Episode 256: The Book of Chaos
The Magic Tower Society only recognizes members who are members of the Magic Tower, including Ruby, Sapphire, and Emerald.
On the other hand, the White Magic Club is similar to the Swordsmanship Club in that anyone can join regardless of faction as long as they have mastered ‘White Magic’.
In addition, since multiple memberships are allowed, most magicians belonging to the Magic Tower Club also have one foot in the White Magic Club.
Even if you just look at Hong Ye-hwa in front of you, she is the head of the Ruby Tower, but she must have a close connection to the White Magic Club.
There must be a good reason why these big shots are lending their strength to the thieves’ club, and I suspect that the reason is most likely because of the banned items.
Jeong Jong-myeong glanced at me, adjusting his glasses, and asked Dang Gyu-yeong.
“Did you tell him?”
“Not yet, I’m going to do it now.”
“I’ll do it.”
Jeong Jong-myeong asked me a question.
“Kim Hoya, do you know what [Book of Chaos] is?”
“Yes, I know.”
Book of Chaos.
It is a book that binds together dozens of magic scrolls called [Chaos Scroll].
It is used by tearing off one sheet at a time, and its effect is,
‘Increased uncertainty in the dungeon.’
The story of the dungeon you enter will change from the original framework, the terrain will change, and mutant monsters will appear, greatly increasing the number of variables.
Of course, the rewards are worth it, so it’s worth the risk.
For every dungeon you clear, you can get dozens of additional rewards, so it’s managed at the club level.
However, uncertainty is not something that users can adjust to their liking, and sometimes the difficulty of dungeons can skyrocket.
If you tear the Book of Chaos in a C-class dungeon and the difficulty level suddenly increases to A-class,
‘They’re all going to die.’
Of course, the probability of that happening is extremely low, but since people’s lives are at stake, the academic side cannot take even a low probability lightly.
Therefore, the Book of Chaos is registered on the list of prohibited items.
Jeong Jong-myeong continued speaking.
“That’s good. I don’t have to explain. The Book of Chaos has fallen into the hands of the leadership.”
Originally, the Book of Chaos was planned to be transferred from the White Magic Club to the Ruby Tower.
However, the member in charge of transporting it was careless and kept it in his inventory, and was caught in a bandit wave that was suddenly activated.
This time, I asked the question.
“Isn’t there another way to get it back, Senior?”
“Of course you can. But you can do that later.”
The White Magic Club is as influential as it is large, so if you coordinate well with the leadership, they might be able to return one or two banned items.
However, the negotiations were postponed to Plan B because there is relatively little time left and there is still a possibility that they could fall through.
And plan A, of course, is cooperation with the thieves’ club.
I nodded, as it was a convincing reason.
“I see. I understand.”
“Now that I think I’ve explained the big picture, let’s get into the details.”
Then, Dang Gyu-yeong laid out on the table photos of the C Exchange, a map of the area, and blueprints of the buildings.
After looking them over carefully, Jeong Jong-myeong opened his mouth.
“You said you secured the view?”
“Oh. Dabin had a hard time.”
With Cha Da-bin’s powerful magical engineering ability, she brings vision to the security crystal balls installed in the downtown area.
It was a task that had been completed during the Black Market, but since Jeong Jong-myeong and Hong Ye-hwa had no way of knowing, Dang Gyu-yeong was trying to make a fuss about it.
“If the view is secured… … .”
Jeong Jong-myeong narrowed his eyes and stared at the map near the C Exchange, then pointed to a building located a little distance away.
“We support you here.”
“I think this distance will be okay.”
Hong Ye-hwa also nodded her head.
It means that you will provide support from afar with large-scale magicians.
If you are too close, you will be easily detected by the leader, and if you are too far away, the power of the magic will decrease, so the location was chosen at an appropriate distance.
Dang Gyu-young said.
“Do as you please. This much long-distance support will suffice, and if possible, I’d like you to add a few all-rounders as well.”
We need to prepare for when we encounter the leaders inside the C Exchange.
Even if just a couple of second and third year leaders show up, there’s no answer with just the members of the Thieves Club.
Jeong Jong-myeong thought hard, perhaps thinking that it made sense, and then said two names.
“How about winter and Han-gil?”
“It’s just right.”
A satisfied smile immediately appeared on Dang Gyu-yeong’s lips.
It seems like those two are quite skilled.
Since we were going to meet them sooner or later anyway, I didn’t bother asking about them.
After that, there was discussion about how to enter the C Exchange building, how to move once entered, and how to exit afterwards.
During that time, my role was also mentioned.
“He’s breaking through the law?”
“That’s right. I really like this guy.”
Despite Dang Gyu-yeong’s bold assertion, Jeong Jong-myeong and Hong Ye-hwa looked somewhat suspicious.
Since it was a method established by graduates and supplemented by third-year leaders, it seemed questionable whether first-year students would be able to break through it.
However, Jeong Jong-myeong’s expression softened as if he had soon decided to put his doubts aside.
“I’m sure you’re not recommending it for nothing. I’ll trust you once. But Kim Hoya.”
“Yes, senior.”
“Are you independent? Aren’t you a member of a thieves’ club?”
“Yes, I am independent.”
Dang Gyu-yeong pouted his lips in discontent, but he had no intention of saying something he didn’t mean.
If you do that, you might end up as ‘Kim Ho, member of the Honorary Thieves Club’ before you know it, so it’s best not to give him any chance.
The Prime Minister said.
“Retrieving the Book of Chaos is a strict request. I also promised the Thieves’ Club a reward for my success.”
“… … .”
“But since you don’t belong there, I guess it’s right to pay you separately. If there’s anything you want, just tell me.”
Of course, there was something I wanted.
To be exact, it just came into existence a little while ago.
“If it’s okay with you, I’d like to write the Book of Chaos a few times.”
“… … That’s something I only share with my friends.”
“That’s why I’m asking you for compensation.”
Making exceptions is also included in the compensation.
Then, Jeong Jong-myeong turned his head to Hong Ye-hwa.
Originally, the Book of Chaos was supposed to be transferred to the Ruby Tower, so the decision will be left to the division chief.
Hong Ye-hwa didn’t seem to feel much resistance, but she seemed to want to coordinate the details beforehand.
“How many times exactly do you plan to use it?”
“I think twice will be enough.”
“Twice would be okay.”
Hong Ye-hwa added a condition.
“You can use it as long as it doesn’t overlap with our strategy.”
“I can adjust that.”
“Then let’s do that.”
The two wizards readily accepted my offer.
Since it’s an item that can be used dozens of times, two times is nothing.
Of course, from my perspective, even just two times was a pretty good opportunity.
What matters is not how many times you use it.
‘It doesn’t matter where you use it.’
I had already experimented with the Book of Chaos in all sorts of ways.
* * *
The next evening.
amusement quarters.
Just like I did during the last infiltration of the temporary storage facility, I wore a black uniform over a mask.
The same was true for the members of the thieves’ club, including Dang Gyu-yeong.
We continued walking and eventually arrived at the building across from the C Exchange.
This is the place that Jeong Jong-myeong pointed out on the map, the place where the White Magic Club will be supporting.
Indeed, when I climbed up to the roof of the building, several wizards wearing robes pulled down low were waiting.
When they sensed the presence of people, they all turned their heads, but Jeong Jong-myeong realized that they were on the same side and approached them.
And then he asks Dang Gyu-young.
“Nothing special?”
“It’s still quiet.”
I glanced over the rooftop.
The leading members are positioned at a certain distance around the C Exchange.
Most of them are in their first or second year, and Jo Byeok and Han So-mi also stand out.
However, as Cha Da-bin continued to watch through the crystal ball, there was no further movement.
What this meant was that while we knew we were going to break into the temporary storage facility tonight, we didn’t know the specifics of our plans.
Jeong Jong-myeong nodded slightly and called out to a few people.
“Okay. Midwinter, Choi Han-gil.”
Then, a girl and a boy who appear to be in their third year step forward.
They appear to be the all-rounders mentioned in the operations meeting.
Judging from the atmosphere, Han Gyul-wool is probably from the Sapphire Tower, and Choi Han-gil is from the Guild Union.
Choi Han-gil glanced at us briefly and then asked Dang Gyu-yeong.
“When are you going?”
“As soon as you are ready.”
“The preparations were made a long time ago.”
“Then let’s go right away.”
As he said that, Dang Gyu-yeong turned his gaze towards the thieves, and they split into two groups, most of whom joined the magicians, while some joined our side.
The division of roles has also already been completed.
The former will remain here to conceal the wizards as much as possible and help with evacuation in case of emergency.
The latter naturally plays a role in infiltrating the C exchange.
The members were almost the same as last time, except that Choi Han-gil and Han Gyeo-ul were added and Chae Da-bin was removed as the control tower.
Twins, short-haired boy, Shin Byeong-cheol.
While going down the stairs, Dang Gyu-yeong contacted Chae Da-bin.
“Dabin.”
– Yes, sir.
“We should probably go in soon.”
– The 8 o’clock direction is sloppy.
Cha Da-bin’s field of vision through the crystal balls was wider than ours on site.
So we moved secretly as she instructed.
The C Exchange is a four-story abandoned building that resembles a commercial building.
And it is surrounded by abandoned buildings of similar height.
Since the vanguard was surrounded like an iron wall, it was virtually impossible to enter the ground, so the plan was to go through the 2nd and 3rd floors of the building next door.
Of course, the leadership would have thought about this as well, and it is highly likely that they would have made some preparations.
So before stepping inside, Dang Gyu-yeong stopped the group and gave a wink to Choi Han-gil.
After a quick summoning, a faint wave of mana spreads around him.
I cast a detection spell.
“One on the rooftop, one on the second floor… … . They’re going up.”
“What about trap or alarm magic?”
This question was answered by Shin Byeong-cheol and Wand Namhak.
“No, Sister.”
“doesn’t exist.”
“Okay, let’s go.”
At Dang Gyu-young’s gesture, everyone rushed into the building and carefully climbed the stairs to the second floor.
The leader was nowhere to be seen, but it appears that he went up further as Choi Han-gil said.
But I had to act quickly because I didn’t know when he would return.
As I moved towards the window, I could see the C Exchange at a glance.
In that state, Dang Gyu-yeong contacted Jeong Jong-myeong this time.
“We’re here. Just scan it once.”
– wait for a sec.
A short answer was heard, and while waiting, the members of the Thieves’ Club began preparing to move over.
While Shin Byeong-cheol shoots a black-painted rope to the C Exchange and connects it to the window, the wand boy disables the alarm spells installed nearby.
And Dang Gyu-yeong prepares his skill by pulling up the shadow.
Soon, a magic circle was secretly created in a corner of the C Exchange.
– Flash!
For a moment, I had the illusion that the entire building was glowing blue.
Jeong Jong-myeong scanned the building with large-scale magic.
There was a risk that the leaders would notice, but it was a better option than going in blindly.
Dang Gyu-yeong, who had been hearing the inside information one by one, frowned as if he felt something was strange.
“What? It’s too little?”
Where did the rest go?
The supporters ate it all
