Chapter 261

Chapter 261. Reunion and Infiltration (4)

As I roamed the Magic Tower, I encountered no shortage of people.

Yet, the mages, sensitive to mana, couldn’t even fathom my presence.

Thanks to that, the search itself went smoothly, and I soon found the location where the fairies were held captive.

A box the size one would use for a large dog cage.

Every side of the box was filled with iron bars so tightly that not even a finger could fit through.

Fairies inside were sprawled unconsciously.

“This, this…!”

Dennis, witnessing the sight, trembled with rage.

He went as far as attempting to emerge from the armor.

I pressed his head down with a finger and spoke.

“If you don’t want to fail before even starting, don’t make a fuss.”

To share the effect of the cloak, he had to be securely attached to me.

Perhaps due to my restraint, Dennis, in his urgency, spoke hastily.

“But… but…!”

“If you have a way to rescue and safely lead all of them out alone, I won’t stop you.”

I asked him if he wanted to act alone, as if confirming.

Dennis fell silent.

Only then could I start to think.

The iron bars looked like window screens, densely covered in protective magic circles.

‘There are anti-approach magic circles… and this is an alarm magic circle.’

In addition, there was a Mana Accumulation Tool placed inside the bars.

‘Looks like the mana is released regularly through a continuously activated magic circle.’

Due to that, the mana inside those bars was extraordinarily thick.

To the level that I feared it might cause issues due to addiction symptoms.

‘I brought a detoxifier just in case.’

On the black market, detoxifiers that neutralize plant-based mana are available.

As soon as Dennis mentioned the poppy mana, I asked the association to procure some.

Before arriving on the island, I received a substantial amount through the gifting function.

But I refrained from using it immediately.

‘Imagine if all those fairies woke up at once.’

There’s a reason people say too many cooks spoil the broth.

What are the chances that a fairy, kidnapped and waking up, would willingly follow a stranger, an outsider, at that?

‘It’s best to take them while they’re unconscious.’

I thoroughly inspected the surroundings around the iron-barred box containing the fairies.

I even used a magic stone to check for magic traps just in case.

Fortunately, there were no magic circles I hadn’t spotted myself.

‘Is it because it’s a storage area for materials?’

The security seemed basic at best.

This simplicity made my task somewhat easier.

I purchased several magic stones from the store and muttered to myself.

“Did you memorize the way?”

Suddenly, a deeply indented earthen path flashed in my mind before disappearing.

‘When confirming a positive response, it does once.’

I taught to connect his vision with a negative answer when it does twice.

“When things go wrong, come here and put this here.”

I said, glancing around the iron cage containing fairies and the huge bag I prepared in advance.

Our vision connected for an instant again before disappearing.

Satisfied with the answer from Rice Cake, I took out the magic stones I purchased from the store.

They were corrosion magic stones made based on acidic mana.

I carefully installed them next to the cage.

Fearful that the effect might not be enough, I placed one magic stone beside another, and then another.

While I was engrossed in installing the magic stones, I warned Dennis, who silently watched.

“I’m telling you clearly, don’t move recklessly before the signal.”

If he hastily used the corrosion magic stones in impatience, the alarm would go off.

This would significantly raise the chances of failure.

I advised him to wait and be patient until the signal, regardless of how frustrated or upset he might be.

Standing over Dennis, waiting for a response, he finally looked up and spoke.

“What if I decide not to listen and use these magic stones?”

I had to suppress a sigh.

It’s not that I hadn’t considered him disobeying my instructions.

‘Completely controlling another’s choice is impossible.’

Yet, dragging him along everywhere to prevent variables is not an option.

‘This guy won’t be useful if a fight breaks out.’

For now, all I could do was anticipate unexpected variables and tread carefully, prepared for any potential outcome.

“That’s your choice.”

“……”

“However, let’s be clear. Never stab me in the back.”

If he whimsically uses these magic stones, he would be stabbing me in the back.

He should remember that every resulting consequence is his responsibility.

If he meddles before the signal and it messes up the plan…

“No matter what happens later, don’t expect my help.”

I wasn’t generous enough to aid someone stabbing me in the back.

“The decision is yours.”

I finally stated and held an Invisibility magic stone up to Dennis’s nose.

As he stared at it, Dennis soon reached out with a hand.

Crunch.

The Invisibility magic stone shattered, causing Dennis’s figure to vanish.

With that settled, I promptly exited the material storeroom.

‘The timer is running out.’

I needed to move as quickly as possible.

Luckily, I verified the next destination through Dennis the moment I entered the Magic Tower.

Thus, I climbed the stairs without hesitation, each step quick and firm.

With approximately two minutes of cloak’s remaining duration, I casually passed by those roaming the tower.

I crossed the corridor and stopped in front of the fourth room on the third-floor hallway.

Observing the countdown of the clock displayed above my sight, I waited quietly.

Finally, at the opportune moment, I held my breath and raised a hand.

Knock, knock, knock.

The pebble I had picked up on the way bounced off the door.

Immediately, I sensed a presence inside.

‘I was planning to break in if there was no response.’

The flow seemed to favor me this time.

I stood silently in front of the door, waiting for it to open.

“What is it?!”

It was Irel who nervously opened the door.

It was unsurprising, given that this was Irel’s research lab, and I came here on my own accord.

Seeing no one in the corridor, she frowned and scanned around.

After briefly glancing at the pebble at her feet, she cast detection magic, creating a swarm of blue butterflies.

Yet, with the clock’s duration remaining, without neutralizing the relic’s effects, she couldn’t find me.

Confirming the timer turned red, I quickly ducked as Irel frowned again and extended her hand.

With a watery whip, she swept the corridor.

The timer hit 30 seconds just as Irel opened the door.

By the time she retrieved her magic after tilting her head curiously, it was at 26 seconds.

When she stepped forward to observe the corridor, it reached 19 seconds.

When I stealthily slipped past her into the research lab, it was 11 seconds.

I extended my hand toward her, preparing another magic at 7 seconds.

I released my mana to activate the restraints at 5 seconds.

“In…!”

When Irel noticed me and tried to attack, we had 3 seconds.

“……!”

A restraint activated by my mana surged when 2 seconds were left on the timer.

Irel fell unconscious, unable to complete her magic correctly.

Just then, the timer ran out, and I supported the collapsing Irel.

The closed door didn’t open again for a significant amount of time.

* * *

Meanwhile, on Earth, where Hyunwoo had left, times were chaotically busy.

They had to identify casualties’ bodies and ascertain their identities.

They also needed to assess the economic damage in the disaster area and arrange compensations.

Registering players officially with the association was another task at hand.

There were numerous subsequent processes to handle, a workload difficult to enumerate.

As a result, not only government offices but also multiple private firms’ personnel were busy without a moment’s rest.

Fortunately or unfortunately, Kim Yul and Yang Taeho were somewhat detached from this hectic daily life.

Neither of them were civil servants, insurance company employees, nor disaster victims.

They weren’t even affiliated with the Players’ Association.

They quietly focused on hunting and purifying corrupted areas.

Hyunwoo had advised them, keeping their hunting schedule less packed than usual.

Thus, Kim Yul decided to meet Squad Leader Yang Jochul during his leisure.

‘The assemblyman from Kim’s side keeps reaching out.’

His father, having recognized the value and existence of players, had initiated contact.

– The assemblyman wishes for Kim Yul to return to his family.

– There’s no need to stay outside when the family is home, right?

Someone I hadn’t heard from for nearly a year.

Hearing that Kim Yul was a player, he brought up the idea of family and home, which was laughable.

Moreover, he didn’t even reach out himself, outsourcing the task to his aides.

Despite blocking his contacts, he kept reaching out through various numbers, which was bothersome.

Hence, Kim Yul considered seeking help from Squad Leader Yang Jochul.

Arriving at the National Intelligence Service, Kim Yul hastened his steps and was guided inside.

After a brief wait in a room that felt like both an interrogation room and a break room.

Yang Jochul entered carrying a laptop.

“Yul, long time no see. Am I late?”

“I arrived leisurely, so it wasn’t a long wait.”

“That’s a relief. I heard you’re still hunting. Are you unharmed?”

“Hey, I don’t get hurt by small fries anymore.”

They greeted each other without unnecessary pleasantries and delved into the main issue.

“Alright, I’ll press assemblyman Kim’s side.”

He was pleasantly surprised by Yang Jochul’s willingness to help; he had expected there might be conditions attached.

They weren’t exactly close friends…

‘It’s not like he would normally offer such unreserved help, though.’

Having started working relatively early compared to others his age, Kim Yul knew better than to readily trust unconditional goodwill.

Hence, he felt a bit bewildered.

Perhaps sensing his unease, Squad Leader Yang Jochul clarified further.

“Don’t worry too much. Given China’s case, they will have to retreat eventually.”

“I see.”

Understanding the situation, things fell into place.

The government wishes to avoid having politicians and financial figures overly close to players.

Failing to do so could mean turning the entire association into an adversary.

Given those reasons, Yang Jochul’s kindness made perfect sense.

‘The uproar in China ended up benefiting us.’

Thanks to that, the conversation ended quicker and easier than expected.

Now he could return for a morning hunt, he thought as he prepared to leave.

“Before you go, could you watch a video if you have the time?”

“What is it?”

Yang Jochul, stopping him, opened the laptop.

After a brief pause, a prepared video started playing.

“Oh?”

Kim Yul’s eyes widened in surprise.

Unconsciously leaning forward, he closely examined the video’s subject.

“This is K hyung, no, Hyunwoo hyung, right?”

Mentioning Hyunwoo’s name, which he recently learned, caused Yang Jochul to nod with a slightly awkward smile.

“He said it was okay to use it for promotional purposes. We aimed to ease animosity or fear toward players while fostering trust. What do you think?”

“Hmm…”

He honestly found it well-made, objectively speaking.

The impact and purpose were clear.

The quality wasn’t bad, suggesting a skilled editor was at work.

Once uploaded, it would undoubtedly become a hot topic.

‘It would indeed help change perceptions toward players.’

But…

Damned System