Chapter 77

The Mage Who Recycles Trash

As Shin Nain, Lee Sejun, Hamza, and I descended from the rooftop, a heavy silence settled over us.

Unsurprising.

The conversations we'd just had over the radio were enough to leave anyone lost in thought.

Then Lee Sejun finally finished whatever struggle had been taking place inside his head.

"Come to think of it, we never told them about the fog."

"Hm?"

"Isn't that the most important information? Should we go back up?"

"Weren't you intentionally leaving it out?"

"Why would I intentionally leave it out?"

The sight of Lee Sejun readjusting the heavy 999K radio on his shoulder like a guilty child made me laugh despite myself.

I'd assumed he'd remained silent because he'd actually thought things through.

Apparently not.

Hamza frowned and tilted her head, seemingly unable to decide whether Lee Sejun was an idiot or a genius.

Before Shin Nain could launch into one of his self-important speeches, I stepped in.

"Think about it. We didn't know the fog was helping us at first either, right? Same for you."

"Th-that's true."

He sounded like he hadn't actually thought about it, but I let it slide.

"The fog helps us because we're mages. It reduces magical backlash and weakens monsters. For mages, the fog is an ally. For the military, though? It weakens monsters, sure. That's about it."

"Modern weapons systems exist to deliver firepower with precision."

Unable to contain himself, Shin Nain interrupted.

I grimaced.

Still, his explanation was much more direct than my attempt to simplify things for Lee Sejun.

"If the fog cannot be dispersed, they'll have to rely on thermal imaging, infrared sensors, and similar methods. They may achieve some degree of identification that way. But everything we've encountered in Seoul—has any of it obeyed the laws of physics properly? These servants of Satan merely imitate reality."

"Imitate?"

Lee Sejun raised an eyebrow.

Shin Nain seemed so absorbed in his own brilliance that he forgot to be unpleasant for a moment.

"Under the laws of the Almighty Lord, the authority of Hell cannot freely invade the mortal world. Demons must possess people or create followers to deceive God's order. Countless stories teach this. Even Scripture says demons tempt mankind away from the Lord—they do not openly reveal themselves. These creatures cannot be of this world. Naturally they must have come from Hell."

Shin Nain seemed almost certain that the monsters were only pretending to follow reality's rules.

Step.

Step.

We continued down ten floors of stairs while listening to him.

"Yet modern people have strayed too far from the Lord to understand this obvious truth. Even now, while Hell invades the world, they insist on judging demons through human logic. If we tell them the fog must not be removed, they'll oppose us."

"Huh? Ms. Nain, isn't that going a bit far?"

"They might not oppose us outright. But they'd definitely become suspicious."

When Hamza asked the question, I reclaimed control of the conversation.

Shooting Shin Nain a look that clearly said stop showing off, I flexed my bandaged left hand.

"If people hear the fog is on our side and shouldn't be removed, do you think they'll just nod and accept it? What's the real meaning behind that statement?"

I continued.

"It means there isn't a solution. The military has to keep fighting while accounting for the fog. Meanwhile, only mages benefit from it."

"Especially since the military already knows there are mage groups inside Seoul. The fog overwhelmingly favors mages. Ordinary people can't even compare the strength of monsters in sunlight versus inside the fog because most of them die the moment they enter it. The military wants to use artillery, fighters, drones, tanks—but they can't. And when they ask why, the answer is that removing the fog makes the monsters stronger."

Exactly.

As I spoke, I finally understood why keeping the truth hidden had seemed so natural.

"Suppose we tell everyone: Removing the fog makes things worse, so let's just endure indefinitely. We don't know when this ends, but keep living like this until another solution appears. Do you think ordinary people can accept that?"

The problem wasn't merely the lack of hope.

It was the implication.

Ordinary people couldn't do anything.

Only mages benefited.

And we weren't ordinary people making the claim.

We were mages.

If people trapped in Seoul heard us saying this, would the military calmly accept it?

The military already knew about the 66 Society.

Wasn't it naïve to assume everyone would unite after hearing such a truth?

To put it less politely:

I considered that kind of thinking lazy.

The military had worked hard.

We knew that.

Just looking at Konkuk University was enough proof.

The conditions inside Seoul demonstrated how fiercely the military had fought to contain everything.

It had been a ruthless decision.

Abandon ten million people in Seoul and northern Gyeonggi Province to save forty million elsewhere.

A heartbreaking choice that discarded morality, ethics, politics—everything—for survival.

Because of that choice, forty million Koreans outside the blockade still remained human.

But there was another side to that truth.

If necessary, the military could abandon us too.

I still remembered the Rules of Engagement.

Rescue Prohibited.

Cold.

Harsh.

Rational.

And people only appreciate rationality until it points at them.

"So we can talk about the fog after we leave Seoul. The Supreme Mages can enjoy some glory first. Even then it won't be too late. If somebody already pushed the nuclear button, the decision is beyond our control anyway."

"Mr. Jemin, that's a little terrifying."

Hamza complained.

But he didn't actually argue.

Probably because he saw the logic.

"I want to learn magic. Dying while shouting the truth isn't my goal. Our value is already sky-high. There's no reason to damage it ourselves."

People often forget a simple fact.

I am me.

The nation is the nation.

There was enormous overlap between my survival and the nation's survival.

But they weren't identical.

I understood that.

Of course I'd been cooperative.

Of course I'd helped.

But there were limits.

I hoped the military wouldn't feel disappointed.

After all, hadn't Baek Jemin already answered the mobilization order?

Hadn't I entered Seoul voluntarily?

Hadn't I accumulated tremendous achievements?

What more did they want?

The real problem wasn't the fog.

It was something else entirely.

And for the first time in my life, I was grateful that ten flights of stairs took so long to descend.

It delayed the moment we'd have to return to the laboratory.

Shin Nain narrowed his eyes.

"The Nowon Professor was at a higher stage than me. Mind-reading didn't work."

Five floors remaining.

"So we don't know if he's telling the truth."

"However, the probability that he's telling the truth appears high. We need to interrogate Ms. Go Ryeoha."

"And then what?"

"She must understand the sins she committed."

Brrrrrrrr.

The vibration wasn't my cursed phone.

It was Hamza frantically waving both hands.

He was so desperate to stop this idea that he couldn't even put it into words.

Honestly, I agreed with him.

Fighting Go Ryeoha now would only waste resources.

"If she learns the truth, what changes?"

"She may repent."

Shin Nain's voice remained calm.

"Even if that repentance leads to her death."

"Mr. Jemin! Mr. Hamza! I told you from the beginning. Ms. Go Ryeoha is dangerous. I fully agree with Ms. Nain."

"Sejun, please..."

For the first time, the Supreme Mages split into clearly defined camps.

Shin Nain and Lee Sejun.

A partnership nobody ever wanted to see.

Kill Go Ryeoha.

Hamza and I.

Speaking like sane people.

Keep her alive and take her with us.

"To begin with, there's no guarantee the professor told the truth. The Nowon Professor is more dangerous than Go Ryeoha, and he never denied cooperating with the Society. The Society's intentions were probably involved."

Hamza's counterargument was simple and reasonable.

The sort of logic anyone could nod along to.

Then, unfortunately, Lee Sejun produced an argument that was far more intelligent than I wanted to hear.

"But what does the professor gain from lying? Let's say the Society wants Ms. Go Ryeoha dead and used him to create conflict. Fine. Then why didn't he tell us to kill her? He left the decision entirely to us."

Lee Sejun continued.

"Before we even talk about avoiding responsibility, doesn't that suggest the Society itself can't control Ms. Go Ryeoha anymore? If she's that dangerous, should we really take her with us?"

"Lee Sejun, you bastard."

"Huh?"

How could someone be so transparently self-serving?

The moment an opportunity appeared to get rid of Go Ryeoha, his IQ shot upward.

Even Shin Nain frowned at him.

But because he was currently on her side, she conveniently ignored the uglier parts of his personality and continued.

"Furthermore, the original population of 250 survivors remains unexplained."

She looked toward me.

"Mr. Jemin and I only learned how the fifty-eight corpses died. We still don't know what happened to the dozens of Konkuk mages. Even adding them together doesn't reach 250."

Her voice became increasingly serious.

"We don't know whether culling occurred over an extended period. We don't know whether people left due to food and water shortages. We don't know where the remaining survivors went."

Then she delivered the conclusion.

"If there is a significant possibility that she truly arranged for ordinary people to be killed through another group, then for the sake of determining the truth..."

Shin Nain paused.

Then finished quietly.

"For Ms. Go Ryeoha's own sake, she needs to face reality."

"For Go Ryeoha's own sake?"

"Because those who commit sins and forget them can never be saved."

Third Floor.

At last, I, Baek Jemin, decided to put an end to the argument.

"The fundamental mistake in this entire situation was how the survivors viewed magic."

"Mr. Jemin. What are you talking about now..."

As someone who prided himself on being the most objective and impartial person present, I evaluated the situation at Konkuk University.

Assuming the Nowon Professor was telling the truth.

Go Ryeoha.

A powerful mage.

But not mentally strong enough to carry out culling.

More importantly, she believed forcing people to risk themselves in order to learn magic was somehow wrong.

The Konkuk mages.

Mere ordinary people compared to me, but as senior mages I could at least acknowledge their efforts.

Yet a perfectly legitimate system had emerged where they alone could wield magic.

And they couldn't even be happy about it.

If it were me?

I'd be grateful ordinary people weren't learning magic.

I'd spend my days smiling at the thought that I alone could become special forever.

The ordinary non-mages.

Honestly, they were the hardest for me to understand.

Sure, pain sucks.

That's fair.

But why despair because learning magic required risking death?

If you didn't learn magic, you'd die anyway.

Or end up with something equally terrible.

And it's not like anyone demanded billions of won.

Magic was a power that granted omnipotence in exchange for suffering.

Study?

Unnecessary.

Just vomit until you're nearly dead and magical knowledge installs itself directly into your brain.

Strength?

Also unnecessary.

Just endure pain.

The more it hurts, the more pain you can inflict on others.

Fear?

What's truly terrifying isn't death.

It's the possibility that your life disappears without ever meaning anything.

Magic existed.

A ladder leading beyond that end.

Refusing to climb it and remaining trapped in eternal mediocrity—that was real despair.

Magic was the most honest blessing in an age where rewards were never guaranteed.

Suffer, and receive.

Struggle, and gain.

Better to die attempting magic than regret never trying.

Better to reach your limit and die without regrets.

"That's why everyone got wiped out. Understand?"

First Floor.

The others fell silent.

Then Shin Nain spoke.

"Let's make Mr. Jemin responsible for Ms. Go Ryeoha."

April 22, 2028 — 7:14 PM

Day 8 of the Expedition

Until the military's supply drop arrived, the Supreme Mages would remain with Go Ryeoha.

The military wanted us to bring her out.

Unfortunately, after consuming far too many metaphorical red pills, we weren't enthusiastic about that idea.

Instead, we quietly attempted to separate ourselves from her.

Pastor Park Yohan, blessed by the absurd favoritism of [Soteriological Conviction], hadn't heard the Nowon Professor's bombshell revelation.

He had no idea Go Ryeoha had requested euthanasia.

Naturally, we didn't tell him.

The Pastor wasn't an Ear Mage.

There was no way he'd overheard our rooftop conversation.

And frankly, we didn't want him to.

Knowing him, he'd have reacted exactly like Shin Nain.

Thus the burden fell upon me.

Baek Jemin.

I listened with bloodshot determination as Go Ryeoha explained Five Elements theory, directional correspondences, and all sorts of occult nonsense.

Then I suddenly spoke.

"I think you're truly amazing, Master."

"Huh? Ahaha. Junior? What's that all of a sudden?"

"I mean it sincerely. Seeing you work tirelessly to protect so many survivors during such difficult times has deeply moved me. Even during a national catastrophe, wildflowers still bloom."

"Ah... ahaha. Thank you...! I haven't heard something like that in a very long time...!"

"Baek Jemin. Why is your tongue suddenly so smooth? Since when were you capable of talking like a civilized person?"

I heard the Pastor laughing nearby.

But I was completely serious.

Deliberately acting regretful, I slowly shook my head.

"If circumstances were different, I'd want to leave together with you. But considering all the people here who depend upon you, I suppose it can't be helped. Naturally, you'll stay behind."

Operation Blue Pill — Plan B.

Go Ryeoha was too insane.

So I'd exploit her delusion that survivors still existed and keep her anchored here.

It was the most elegant and safest way to handle the Go Ryeoha problem that these bastards had dumped onto me.

Once we escaped Seoul, maybe we'd ask the military to bombard Konkuk University.

Wouldn't that solve everything?

We wouldn't have to kill her ourselves.

No responsibility.

And if she stayed behind to protect survivors?

She'd become one of Seoul's few genuinely heartwarming stories.

The more I thought about it, the more perfect the plan seemed.

I closed my eyes, admiring my own brilliance.

"I wish to honor the difficult decision you've made in service of humanistic ideals..."

I was just beginning to complete this beautiful tale of sacrifice blooming within Seoul's concrete graveyard.

Then—

Grab!

Someone seized my wrist.

A grip far stronger than expected.

And that wasn't all.

The pressure returned.

That subtle feeling pressing against the back of my neck.

Cold sweat rolled down my spine.

Slowly.

Very slowly.

I opened my eyes.

Go Ryeoha stood there smiling awkwardly.

Laughing.

Gently stroking my wrist while refusing to let go.

"It's okay! I got permission!"

"Permission from who?"

"The people, obviously! They cheered me on! They told me not to miss this chance and leave with everyone!"

Clap clap clap.

I wondered who was applauding.

Of course it was the Pastor.

Pastor Park Yohan knew absolutely nothing and was wiping at the corners of his eyes.

His voice trembled with emotion.

"Everyone helping one another. Even here in hell."

"Ahaha..."

Apparently when a pretty girl grabbed your wrist, your body reacted in strange ways.

Who knew?

I could feel my reason as a Great Archmage, my instincts as a man, and every other human emotion colliding violently inside me.

I should've pulled away.

My rational mind knew I should've shouted:

"No. Stay here."

Instead, the softness of her hand and my body's entirely unhelpful response were undermining my judgment.

Only the iron discipline of a Great Archmage kept me standing.

Baek Jemin.

Focus.

Magic is more important than lust.

Magic is salvation.

Hope.

Joy.

Ecstasy.

Pain.

Everything.

As I wrestled with my inner demons, Go Ryeoha finally released my hand.

Then she smiled.

"Soft and squishy, Junior. I can really help. I'll work hard enough that people keep cheering me on. Okay?"

Her madness was shallow.

But persistent.

Somewhere deep down she knew the truth.

Her mind simply refused to accept it.

Interrogating her directly would be disastrous.

So I retreated.

For now.

"What kind of help?"

"Oh! I can make all sorts of enchanted items that match your Five Elements configuration. Things like the Fire Virtue Hand. Or something similar to a Four-Tiger Sword. What do you think?"

At that moment, I finally lost control.

My eyes widened.

This shameless woman dared...!

"Master. Let's leave together. By the way, can you reinforce ponchos?"

"Of course!"

"MR. JEMIN!!!"

"Quiet!"

While Lee Sejun ground his teeth, Hamza stood open-mouthed, and Shin Nain stared in horror, I loudly declared:

"Hamza. What does your angel say?"

"It... it's not dangerous... Hrk..."

"See?"

"What exactly am I supposed to be seeing?"

Shin Nain looked ready to explode.

"It's the Devil's temptation! Don't be consumed by greed!"

Faced with Hamza and Shin Nain's objections, I delivered a speech full of compassion and humanitarian ideals.

"Forgiveness. Love. Ever heard of them?"

"What the hell does that have to do with—"

Before Lee Sejun could finish, the Pastor joined me and started clapping.

"Baek Jemin. Didn't I say you'd make an excellent youth group leader? Everyone may have been disappointed in Ms. Ryeoha. They might think she's abandoning the survivors. But if she can help more people outside, then this is simply the Lord's greater plan."

"Pastor..."

Even Shin Nain seemed to realize arguing might weaken [Soteriological Conviction], because she immediately fell silent.

Personally?

I agreed completely.

People can go insane in places like this.

And more importantly—

I've never met a truly evil person who offered me loot.

I quietly approached Hamza, Lee Sejun, and Shin Nain.

Then whispered:

"She's giving us items."

"..."

"She's giving us items."

"Mr. Jemin. Have you lost your mind?"

I sighed.

"You people are too obsessed with punishment. Besides, what if the professor lied? If there's even a tiny possibility she's innocent, shouldn't we treat her as innocent?"

Of course, if she actually snapped, I was fully prepared to blind myself and cut her down.

But if possible?

Wasn't it better to keep feeding her blue pills and bring her along?

Shin Nain read my thoughts and sighed.

"Mr. Jemin. What if she becomes dependent on you?"

"No, no. Impossible. I'm twenty-eight years old and have never dated anyone. Women generally consider me inedible. We're safe."

"Mad people are incapable of making objective judgments. That's why they're mad."

His tone irritated me.

I ignored it.

This was where rational persuasion came in.

"We need somewhere to stay for the next two or three days. The professor could be lying. The military wants her extracted. The professor might change his mind. The Society might interfere. Monsters could attack. Military support could be delayed."

Then I glanced toward the Pastor and Go Ryeoha.

"Look. I may be human trash, but I don't throw away people I've grown attached to. The Supreme Mages are valuable. Precious. But the reason all five of us survived until now is luck. We don't know what danger is coming. Eventually somebody may have to be spent."

Finally, I looked at Hamza, Shin Nain, and Lee Sejun.

"If something is useful, we use it. If she recovers, maybe she can become a Supreme Mage someday. But not yet. We're still in a danger zone. And when escaping a danger zone, you don't save your cards."

I continued.

"We entered Seoul knowing the risks. If a controllable danger can help us survive an uncontrollable danger, we use it."

We were madness opposing madness.

Absurdity opposing absurdity.

Only after I recited our entire philosophy did they finally seem convinced.

Then Hamza asked one final question.

"Mr. Jemin... You're not doing this just because she's giving us items, right?"

I looked him directly in the eye.

"Listen."

Then answered honestly.

"Let's at least get the items first."