Chapter 004….
A Small Gift for a Competent Subordinate (1)
The deity spoke.
[The actions of those who dared to trespass the sacred grounds have failed, A, because of you.]
[You may now take their possessions as you see fit.]
[But remember: even in foolishness, there is shining wisdom.]
This was why A moved toward the gate without hesitation.
As he crossed the rift swirling with magical energy, the air changed instantly. The once mild air became hot and humid.
And all he could see were dense, overgrown shrubs.
“The mana is especially tainted.”
Compared to the clear, circulating mana in the Magic Tower, the air inside the gate was like muddy water.
So, following the deity’s orders, A moved to gather materials, taking slow, careful breaths.
He smashed objects with mana bullets, moved them with telekinesis, and accomplished tasks that would normally require ten strong men—all by himself.
Yet, despite his success, only one thought occupied A’s mind:
“I must make up for the mistake of failing to properly stop the enemies.”
In that sense, gathering resources—a task anyone could do given enough time—wasn’t satisfying enough.
Besides, hadn’t the deity said:
“Even in foolishness, there is shining wisdom.”
In other words, there was something to learn even in this seemingly insignificant place. And that lesson could surely be found here.
A’s gaze shifted to a cave on the edge of the forest.
The stench and scattered footprints indicated that this was the goblins’ lair.
“Hmm…”
Pausing at the cave’s entrance, A steeled himself and slowly moved inward.
The cave gradually narrowed.
At its end…
“Is that… a staff?”
A tiny staff stood upright in the center of a small pool.
It appeared ordinary, something anyone could have seen, yet A immediately sensed its uniqueness.
“It’s radiating mana?”
Mana circulated around the staff within the cave.
Since mana is the world’s blessing, the creatures here likely possessed stronger power than others. Of course, at a primitive level, it was weak.
“But how did those beings, who seemingly couldn’t use magic, make something like this?”
Curious, A approached and examined the staff carefully. He soon realized that the goblins had periodically sprinkled blood onto it, imbuing it with primitive magical power.
“They must have used the blood of their fallen or deceased kin.”
Everything contains mana, but blood is particularly rich in it.
What lay before A was the result of either coincidence or instinct.
“Even in foolishness, there is shining wisdom.”
Whatever the reason for its creation, the concept of imbuing objects with magic was indeed shining wisdom.
“This can be put to use.”
A’s eyes gleamed with determination at the discovery of a new magical clue.
…Meanwhile, Shinwoo, who had just come out of watching Santa vs. Mafia, read the system message in a daze:
[Mage A has acquired “Ancestor’s Staff (F+)”.]
[Eureka! Mage A has gained insight from the “Ancestor’s Staff,” unlocking a new research topic.]
[Research Topic: “Ancestor’s Staff”]
[Expected Result: “Enchant”]
“…Insane.”
The subordinate mage was far too competent.
Enchant (Enchant)
The English term “Enchant” means to cast magic. It is also a skill that consumes mana stones to grant abilities to objects.
Its importance cannot be ignored in modern “Magitech.”
“Just looking at the equipment hunters use today, it’s harder to find gear without enchantments than with them.”
And now, A could wield the Enchant skill.
Eyes wide with excitement, Shinwoo forgot even his plan to go to the bathroom, checking if research could proceed.
“Ancestor’s Staff (F+)”
Required Mana: 50/50
Required Personnel: Low-rank mage 1/1 (A assigned)
Research Time: 7 hours
“…Phew.”
Fortunately, mana was sufficient, and research could proceed. Considering A’s rest and exploration time, a lot of time had already passed.
The research began immediately.
[Mage A begins research on “Ancestor’s Staff.”]
[Research in progress…]
Watching A dash to the laboratory so eagerly was heartwarming for Shinwoo, who felt like a giant watching a golden goose lay eggs.
He dashed off to the bathroom.
“Phew, that was close.”
Focusing on enchantment almost made him forget basic human dignity.
But knowing he could obtain the rare Enchant skill kept him energized as he left the theater.
Outside, the sounds of people murmuring everywhere reached him.
“Ah, snow.”
“Of all days, Christmas?”
“I don’t mind it at all.”
“I like snow too, but Christmas snow… hmm.”
“Ah, let’s just head home early today. My mom’s been calling anyway.”
“Yeah, let’s.”
Pedestrians hurried along for a white Christmas. A snowflake landed on Shinwoo’s cheek.
“I need to hurry too.”
He weaved through the crowd quickly—not out of distaste for a white Christmas, but because:
“The store might close early!”
With the holiday and now snow, the market might close even sooner. If he failed to buy the ingredients for seaweed soup, Mrs. Kim would have to come to his place herself.
He ran as he did to the bathroom earlier, giving his best effort.
“Phew, safe!”
Even at the market, there was no time to rest. The clerk mentioned they would close early.
He checked the recipe Mrs. Kim had sent:
“Dried seaweed, beef, some minced garlic… did I buy sesame oil already?”
Then he stopped in his tracks upon spotting the <Mom’s Hand Brand Beef Seaweed Soup> in the fresh food section. The store TV was advertising it:
“Experience the magic taste of a mother’s hand—clean, healthy, and magical—at your table.”
“Mrs. Kim, this ‘Oh Hana’ taste must be healthy, right?”
B-rank hunter Oh Hana. Awakened young, nicknamed “Magic Prodigy,” a consistent top-teen talent in South Korea.
She had appeared in TV shows and even shot this advertisement.
“Wow, high-ranking hunters really are celebrities.”
Shinwoo shook his head and put another seaweed soup into his cart—not because he liked the hunter, but because he was curious about the “magical taste.”
Satisfied with his selections, he gathered other items for delivery via Parkcus.
“One box of Parkcus M, a monster repellent, oh! Maybe some butane gas too?”
His cart grew expensive, but he had sold mana stones before the movie, so funds were sufficient. It was also his birthday, prompting impulse purchases.
“At least I’m not the only one doing this.”
Shinwoo smiled seeing a woman beside him grabbing things impulsively, more than he was. Her choices were all over the place—a perfect example of impulsive buying!
“I’m still not that bad.”
Then, the woman’s gaze met Shinwoo’s.
Ding!
[“Master of the Tower” activated.]
A familiar system window appeared beside the woman:
[Oh Hana (B+)]
Description: She was dispatched even on Christmas, worked without eating, and is now extremely irritable.
Special Note: “Hunger”
Weakness: “Take the food from her hands immediately.”
“Huh?”
Shinwoo glanced between the advertisement and the woman. Realizing her identity might be exposed, Oh Hana spun away and quickly paid before disappearing.
“…Really Oh Hana?”
She lived in Suwon, and this was nearby? And this was a function of “Master of the Tower”? It could reveal people’s information at a glance.
“Crazy…”
Trying his ability on store employees, he realized it only worked on humans.
[Kim Chun-bae (-)]
Description: A family man who made excuses and does not plan to return home today.
Special Note: “Infidelity”
Weakness: “Expose his affair immediately.”
Shinwoo realized that the “weakness” was actually the person’s real weakness.
For the sake of his own mental health, he decided to stop observing.
Suddenly, Shinwoo felt his heart race. The air swirled toward one spot.
“Something’s… wrong.”
Before he could identify the cause, a sharp scream echoed from an alley.
He ran reflexively and saw a woman sitting, stunned, while a growing rift appeared in front of her.
“A gate!”
A gate was forming in the middle of the alley.
“I need to run.”
His phone emitted the gate alert siren:
[Emergency Disaster Alert]
A gate has appeared near ○○ Road.
Citizens receiving this message should stop what they are doing and evacuate to emergency shelters immediately.
Evacuate quickly. Life is your most precious asset.
Shinwoo rushed toward the woman near the gate.
“Can you walk?!”
“I… my legs…”
“No time to complain! Use all your strength!”
Helping her, they moved away from the gate. But a sound behind them caught his attention.
Krurrr…
Though he knew not to look back, curiosity won.
[Steel Predator (D)]
Description: A beast that grows by consuming iron. The Steel City is a feast to it.
Special Note: “Hunger”
Weakness: “Move it to a place without iron immediately.”
Shinwoo saw the enormous iron-eating dog monster.
“I’m screwed.”
Steel Predator: a monstrous dog that consumes iron to grow stronger. Normally B-rank in the city, sometimes A-rank. Dangerous if not stopped early.
If he could act before it grew stronger, it could be defeated with minimal damage. But the arrival time of hunters was unknown.
To make matters worse, the woman fainted from shock, making Shinwoo struggle to carry her.
His mind raced:
Weakness: “Move it to a place without iron immediately.”
[Tip! What if you use tower mana to help the struggling mage A deliver items?]
Quick thought, faster decision.
“A, sorry!”
Slap!
[Transferring items.]
[Tower enters emergency mode.]
