Genius Prismatic Mage Chapter 136

#138. Light and Shadow (1)

Ray stared with dry eyes at the black ash scattering across the sky above the wall.

Swish.

When I looked down, I saw an alley full of soot marks.

‘There are four organizations.’

Until just now, I was organizing in my head the information I had extracted from those who existed in the world.

The entire underworld of Sector 37 was largely divided into four organizations.

The Amon family of the East.

The Nostra Clan of the North.

Thorns Cactus of the West.

The Camoley family of the South.

Each organization has between 200 and 400 people.

Each organization could be said to be a large group of equal or greater level than Nishohwa.

‘He said that each organization has a wizard.’

The seven men who had been chasing after him were low-level members of the Nostra Clan.

Perhaps because I was at the bottom, I didn’t know much about magicians.

If there is any meaningful information that I have obtained.

“… … .”

Ray looked down at the leather gloves in his hands.

The gloves that all enemies wore had red mana flowing over the wrinkled leather.

It was a strengthening magic.

Improves the wearer’s muscle strength.

Ray recalled their last conversation.

“You believed this and tried to catch me?”

“Yes, yes…! T, you look difficult too… .”

The man on the left, kneeling, trembled as he glanced at Ray’s face.

It was hard to believe that the person in front of him was a child.

“I’ve seen these gloves on the street a few times. Did you make them?”

“That’s not it. I’ve heard that there are sometimes craftsmen who make magic tools on the black market, but basically, most of the items floating around on the market are ready-made products.”

As the man continued, the name of the manufacturer was engraved on the neck of the glove.

Actually, it wasn’t that great of a deal by Ray’s standards.

“I don’t think my strength will increase that much even if I wear this.”

“Uh… yes?”

It falls far short of directly using strengthening magic.

It might be useful in everyday life or in fights between ordinary people, but it was of little use against magicians.

but.

“Still, it’s a very expensive item. It’s hard to get it because there isn’t much stock left. Even if you sell it used, it’s at least worth 100,000 shillings…”

“Ten thousand shillings?”

“It’s one hundred thousand shillings.”

“hand.”

“yes?”

“Put it forward. It’ll be easier to take it off then.”

Ray took seven pairs of gloves, including those of the dead.

I didn’t really have any greed for money.

It was just a precaution against the possibility, albeit unlikely, that John and Skyle’s accounts were empty.

The information that Ray quickly found out through physical contact was as follows.

They usually follow their targets and only work when they get a solid estimate.

The reason I rushed the work today was because the other party was a child and let their guard down, but also because the organization’s funds were drying up and an urgent blood transfusion was needed.

And the financial difficulties are largely due to the power struggle with the Eastern Amon Family.

‘It might be a little difficult.’

It didn’t matter what kind of relationship or situation the two organizations had.

However, the problem was that the impact spread to other places.

“The Cube location is strictly speaking in the territory of the Nostra Clan. One of our main businesses is to hand over cards to our customers faster and differently than anyone else.”

However, as the power struggle became prolonged, problems arose in the business.

The Amon Family began recruiting or killing all card technicians within Sector 37 in an effort to cut off the Nostra Clan’s financial resources.

“Most of them have gone over to Amon’s side. Those who haven’t have stopped their activities and are hiding.”

In other words, it was like that.

Even if you get a card, it’s extremely difficult to find a technician who can use it.

“… … .”

Ray fiddled with the black cards of John and Skyle in his arms.

After a moment to gather my thoughts.

I turned around and walked out of the alley.

*

Since he fought while wearing a thin mana mask all over his body, blood did not splatter on his clothes or face.

Ray re-entered the clothing store looking as neat as when he came out.

“I’m trying to find the clothes I left behind.”

“Ah! You’re the one who came earlier. Here you are!”

I went into the locker room, changed into my original clothes, and came out.

Knock knock─

“Please put the clothes you purchased in this paper bag and take them with you… Uh, uh, uh?”

The boy’s eyes and hair turned white again.

The shop owner’s movements froze for a moment.

“I will use the bag well.”

Ray took the bag, packed his clothes, and quickly left the store.

Squeak-

─White, black, white again? Am I a bit tired today?

I quickly crossed the square, leaving the shop owner’s dull voice behind me.

Suddenly, he felt dizzy and took off the glasses Philip was wearing.

‘Philip is wearing this so well.’

I planned to continue to disguise myself whenever I had to work alone.

If I leave traces of myself in my original form, my companions Philip and Veronica may be put in danger.

However, in order to use glasses as a disguise item, it seems that you need to buy non-prescription glasses separately.

Knock knock knock knock knock─

Ray’s steps were unstoppable.

Through the binding magic, I was able to sense the location of Philip and Veronica.

It wasn’t that far.

Probably a nearby downtown area.

Judging by the lack of movement, it seemed like they had found a place to stay.

I think it took about 10 minutes to walk like that.

I saw a stylish looking inn with a rickshaw parked outside.

It was a great location, convenient for activities as it was located in the center of the sector, but had a high fence to avoid unnecessary attention.

“Ah! Did you have a good time doing your business?”

Jang, who had been resting on the rickshaw with his upper body bent forward, suddenly sat up and greeted Ray.

“Are the two of you inside?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

Ray tilted his head.

“If you’re resting, isn’t the back seat much more comfortable than the driver’s seat?”

“Ah, that’s….”

Jang hesitated to answer.

It was only natural that a wide seat would be more comfortable than a narrow saddle.

However, rickshaws are virtually exclusive to the wealthy.

There, this place is the busiest of the busy districts.

It was obvious what kind of looks a lowly worker would receive if he were to sit comfortably in the customers’ seats.

“Well, if I sit in the back… .”

Jang was momentarily embarrassed.

What everyone naturally acquires while living in the sector is the difference in class and the order that comes with it.

It was as natural as breathing, and no one had ever questioned or doubted it.

At least, within the confines of Jang’s life, a man whose only pride in life is his age, which is slightly above the average for a slum.

“What if I sit in the back?”

… But the boy in front of me was different.

I asked a question whose answer was so obvious that it was not surprising.

As if he really doesn’t know.

So it seems like he’s asking for an explanation.

There was absolutely no intention to mock or tease the other person in his flat voice.

A type I’ve never encountered before.

“If you sit down… Well, if you sit down… .”

Cognitive dissonance that came in a moment.

A brief pause in the funeral procession.

Thud.

Ray grabbed Zhang’s wrist.

“If you don’t want to answer, you don’t have to. Just go inside. You need to eat to replenish your energy so you can pedal later.”

Ray walked straight towards the inn entrance.

Jang tried to reflexively shake off the boy’s hand.

Because he had previously steadfastly refused the same offer that Philip and Veronica had made.

“Uh… Uh uh…”

But I couldn’t shake off the force that was so strong.

It felt as if he was being dragged away by a giant’s hand, and Jang, who still had not come to his senses due to cognitive dissonance, ended up entering the inn in a panic.

The first floor serves as a counter and a restaurant.

Veronica and Philip, who were at the window table, noticed Ray and Jang and raised their voices.

“Ah, Ray is here! He’s here!”

“The old man came too. He didn’t even flinch when we asked him to come eat with us.”

Ray dragged the suitcase over to the table and sat down.

“Uh… uh… I, I have to go out… .”

Jang looked around with trembling eyes and fidgeted.

I couldn’t come to my senses at all.

The rickshaw puller was that kind of man.

A man who believes that the secret to his longevity is that he did not harbor vain dreams and that he recognized his place and place early on.

In other words.

But I never crossed the line.

“Hey, this isn’t my, my, place to be.”

just now.

The line has been firmly crossed.

I’ve always admired the high-end establishments in downtown areas from the outside while they wait for guests, but I’ve never actually been inside.

My eyes were dizzy at the luxurious and spacious interior.

My face felt hot because it seemed like all the guests on the first floor were looking at me.

In addition, the sunlight streaming in through the window kept piercing my eyes and blurring my vision.

“I, I will wait outside!”

Jang got up from his seat, feeling as if his body would explode at any moment.

Bam!

But immediately.

dump.

I ended up sitting on the road.

It was because my body lost strength due to Ray’s weakening magic.

“I don’t belong here…!”

Bam!

Woof.

dump!

“If you stay here, you’ll be a nuisance…!”

Bam!

Woof.

dump!

The same situation repeated itself several times.

From Ray’s perspective, the car he was trying to fill up with fuel kept closing its fuel tank and trying to reverse.

‘Why are you doing this?’

‘Why are you doing this?’

The boy and the rickshaw man looked at each other with eyes filled with question and confusion.

Knock, knock, knock

The dishes we ordered started coming out.

Jang looked at the group in turn as the bowl increased in an instant, not knowing what to do.

“Here, the sirloin dish is… in sauce.”

The employee noticed the shabby appearance of the store and trailed off.

A glance that sweeps up and down.

Jang bowed his head deeply.

As if he had committed a great sin.

I was still confused and disoriented, but I instinctively knew what to do in this situation.

“… You can take a picture and eat it. Enjoy your meal.”

“… … ?”

Contrary to Jang’s expectations, the employees left without making any particular remarks.

Philip’s whispering voice could be heard above the head of the funeral parlor that had not yet been opened.

“It’s okay. If you stay with us, no one will say anything out loud.”

Then, Veronica’s delicate hands appeared in front of me, placing a fork and spoon in my deep-down vision.

“It would be a good idea to wipe your hands with a wet towel.”

Jang slowly raised his head.

Ray’s voice was heard from the side.

“Eat it. It’s easier to digest when you eat it while it’s warm.”

Then the dishes began to clatter.

Jang remained in a daze for a while, his body frozen.

It was unfamiliar.

The scenery, the food, the sentences.

Everything that stabbed the inside of my throbbing heart.

“Thank you… thank you… .”

Philip and Veronica were taken aback by Jang’s sudden appearance of shedding tears.

“Hey, go, why are you crying all of a sudden?”

“Here! Here’s the tissue!”

Ray also reacted immediately to Jang’s crying and moved the soup bowl, and tears fell precariously on the spot.

“Thank you… I really appreciate it.”

Jang didn’t know why he was crying.

I didn’t even know what to be thankful for.

I just felt like I had to do it, and the sunlight from the window was so glaring that I couldn’t open my eyes.

While Veronica pulled out a tissue and helped Zhang to wipe away his tears.

Ray asked Philip.

“Why are you crying? I don’t see any sad emotions in the bowl.”

“Uh… I’m not sure, but I think he did it because he liked it.”

“You cry because you like it?”

“People don’t only cry when they’re sad or scared. They also cry when they’re so happy or when their hearts are full.”

At that moment, a small realization came to Ray’s mind.

‘You don’t only cry when you’re sad or scared.’

I feel like I’ve discovered a great secret of the world.

Street children used to cry when they got punched, but it’s possible that they did it because they liked it.

The boy made up his mind.

‘I have to hit harder next time.’

He carefully observed the waves of emotion flowing through the rickshaw puller’s bowl and tried to understand them.

The boy’s concentration was deep.

That’s why I didn’t realize it.

The fact that the point of mana orbiting around the heart to complete the third ring is racing at a faster rate than usual.

“Ugh… Thank you… Thank you so much.”

“Veronica, is there any magic that can make you stop crying?”

“Oh, oh, are you pouring electricity or something on me?”

Sunlight, carrying a gentle warmth, was streaming in through the window.

Although it is not that bright.

The direction is very clear.