Episode 1. The Terror Of Mages Gains A New Life

Mages were heroes who saved the nation—and murderers who scattered blood in their wake.

Korea's rapid growth in the 1980s was built upon their power.

But it was also they who committed illegal human experimentation and every manner of crime, sheltered beneath a cloak of immunity.

Such was the true nature of the heroes called the "Miracle Generation."

So it was hardly strange that, in the cracks between that savagery and violence, someone like me—a [Mage Hunter]—would be born.

"Ptch."

I spat as I sprinted through the forest.

Blood mixed into the spittle.

The distance between me and the two mages refused to widen.

'So this pursuit squad numbers two in total….'

"The Abyss ends just ahead! You've got nowhere to run!"

"Murderer! Face the judgment of this age!"

I clicked my tongue at the two of them shouting so noisily.

It was simply absurd—using mages of such extreme rarity, high-level ones at that (Level 5 and above), for something like this.

"Foolish creatures. You ought to be clearing the Abyss, not wasting your efforts trying to catch a single Mage Hunter."

I took position in a clearing that appeared suddenly before me and prepared an ambush.

[Level 3 Projection-Type]

[WIND CUTTER]

I dodged the translucent blade that came flying at me, closed the distance, and drove my dagger in.

Sparks flew off the silver barrier, and the middle-aged mage wore a triumphant expression—

but that expression quickly shifted to one of bewilderment.

[Gang San-Style Special-Type]

[Reverse Flow —]

The Ether reversed its flow. The barrier tore apart, and from the Ether backlash, the mage's veins burst open.

"GAAAARGH!"

"What a waste, squandering resources to chase after me… tsk, tsk…."

As though to protect the fallen mage, a female mage stepped between us.

"The mages you've killed already number over thirty, Exorcist! Why do you do this? Have you no patriotism? No conscience? You wretched old monster! You traitor!"

"You already know full well why I do this…."

"So-yeon! Don't listen to him!"

Only then did I realize I was seeing this So-yeon for the first time.

Her face was young—barely an adult, still carrying the soft roundness of childhood.

'A newcomer who's just reached Level 5, I'd wager.'

I smiled faintly and tightened my grip on the dagger.

"You know as well as anyone that the Magic Towers were built upon a foundation of bones, do you not?"

"That's just a rumor. If you think you can deceive me with lies, don't even dream of it."

"In Korea alone, tens of thousands died from the Towers' human experiments, child. They call them the Miracle Generation, call them heroes—but in truth, they are nothing but killers."

I turned my gaze to the familiar male mage and continued.

Han Bi-hyeong. Undoubtedly the one with two counts of human experimentation and murder to his name.

"Indeed. The man standing right behind you is a killer implicated in two murders."

"What? That's a… lie…."

The flustered young woman turned to look behind her. The man's expression twisted.

"Senior Bi-hyeong…?"

"No. Don't let yourself be played by his lies."

I smiled pleasantly at the man who was lying.

"Look up classified file F-032 from Heavenly Star Tower. You'll find many familiar names within. Keh-heh-heh."

At my words, the man ground his teeth.

"…This country survived because of that. It's not as though I enjoyed it."

He had apparently recovered already, and now glared at me.

"Does it not grieve you? A parent who lost their child gave everything they owned to commission the killing of your senior, young mage."

"That can't… be true…."

"Don't listen to him, So-yeon. He's nothing but a madman who kills mages."

The woman called So-yeon was still blinking, clearly in shock.

"Killing people…? Human experiments? I thought that was something only China or North Korea did…."

"Most mages who survived the age of savagery have at least one or two killings to their name, child."

I readjusted my grip on the dagger and deflected an incoming Ether shot.

"Is that not so? O noble hero, sir."

From the shadows of the forest, a white-haired man appeared.

"Senior Lee Han?"