Damned System

Chapter 51. Exchange (5)

He raised the ring to his eye level and examined it closely.

“It’s three-star. The activation phrase is…”

For a brief moment, the mana around Ahel moved, and then he smiled inscrutably as he spoke.

“It’s a name. The true name of the mana holder.”

Inadvertently, this revealed that my name wasn’t K, but it didn’t really matter.

“K is also my name.”

It’s a code ‘name’, so technically, it’s not a lie.

“Names can be multiple, right? I’m like that, and Bennett has an alias too. No need to explain.”

“I’m glad you understand.”

“Ah, since we’re on the topic, let me explain something too.”

Ahel, still with a smile, suddenly lowered his voice.

“While examining the magic item, I naturally learned that your mana belongs to the lightning attribute.”

It wasn’t too surprising. Ahel had approached me with some intuition about my mana from the start.

‘Probably related to what he said about the echo.’

Revealing my attribute was something I had accepted when I handed him the ring. I responded to Ahel with a smile.

“I had no intention of hiding it.”

“You should hide it though.”

His response was unexpected.

“People like you are extremely rare.”

Apparently, even a few years ago, there were less than 100 people with rank 5 mana across the continent.

“Since all four elements overlap in you, the scent is naturally strong. You should learn to hide it soon.”

His words triggered a memory from my middle school science class.

‘Lightning… forms in storm clouds, right?’

Typically, storm clouds form due to rising currents from heated air on the ground.

For the energy generated there to fall, it needs the element of the earth again.

‘It all makes sense when you think of it that way.’

I wasn’t able to deduce the answer alone yet, but Ahel’s explanation helped me understand.

Thanks to this, I realized why I hadn’t noticed the issues when using my skills.

‘So, Mana Detection is a magic usable at rank 1?’

Considering its price, it was sufficient to be called low-rank magic.

‘The effect is merely locating mana around.’

Thus, Ahel’s insights on mana, attributes, and magic all aligned with my understanding.

The method to confirm this assumption was simple. I could show Ahel the butterflies that appeared whenever I implemented Mana Detection.

“Is this low-rank magic?”

Flutter, flutter.

As soon as Ahel saw the red butterfly that flew out of my pocket, he nodded.

“Yes, it is.”

With the next moment, a dozen blue shining butterflies emerged, surrounding him.

The light shimmered from the butterflies, disrupting the darkness to some extent.

“Magic of the detection line only opens a pathway allowing mana to perceive other mana.”

Even without this magic, mana-sensitive individuals can sense the presence of life forms in unseen areas.

Thus, it doesn’t intentionally create light where there shouldn’t be any, unlike forcing light to flow in resistance.

If you had to pinpoint, it’s closer to expansion than resistance.

Ahel continued his somewhat ambiguous explanation, then waved his hand to dismiss the butterflies.

Now, it finally explained why I could use Mana Detection and Sense Expansion even when I had no attribute.

However, resolving my doubts didn’t make me feel particularly pleased.

For whatever reason, Ahel’s eyes seemed to glitter more intensely than before.

As I unconsciously leaned my upper body slightly backward, Ahel’s eyes slanted even more deeply.

He placed the ring on his palm, covering it with the other hand, and began muttering an insinuating tone.

“If it becomes known, everyone will want to exchange with you.”

It’s because wielding all four fundamental elements with just a pinch of mana is exceedingly rare.

“And if you decline… it might become an exchange neglecting mutual agreement.”

When Ahel removed his hand, my ring fell towards the ground with a flashing light.

Unlike a pebble, I reacted instantly and caught the ring.

‘So basically…’

It was a warning that unilateral plundering could occur without my consent.

Particularly if someone as powerful as Rashar initiated such a snatch, I’d be utterly powerless.

Leaving a fairly chilling warning, Ahel had a pure, innocent smile on his face.

He even adorably cupped his chin with his hands and leaned closer.

“My business is concluded. If you ever consider an exchange, do let me know later. As soon as I return to the base, my mana will immediately accumulate.”

“Yes, I’ll think about it.”

“Thanks for sparing the time.”

“I should be the one thanking, as it was quite an informative conversation.”

“Glad to hear.”

Ahel managed the entire interaction with a smiling face and then promptly stood up.

“One more thing I’m curious about, if you don’t mind me asking?”

But I stopped him in his tracks.

Rather than verbally responding, Ahel just turned back towards me, signaling that I could ask any question.

With his unspoken consent, I asked him something I had been wondering since our first encounter.

“Why do you wear that?”

With a playful, mischievous expression, Ahel replied to my curiosity.

“It’s a kind of promise.”

“… What does it signify?”

“A promise not to disregard the agreements made with others.”

Upon hearing this, a familiar discordance grew stronger and clearer, almost reaching my ears.

Watching him return to Rashar, I clicked my tongue internally.

‘Consider the idea of getting along withdrawn.’

Ahel and I weren’t genuinely getting along. It was merely easy to converse because he aligned himself to win my favor.

‘I’m only able to read what’s shown.’

Throughout our not-so-brief conversation, I grasped nothing about his intentions other than what he openly shared.

It was impossible to comprehend or judge Ahel because I couldn’t glimpse his true intentions.

‘When there’s no glimpse of one’s honesty like this, it’s rarely a good signal.’

With Jaehyuk and Rashar, there was a fundamental understanding of the opposite party.

It means they operated within a realm of common sense I could comprehend and judge.

‘It suggests they, at their core, share my manner of thinking, in essence, kindred spirits.’

In contrast, Ahel always left a lingering discordance during interactions.

His actions, laughter, and thoughts were beyond my understanding.

This meant his method of thinking was fundamentally different from mine.

My experience suggested that folks like him, who were difficult to read, often.

‘Better to avoid entanglement.’

I watched Ahel walking back to Rashar’s place and clicked my tongue briefly.

‘I should be cautious for a while.’

Fortunately, once this mission ended, I wouldn’t have any more dealings with him.

Until then, I only needed to maintain a suitable relationship and keep my distance.

* * *

Under normal circumstances, we would’ve rested for a night and set off at dawn.

But the plan changed once Ahel awoke.

Once his mana recovered, we intended to use teleportation magic.

‘No need to engage in more battles if traveling unnecessarily is avoidable.’

Battles allowed my mana consumption to increase!

Recollecting Rashar’s explanation, I felt slightly regretful within.

Despite waking up and not leaving, continuing our rest felt like wasting time.

To pass it, I was skimming through the shop window.

If no additional movement was planned, combat situations were less likely to arise.

Then it was time to utilize the mana I had, which was now in my possession.

With a serious demeanor, I examined the shop window.

Then, nearby, Rashar and Ahel’s conversation began increasing in volume.

“It’s fortunate you woke before we passed through the Karof Forest.”

“Given half the team is gone, it saves on mana, I agree.”

“… You know that’s not the reason, though.”

“For me, it is.”

“When will you stop behaving like a child?”

Bickering.

“Till I’m fed up. If any survived, more mana would be necessary, and we could have all died at the contamination site. Hence, it’s fortunate.”

“Ahel, despite not defending them, your behavior now…”

“Speaking of which, shall we leave Hesserma too? Just say he died in an unfortunate event!”

“Ahel!”

Eventually, Rashar yelled out loudly.

“You, insolent!”

Hesserma, suddenly mentioned, shouted back, red with fury.

But Ahel nonchalantly replied.

“Who did that insolent thing first, hmm?”

“Shut up, you traitorous bastard!”

“Yes, yes, I’m a filthy and disgusting traitor; however, I am going to leave you behind.”

“Ahel, should you do that, I would bring you to trial myself.”

“Is trial really that significant? I’m the one utilizing magic, so I’ll do as I please.”

“Ahel Belletia!”

Despite Rashar’s warning, Ahel casually dug his ears with his fingers.

“You don’t need to shout. I can hear you perfectly fine.”

He obnoxiously blew on his finger, scoffing.

“What can I do? It’s neither pitiful nor sad they died, but rather, refreshing? Even just thinking of leaving Hesserma here is exhilarating.”

Ahel’s voice was considerably more boisterous compared to the last evening.

“Speaking of which!”

Suddenly turning towards me, Ahel slightly bowed.

“I deeply appreciate K for leaving those undeserving of living behind.”

I hadn’t specifically chosen whom to save, but the way he phrased it made it sound like I had purposefully excluded someone.

‘This guy…’

Why is he suddenly targeting me?

Glaring at him, Ahel continued without minding me in the slightest.

“Although there was some impurity but fret not. I’ll dispose of it myself.”

It seemed far-fetched but felt sincere.

‘He really intends to leave Hesserma here and use the teleportation magic.’

What could have happened for their relationship to become this chaotic?

Ahel’s verbal abuse and mockery toward Hesserma seemed endless.

Even as a bystander, I was taken aback to the point of clicking my tongue.

Rashar attempted several times to warn him, but Ahel seemed not to care.

“Don’t forget you brought it upon yourself.”

Rashar finally sighed heavily and murmured.

Her forte of mana unfurled aggressively, and Ahel screamed and thrashed violently.

Before I could even fully grasp the situation, Rashar sharply declared in a harsh voice.

“This leniency ends here.”

After some time had passed, Ahel groaned and answered while gasping for breath.

“Yes, understood.”

He chuckled.

For a moment, I thought I’d misheard.

‘What kind of mindset laughs in this situation.’

I was at a loss and internally swallowed my breath.

Then, Ahel, while lying on the ground, tapped his neck, looking in my direction.

Understanding his gesture, my expression hardened.

He had just taught me the purpose of those shackles.

It was likely a form of control tool designed to inflict pain.

Looking away from Ahel, I clicked my tongue.

‘There has to be more than just going berserk to reveal that purpose.’

Without further provocation, he merely scratched me with his tip-off.

Realizing this, I reaffirmed the need to distance myself from Ahel.

There was no reason to be close to someone explaining his shackles’ purpose in such an abnormal manner.

Shaking my head, I averted my gaze from him and refocused on the shop.

I planned to reorganize myself before confronting new circumstances.

‘In preparation for whatever may occur at the base.’

I must reinforce my capabilities while I still can.

Damn System.