The Eve Of Victory Festival

The work was not difficult.

After emitting mana extensively, it was finished once the desired magic was manifested by injecting patterns into that mana.

Various meanings were given to the patterns, the first primarily being the pattern engraving for what kind of power would be materialized.

Generally, writing down patterns related to ‘attributes’ first served as the basic framework.

As if adding flesh to that framework, various patterns were layered, which was the engraving process.

A massive pillar forming the attribute was erected, and various patterns were engraved to carve the pillar like a sculpture.

Revealing a single completed form in various shapes was the manifestation stage.

It might be a simple explanation, but the process was very complex, required the use of various calculations and formulas, and needed a frame to be set through what was called the magical language.

As a result, calculation skills to process everything in the mind instantly were essential, but once accustomed, this could be raised to a level where it could be done in an instant.

Now, I processed that process simultaneously while emitting mana, and when the spreading mana diffused in a constant pattern and settled in the desired locations, it formed the shape of a massive magic circle.

“It’s fascinating every time I see it.”

An So-mi approached and showed her curiosity.

Go Yu-jin also thought the way I used magic was very fascinating.

In fact, Go Yu-jin’s skill corresponded to a 7th Circle Beginner, but the magic she could use only went up to the 3rd Circle, and the only magic she could handle at a 6th Circle Master level was golem-related magic.

To draw out true skill, one must master at least three categories, but Go Yu-jin was unable to move forward to a 7th Circle User because that was difficult for her.

It was practically more accurate to view her as a 6th Circle Master.

“Does it look efficient to you, Ms. An So-mi?”

“I don’t think there could be a more efficient manifestation of magic than this?”

Just then, Go Yu-jin also nodded and agreed.

“That’s right. Seong-chan often says he’s ordinary, but it’s actually people like us who are ordinary. Right?”

“Right. Seriously, it’s to the point where I feel sorry for making a comparison.”

After checking the deployed mana once and snapping my fingers, a brilliant light surged up and the magic manifested rapidly.

A huge amount of mana was consumed, but even so, it was only at the level of two ultimate spells, and since I used Dead Rise including this entire massive field, monsters simultaneously rose as zombies across the entire field.

And seeing them move toward one place according to the set pattern, I spoke to the two women.

“I have no intention of canceling them one by one. Will you two put in the effort today?”

“…Is it training?”

Go Yu-jin had a look of determination on her face.

“That’s right. Curse dispelling magic is a spell that exists in the gap between the 3rd and 4th Circles. It seemed like a training method necessary to cultivate your current skills, Yu-jin.”

“Thank you. For being considerate.”

“Don’t mention it.”

Then, I proceeded to give one instruction to An So-mi.

“I’ll leave the task of organizing the dispelled byproducts by body part to you, An So-mi. If you’ve truly overcome it, wouldn’t you be able to handle this work well?”

“You don’t trust me, do you?”

When I nodded boldly, An So-mi clicked her tongue.

Thereafter, the work proceeded, and while observing the two working steadily, I spread mana extensively around to check for any potential situations.

This was because the Cultists of Ruin might get involved.

However, there were no particular abnormalities inside, and as I spent my daily life without special incidents despite repeating this kind of work for a long period, it seemed I could be a bit relieved now.

‘Since the majority of the individuals belonging to the leadership were removed, it was bound to become quiet.’

Problems to be handled regarding the Magic Tower remained, but the situation was not light enough to reach a conclusion with them right now, so I moved toward handling it gradually while watching the situation.

Afterward, the work finished much faster than expected, and while waiting for Go Yu-jin, who was finishing up the work by talking with government officials, it happened.

“What do I have to do to rise to the 6th Circle?”

“That’s a trivial question.”

“It’s not trivial at all!”

I emitted mana and created various shapes in the air. Then, I began to explain while making them collide.

“These are mana resonances. Primarily, strong against strong, and soft against soft collide, and we can pattern the wavelengths created from that collision in various forms. But you must become proficient in this to gain the clue to rise to the 6th Circle. Simple, right?”

“You crazy bastard!”

Was it because of the “it’s quite easy” style of explanation?

But at this time, Go Yu-jin, who had finished coordinating with the government official, approached, understood my words, and explained.

“He’s not wrong. You have to be able to do that to use 6th Circle magic.”

“…Ugh, seriously, talent monsters are so annoying!”

It wasn’t that An So-mi lacked talent. It was because she had failed to grow while fearing it because her reason was destroyed by excitement whenever she saw blood.

In fact, both Go Yu-jin and An So-mi were quite famous figures among black mages.

Go Yu-jin gained fame as a 1st generation, and she was a person who might have reached a higher level if she hadn’t limited herself even now.

However, her growth had stopped as she left the battlefield for whatever reason, and An So-mi was also part of the duo that distanced themselves from the front lines, having left the battlefield with Go Yu-jin at a similar time.

For reference, An So-mi was also a famous figure among 2nd generation Awakeners as a genius black mage.

This was because she had stood out since the early days of awakening and active as a 5th Circle User.

But one day, she began to feel burdened after failing to manage her rampaging self and causing damage to allies, and as a result, her growth had been stalled for years without crossing the barrier from 5th Circle Master to the 6th Circle.

‘I heard she’s called a distorted genius?’

The two were talked about a lot in the industry in many ways.

Anyway, since An So-mi was not a person who fell behind enough to talk about talent monsters, I spoke to her.

“Once you try it, you’ll find out why I treat it as a trivial question. For now, let’s focus on succeeding.”

“I won’t! I can’t!”

An So-mi ran away while snapping, and I thought I really didn’t know how that childish personality of hers could be fixed.

“Please understand her. So-mi tried hard in her own way, but it didn’t work out well.”

“Still, since she showed results recently, isn’t it going well?”

“That’s true, but… never mind. Let’s go.”

With the work well finished, Go Yu-jin followed after An So-mi, who was walking ahead, and following slowly behind those two women, I felt that my life was changing a lot.

Various projects were carried out in the city, and a period arrived where festivals were focused on.

In October, grand festivals continued starting with the Eve of Victory Festival as fireworks decorated the Han River.

It was a festival to commemorate the historical moment when South Korea was able to remain through the heroes who appeared suddenly and their sacrifices, at a time when China, Japan, and the remnants of North Korea, which collapsed in the early stages, pushed South Korea and increased the immense damage.

‘Is it already the 4th anniversary?’

It was a festival marking the 4th year since the war ended, and today, Go Yu-jin spoke to me boldly.

“Will you be my partner today?”

The Eve of Victory Festival holds the meaning of commemorating the moving emotion of the moment when close ties enjoyed the festival together and returned alive, so many couples often enjoyed this period.

However, both I and Go Yu-jin actually participated directly in the war and contributed to the victory.

Although Go Yu-jin and An So-mi disappointed many by leaving the battlefield six months before the end of the war, no one could criticize the two.

They were people whose names were proudly listed among the heroes who protected Busan.

At any rate, Go Yu-jin wanted me to enjoy the festival together today, and I readily accepted.

‘I wonder what I should wear…’

Most people enjoyed the festival in neat attire.

However, since it was a date, I thought wearing something humble would be a rude act that would bring disappointment to Go Yu-jin, and since I also had no intention of disappointing her, who had put her heart into it, I reached the point of taking out clothes from sub-space and laying them out after a long time.

But they were all dark and gloomy clothes.

‘There isn’t a single bright piece of clothing…’

It wasn’t that I wanted flashy clothes, but since they were mostly suits I wouldn’t wear unless it was for a funeral or a grim reaper cosplay, I ended up putting them all back into sub-space and headed to the city center.

Since there were roughly 3 hours left until the appointment time, I planned to buy appropriate clothes.

As I walked out into the street like that, countless couples walked the streets with bright smiles.

A lot of effort was put in to protect those smiles, and even now, the majority of people live a war-like life on the front lines.

Among the actual couples, there were cases where both were Awakeners and cases where only one was an Awakener, but it felt like everyone came out to the streets as ordinary couples for today.

‘I’m envious. And it’s nice to see…’

After experiencing the war, I thought I wouldn’t be able to live properly due to PTSD.

When the war was actually active, there were so many painful experiences that my mind was broken to the extent that daily life was impossible, and I couldn’t be considered whole even now.

I often had nightmares, and there were many cases where I woke up in a hurry, not even knowing what I was dreaming about while my whole body was covered in cold sweat.

But the fortunate thing was that it was less difficult, perhaps because I had lost a lot of my emotions.

‘If it hadn’t been for Han Sang-gil’s help, the current me might not exist. I might have oxidized as a single black mage called The Worst on the battlefield.’

The bond between Han Sang-gil and me was quite deep, and thanks to that, I was able to keep my sanity enough to live my life.

I was saved by the Necronomicon, that ‘evil book’ called a cursed item.

As I walked with such thoughts, I found an appropriate clothing store and reached the point of boldly asking the staff there what I wanted.

“Excuse me. It’s a date with a beautiful woman, would there be something that would suit me if I wore it?”

The store clerk, who stared blankly at me for asking such a question before covering her mouth and laughing, asked. Even the women looking at clothes and the couples passing by on the street all showed smiles. I didn’t know the reason.

“How did the lady say she would dress?”

“I don’t know. Since I’m someone who only wore gloomy clothes, I wanted to show a slightly different appearance. I’m an Awakener and there are some problems here, so I’m clumsy at expressing emotions.”

Was it too intuitive a story?

There was a look of fluster, but soon, the store clerk, who hardened her expression with determination, said.

“Leave it to me. I’ll dress you up so that your partner will be very satisfied!”

I was flustered by the tone that felt like some unknown determination, but since it was my request, I could only nod my head.