Ch.69Chapter 3. Riders Aren’t the Only Ones Who Transform! (6)

Bong.

Speaking suddenly, when people hear this word, what comes to mind varies greatly from person to person.

“Bong? What’s that? Is it talking about a farting sound?”

Some might think of the “bong” sound.

Perhaps they’ve been enjoying a popular drama, or they’re reminded of a character with a similar name.

“When you say ‘bong,’ isn’t it about breast padding? Did someone get breast implants?”

Some might think of chest padding.

Like a girlfriend wearing padding, or someone eagerly searching for characters who’ve had “breast enhancements” with fire in their eyes.

“When it comes to ‘bong,’ it’s definitely national pride!”

Some might think of the foundation of this light novel—national pride.

They’ll feel pride and dignity knowing that world-class figures are Korean.

“Bong? You’ve become stronger. Charge!”

Some might think of buff skills.

Whether “bong” should be called a neural enhancer or stimulant isn’t clearly defined, but generally when someone says they received “bong” in such situations, it refers to a moment of enhanced ability, either physical or mental.

The word “bong” is used in so many different contexts.

That’s why when people hear the word, everyone thinks of something different, making it difficult to interpret the meaning of “bong” from the word alone.

Context is needed.

While I’ve experienced national pride in this world and tried various things, there’s one type of “bong” I never touched before my possession and still don’t touch now.

Think “bong” sounds strange?

Telling me to stop saying “bong” repeatedly?

Then how about using a different word?

“Drugs.”

Methamphetamine, a psychotropic substance.

While it’s used in medicine, obviously most people who want to use it are seeking the pleasure drugs provide.

The “bong” I’m talking about is precisely this narcotic substance.

And not just for ordinary people, but a substance for “ability users.”

So the question is:

Is it a commonly used drug?

No.

For ordinary people, it’s just plain white powder, but there’s a powder-form drug exclusively for ability users that shows effects far more powerful than regular drugs when inhaled.

Its official name is “Mana Powder.”

It’s strictly prohibited even by the Syndicate—a substance that enhances abilities, amplifies magical power, and strengthens mana output when the white powder is consumed.

After consumption, like regular drugs, it leads to addiction that prevents normal daily life, and almost everyone who has touched this substance has invariably become a “villain.”

Why does something like this exist in this world?

At first, nobody knew.

According to the setting and my research, Mana Powder began circulating in the market around 2015 in this world’s timeline.

“South Korea is a drug-free country!”

Making such claims meaningless, news about someone using drugs frequently appeared on TV and the internet during that time.

“Breaking news! A-rank hero ‘Erectile’ has become addicted to drugs targeting ability users and is causing a disturbance! Citizens of Cheongju, please evacuate immediately…”

An accident occurred.

Something terribly horrific happened, and the world tried to ban Mana Powder by any means.

Looking at its effects alone, it’s just an amplifier and awakening agent that enhances abilities without turning you into a devil, so some argued we should just use it.

But when the method of producing Mana Powder was spread by some conscientious individual, the world fell into an abyss of fear and hatred.

“Mana Powder is made using dead ability users!”

“It’s human bones! What else could come out as white powder from a dead person’s corpse?”

“And in such enormous quantities!”

Ah.

They say relics emerge from Buddha’s body.

From ability users’ bodies comes Mana Powder.

Specifically, after an ability user dies, when they’re cremated and their bones turn to powder.

That powder contains the mana the ability user had before death, which remains in the bones and scatters into the world as the bone powder weathers away.

Wait?

Mana remains in the remains?

Then can’t I take that mana for myself?

With such thoughts, someone committed a terrible act, and consequently, new knowledge about ability users emerged.

The remains of the dead become the blood, flesh, and mana of other ability users.

That is Mana Powder.

In other words.

The only drug permitted to ability users is “bone meal”—bone powder.

After cremating a dead ability user, if the form is still maintained, the white bones are hammered and ground finer than cake flour to make bone powder.

And when an ability user dies, the place where their corpse can be quietly disposed of without anyone finding out is this Sejong Island.

Because if the “higher-ups” of Sejong Island decide to hide something, there’s nothing they can’t conceal.

That’s right.

The F-rank or E-rank ability users who are eliminated and “weeded out” during this treasure hunt process.

Especially those without families, or those with families but lacking connections, or those who seem like they won’t cause trouble if targeted.

“You think becoming an ability user is all a blessing? Unfortunately, E-rank or below and F-rank are of no help to the world. If, hypothetically, they were to die, shouldn’t at least their bodies be utilized in a way that helps this country and this world?”

Yes.

The protagonist called himself E-rank.

He tried to hide his power and posed as a social underdog, nearly getting devoured by those who prey on the weak.

Through the attack of the title heroine, “Ermina Sternfeld.”

Late at night, in a public restroom, I found a black bag containing a paper envelope.

Presumably containing bone powder.

Here’s one dilemma.

Mana Powder isn’t illegal yet.

The process of making it is so grotesque, but Mana Powder is, from a certain perspective, a “naturally occurring” substance.

It’s just that the process of its occurrence is too sad, unfortunate, or shocking.

“Everyone dies.”

“There’s no order to who goes first.”

While it’s difficult to compile specific global statistics, death is equal for everyone and comes suddenly.

The same applies to ability users.

If someone sacrifices their life to save others, making a noble sacrifice, their remains will be placed in a columbarium to be used when dangers threatening human survival arise.

Because they were heroes.

But.

What if someone deliberately tries to produce Mana Powder?

What if they transform ability users into Mana Powder, just like forcibly stealing a demon’s seed from a woman who has become a devil?

That person.

Won’t escape the goblin’s club.

* * *

After transforming into a Goblin in the tavern owner’s room, I headed out during the day toward where the treasure hunt event would take place, avoiding people’s eyes.

Specifically, to the rooftop of a 10-story building overlooking the location.

[Everyone gathered at the Grand Plaza. Welcome.]

Grand Plaza.

At the center of the stage in a plaza as vast as Gwanghwamun Square, an elderly man with white hair in a formal suit held a microphone.

Behind him, a massive screen displayed the old man’s face.

[The Academy is always working to enhance your abilities. As many of you know, this time it’s a treasure hunt.]

The Grand Plaza where the event was taking place was already filled with too many people, and excluding spectators at a certain distance, most were Academy students.

[From now on, you will form pairs of two and find treasures in designated areas. Information about your partner will be transmitted through your Taegeuk Watch, and the treasure hunt will begin as soon as the information is sent. Hehe, be careful? Every year, there are quite a few fatal accidents and disappearances.]

Though he spoke jokingly, it didn’t sound like a joke to me at all.

[…The “first place” in each zone will receive “special privileges.” Everyone knows, right? The Principal has prepared special privileges this year as well, just like last year. Mid-term exam free pass, prize money, and 5 official absence certificates. This year, we’ve specially issued absence certificates so you can use them whenever you want.]

He appears to be considering student convenience every year, but what’s the reality?

[…And this time, the student council has prepared an event. Student Council President Yoon Yi-seon will announce it directly.]

[Thank you, Principal. Hello, fellow students? For your safe treasure hunting, the student council has prepared information about the ‘Goblin’…]

Yoon Yi-seon showed no sign of discomfort and explained about the “Goblin Hunt” as if they had actively organized it.

I can hear them.

They’re all excited about the Goblin Hunt, shrugging their shoulders, talking about finding treasures to get good results, and discussing what they’ll do with the reward money if they find the Goblin.

[Now, I’ll reveal your partners! Everyone, please check your Taegeuk Watches!]

With the Principal’s shout, I closely watched the shimmering blonde hair in the distance.

Ermina.

The direction she strode toward was—

Ymir.