The Novel's Extra: Scrapped

"Hajin, are you really heading to the Field again? This is the third time this week."

I spoke from my spot on his couch, looking at a laptop as I continued to work on my research paper.

"Yes. The more I can go the better. Especially at this time of year when the monster point is the most active."

I nodded and went back to work, hearing the front door click.

The end of Cube's extended break was coming in a few days and I had been hard at work, the faster I finish a high quality research paper, the faster I can become a high profile individual

Other than that I've been monitoring Hajin for the most part as well as the weird seed thing he keeps on his person. It feels like the beginning of a life but not quite.

It's hard to say since the guy won't separate from the seed.

Originally I was going to tail him but it quickly fell through once I remembered how impossibly good his eyes were.

So now that everythings caught up to date, what should I do?

Other than within Seoul I can't exactly go anywhere unprepared, especially not with the Djinn guarding portal gates.

Even so, I had to do something before they found a replacement for Ori. Right now, is when the Evil Society has the loosest grip on Korea as a whole. 

'That's most likely what Lee Sang-Il will expect me to think. Which means he'll be keeping a close eye on the Magic tower, the Hero tower and the Portal Station.'

'It really isn't an optimal scenario and I really did double down by killing the branch leader… Although it felt a little… too easy. I'm not saying I didn't kill her… it's just that there may still be a real branch leader in hiding.'

'If allowing me to kill that Djinn was a way to set my thinking in a certain direction, it won't work.'

My neck bristled as my instincts told me someone was behind me, a blade mere millimeters away. 

'But if that's the case… Do their men think the same way?'

I slowly got up from my chair and adjusted cuffs.

'Sure I may have information on them, but why do they have to wait by places I frequent? The answer is Lee Sang-Il is simply too paranoid.'

"The weak and the strong tend to have conflict of interest, but since I'm not sure that's the case for Djinn, all I have to do is tell them the truth about their boss and they'll start an insurance themselves."

I turned to face the empty room, despite my strong intuition and mana attuned eyes, I couldn't see him.

'Must be a mana blocking illusion, probably a gift. Too bad I can still see the string that ties him to Lilith.'

Transparency gave way to cloth and a figure cloaked in white spoke with an ignorant glint in his eye. From head to toe he was covered in white cloth and purple jewellery.

He had a large scimitar in his hand that was pointed at my throat.

'Yeah… Now that I see this guy I realize I definitely only killed a recruiter for the Evil Society… Did Ori have a lying related gift? How the hell was I tricked…? Whatever she's dead now and I've learned from my mistakes. Now I have to deal with this guy.'

"...So, they sent someone like you? What are you? High Intermediate rank?"

'I may not have been totally fooled before because I lacked experience with Djinn, but I know now.'

"...Hmph, I'm only here to talk." The voice was muffled and raspy. The figure did not move the blade pointed at my neck.

I scrutinised his figure and decided against firing up my mana, instead I subtly tugged at the strands near my opponents shoulder.

"I know. If you were going to kill me I would've noticed sooner."

The figure scoffed before speaking.

"The Evil Society can forgive your previous transgression. All you have to do is investigate the death of Branch Leader Ori."

A handle materialised in my palm as my body moved on its own. My eyes gleaming with a vengeful wrath.

–clang!

I felt Omen's hefty weight settle in my hands as I automatically swung at the man in white.

His arm struggled to respond to the sudden assault and was pushed back, a small cut left in his robes.

"Sorry, but I don't deal with Djinn's anymore. Tell Lee Sang-Il to meddle elsewhere."

I didn't let my surprise show when 'Omen' flaked off into embers of black light.

[Encryption: An ability stemming from the code of time. Store all manner of things within the fog of history.]

'So what I just did was Encrypt Omen? But Omen is still sitting over there… Did I subconsciously Encrypt actions from the past and bring them to the present?'

I brought my thoughts in and watched the man clad in white backing away slightly. The threads on his arm were cut and loose, probably because of my tampering.

"I'll inform them."

The man leaned into a pane of glass and disappeared.

Mirror Warp, an exceedingly complicated spell with a low mana cost. Very few learn it due to its inconsistent range.

I watched in silence before going over and shutting off whatever I was doing. I needed to get out of here before they came back, preferably to a Hotel near the Hero Tower before the end of the break.

"..."

I gathered my things and texted Hajin to find another place before looking at the city skyline and holding out my hand.

Space folded over like a fine silk before tangling with my fingers, my psyche twisted in agony as I closed my fist and vanished from my previous spot.

…??? POV…

"-There were too many variables. If we were to fight there and then, a lot of attention would be attracted and he knew that too. I'm sure of it."

The assassin in white flickered through the mirror world.

—Is that why you backed off? We should be more proactive, Boss.

The assassin's eye twitched as he jumped out of a window near the top of an abandoned building.

"No need, the recruiter died because she was hasty. We won't end up like her...Anyways, we should probably stage an event soon… something big. Our priority Target is Yoo Yeonha. Sang-Il wants us to capture Minori if we can…"

The assassin spoke into his earpiece and tugged at the cloth over his mouth.

"But it is Lilith's will that we end the boy before he becomes a problem."

The voice on the other side paused for a moment before sighing.

—Are you asking me to pick between Belial and Lilith? You're going to cause another faction war… though you're probably used to the hate you get from that. Isn't that right?

The cloth gave way to rose gold locks and a handsome face. His expression was calm as he took a deep breath.

—Branch leader Ko Su-Lien

Ko Su-Lien, however, did not respond as he looked ahead at the person staring at him.

He was tall, had long black hair with an extreme handsomeness that could only be compared to his own.

His features were similar to that of a Legolas with black hair.

"...I'll have to call you back."

Ko Su-Lien cut off the call and readied a pocket mirror while facing the man.

The handsome man chuckled before dropping off of the railing and walking forward.

"Su-Lien, let's have a chat, shall we?"