Just because he was a ceremonial magician didn't mean he couldn't handle magic circles at all.
Sealing the mouth could block the act of casting magic itself, but it couldn't nullify magic that had already been installed. If Bak Seokhyeon set his mind to it even now, the magic in the basement would activate as is and come crashing down on Ian and Eunha.
But that could never be faster than Ian pulling the trigger.
Creak.
He pressed the gun he wielded with such force that it seemed he would shove the barrel all the way into Bak Seokhyeon's throat. Bak Seokhyeon gasped for breath, perhaps finding it difficult to breathe, but Ian paid him no mind.
"Dispel them. I won't say it again."
"Kuhuk, kehuk!"
"One, two..."
"Kuhk!"
Ian's finger moved toward the trigger. Seeing this, Bak Seokhyeon hastily raised both hands.
At the same time, the magic circles filling the surroundings began to melt away. Circles and geometric shapes made of blood scattered like vapor, filling the air with a thick, fishy stench.
But Ian didn't withdraw the gun barrel. Instead, he pushed it in even deeper.
"Uuk!"
The edge of the gun tore straight through Bak Seokhyeon's palate and tongue. Blood flowed from the wound, and his face contorted violently from the sharp pain. With a frigid expression, Ian looked down at him and tapped the stake lodged in the man's thigh with his knuckles.
"Do I look like a fucking cripple? Dispel all the hidden magic circles too."
"...Keuhup."
Of course, Ian hadn't known there were hidden magic circles. But as if he had struck a nerve, Bak Seokhyeon's eyes trembled and he clenched his fist tight. Then, the magic circle carved beneath the sofa melted and dripped away.
Trickle...
Ian felt blood soaking his shoes as he slowly, deliberately scraped the wound with the gun's edge while withdrawing the barrel.
"Kollock, kollock...! Kehek!"
With the lump of metal obstructing his breath gone, the man coughed repeatedly. After doing so for a moment, he glared at Ian and Eunha and moved his lips.
"You damned barbarian bastard... If you're a magician, don't use things like guns...!"
"That's absurd. Why wouldn't I use something this good?"
Ian burst into a short laugh and planted a bullet in each of the man's knees. The sound—taaang—echoed loudly off the walls of the narrow basement.
The noise, much louder than expected, made Eunha frown, while Ian took out a cigarette, stuck it in his mouth, and struck the man's face with the gun grip.
Whack!
A brutal impact rang out as several of Bak Seokhyeon's teeth flew through the air. Ian grabbed the man's wavering head and fixed it back in place, then lit his cigarette, pulled over a nearby chair, and sat down. Eunha also procured a relatively intact chair and seated herself beside Ian.
"Huu, huu...! You fucking brats, why the hell did you come here! What did I even do!"
"That's not something a magician who kidnaps people to use as ingredients should say. Is feeling wronged even plausible for you?"
"What bullshit! Things that aren't magicians have no value being alive! They should be grateful I even used them!"
"Crazy bastard."
Ian clicked his tongue and flicked cigarette ash onto his face. Perhaps some had gotten into his eyes, for Bak Seokhyeon screamed and flailed his limbs. Ian personally put bullets through both of the man's shoulders as well, then turned to look at Eunha.
"Let's begin."
"Yes, I'm ready with the magic too."
Eunha placed a bowl filled with transparent water atop Bak Seokhyeon's chest. The water, containing salt, sugar, and a few pebbles, maintained its surface perfectly still without so much as a ripple despite slight shaking.
"It's a spell to discern truth and lies. It won't work on a strong magician like you, Mr. Ian, but I think it should be possible on this man."
"...Are you looking down on me right now? You little bitch—"
"Quiet."
Eunha pressed a dagger against the nape of Bak Seokhyeon's neck and spoke in a flat, even voice.
"From now on, answer only what you're asked. If you say anything else, I'll drive nails into every joint of your fingers."
"Ha, you crazy bitch..."
"I. Told you. Not to talk."
Eunha took out a nail from her pocket. The color drained from Bak Seokhyeon's face—he hadn't thought she'd actually have nails—and before he could open his mouth again, she drove a nail into the joint of his thumb.
"Kuaaaack!"
Flesh and muscle were crushed and the joint shattered. But Eunha didn't stop there. She used the Lemegeton like a hammer to drive the nail into the sofa.
Bang! Bang!
With heavy thuds, Bak Seokhyeon's finger instantly became one with the sofa.
"Quiet. Understood?"
Eunha said, wiping the blood that had splattered onto the Lemegeton with a handkerchief. Bak Seokhyeon's eyes trembled, but he eventually nodded. Following the motion of his head, blood flowing from his lips traced an arc as it fell.
"Good. Then the first question. Have you ever sold information about a community magician to a magician named Edi?"
"No..."
It was an immediate answer. At that moment, the water in the bowl resting on his chest surged greatly.
"That's a lie."
Eunha's face instantly grew cold.
Crack!
It took roughly one minute for Bak Seokhyeon to speak the truth. Aside from new nails being driven into his thumb and index finger, there wasn't much visible change to his exterior.
"Fuck, yes, I sold it! I sold it, damn it! So please stop!"
"Mm. That's the truth. Good. Then the next question."
Eunha tilted her head. Her black hair flowed downward with gravity.
"Roughly how many did you sell? I'm not just asking about those sold to Edi."
"...Two."
"What were their nicknames?"
"...A rookie magician and Dolores, sold to Edi. However, Dolores was already a famous figure, so I couldn't get much money. The ones who bought the information were just a simple criminal organization connected to Shinbi."
"Hmm."
"They've probably set foot in Korea by now to capture Dolores. Though I don't know how it turned out..."
"That's the truth."
Eunha nodded. As if she had asked everything she needed to, she put the Lemegeton away again and destroyed the bowl. The water inside evaporated and scattered instantly.
"We don't need to drag this out any longer. Let's wrap things up and leave."
She said, turning to Ian. Ian tilted his head and aimed the gun barrel at Bak Seokhyeon's head. At the clear intent to kill, the man's eyes went wide and he waved the hand without nails in it.
"W-wait! Didn't I do everything you told me to! There's no need to kill me!"
"Can't leave loose ends."
Ian flicked the cigarette he was smoking at him and smiled brightly.
"You're a magician too, so you know that, don't you?"
"...Ah."
Bak Seokhyeon could not refute those words. Instead, he smacked his lips, then raised his head and began muttering an incantation.
"By the command of the purest, most immaculate blood, by the will of the blood, my—"
Taaang!
Before his incantation could finish, Ian pulled the trigger. A small lead bullet pierced his glabella and burst out the back of his head. Blood sprayed, and crushed muscle and brain matter scattered in all directions. Eyeballs, unable to withstand the bullet's impact, bulged outward and burst.
The corpse with its shattered head instantly became a mere lump of meat and collapsed face-down onto the sofa.
A corpse with its knees, shoulders, and head destroyed by bullets, and nails driven through its hands. No matter how one looked at it, it was a gruesome murder scene. If the police saw this, it wouldn't end quietly.
But there was no need to worry about it being exposed to the media. Because in this world, there existed a company that would do anything for money.
"I'll call Cartel Service. Please wait a moment."
Ian nodded.
It would have been much easier for him to call the Administration, but rather than getting Eunha unnecessarily involved, it was better to just use Cartel. He was curious about their service anyway, so taking this opportunity to check it out wouldn't be bad.
Thinking so, Ian left her tapping away at her phone and slowly examined the various items in the basement.
There was nothing particularly useful.
Perhaps because he was a magician who dealt with human blood, all there was were professional torture devices and blades. Not a single magical tool could be found.
"Tch."
Ian left the table he had been rummaging through and looked around at the victims hanging upside down from the ceiling.
He had no intention of killing them to keep them quiet.
If they couldn't get help from Cartel or the Administration, they would've had to be dealt with inevitably, but since that wasn't the case, there was no need to get unnecessary blood on his hands. They would all undergo brainwashing and return safely to society.
Their memories might be manipulated a little, but it was still a far better fate than keeping their experiences of torture intact.
"Don't worry. You'll soon be able to return safely to your families."
Ian spoke to them as if to reassure them and sat back down in the chair.
It wouldn't help much, but at least it could stop them from trembling in anxiety, wondering if the person right in front of them would kill them.
Fortunately, it seemed their trembling was gradually subsiding. Ian let out a long breath, glanced sideways at Eunha who was writing an announcement for the community, and took out a fresh cigarette.
"Huu..."
Time passed.
The basement had no windows, so the state of the sky couldn't be checked, but the dampening air clearly indicated the passage of time. It didn't seem like that short a time had passed.
'When will they come?'
Just as he was starting to get tired of waiting, footsteps suddenly came from the direction of the stairs.
Thud, thud—the sound of leather shoes.
At the unmistakable sound of another's footsteps, Ian took out the grimoire he had put away and gripped the pistol in his hand. Eunha also set her phone down on the table and opened the Lemegeton.
At the same time, someone stepped into the basement.
"Ah, so both of you are here. I thought you'd be waiting outside."
The owner of the voice was a Cartel employee wearing a carp mask. She spoke in the high-pitched voice characteristic of women, then shot both arms straight up under the killing intent Ian and Eunha were radiating.
"Cartel employee, Carp! I'm also called things like Catfish Fry, Fish Head, etc., and I'm a veteran who joined Cartel five years ago! Please have mercy!"
At Carp's quick intent to surrender, Eunha let out a deep sigh and put away her grimoire.
"...Huu, I almost attacked you. Please be more careful next time."
"Understood!"
Carp nodded vigorously.
Strictly speaking, Carp had done nothing wrong. But what can you do? If a magician tells you to be careful, you have to be careful.
It was an obvious truth, so Carp approached the two without much displeasure and looked around the basement.
"You requested the on-site cleanup service, is that correct?"
"Yes. The people hanging over there are the victims."
Her gaze briefly shifted to those hanging upside down before returning.
"I see. Don't worry. We'll take them and proceed with brainwashing. Your identities won't be revealed."
Carp said, tapping her mask with her fingers. Eunha nodded.
"The deposit is complete, right?"
"Yes. Cleanup service fee: 5 million won. Deposit confirmation complete. We'll start cleaning up thoroughly right away, so you two may leave at your leisure."
"Understood. Then please work hard."
"Yes. Have a good day."
Carp bowed at a right angle to show courtesy. Eunha turned to Ian and smiled faintly.
"Shall we go back?"
"...Yes. Let's go."
Ian smiled back and left the basement with her.
He had considered taking Bak Seokhyeon's corpse, but at this point where he hadn't even fully utilized Edi's head yet, taking one more would just be greedy. To begin with, the damage was so severe it would be hard to use properly.
It was regrettable, but he thought it best to leave it here.
Cartel employees who had followed Carp were busily moving about on the first floor. The two left them behind, exited through the front gate, and slowly walked.
The sky, which had clearly been bright when they entered, was now dyed with the glow of sunset. The temperature had dropped so much that fingertips would turn red if not kept in pockets. It was fortunate that the wind wasn't blowing strongly.
"Haa...."
Eunha exhaled a puff of snow-white breath into the air. The grayish mist rose toward the clouds dyed by the sunset, then scattered.
“I’m glad it ended well.”
She said it as she pulled her hat low. Ian nodded.
“Indeed. It wasn’t as troublesome as I’d expected, so I think it was all right.”
“It was a little weak.”
Eunha answered with laughter in her voice. Ian gave a small chuckle and looked down at her.
“I’ll pay half of the Cartel service fee.”
“Hehe, it’s fine. I can handle this much. It was an incident that happened in the community to begin with. I can’t say I bear no responsibility at all.”
“Still…”
“If you really feel that way, buy me a meal instead.”
She tilted her head slightly. Between the brim of her hat, her sparkling mint-colored eyes mingled with the sunset glow, giving off a mysterious air.
“It’s about dinnertime anyway. Let’s eat before we part ways.”
“…Will that be enough?”
“Yes.”
The corners of Eunha’s lips rose gently.
“Once today is over, I don’t think I’ll be going outside for at least two months. Let’s take this chance to eat out.”
At her joke that was not quite a joke, Ian gave a wry smile.
“Understood. Is there anything you’d like to eat?”
“Hmm… How about bunsik?”
“I’m fine with that.”
“Then let’s go to a bunsik place. There’s somewhere I often order from.”
And so they did. As soon as the two of them reached the road, they caught a taxi and headed to the bunsik place Eunha frequented.
It was not a particularly large shop. A small neighborhood bunsik restaurant run by a single middle-aged woman. Eunha familiarly slipped into a corner seat and ordered the dishes she wanted.
A short while later, the food they had ordered came out.
A plate of tteokbokki, assorted fried foods, skewered eomuk, and more. Typical bunsik dishes were set on the table. But instead of immediately lifting her chopsticks, Eunha turned to Ian and thanked him.
“Thank you for buying. I’ll enjoy it.”
“Not at all. I’m the one who should be grateful. If there’s anything else you want, order as much as you like.”
“Okay.”
She smiled brightly and tilted her head. Ian noticed her reddened cheeks and glanced toward the nearby open window.
“Shall I close the window? You seem cold. Your cheeks are red.”
“Ah, it’s fine. I’m not particularly cold.”
“But your ears and nose are all red too…”
“It’s not because I’m cold.”
“…Is that so?”
“Yes.”
Eunha smiled and lifted her chopsticks.
“I’m not going to tell you the reason.”