#018. In the Basement (1)
“…….”
What had I just done?
I never imagined magic could achieve something like this.
There was no time to dwell on it deeply.
Time kept flowing relentlessly even in this moment.
Creak—clank.
I entered and closed the door behind me.
His calm eyes swept across the interior.
‘It’s more spacious than I expected.’
The basement spanned several small rooms combined.
Buried deep underground, the ceiling loomed unusually high.
Fizz—buzz—
A long cord descended from above.
Its aged bulb buzzed faintly, bathing the dim space in crimson light.
A desk, bed, wardrobe, and sink stood arranged—clearly the coat-wearing man’s living quarters according to intelligence.
Ray reached the desk after exploring the basement.
Dried-out pens and an open notebook lay scattered atop it.
Every page brimmed with densely packed handwriting.
Torn edges and creases marked where dissatisfied pages had been ripped out.
The floor surrounding him drowned in crumpled paper balls.
「Boss. The blazing fire of my life... The boss... expelled from... organization... already...」
The jagged script proved difficult to decipher.
「Though... my skills... this too is Boss’s will... my enduring respect... wretched abilities...」
The repeated “Boss” confirmed the man’s organizational ties.
「Issued Bloodstone... still growing stronger...」
Bloodstone—likely referring to the red gem in his ring.
「Street dwellers... as sacrifices... orphans... 66 souls... vanishing unnoticed... proving my resolve...」
As Ray finished reading, the bulb erupted in violent flickers.
Buzz—! Fizz—!
It stabilized moments later.
...Nearing its lifespan’s end?
He crouched to smooth out crumpled pages.
Their contents mirrored the notebook’s, but legible fragments offered new clues.
Pieces were falling into place.
Staring into empty space, Ray organized his thoughts.
The coat-wearing man had undoubtedly sought Cedric.
The specific “66” number implied insider knowledge.
Yet contradictions lingered.
「Merkred’s executive personally inspects our group. Periodic headcounts.」
Cedric had described an organizational executive.
‘This basement dweller doesn’t fit. His writings suggest expulsion rather than authority.’
Ray weighed possibilities:
If the man impersonated an executive?
Perhaps inflating his status to control Cedric.
‘Why gather 66 people?’
The term “sacrifices” loomed ominously, though Ray didn’t comprehend its meaning.
Fizz—buzz—
Under the stuttering light, Ray continued searching.
Creak.
He inspected wardrobe and bed.
Drew each desk drawer open.
Clunk. Thud.
Clunk. Thud.
Upper drawers held only junk.
Clunk.
The final drawer revealed a square tin.
“…….”
Fingernail-sized gems glinted inside—over twenty identical crimson stones with translucent cores.
‘Same as the ring’s gem.’
Faint red mana seeped from them. Ray remembered how similar energy had connected to Cedric’s heart.
‘Mana, but different from ambient particles.’
Instinctively, he drew the gem’s mana into his palm.
Huum—
It flowed smoother than atmospheric energy, like crimson threads coalescing.
The boy’s eyes shone with fascination.
What if he wielded magic through this?
Before the thought fully formed, scarlet mana condensed at his will.
Whoosh!
Flames erupted—crisper and faster than any he’d produced before.
‘Ignition usually takes longer...’
Near-instantaneous activation. The refined gem-mana proved superior, like pre-processed energy stored for efficiency.
Fizz—buzz!
The bulb flickered again as—
Thud—thud—
Footsteps echoed beyond the door.
Back already? Barely fifteen minutes passed.
Ray mentally calculated escape timelines while tracking the approaching sounds.
Only one stairway connected to ground level. No exits. Inevitable confrontation upon opening.
Yet Ray remained composed.
He pocketed gems, shut drawers, and erased traces of presence with practiced efficiency.
Thud—thud—thud—
Footsteps paused outside.
Click-clack.
Key entering lock.
A muffled voice:
—Huh? Did I forget to lock?
Clack!
Metallic screeching followed as the iron door swung wide.
“Goddamn... Forgot my wallet? Fucking... memory’s rotting. No wonder Boss discarded me.”
Creak—bang!
The door hit the wall, trapping Ray in the triangular space behind it.
“Wasted time. Could’ve written more letters to Boss...”
Muffled rustling continued beyond the door.
“But it’s fine. Walter, don’t worry. After this job, I’ll return. Boss’ll acknowledge me again. Heh.”
Unstable laughter reverberated.
“Wallet’s here. Should stockpile food next time. Lay low awhile—”
Footsteps approached the door.
Thud.
A hand gripped the handle.
Ray held his breath.
“Wait. Needed something else—ah, right—”
Screeeeeech!
“RAT POISON! Think I wouldn’t notice you vermin hiding here—?!”
The door flew open, revealing a contorted face.
Ray exhaled and slashed diagonally upward—hooded, masked, knife gleaming.
Squelch!
“Gaaah!”
The man clutched his bleeding nose but kept eye contact.
Bang!
He slammed the door shut, blocking retreat.
“The fuck? Thought you were organization hitmen, but a brat? How’d you get in—?”
Ray answered with another strike.
Squelch!
Clang!
The blade halted mid-air—caught bare-handed. Astonishingly, no blood flowed.
The man’s hand trembled against Ray’s strength-enhanced grip.
Fizz—buzz—
Under flickering light, their faces flashed in and out of shadows.
“Ignoring adults... fucking strong brat...”
Ray focused past the knife to the man’s ring.
Mana flowed through its channels, concentrating in the gripping hand.
‘A cutting-prevention spell.’
“Wha—?!”
The man released the knife abruptly.
Ray maintained stance, prepared.
“Little shit! Die!”
The man moved startlingly fast despite nasal hemorrhage. A curved blade—daodao—arced downward.
Shiiiing!
Ray intercepted bare-handed, gripping the metal.
“How—?! My Metallization—unique magic—!”
Panic flashed as Ray pressed the advantage.
Clang! Clang!
Blades clashed violently. The man’s coat shredded under relentless strikes, hat tumbling off.
Clang!
“Guh!”
Sweat poured as the man blocked desperately, eyes burning with manic excitement.
“You’re... the mimic assassin Boss warned about! Heh!”
Crash!
The man finally collapsed.
Ray pinned his wrist vertically.
Squelch! Thud!
A stomp shattered the other hand’s bones.
Crack!
The body convulsed, fully restrained.
“I have questions. Answer them.”
No response. The man giggled into the floor.
“Hehe... rumors said the mimic was a kid...”
His wavering voice betrayed instability.
“Kill you... Boss will have to accept me...”
Experience warned against reasoning with madness.
‘Eliminate him. Prevent repercussions.’
Magic knowledge could be acquired elsewhere.
As Ray deliberated—
The ring’s mana twitched.
Whooosh!
Flames engulfed the man instantly.
Thud!
Ray retreated, observing dispassionately.
“Tell Boss... Bloodshot Walter’s coming... if you survive...”
The burning figure rose unscathed.
Ray’s heart pounded inexplicably as flame mana colors drained into his pupils.
