Chapter 108-Special One (2)
Who was most curious about Kang Min-hyuk’s welfare? Reinforced warriors? The general public? No, it was magical academia. As soon as they could, they visited Kang Min-hyuk’s ward, anxious to know how he was feeling. . “How are you? I can’t tell you how worried I was after the non-dance. I was breathless with anxiety, but I am so relieved that it is not as serious as I suspected. Although it is weak, I brought a special German magic elixir to help with your recovery. Eat this and make sure you recover well.”
It was Marco Dawson of the German Magic Association. Unlike his usual style, which was rumored to be harsh, he spoke in a very soft voice.
Marco Dawson did not leave Kang Min-hyuk’s side for a while. When he coughed, he brought water and talked to him from the side. Kang Min-hyuk knew why he was there. He wanted to hear about the magic he used in non-dance, but he couldn’t ask directly, so he tried to coax it out of him with kindness. Kang Min-hyuk turned away from Marco Dawson’s gaze.
After Marco Dawson, more well-meaning, reputable wizards from all over the world arrived, wielding fruit baskets and worried glances. Kang Min-hyuk was the hot potato of magic academia. All magic shown in the dance was a mystery, and to peek at the secrets, the sorcerers would have offered up their liver and gallbladder.
Of course, not every visitor had an ulterior motive.
People like Sang-hoon, Yoo Jae-myeong, Lee Hak-beom, and Kim Seong-ho also visited the hospital. Lee Hak-beom was still living in England, but he got on a plane to Korea as soon as he heard the news.
Choi Byeong-ho’s visit was noisy. As he rushed in with a nurse, he yelled and bustled about.
“Would Min-hyuk choose a room like this? Let’s move to the VIP hospital room right now; Min-hyuk, do not worry – I know the hospital director well, and I promise you’ll have the best medical staff available.
Oh, look at your thin face, Min-hyuk! What do you want to eat? Just say it, and you’ll have it.”
Choi Byeong-ho was a fascinating person. Theirs was a relationship formed by mutual gains, but his affection was sincere. After that, the rampage ended, and Kang Min-hyuk greeted the visitor he had desired.
“How are you feeling, Kang Min-hyuk?”
It was the Archmage of the British Magic Association, John Wesley.
* * *
John Wesley saw Kang Min-hyuk through a fresh lens. The day they first met, he evaluated his skills as superior to a student. In less than a year, that dynamic had flipped. Min-hyuk’s growth was exceptional.
“I’m fine.”
“Suhomun was a dangerous choice. If you died, we would have lost several hundred years of magical development. It wasn’t only your life you left open to sacrifice, but the future of the entire magical world.”
Kang Min-hyuk had become the core of magical academia. As a result of a magical civilization’s development, no one wanted Kang Min-hyuk to die in non-dance. Kang Min-hyuk laughed.
“Do you know what? While I’ve been here, countless wizards have visited. They all reacted the same way. Instead of worrying about me, they worried about the knowledge in my head. If I died, all that knowledge would be destroyed. I think maybe you are no different. As you just said, in the end, what I know is more important than the wizard that knows it.”
He was right, and John Wesley’s silence confirmed it.
“That doesn’t mean I blame you. If I were in your position, I would have done the same – what I know is significant. During my recovery, I’ve wondered whether it was right to disclose my knowledge to the public.”
“…Why is that?”
“I have made several presentations in aid of magical academia’s development. Double casting, magic shape change, mana fairy tale, medical magic, etc. What did the other wizards do while I shared these techniques? Have you disclosed what you have? No. You gave nothing. I gave my knowledge to aid everyone’s progress, at no cost, but the only thing that came back to me was a demand for more. Suddenly, people seemed to see me as a treasure trove of knowledge that they could shove their sticky hands into and take whatever they needed.”
There were no exceptions in the magic academia – everybody was guilty of it.
The American Magic Association seized it, the Korean Magic Association received it, and the British Magic Association tried their best to integrate it. Ultimately, everybody wanted a piece of it – what was once a gift became an expectation, as though the world had the right to what he had found.
John Welsey lowered his head. “I’m sorry…”
There was no adequate excuse for their greed.
Yes, part of his visit was to check up on Kang Min-hyuk’s comfort, but he would never have made the journey if he didn’t hope to pick up a few clues about the magic used in non-dance. He was infested with curiosity.
“No.”
Kang Min-hyuk began, “As I said earlier, I would have reacted the same if our roles were reversed. However, I was convinced that the magical academia would not be able to develop without my help – I want this world to fight monsters, and if I can equip people with the tools to make that happen, I have been glad to do it. Rather than being content with saving lives, we should all work together to eliminate the source of this catastrophe that exists beyond the gate. However, it’s impossible. Because reinforced warriors are the leaders of our world? That’s not such a big deal. The situation would be no different if magic were the primary force.”
His conviction in his statement stemmed from experience – he had seen Klinssman’s world and how they struggled to eliminate the source of their peril. Even after 2000 years, their closest state to success was contentedly coexisting with the beasts that sought to tear their world to shreds, waiting for them to knock at the door.
Powerful forces must lead people to power.
“While humans are fighting for fun, the monsters beyond the gate grow stronger. I want to unite the forces as one, and I want to stand at the center of it.”
“That means…?”
John Wesley’s eyes shook; he could see where Kang Min-hyuk’s criticisms were headed.
“Yes. I want to build a tower. If I’m planning an all-out war with monsters at the center of the world, will the British Magic Association stand by me?”
John Wesley opened his eyes wide. The request was completely unexpected.
* * *
John Wesley’s thinking became complicated. Kang Min-hyuk had an ideal theory – working together, instead of against each other, would generate the strength they needed to abolish the monsters. Still, it wasn’t possible…
When the monsters first appeared, people thought the world would perish. As time went on, the people who fought for their lives gradually adapted to reality for over a century. Gates and dungeons became everyday activities, and a system was developed to respond to them. Hunters kept the general public safe, so that continuation, at least, was possible. That was the problem. It was a tolerable ordeal, and people grew complacent with that fact.
Kang Min-hyuk demanded change.
John Wesley returned to England to present the idea to Wayne Burns. He appeared troubled by the notion.
“It’s a dangerous plan.”
Kang Min-hyuk was a great person – the best wizard in the world, and no one could surpass his status as a scholar, but his formation of power was a different matter. Many people would flock to his name, which was a positive thing, but it also meant that the existing forces would rebel under the threat of a new addition to the ranks. There was no reason to stand against Kang Min-hyuk when he had no affiliation. Still, if he gained power, the magical academia might rapidly change into a world he resided over. There would be those who could not accept it. However, his knowledge could only be significant when combined with power.
The initiative is integral to success. Upon the Tower’s erection, existing vested interests would try to press down before Kang Min-hyuk had taken a seat.
“What should I do?” asked John Wesley.
“It’s not a matter of choice. The reason the World Magic Federation advocates Kang Min-hyuk is that he gave his magic independently. People want to use Kang Min-hyuk as a tool, not a leader who gives instructions above their heads. Eventually, it will spark warfare. I don’t know.”
It was a really difficult situation. Kang Min-hyuk reached out only to the British Magic Association. If confusion arose, the British Magic Association would not be hostile, but would they prefer to stand apart from the proceedings?
Wayne Burns was dizzy and couldn’t choose either way. Authority was a notable achievement, but Min-hyuk’s magic held more than just power. If his tower was safely established, the expansion of his power could never be prevented. He was a predator who would destroy the ecosystem. Kang Min-hyuk’s pagoda had such a meaning.
Now, he grasped the meaning of his Incompetence.
“He’s a terrifying person. Kang Min-hyuk proved that he is the best wizard in the world through his non-dance. The A-class qualifications obtained in academic competitions and the reputation of being the best wizard proves to the people that he is qualified as a leader. His public rejection of Suhomun will also gain him the trust of many wizards.”
Goosebumps scurried across Wayne Burns’ flesh as he realized the undertones of Min-hyuk’s Incompetence. Many people couldn’t understand Kang Min-hyuk’s choice, but everything had fitted together perfectly if it ended in Ma-tap.
Kang Min-hyuk was purposeful – his every action held a meaning deeper than a single step. If he had the power to match it, he could accomplish genuinely great things. However, he could not ignore the power of vested interests. The strength and ambition accumulated over the past 100 years could not be destroyed immediately, no matter how great Kang Min-hyuk was.
“How do I do this?”
The crossroads of choice plunged Wayne Burns into trouble. However, he was not given enough time to contemplate. After Kang Min-hyuk made his proposal to John Wesley, he had already set a D-Day and implemented the plan.
Just a few days later, Kang Min-hyuk appeared in front of the TV.
* * *
The PD of S News accepted Kang Min-hyuk’s request for filming without enquiring about the content – he didn’t want to miss the opportunity of broadcasting Kang Min-hyuk. The atmosphere began with a friendly buzz of excitement – most expected insight into the non-dance – why he had challenged, and what his relationship with his father was like…what came out of Min-hyuk’s mouth caused everyone watching to question their ears.
“I would like to inform you of the start of a new tower.”
It was the beginning of a truly unconventional move that filled the viewers with awe.
