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Chapter 87

Chapter 87: Merhen (2)

The training hall of the mansion was spacious and sturdy.

With tight security, it was the perfect place to test Merhen. Heading towards the training hall he asked along the way.

“Merhen.”

―Yeah?

“How many types of magic can you use?”

―I can use most death-related spells.

“What about other attributes?”

―Hmm. I’m not sure about that.

“You don’t know?”

― Yeah. This is my first time encountering something like this. Even after becoming a banshee, no other types of magic have manifested, except for death magic.

This guy’s a Death Lord.

Helooked at her and said she had to die to manifest her abilities, or something like that.

‘Was that a bluff?’

It seemed likely.

Because if not, Merhen, who seemed to have an affinity for all four attributes, wouldn’t have a reason to only manifest one type of magic.

“Even after practicing?”

—…… Yeah. And honestly, I didn’t even try that hard. It’s not like anything good would come out of it other than being a bit more useful for the Death Lord.

“You could try to get stronger and break free from being bound.”

At those words, Merhen stared at Kim Minwoo.

―… Minwoo, you’re quite forward-thinking. You were like that in the Academy too.

She said with a faint smile.

―… If I had really met Minwoo in the past, maybe I would’ve tried that hard.

He nodded.

He seemed to know roughly about the past. Merhen didn’t seem to be someone who actively worked for the Death Lord.

Perhaps she might have followed orders like a machine.

“What are you two talking about?”

“Nothing. We’re done. Just sit here.”

After seating himself in a corner, he summoned Cedric. Upon seeing Cedric, Naye’s eyes sparkled.

“Oh? It’s the talking skeleton! I’ve seen you! On NewTube!”

―…Nice to meet you.

Cedric awkwardly waved his hand. Naye, who was previously making noises of awe, stuck to Cedric’s leg.

“Hehe. You’re cold.”

Cedric, unable to do much, stared at Kim Minwoo.

―…Is this the master’s mentioned younger sibling?

“Yeah, Nayae. She’s the youngest in our house.”

― She seems like a lively child.

Then Cedric’s gaze turned to Merhen.

―…Long time no see.

―Yeah.

The two commanders exchanged greetings. Feeling a slight awkwardness, Kim Minwoo chuckled and asked.

“Weren’t you two close?”

―We didn’t really have many chances to meet in the first place. Each of the three commanders managed their respective areas. Merhen managed the Spirit Realm.

―That’s right. Capturing souls and turning them into undead. That was my job.

―And if we add one more thing…

Cedric, looking intently at Merhen, nodded and said.

―She was hostile to everyone. Honestly, I didn’t really want to get close to her.

―That’s right. I was like that back then. Sorry. I apologize.

― …There’s no need for that. I somewhat understood. I got the brunt of it from the Lord.

― …Yeah.

Listening to the conversation, Kim Minwoo asked Cedric.

“Weren’t you like that too?”

—When I became the Lord’s vassal, he already had three commanders by his side. In other words, the world was already halfway turned upside down.

“So?”

― The Lord at that time probably… I think he was a bit more lenient. At least he didn’t aggressively persuade me like Merhen. And besides… I already had things I had to do, even if I became undead.

He didn’t ask what those things were.

That’s Cedric’s personal matter. As an undead with a sense of self, it’s best to respect his privacy.

‘Got what I needed.’

He gathered some information from the previous question.

‘The early and late stages of the Death Lord seemed a bit different.’

When he obtained Balrog and subjugated Merhen. At that time, his name hadn’t spread across the continent yet.

In other words, it could be said that it was a very peaceful continent.

He recalled what he said during the first audience.

“I came for revenge. I dyed the continent with death. I thought I had achieved my goal.”

Revenge.

He didn’t know the details, but anyway, it seemed like he had moved aggressively for that.

He could tell from Merhen’s case. Upon rejecting his vassalage, he went on to deal with surrounding students without hesitation.

He could be considered a typical evil lich straight out of a textbook. As revenge was nearing its end in the later stages, he seemed to have more leeway.

Kim Minwoo looked at Merhen.

“Wanna try using magic of a different attribute?”

—Which attribute?

“Just any…”

At that moment, Naye unexpectedly interrupted the conversation.

“Me! I wanna see water magic! Water!”

—Water?

“Yeah! Check this out!”

Suddenly, a video appeared on the child’s smartphone screen.

[Overseas S-rank Mage, Angela’s Magic Demonstration Video]

[120 million views]

The blonde magician Angela recited her spell.

Soon, a giant dragon made of water flew.

The sight of people cheering as they watched.

Merhen didn’t know much about NewTube yet, but she could grasp the gist of the video. It seemed to be about a mage performing magic.

“Isn’t it cool how the water just, like, transforms like that! What do you think, Oppa? Cool, right?”

“Yeah, it’s cool.”

“Yeah! Angela unni is super famous in the US! Did you know I even got a hug from her? Hehe.”

“Really? Our Naye is doing well. Being friends with such an amazing awakened individual.”

Perhaps Angela became friends with Naye because of her status as the youngest daughter of Ilsung Group, but that wasn’t important.

What mattered was the empathetic gesture. If Angela were to belittle the fact that she’s a magician or something, that would be pure personality decay.

“When you come to the US, let me know! I have Angela unni’s number! I’ll introduce you.”

“Really? I’ll be sure to tell you when I go. I’m already looking forward to it.”

Such a cute kid.

Minwoo nodded with a smile.

It was an idle remark.

Then.

―… That’s not how water magic is used.

Somewhere, a very blunt voice was heard. Merhen, who had suddenly approached, was glaring at Kim Minwoo.

“Huh? No way? Angela unni is really good at magic! They say she’s a prodigy even in the US!”

― …Is she?

“Yeah!”

―Even though she’s really bad at it?

Merhen replied bluntly.

Although she had never used water attribute magic before, memories from her past battles with the Death Lord were telling her.

That’s not how water is used.

Water attribute magic needs to be dense.

The magician in the video was nothing more than a sewage worker who imitated the appearance.

But why.

Why would her master, just by seeing a magician of such mediocre skill, have his face all contorted?

Seeing that somehow made her mood sink.

‘Fool.’

A real fool.

So she had to prove it.

That such a level was really nothing.

“Then show us some magic, Unni!”

―…Alright. I’ll give it a try.

Merhen closed her eyes as if concentrating. Mana was swirling within her body.

The connection of water needed to be denser. Yet, it also needed to flow smoothly. She recalled the image of a flying blue dragon just as she had seen in the video.

With plenty of water imbued, the sight of the blue dragon soaring.

[Merhen invokes ‘water’!]

[Water attribute magic is invoked!]

[Archmage (SS) is activated!]

[Understanding the origin of water!]

[Replicating magic seen with the eyes!]

[S-rank magic, ‘Water Dragon Strike (S)’ is created…]

[The caster’s skill overwhelms the replica!]

[A new magic is created!]

[Merhen uses Water Dragon Storm (SS)!]

The water bunched up on her hand transformed into a gigantic dragon.

Much larger and grander than what was seen in the NewTube video.

“Wow, amazing…!”

Naye exclaimed.

The intricate details of the dragon, down to each facial hair on its face.

Not only that, but within the dragon’s body created by Merhen, droplets of water were swirling vigorously.

It felt like a storm raging inside her body. While the exterior was blue, the interior was white, resembling a stormy dragon.

She had merely regarded magic as cool, but this was on a whole different level of coolness.

“Wow, that’s amazing…!”

Naye’s eyes sparkled with excitement.

When she had heard Angela unni couldn’t use magic, she doubted if that was true.

Because Angela was indeed a remarkable magician.

But now it turned out to be true.

―…Minwoo, what do you think?

Merhen asked briefly, her eyes pleading.

Praise. Me.

Of course, Kim Minwoo’s response was expected.

“She’s way better than Angela, isn’t she?”

― I-I am?

“It’s not even a comparison, really. Oh, speaking of which, there were more videos like this.”

He turned on NewTube, showing videos of mages using elemental magic. He had a rough idea of how to get her to activate magic.

Wind, earth, fire.

After showing off three types of magic, boasting about their greatness, as expected.

―…Am I better?

She displayed her prowess in creating an SS-rank magic in an instant.

‘Ha.’

This was it.

It might be a sight that would make other mages vomit blood if they saw it.

It’s understandable because while others struggled to obtain and learn magic from their Soulbound Skill Books, Merhen was effortlessly copying just by watching.

And she was even raising the rank by one more level. Thanks to that, many new spells were being added to Merhen’s spell list.

Naye, too, was applauding like crazy.

It’s natural for it to be so flashy.

Thanks to that, both children and adults could have a very enjoyable time.

After playing with Naye for a few hours and putting her to bed.

A message came through on the smartphone.

It was from the head of the security team.

“What’s the matter?”

― Young master. Could you please come out for a moment? Someone from the government has come looking for you.

“…The government?”

― Yes. They seem to have something to discuss with you after meeting you in person….

It seemed like it was worth meeting with someone from the government.

After recalling Merhen, he headed out of the mansion. A security guard approached and whispered.

“Sir. The government officials are waiting.”

He nodded.

Soon, he could meet with the government officials.

“Nice to meet you. I’m Han Younggil, the head of the Korean Gate Management Division.”

The Gate Management Division.

It’s a department that doesn’t do much.

But if he’s a team leader there, he must be an elite among elites of the 3rd rank.

Of course, he might not be higher than the eldest son of the Ilsung Group.

“Nice to meet you. I’m Kim Minwoo. But, what brings you here?”

“It’s nothing serious, but could you please come to the Blue House?”

“The Blue House?”

“Yes. The President wishes to meet you.”

“Do you have a special matter to discuss, or is it just a casual greeting? If it’s the latter, it seems a bit hasty to move right away.”

If it was just a casual invitation, he was planning to refuse.

He’s got mountains of work to do, and it’s not like this side is any less busy. In such cases, it’s normal to arrange a meeting in advance instead of just calling out of the blue.

Then.

Han Younggil, who nodded, glanced around and whispered quietly.

“…It’s not just a simple matter. The ‘system’ has issued a statement. I’m telling you because Kim Minwoo might also… possibly be included in that scope.”

The system?

At that, Kim Minwoo’s face grew serious.