Chapter 48
Raising the Magic Tower to Become a Grand Mage
Like a Storm (1)
When he opened his eyes, he saw an unfamiliar ceiling.
“Ah, an unfamiliar ceiling.”
Shinwoo muttered absentmindedly and stared at a corner of the white ceiling where dried kimchi juice had splattered.
A sharp smell of disinfectant filled the air, and he could hear voices from the next room praying for someone’s recovery.
‘This must be a hospital… but how did that kimchi juice get there?’
Did someone spill their tray? He wondered what story could be behind the dried kimchi on the pristine ceiling.
Just then, someone spoke.
“What are you looking at, meow?”
“That kimchi juice.”
“…You get curious about everything as soon as you wake up, meow.”
“Well, I am curious.”
“Most likely someone just overturned a meal tray, meow. So don’t waste time wondering and get up, meow.”
“Yes~”
Seth’s voice carried a hint of annoyance, so Shinwoo tore his gaze away from the ceiling and got up.
The hospital room was high-end.
Seeing that there was only one bed, it seemed to be a private room. Hmm, it must be expensive when discharged.
“I don’t have money…”
“Eh, don’t worry. The association covered it, meow. This is a hunter-exclusive hospital, starting here.”
“Oh.”
The air, which had felt uncomfortable until now, felt fresh.
After all, the Hunter Association knows a hunter’s heart best. They know how to strike the right emotional chord.
“But how did I end up hospitalized?”
“You fainted, meow. They said the cause was excessive tension and overuse of mana, meow.”
“Ah.”
That made sense. From the moment he climbed Chilbosan Mountain, he had been constantly using mental stabilization and precise magic. Pretending to faint while releasing both spells, the accumulated tension and fatigue seemed to have exploded.
‘Hah, I pretended to faint and ended up actually fainting.’
Another secret to bury in the grave had been added—what a tragedy.
“But why are you alone? Where are the others… oh, maybe they’re in other rooms?”
“What do you mean, meow. You’re the only one hurt badly enough to be hospitalized, meow. Even the little witch recovered after drinking a potion.”
“Ah.”
It felt odd, like only the weak were getting hurt, but it was such a natural fact that he just shrugged.
“Still, I’m glad everyone’s safe.”
“Phew. That’s because everyone else was busy with testimonies and duties, so I’m stuck here, meow.”
“Oh dear.”
Although he wasn’t in a position to complain, those other hunters must have had a hard time. Seth seemed to empathize, shrugging his shoulders.
“At times like this, the guild is more convenient than the association, meow.”
“Isn’t Eileen also part of a guild?”
“She’s just a figurehead, so it’s fine, meow. The busyness now is because the equipment she was using caused problems.”
“Uh, I see.”
His familiar could be quite sharp with its master.
‘Maybe it’s time I pick either the association or a guild…’
Of course, even thinking about it now, it was a bit late. Usually, hunters prepare themselves for either path before officially joining. Considering that, it was impressive that he had jumped in with the vague goal of becoming the greatest hunter and succeeded.
“Long live the Magic Tower Lord!”
As Shinwoo indulged in his internal praise, Seth began packing up.
“Whatever you plan with the association or guild, it’s best to stay put for now, meow. Your value goes up even if you stay still.”
“What do you mean?”
“…Your master was like this too. Don’t tell me you get told you’re oblivious a lot… Eh, never mind, meow.”
“You’re making me curious, what is it?”
“Give me your phone, meow.”
“Uh, here.”
He handed over his smartphone, which had been charging on the drawer. Seth, with surprisingly skilled hands for a familiar, checked the internet news:
[Wild Boars of the Gate Era Are Orcs?!]
[70% of Korea is Mountainous – Hunter Hiking is Gate Exploration?!]
[Oh Hana Hunter: “We went hiking with acquaintances and prevented early damage.”]
[Netizens: Curious about Seong Shinwoo Hunter, the only male among the group – intense interest!]
“…Ugh.”
Shinwoo’s eyes trembled as if there had been an earthquake.
He could tell that the association wanted to cover up the incident as a simple happening.
‘Whether or not they know about the existence of the Orc Lord, something serious clearly happened.’
So it made sense that some information was being controlled to prevent public panic.
‘But if that’s the case, they could’ve at least hidden me too.’
Even checking just the last article’s comments:
“Yikes.”
“Still, mentioning the three promising juniors has calmed public opinion, meow.”
“Still, that’s a burdensome introduction.”
“You shouldn’t have done anything in the Hunter exam for them to say that, meow. Related posts are already online.”
“….”
For now, he decided to stay home, waiting for the attention to die down.
“Anyway, just deal with it, meow.”
“Deal with it?”
“My job was just to make sure you got up, meow. Phew, now I have to check the shop, meow.”
“…You’ve worked hard. Send my regards to Eileen.”
“Judging by your condition, that might not be necessary… Well, fine, meow. I’ll leave~”
Seth left before he could even ask what that meant.
“This one’s spooky.”
Shinwoo awkwardly smiled, silently hoping it wouldn’t be a big deal. The Grand Witch’s attention was quite a burden.
Alone in the hospital room after Seth left:
“So quiet.”
Having a room to himself made it feel even quieter.
Perhaps that’s why elders said you can know whose place is empty.
Of course, such sentiment lasted only briefly, as Shinwoo, as usual, checked the Magic Tower status.
“Let’s see…”
[Wizard A returns from “Black Plains (E+)”.]
[Wizard B returns from “Fang Falls (E)”.]
[Wizard C completes research record access at the “Laboratory”.]
Since it had been a day since he fainted, all three had finished their assigned tasks and were waiting.
Watching them before assigning new tasks:
‘Wow, they’re all busy.’
Each was organizing logs, rocks, and facility reinforcement materials using telekinesis.
After all, sending them on gate explorations had accumulated lots of materials.
Overseeing the cleanup was the dual-element prodigy, C.
Everything was neatly organized—the real housekeeper of the Magic Tower.
‘Hmm, better not assign new work just yet…’
He waited until the cleanup was nearly done before assigning tasks.
[Wizard A moves to “Magic Workshop”.]
[Wizard B moves to “Magic Workshop”.]
[Wizard C starts research on “Lightning”.]
A and B were sent to the workshop to prepare for the next hunt.
Proper preparation was necessary due to the increased difficulty.
C was assigned research for both hunting preparation and aptitude testing.
‘Could be like A in research or B in combat.’
After distributing the work, he checked his belongings to make sure everything was intact.
The bag had some dirt on the zipper, suggesting no one had tampered with it.
“You’re fine too.”
Shinwoo checked the “Perception-Inhibiting Mask” carefully. Thankfully, it wasn’t cracked, but the mana felt weakened.
He guessed the reason.
‘It might be because I’m the Magic Tower Lord, but this mask seems to have helped…’
The curse from the sorcerer disrupted bonds and isolated, which conflicted with the mask’s perception inhibition.
After confirming the potions and buffer items were safe, he closed the bag.
Suddenly, messages appeared in front of his eyes:
[Part of the “Descent Ritual” prepared by the Orc Lord has been completely neutralized.]
[Clue: “Orc Lord’s Assault #2” acquired.]
[Clue: “Orc Lord’s Assault #4” acquired.]
Two pieces of paper fluttered down before him.
The descent formation around the twisted logs had been neutralized by the association.
But unexpectedly, two clues appeared. As he tried to use telekinesis in haste, the second clue lightly touched his forehead.
Ash-Covered Land
Numerous orcs, massive beasts, and shackled goblins were building an altar.
‘This is a kidnapping…’
Shinwoo swallowed hard and focused on the clue.
At the altar, an old orc kneeling by other orcs shouted, bleeding from one eye:
Beog! How could one who has risen to the position of lord abandon the land steeped in our traditions and history?!
‘Lord!’
Shinwoo was surprised and examined the imposing orc standing before the old orc.
Muscular, wearing a wolf-skin cloak—he could easily be mistaken for a warrior, not a sorcerer.
Most importantly, a crown-shaped tattoo on his forehead marked him as the lord.
‘Orc Lord, Beog…’
Then the old orc must be Beog’s master.
‘The Orc Lord tore apart his opposing master alive to make a curse.’
Beog sneered:
Byark, my master who claimed to have seen the truth. I, instead, want to ask you—
His gaze swept across the barren land.Where is this tradition and history you speak of? All I see are the massive tombstones of the defeated.
Beo… Gah!
A spear pierced Byark’s stomach in the blink of an eye.
Beog did it with just a flick of his fingers.
That’s the only time I forgive the disrespect of calling a lord’s name.
Ugh…
Beog pressed the spear further into Byark’s body.
But like master, like disciple?
Hahaha. Beog, you fool. Do you think becoming lord made you an eagle? No. Even as lord, you are still a snake crawling on the ground… Gah!
If you want to die painfully, I’ll grant your wish. Bring four strong warriors and sturdy ropes.
‘Ah…’
The quartering. He intended to tear him apart alive.
But Byark, unaware of his future, kept spewing curses:
I prophesy! You will die as a snake, not as a lord. Hahaha, how frustrating that I won’t see it with my own eyes!
‘Good thing I didn’t receive that curse.’
He was certain. Accepting it would have led to disaster.
The massive orc soldiers ran toward him with ropes.
Fortunately, he didn’t witness what happened next—the system had ejected him after showing enough.
Shinwoo’s consciousness blurred.
Meanwhile…
Oh Hana, hearing that Shinwoo had woken up, visited the hospital.
In the elevator, she checked a wooden box she had brought.
It was a gift she had received a few hours earlier from Branch Chief Moon Kyung-sik. She could already imagine Shinwoo’s surprised reaction.
After all…
Click!
‘Because it’s a purified log branch.’
As a side note, this was a bribe from Branch Chief Moon Kyung-sik to Shinwoo.
