Episode 10
Nam Gyuil’s consciousness grew hazy.
A strange sensation of floating washed over him, as though his body were suspended in the air.
Everything before his eyes was pitch-black.
In the darkness where nothing was visible, a scent drifted to his nose.
The musty smell of old, turning pages stung his nostrils sharply.
In an instant, his mind snapped into focus.
Light filled his vision, and the interior of a massive library came into view.
The floating sensation that had enveloped his body vanished as well.
*‘I’ve arrived at the Akashic Records.’*
Though this sight was not new to him, he felt its grandeur every time he saw it.
“Well then, shall I look for some magic books?”
Nam Gyuil wandered about the library.
He also checked the map attached to the bookshelf.
It was helpful, as it listed what kinds of books were classified where.
After about ten minutes, he found the book he wanted.
*‘Basic Magic’*
He opened it and read each word with concentration.
There was no magic on Earth.
There was something somewhat similar—a method of gathering internal mana and firing it off, like palm techniques from martial arts novels.
But that was strictly speaking not magic.
It was just shooting mana.
Magic was a method of fighting using elements.
Like creating fire or rock.
Flip.
Nam Gyuil turned the page.
Reading the book meticulously, he came to one realization.
*‘Ah—! So that’s why no matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t manifest magic on Earth.’*
The method of strengthening the body with mana.
On Earth, magic had been researched based on that.
*‘It’s a completely opposite concept?’*
Magic was a method that utilized external mana, not internal mana.
*‘Was it like a different version of mana cultivation?’*
Setting aside all the complex theories, that was exactly how it felt.
A swordsman’s mana cultivation aimed to increase the purity of internal mana and condense it to strengthen the body.
But magic was the exact opposite.
It was a method of processing and firing the atmospheric mana absorbed through breathing.
The mana in the atmosphere was a force belonging to nature, and it became the core driving power of elemental magic.
Nam Gyuil smiled bitterly.
On Earth, the most prominent claim had been that you had to use internal mana to cast magic.
That was why they had tried to develop magic based on Earth’s style of mana cultivation.
A place in Europe called the ‘Magic Research Society’ had been especially passionate about it.
Nam Gyuil shook his head.
*‘Earth’s mana cultivation method was a flawed training method from the start, too.’*
They had tried to obtain a power of an entirely different concept using flawed training methods, so there had been no results for nearly ten years.
Moreover, the mana accumulated in the atmosphere was insufficient, making conditions unsuitable for casting magic.
*‘Earth is naturally generating mana due to the influence of Gates, but it’s at a level insufficient for using magic.’*
Of course, magic-related weapons had continued to come out of Gates during this time.
It was just that no one could use them.
Nam Gyuil rested his chin on his left hand.
Magic-related weapons amplified the power of magic.
If he had these, he could wield powerful magic even on Earth where mana was scarce.
Smirk.
The corner of Nam Gyuil’s mouth rose.
*‘Simply put, it means I can monopolize everything related to magic.’*
This much magical knowledge was enough.
*‘The time I can spend in the Akashic Records is barely three hours a day.’*
He didn’t have much time.
Having obtained magical knowledge, his first objective, he now had to achieve his second.
*‘I also need to find a way for my comrades to train properly without leaking information.’*
Nam Gyuil read through various books.
He exhausted his remaining time acquiring different kinds of information, but gained nothing of note.
“Damn it.”
Nam Gyuil cursed as he was kicked out of the Akashic Records for exceeding his time limit.
***
Nam Gyuil’s eyelids, which had been sitting in a meditative posture, opened blearily.
His quarters came into view.
His eyes were slightly blurry.
Rub.
Rubbing his eyelids, he rose from his spot.
*‘Shall I start with magic training first?’*
Next to Nam Gyuil was the staff he had obtained from Pharaoh.
He picked it up and focused his mind.
“Huu.”
First, he took a long breath.
He inhaled the atmospheric mana deeply and processed it within his body.
The sensation he felt during that process was extremely unique.
It felt like his blood was running cold.
A faint, stinging sensation like being electrocuted coursed through him.
Fwoosh.
Flames shot up from the staff Nam Gyuil held, and a fireball formed.
A sphere of flame floating in the air.
It was about the size of a basketball.
*‘It’s my first time creating one, but it’s already quite large?’*
According to the materials he had read in the Akashic Records, even forming one the size of a baseball was impressive at first.
*‘It must be thanks to the staff.’*
He was satisfied.
With the fireball being this size, he could use it in actual combat right away.
Without the staff, this would have been quite the headache.
*‘I’m glad this is mine.’*
The Hunter Bureau did not claim ownership over items obtained from Gates by national hunters. Though they did try to extend one’s service period for all sorts of reasons instead.
*‘Still, I must be careful using magic.’*
Magic was still an unknown power that had not been manifested on Earth.
What would happen if he revealed it?
*‘Jealousy, envy, and people trying to use me will cling to me.’*
If such people latched onto him, his growth would slow down, and dangerous situations would definitely occur.
*‘I should avoid that.’*
Strong monsters would appear one after another in the future.
He couldn’t afford to delay his growth.
So unless it was an extreme situation, using magic in front of others was forbidden.
Well, this much training should do.
*‘The problem is ultimately how to make my comrades stronger.’*
There was a possibility that they would spread rumors if he taught them the training method, so he had searched the Akashic Records for a way to train them while keeping their mouths shut, but…
*‘There was nothing like that.’*
No, to be exact, there were a few.
But he simply couldn’t bring himself to accept them.
*‘I could place a taboo that kills them if they break the promise… but then I’d end up killing my comrades with my own hands. I don’t want that.’*
Nor did he want to use brainwashing magic to control their minds and dominate their thoughts and emotions.
The method of dissecting and remodeling their bodies was truly dangerous.
It was irreversible.
*‘But if I don’t teach them anything and they get discharged, those guys will all die, right? If only they wouldn’t spread rumors, I’d teach them right this instant.’*
Besides, there was a bill under discussion to recognize guild activity periods as Hunter Bureau service periods.
If that passed, he could take all his current comrades and establish a guild.
Then his own personal force would be complete.
*‘If that happens, I’ll have to teach them the training method and expand the guild size, if only for my own sake. Well, I’ll still have to work hard to keep the training methods secret even then.’*
But that was a story for when things went well in the distant future.
Not the present.
In the end, there was only one way to make his comrades stronger.
*‘Give them good weapons and armor.’*
Even that alone could drastically increase his comrades’ combat power.
But obstacles existed there as well.
*‘Weapons and armor are absurdly expensive, so an enormous amount of money is needed.’*
He didn’t have that kind of money.
He could earn it if he put his mind to it. After all, he had the Akashic Records.
But that would take time, too.
To do business, there was a lot to do, starting with hiring people.
*‘I wish I could earn money quickly somewhere. Or if someone would just give me weapons and armor.’*
Nam Gyuil let out a long breath.
His heart felt heavy.
Being inside the cramped house made it worse.
He’d feel better going outside to get some fresh air.
He hastily pocketed his wallet and smartphone and went outside.
A cold wind brushed against his shoulders.
The weather was quite chilly.
It seemed autumn was slowly approaching.
As he was heading toward the park, someone suddenly called out to him.
“Sergeant Nam Gyuil.”
“?”
He turned around to see who it was, only to see an unwelcome face.
“Han Gangsu?”
Why did this guy call out to him?
No, more importantly, why was he here?
“Hey, Han Gangsu.”
“Yes, sir.”
“When a superior calls you, you have to state your rank and name first. Don’t you know that?”
“……Private Han Gangsu.”
Nam Gyuil, who had just taught Han Gangsu proper military etiquette, smirked.
“Han Gangsu, why are you here? Were you waiting for me to come out of my house?”
“Yes.”
The bandages wrapped around Han Gangsu’s arm were noticeable. It seemed he had been waiting since receiving treatment.
Fortunately, the injury itself wasn’t severe enough to prevent him from walking around like this.
“What were you waiting for?”
“I would like to have a sparring match with you.”
“What?”
Nam Gyuil’s eyebrows rose.
He asked again, wondering what he’d just heard.
“You want to spar?”
“Yes, sir.”
Nam Gyuil scratched the back of his head.
He didn’t know why this guy was asking to spar again.
Annoyed, he waved his hand dismissively.
“I’m busy.”
“Just wait a minute……”
“I told you. I’m busy. Ask someone else.”
Nam Gyuil cut him off before he could even try to persuade him and walked toward the park.
Han Gangsu froze.
He showed confusion, as if this wasn’t the picture he had drawn in his head.
Nam Gyuil found that sight amusing.
*‘It seems he never even considered the possibility that I’d refuse to spar.’*
He really is still young, after all.
That was when.
Han Gangsu shouted as if having made up his mind.
“If you spar with me, I’ll give you 10 million won.”
In that instant, Nam Gyuil’s steps halted.
He’d give him 10 million won just for sparring? What was this now?
He turned around.
He saw Han Gangsu with a stiff expression.
“Hey, Han Gangsu.”
“What is it?”
“When a superior calls for you, didn’t I tell you to state your rank and name first?”
Han Gangsu’s expression contorted.
He looked quite wounded in his pride.
“Private Han Gangsu.”
“Why do you want to spar?”
“Even though I lost the bet, I want to prove that I’m not weak.”
“……Are you saying we should take off our rank insignia and fight it out?”
“Yes. That’s correct.”
Nam Gyuil was dumbfounded.
Just how did this guy’s head work?
Sparring because he lost a bet.
He had thought he was an immature rich kid, but this was truly beyond imagination.
Nam Gyuil sighed.
“Forget it. I have no intention of sparring. Don’t waste your energy and rest at home.”
“Didn’t I say I’d give you money if you sparred! Is the amount insufficient? Then how about double?”
“I’m not taking it. What would I do with a kid’s money?”
Nam Gyuil said so and waved his hand to shoo him away.
Han Gangsu tilted his head.
“What does ‘kid’s money’ mean?”
“……”
Nam Gyuil stared at Han Gangsu.
They say kids these days lack vocabulary, and it seemed that was true.
“It means I don’t covet children’s money.”
Nam Gyuil explained kindly.
Upon hearing those words, Han Gangsu raised his voice with a reddening face.
“I’m not a child-!!”
“Do you have an ID?”
“W-well, that’s…”
“Can you legally drink alcohol?”
“That too……”
“Then you’re just a baby.”
Han Gangsu couldn’t even offer a proper retort.
Nam Gyuil smirked.
And then he turned his steps toward the park again.
Han Gangsu grew desperate.
The guy threw out a proposal he hadn’t even thought of in his haste.
“If you win the spar, I’ll replace all of Team 01’s equipment with top-grade gear.”
Nam Gyuil’s steps stopped once more.
He had been thinking that since there was a risk of the training method leaking, he should make his comrades stronger with armor and weapons, but…
*‘An opportunity comes like this?’*
Nam Gyuil turned around and looked at Han Gangsu.
“All equipment with top-grade gear?”
“Yes.”
“Even shields and armor?”
“Of course.”
As Nam Gyuil showed interest, Han Gangsu began to push the negotiation.
“If you win the spar against me, I’ll replace all of Team 01’s equipment with top-grade gear.”
Nam Gyuil crossed his arms and deliberated.
He soon nodded.
“Fine, let’s do it that way.”
Han Gangsu, delighted that the spar was decided, clenched his fist tightly.
They headed to the Hunter Bureau.
They took the elevator down to the basement and entered a private training hall.
It was a place just right for two people to enter and spar.
There were no cameras here either.
No spectators could come, and it was a room sealed on all sides.
This place was a perfect sealed chamber where no matter what kind of confrontation unfolded, they couldn’t be interfered with.
Han Gangsu grabbed a wooden sword hanging on the wall.
*‘I must win.’*
He would restore his shattered pride through this spar.
No matter what happened.
*‘I only lost the bet because of bad luck.’*
He was the son of Han Ducheol.
He was born with talent and had even received secret training from his father.
He had even beaten a rookie guild member who had safely completed their service at the Hunter Bureau.
Before enlisting, he had hunted monsters alongside his father.
Skill and environment.
Everything had been in his favor, so if he lost the bet, the only explanation was bad luck.
So he would prove it.
*‘That I am stronger than Nam Gyuil!!’*
For Han Gangsu, this spar was the last means to recover his shattered confidence.
He absolutely must not lose.
Conversely, Nam Gyuil had to win this fight to obtain armor and weapons.
The two who could not back down faced each other.
They gazed steadily at each other before eventually beginning the spar.
“Tahaahap—!!”
Han Gangsu let out a kiai and charged at Nam Gyuil.