Chapter 34 · 11 min

Chapter 34

Bug Mania

"Ha, this is not easy."

Seo I-hyeon repeatedly read 'Bug Mania''s note several times.

The note he sent was fairly polite.

- Hello. This is Bug Mania. I read the note you sent well. You might suspect me but thank you for the trust of making a good decision.

I will make a proposal so think well and decide.

I know the location of a magic book, but it's not an ordinary place. One needs some skill to obtain the magic book.

If obtaining the magic book absolutely do not unfold recklessly. Just looking at the cover the feeling will come. Whether I can use this or not. If a certain feeling came one can unfold.

From now is the start of the proposal.

If unable to use the magic book, the condition is handing that over to me.

Of course I will pay a fair price. Differing depending on what magic book, the base is 100 thousand coins, and depending on the magic book's level even up to 1 million coins is possible.

As long as I have the ability to pay I will purchase, otherwise I will even sell through auction. Of course if wanting to sell through a reliable broker one can also do that.

Really think carefully and decide. I also don't want a newly entered mage to disappear.

I will wait for the reply.

Up to here was 'Bug Mania''s note.

Honestly a bit surprised. Seo I-hyeon didn't even think Bug Mania would send such a long note.

Honestly half-believing.

The possibility of a joke was over half, among the remaining half was ridicule, among that remaining half probing, and finally the remaining one piece regarded as the possibility of perhaps giving real information.

Even that one piece of possibility he regarded as attaching some difficult condition.

But at this level isn't it really worth trying.

First through 'Bug Mania''s note one can know that the process of obtaining the magic book won't be that smooth.

But it doesn't seem there will be a big problem. Because Seo I-hyeon now can do shadow movement.

Even the two subordinates Black and White the skill is very excellent. Blood is also ample so even if the two are smashed one can recover soon.

Since undead they don't tire either.

Making those two fight in front and restraining from behind then if becoming dangerous escaping with shadow movement is enough.

In fact if wanting a sweeter situation one has to make a few more subordinates.

Physical combat power Black and White will take charge, but if non-physical combat arises the response ability will drop sharply.

If saying in games, it's only two close dealers. So if there's a tanker it's good and if there's a supporter it's good, right. If there's a ranged dealer even better.

Anyway that is a problem to think later. He also had no thought of increasing subordinates more yet. It has to hurt a bit.

Now he has to worry more regarding the magic book.

Seo I-hyeon briefly looked inside his own heart. Among the desire wanting the magic book and the heart wanting to keep safety which is bigger.

Desire very lightly won over safety.

Even though it might hurt desire is bigger than that.

"I don't know if this is right."

Seo I-hyeon chuckled and read the note again.

"By the way this is a bit ambiguous."

Saying if looking at the magic book one can know. Seo I-hyeon tilted his head at that part.

'I don't think I will know?'

Seo I-hyeon is dull to this side more than anyone in the world.

Even such himself if looking at the magic book could he know right away?

Skeptical, but for now regarding it as so he worried the next.

If conviction that it's not his own arises hand over the magic book.

Seo I-hyeon thought for a moment then nodded.

"No problem."

Not asking for free but saying will buy with money what would be a problem.

Just looking into the market price a bit more is enough.

"1 million coins. It's a jackpot though."

The writing that the base is 100 thousand coins didn't even enter the eyes. Seo I-hyeon's gaze was only stuck on 1 million coins.

If 1 million coins how much is it in won. A full 100 billion.

If 100 billion just retiring is enough, right? After securely taking care of safety.

Thinking up to there Seo I-hyeon right away sent a reply. That he will do it.

'Bug Mania' whether waiting for Seo I-hyeon's answer eyes popping, not even a few seconds passed since sending the note the reply came right away.

A note containing only one address.

What this means is clear. Meaning wanting to meet directly.

Seo I-hyeon's worry started again.

Is it okay to meet this guy?

Seo I-hyeon's first meeting in the community he has was exactly the hunters.

Since catching the leprechaun and obtaining gold lumps and coins too it's a good memory for Seo I-hyeon, but in fact calculating he was fished by scammers.

Since having such a memory hesitating is natural. But Seo I-hyeon decided soon.

He sent a reply. That he will go there tonight.

The reason of particularly saying he will go at night was because that is much safer.

Darkness is soon no different from shadow. It's Seo I-hyeon's domain.

While waiting for time pounding like that, a call came. Lee Yeong-su.

"Did a new request come in?"

- The request is currently finding a relatively thick one, and contacting today is because there's something to inform.

"What happened again?"

- I said there's my ex-girlfriend at Etherix, right?

Seo I-hyeon flinched at the words Etherix. Not long since updating the information before. Of course that information was also obtained through Lee Yeong-su's ex-girlfriend.

"Yes. Didn't you say tracking stopped? Only small guys like Geomuhwe are moving."

- That side seems to have spent some money determined. They say entrusting a tracking request to Cheonra and a capture request to Arachne?

"What is Cheonra and what is Arachne again?"

- Corporate type fixer organizations. Cheonra is tracking specialized and Arachne is capture specialized. Both mainly handle the human side rather than anomalies. So even if not this field people or companies they occasionally use. Except the disadvantage of being expensive there's none.

Seo I-hyeon scratched the back of his head hard. The thought arose that touching continuously in this way if just leaving it won't do. He should gradually clean up.

But to do that he has to endure pain several more times.

"Haa. Annoying guys. Anyway thank you for informing. The rest I'll try on my own."

- Just this opportunity going abroad and hiding a bit how is it? Those guys don't seem to give up easily.

"No. Once starting to step back one only continues retreating. Giving a struggle about once that side also gets surprised and shrinks."

- Who doesn't know that? Because the weight class differs ridiculously it's like that. Head count also like that and money also like that, connections also like that.

Seo I-hyeon grinned.

"Connections if a broker with many ex-girlfriends is sufficient. Money one earns. Head count there's a method to resolve. Thank you for the worry."

- Well, if your choice is like that. Anyway be careful, and if more news comes in I'll inform.

"Yes. Uncle also be careful. Don't get hurt carelessly touching here and there."

- Cherishing my body I am the world's best. Don't worry.

"Good. I also really cherish my body."

Just that the situation doesn't allow and he rolls roughly.

Seo I-hyeon hung up the phone and sat on the bed for a moment immersed in thought. His eyes became colder than any time. Occasionally a creepy light flowed, and every time sticky killing intent overflowed from the body.

* * *

Seo I-hyeon who left the house only after the sun set slowly walked toward the subway station.

From home to the subway station was a 10-minute distance with leisurely steps.

Suddenly when talking with Lee Yeong-su earlier, the thought arose whether he should have talked about the magic book.

But soon he shook his head. He decided to talk after obtaining the magic book later.

Then one can talk, right. Because when selling the magic book one has to use a broker.

Honestly there would be no occasion of handing the magic book over to 'Bug Mania'. There's also no expectation that he will pay the proper price.

With high probability entrusting to Lee Yeong-su would be much more profitable.

Yeah. That was enough.

Organizing thoughts like that, Seo I-hyeon's steps became a bit faster and lighter.

The place decided to meet 'Bug Mania' today was northern Gyeonggi-do.

It was a somewhat secluded place, and there 'Bug Mania' has a villa he uses like a workshop they say.

Because a secluded place going without a car was a bit not easy.

So he got off at the closest subway station as much as possible and just took a taxi.

Throughout going only one thought came.

'A villa. How much money does he have at all?'

Moreover he said he uses it as a workshop. A mage's workshop is so to speak a workshop.

A mage's workshop. A space Seo I-hyeon has never had even once yet. Whether in the other world or this world.

Just a space he only dreamed of.

'But now wouldn't it be possible?'

While having such thoughts he soon shook his head.

No, still lacking. More money is needed. Much much more to be able to build a proper workshop.

To freely decide the workshop location more money is needed.

If saying he will make a workshop in the middle of Seoul one would struggle just with the land price.

Seo I-hyeon had no thought of making a workshop in a quiet place in the provinces like 'Bug Mania'.

He will make it in the middle of a big city.

'100 billion.'

Seo I-hyeon's eyes slightly became hazy. If 100 billion one can do anything. Making a workshop in the middle of Seoul is nothing.

No, buying an appropriate building and making the whole into a workshop wouldn't it be possible?

'Would that be a bit lacking?'

Not ending just buying the building to make that into a workshop the materials going in are not small. Maybe the material price goes in more than the building price.

'Then obtaining one more magic book and selling.'

Turning the happy circuit diligently like that, before he knew it he arrived at the destination.

"Wow, really nothing."

At the foot of the mountain one fairly plausible house was alone, and around there was really nothing.

Even no road going to the house so he came running a dirt path.

Anyway he arrived at the meeting place.

Seo I-hyeon walked big strides toward the house.

It was a house without even a fence, and as Seo I-hyeon approached close the entrance opened widely.

Not that someone came out but just the door opened.

Seo I-hyeon approached the door and examined a bit. Something device was attached to the door.

Seeing it was a device that can open and close the door remotely.

"Spent money on a strange place."

Seo I-hyeon briefly looked inside. When entering a space that can be trapped like this one has to do at least the degree of being careful, right.

Of course even if trapped one can escape anytime so no particular meaning.

Seo I-hyeon boldly entered inside. Then the door closed right away.

Thud.

The sound is heavy. It seems not an ordinary entrance door. Maybe made with a solid iron plate. Then bullets can't pierce either.

Coming inside and looking around only then he realized. There is not even one window.

Clearly when looking from outside windows were attached here and there, but once coming inside none.

"Don't tell me the windows outside are all camouflage?"

"Right."

From deep inside an answer was heard.

Seo I-hyeon slightly turned his body and stood looking toward the side the sound was heard.

Deep darkness was gathered.

Already dark because no windows, the side the sound was heard was not just dark degree but dark to a degree something abnormal.

Seo I-hyeon in fact doesn't receive restriction on the field of view with ordinary dark degree.

No matter how dark night he could see brightly like day.

But that darkness he couldn't pierce at all even with Seo I-hyeon's vision.

That is, not ordinary darkness but darkness with mystery dwelling.

Probably 'Bug Mania''s magic.

"I know well that doing this after calling a guest is rude. But sometimes revealing the appearance is also more rude in cases."

Seo I-hyeon roughly guessed the situation. Probably the appearance is a bit ugly. To the degree of arousing disgust.

"I don't think so, but others' standards are a bit different. Usually they feel unpleasant."

'Bug Mania' said that and kept silence for a moment then opened his mouth again.

"By any chance how would 'Timid Black Mage'-nim be? May I show my appearance?"

Seo I-hyeon roughly nodded.

"Well, show."

"Thank you for permitting. You might be surprised so please prepare the heart firmly."

Only then the deep darkness containing mystery began to gradually retreat.

"If wanting I can turn on the light. I am familiar with darkness but others are usually not."

"I am also okay. Because night eyes are bright."

"Then I won't turn on the light."

When 'Bug Mania' said those words, fortunately the deep darkness retreated cleanly, and his appearance was revealed.

Seo I-hyeon as soon as seeing could know why he had hidden his appearance.

And also knew why he talked about others' reactions in that way.

Just an ordinary man. But on such an ordinary man's face maggot-like bugs swarmed.

Not only on the face. On parts where flesh was revealed maggots swarmed without fail.

Maggots that came out from the eyes dropped drip drip like tears, and from every hole on the face maggots came and went.

"Wow. Amazing."

Seo I-hyeon looking at 'Bug Mania' said that. But in the tone emotion was almost not felt. Exaggerating a bit it was a speaking style as if reading a book.

In 'Bug Mania''s eyes a different light circulated.

"Are you okay?"

"What?"

"My appearance."

"It's a bit peculiar. Did that become like that because of the magic book?"

"Right."

'Bug Mania' is the owner of the magic book 'Bug Praise Theory'. The bugs 'Bug Praise Theory' talks about are in fact diverse. But the base of all those bugs was exactly the maggots swarming in his body.

So the longer the time contacting the magic book the more the number of maggots appearing in the body increases.

"My appearance is not important so shall we talk about work first?"

At 'Bug Mania''s words Seo I-hyeon nodded. It was what he wanted anyway.

"Then I will start the explanation."