* * *

Nayun's assignment had come in at the same time as his. Her request was to “escort the White Sparrows investigating suspicious magic.”

The magical formula in the lake also extended elsewhere in lines, making it suspicious by anyone's standards. He did not know where those lines led, but he could not help connecting the two simultaneous assignments.

Some might call the idea absurd. They could dismiss it as mere coincidence. But from his perspective as a former villain, it was entirely possible.

'If anything, they'd be furious that it was discovered like this.'

Judging by the scale, he suspected they had prepared this operation quietly.

As Hyeonyul took out his phone, another thought occurred to him.

'No, the amusement park itself might belong to a villain.'

It was strange that no one had noticed while so many magical formulas were being drawn both in this lake behind the park and inside the park itself. Above all, there were the books.

'Right. Distributing those books for free at a stall was suspicious to begin with.'

Could someone really set up a stall as they pleased without permission from higher up?

Hyeonyul linked the two incidents. If they were unrelated, so be it, but if they were connected, the situation looked dangerous.

Above all, he had to complete his mission. Even if the target was no longer a magical bomb, he still had to provide proper support.

He called Nayun.

<"... Hello?">

A cautious voice came through.

"Sis Chu Nayun."

<"... Hyeonyul? Is that really you?">

"It is."

<"You called me? You, Hyeonyul? Called me?">

The question marks seemed to be multiplying.

<"Aren't you on a mission right now? Is it over? Is that why you called?">

"No. I'm still on the mission."

<"Do you...need backup? Or are you hurt?">

"Can we have a brief video call right now?"

<"W-what? We can do that? Is that possible? Really? Hyeonyul, you didn't eat something strange today, did you? You're really saying it's okay? Uh...ooh, my heart's suddenly fluttering. Do you know what this feels like? Like a sulking cat just stole a glance at me!">

Hyeonyul struggled to understand the torrent of words. Why her heart was fluttering, or what a cat had to do with anything, meant nothing to him.

"I don't understand what you're saying."

<"I'm saying I don't know whether this is a dream. Wait, let me take a deep breath.">

"I'm sorry if I made you uncomfortable."

<"N-no! No! That's not it! I thought you'd never call me as long as I lived!">

The call immediately switched to video, revealing Nayun's aggrieved expression.

"It was necessary for the mission. Could you show me the magic you're currently investigating, rather than your face?"

<"I'm liking today's mission. Oh, can I brag about this?">

Nayun grinned.

"Yes. You may."

<"Great. Hold on a moment.">

The view changed and shook considerably, as though Nayun was running. She traveled farther than he had expected before coming to an abrupt stop.

<"Take a good look.">

From the downward angle, he could see magic inscribed below. He could not be certain of the details, but it might be the range-extending magic Jihwan had mentioned before hanging up. The part meaning “extension” was clearly visible.

<"They say it was drawn on the roof. No wonder nobody noticed. Who looks at rooftops? And unless you look from even higher up, you'd just think it was a pattern.">

Still watching, Hyeonyul moved his shadow to form stairs. He climbed them and looked down at the lake from a similar angle.

He started to draw a breath, then stopped and turned his camera.

<"... Huh?">

Nayun reacted.

<"Is it just me? That looks like what I'm looking at...? I could see it more clearly if the water weren't rippling.">

"It's identical."

A brief silence followed his answer.

<"... What did you say, Hyeonyul?">

"It's the same magic."

<"Wait. What's going on? Why is it the same? If it's identical, that can only mean one thing!">

"Yes. It's the same case."

<"How does that make sense? How can it be the same case? What happened over there?">

"A ride caught fire, and both the ride and everyone on it were completely burned up."

<"... The amusement park. I see. Hyeonyul, could you share your location?">

"Yes."

Hyeonyul operated his smartwatch and shared his location. He heard a long exhalation. Was it a sigh of relief? He was a little confused.

<"For now, the distance between where I am and where you are is shorter than I thought. Not that we're exactly close, either. Anyway, looking at the locations, I think the magic connects the amusement park to the city center. What do you think?">

"Mr. Ye Jihwan explained some things about magic to me a little while ago. That appears to be magic that extends its range."

<"In short, we need to destroy it?">

"That's right. We should cut it off."

Preventing the magic's range from being extended would stop the magic itself from activating. There was only one conclusion.

They had to smash the magic.

"And I suspect the amusement park might belong to a villain."

Hyeonyul thought they needed to establish who owned the park. Without clarifying its ownership, they would never properly resolve this situation.

<"You're right. That needs further investigation.">

"Are there any mages there?"

<"Plenty. Do you have something for them?">

Rather than answering, Hyeonyul immediately sent a photo.

"Please tell them to destroy any magical formulas like this one."

<"Got it. We'll have to proceed on both sides at once. You pass the word along over there, Hyeonyul.">

"I'll do that after destroying it."

<"Okay. See you later.">

"Yes. See you later."

As soon as Nayun hung up, Hyeonyul looked at the lake and drew his dagger.

He had come to help defuse magical bombs. That was his mission. Now he would have to replace “magical bombs” with “magic,” but the disarming part remained unchanged.

As Hyeonyul ran his hand along the dagger's blade, black power coiled around it, forming a long blade like a stroke in an ink-wash painting. The black power wavering along its edge looked alien, as though it had swallowed all darkness.

He looked down. The tranquil lake rippled with the wind.

Hyeonyul lightly leaped down, gripping the dagger's hilt in both hands and raising it above his head. The blade-like black power lengthened upward, seemingly poised to pierce the sky.

'Disappear.'

A black line sliced through the wind and descended. Approaching without a sound, the black claw viciously slashed through the water and the lake bed.

KRRRUNCH.

The instant the sound of earth being gouged out reached him, the water split in two, exposing the lake bed. Hyeonyul's feet touched the bottom.

The countless magical formulas inscribed there were cleanly severed, and he heard them shatter. Even that was quiet.

The wind arrived a moment later, sending the parted water noisily flying to either side and stirring up currents. Hyeonyul gave his dagger a light flick, and the black power vanished.

Hearing wind to his left, Hyeonyul turned his head. Huijun had come riding the wind. He dropped the armful of books he was carrying.

"... What is this?"

His eyes widened. The water, split in two, surged as it rejoined.

He had rushed over as soon as he detected a strange power, only to find Hyeonyul. What on earth had he used?

"I destroyed the magic."

"I heard the magic responsible for this was in the books?"

"This magic is like a power cord that allows that magic to activate. So I erased it."

"... That's impressive. You're seriously strong."

Huijun flashed a toothy grin, as though he had never been surprised.

"Have you destroyed all the books?"

"Of course. These are the last ones. We need to collect the evidence."

Just as Huijun seemed about to pick up the fallen books, his arms were already full again.

'... Fast.'

Hyeonyul blinked. He was faster than anyone Hyeonyul had ever seen. Hyeonyul felt he had missed several movements.

"Oh, I'm pretty fast. Speed's all I've got, but it comes in handy. I slipped these away from the people outside. Of course, I did tell them, 'I'll be taking these.'"

Huijun spoke as though it were only natural.

"Yes. You're extremely fast."

"You'll make me cocky if you keep flattering me, so go easy. Anyway, we can leave now, right? We're done?"

"No. This mission involves more than what happened here."

"We're not...? Why not? Damn it, give us a break."

Huijun sounded irritated. Having a mission extended was unpleasant even on a normal workday. Who would welcome it when they had already come in on a weekend?

"It's connected to my teammate's assignment, where 'suspicious magic' was discovered."

"Got it. Grab hold of me."

"Pardon?"

"You've destroyed what's here, so we're good, right? This part's finished, and we just need to tell the managers about it now."

"That's right."

"Then let's go."

Huijun gestured with his head. After a moment's consideration, Hyeonyul grabbed the hem of his clothes.

"Here we go. Just stay still. You're connected to me now."

"Pardon?"

Hyeonyul did not understand what Huijun meant. Huijun gave him a mischievous smile and moved.

For an instant, Hyeonyul felt his surroundings slow down. Yet the scenery before his eyes changed rapidly. The sensation was very similar to traveling through darkness, but a little more refreshing.

When he came to his senses, they were standing in front of the burned ride he had seen earlier.

"We're here. Did you freeze up?"

Huijun chuckled as he asked.

"That was incredible."

Hyeonyul was impressed. It was comfortable—every bit as good as Jihwan opening a magical door. Normally, he would have considered how to counter this power, but it was so pleasant that the thought never occurred to him.

"... Do you happen to ride an eagle here?"

Riding an eagle was always a concern for him.

"No. I just get here on my own. This is faster and more comfortable."

"If we go on a mission together, would you give me a ride?"

"Oh, absolutely! You get it! Everyone else hates it."

Huijun looked at Hyeonyul as though he had found a kindred spirit.

"Why do they dislike it?"

"They say it feels a little unpleasant. Honestly, though, this is faster and better."

"I don't find it unpleasant at all."

This time, Hyeonyul's answer surprised Huijun. He dropped his armful of books.

"... Come on, you'll surprise me if you say things like that."

"Am I not supposed to say that?"

"Nothing wrong with it."

Huijun needlessly rubbed the bridge of his nose. He had thought they would get along from the start, but he had never expected Hyeonyul to say something like that.

"Understood."

Hyeonyul gave a simple reply and started toward the White Sparrows, then stopped. Would they believe him? He thought they would not.

He looked around, then turned to Huijun.

"Mr. Kang Huijun."

"What is it?"

Huijun answered, still fiddling with the bridge of his nose.

"Could you speak to the White Sparrows on my behalf?"

"I don't know what you mean, but I'm good at passing things along."

"Then could you tell them that this mission and the mission to 'investigate suspicious magic' must be considered together? The White Sparrows over there will probably explain the details if they contact them. I'd appreciate it if you could tell them just that."

"Leave it to me. I'll be right back."

Huijun tried to look dependable. Asking him for a favor like this was another way of saying Hyeonyul trusted him, wasn't it?

A burst of delight exploded in his head. With a spring in his step, he walked toward the White Sparrows.

BZZZZ.

Hyeonyul answered his phone.

"Yes, Team Leader."

<"I just received Nayun's report. The two incidents are connected?">

"Yes. That's how it turned out. I don't know whether Sis Chu Nayun told you this as well, but I confirmed that the magic they're investigating there matches the magic here."

<"She said it extends the range of magic. Is that right?">

"Mr. Ye Jihwan said that magic has continuity, and that extension magic is needed to expand it. This is that magic."

<"They've ordered its destruction on Nayun's end, rather than further investigation. Did you destroy it too, Hyeonyul?">

"Yes. I destroyed it. I believe that if we had left it alone, every point connected by the magic would have burned."

They had yet to determine the full extent of that magic. Someone still needed to locate it all.

<"... Hyeonyul.">

"Yes."

<"I'm very sorry, but could you find out how far that magic extends? There doesn't seem to be a mage there who can read magical formulas better than you.">

"I'll do that."

<"Don't go alone. There should be someone from Team One there named Kang Huijun. Do you know him?">

"I know Mr. Kang Huijun."

<"Good. As far as I know, he's the fastest Black Eagle.">

"Ah, I've experienced that."

<"I'm counting on you. The villains have probably realized we've discovered the magic.">

"Understood."

As Hyeonyul turned his head, his eyes met those of Kang Huijun, who was approaching.

You too?

That was exactly what his look conveyed, and Hyeonyul nodded. The two sighed almost simultaneously.

Their extended mission had begun.