The Support Ate it All

The Magic Tower Association only recognized members belonging to Magic Towers, such as Ruby, Sapphire, or Emerald.

In contrast, the White Magic Club allowed anyone to join as long as they had learned White Magic regardless of their affiliation. Much like the Swordsmanship Club.

Furthermore, the club permitted dual membership which meant that many mages from the Magic Tower Association also had one foot in the White Magic Club.

Even Hong Ye-hwa standing right in front of me was the president of the Ruby Magic Tower but seemed closely tied to the White Magic Club.

There was always a significant reason when influential figures like these supported a group like the thieves club, and I could guess that reason was almost certainly prohibited items.

Jeong Chong-myeong adjusted his glasses, glanced at me briefly, and then asked Dang Gyu-young,

“Did you tell him?”

“Not yet, I was about to.”

“I’ll do it.”

“Kim Ho, do you know what the [Book of Chaos] is?”

“Yes, I do.”

The Book of Chaos.

It was a book composed of dozens of magic scrolls called [Scrolls of Chaos] that were bound together into one volume.

Each scroll could be torn out and used individually, and its effects were:

Increasing the uncertainty of a dungeon.

The dungeon’s storyline could deviate from its established structure, the terrain might change, or mutant monsters could appear. Basically, the variables increased dramatically.

Of course, the additional rewards made it worthwhile to take the risk.

With every dungeon raid, there was potential to earn additional rewards dozens of times over. This was why it was managed at the club level.

However, this uncertainty couldn’t be controlled at will, and sometimes the dungeon’s difficulty would skyrocket.

For example, if someone tore a Scroll of Chaos in a C-rank dungeon and its difficulty suddenly rose to A-rank,

Everyone dies.

Of course, the chances of that happening were infinitesimally low, but since lives were at stake here, the academy couldn’t afford to take even the smallest risk lightly.

That’s why the Book of Chaos was registered on the list of prohibited items.

Jeong Chong-myeong continued speaking.

“Well, that makes things easier. No need for further explanations. The Book of Chaos has fallen into the hands of the disciplinary committee.”

Originally, the Book of Chaos was supposed to pass from the White Magic Club to the Ruby Mage Tower.

However, the member tasked with transporting it had carelessly stored it in their inventory and got caught in a sudden ban wave that activated without warning.

This time, I was the one to ask a question.

“Can’t you recover it through other means, senior-nim?”

“Of course we can. But there’s no rush for that.”

The White Magic Club, being as large as it was, also had considerable influence, so if they bargained properly with the disciplinary committee, they might be able to get a prohibited item or two back.

Even so, negotiation had been relegated to Plan B. There was enough time to spare, and there was always a slim chance the talks could fall through.

Naturally, Plan A involved collaborating with the thieves club.

It was a reasonable decision, so I nodded my head in understanding.

“I see. Understood.”

“I think that covers the general overview. Let’s move on to the details.”

At that, Dang Gyu-young spread out photos of the C-Exchange building, maps of the surrounding area, and blueprints of the buildings on the table.

Jeong Chong-myeong carefully examined them before speaking.

“You secured the surveillance?”

“Yes, Da-bin did the hard work.”

Thanks to Chae Da-bin’s exceptional magical engineering skills, she had obtained access to the surveillance crystal balls installed in the downtown area.

This had been done during the Black Market event too, though Jeong Chong-myeong and Hong Ye-hwa had no way of knowing that, which gave Dang Gyu-young an opportunity to subtly take credit.

“If the surveillance is secured, then….”

Jeong Chong-myeong narrowed his eyes as he stared at the sketch of the area near the C-Exchange, then pointed to a building a little farther away.

“We’ll provide support from here.”

“This distance should be fine.”

Hong Ye-hwa agreed with a nod.

The plan was to provide support from a distance using battery-type mages.

Too close and they risked being discovered by the disciplinary committee, but too far and the effect of their magic would diminish. They chose a place that struck the right balance.

Dang Gyu-young spoke up.

“Do whatever works best. Long-range support is fine at this distance, but I’d like to have a few all-rounders join us too.”

It was important to prepare for the possibility of encountering the disciplinary committee inside the C-Exchange.

Even just two or three members of the second or third-year disciplinary committee could easily overwhelm the club members from the thieves club.

Jeong Chong-myeong seemed to think the suggestion made sense. After mulling it over, he named two people.

“What about Gyeol-woo and Han-gil?”

“That’s perfect.”

A satisfied smile immediately appeared on Dang Gyu-young’s lips.

The two of them must be quite skilled for her to react this way.

Since we would meet soon anyway, I didn’t bother asking about them.

The discussion then shifted to how we would enter the C-Exchange building, how we would move once inside, and how we would make our escape afterward.

In the midst of these discussions, my role was also brought up.

“So, you’re saying this guy can break through formations?”

“I’m telling you, his instincts are spot on.”

Dang Gyu-young said confidently.

Despite her assurance, Jeong Chong-myeong and Hong Ye-hwa still seemed a bit skeptical.

The formation had been set up by graduates and reinforced by the third-year members of the disciplinary committee, so it was no wonder that they doubted that a first-year could break through it.

However, Jeong Jong-myeong soon relaxed his expression as if he had decided to put his doubts aside.

“You wouldn’t recommend him without reason. I’ll trust you this time. But, Kim Ho.”

“Yes, senior-nim?”

“You’re unaffiliated, right? Not part of the thieves club?”

“Yes, I’m unaffiliated.”

Dang Gyu-young pursed her lips in dissatisfaction but didn’t bother to make up a lie.

If she did, I might somehow end up being labeled as “Kim Ho, the honorary member of the thieves club”, so it was best not to leave any room for that.

Jeong Chong-myeong continued.

“The retrieval of the Book of Chaos is an official request. We’ve also promised a reward to the thieves club for their help.”

“……”

“But since you’re not part of their group, it’s only right that you get compensated separately. If you have something in mind, name it.”

Of course, there was something I wanted.

More accurately, the thought had only just occurred to me.

“If it’s alright, I’d like to use the Book of Chaos a few times.”

“…That’s something we only share with members.”

“That’s why I’m asking for it as my reward.”

I was implying that exceptions could also be considered part of the compensation.

At this, Jeong Chong-myeong turned his gaze toward Hong Ye-hwa.

Since the Book of Chaos was ultimately destined to be handed over to the Ruby Magic Tower, it was only natural to leave the decision to its current president.

Hong Ye-hwa didn’t seem particularly opposed to the idea, but she appeared intent on settling the finer details first.

“How many times are you thinking?”

“Twice should be enough.”

“Twice might be reasonable.”

Hong Ye-hwa added a condition.

“You can use it as long as it doesn’t overlap with our raids.”

“I can adjust for that.”

“Then let’s do it that way.”

The two mages readily accepted my proposal.

Since it was an item with dozens of uses available, just two wouldn’t mean much to them.

Of course, from my perspective, even just two uses were an incredibly valuable opportunity.

Because what mattered wasn’t how many times it was used.

What matters is where it’s used.

I had already tested the Book of Chaos in every conceivable way.

***

The following evening.

The downtown area.

Just like during the previous infiltration of the temporary storage, I wore a mask and a black stealth outfit.

Dang Gyu-young and the other members of the thieves club were dressed in a similar way.

As we continued walking, we finally arrived at a building across from the C Exchange.

It was the location Jeong Chong-myeong had marked on the map, where the White Magic Club would provide support.

Sure enough, when we climbed to the rooftop of the building, several mages cloaked in robes were waiting there.

They all turned their heads at the sound of our footsteps, but when they realized that we were allies, Jeong Chong-myeong came over to us.

He directed his question to Dang Gyu-young.

“Nothing unusual, right?”

“It’s been quiet so far.”

I cast a casual glance beyond the rooftop edge.

The disciplinary committee members had positioned themselves at a certain distance around the C Exchange.

Most of them were first- or second-year students, and among them, Jo Byeok and Han So-mi stood out.

However, according to Chae Da-bin who had been keeping watch through her crystal balls, there were no further movements.

This meant that while they might know about tonight’s plan to infiltrate the temporary storage, they didn’t know about the detailed strategy.

Jeong Chong-myeong gave a small nod of his chin and called out a few names.

“Alright. Han Gyeo-wool, Choi Han-gil.”

At his call, a female student and a male student who both looked to be third-years stepped forward.

They seemed to be the all-rounders mentioned during the strategy meeting.

Judging by the atmosphere, Han Gyeo-wool likely belonged to the Sapphire Magic Tower, and Choi Han-gil to the Guild Union.

Choi Han-gil gave us a quick once-over before asking Dang Gyu-young.

“When are we going?”

“As soon as you’re ready.”

“We’ve been ready for ages.”

“Then let’s head out now.”

With that, Dang Gyu-young glanced at the thieves, and they naturally split into two groups. Most joined the mages, while a smaller number came to our side.

The roles had already been assigned.

The first group would stay behind to help conceal the mages as much as possible and assist with evacuation in case of an emergency.

The second group, of course, would infiltrate the C Exchange with us.

The lineup was nearly identical to the last mission, with the addition of Choi Han-gil and Han Gyeo-wool, and Chae Da-bin taking on the role of control tower.

The team included the twins, the male student with the short wand, and Shin Byeong-cheol.

As we descended the stairs, Dang Gyu-young contacted Chae Da-bin.

“Da-bin.”

– Yes, President.

“We’re about to go in.”

– The direction at eight o’clock looks weak.

Chae Da-bin’s view through the crystal balls was broader than ours at the scene.

Following her guidance, we moved stealthily.

The C Exchange was a four-story abandoned building that looked like a small shopping mall.

Similar buildings of the same height surrounded it.

Since the disciplinary committee closely guarded the area, it was almost impossible to enter from the ground floor. The plan was to cross from the second or third floor of a neighboring building.

Of course, the disciplinary committee had likely anticipated this and might have prepared some form of countermeasures.

Before stepping inside, Dang Gyu-young stopped the group and gave Choi Han-gil a subtle nod.

After a swift chant, faint waves of mana rippled outward from around him.

He had cast a detection spell.

“One person on the roof, another on the second floor… they’re moving upward.”

“Any traps or alarm spells?”

Shin Byeong-cheol and the male student with the wand answered this question.

“None, noonim.”

“There aren’t any.”

“Good. Let’s go.”

At Dang Gyu-young’s signal, everyone rushed into the building. We climbed the stairs cautiously and reached the second floor.

There were no signs of the disciplinary committee, but like Choi Han-gil had mentioned, it seemed they had moved further up.

Still, there was no telling when they might return, so we had to act quickly.

When we moved toward the windows, the C Exchange came into full view.

From there, Dang Gyu-young contacted Jeong Chong-myeong this time.

“We’re in. Can you run a scan for us?”

– Wait a minute.

A short reply came through, and while waiting, the members of the thieves club began preparing to cross over.

Shin Byeong-cheol shot a black rope toward the C Exchange and secured it to the windowsill, while the male student with the wand neutralized the alarm spells set up nearby.

At the same time, Dang Gyu-young summoned shadows and prepared her skill.

Soon, a discreet magic circle formed in one corner of the C Exchange building.

Flash!

For a brief moment, it felt as if the entire building glowed blue.

Jeong Chong-myeong had scanned the building with a large-scale spell.

There was a risk that the disciplinary committee might notice, but it was a better option than barging in blindly.

As Dang Gyu-young listened to the detailed internal information being relayed, she frowned as if she sensed something unusual.

“What? There are way too few of them.”

Where did the rest go?