Chapter 382

Words : 2184 Updated : Oct 11th, 2025

Everything else was covered in dust, but uniquely, only the books were clean. Rudger looked around. Things he hadn’t noticed before, distracted by the hidden room, began to come into view. ‘Footprints.’ As if showing that others had been in and out, there were several footprints in this hidden space. Comparing the existing dust with the footprints, they weren’t recent but they weren’t that old either. “Arpa. Go outside and if anyone comes, try to draw their attention as much as possible.” “Yes, understood.” After sending Arpa out, Rudger opened the book and quickly scanned its contents. The book was a record left by the man who inherited the mansion. ‘As expected. They used this content to lock the mansion’s doors.’ The book contained information about the types of mysteries in the mansion, magical traps, and how to handle the mansion’s functions. Among these, the Black Dawn Society had locked the mansion’s doors because they had tampered with the mansion’s mechanisms. ‘But why did they only lock the doors? If they knew how to use the mansion’s mysteries in reverse, there would have been no need for such troublesome actions.’ Rudger soon realized the reason. It wasn’t that they didn’t take other measures, they couldn’t. ‘I see. Since this content was recorded in ancient language, even the Black Dawn Society couldn’t fully interpret it.’ If anything, it was fortunate that the part they did interpret was about the mansion’s mechanisms. If they had intervened with the mansion’s magical traps and mysteries, this place would have become not a mansion of secrets but a mansion of hell. As Rudger quickly flipped through the pages, his eyes unconsciously fell on another book placed on the office desk. ‘This is?’ The leather-bound book seemed modest compared to other books in the library. However, what mattered in a book was not its appearance but the content written inside. Given that it wasn’t shelved in the library but in this hidden space, it couldn’t be an ordinary book. Picking up the book, Rudger’s eyes widened at the words written in the preface. [I leave all this knowledge for those cursed with nothingness. May it be of help.] ‘The curse of nothingness?’ Feeling something familiar, Rudger immediately turned to the next page. [Those who, despite being chosen ones, cannot manifest blessings and grace. Rather, their bodies break down and they don’t live past thirty. The unknown grace they possess is nothing but a curse to them.] Hence the name, curse of nothingness. Rudger realized that these symptoms were very similar to those of people with non-attribute magic power. Beyond similar, the curse of nothingness mentioned here was clearly non-attribute magic power. ‘Finally found it.’ Rudger felt slightly elated at achieving one of his purposes for coming here but it was too early to rejoice. ‘I’ll have to read it to see how helpful this book’s content actually is.’ Rudger was about to carefully turn the page with focused attention. At that moment, a loud signal came from outside. “Ah! Have you already finished looking around and come back?” Arpa deliberately raised his voice to signal Rudger. Already back? Rudger briefly looked down at the book in his hand with a hesitant gaze. He quickly closed the book, placed it on the desk, and left the hidden room. Arpa’s voice was coming from beyond the bookshelf that wasn’t visible from here but the distance wasn’t that far, and it was getting closer even now. Rudger closed the door to the hidden room. After confirming that the bookshelf closed smoothly without any noise, Rudger immediately encountered the person who came looking for him. “You came back sooner than expected.” Rudger said casually while looking at Limrei who came with Arpa. In his hand was a book that he had just naturally pulled from the bookshelf. “Have you checked all your assigned areas?” “Yes. There wasn’t anything particularly useful. I struck out, so I came to see if you found anything.” Limrei said while briefly scanning the surroundings. “Nothing here?” “Nothing.” “Tsk. How are we supposed to get out of here like this?” “Where are the others?” “Still in their areas, probably. It’ll take some time. I finished quickly because of my [Book Selection] magic, but they don’t have that.” “Then let’s go help them. I just finished searching this area, so I have time.” Rudger naturally led Limrei to join up with Roina and Sempas. “Did you find anything?” “No.” “Nothing here either.” “Hmm. That’s quite troublesome.” Rudger said while stroking his chin. Others looked disappointed, but only Arpa quietly watched Rudger. As everyone was pondering what to do next, the closed library door opened. “The library! Here’s the library!” “Finally found it properly!” The people who entered through the open door were elderly men. Rudger and Limrei’s expressions hardened, and Roina’s face openly showed displeasure. That was because the group that had just entered the library was the most unwanted [Truth Faction] magicians. ‘Did they go around looking for the library in this situation?’ Considering their usual behavior, it didn’t seem like they were looking for the library to escape the mansion. While everyone was looking at the Truth Faction with similar thoughts, the Truth Faction magicians also spotted Rudger’s group. “What’s this?” The elderly man at the front frowned. His gaunt face was very irritable. His gaze toward Rudger wasn’t particularly friendly. Since they had encountered each other, Rudger courteously greeted them first. “Good to see you, seniors. You’ve come to the library.” “Who are you?” That abrupt questioning was very rude but the person himself didn’t seem to consider it rude at all. “How did you find this library? Did you stumble upon it by chance? No. Whatever it is, it doesn’t matter. We’re here now, so you lot better get out.” At those words, Roina burst out angrily. “What kind of talk is that! We were here first!” “What? Who do you think you’re raising your voice to!” As the other party responded with even more unreasonable behavior, Roina shrunk her shoulders. “I, I’m a 6th rank magician...” “A half-baked 6th rank magician, you mean.” The other party didn’t miss how Roina’s momentum had weakened. Like the cunning old man he was, he viciously poked at Roina’s weakness. “I heard you almost died in the terrorist incident in the capital, truly a disgrace to magicians.” “That’s right. What good is a high rank? Young and lacking experience.” “And clinging to a mere academy teacher at that.” With each word that flew at her, Roina’s body flinched. She eventually hung her head low. Seeing this, Sempas’ eyes widened as he built up his momentum. “You crazy old men...” Just as Sempas was about to say something, Rudger stepped forward and stopped him. “...Rudger Chelici.” “Contain your anger. I’ll handle this.” “...You want to let these rude old men be?” “Fighting here would only harm both sides. I’ll handle talking them down.” Sempas was about to say something but bit his lip and stepped back slightly. Though he was angry, he was able to do this because he respected Rudger even more. Rather than himself who could only fight, Rudger who was more versatile would handle this situation better. After calming Sempas, Rudger immediately stood before the Truth Faction magicians and said: “Shut your mouths. You dried-up old spectres.” -Kuhup! At those shocking words, Sempas unknowingly sputtered, and Roina raised her lowered head. What happened to handling it well? Sempas stared at Rudger’s back with a bewildered gaze. The Truth Faction magicians who were directly insulted were equally bewildered. “You, what did you just say? Huh? What did you say!” “Are you deaf from old age? I said shut up.” “This...! This bastard’s gone mad! How dare you to your heavenly seniors!” The Truth Faction leader trembled his beard with rage and raised his magical power. His loose robe fluttered as magical power took the form of flames. The same was true for the other Truth Faction magicians lined up behind him. Although they were magicians focused on research, their ranks as magicians were quite high from their long lives. However, Rudger didn’t lose his composure even under that enormous pressure. “Seniors?” Rather, he didn’t even hide his cold sneer toward them. “Old men who rely only on authority and age without ability still have working mouths, I see.” “What! You green youngster whose head isn’t even dry yet has truly gone mad! I’ll right now...” “Right now, what.” -Kuuung───!!! Rudger lowered his voice and released his magical power all at once. The air collided from the expansion of vast magical power, creating an explosion-like sound in their ears. Releasing all magical power except the minimum mana needed for the sealing formula, Rudger said while surrounding himself with a bluish mist: “Are you thinking of fighting here, now?” No respect, no courtesy. Blunt and direct words. However, the Truth Faction magicians couldn’t dare respond to that provocation. Those who tried to intimidate had instead become intimidated themselves. ‘Wh-what kind of magical power...!’ Around Rudger, there was a magical power mist phenomenon that occurs when controlling high-density mana. Among the Truth Faction magicians, not a single one could perform this technique. This was possible because Rudger had tremendous control over mana and could raise mana release to 100%. Moreover, his originally lacking mana had recently increased dramatically through elixirs and various events. At this moment, it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that Rudger’s momentum alone was equal to or greater than a Lexer-grade magician. “I-if you touch us, are you prepared for the consequences!” “Consequences? When we might all die trapped in this mansion anyway, I don’t see why that matters.” Rudger said this while taking a step forward. The Truth Faction magicians all took a step back at once. Just one person was overwhelming twenty magicians. The Truth Faction magicians’ faces reddened with wounded pride at this fact. How could they be pushed back when they had greater numbers? Just as they were about to push back more strongly with such thoughts, someone moved first. “That’s enough.” -Clang. Limrei shook his staff-shaped stone tablet once and stood beside Rudger. With the sudden participation of a Lexer-grade magician, the magical power of the Truth Faction magicians who were about to counterattack faltered. Limrei looked at such Truth Faction magicians with a pathetic gaze. “Will you stop here? Or go all the way? If you choose the latter, I too cannot stand idle as this teacher’s companion.” When Sage Limrei said this, there was a commotion among the Truth Faction magicians. Conversely, encouraged by those words, Roina and Sempas also stepped forward. Though Rudger’s group had fewer numbers, their individual combat power was far more overwhelming. The Truth Faction magicians knew this too. They ended up losing face by acting as usual out of pride. “Limrei.” At that moment, the elderly man at the front of the Truth Faction opened his mouth. Tortei, the current leader of the Truth Faction. He gazed at Limrei with deeply sunken eyes and said: “Are you still wandering here searching for false hope?” “...” “If so, that’s a meaningless action. How could you possibly without our help...” “Stop.” Limrei cut off Tortei’s words. Though it was an action that should have angered him, Tortei closed his mouth. That was because Limrei’s expression was unusual. Though Limrei often got irritated and burst out in anger normally, this was different. His face was fierce like ice but his eyes burned intensely like an active volcano. Even Rudger had never seen this expression before. Tortei closed his mouth the moment he saw Limrei’s distorted expression. He had an instinctive feeling that he might die if he said one more word. “...Hmph. Foolish fellow. Do as you please. Let’s go!” Saying this, Tortei led his group to another part of the library. Their attitude of not wanting to associate with this side showed their will to never admit their own wrongdoing. “My goodness. How can they be so self-centered?” Roina shook her head as if disgusted by the Truth Faction’s attitude of not even apologizing. Sempas nodded in agreement. On the contrary, Rudger pondered the conversation that had just taken place between Tortei and Limrei. “Sage Limrei.” “...” “Were you acquainted with the Truth Faction?” At those words, Roina and Sempas also belatedly recalled this and stared at Limrei. Limrei frowned at their curious gazes, but soon relaxed his brow. “Yes. There’s no point hiding it this far in.” He nodded while letting out a light sigh. “I was formerly a Truth Faction affiliated magician. And now, I have a very uncomfortable relationship with those guys.”

Chapter 382

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