Chapter 59 : Chapter 59

Chapter 59: Erosion (1)

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“Your name is Polarin, and no surname? Or should I leave it blank?”

“Yes, just write my name.”

“Your rank?”

“Fourth-Rank.”

“Let’s do a quick verification.”

I took the pen from the clerk and imbued it with mana.

A white shimmer flickered over it.

I demonstrated that I’d reached Fourth-Rank, capable of infusing mana into objects touching my body.

The man nodded and handed me a badge.

[Polarin, Grade 4 Solver]

I completed the registration at the guild office.

The process was simple, but it was the first badge proving my identity in this world.

“…Take your time looking around. I won’t doze off again.”

The clerk, who had been nodding off, was efficient at his job.

He was perceptive, sparing me any arguments, which I appreciated.

I subtly pointed out the drool still clinging to his beard, then headed to the bulletin board with the quests.

The guild office was run by the Empire.

Naturally, most quests aligned with the Empire’s interests, aiding its agenda.

To prevent the Empire’s planned war, I had to take on quests that helped it.

It was ironic, but I needed to start quickly.

Accumulating enough merit points would require significant time and effort.

I resolved to take the slow but sure path.

- Street Maintenance ★ : Merit Points 1P

- Repair Water Pipes ★ : Merit Points 2P

Weren’t these tasks for imperial officials?

One-star quests offered meager merit points.

But that wasn’t a problem.

There were plenty of other options.

According to the clerk, unlike other guild offices, Ostrum’s was rarely visited by solvers.

Ostrum’s guild office wasn’t appealing to professional solvers roaming the Empire.

With powerful mages abound, serious crimes were rare, and any strange incidents were handled by mages themselves.

Local mages seldom visited the guild office either.

Obsessed with magical research, they rarely paid attention elsewhere.

Moreover, mages didn’t care about curry favor with the Empire.

Thus, the guild office was usually empty.

Thanks to that, I could pick from a multitude of quests.

I read through them slowly and found one that caught my eye.

- Temporary Myeolji Investigation ★★★☆☆ : Merit Points 25P

Three black stars followed by two white ones.

A five-star quest?

I wasn’t sure, but the merit points were substantial.

More than the points, the phrase “Temporary Myeolji” piqued my interest.

I’d never heard of it before.

I tore the quest notice from the board and brought it to the clerk.

His bored expression turned to horror, as if he’d seen something dreadful.

“There are plenty of other quests—why this one?”

“I’m not committing to it yet. I just want to hear about it first.”

“There’s an old forest near Manoa. Something like a mini-Myeolji appeared there.”

Despite his initial reluctance, the man explained calmly.

In the barony of Manoa, west of the capital, an incident occurred.

An ordinary forest suddenly surged with demonic energy, attracting various species of beasts and cutting off human access.

Demonic energy surging suddenly? And not just one type but various beasts gathering…

I had a hunch.

Either a hidden dark mage’s atelier or a powerful beast’s demonic energy was transforming the land into a Myeolji-like state.

Luphtel called this phenomenon “Erosion.”

“I’ll take this quest.”

“Didn’t you say you just wanted to hear about it?”

“I got interested after hearing that.”

Whether the erosion was coincidental or intentional, this quest wouldn’t be easy.

But I didn’t want to miss a chance to experience Myeolji’s environment.

“Listen, the three black stars and two white ones—do you know what that means?”

“Please explain.”

“It was originally a three-star quest, but several solvers tried and failed.”

“Failed?”

“We don’t know if they’re dead or alive.”

“I see.”

“‘I see’?! This was a three-star quest handled solely by Manoa’s guild office, but so many failed it that they raised the danger level! Got it now?”

“It sounds very tough.”

“That’s obvious!”

The clerk pounded his chest in frustration, then stroked his beard and said,“Look, young man, I’m saying this as if you were my nephew. This is too dangerous for a Fourth-Rank.”

“Can’t a Fourth-Rank take on four-star quests?”

“You can accept it, sure. But at your age, shouldn’t you think long-term? There are plenty of quests suited to your level.”

“I’ll reach Fifth-Rank soon.”

It wasn’t an empty claim.

I’d already grasped the key to advancing.

What I learned from Labella helped.

Martial artists and mages used mana differently.

But as they say, all paths lead to the same destination.

The difference was in how they handled mana, but the power itself was the same.

In theory, I understood how to create an aura.

“Even if you reach Fifth-Rank, it’s still risky. The last solver who went missing was a Sixth-Rank knight!”

The clerk tried his best to dissuade me, but my stubbornness was stronger.

“When I was young, I was just as handsome as you! That’s why I’m saying this!”

When I stared at him, he cleared his throat awkwardly.

“Thank you for your concern. But I won’t be going alone. I have someone to help.”

“…Fine, make sure they’re strong.”

The clerk sighed deeply and wrote my name on the quest badge.

“Don’t forget the quest is only for ‘investigation.’ And… come back alive.”

“Thank you for your concern.”

I bowed to the clerk and left the guild office.

A strong person to help me.

Several faces came to mind.

* * *

At that moment, in the Frost Magic Tower.

Eidon had been enjoying blissful days.

Though he left the tower to work in the field, he was still a mage.

Using magic to achieve results in the field brought him as much joy as refining and advancing his craft.

Perhaps because he’d been away so long, the tower was brimming with new magical knowledge.

Eidon learned new spells and shared field-tested combat magic with Frost Magic Tower mages.

Since combat mages with field experience were rare, he was always surrounded by eager mages.

“Big power doesn’t make good magic. Noted, Eidon.”

“I hope it helps. Oh, can you explain the new spell the Tower Master created?”

With three petals, Eidon was still respected in the Frost Magic Tower, granting him access to extensive magic.

I should visit the tower after major Tello missions. The gains are more than I expected.

But when Eidon and the mages exchanged magical achievements, one topic always came up.

“That mage who came with you.”

“Who? Polarin? He’s not a mage.”

“What do you mean, not a mage? I’ve never seen such magic in my life!”

“It’s not magic. He can’t even draw a magic circle. Think of him as… a knight with a lot of mana.”

“You’ve been away from the tower too long. Since when can knights do that? If that’s not magic, what is?”

Polarin’s mana control from the entrance exam remained a hot topic among mages.

Rumor had it that not only Frost Magic Tower but other towers buzzed with talk of Polarin.

Eidon tried to explain.

Didn’t they see the sword at Polarin’s waist?

He was a rookie in the same organization.

But most didn’t believe him, leaving Eidon himself confused.

Am I missing something because I don’t see Polarin as a mage? Is his mana control a form of magic?

He wanted to ask Polarin, but it wasn’t easy.

After joining the magical research department, Polarin had moved out of the inn they shared.

He lived in housing provided by the department, spending most of his time there.

Eidon, too, had been so immersed in the Frost Magic Tower that they hadn’t seen each other in a while.

Eidon resolved to have a deep talk with Polarin someday, but the mages’ persistence was overwhelming.

“Eidon, I’m asking you.”

“Yes, Tower Master-nim. I’ll definitely ask Polarin.”

The request came from Glefild, the Ice Lord and master of the Frost Magic Tower.

Even Glefild was intrigued by Polarin’s mana control. Eidon decided to find him and left the tower.

Noon sunlight poured down on Eidon.

It felt strange to be outside at this hour after staying in the tower.

He’d rarely left, engrossed in research.

Eidon closed his eyes, soaking in the sunlight.

The field suited him more than magical research.

Then a familiar voice rang out.

“Eidon-nim! How did you know I’d come?”

“…I know everything.”

“Wow, you’re amazing. I was worried I’d have to wait outside the Frost Magic Tower.”

Facing Polarin’s genuinely surprised expression, Eidon was certain he wasn’t a mage.

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