12. Transformation (1)
Time passed, and things changed.
Jin-woo had a problem.
Even he, an Archmage, found it perplexing. To him, business was merely a means to an end, a catalyst for his true goals. Knowing that Chairman Lee Un-seon wouldn’t give up on his son, he had only put in minimal effort.
“Hmm…”
It all started with the protective gear developed by the research lab.
Those who had survived the Bukhansan expedition relatively unscathed were mostly those wearing the lab’s gear. They had even managed to escape the hornet attack with only minor injuries. The suits had been sold at a low price to smaller guilds, excluding those with criminal ties.
Jin-woo had anticipated this outcome.
It was part of his plan.
Was it because Lee Min-cheol was hospitalized, recovering from his injuries?
Or perhaps Sunil Tech was struggling, their financial situation precarious? Or maybe it was because he had casually placed those researchers, abandoned by Hancheon and Sunil Tech, into his own lab?
“We’ve developed a circuit board capable of storing magical information!”
“Is that so?”
They had used the protective material to create a circuit board that could store magical information.
A groundbreaking advancement, a technological revolution?
Something like that.
“Young Master, we’ve secured the foundation for mana batteries and magic semiconductors using the circuit board!”
“What?”
“We’ve also developed a mana-to-electricity conversion device! As long as we have a mana-infused energy source, we can convert it into stable electricity. Remember when you suggested developing alternative energy sources?”
“Ah… did I? But they managed to do all of this in a few weeks?”
“It worked out. The researchers from Sunil Tech and Hancheon were a great help. Their international experience and expedition knowledge were invaluable.”
Jin-woo was currently a 7th Grade mage.
Once you obtained a mage license, regardless of age, you were legally granted the same rights as an adult. And since he held the honorary rank of Major, it was only natural.
His company was truly his now.
And with these groundbreaking achievements…
‘Korea’s Hope! The Icon of Innovation!’
‘Lee Jin-woo, Everything He Touches Turns to Gold?’
‘The Public Misjudged Him. Time for Reflection and Self-Criticism.’
‘The Eccentric Genius, It Was Just Growing Pains.’
The media, which had once vilified him, was now singing his praises.
The reckless, troublesome young master had been transformed into a misunderstood genius with a tragic past.
“Hmm…”
It didn’t affect his long-term plans.
Having a good reputation was actually more convenient than notoriety.
‘Perhaps I have a knack for business?’
It seemed that way, ever since he became Lee Jin-woo.
His past ventures had all ended in failure, but now, everything he touched seemed to turn to gold. Fortunately, recent research had encountered some obstacles, allowing him to enjoy a brief respite from the constant media attention.
Without a stable mana source, all their groundbreaking inventions were useless.
He pondered the situation, his mind racing. There was one missing piece, the final puzzle piece that eluded him.
‘Should I try it?’
He decided to give it a shot.
It wasn’t a theoretical problem; it was a matter of intuition, of feeling his way through the process.
He brought out a mana crystal.
He had secured an exclusive contract for them.
The World Tree’s recovery had improved the quality of the crystals, lowering their price. However, they still couldn’t be used as a direct energy source.
“Hmm…”
He placed the crystal in a bowl and drew a magic circle.
He recalled the technique he had used to shrink the giant Mimic Larva in Bukhansan. He reversed the process, and the magic circle formed in reverse.
The Authority of Time stirred within him.
Whoosh!
The water in the bowl shimmered, a blue light gathering, then condensing.
It bubbled, as if evaporating, then coalesced into a single point.
Click!
A stone fell into the bowl.
It was a small stone, the size of his pinky fingernail. He blinked, then picked it up, examining it.
“…It worked?”
It contained the essence of the World Tree, its energy different from that of a regular mana stone.
Perhaps it was because of the different materials used?
Unlike the mana stones produced by the Mimic Larva, this stone seemed to purify the surrounding area. It wasn’t blue; it was clear, like a diamond.
“This is…”
It was extraordinary.
Incredibly so.
Which was why he was troubled.
The implications were significant, far beyond his current capabilities. As he pondered the situation…
Gwak Sang-woo and a researcher entered his office, there to deliver a report.
Jin-woo was lenient with his own people.
He saw them as comrades, partners in his fight against the impending doom. He had developed a rapport with Gwak Sang-woo. They even shared meals occasionally, much to Harmu’s annoyance.
“Young Master, we’ve developed a mana resource detection technology. If you approve the budget, we can head to a potential site and confirm our findings. We might have to go to South America… Oh, and we’ve finished the prototype equipment…”
Their eyes met.
And then, simultaneously, their gazes shifted towards the blue stone in Jin-woo’s hand.
“Ah.”
Jin-woo let out a soft groan.
“Huh…?”
Gwak Sang-woo responded, his voice filled with confusion.
They stood there, frozen, for a moment.
Jin-woo averted his gaze and spoke, his voice hesitant.
“This is just a… gem…”
“Yes…?”
“Just a… diamond…”
“Huh?”
The researcher looked at his mana resource detection device.
He discreetly aimed it towards Jin-woo.
Beep!
The device chirped.
He adjusted the antenna, focusing it on Jin-woo.
Beep beep beep!
It wasn’t a mistake.
The sound intensified.
He increased the device’s output.
Beep beep beep beep beep beep! Beep beep beep beep!
The sound echoed through the room, loud and insistent.
Gwak Sang-woo and the researcher stared at the device, their faces blank with shock, then turned to Jin-woo.
“Wait!”
Jin-woo raised his hands, trying to calm them down.
“Relax.”
Their eyes were bloodshot, their nostrils flaring.
They seemed to calm down for a moment. But then Gwak Sang-woo’s eyes welled up, and tears streamed down his face.
“Waaaaah!”
“Woo hoo!”
They embraced, then rushed out of the room, their cries echoing through the building.
“Look at these readings! The Young Master did it!”
“Woo hoo!”
“Yaaaay!”
“What the…?!”
Jin-woo blinked, staring at the empty doorway, then gently placed the mana stone on his desk.
“Hmm…”
His business luck, or perhaps it was misfortune, was astounding.
His plans were moving ahead of schedule, but it was still within acceptable parameters.
He sighed softly.
What could possibly go wrong?
Everything!
The researchers’ obsession was relentless.
To survive in the corporate world, academic excellence wasn’t enough. These individuals had already proven their worth, conducting research under immense pressure, often risking their lives.
Of course, money was a factor, but their primary motivation was their insatiable thirst for knowledge.
The mana stone Jin-woo had created was self-sustaining.
It was like the philosopher’s stone of alchemy, capable of absorbing mana particles from the atmosphere and replenishing its reserves.
The researchers, inspired by Jin-woo’s technique, had managed to create a vessel capable of storing mana.
It required mana crystals for its initial creation and had to be recharged manually, but it was still a remarkable achievement. It was still in its experimental phase, of course.
They called it the “Jin Mana Stone.”
Named after Jin-woo.
The lab immediately filed for a patent. The world had changed with the advent of mana stones. And since mana stone deposits were also found in South America, it was best to secure the patent and establish their dominance.
Jin-woo sighed softly as he saw Deran enter his office.
His appearance hadn’t changed.
Despite the lab supplying him with a new wardrobe of hanbok made from advanced materials, he still wore his old, patched-up clothes.
The only difference was that the holes were now covered with embroidered flowers.
World Tree flowers.
He still carried his fan, its tattered surface a testament to its age, even though it was the middle of winter.
“Haha! The corporations are swarming like flies. Those ungrateful wretches. They ignored us before, and now they’re begging us to sell them mana crystals!”
“That’s to be expected.”
“But! We high elves value loyalty above all else! I told them, if you join the Imperial Palace and undergo six months of spiritual training, we might consider your request! And they all ran away! Tsk tsk, these youngsters…”
The elf’s ideological training was too intense for corporate executives.
Their values were diametrically opposed.
Deran was considered relatively open-minded. The truly conservative high elves were still back at the Imperial Palace.
It was a nightmare.
“But why are you still wearing those clothes?”
“What do you mean?”
“We delivered new hanbok to the Imperial Palace…”
“Ah! Those?”
He looked at Jin-woo, his expression puzzled.
“These clothes are still perfectly fine! I have to make them last! Money doesn’t grow on trees, you know.”
“…Well, at least your financial situation has improved now that the World Tree has recovered.”
“Hmm? Why would it?”
“What?”
Jin-woo stared at him.
“Shouldn’t you be contributing even more now? Haha! As a gesture of gratitude!”
“Ah…”
Jin-woo groaned.
Well, as long as the high elves were happy, that was all that mattered.
The World Tree had recovered, and the surge in supernatural phenomena had subsided. So far, only one minor incident had been reported to the Magic Association.
“The mana crystals will be supplied exclusively to you, Lee Jin-woo. It is the will of the Imperial Palace. Even if they opposed it, I would have pushed it through.”
“Why go through all that trouble…?”
“Lee Jin-woo, do you believe in fate?”
Jin-woo’s eyes widened slightly.
Fate.
Deran had accepted his own death, his fate.
He could have resisted, but he had embraced it.
Jin-woo’s heart sank.
“Ahem, Lee Jin-woo, do you perhaps…”
Deran covered his face with his fan.
“Do you know Hwa-yeon?”
“Commander Lee Hwa-yeon of the Magic Association’s Enforcement Department?”
“Hahaha! I have something important to tell her. Could you give me her contact information?”
Jin-woo blinked.
It seemed like fate, in this case, referred to Lee Hwa-yeon. That must be the reason for this sudden visit.
He chuckled, shaking his head.
“I can give you her address, but how will you contact her?”
“Don’t you have carrier pigeons?”
“…”
Apparently, the South Korean government was raising pigeons now.
Exclusively for the elf Imperial Palace.
Jin-woo gave him the address of the Enforcement Department Commander’s office. Deran smiled, then snapped his fingers. A water spirit appeared.
The spirit looked at Jin-woo, then bowed its head respectfully. It was smiling, its expression friendly.
Jin-woo smiled back.
The spirit produced a brush and some traditional Korean paper, handing them to Deran.
Deran started writing.
Then he paused, his brush hovering over the paper.
He looked at Jin-woo, seeking assistance.
“…How should I write this? I hear you’re quite popular with the ladies. Any advice?”
“Hmm…”
Jin-woo offered detailed advice, his Archmage wisdom on full display.
“Oh! As expected of Lee Jin-woo, your insights are remarkable.”
“It’s nothing special…”
“A genius is a genius for a reason! Hahaha!”
The letter contained a mix of Jin-woo’s advice and Deran’s own sentiments.
Jin-woo nodded, satisfied with the final draft. He was actually quite pleased with himself. Deran opened the window, and a pigeon flew in. He carefully folded the letter, tied it to the pigeon’s leg, and gave it the address. The pigeon nodded, then flew away.
Deran stood up, smiling contentedly.
“Well, I must be going.”
He turned to leave, then paused, looking back at Jin-woo.
“The leader of that pack of red dogs seems to have taken a liking to you.”
“The Red Beast?”
“Hmm, be careful, Lee Jin-woo. I’d like to call you my brother-in-law someday. Being popular can be a burden, you know. Trust me, I’m speaking from experience. Hahaha!”
He left.
Was Deran popular?
Not at all.
Jin-woo shook his head, staring at the empty doorway.
Lee Hwa-yeon had spent the night at her office.
She had been promoted, placed in charge of all the units under the Enforcement Department. She was now second only to Adin, the head of the department.
The only perk was the pay raise. Everything else was a nightmare.
She finally finished reviewing the mountain of paperwork, her hand cramping.
“Whew.”
She sighed, running a hand through her hair.
Her eyes were bloodshot, her gaze sharp enough to cut through steel.
She was about to light a cigarette when…
Knock! Knock!
Something tapped on the window.
She turned and saw a white pigeon staring at her, pecking at the glass.
She frowned.
The pigeon remained, its gaze fixed on her.
She picked up the phone and made a call.
The Anti-Terrorism Unit’s bomb disposal squad.
There had been cases where pigeons were used to deliver explosives, so they had to be cautious. And this one was carrying a suspicious package.
Alarms blared as the team arrived, and the office workers evacuated. The bomb squad, clad in heavy protective gear, cautiously approached the pigeon.
Coo? Coo coo… Coo?!
They secured the pigeon in a blast-resistant container. It stared at Lee Hwa-yeon, its round eyes filled with confusion.
The investigation took over two hours.
“The paper contains traces of magic, but it’s not an explosive device. It seems to be a letter addressed to the Commander. We’ll send it to the cryptography team.”
“Let me see it.”
“Yes, ma’am!”
She unfolded the letter and read it. Her face contorted in disbelief.
The contents…
“Is this a challenge?”
That was the only way she could interpret it.