#045. Where Malice Gathers (2)
—
“I don’t understand. Isn’t it natural to fight and win to secure victory in that situation?”
The old man smiled.
He said there was no need to force understanding; time would naturally reveal the answer.
The conversation about gray mana continued for a bit longer.
“Regardless, I believe you can develop this magic in your own way. Even with the same elemental mana, the magic can differ greatly depending on who uses it.”
Ray agreed with that statement.
He was already thinking about how to utilize gray mana in combat.
He considered making a replacement weapon if a knife broke,
or sending sharp shards of stone flying with the wind,
or even causing the ground to rise and trip his opponent.
‘Using the ground to unbalance an enemy could work too.’
Since he believed offense was the best defense, such ideas naturally came to mind.
The only drawback was that the current mana ratio in his loop didn’t allow for the production of much gray mana.
Gray mana in the atmosphere was also difficult to handle, making it hard to draw or refine large amounts in a short time.
Perhaps that would change in the future,
but for now, his options were limited.
Still, small tools or structures could be created and used effectively.
The old man continued explaining the characteristics and primary uses of the elements in Ray’s Mana circle.
“Those who handle enhancement elements typically enhance their physical abilities for close combat.”
The enhancement element formed a significant part of red mana.
“With regeneration elements, wounds can be healed. A skilled mage can accelerate recovery from virtually any injury.”
“…….”
“And the blocking element is mainly used to form barriers.”
The regeneration and blocking elements made up a large portion of white mana.
“As for now, these are the widely known applications of these two elements. As for the weakening element…”
The old man paused briefly before continuing.
“…It’s one of the rarest elements. I’ve never actually met a mage specializing in it. It’s said to possess properties opposite to the enhancement element, but I can’t say anything for certain.”
While the old man could demonstrate enhancement and regeneration magic, as his circle contained small amounts of those elements, weakening magic was different.
His circle contained no traces of the weakening element.
“You mean I’ll have to figure out how to use the weakening element on my own?”
“Yes, exactly.”
Ray felt no particular disappointment at that statement.
The weakening element, associated with pale pink mana and sadness,
was not something he felt he’d need to explore.
“Can the ratios of elements in a circle change over time?”
“Generally, the proportions of elements present when a circle is first formed remain fixed…”
The old man trailed off, recognizing that the boy before him was anything but ordinary.
‘His first circle already contains all existing elements. Though the ratios differ, it’s as if the ambient mana was replicated directly.’
Theoretically impossible.
Elements inherently had compatibility or conflict.
Some could coexist or even merge, while others repelled each other or triggered violent reactions upon contact.
This made it unimaginable for “all” elements to coexist in a confined space like a circle.
But it was possible.
The evidence stood before him.
Genius defies convention.
Uncertain, the old man refrained from making definitive statements.
As the old man sank into thought, Ray felt a sense of frustration.
‘If only there were a way to reduce the ratio of pale pink mana.’
That would naturally create more room for other colors of mana in his loop.
Mana of an unused color was essentially as useless as scrap metal.
Lost in thought, Ray noticed faint breathing ahead.
Looking up, he saw the old man had fallen asleep.
Checking the time, Ray grabbed a notebook and pen from the desk.
He recorded today’s date and the time he’d just checked beneath the already detailed chart.
“…1 hour, 56 minutes, and 42 seconds.”
After finishing, he returned the notebook and pen to their places.
This was something Veronica had asked him to do—tracking the duration of the old man’s wakefulness during their one-on-one lessons.
Compared to the previous day, the old man had stayed awake 3 minutes and 36 seconds less.
Ray helped lay the old man on the bed, pulling the blanket up to his chest.
Then he returned to his seat, silently observing the old man’s serene sleep.
Apart from the gentle rise and fall of his chest, he seemed almost lifeless.
He would likely sleep like this until the next morning.
But his wakeful hours would steadily diminish until he fell into eternal rest.
‘He’ll soon draw his last breath.’
Death from Eternal Sleep resembled natural death but wasn’t any easier to accept.
In the lower sector, natural death itself was rare.
People were more likely to die from stabbing, disease, mining accidents, starvation, or freezing.
Though time was supposedly a resource everyone had, the reality was different.
Residents of the lower sector were rarely granted the chance to fully exhaust it.
‘I’ve never seen it happen—not even once.’
In Sector 50, Ray had never witnessed someone live out their natural lifespan.
Quietly, Ray left the room.
He went downstairs to where Veronica was organizing books.
“How’s Grandpa?”
“He’s asleep.”
“I see.”
“1 hour, 56 minutes, and 42 seconds.”
“Less than yesterday, huh?”
Veronica’s face turned somber.
The bowl contained white mana that signified concern, but unlike before, it did not give off a beautiful impression.
“Does it only take on a sun-like shape when she’s worried about me?”
The beautiful, small white sun.
It seemed like he’d have to make Veronica worry again if he wanted to see it.
Thinking he should test it when the opportunity arose, he sat at the table with Veronica.
There, he worked with Veronica to build her mana circle.
“I think you need to rotate the mana faster.”
“Like this?”
“No, faster.”
“This much?”
In truth, it was less about helping and more about offering observations or advice.
“Faster. Like I’m doing now.”
“I can’t go that fast.”
“Why?”
“Well, that’s because…”
“Why can’t you?”
“…”
“I just don’t get why you can’t do it.”
At times, his remarks were frustrating.
Veronica briefly considered hitting Ray on the back of the head with the corner of a book. However, realizing he wasn’t teasing her but was genuinely curious, she loosened her grip on the book.
**”What a strange boy.”**
Truly, truly, truly strange.
She finally sighed.
“I feel like I’m not helping much. I might as well spend this time reviewing my writing lessons or reading a book.”
“No! Don’t leave! Stay here and watch!”
Despite everything, Veronica didn’t want Ray to leave.
She was a girl who had guarded the bookstore almost entirely on her own, with no one to lean on.
Just having someone her age nearby gave her a significant sense of security and satisfaction.
When their attempt to create a circle concluded, they moved on to lessons.
“Did you understand this part?”
“Yes. You can move on.”
The lessons progressed smoothly without any hitches.
After two to three hours of lessons, they joined Yulfin and Malta for lunch.
The clatter of utensils filled the air as they ate.
Having heard rumors on the street, the two young ones now looked at Ray with bright, awestruck eyes instead of wary ones.
“There’s a rumor going around that you’re the boss of the street. Is that true?”
“Don’t just call him Ray like that, sis. You should address him properly as ‘Hunter.’”
At an age where masculinity and strength were idolized, they looked up to Ray with boundless admiration.
“Our sister is too overprotective. She says everything is dangerous and treats us like we’re crybabies like her.”
“But compliment her looks, and she completely loses her mind. Try using that during a fight someday.”
“Yeah. Women are like that.”
**Bang! Bang!**
“Waaaah! I’m telling Grandpa!”
“Waaah! She hit me!”
The two fled up the stairs after getting smacked by Veronica.
A few minutes later, they came back down, their faces completely fine, and asked Ray earnestly:
“What do you think of our sister?”
“You’re not her boyfriend, are you? Over my dead body…”
**Boom! Boom!**
“Waaaah!”
“Waaah!”
When lunch ended, Ray always handed Veronica some money.
“What’s this for?”
“Lunch costs.”
“…”
Veronica didn’t want to take money from Ray.
But she knew she’d ultimately end up accepting it no matter how much they argued.
She had already figured out Ray’s personality—he never compromised when he believed he was right.
She sighed deeply and said,
“I’ll hold onto it for now. If you ever need it later, just let me know, and I’ll give it back.”
Though she felt a twinge of sadness at Ray’s meticulous calculations, it also sparked her competitive spirit.
**”So, we’re not that close yet, huh?”**
Her red eyes burned with determination.
**”I’ll make sure he’s the one to call me a friend first someday.”**
—
—
After lunch, they reopened the bookstore.
On the first two days, not a single customer came by. But by the third day, word spread that the store had reopened, and old patrons started trickling in.
“Welcome!”
“Mr. Belfort! It’s been a while!”
Veronica and her younger siblings greeted customers warmly and handled the backlog of bookstore tasks one by one.
Sometimes vagrants wandered into the store, but they would quickly retreat after locking eyes with Ray, who was sitting at a table reading a book.
It was an instinctive reaction—a survival mechanism of those accustomed to life on the streets.
No matter how young or small someone appeared, their instincts told them this one was a predator.
When the bookstore closed in the evening, Ray headed back to his hotel.
“Here! This is your share from today’s hotel revenue, calculated down to the penny according to the contract. This is the breakdown sheet.”
“Got it. I’ve confirmed it.”
From Phillip, Ray received a pouch of money daily.
Later, he met with Kedrick.
“Here’s today’s report. First, Melbor and Heidel were seen on 20th Street…”
He listened to updates on unusual occurrences within their group and trained them in fighting techniques at a nearby clearing.
By the time his day ended, it was usually late at night. Under the faint moonlight, he would navigate through piles of scrap metal to a scratched-up vehicle buried deep in the junkyard. There, he would lay down in the driver’s seat, wrap himself in a blanket, and drift off to sleep.
Just before sinking into unconsciousness, he would go over his plans for the future, tirelessly reviewing them in his mind.
*
**Sector 49. Northern Junkyard.**
At 1:58 PM, under the hazy sunlight, two boys stood before the skeletal remains of an abandoned factory.
“Are… are you sure about this?”
One of the boys asked, his face betraying his unease.
“There’s nothing to worry about. Just stick to the role I gave you,” the other boy replied calmly.
Time ticked on, and at exactly 2:00 PM—
*Crunch.*
The sound of approaching footsteps made both boys turn their heads.
In the distance, a man in a coat was rapidly approaching through the junkyard.
‘It’s fine, Kedrick! Just act as Ray instructed.’
Kedrick took a deep breath, his fingers fidgeting with the ring that Ray had returned to him.
Unlike before, Kedrick was no longer under the influence of the ring. Ray, with the old man’s help, had removed the enchantments of enhancement and extraction magic embedded in it.
*”The magic wasn’t particularly sophisticated. It used a lot of mana, but the formulas were crude—like someone impatiently hammering things together with brute force.”*
At the old man’s gesture, red and black mana rose from the ring like smoke. The two types of mana squirmed violently, like insects trying to escape a trap, before being broken down into multiple colors and dispersing into the air.
It was a sight that left Ray in awe—he had only ever considered combining colors of mana, never dismantling them.
Snapping out of his thoughts, Ray noticed Kedrick’s nervousness and spoke gently.
“Kedrick, it’s okay. This isn’t your first time meeting that man. Just act naturally, as you’ve done before. If you do well, I’ll reward you again next time.”
*Reward.*
At that single word, Kedrick’s stiff face relaxed, and the anxiety that had filled him began to dissipate rapidly. With a determined expression, he nodded.
“I’ll do my best. When we get back, you have to teach me the next technique.”
Kedrick had fully accepted and acknowledged the situation.
*”Honestly… while wearing that ring, it felt like I wasn’t myself. No matter how much I slept, I was exhausted. The smallest things made me angry. I felt like I was losing my mind.”*
He now understood that the ring’s magic had amplified his power while simultaneously eroding his mind.
*”Thank you. In a way, you saved me.”*
This realization led Kedrick to learn combat techniques from Ray, fostering gratitude and loyalty deep in his heart.
Kedrick was a quick learner. Within just two days, he had mastered joint locks taught by Ray, effortlessly subduing a much larger opponent during a sparring session.
*”Is this… possible? Did I just win?”*
Staring at his opponent, who was trapped between his limbs and unable to move, Kedrick was dumbfounded.
*”Agh─! I give up! I give up! Please let me go!”*
The desperate cries of his opponent jolted him back to reality. A wave of exhilaration surged through his body, leaving him trembling. Overwhelmed with emotion, tears welled up in his eyes.
*”I won.”*
After the sparring session ended, Kedrick, still in a daze, spoke to Ray in the empty training ground.
*”I still don’t know how I won. I’m weak, small, and without that ring, I’m nothing.”*
Ray regarded him silently before replying, “A large build and strength give an advantage, sure. But fighting isn’t just about raw power. You’ve been training diligently, and that’s why you won. Joint locks require you to endure your opponent’s resistance after you’ve applied them. You’ve built that endurance.”
Kedrick felt a strange emotion welling up inside him. His face crumpled, and soft sobs escaped his lips. Before long, he broke down entirely, collapsing to the ground and crying like a child.
*”Thank you… hic…*”
It felt as if all his efforts had finally been validated.
*”Hic… thank you so much… hic… really…”*
As if someone were gently patting him, telling him he had worked hard, Kedrick couldn’t stop the tears.
*”…….”*
Of course, Ray didn’t understand Kedrick’s emotional outburst. He had merely stated the facts.
What was so moving? What was so sorrowful?
Ray watched silently, his emotionless eyes fixed on Kedrick’s overflowing emotions.
*Tap. Tap. Tap.*
The approaching man drew closer, and without taking his eyes off him, Ray whispered,
“If he asks who I am, tell him I’m a newcomer who recently joined the group and became the Vice leader.”
“If he suddenly attacks me?”
“Run straight to the hotel and follow the instructions I gave you.”
Kedrick’s response was swift.
In truth, Kedrick didn’t fully understand why the man had given him the ring or what grand plans Ray was formulating.
But one thing was clear—he had to do his best to follow Ray’s orders.
‘That’s the least I can do to repay him.’
Repaying a debt was non-negotiable.
As the man stopped just a step away, Kedrick took a deep breath and stepped forward.
*Tap tap tap.*
After closing the distance, he stopped, bent low at the waist, and called out loudly, “It’s been a while, teacher!”
From his lowered view, he saw the man’s shoes—worn leather, scuffed, scratched, and discolored, reminiscent of a vagrant’s footwear.
How had he not noticed this before?
A true leader of a large organization wouldn’t be wearing such worn-out shoes. Even the pants, torn and charred in places, were far from pristine.
Freed from the ring’s influence, Kedrick now saw things he hadn’t noticed before.
“Enough with the pleasantries. Show me your face, Kedrick.”
The man’s raspy voice came from above.
Straightening his back, Kedrick raised his head to meet the man’s gaze.
“You’re looking more confident these days. Confidence shows in one’s demeanor and aura.”
The man’s eyes gleamed unnaturally, and his mouth twisted into a grin that stretched unnervingly far.
It was a face Kedrick had seen many times before, yet it felt far more unsettling now.
“That’s all thanks to the treatment you gave me, teacher.”
“Yes, yes. It’s all thanks to me, of course. Is the group you’re leading growing well?”
“Yes, the number of members has increased since last time─”
“Wait. Before that…”
The man cut him off, glancing to the side.
His gaze landed on the desolate ruins of the factory.
“I think you owe me an explanation first. Did I come to the wrong place? Hm?”
“I-I can explain that too─”
“No, no, no. Before that.”
The man’s head whipped around abruptly, his sharp gaze locking onto Ray.
“Who is *that*?”
The boy and the man’s eyes met directly.
