Chapter 39: Magic?

Magic?

The White Witch’s Library skill had extracted information concerning ‘magic’ from the Stargram photos.

Taking a closer look at the photos, there are certainly bizarre patterns on the accessories.

Patterns I have no knowledge of.

However, the White Witch’s library does.

…I can’t believe it can search for magic.

Come to think of it, I haven’t encountered any other magic since I absorbed this skill.

The challengers in Arash’s world had something similar to superpowers, rather than magic.

But if I had encountered magic, the White Witch’s library probably would have done a magic search.

Isn’t this too good to be true?

The more I thought about it, the more I couldn’t believe White Witch Library is a F-Rank skill.

“What’s magic cracking? What happens if I try?”

[Magic cracking means breaking into a magic system to analyze and understand it.]

“Well…let’s give it a try.”

After waiting a minute, a message appeared.

[An error has occurred.]

[Unknown barrier in Magic system.]

…I think it might be because it’s just a picture.

In any case, it might be possible to crack it in person.

“Anyways, these should be artifacts, right?”

[Confirmed to be magic artifacts.]

This is quite interesting.

Magic artifacts with Enhance Strength and Agility found on the earth.

The fact that Aren, a superhuman, wore these artifacts is the first point.

It could be said that artifacts are the equivalent of having another superpower.

If a S-Rank superhuman had it, they would have left a big impression.

However, Aren is only a moderately strong S-Rank, and there’s nothing particularly special about him.

So, with the help of artifacts he was able to improve his abilities?

The second point.

Where did these artifacts come from?

There should not be magic on Earth.

…Of course, that’s as far as I know.

I couldn’t be certain whether that’s true or not.

For example, the deformed dungeon last time was a place of magic.

Although it was impossible to even get in without magic, in the first place, not all dungeons are the same.

The most likely scenario is that the artifacts came from a dungeon.

There had been such rumors.

Sometimes, there were rumors of unknown objects being found in deformed or unusual dungeons.

Unknown to the public, these objects are often referred to as ‘talismans’ by veteran hunters because it allows them to use mysterious abilities similar to superpowers.

Most were useless, but very rarely, there are ones that could shoot out electricity, see incredibly far away, or suddenly turn your skin clean.

I’ve never seen one before, so I never thought much of it, but seeing it now, it seems like all talismans are just artifacts from magic dungeons.

This little problem might turn into something bigger.

Currently there are no organizations on Earth to deal with these artifacts.

But if there was, I will have to hide the existence of magic.

However, let alone that, I’m still too weak to protect my own secrets.

Frankly speaking, I would be in a bad situation if an A-Rank superhuman ambushes me now.

For now, these artifacts seem to be low level.

Aren’s artifacts are far inferior to the White Witch’s magic.

So another point came to mind.

In Vivienda Magic Academy and White Witch’s library there are no ‘body enhancement’ spells.

[Magic that strengthens the body is strictly forbidden.]

[There will be side effects if magic is cast on the human body to forcefully enhance their abilities.]

“Side effects?”

[Faster aging, damage to the nerves or muscles, and in severe cases the body will fall apart.]

Crazy.

In the White Witch’s library it explains that it’s not difficult to strengthen the body with forbidden magic.

However, it’s just too difficult to strengthen the body without any side effects.

If Aren is really using these artifacts…

…It’s only a matter of time before something bad happens.

I thought about it for a little bit before turning off Aren’s social media.

I didn’t think it was necessary to solve the problems of a scumbag who screwed me in the past.

Putting down my phone, I activated the skill White Witch’s Library.

Countless bookshelves with book titles clearly appeared in front of me.

Taking a glance, and as expected, the books on ‘body enhancements’ were sorted under ‘Forbidden!’

Actually, as a hunter, I took care of my body properly and didn’t want to do anything that might go wrong.

If I was going to do something like this, I’d have injected myself with some kind of drug to gain superpowers only to get mana poisoned already.

Apart from that, the White Witch’s library has many books worth studying.

There was so much more knowledge here than I had initially thought.

Although it’s only the size of a local library, it’s still very bountiful.

I haven’t read every book here, but I did study in my spare time when I was in Arash’s world.

There are sections I haven’t checked yet, so I looked through the bookshelves one by one.

Just from looking at the titles made me dizzy, then…

…What’s this?

A white door had appeared.

The door, which was clearly visible in the air, has a doorknob, of course.

However, it was as if it’s protesting me to open it.

Like a butterfly tempted by a fragrant flower, I unknowingly reached for it.

Suddenly, a sharp sound rang in my head.

[Warning! Accessing White Witch’s Library (E) will result in ‘witching.’]

…What?

Momentarily surprised, I cautiously stepped back.

Well, the library itself is like an illusion that only I can see, so it followed my view.

“Witching? What the hell is that?”

[Witching refers to your mind and body becoming like that of a witch.]

The fuck?

If that’s true, then my emotions would cease to exist like the White Witch.

On the flip side, I might become a species that can freely use magic like witches, however, it’s not even a choice I would consider if I have to give up my emotions.

And, there’s no way to know what the actual side effects are.

Currently, the skill is F-Rank, but that door means this skill can grow.

There is already a great deal of information, knowledge, and function at F-Rank, so what about E-Rank?

“Is there a way to access E-Rank without witching?”

[There should be no problem if you can physically and mentally withstand an E-Rank witch’s knowledge.]

Oh…?

It was somewhat vague, but at least it’s possible to prevent it.

Taylor Nine looked at the collapsed construction site in irritation.

“Sick bastards.”

Her mission this time was to deal with the villains hiding in Jamsil.

In this era where superpowers have become the norm, not all superhumans were hunters.

Rather, according to the statistical numbers, there are more superhuman criminals than there are hunters.

That’s also why there are hunters who exclusively go after villains and are classified as ‘Villain Hunter’ instead of ‘Monster Hunter.’

Taylor is quite unique in that she hunts both monsters and villains.

There really isn’t a reason why she chose to do so other than a way for her to make money.

Though, she still felt reluctant to kill people.

Blood dripped from a steel bar as it’s pushed aside by Taylor’s baseball bat.

Her physical ability is about the same as a normal adult female, but it’s a different story when she put a ‘light’ at the end of her baseball bat.

The steel bar blew away with a bang.

“Hey, you fucking idiots. Why did you destroy the construction site?”

As a S-Rank hunter, Taylor was able to easily deal with these villains without getting a single scratch.

However, it became a problem when these villains got scared and destroyed this construction site with their abilities.

The cost of the damages will be taken out from her commission.

But what happened has happened.

What can she do?

She took out her phone to take a few photo evidences, then with a deep sigh, walked into the construction site.

The construction here was suspended two years ago, but the reason why this half finished building was left untouched without being demolished is because of the so-called ‘gangsters’ occupying this place.

Finding a road that led underground, she smashed a huge iron door blocking it with her light sphere and wiped off the debris.

Then, as the dust settled, she saw dozens of people tied up in chains.

Jamsil and the surrounding areas are run by gangsters.

These gangsters were influential enough to reach out to politicians, companies, and even cops in the Seoul metropolitan area, but in the end, were caught by the villains.

‘Well, they’re not gangsters anymore but politicians.’

Apparently, when the villains tried to occupy this area, the gangsters, who had their own beliefs, decided to protect Jamsil and fought against the superhumans…

As a result, such a mess happened.

Taylor carefully untied the bindings of the liveliest looking man, patted his back, and spoke with irritation.

“Hey, son of a bitch. Stop being a gangster. Free the rest of your friends on your own.”

“Ye-yes! Thank you!”

This last part of a mission always made Taylor uncomfortable, so she just left.

Leaving the underground’s dirty and stale air, fresh city air welcomed her.

She wanted to smoke a cigarette, but couldn’t do so in the city, so she habitually took out a piece of candy.

Another reason was because Yoo Seodam took care of his body and that made her reluctant to smoke.

That’s why she always carried candies with her to stop herself from smoking, even though she still drinks.

Taylor, sitting idly at a bus stop and yawning, noticed someone pointing their phone at her.

These were crazy people that tried to take pictures secretly.

“Can’t a person have the right to privacy in this country?”

Taylor, without missing a beat, raised her middle finger at the camera.

She was worn out from all the shit that happened today.

Her mission was complete, so she picked up her phone to report, and while typing, saw a text message from Yoo Seodam, who had been away for the past few days.

[Yoo Seodam: I’m back.]

Seeing the message, Taylor smiled happily.

‘Bastard, so you do listen.’

[Taylor Nine: Where are you?]

[Yoo Seodam: I’m still at home.]

[Yoo Seodam: But I’m leaving for Jamsil soon.]

[Taylor Nine: Jamsil?]

Suddenly, she raised her head.

A huge stadium appeared in the corner of her view.

Only

Until 30 years it was a place called Jamsil Sports Complex, but since then has been redesigned as a training facility for superhumans.

And, in a few days, the ‘International Swordsmanship Debate’ will be held there.

[Taylor Nine: Come to think of it, are you going to participate in the sword debate this time??]

[Yoo Seodam: Yes.]

Clearly, as Celeste’s master he was definitely qualified.

When Taylor saw his answer, she smiled, and replied.

[Taylor: Okay, me too.]

Although she’s not really interested in swordsmanship, she suddenly thought it wouldn’t be so bad to go this time as she got up and headed for Jamsil Stadium.