My Second Hobby Is Revenge

“The situation is not very good.”

Two people, each leading twenty members, faced each other.

Their gazes locked, and Go Yu-jin waited for Geum Seong-chan’s answer.

“I heard the Chinese are flocking toward Incheon New Port. Seoul must be their goal. So, we must sneak into Yeonsu-gu and induce urban warfare.”

“They might launch a large-scale attack before beginning the invasion.”

Geum Seong-chan shook his head at Go Yu-jin’s argument and said.

“Since they want to avoid drawing too much attention, they must have used submergence magic to sneak in.”

The group of Chinese mages who had currently snuck toward Incheon New Port had approached secretly while staying submerged to a certain depth in the sea.

Only the mages moved while leaving an aircraft carrier further out at sea.

Externally, it was spread that many forces were staying at certain boundaries in a standoff, but China’s actions were more secret and meticulous than expected.

“Why Incheon New Port of all places?”

Geum Seong-chan pondered the question regarding her sudden curiosity and gave an answer with a light smile.

“Their goal is to cause us confusion. Our forces are currently secretly stationed on several islands, and since China knows this, they cannot easily approach by ship. But what if a few high-level mages appeared in the rear?”

“…Confusion would ensue. If we leave our positions, the balance in the front will be disrupted, and we’ll have no choice but to allow the fleet to approach, but on the other hand, if we ignore it, the capital will be attacked…”

Many forces had been diverted to Gyeongsang and Jeolla-do.

The reason was simple. Japan was also occupying Jeju-do and attempting invasions from various directions.

To that, Geum Seong-chan spoke confidently.

“The moment they show themselves on the surface, I intend to begin the attack with lightning magic.”

Go Yu-jin decided to take charge of defense since she stood out too easily, and the plan was set. Afterward, they spent time in quite a bit of tension until the secret invasion began; how much time had passed?

A massive cluster of lightning bolts poured down upon the shore, which had been filled only with quiet ripples, swallowing the area, and the sudden roar and subsequent explosions signaled that a large-scale battle had begun.

Go Yu-jin sent a signal to the unit she led, and they quickly scattered to each sector, rapidly tracking and killing any enemies caught in the pre-installed search magic.

Massive damage occurred during that process, but they achieved a great victory that was less than a quarter of the damage China suffered, and in the process, Geum Seong-chan was celebrating the victory with the bright and wonderful smile he had shown before.

Afterward, as the war intensified, Go Yu-jin was dispatched as a support unit to block the Japanese invasion, and Geum Seong-chan continued to guard the coastline of the capital region for several months.

When Go Yu-jin, who had become sick of the war, decided to withdraw from the battlefield and came up to the capital, she finally faced Geum Seong-chan again.

“It has been a long time.”

Go Yu-jin was flustered by the businesslike tone and the expressionless face that no longer showed any emotion, a face that showed no hint of being glad to see her, but Geum Seong-chan spoke as if he had read her expression.

“I am sorry that I am in a situation where I cannot properly express my happiness at seeing you.”

“Ah, no. But… what happened?”

“I laid my hands on the Necronomicon.”

It was only a single sentence, but many things could be understood.

It was because it was a famous anecdote.

The story that the Necronomicon made its user pay a price was reality, not some urban legend.

“…What did you pay as the price?”

“As you can see, it’s my emotions. Thanks to that… I gained a lot, and I also lost a lot.”

“Do you have any regrets?”

“If I had one, it would be this.”

As Go Yu-jin tilted her head in confusion, Geum Seong-chan forced a smile and spoke.

“I feel regret that I cannot express my joy at reuniting with you.”

It felt romantic, and Geum Seong-chan’s effort was an appropriate stimulus to move her heart.

However, at this moment, Go Yu-jin discovered a flashing bolt of light flying in, and though it was only a split second, she instantly pulled Geum Seong-chan and blocked his front.

‘How foolish, is this how I die?’

Go Yu-jin felt death in the sudden surge of acute pain that was unfamiliar yet recognizable, but seeing a single bolt of lightning extend faster and sharper than her fading consciousness, she felt an inexplicable sense of relief that Geum Seong-chan was safe.

At the same time, much information entered her closing eyes and ringing ears, and among them, she felt strangely at ease seeing Geum Seong-chan’s distorted expression, which she was seeing for the first time.

‘Why is it that I feel relief at you being safe…’

Since then, Go Yu-jin was perfectly moved away from the battlefield after being transported to the capital hospital.

Afterward, she occasionally heard news about Geum Seong-chan.

She heard that bad rumors were spreading to both China and Japan as he performed major feats on the battlefield, but Go Yu-jin burst into laughter upon hearing the rumors and his moniker. Then, Go Yu-jin whispered quietly.

“The Worst? That doesn’t suit him at all… He’s a man whose smile is quite wonderful…”

“More nonsense! Do you think I’d be happy if you were hurt that much? Huh?”

Go Yu-jin laughed lightly as she watched An So-mi nag her, and An So-mi looked at Go Yu-jin’s expression with disbelief.

Then, Go Yu-jin made a suggestion.

“Shall we start a Gate recovery business? We’ve left the battlefield anyway, so we have to make a living, right?”

“Whatever it is, just focus on recovering. Getting caught in an ambush and all. The great Go Yu-jin is truly gone, huh?”

Go Yu-jin responded with a light laugh, and An So-mi also stopped her nagging and answered Go Yu-jin’s suggestion.

“Do whatever you want, but I can’t go out to the field, so I’ll handle the accounting. You know that, right?”

‘He didn’t even care about being tracked, leaving behind so many mana traces…’

He hadn’t even used a grand magic.

Multiple overlapping magic, which layered heat over and over again, had been used.

It was a magic that could create immense heat at the cost of high mana consumption, and he had pierced the defense magic circles using this method.

‘I didn’t know the Tiers could be ignored in such a way. It feels like he was sincere about the arson.’

It was a ridiculous situation, and thanks to that massive mana, there were signs that tracking would not be difficult.

Afterward, I followed the mana traces using tracking magic, and after tracking for over 30 minutes, I clicked my tongue while looking up at the traces that led to one place.

“Is this an attempt to drive a wedge between us?”

I ended up scratching my head at the traces leading to the Black Mage Association.

‘It’s not like other black mages don’t have grudges against me; in a way, it’s clear I played a part in creating the current image of black mages. But even so, it’s rare to find a crazy person who would suddenly come to seek revenge on me after four years.’

Therefore, I entered the Association to find out whether it was just the mana traces leading there or if the culprit of the incident was truly a black mage.

Then, a black mage who recognized me at the entrance rushed over and blocked my way.

“T-the Chairperson is out!!”

Gezes gathered at the urgent shout, and other black mages also swarmed out and formed a line. Everyone stood in tension, waiting for my answer, and I spoke to them.

“I’m not some god of pestilence, yet this hospitality is so grand it’s making me feel quite awkward.”

“Th-the, Ch-chairperson is…”

The mage stuttered, so I raised my hand, gestured for him to be quiet, and spoke.

“The Chairperson is not my target today. So, please clear the way. I’ve developed a grudge.”

Everyone became even more tense at the mention of a grudge, but then, a familiar voice was heard.

“Everyone, step back. There’s nothing to gain from provoking him. I will deal with him.”

“V-Vice Chairperson…”

The other black mages felt relieved at the appearance of the familiar woman, and the woman standing before me asked.

“It wouldn’t be a grudge against Nana or the Chairperson, so is it because of that?”

“You know that my house was burned down.”

I released mana while raising my momentum, but the Vice Chairperson, who calmly took it, lightly waved her hand to push the mana away and spoke.

“If you followed the mana traces, I can provide help. However, just know that it was not our Association’s intention.”

The Vice Chairperson of the Black Mage Association, Jeong Do-bin, was a quite remarkable woman, and if she decided to interfere with me, she was an opponent I would have to struggle with for at least 30 minutes.

Furthermore, since there were countless black mages in the Association, my goal would effectively turn to foam the moment interference began.

So, I nodded obediently, and when she asked where it was, I pointed to one side.

“Hmm, that elevator only operates for the lower floors. Could it be a guest?”

Jeong Do-bin was deducing something, and I spoke after a light shrug of my shoulders.

“Whether it’s a guest or a mage, once I catch them, I plan to turn them into a pile of ashes from their extremities to their core, just like my house.”

“You’re the same as ever. So cold. So cold…”

I ended up boarding the elevator with Jeong Do-bin, who shook her head.

Then, we tracked the mana traces as we went up floor by floor, and when we reached the tenth floor, I sensed that the culprit was there as I confirmed the thick mana traces.

“Is it alright if things get broken a little?”

“It’s troubling. But what can I do? You are also a member of the Association, and if an Association member is attacked and the Association doesn’t help, we will eventually end up in a relationship where we cannot trust each other.”

I didn’t think it was something to be extrapolated that far, but as I nodded in agreement, Jeong Do-bin clapped her hands and shouted.

“Now, all black mages, mind your own business, and I announce to the guests. Please do not move from your spots. If you move or take specific actions, you might die.”

Passing Jeong Do-bin, who spoke with a bright face, I entered the interior of the 10th floor, causing the black mages there to stir.

After carefully tracking the mana traces, I eventually faced one person.

“…What is going on?”

It was a mage who had clearly come as a guest.

He had an expression as if he knew nothing, but I spoke as I felt his two hidden hands and the mana faintly swirling inside his body.

“What grudge did you have against my house that you had to burn it down?”

“…”

Although the people around him had faces as if they couldn’t understand the situation, beads of sweat formed on the mage’s forehead, and I questioned him again.

“Even if you had a grudge against my house, you should have settled it with me.”

“N-nonsense! What are you framing me for?”

“Is that finally the answer you came up with?”

“Eek!”

At that moment, his two hands extended toward me, and in an instant, flames materialized, forming a cluster of fire so intense it distorted the space between me and the mage.

But it was then.

Snap! With that sound, the magic vanished instantly as if it had been washed away, and Jeong Do-bin spoke while looking at the flustered mage.

“Falling into my hands will actually be to your benefit. That man’s mercy was traded for taffy during the war.”

“I-I-I! As if I’ll be caught!!”

Jeong Do-bin sighed as his body swelled and light began to pour out from the holes in his body.

“You really ask for it…”

Once again, with a ‘snap,’ the mana was washed away. The mage, who slumped down, looked up at me instead of Jeong Do-bin and met my eyes. Then, as if he had read my emotions, he hurriedly turned to Jeong Do-bin and shouted.

“I-I’ll confess. I’ll confess!!”

The mage pleaded to be saved, but I realized what the mage in front of me wanted and respected his wishes.

Snap! Simultaneously with the snap of my fingers, I applied the overlapping magic I had memorized—the same method used to burn my house—directly to the mage’s body, and while confirming that his body was slowly burning from his extremities to his core, excluding his head, I conveyed my intent through his screams.

“The grudge for my house has been repaid.”