stronger, and the Black Mage had absorbed a large number of Raiders at the last minute. The remaining ones couldn’t withstand the Mages’ concentrated fire for more than a few seconds.

Silence fell upon the plain, which had been filled with explosions and shouts.

Kim Songcheol moved. As he approached Bluebell, the tranquility turned solemn.

The Mages bowed in unison to greet Kim Songcheol.

It was a movement so orderly it was almost reverent.

Kim Songcheol, seeing this, unconsciously touched his eyes.

‘Ah, I didn’t put them on.’

His sunglasses were missing.

“Well… it’s over. Everyone, go inside.”

Kim Songcheol scratched the side of his head, said an awkward word, and walked into Bluebell.

The Mages did not raise their heads until he had passed, and only after he had gone did Baron Magenta follow him.

“How can I express my gratitude… Thank you for protecting Bluebell.”

The Baron’s clothes were spotless, but his forehead was beaded with sweat. He had just finished unleashing powerful Magic to confront the raiders.

“We help each other out, don’t we?”

“I will never forget this kindness.”

Baron Magenta repeatedly bowed, expressing his gratitude.

From his perspective, Kim Songcheol was truly a savior.

If it weren’t for him, he wouldn’t even have known there were raiders in Bluebell, and if he weren’t there, he wouldn’t have been able to stop them even if he knew.

What Kim Songcheol began was simply to protect the Hunters of the Republic of Korea, but the benefits extended not only to the Arcadians but to all the Hunters of Bluebell.

Kim Songcheol, feeling a little awkward, looked back once.

The remaining Mages were cleaning up the battlefield. Regardless of friend or foe, as the officials of Bluebell, they could not simply abandon the bodies.

‘Hmm, there weren’t many people who could go inside.’

Only Kim Songcheol and Baron Magenta were spared from the cleanup.

“It is far too little compared to the grace you have bestowed upon us, but I will offer 2 million Points. I would appreciate your understanding of the situation that I cannot offer more, as I have many dependents.”

Kim Songcheol looked back at Baron Magenta.

“2 million Points?”

A much larger sum than expected.

Since he had already received 1 million Points, Baron Magenta was effectively offering a total of 3 million Points.

Kim Songcheol, who had expected to receive at most 500,000 Points, had to use all his facial muscles to control the corners of his mouth.

“Still, it’s insufficient…”

“No, that’s enough. Don’t worry about it at all.”

At Kim Songcheol’s response, Baron Magenta’s expression relaxed a little. He had been worried that Kim Songcheol might be upset by the small number of Points.

The treasury was empty because they also had to reward the nobles who sent reinforcements, but if Bluebell was protected, time would take care of refilling it.

…

Kim Songcheol woke up from his sleep.

Normally, he would have gotten up immediately, but he wanted to lie down a bit longer. He had slept soundly yesterday and today. However, the lingering effects of his reduced sleep meant he didn’t feel completely refreshed.

‘Am I getting old…?’

He used to be fine even when he pushed himself hard.

His college exam period flashed through his mind, and his thoughts cascaded, naturally leading to Magic.

More than anything else, the second-tier Electric Shock Magic, Thunder Shock, came to mind first.

It was powerful, as expected of a second-tier magic, but that was natural. What impressed Kim Songcheol was, as expected, its freedom.

The magic formula that controlled Electric Shock was incredibly complex, and thus, it was equally free.

The method of manipulating and firing the Electric Shock wrapped around one’s body was something unimaginable in ordinary circle magic.

After all, each time Electric Shock was fired, a single magic spell would have to be used.

Moreover, as expected of a second-tier magic, the limits of the magic formula were quite high.

Third-tier magic allowed one to increase their destructive power to the limit of the magic formula almost immediately upon learning it, but Thunder Shock was different.

The output of Oneness was still unable to handle the limits of the magic formula.

‘It seems like this is the first time I’ve run out of mana.’

The world of magic was deep and vast. Its depths were still unfathomable, and merely exploring as much as he had delved into kept his eyes busy.

‘Perhaps it’s even better?’

But he liked the vast world because it was vast.

It meant there was still so much to explore.

Kim Songcheol lay down for a little longer before getting out of bed. He deactivated the sound-blocking magic he had set up earlier and went out into the living room.

He had smelled black bean noodles earlier, and indeed, Galen was boiling black bean noodles in the kitchen.

The hunters sitting at the table looked tired, then turned to Kim Songcheol.

“You’re awake?”

“As you can see, unfortunately, today’s meal duty is Galen’s…”

“Which means more black bean noodles.”

The hunters each said something to Kim Songcheol.

Kim Songcheol, for his part, didn’t really mind eating black bean noodles.

Because he hadn’t eaten enough of them to get tired of them yet.

“Well, it can’t be helped.”

Kim Songcheol replied lukewarmly and sat down at the table.

“Please say something. He doesn’t listen to us, but he might listen to you, Mr. Kim Songcheol. Please.”

Seo Munyeong pleaded in an earnest tone.

Of course, if Kim Songcheol spoke, the problem would be solved, but it also felt like it wasn’t his place to interfere.

The leader of this team was Choi Jung-ho, and Kim Songcheol was a guest, not a formal team member. A guest who would soon be leaving, at that.

Was there any need to leave his mark?

Kim Songcheol glanced around. Not only the hunters but even Galen was stirring his black bean noodles and peeking over.

‘What should I say…?’

Kim Songcheol felt significant social pressure. He had to get out of this situation, but he had no idea how.

Just then, reinforcements arrived.

Thump! Thump!

“Is anyone inside?”

Along with the sound of knocking, a familiar voice spoke.

This was undoubtedly the Celestial Spirit Maiden.

“Ah, that’s my guest!”

Kim Songcheol walked briskly, as if he had been waiting, and flung the door open.

At the door, as always, stood the Celestial Spirit Maiden, her hair tied high, dressed in training clothes.

Behind her, not Chil-ho and Pal-ho, but Guho and Sipho were attending to her.

Of course, that wasn’t the only change.

The aura emanating from the Celestial Spirit Maiden.

It was more intense than before. And her deepened eyes proved her mastery.

“Looks like you’ve been training?”

“Hmph, I’ve only just achieved minor mastery. But you don’t seem to have changed much, do you?”

“Whatever I learn, it doesn’t show much.”

Kim Songcheol tapped his head. It meant everything was in there.

“But it seems that kid hasn’t arrived yet?”

The Celestial Spirit Maiden said, looking around the living quarters. She seemed to be looking for Setsu.

“Not yet. He’ll be here soon. Do you want to eat Black Bean Noodles?”

“Shall we?”

“Do you know what Black Bean Noodles are?”

“No.”

“So it was just the good smell… Come in for now.”

Three additional people joined for the meal. And this choice served a rather excellent public good.

Guho, Sipho, and the Celestial Spirit Maiden, who all had good appetites, ate all the Black Bean Noodles that had been accumulated.

There were almost 10 packets, and when the Hunters encouraged them to keep eating, they really ate it all.

They couldn’t even boil more Black Bean Noodles even if they wanted to.

Thanks to this, they achieved the feat of changing the breakfast menu.

“It’s edible.”

That was the Celestial Spirit Maiden’s overall assessment of the Black Bean Noodles. For someone who had eaten three or four packets, her evaluation seemed a bit harsh.

Kim Songcheol, along with the other Hunters, had a quick breakfast of instant rice and curry, then left the lodging.

The future had been resolved, and everything due from Baron Magenta had been received.

There was no longer any need to stay in Bluebell.

The Celestial Spirit Maiden and Kim Songcheol planned to track Setsu in reverse and go to meet her.

As the two moved in Setsu’s direction, they naturally talked about what had happened so far.

The Celestial Spirit Maiden was reticent about her own situation, and the conversation shifted to the events Kim Songcheol had experienced.

While explaining the incident, Kim Songcheol suddenly posed a question.

“Have you heard of Pain?”

“Pain? No, I’ve never heard of it. There are many such minor organizations without a Capital City.”

“Are you sure it’s minor?”

“If I haven’t heard of it, it’s minor. Though it might be a bit different from what you consider ‘minor’.”

The Celestial Spirit Maiden came from a world connected to Dungeons for a long time.

She was also well-versed in the power dynamics and organizations within the Dungeon.

However, what she considered a ‘large organization’ was truly massive. The comparison was, of course, Ilwol Corporation.

Only something of that scale could be called a large organization.

Pain, which she had never heard of, was naturally relegated to the ‘minor organization’ category.

“Then what about the Magic Alliance?”

Kim Songcheol asked. He didn’t expect much, as he thought she wouldn’t know.

“I’ve heard of the Magic Alliance.”

“You have?”

“They’re quite large. Rather than having many Hunters, they’re an elite few. Their area of activity, was it up to B-grade, or A-grade, as you call it… I don’t quite remember that.”

“Are the Mages there any good? That Wolf was trembling. Thinking I was discovered there by Rupture.”

“If he’s just a Mercenary, it’s understandable to be afraid. The Magic Alliance is different from its very origin. It’s a place created by Mages just like you.”

“Mages like me? What does that mean?”

“That you have innate talent, but come from a world completely unrelated to Magic and Official Position. I don’t know what it’s like now, but that’s how it started. It’s an old place too. Easily hundreds of years old.”

It’s the same for all organizations.

If they already have a world of origin, then to form an organization, their common interests must align.

The Magic Alliance was a place where Mages banded together to compensate for the weakness of ‘coming from a world that couldn’t support their talent’.

“Why don’t you join?”

Surprisingly, the Celestial Spirit Maiden suggested he join.

“Me?”

“I heard the Magic Alliance isn’t a bothersome place. Plus, they have a lot of Magic, so you’d have Capital City to share. It wouldn’t be free, of course.”