Chapter 45: Power Enhancement (4)

[Job Quest: Mage]

▷Content: Subjugate Elite Monsters

▷Subjugation Progress: 3/3 (Complete)

-Utilize the magic you’ve learned to subjugate elite monsters. Personal subjugation contribution must exceed 50% to be recognized as an official subjugation.

▶Reward:

-Choice between Mage’s Robe or Staff.

-Acquire qualification to enter ‘Mage’s Tower’

This quest was given as a reward for being the first Mage to reach the 3rd tier. Han-seong carefully examined the quest content he hadn’t seen in a long time.

Then a past memory suddenly came to mind.

‘Ah, come to think of it, didn’t that guy also receive and clear a job quest?’

Necromancer Kim Tae-min.

From what he had overheard in past conversations between Tae-min and Ha-eun’s group, Tae-min had also completed the Necromancer’s job quest.

This meant that Tae-min was also the first among Necromancers to achieve 3-star rank. Here, Han-seong felt a question arise.

‘Is the qualification to enter the tower only given to the first person to achieve 3-star rank in each job?’

He pondered but couldn’t find the answer.

So Han-seong shook off these idle thoughts.

If it’s a problem that can’t be solved even after thinking about it, there’s no need to waste time on it, he thought.

‘Let’s receive the reward first.’

[Please select your reward.]

▷Mage’s Robe

▷Mage’s Staff

There were two types of rewards.

Only one could be chosen. Han-seong decided to examine the information for the robe first.

Name: Mage’s Robe (Unique)

[Effect]: Reward given to those who complete the ‘Job Quest: Mage’. When worn, maximum mana capacity and mana recovery speed increase.

[Mana Recovery Speed]: +1% per 10 seconds

[Wear Condition]: 4th Tier

▶Special Ability:【Mana Eater】

-When defeating an enemy of Elite grade or higher with over 50% contribution, permanently increases mana capacity by ‘10%’ of the maximum.

Han-seong’s eyes widened.

This is too good? Although it’s disappointing that the wear condition starts from the 4th tier, apart from that, all the abilities are appealing.

‘The special ability is also appealing.’

The maximum mana capacity increases every time an elite monster is defeated. If he just hunts those, he’ll never run out of mana.

So should he choose this?

Just as he was about to unconsciously select the robe, Han-seong suddenly stopped his hand.

‘Ah, I should look at the staff too.’

The Mage’s Staff.

Its appearance was quite different from what he had imagined.

He thought it would look like a hiking stick, but when he actually examined its appearance, it was just a 30cm wooden stick.

Han-seong opened the staff’s information.

Name: Mage’s Staff (Unique)

[Effect]: Reward given to those who complete the ‘Job Quest: Mage’. Amplifies effective range, impact range, and magic power.

▶Special Ability:【Ultra-Long Range Barrage】

-When defeating an enemy of Elite grade or higher with over 50% contribution, permanently increases the effective range of skills by ‘10%’ of the maximum.

“This is…!”

Han-seong’s eyes widened again.

The staff’s abilities were just as excellent as the robe’s. An effect specialized for attacks that increases the range, impact area, and power of all skills.

The special ability was also very appealing.

‘But I can only choose one.’

Combat sustainability and overwhelming firepower.

Which one should he choose? After long deliberation, Han-seong finally made his decision.

[You have selected the Mage’s Staff.]

▷The reward will be given.

Along with a brief notification message, a pure white wooden stick appeared before his eyes. As he carefully grasped it, an additional message appeared.

[Notice]: Grade Insufficient

▷Due to insufficient grade, all abilities of the equipment will be locked. Please check the wear condition and raise your recommended grade.

The reason Han-seong chose the staff.

It was because he judged that the staff’s abilities were more necessary in the current situation.

‘I can somehow cover mana.’

After all, there are mana recovery potions.

But there are very limited ways to solve the effective range issue. That’s why he chose the staff that allows ultra-long range strikes for all skills.

‘Now then…’

It’s time to receive the second reward.

The qualification to enter the Mage’s Tower. Han-seong touched the message in front of him, and soon a notification appeared.

[Mage’s Tower]: Qualification Conditions Met

Grade: 3rd Tier (Complete)

▶Do you want to enter the Mage’s Tower?

Of course, there’s no need to hesitate.

Han-seong touched the entry confirmation button. However, the response was negative.

[Notice: Entry Not Possible]

▷The Mage’s Tower can only be entered from the base camp or additional bases. Entry is not possible from temporary bases with a duration.

He didn’t expect there to be such a rule.

‘Then I’ll have to go back to the officetel first and enter again.’

However, he couldn’t return immediately.

He had to wait for the Warp Gate’s cooldown to reset, and also for the Collector to return from Gwacheon where it had gone to gather loot.

‘I should examine those things.’

The loot from the Hundred-Faced Ghost that Ji-hye had brought.

An unpleasant-looking mask and a dark-glowing rapier. Among these, Han-seong first examined the mask.

Name: Hundred-Faced Ghost’s Mask

[Effect]: When wearing the mask, the Hundred-Faced Ghost’s illusion magic activates, allowing free transformation of face, body shape, age, gender, etc.

-However, this is merely an illusion and does not change the essence at all. And it is ineffective against targets immune to illusions.

In simple terms, it was a disguise tool.

It was fascinating that it could freely change not only the face but also body shape, age, and even gender, but that was the extent of its ability.

‘It might be useful when meeting others while hiding my identity, but…’

Would there ever be such an occasion?

He has Ji-hye as a reliable representative after all. There’s probably no immediate use for it, but keeping it might come in handy someday.

Han-seong put the mask in his backpack.

Next was the rapier’s turn.

[Effect]: A magic sword that drops with an extremely low probability from Sword Demon type monsters. The spirit of the sword dwells within, and you can learn unique swordsmanship from the spirit.

-If you perfectly implement the six sword techniques taught by the spirit of the sword, you can additionally acquire the ‘Sword Dance: Blade Storm’ skill.

Immediately after viewing the rapier’s information.

Han-seong quickly made a decision.

‘Let’s give it to Ji-hye.’

There’s no use in him learning swordsmanship when he can’t even move his body freely.

On the other hand, Ji-hye has excellent physical abilities, so learning swordsmanship would be very useful for her. Han-seong handed the rapier to her.

“Here, take this.”

“Huh? Are you giving this to me?”

“Yes, we’ll have many more battles ahead, and you can’t just keep using your fists forever.”

“But I’ve never used a sword before…”

Ji-hye made a worried expression.

There’s no need to worry.

The spirit of the sword will teach swordsmanship, so she can learn from it. After explaining this fact, Ji-hye finally smiled with relief.

“Thank you. I’ll use it well.”

Just as he was handing over the rapier.

The Collector returned to the temporary base.

Along with the loot from the Ghost Queen Wasp. Coincidentally, the Warp Gate’s cooldown had also reset, so they immediately returned to the officetel.

After returning to the officetel.

Before entering the Mage’s Tower, Han-seong had a meal and took sufficient rest. During this process, he checked the loot from the Ghost Queen Wasp.

There were two pieces of loot.

The first one he examined was a small stone about the size of a pebble.

Name: Return Stone

[Effect]: By using the location save function to input specific coordinates, you can instantly teleport to that location from anywhere, anytime, along with all nearby living beings.

[Activation Time]: 60 seconds

[Return Area]: 5 meter radius

[Cooldown]: 72 hours

An item that could be useful when the Warp Gate is on cooldown. It’s small enough to fit in a pocket, like a pebble.

‘Now for the second piece of loot…’

A skillbook that appeared after quite a while.

However, Han-seong couldn’t learn it.

More precisely, there was no need for him to learn this skill.

[Skillbook: Ghost Walk]

-Enables walking while erasing one’s presence.

▷Duration: 20 minutes

▷Cooldown: 1 hour

▷Energy Consumption: 100

▶Job Restriction: Common

Han-seong, who couldn’t walk in the first place, smiled bitterly. Naturally, this skillbook also became Ji-hye’s share.

After completing all preparations.

Just as he was about to enter the Mage’s Tower at last, Ji-hye suddenly spoke to him.

“Mage-nim.”

“Hmm?”

“Please take this.”

What she handed over was a backpack.

A quite heavy backpack with unknown contents.

Ji-hye explained its contents.

“I put in mana recovery potions, canned food, and even detox potions just in case. The shop window might not open inside.”

That’s true. It certainly made sense.

There’s a possibility that once you go in, you might not be able to come out. But this worry soon turned out to be unfounded.

[Notice]: Precautions before entry

▷You enter the Mage’s Tower as a consciousness form.

▷Your physical body is stored in an isolation dimension.

▷Time for your physical body is frozen.

“This is…”

It seems there’s no need to bring the backpack after all. Since only the consciousness enters while the body is stored separately. Han-seong explained this fact to Ji-hye and smiled awkwardly.

“Then I’ll be going.”

“Yes! Take care and come back safely.”

Receiving Ji-hye’s send-off.

Han-seong touched the entry button.

[Entering the Mage’s Tower.]

With that brief notification message.

Suddenly, everything went dark before his eyes. In the completely blackened view, as he felt his consciousness being sucked in, the space that had been nothing but darkness gradually brightened.

Han-seong let out an exclamation of admiration.

“Wow…”

A deep blue night sky densely packed with countless stars. The dreamlike scene was so captivating that he momentarily lost himself.

Moreover, there was something even more surprising.

“Huh?”

As he was absentmindedly looking up at the stars, Han-seong suddenly realized that his viewpoint was higher than usual.

And when he unconsciously looked down, he couldn’t help but open his eyes wide in surprise.

‘My, my legs…!’

He was currently standing on two feet.

When he carefully moved his foot, his legs moved as he wished. It was the moment a situation he had always dreamed of became reality.

But why could he suddenly move his legs? Just as this question crossed his mind and he was about to mutter it out loud.

“That’s because you’re a consciousness form.”

A sudden unfamiliar voice.

Han-seong turned with a startled face towards the direction of the voice. Soon after, he could discover a being with a peculiar appearance.

A being wearing an upside-down hollowed-out pumpkin mask. He was holding a lantern in one hand and a mirror in the other.

“The appearance of a consciousness form manifests reflecting the image of the time the person most desired.”

He held out a small mirror.

Seeing this, Han-seong was surprised again.

The reflection in the mirror was himself at seventeen years old. Even the outfit was the uniform of Jingwang High School where he had been studying at the time.

‘Ah, right. I was told that you enter the Mage’s Tower as a consciousness form.’

Belatedly recalling this fact, Han-seong nodded as if finally understanding the situation. Then he asked the pumpkin-masked figure:

“Um, by the way, who are you…?”

“Ah, I’m late with introductions. I am J, the guide of the tower. Please call me as you like.”

At those words, Han-seong smiled awkwardly.

Even if told to call him as he liked, there was only one name he could use anyway.

“Then I’ll guide you to the tower.”

When J held out his lantern, a path appeared on the dark ground. Han-seong followed behind him, moving his feet.

How much time had passed like that?

As the long silence continued, Han-seong, unable to bear it any longer, spoke to J.

“Um, may I ask where this is…”

“This is the boundary of dimensions. It’s a passage that leads to the Mage’s Tower and other towers.”

J answered as if he had been waiting for the question.

He bent his knee and placed the lantern on the ground. Then an amazing sight unfolded.

“That’s…!”

“It’s a crossroads.”

The path was not just one.

Countless paths spread out like a spider web in all directions from where they were currently standing. Han-seong and J were simply following one of them.

“Be careful, for if you take the wrong path, you might wander here forever.”

At these somewhat chilling words, Han-seong reflexively narrowed the distance with J. And as they resumed moving, they engaged in various conversations.

About why the tower exists, why J took on the role of guide here, and so on. J answered all questions without hesitation.

“The tower is a place prepared for beings with minimal potential to grow by training their magic or skills.”

“Then who built the tower…?”

“The Guardians of the Stars. I too belong to the Guardians of the Stars, and I have been given the duty of being the tower’s guide there.”

From what he heard, it seemed that the Guardians of the Stars referred to some kind of organization. Then J added a more detailed explanation.

“Simply put, you can understand it as a group that helps worlds facing their end.”

“…Pardon?”

What? The end?

Does that mean the Earth has met its end? Han-seong, shocked, wanted to inquire further about this.

But this time, he couldn’t get an answer.

“I’m sorry, but that’s beyond the realm of what I can answer. You’ll be able to ask the tower administrator you’ll meet soon.”

J closed his mouth after finishing his answer.

Shortly after, a lush forest appeared. Passing through it, a tower that hadn’t been visible until now revealed itself.

“Could that be…”

“Yes, it’s the Mage’s Tower.”

J affirmed Han-seong’s guess.

Soon after, stopping just short of the tower, he extinguished the lantern’s light. Then, pointing to the tower’s entrance, he bowed his head politely.

“From here on, the tower’s administrator will guide you. I pray that you overcome the end and reclaim your original world, Mage.”

With that final farewell greeting.

J turned around and went back the way they had come.

Left alone suddenly, Han-seong examined the Mage’s Tower. Unlike what he had heard from J, there was no sign of anyone who could be the administrator.

Just then.

Boom! Creeeeak─!

With a loud noise, the door opened.

As if welcoming Han-seong’s visit.