The Mist Vol 4 Chapter 4

Vol 4 Chapter 4

Nam Mugeon's task was to observe the man who was progressing through two projects and quests, L-10 and HR-02. And sometimes, like now, to report the astonishing things he had done to his superiors.

"To think he can handle 6th circle magic like that already..."

While helping to restore the land by touching it with his administrator-exclusive staff, Nam Mugeon was thinking about the scene he had just witnessed. While the blood-red flames were devouring the enemy mercilessly and dragging them to hell, the man was simultaneously operating another spell along with such tremendous magic. As far as he knew, Lord Superior's magic, the most difficult among the hidden spells in the game, was not something that could be used so easily in such a short time.

A higher level of concentration, and the power of imagination to purely materialize 'intention'. The cold rationality of a mage and the burning passion desiring power. Only when all of these could be achieved simultaneously could Lord Superior's magic open a path, even if just slightly.

His superior, Yoon Seok-ho, seemed to have a deep interest in that user, but Nam Mugeon couldn't understand what Yoon Seok-ho was trying to see through that man. Or rather, no one but that man himself probably knew what he was thinking.

Recently, even the company atmosphere had become a bit strange, with rumors of two factions emerging from within the headquarters. Even if that was the case, it shouldn't have much to do with low-level employees like himself, but not for Yoon Seok-ho, who held the position of Korean branch manager. Yet, seeing him focus more on these matters, there were times when Nam Mugeon wondered if he actually had no thoughts at all.

"Well, it's not like anything will change just because I think about this..."

Nam Mugeon succeeded in shaking off unnecessary thoughts by shaking his head. After he finished the restoration and disappeared, the field was showing off its peaceful appearance, swaying in the gentle breeze with lush grass and trees, as if nothing had happened.

***

After rushing out in shock upon hearing the Master Instructor's words before, and finding room to think thanks to Ju-yeol-hyung's advice and the words of Yu-wan, whose real name was Jin Je-hwan, Kapros had called the Master Instructor. Although the content was merely saying that he would solve things one by one starting with what he could do, the Master Instructor had responded with a passionate voice, saying it was enough that he had realized it, even if it was late, to these foolish words of his.

After the holiday passed and Monday came, when Kapros went to the kendo dojo for his part-time job, he felt puzzled as he faced the Master Instructor and his wife, who looked tired and anxious as if they hadn't fully woken up.

"Master Instructor."

"..."

"...Master Instructor?"

"Ah. This kid. I'd understand even if you called quietly, what is it?"

As Kapros sighed softly, unable to say that the Master Instructor hadn't heard him the first time, the Master Instructor glanced at him and then anxiously looked at the clock again.

'The clock?'

It was disconcerting to see the Master Instructor, who had always shown a straight and neat appearance, looking like this, as if a corner of his nerves had been completely burned. Seeing him constantly looking at the clock made Kapros wonder if he was waiting for something, but he hadn't heard about any guests coming today... Moreover, upon closer inspection, even the Master Instructor's wife was in the process of bringing tea for the third time, something she would have usually done just once.

"Mu-heon. Would you like another cup? Have some donuts there in front too. I bought them thinking of you."

"...Yes."

Although he had already had some, Kapros nodded, unable to refuse, and the Master Instructor's wife handed him a cup of warm tea. It was currently past morning and during the lunch break cum rest time, so they were briefly at the Master Instructor's house behind the training hall, but seeing both of them showing such strange behavior, it seemed he couldn't pass without asking.

"Master Instructor. Is something happening today?"

"Huh? What did you say?"

As the Master Instructor turned his head towards Kapros after anxiously looking out the window again, Kapros quietly repeated.

"Is something happening today? Both of you seem somewhat strange."

"No. What do you mean, something..."

The Master Instructor trailed off for a moment, averting his eyes, then suddenly looked back at Kapros.

"Mu-heon."

"Yes."

Thinking the Master Instructor might say something, Kapros sat up straight and looked at him. The Master Instructor, hesitating to speak in a way Kapros had never seen before, looked at his wife. It was as if they were having a conversation with their eyes. Finally, having reached some conclusion, the Master Instructor narrowed his eyes and opened his mouth.

"Mu-heon. Perhaps... someone might visit soon."

"...Who do you mean?"

Who? Who would be visiting from where and why?

Kapros asked, feeling slightly strange even as he spoke, but the Master Instructor and his wife didn't say anything more. He was about to ask again, but just then the break time ended, and voices calling for the Master Instructor and Kapros were heard from the training hall, causing him to miss the timing. In the end, that conversation couldn't continue and was forgotten as it was.

***

"Flame Strike!"

Boom boom boom boom!

"Aaaaargh!"

As soon as Flame Strike exploded, the undead monsters fell with tearing screams. Without even looking at their last flailing attempts to reach towards the people, Kapros passed by, and the Aerial Servant that had been wrapped around his body immediately flew off to crush the last remaining pieces.

Thud! Crunch crunch crunch!

The inside of the cavern was spotlessly clean after everything had disappeared. Feeling the blood-boiling excitement of battle subside a bit, Kapros turned around to see Kran holding a sword emitting a pure white light and Un-o just switching his bow to one hand.

"Ah, this... Haven't we completely dried up even the seeds here?"

As Kran put his sword away with a slightly apologetic expression, Un-o shook his head while picking up the junk items dropped where the monsters had disappeared.

"We'll encounter more as we go out, so what's there to worry about?"

"Well, that's true, but..."

Kran grinned and approached Kapros.

"Kap. You were totally cool earlier. You can use 6th circle magic freely now, right?"