episode_0009

I searched through the building, but there was no sign of the children anywhere.

Realizing that this wasn’t the main base of the Dark Guild, I was about to leave to find the actual headquarters of the Dark Guild elsewhere.

At that moment, the communication crystal hidden in my pocket rang once again.

“It seems like we’ve been in touch more often lately.”

“I have something urgent to discuss, so I reached out.”

“What is it?”

“The party we were sponsoring asked about the location of the Dark Guild. Although I informed them as per Lady Cariel’s request to provide any information, I decided to contact you just in case.”

“That’s right.”

I recalled a forgotten fact.

The protagonist had become the center of attention when the nobles captured young children for human experimentation, even involving the children from the orphanage where the protagonist grew up.

This led the protagonist to enter the Dark Guild, turn it upside down, find evidence, and expose the nobles.

At that time, the party had regained the authority of the hero relatively easily.

“But now it might be a bit challenging.”

It was somewhat difficult for them to handle the entire Dark Guild.

The issue was not merely a matter of strength but involved various political factors.

Although the party consisted of powerful members like mages, archers, priestesses, heroes, and warriors, they were not at risk of losing against the riffraff like the Dark Guild.

However, there was a possibility of facing the wrath of the nobles who used the Dark Guild.

Given the current situation, the protagonist’s party needed to tread carefully as it was a somewhat risky situation.

“But they won’t just sit back.”

Especially since they had interfered with the children from Arienne’s orphanage.

They were determined to fight no matter what.

Asking Lena about the location of the Dark Guild was part of this reason.

“If I stay here without doing anything…”

Eventually, a confrontation would occur.

That would put them in a difficult position.

Yet, it was hard to ignore the children suffering even for a moment.

“Hmm… Is that the only way?”

At a time when they needed to pretend to chase after the hero for show in front of the Emperor.

It would be better to openly reveal their status as heroes and confront the situation head-on if they encountered anyone while trying to save the children.

“Perfect.”

In a way, the situation could turn in their favor.

I took off my mask and set out from the Dark Guild.

***

I left the Dark Guild to search for its headquarters.

Despite walking boldly on the streets, no one recognized me, even though I had removed my mask.

“Suppressing my presence is more useful than I thought.”

Merely following what I had read in novels as a precaution surprisingly led to easy success.

Suppressing one’s presence meant suppressing one’s existence.

Hence, even passing by people directly, they couldn’t recognize me at all.

After passing by many individuals while searching for the unknown headquarters of the Dark Guild, I fell into deep contemplation.

“No matter how much I think, I can’t figure it out.”

I couldn’t seem to locate the Dark Guild’s whereabouts.

Usually, in novels, one coincidentally finds the location or some event occurs that leads to the intended destination.

Could it be because the current situation was not just a novel but real life?

Nothing happened at all.

Thinking that I might end up being later than Arienne’s party, I pondered what to do next.

At that moment, I turned my head towards a sudden whiff of metallic scent piercing my nostrils.

In the direction I turned, an ordinary-looking person was passing by.

“Now, who might this person be?”

While they appeared ordinary on the surface, they exuded a strong metallic scent.

It was such a potent blood scent that it was hard to imagine they weren’t a killer.

“Does this smell?”

Sensing something fishy behind me, I cautiously followed him.

I kept a certain distance to kill any signs more than before, making sure not to get caught.

“You probably won’t sense it.”

Even if the level is low, one should be at least on par with me to detect it subtly.

Even if the level isn’t high, those born with better senses might feel it. However, even they would find it extremely hard to detect due to completely suppressing any signs of presence.

“But if I still get caught.”

Then quietly accept fate and prepare to fight.

In a way, it’s no different from leaving it up to fate, but well, fate can also be considered inevitable, so there was no real issue.

“But if he carries a scent like mine, he’s not just an ordinary guy. Where could he possibly be going?”

As I followed his direction, the places became sparse with people, exuding a gloomy and tense atmosphere. Most here seemed to be displaying behaviors that seemed off in some way.

Passing by those who seemed mentally unstable, I continued walking.

Suddenly, the guy stopped in his tracks.

For a moment, I thought he had sensed me, but…

He turned his head not towards where I was but in a different direction.

Just staring at the empty wall of a secluded building, he approached it closely.

After waiting silently for about 5 minutes,

A portal suddenly opened.

He entered the portal smoothly as if familiar with it.

Soon after, the portal concealed its presence.

Watching this scene unfold, I cautiously stroked my chin and pondered.

“A portal can’t be opened by just anyone…”

A portal, in a way, is a higher-dimensional door or passage.

If a regular door is simply a passage to the other side, then a portal is a passage or door that can take you to a desired location, not just the other side.

However, just like not everyone can create a door, not everyone can open a portal either.

At least, one needed to be a 5th Circle Mage to unlock such magic.

Perhaps equivalent to a mid-tier Sword Aura user, someone who could draw out sword energy, a true powerhouse who had ascended to a level where even nobles couldn’t easily touch.

“But Mages are even more untouchable.”

Mages were mostly affiliated with the Towers, and if one reached the level of a 5th Circle Mage, they were almost always associated with the Towers.

Moreover, being a Mage required innate talent; without it, one couldn’t even approach them, making them highly valuable assets.

“But having such a portal here…”

This sent shivers down my spine, worse than a foul stench.

Logically, why would dozens of 5th Circle Mages bother creating a portal in the Dark Lands?

At this point, it was mere speculation, but it was clear that there was something I didn’t know.

“Now, all that’s left is to confirm.”

I needed to find the location connected to that portal from earlier.

“But the problem is how to find it.”

In reality, the method was simple.

It was all about analyzing the spatial coordinates connected to that portal from earlier.

But first and foremost, I was someone who had no idea how to do such things, let alone being a Mage.

“Even if I were a Mage…”

Analyzing portal magic that required being a 5th Circle Mage to use was extremely difficult.

Unless one had an equal or higher level of expertise, it was near impossible.

“Unless it’s the protagonist party.”

Honestly, it was just a party of talents.

There were no talentless individuals, especially Arell, who was destined to become a Grand Mage, a genius among geniuses who would rewrite the future of magic.

Currently at the fourth circle, it was possible to find spatial coordinates.

‘Bitter.’

At times like this, I would consider seeking companions, but realizing that I was not in a position to do so, I had no choice but to neatly give up.

Even if I were to seek them out, finding individuals with such abilities was now increasingly rare.

‘Now, what should I do…’

In reality, what to do was simple.

Just as wizards have their own methods,

and inspectors have theirs.

‘Although I’ve never done it before.’

Therefore, despite feeling a bit unsure, I knew there was no time to hesitate.

‘If a wizard finds spatial coordinates connected to a portal,’

Inspectors follow traces of magic.

Since physical senses are generally sharper for inspectors, by following these traces, they can eventually find what they seek.

However, having never attempted it before and lacking even self-assurance that it would work posed a problem.

‘Somehow, it will work out.’

With that thought in mind, I decided to give it a try.

If it didn’t work, I could always find another way.

‘Phew…’

Exhaling evenly, I closed my eyes.

Regardless of whether it was magic or any other method utilizing mana, it would inevitably leave traces behind.

I focused my senses to feel those traces.

Naturally, it didn’t happen immediately, but I remained patient.

The more rushed, the more things go awry, while staying calm improves the situation.

As I calmly stabilized my mind, intensifying my senses, at that moment,

I sensed faint traces of mana.

Unless one concentrated intensely, these traces were imperceptible.

Observing the continuous lines of mana, seemingly connecting to something, from the dark-like perspective, I managed to arrive at a specific location.

Realizing that this place was connected to a portal, I quickly stamped the ground.