episode_0016

“…”

As morning arrived, my eyes reflexively opened.

Like a computer booting up, my foggy mind gradually started to awaken.

Soon, the stiffness in my back rushed in.

And for some reason, a slightly suffocating feeling.

“Hanul…”

It felt like something was holding onto me even in my sleep.

Chaeseol-a had once again entered her own bed.

Despite sharing intimacy for days on end, she seemed to want to stick around.

Since when had she been clinging to me?

…

It’s somewhat familiar, but still.

“Ung! Ungwooku! Ungung!”

“Did you come here to eat? Swallow it all and put it in.”

The last holiday spent in the workshop.

Unaware of what was about to unfold, we were just having a meal.

“Why are you making a fuss about eating?”

“You keep eating everything that belongs to us! Noble elves my foot! There’s no bigger glutton than you.”

“What? Glutton? Have you forgotten that I spared your life?”

“Oh, well… No. Thank you.”

“Haha, alright, keep using your head. That way, I can lead you to the finish line.”

One day, he’ll turn the tables on me.

More importantly, I’m quite anxious about the second test starting after today.

Despite investigating here and there for days due to the relatively open atmosphere of the room.

I found no information.

It was just an ordinary hotel. I had nothing to prepare for what would happen tomorrow.

Even though I gave it my all, being in the lower ranks meant that the participants in the workshop were not ordinary.

I tried to form temporary alliances by scouting around, but the atmosphere in the open hotel was quite the opposite.

No one trusted each other.

Most likely because trust won’t build easily when risking lives with mostly strangers.

“Sigh, it’s frustrating.”

“Was the conversation not going well this time either?”

Probably because they’re not of the same race.

Moreover, as a wanderer, it’s highly unlikely that a group would accept someone like me.

Even among their own kind, alliances are fragile, let alone with outsiders.

“Where on earth is that guy?”

“That guy…?”

“The one who ranked first in the initial test. Upon closer inspection, he was alone.”

On the day the test ended.

With so many names, if someone is at the top, they tend to stand out.

Leo.

Not only was he the first to arrive at the workshop, but he also scored a perfect 100.

Capturing him would be the most stable option, yet even after searching all the rooms in the workshop, I didn’t see anyone named Leo.

Perhaps he hid to avoid crowds.

One thing’s certain, he’s the only one who holds the hint for the next round.

Suddenly, I noticed a pile of gold coins tucked away in a corner.

“If that was all a hint…”

600 million.

The amount I earned from training before arriving at the workshop.

A significant sum, but currently, it’s useless except for buying food.

…

Yet, it’s enough to make my mouth water.

If I can wrap up the workshop successfully, at least I can stay here comfortably.

It would be great if that guy Leo turns out to be a money spirit and hands it over generously.

“Oh right. I have something to tell you guys…”

Click- Clack-

“Work…shop…alert…intruder…be cautious….”

At that moment, the bead I saw for the first time in the room quickly came to mind and began to convey a message.

An urgent voice and the continuous interruptions indicated that something serious had happened.

Upon listening closely, it seemed like there was an intruder in the workshop…? Someone had unauthorized access to the workshop?

“It seems like something is indeed happening, right?”

“Yes. It feels like something has gone wrong.”

As per their renowned reputation, those managing the workshop should be able to handle the situation adequately, but this time felt different.

Long padding.

The actions he took against the administrators might have led to the current situation.

Suddenly, the flow of events felt strangely peculiar.

The external image meticulously crafted through countless investigations.

And the centuries-old history of the Guild Wars, backed by formidable power.

An intruder in a group that was undeniably absolute.

Moreover, seizing the opportunity amidst the chaos caused by the administrators.

“It smells a bit musty.”

Pretending to be concerned about them, he picked up the clothes hanging in the corner.

Then he immediately began preparing to leave. If he delayed even a bit, it could end in disaster.

“I understand.”

Even as Chaesol watched this scene, she quickly put on her clothes as if naturally preparing, almost as if communicating telepathically.

“Wait! Where are you all going? Didn’t you hear? Intruders! It’s dangerous to go out.”

“There’s a saying in Korea.”

Danger is just another opportunity.

Once you’ve passed the first test as a lower-ranking participant, there’s no rule saying you can’t fall further in the next round.

Any possibility of forming alliances has also fallen through. So, there’s only one option left.

Taking advantage of everyone being distracted in their rooms, they aim to identify the intruders who entered the Guild, gather information, and either use it for themselves or pass it on for bonus points.

There’s no other way to navigate the second test successfully.

“…but I’ve made up my mind.”

This is more serious than I thought.

The neat corridor had turned into a mess in an instant.

Some parts were so destroyed that it was impossible to pass, and signs of battle were evident in various places.

But the most concerning part was that despite all this destruction, there was no sense of any magic present.

Furthermore, not a sound could be heard from inside, adding to the mystery.

“Just in case, Luna, please guard the room. If any money goes missing, it’ll be a big problem.”

“Are you really okay?”

He gave her a faint smile and walked away from the room.

Then he descended from the floor where he had been staying and surveyed the surrounding areas.

As expected, it looked like a bomb had gone off. The heavily cracked outer walls and deeply dented floor spoke volumes about the current state.

“Could one person have done all this?”

The likelihood is high that it would take multiple individuals with the intent to attack the Guild to cause such madness.

Unless it’s on a significant scale, it’s unlikely that someone would engage in such reckless behavior. Therefore, if they act alone, there’s a high risk of being subdued immediately.

“Whether we get eliminated next or die here, the outcome will be the same.”

“Hanul.”

At that moment, Chaesol suddenly gestured for his ear.

Perhaps looking back, this would be the starting point.

As much as he received love from the target he was attached to, the surge in his magical power was remarkable.

Chaesol suggested that a kiss could resolve the issue.

“Well, that makes sense now…”

*Slurp…*

It seemed to have become somewhat unpredictable at some point.

Moreover, each time felt longer.

Only after his tongue extended to an extraordinary length did he show a satisfied expression.

When it became unclear how to resolve this situation.

“This… magic?”

“I found out recently.”

After concentrating for a moment, Chaesol extracted shimmering droplets from his body.

As soon as these droplets touched the air, they emitted a brilliant blue light.

Although he had never seen it before, having experienced it numerous times allowed him to understand its nature without explanation.

Magic.

Pure magic from this otherworldly realm, untouched by any form of technology. That’s what it was.

He had only known how to refine the magic residing within him for use, extracting such pure magic directly seemed nearly impossible.

Using magic would cause it to disperse into the atmosphere, making it unsustainable.

“It’s impressive, but what can we do with this…”

For a moment, his nose twitched.

Starting to become extremely sensitive, as if startled by an unfamiliar scent he couldn’t comprehend.

No matter how many times he pondered it, that distinct aroma, which he had never encountered before, unmistakably belonged to pure magic for the first time.

And at the same time, remnants of magic could be felt.

The traces of this commotion were not visible, but rather so delicate that one could only faintly smell the fragrance.

“Alright, let’s follow.”

If I’ve correctly caught the scent.

The distance to the guy is not as far as one might think. Just a five-minute run would be enough to reach him.

There is a tremendous monster in such a close proximity.

There might be consequences if we don’t follow orders, but the urgency seems to lie more with the workshop side.

What’s fortunate is that there are no fellows who think like us.

If our goals overlap and we come face to face, friction will undoubtedly arise.

“…It always comes to mind.”

Well, that’s true, it seemed too smooth.

As if I’m not busy enough. One, two, three, four…

Four demons wearing strange hoods blocked the path.

“Wait, I’m sure we were told to wait inside, where are you going…”

“Ugh, move aside!”

Blocking the way like extras. They seem eager to fight.

I don’t know why they shouldn’t use violence, but I ended up blowing all four away at once.

I can’t use magic, but that doesn’t mean I can’t use strength. And with the kind of power I possess, few can match me, having survived hell.

Moreover, somehow, it seems I can still extract Chaeseol’s magic.

So, finding the intruders is definitely advantageous. Since we are the only ones who know the way.

“Chaeseol! Coming out soon!”

“Yeah! I sense it!”

Although he moved to the opposite side, he won’t be able to escape our pursuit.

We’re almost there.

If we capture him now and hand him over to the workshop guys, we’ll score points…

Thud!!

My steps halted at the sudden noise.

Simultaneously, I was certain. The vibrating sensation on my skin, the sound of something being chewed.

The culprit behind this disturbance.

Just imagining confronting the monster at a mere corner made my hands tremble.

Without an adventure, there is no windfall either.

By subduing him, I could secure a ticket to the finals.

With that determination in mind, after a brief deep breath, I checked around the corner.