Chapter 42: Woonjang’s Great Magic

“If you end up in a collision, do not kill people. It’s even better if you can avoid the collision altogether.”

That was what the Sohjang said as I was leaving.

I remember it clearly.

“Heh heh.”

So, I thought I would resolve things peacefully…

That was the plan.

‘The Eye of Truth, huh?’

Just like with those guys, a little magic sprinkled in could reform them.

But then…

“Handle it according to the party’s orders.”

Hearing that, and catching the thick scent of blood that wouldn’t come from just one or two people, my mindset changed.

Right.

Our Sohjang said we mustn’t kill people.

Then.

“It’s okay to kill beasts.”

Beasts that are only fit to be killed anyway.

I lost count of how many I had slaughtered.

Their silent simultaneous charge was incredible.

But no matter.

To me, the Wunjang, it was just laughable.

“I will show you the power of magic.”

It’s said that a hawk is the cure for rampaging beasts who don’t know any better.

Now, I will send down the hawk.

With this great mage’s staff.

“No. What is… this…”

A strange scene unfolding before his eyes.

Jang Jun, an agent of China’s Special Operations Unit, widened his eyes.

Screech-, screech-.

A dream?

Yeah. It must be a dream.

There’s no way this is reality.

He stubbornly denied it—

Swoosh!

***

The blood splattered on his face dragged him back to reality.

Hot blood…

Looking toward where the blood had splattered, “Agent 8…”

No, it would be more accurate to say the corpse that was once Agent 8.

There’s no way a person split in half could be alive.

“What in the world is this…”

A person cut in half?

By those monsters?

Swish.

“Agent 5 as well…”

The agents who had been called by number, without names.

Born to be killing machines from the start.

With awakenings too.

And all of them had cleared floors above the 50th level.

I heard that if all ten gathered, they could even take on hunters at the 60th floor level.

Even the Labor Management Office Head.

Screech-! Swish.

Nothing.

One after another, without any anomalies, they were being split in half in order.

What the…

Talking about facing the Labor Management Office Head or not—

“What are you waiting for! The target’s just standing there! Kill them!”

There was no longer time for polite speech.

They were all dying.

“What did I say? I will show you the power of magic.”

“Magic, my ass…”

That madman.

Even with blood flowing profusely on his polearm, he insisted it was magic until the very end.

Well, magic is magic.

Magic that instantly turns ten into two.

Screech-!

Ah, now only one.

And then the very last one.

“Only after Agent 3 was split in half did that madman’s gaze turn toward Jang Jun.”

“Now, tell me. Who sent you?”

Jang Jun.

An agent of China’s Special Operations Unit.

Secrecy is life.

‘Had he prepared for a situation like this?’

Of course, countless times over.

But.

“Ch-Ch-China, Special Operations Unit…”

The moment he locked eyes with those inhumanly cold eyes, his mind went blank.

“Fear, training to endure torture?”

That only works against humans.

“What could he do against such a monster?”

“Heh heh, a good start. You’re sharp. Next question: You said you’re from China’s Special Operations Unit. What is your location?”

“That is…”

“Is it difficult? How about I help you speak comfortably?”

I should prepare the truth-telling spell.

A quiet murmur.

Listening to it sent chills down his spine.

Like his instincts were screaming—this was no good.

“No! I will say everything!”

Reluctantly, he spoke.

Everything—from the headquarters’ location to its members.

“Thank you.”

Then the monster mulled over the information a few times and turned its back.

“Could it be sparing him?”

“Right. Having obediently said everything like this, it was worth sparing—”

“Well then. Farewell.”

Huh?

‘Why say goodbye all of a sudden…?’

Jang Jun, the agent of China’s Special Operations Unit.

That was his last thought.

The top-grade Summoned Worker, Wunjang.

Before him lay eleven corpses in a row.

“How would the Sohjang react if he found out?”

“Heh heh, I wouldn’t have any excuse if the Sohjang scolded me over this.”

“If he knew, he wouldn’t just let it go.”

“The Sohjang he had seen over the past few days was a person far removed from murder.”

“Maybe.”

He might be quite shocked to realize his sword had killed someone.

“Sorry, Sohjang. But still, the work must be done.”

Protecting family and comrades.

That was Wunjang’s conviction.

Then, who were his current family?

The Sohjang.

And the other Summoned Workers.

If he could protect them, was there anything he couldn’t do?

Of course, Wunjang also knew.

“Arthur, Robin. Those two are stronger than me, the mage…”

“So what?”

“They were too gentle to see blood.”

“Not to mention the little girl.”

“Right.”

Luckily, Todd the Bear Plush understood his intentions.

The other Summoned Workers’ pure-hearted nature.

Not bad.

But.

Sometimes, to protect, blood must be shed.

“The Sohjang’s true identity…”

Wunjang had heard a little.

That the whole world was searching for him.

Though he was hiding well now, eventually he would be revealed.

Before then, he needed to prepare a foothold.

With the power of this magic.

Creak—.

“Is the durability already gone?”

The staff in his hand creaked.

“I wish I had a better staff…”

‘Was her name Rani?’

‘Maybe he should mention it once to that little girl or the Sohjang.’

The weapons Arthur or Robin carried looked pretty good.

“Well, I’ve done what I had to. Time to head back.”

He could leave as soon as he was paid.

How convenient.

The mage himself would rest a little.

See you tomorrow.

Sohjang, and the other Summoned Workers.

Pa-at!

The Eye of Truth Guild Master, Kim Sunwoo.

Current location.

Guild Master’s office.

***

He fidgeted with his ankle several times, sighing in relief.

“Stop touching your foot so much. You look like a pervert.”

“Do you know how I feel?”

“No, so why do you carry that thing around?”

“I was forced to put it on…”

I really thought I was going to die.

Honestly, I still don’t know how I survived.

“Is that thing really a bomb?”

“I don’t know. He said it was separated by magic.”

“Magic my ass…”

He had risked death to say everything.

Said it was the Chinese bastards’ doing.

At the same time, his ankle grew hot.

“Everyone out!”

He shouted while clutching his ankle—

“Heh heh, what an interesting thing.”

With that, the big sword he was holding tapped his ankle.

And that was the end.

The ankle bracelet’s heat instantly cooled, then it was split in half.

He was even told not to throw it away.

“I’ll come back for it later. There’s someone who’ll like it.”

“Who would like something like that?”

“Anyway.”

From enemy to savior in an instant.

He had spilled everything generously.

From the sudden ambush to being ordered to investigate through the ankle bracelet.

The savior’s response?

“Heh heh, but that doesn’t mean you’re innocent.”

True.

‘Didn’t he know why the Chinese bastards needed that information?’

He did.

Even though he knew, he was about to send it. That made him an accomplice.

Even if he was threatened, that fact didn’t change.

So.

“Please forgive me. Can’t you just end it with my life alone?”

“Heh heh.”

“This guy and the other guild members are innocent. Lee Minkook is tight-lipped and won’t let anything slip.”

Right.

He was doomed anyway.

He had been prepared for it long ago.

When he heard the name Labor Management Office Head, he steeled himself again.

Then.

At least trying to save the others was the leader’s duty.

“Please…”

Honestly, he had little hope.

Genocide was easy; why bother saving?

They would all be killed.

Still, just in case.

He held his breath—

“Why don’t you just come under the Sohjang’s command?”

“Huh?”

“What was that?”

“The bear guy said he needed a route to gather information anyway.”

Who’s this bear guy?

“Is there really a bear-looking person under the Labor Management Office Head?”

“How many are there exactly?”

No, now was not the time for those trivial thoughts.

First.

“If you just spare me, I will swear loyalty with my life.”

“You don’t swear loyalty to me, but to the Sohjang.”

“Yes!”

“I have to report to the Sohjang anyway. I’ll come back.”

“Thank you! Thank you!”

“Don’t forget your resolve now. Or you’ll taste my great magic.”

And then he disappeared.

As if he really used magic.

“Will that monster be able to find the Chinese bastards?”

“They will.”

Kim Sunwoo nodded.

He couldn’t find them himself.

But with that savior…

‘Maybe they could catch them.’

And even take revenge.

“We’ll know if we wait. He said he’d come back.”

“That’s true…”

The willingness to give anything if spared.

Still the same.

Even to the point of entering under the command of the heroic Labor Management Office Head?

That’s a family honor.

But, anyway.

“I wonder what kind of person the Labor Management Office Head is.”

“Hmm… he looked ordinary, but if he has monsters like that under him, he’s probably a monster himself.”

“Right?”

Well…

That’s why he easily cleared the S-grade Dungeon.

And why someone like that is under him.

Ugh.

Thinking about how he was suddenly spoken to from behind sends chills down my spine again.

“By the way, is he really a mage?”

“Does that make sense?”

“But suddenly appearing and disappearing, and even having truth-telling magic.”

“Oh, that.”

“Right. You experienced it. Tell me, what exactly is truth-telling magic?”

“Well, it’s like…

=Ah=

Hmm.

‘Is someone badmouthing me?’

My ears are itching.”

Scratching vigorously.

Rani bounced excitedly in front of him.

“Try this! It’s really delicious! The meat just melts in your mouth!”

“Sohjang, Wasseo, can I have more?”

“…… Me too.”

“Yeah. Order as much as you want.”

“Great!”

The other Summoned Workers were the same.

They were all super excited.

No wonder.

An escape room seen only on TV.

A café.

Meat equivalent to more than three chickens per person.

“Today was a complete festival.”

“Is it delicious, everyone?”

“Yeah! So good! The best thing Rani’s ever eaten! But… it’s a shame there’s no Uncle Orc or Grandpa Orc.”

Right.

It has to be delicious.

How expensive was this!

And.

“It’s okay, I’m packing up lots of meat to go. I’ll call Uncle Orc and Wunjang to grill it tomorrow.”

“Heh! Nice!”

“Sohjang? Does Wasseo eat too?”

“Huh. Rani wants some too!”

Hey.

You guys are stuffing yourselves already.

“…… Thank you too.”

“Hey Robin.”

“Why are you speaking like that?”

They only learn weird things from each other; it’s a real problem.

“I wonder what Wunjang Summoned Worker is doing now?”

“Ah, I just got a message saying he left work, so maybe he’s resting.”

“Otot.”

Well.

We’ll find out what he did today when we gather tomorrow.

Anyway.

“Rani can’t eat anymore!”

“My stitches are going to burst too.”

“Bear’s belly is bulging!”

“Wasseo’s belly too!”

***

After grilling meat for a while, everyone reached their limits.

“Then shall we go home now?”

I was going to have one more coffee, but just going home was fine.

Coffee?

Looking at their bellies, they probably couldn’t even drink water.

Packed up plenty of meat and arrived home.

When opening the door, an alert chimed.

[Request to join subcontractor received.]

[Upon approval, new features will unlock.]

[Dispatch Worker]

[Office (Eye of Truth)]

‘Huh?’

‘Eye of Truth…?’

‘Who is it?’