Into the Creations 2370

Chapter 2370 – 2370. Modern Magic War

Inside a building in Seoul.

I was face-to-face with a man. He was a middle-aged man with a neat appearance. He wore glasses, and his black suit was impeccable.

The man held out a paper cup filled with coffee. I didn’t even look at the coffee, keeping my eyes fixed on the man.

“I’m Park Hyun-woong, the director of the National Order Bureau. Thank you for cooperating with the Order Bureau so readily. It’s made things easier.”

The National Order Bureau.

A South Korean government agency. Primarily deals with magic-related incidents.

“I’m Sung Yu-jin. You probably already know that.”

Even as I spoke, I didn’t let my guard down. I knew how strong Park Hyun-woong was from the original work, but… seeing it in a comic and experiencing it firsthand are different things. I wasn’t sure I could beat him for sure.

“A diligent sophomore in college. Your reputation is not bad. Your parents passed away in an incident two years ago… and you have no relationship with your relatives. I’ve investigated you quite a bit… but your personality in the information doesn’t match your current personality. More than that… were you a mage from the beginning? Calling down rain clouds to put out a forest fire… that’s not the kind of power a normal mage can show.”

“Does it matter if I was a mage from the beginning? What matters now is my choice.”

Park Hyun-woong pondered for a moment, then nodded.

“How much do you know about Grimoires?”

“Magical items that allow you to use magic?”

“Yes. That’s how they’re generally known. Then, do you know how Grimoires appear?”

“……”

I knew, but I kept my mouth shut. Information related to the creation of Grimoires is controlled in this world. If I knew, I’d be unnecessarily suspected.

“People’s wishes, curses, some evil ritual, or a blessing of some kind. Unknown coincidences, natural disasters, and all sorts of reasons cause Grimoires to be born. Most Grimoires are born by chance… but they can also be created if you set your mind to it. That’s why detailed information about Grimoires is controlled.”

“Why are you telling me controlled information?”

“All the members of the National Order Bureau know this information. It’s information that everyone who knows, knows. Sung Yu-jin. Join the National Order Bureau. The National Order Bureau needs strong mages like you.”

“I will.”

Park Hyun-woong’s eyes widened. He quickly composed himself and said,

“Were you planning to join the Order Bureau from the start? I’ve prepared quite a few things to persuade you… I feel a little empty. Of course, I don’t mean that I’m disappointed. Welcome to the Order Bureau.”

“However, there are conditions.”

The reason I joined the National Order Bureau was because the National Order Bureau was at the center of the original story. From the perspective of aiming for a happy ending, it’s better to be at the center of the story.

“I see. I’m actually relieved that there are conditions. Tell me.”

“I want a commander-level position. It’s too much for me to roll around with the scrubs… I’m too strong.”

“I acknowledge that you’re strong. Your magic power is not ordinary, and you possess at least two Grimoires. However, the position of commander of the Great Magic Corps can only be held by a verified mage. Moreover, the current seven Great Magic Corps commanders are all in place.”

“The reason I want a commander position is because I want independent operational authority. It doesn’t matter if I create a separate unit.”

“Independent operational authority? Even commanders aren’t given that much authority.”

“Really? That’s a bit different from what I expected. I guess I should postpone joining the National Order Bureau.”

“……What is your purpose?”

“To kill the Harriers.”

I said firmly.

Harriers. Magic criminals who misuse magic for crime. To achieve a happy ending, it was necessary to wipe them out.

“I proposed it because I thought I could kill the Harriers more easily with the power of a Great Magic Corps commander… but it doesn’t matter. I can kill them even if I act alone.”

“South Korea does not allow private sanctions.”

“Then try to stop me.”

“……”

Magic power flowed from Park Hyun-woong. It was clear that he intended to break my spirit first. I scoffed at him and countered with my own magic power. A clash of magic power. The surrounding objects vibrated slightly in the silent power struggle.

“…I’m sorry. Let’s stop here. I’ve taken a brief look at your skills. You seem to have the amount of magic power and magic manipulation skills suitable for a commander.”

“Should I take that as a promise to give me a commander position?”

“If I let you go from the National Order Bureau now, I think I’ll regret it immensely. Ah, but you still need to meet the minimum requirements.”

“Should I build up some achievements? I guess I can go out and catch a few Harriers and beat them up.”

“Of course, achievements are important. But what’s more important than that is power. And the symbol of that power is… Ars Magna.”

“Ars Magna? What’s that?”

I asked, even though I knew, to avoid unnecessary suspicion.

“Show me your Grimoire. Blue Phoenix.”

I took out a lighter.

“Ars Magna refers to the true power of a Grimoire. Whether you can draw it out or not is the difference between a commander and a member. The first record of your Grimoire, Blue Phoenix, was 1,500 years ago. It is said that Blue Phoenix’s Ars Magna, Azure Flame, burns everything.”

“Is this lighter 1,500 years old? Did they have disposable lighters back then?”

“The appearance of a Grimoire is not important. It changes depending on the era and the owner. So, can you draw out Azure Flame?”

Click, click.

I rolled the flint of the disposable lighter a few times with my thumb, and a flame ignited. A red flame. A flame that burned with my magic power as fuel, not gas.

‘I feel like I know, but I don’t.’

Regardless of my skills, it hasn’t even been two hours since I got the Grimoire. I’m even clumsy at using the Grimoire’s power. So, it’s logically impossible to draw out the true power of the Grimoire or whatever.

‘But if I have talent beyond common sense, it’s a different story.’

[Activating the Genius Time for 10 seconds.]

The Grimoire and I are connected. The fact that I can manipulate flames is proof of that.

Through self-observation, I trace that connection and grasp the Grimoire. Self-observation was something I did endlessly in [Ascension to Enlightenment]. Moreover, I even used the Genius Time. It wasn’t difficult to grasp the essence of the Blue Phoenix.

It was a flame.

A flame that burned blue.

Ars Magna – Azure Flame (蒼炎)

Chik, chik.

A blue flame flared up above the lighter. The consumption of magic power increased fivefold.

Park Hyun-woong laughed weakly, as if dumbfounded.

“To be able to use Ars Magna when it hasn’t even been a day since you obtained the Blue Phoenix. What an absurd talent. Good. You are now the commander of the 8th Corps.”

“There was an 8th Corps?”

“The 8th Great Magic Corps. It’s only natural to create a new unit since we can’t just suddenly retire the existing commanders. I’ll transfer members from other units to the 8th Corps. However, I don’t intend to force the members.”

“I don’t really care. Ah. It’s okay if I scout other mages as my subordinates, right? Since I’m the commander.”

“I’ll do the final screening. If they’re not criminals and there are no major problems, I’ll allow it. The Great Magic Corps is always short of talent.”

I put the lighter away and was about to get up from my seat when he stopped me with a gesture.

“Do you still have something to say?”

“Haha. How cold. Aren’t we going to be colleagues working together? In a way, we could even be called comrades. I have a lot of questions for you. Like the power to control rain.”

“I don’t have many questions.”

“Don’t be like that. Shouldn’t we discuss your salary? And aren’t you curious about the Harriers you roasted nicely?”

“The salary is up to you. Is that guy still alive? He had full-body burns and burned his eyes and organs. It wouldn’t be strange if he died right away.”

“The 6th Corps’ support skills are excellent. They can recover even if their limbs are cut off. Keep that in mind. Even if you have a fierce battle with the Harriers, you can recover as long as you’re alive.”

I talked to Park Hyun-woong about various things. It was tedious, but I roughly went along with the conversation.

• • •

The next day.

I received the 8th Corps office at headquarters. According to Park Hyun-woong, it was a warehouse that was hastily cleaned up to be made into an office. I didn’t care. I wasn’t going to use the office often anyway.

After that, he said they would buy another building and give it to the 8th Corps as their headquarters. I didn’t have high expectations.

As I was walking down the hallway towards the headquarters office, three men blocked my way. They were wearing suits but had a rowdy atmosphere. Among them, a muscular man with dreadlocks grinned and said,

“Look who it is. The guy who became the commander of a new unit as soon as he joined the Order Bureau. There’s a rumor that you’re the director’s hidden son, is that true, Commander?”

“Who are you?”

“I’m Yoo Seok-chang, the vice-commander of the 3rd Corps~ Commander of the 8th Corps. The commander position was mine, but I was pushed out by a stone that suddenly rolled in. Wouldn’t you say I’m really pissed off?”

“I’m more pissed off. A scrub like you is picking a fight without knowing your place.”

“What, you little shit?!”

Kwaaang!

A huge gust of wind grabbed the three of them and pressed them to the floor. They couldn’t even react to the sudden attack.

“Did you say Yoo Seok-chang? Don’t make a fuss when you’re so weak.”

What Park Hyun-woong said yesterday came to mind. The 6th Corps is so skilled that they can recover even if their limbs are cut off, right?

Weeeeeeeng.

I rotated the wind and tore off their limbs.

“Kkyaaaaaaak!”

Their screams echoed loudly. They must have been heard by others.

“Do you think the director is stupid enough to give me the 8th Corps commander position? From now on, look at your opponent before you act up.”

“You bastard! Do you think you’ll get away with this?! My sister will tear you to pieces!!”

“You’re begging to be killed.”

Hwareureuk!

A flame ignited and roasted Yoo Seok-chang nicely. I didn’t kill him. If I did, things would get bigger.

“Aaaaaaaah!”

I left his screams behind and entered the office.