Episode 419. Iris Guild Korean Branch (3)

Dark night.

Inside Pandemic’s hideout, located underground where not a single ray of sunlight could reach.

Here, hidden by superior security, Maestro was receiving a report from his subordinate.

“So the position of the next Chairman of the Wizard Association is lost?”

“Yes. Furthermore, even the elders who had built connections within the Association have all been exposed.”

“…We’ll have to give up on the Wizard Association.”

“I apologize.”

“No. It’s not your fault.”

Throb-

Feeling a headache, Maestro pressed his temples and leaned back into his chair.

For some reason, the burden placed upon his body had been growing heavier lately.

Maestro continued.

“What’s the progress on the plan for human extinction?”

“We are corrupting dungeons all over the world. Following Maestro-nim’s orders, we are proceeding with rapid corruption even if some dungeons are discovered.”

“…Good. Proceed as quickly as possible. I will prepare the Apostle summoning ritual.”

Only then did Maestro escape the oppressive weight pressing down on him.

The worsening headache subsided, and the lethargy disappeared.

As he swayed, his subordinate rushed forward in surprise.

“Maestro-nim, are you alright?”

“…I think I need some rest. I must have prayed too hard. Continue with the work as planned.”

“Understood!”

The subordinate bowed and left, leaving Maestro alone, staring into the air.

Destroying humanity had been his destiny from the very beginning.

He had discarded his emotions after realizing this destiny, but things had become even stranger after meeting Lee Hoyeon.

It felt as if someone was controlling him; if he delayed the plan even slightly, lethargy would wash over his entire body, draining his strength.

That must be Lee Hoyeon’s strength.

The stronger Lee Hoyeon became, the more he interfered with Pandemic’s path, the more he had to accelerate the plan.

Maestro closed his eyes, recalling his destiny.

His existence, born to bring ruin to the world.

And Lee Hoyeon, the one who stood in his way.

If destiny cannot be defied, one must ride it.

“It’s already irreversible.”

His destiny was to destroy the world.

He just needed to achieve that goal.

That was all.

Everything that happened in between was merely the cycle of fate.

Maestro began praying, gazing at an unsettling statue in the room.

Meanwhile, the subordinate who had stepped outside activated a crystal ball.

An artifact that allowed communication with people far away.

He relayed the plan while looking at the faces of the executives floating in the air.

“Maestro-nim needs some rest for a while. It’s likely due to frequent communication with the Demon King-nim.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes. The plan for human extinction will proceed as is. Relay this to all global branches… Where are the Korean branch executives?”

“We are here.”

One among the many Mind replied.

“Be especially cautious with the Korean branch. The ‘Crazy Bastard’ might still be in Korea.”

“Understood!”

The Korean branch executive bowed his head in response.

A Mind killer active in Korea recently. Commonly known as the ‘Crazy Bastard’.

He was a man who went berserk at the sight of any Mind, so caution was necessary.

Since Korea was the last place he was sighted, Pandemic was taking precautions.

“The transmission is complete. Report any unusual occurrences immediately.”

“Yes!”

The Minds disappeared one by one, and soon the subordinate turned off the crystal ball and returned to his post.

*

Evening time.

“Ouch…”

Who hits someone for just playing around?

Scarlet seems to have gotten fiercer since we got rid of the slave contract.

Sigh. Can’t be helped.

I teased her first, so I guess I have to accept it.

I walked down the street, rubbing the back Scarlet had hit.

“Hoyeon-ah. Are you okay?”

“Yeah. She didn’t hit me that hard.”

“Phew. Scarlet-ssi is quite considerate.”

“…Is that so?”

Nam Daeun, walking beside me, let out a sigh of relief at my words.

We were heading towards the supermarket near our house.

This place, crowded every evening, was Nam Daeun’s favorite shopping spot.

She usually shops before preparing dinner, but today I had nothing else to do, so I decided to help her out.

“But why aren’t you coming in the morning instead of now? It’s so crowded in the evening.”

“There are a lot of sales near closing time.”

“Ah. Really?”

I followed Nam Daeun, listening to her explanation.

Seeing how crowded it was, her explanation seemed plausible.

“Yeah. So I usually come and shop around this time.”

“Our Daeun is quite frugal.”

“…Thank you.”

Nam Daeun maintained a happy smile, seemingly pleased just to be walking with me.

I had tagged along without much thought, but I didn’t expect her to be this happy.

I followed Nam Daeun around, looking for snacks.

“How about this? Milk is cheap.”

“Then let’s buy cereal too. Liliana-ssi likes it.”

“It seems like Liliana eats all the snacks in our house.”

We finished grocery shopping quickly.

While I was looking for snacks, Nam Daeun had already gathered all the ingredients.

‘This is leisurely.’

This is only possible because it’s vacation and I have free time.

I might not be able to do this when I get busy again.

On the way back home.

I said to Nam Daeun with a smile.

“Since I have quite a bit of time today, I’ll help with dinner preparations too.”

“…You don’t have to, really. They say men aren’t supposed to enter the kitchen anyway. Hoyeon, you should rest.”

“Really?”

Come to think of it, I think I’ve heard something like that somewhere before.

Since Nam Daeun said it, it must be true.

We walked along, chatting.

Back home, Nam Daeun prepared dinner with Scarlet, and while Liliana poured cereal into the milk I bought, I lay down on the sofa.

Rebecca was watching TV next to me.

I lay there blankly for a moment before speaking to Rebecca.

“Rebecca-ssi.”

“What?”

“Don’t you cook often, Rebecca-ssi?”

I’d seen Liliana cook a few times, but I’d never seen Rebecca cook.

Rebecca must have lived alone for a long time too, so is she unable to cook?

“Hmm. I can cook. I learned many dishes from my clan. But what those two make tastes better.”

“Ah…”

“Instead, I help a lot with the cleaning.”

“So you don’t just do magic research in your room.”

“Of course. Mother is great. There’s nothing she can’t do.”

Rebecca puffed out her chest and smiled, and I laughed in disbelief.

“You’re not a mother yet.”

“I’m a prospective mother.”

Rebecca replied to my words, glanced at her smartwatch, and then clapped her hands as if she’d just remembered something.

“Right. Baby daddy. You said you’d introduce me to Mage Im Sol.”

“Mage Im Sol?”

“Yeah. You two are close, right? You definitely said you’d introduce us last time. What happened?”

“Uh…”

Thinking back, we definitely had that conversation before.

Rebecca was surprisingly a fan of Im Sol.

I had intended to schedule it then, but every time I met Im Sol, I got caught up in magic research and forgot.

“I couldn’t ask because of the research. Now that the conference is over, I’ll ask her. She’ll probably love talking about magic.”

“Okay. Thank you.”

Rebecca smiled, looking pleased.

She looks so happy, should I ask right now?

I tapped my smartwatch and sent a message to Im Sol.

• Me: Professor Sol! A mage I know wants to talk with you, what do you think?

• Professor Im Sol: Annoying. Forget that, when are you coming to see me at the lab?

• Me: I’ll be there soon. And besides, would I really introduce you to some random local mage? She’s such an amazing mage, even Sol-noona will be surprised.

• Professor Im Sol: Then bring her next time.

Okay.

As expected, Im Sol is easily swayed if you appeal to her interest in magic.

She immediately agreed when I mentioned an amazing mage.

“I got permission. Let’s go meet her next time.”

“Really? Just like a baby daddy, you’ve got skills.”

Rebecca sat next to me, linking arms, looking delighted.

Since Im Sol is like an idol among mages, Rebecca must be happy.

I leaned my head on Rebecca’s shoulder and watched TV with her until I heard the announcement that dinner was ready.

*

The next day.

In the Academy’s research lab.

“Hello, Dr. Kang Hyorin.”

“It’s been a while, Cadet Lee Hoyeon.”

I bowed my head and entered Kang Hyorin’s lab.

The reason she’s called ‘Doctor’ and not ‘Professor’ is because she was invited as a visiting professor to Victoria Academy.

Knowing her identity, I suspect it might be the Iris Guild’s doing.

Perhaps she avoids taking a professorship so she can escape anytime.

Kang Hyorin stood up and greeted me.

“Make yourself comfortable. Ah, what kind of tea would you like?”

“Anything is fine.”

I sat on the guest sofa and sipped the tea Kang Hyorin prepared.

I had thought she was a strange person last time we met, but hearing Scarlet’s words made me even more wary.

“Hmm, it was about joining the investigation team, right? Shall we discuss it right away?”

“Yes. Thank you.”

“Since Irene-nim requested it, I’ll naturally grant permission… but I have to ask nominally. What is your purpose for wanting to join the investigation team, Cadet Lee Hoyeon?”

Dr. Kang Hyorin asked as if genuinely curious, and I gave the answer I had prepared.

I have the perfect excuse I can use for situations like this.

“For personal magic research.”

“Ah… As expected of a genius mage. Exploring magic even amidst anomalies.”

Whoever first gave me the nickname ‘genius mage’, I’m truly grateful.

Thanks to that nickname, I can get away with most things.

“When will the investigation team be assembled?”

“It should be assembled within a few days. You don’t need to prepare anything, Cadet Lee Hoyeon, so don’t worry.”

“Understood.”

“Ah, but you’ll need to sign a few documents.”

Kang Hyorin handed me some documents, and I skimmed through them while signing.

Since they were contracts imbued with magic, there was no need to worry about forgery.

“That’s all done. You worked hard.”

“Thank you.”

I thought it would take longer, but it finished surprisingly quickly.

I picked up my teacup and finished the coffee, preparing to stand up.

Now that the work is done, I should head back.

“Ah, may I ask one thing? It’s out of personal curiosity.”

Just then, Kang Hyorin asked in a calm voice.

I answered reflexively.

“Yes. If it’s something I can answer, it’s fine.”

“How are you dating Scarlet?”

“…What?”

“It’s the first time I’ve seen Scarlet act like that towards a guy… Ah, sorry if I was rude.”

I naturally assumed it was about the investigation team, I never expected Scarlet to come up.

Kang Hyorin said sorry verbally, but her expression remained smiling.

…She really is a strange person.

“That’s a personal matter… uh, it’s a bit difficult to talk about solely based on my will.”

It feels wrong to talk about my relationship with Scarlet alone.

At the very least, I need to consider Scarlet’s intentions.

“Oh my, is that so?”

Hearing my words, Kang Hyorin maintained her smile and picked up the documents I had signed.

“Hmmmm. Perhaps I should reconsider letting outsiders join the investigation team so freely?”

“…”

“Or maybe I should ask Scarlet when she comes to work next time? If she doesn’t answer, I’ll just have to fire her. Hmm.”

“I’ll tell you…”

I bowed my head deeply.

‘What kind of crazy bitch is this?’

If I argued with her here, like Irene would, saying ‘Are you really going to do that?’, things would only get more complicated.

Truly crazy people don’t care about such things.

As I was about to speak, Kang Hyorin laughed and put the documents back down.

“Hehe. I was just kidding. You’re taking good care of Scarlet. You’re a very good man.”

“Haaa…”

“Then that’s all regarding the investigation team. I’ll see you next time at the Huadong Dungeon, Cadet Lee Hoyeon.”

“Yes. Thank you very much, Dr. Kang Hyorin.”

I shook my head and stood up from my seat.

Just as Scarlet said, I can vaguely understand why she’s called the ‘crazy bitch’ at the Iris Guild.

I should avoid getting any more involved with her.