Chapter 34: Magma’s Fang

“You should take this and have it appraised later. Whether it’s an elixir or a poison, it’s yours to use.”

“I’ll take it gratefully, then.”

Lee Tae-sung accepted it without a single word of refusal.

There was no reason not to.

Afterward, the two of them examined the research journal.

Many parts were old and torn, so they could only verify the legible sections.

They flipped through the journal.

The Grand Seal Annihilation Flame Array.

That was the name of the magic circle Flame Master Avison had been researching here.

The later pages explained why he was researching such a thing.

It seemed that Avison, a pure mage, was so shocked by being outclassed in fire magic by the Flame Emperor that he devised this magic circle to somehow take him down.

“What a ridiculous man. If he seals all the fire, how does he plan to fight himself?”

“I know, right?”

A mage with the title of Flame Master developing a magic circle to seal fire?

It was easy to see just how badly he had been beaten by the Flame Emperor.

However, if the Flame Emperor’s fire were sealed, Avison’s own fire would also be sealed.

A Hybrider, being half a martial artist, could still fight in such a situation.

In fact, both Baek Wun-ho and Lee Tae-sung had managed to defeat the golems even while trapped within the array’s effects.

“Well, if he’s a mage, he could probably set up other types of spells beforehand, so it’s not entirely impossible.”

“Winning would still be a slim chance, though.”

“I guess he got trounced by the Flame Emperor that badly. Seeing how the research journal is packed with personal grudges.”

Baek Wun-ho shrugged.

“There are plenty of lunatics among mages. I can see that happening.”

“…You must never say that in front of the people from the Red Magic Tower once we’re outside.”

“Of course. Who do you take me for?”

No matter how eccentric Baek Wun-ho was, he wasn’t someone who lacked that much judgment.

As they continued to examine the journal, they were able to learn more about the magic circle.

To put the conclusion first, the Grand Seal Annihilation Flame Array was a failure.

Lee Tae-sung’s eyes sparkled.

“Chimgeom Mountain? This looks like a trace of the Flame Emperor.”

“It seems so!”

Baek Wun-ho also shouted in excitement.

He had been trying to move to find traces of the Flame Emperor, but there hadn’t been any significant clues.

He was planning to act based on old records that were like tangled threads, but now such a vital lead had appeared!

“Hehe. It seems this Avison fellow wasn’t just a cranky, worthless mage after all.”

“……”

‘I think you’re the most eccentric one…!’

Lee Tae-sung suppressed the words he wanted to say.

***

*Crack—*

*Thud—*

Cracks began to form between the collapsed stones, and soon, the pile of rubble crumbled.

Walking out from within were Lee Tae-sung and Baek Wun-ho.

“Oh. You’re alive?”

One of the martial artists who had participated in the escort mission approached them.

“I thought you were crushed to death under the falling rocks.”

“Did anyone die?”

When Baek Wun-ho asked nonchalantly, the martial artist shrugged and pointed behind him.

Listening closely, low groans of pain could be heard from here and there.

“No one died, but there are a few guys with shattered bones.”

Even as he said that, the atmosphere wasn’t particularly somber.

Naturally, deaths in underground ruins were quite common.

To take on such a request, they must have expected to face hardships, and everyone would have accepted this level of ordeal.

More importantly…

“I don’t know if it was a sudden earthquake, but a path opened up. All the mages have gone inside now, and most of the guards followed them.”

The few who remained were tasked with guarding the entrance and tending to the injured.

“But… was there anything in there?”

The martial artist noticed that the area the two had emerged from was a wide-open cavity.

He tilted his head to peek inside, but Baek Wun-ho simply shrugged.

“No. There was nothing. It was an empty space.”

The magic circle in the cavity where Lee Tae-sung and Baek Wun-ho had been originally had vanished as if it evaporated the moment its effect ended.

Since they had also taken the research journal and the gray elixir, the inside was now just an empty cavern.

“I see. What will you do now? You can stay here and guard with me, or you can follow the mages inside.”

“We’re going in. I’ll leave this place to you.”

Since there might be something else valuable inside, Baek Wun-ho and Lee Tae-sung moved immediately.

***

Lee Tae-sung wandered around various places being investigated by the Red Magic Tower’s mages with anticipation.

Since he was constantly using Hidden Detect, his eyes flickered with a golden light.

The result of his efforts was…

‘There’s absolutely nothing.’

There wasn’t much.

The space seemed to be Avison’s living quarters, containing only everyday items like ordinary clothing, tableware, water basins, and a washing area.

He walked around with his eyes wide open, hoping for some incredible artifact, but there were only truly useless things.

However, the mages were making a great fuss.

Everyday items used by a fire-attribute mage who had reached the level of a Great Mage hundreds of years ago?

Their eyes were half-crazed. After packing everything they could, the Red Magic Tower mages urged the group to move up their return to the metropolis of Elleun.

“Let’s go quickly. I want to study these and submit a report as soon as possible. The academic world will be astonished by this incredible discovery!”

“We will pay an additional fee for every hour we save.”

Naturally, the guards’ eyes flipped.

Those who were confident in their light-body techniques or movement magic even carried the research mages on their backs.

Lee Tae-sung was the same.

When he heard they would pay 1.5 times the extra fee if he carried a mage himself, he volunteered before anyone else.

He sprinted toward the city, unleashing the Dragon Shadow Wind Step at full power.

“Phew, phew…”

As a result, the ruins that had taken over one day and required camping on the way there were covered in less than half a day on the way back.

*Ding!*

[Proficiency in Dragon Shadow Wind Step increases]

[The skill level of Dragon Shadow Wind Step has increased]

[Dragon Shadow Wind Step (Lv. 4) -> Dragon Shadow Wind Step (Lv. 5)]

The fact that his skill level for Dragon Shadow Wind Step rose by one was a bonus.

“Ugh, I’m going to die.”

In a corner of the first-floor garden of the Red Magic Tower, Lee Tae-sung sprawled out.

His stamina and mana were almost completely drained.

Still, he was satisfied because it was certain that the quest rewards would increase significantly.

“You look like you’re having a hard time.”

Zhang Xuan approached him at that moment.

Lee Tae-sung was about to greet him warmly but flinched.

‘He… doesn’t look good at all.’

His eyes were hollow, and dark circles had reached nearly down to his chin.

Although Lee Tae-sung was exhausted from running all day, his complexion was much better compared to Zhang Xuan’s.

“…You look like you’re having a much harder time, Brother.”

“New research is giving me a bit of a headache. Phew. There’s nothing I can’t solve in reality, but Dream World isn’t easy.”

Zhang Xuan shook his head.

In this world, his title as a member of the Politburo was completely useless.

That was actually why he liked it more.

This situation, where he researched and was recognized in the Red Magic Tower solely by his own ability, gave Zhang Xuan a tremendous sense of accomplishment.

That was why, despite the exhaustion, a smile occasionally touched his lips.

“Did the association treat you well after I went back?”

“They treated me extremely well.”

There was no need to even ask.

Manager Song had visited personally and briefed him on exactly what kind of support they could provide.

“It was worth visiting Korea, then.”

“Oh, right. And I’ve decided to create a guild as you advised, Brother. I want to grow my own guild rather than join a large one.”

“A good decision. A man should have big dreams. Once the guild is formed, send me the relevant information. I’ll tell my secretary to make it easy for you to do business on the Chinese side.”

“Oh… thank you, as always.”

“Well, it’s nothing. Oh, and Master Serina called for you. I suppose your reward is ready?”

He had come to deliver the message as he was also a disciple of Serina Eldore.

“I understand. I’ll see you next time.”

“Right.”

***

Serina Eldore’s laboratory.

“You’ve worked very hard.”

Those were the first words she said as soon as Lee Tae-sung arrived.

*Ding!*

[Quest Complete!]

[You have obtained Magma’s Fang, 5 gold coins, 8 skill points, and a massive amount of experience as rewards]

[Level Up!]

[Level Up!]

‘Wow. The rewards are definitely solid.’

Two level-ups.

On top of that, 8 skill points.

This would be a great help when learning skills later, but that wasn’t all.

The reward was a staggering 5 gold coins.

Not long ago, when he was in the third or second-grade room, he had only received a few copper coins, so his progress was unbelievable compared to then.

Of course, this amount included a hefty bonus for quickly covering the return journey.

‘I should save this up and put it toward buying elixirs later.’

The elixirs one could buy with money were low-grade, but even so, as elixirs, their basic price started from gold coins.

Since he had to obtain and consume those at the very least, he could never have enough money.

And finally.

“This is a product made by inviting a blacksmith to the Red Magic Tower’s Enchantment Research Wing. I hope you like it.”

She held out an elegant longsword.

[Magma’s Fang]

– A masterpiece created by combining the secret enchantment techniques of the Red Magic Tower with the skill of an outstanding blacksmith.

– Increases magic efficiency by 16% when performing fire-attribute magic.

– Increases efficiency by 13% when performing fire-attribute hybrid arts.

– Increases efficiency by 7% when performing fire-attribute martial arts.

‘Whoa…’

Lee Tae-sung was stunned.

It was an item perfectly tuned for the fire attribute.

It was the best possible item for someone like Lee Tae-sung, who followed that path!

“I thought it would suit you well as a Hybrider. Unfortunately, you won’t get much help when performing martial arts.”

There was an irony in a longsword showing the greatest efficiency when used by a mage, but what did it matter?

As long as the effect was good!

“Not at all. I really love it!”

Lee Tae-sung accepted it immediately and tucked it into his waist.

“Then I’ll call you again when I need something next time.”

“Yes. I’ll look forward to working with you again!”

Lee Tae-sung bowed politely and left.

After exiting the Magic Tower, he headed toward the Soaring Dragon Chamber.

‘Now I need to find the Chief.’

Since he had completed the Red Magic Tower’s request, Lee Tae-sung’s contribution points within the Soaring Dragon Chamber would have risen significantly.

Just succeeding in a request for the Red Magic Tower had raised the chamber’s honor and built trust in Elleun.

At this rate, would he be able to enter the Golden Secret Library?

‘I’ll have to check with the Chief to be sure… but I hope I’ve filled the contribution points.’

If he entered the Golden Secret Library this time, he wanted to learn a decent sword technique.

The Flame Sword Technique wasn’t actually that useful, aside from the fact that it could ignite flames.

Now that his mana capacity had reached a certain level, he needed something that was usable purely as a sword technique.