Magic

Seo Ryun watched in fascination, though not surprise. Thanks to the memories he had inherited, he already knew magic existed in this world. The fire, the barrier—it was all within the realm of possibility now.

However, the barrier intrigued him. Unlike the magic he had seen before, this barrier wasn't a mere spell. It felt different, stronger—something deeper.

He could sense that it was not just magic at play but spiritual power, a force beyond the typical magic arts. That piqued his curiosity even more, as he wondered about the true nature of the power behind it.

The campers gathered around the fire, the warmth of the flames cutting through the cold night air.

They roasted pieces of beef, savoring the aroma as it cooked, and shared hearty bowls of stew. The rich, savory flavors filled the air, and the sound of chewing and satisfied murmurs echoed through the camp.

Some of them nibbled on jerky, the tough strips of dried meat providing a quick, satisfying snack. Despite the day's hardships, there was a sense of camaraderie around the fire, the shared meal bringing a brief moment of comfort.

Seo Ryun was caught off guard when a portion of the roasted beef was handed to him. He hadn't expected to be included in the meal, but he gratefully accepted the offering.

As he took a bite, he quickly realized it was much tougher than any beef he had ever tasted in his past life. The texture was hard, almost like leather, and he had to chew extra hard to break it down.

The taste was fine, but the toughness caught him off guard. He swallowed with some difficulty, glancing around to see if anyone else was struggling with the same thing.

'The food here is insane!' Seo Ryun thought to himself, almost like a critic in a kitchen.

'The roasted beef had an overwhelming smell and was incredibly tough to chew—nothing like the tender meat I was used to.'

'The stew, on the other hand, was like watery broth with a few vegetables floating around, completely lacking any seasoning.'

Even worse, the strong, fishy odor of the beef lingered in the air. He couldn't help but marvel at how different it all was.

This was unlike anything he'd ever eaten before, and it made him feel like a stranger in his own body.

'I feel like throwing up,' Seo Ryun thought, his stomach turning. He wasn't usually picky when it came to food, but this was something else.

The beef was so tough and unpleasant, and the stew was practically flavorless. Unable to stomach more of the beef, he reluctantly reached for the beef jerky instead. Though it was equally hard to chew, at least the salty flavor offered something familiar, something he could endure.

It wasn't exactly satisfying, but in that moment, it was the only thing he could manage.

After finishing their meal, the campers lit torches around the perimeter of the camp.

Each torch was carefully fitted with a small, slightly blue stone at its center. As the flames licked the edges of the stones, they began to emit a faint, calming glow that illuminated the area.

Seo Ryun watched with intrigue, wondering about the purpose of these peculiar stones. They seemed to be more than just a light source—there was a subtle energy to them.

Curious about the glowing stones, Seo Ryun approached the mage who had caught his attention earlier.

The man had slightly green-tinted hair that shimmered faintly in the firelight. He was dressed in a black robe adorned with intricate green patterns that seemed to shift subtly as he moved.

A well-worn sling bag hung at his side, bulging with unknown contents. Even in the dim light, the stress lines etched across his face were evident, hinting at the weight of his responsibilities or perhaps years of sleepless nights.

Seo Ryun hesitated for a moment, then spoke.

"Excuse me, those stones in the torches... what are they exactly?"

"Oh, those?" the mage replied, glancing at the torches with a tired expression.

"They're mana stones extracted from low-tier monsters. I infused them with a basic formula that reacts to fire, allowing them to emit light for an extended period. Nothing too fancy, but effective."

His voice was calm but carried a hint of exhaustion, as if he'd explained this countless times before. "It's not the most advanced use of mana stones, but in a place like this, practicality matters more than complexity."

"I see," Seo Ryun said, nodding thoughtfully. "I'm surprised you answered so quickly. I thought you might be wary of me."

The mage glanced at him, his tired eyes narrowing slightly before he shrugged.

"Wary? Maybe. But you're already here, and I'm not one to waste energy on unnecessary hostility. Besides, knowledge is harmless on its own. It's what you do with it that matters."

Seo Ryun couldn't help but admire the mage's pragmatism, though the man's guarded demeanor reminded him that trust here wasn't given lightly.

"Are you a mage, sir?" Seo Ryun asked, his curiosity getting the better of him.

The man chuckled softly, the corners of his mouth barely lifting.

"A mage? I suppose you could call me that. Though I'm far from the grand spellcasters you might have read about in stories. My craft is more practical—tinkering with formulas, manipulating mana stones, and keeping things functional. Not exactly glamorous, but it gets the job done."

He adjusted the strap of his sling bag and gave Seo Ryun a brief, appraising look. "Why do you ask? Interested in magic, or just curious?"

"It's my first time seeing these things," Seo Ryun admitted, his tone casual.

The mage's eyes widened slightly, a flicker of disbelief crossing his face.

'This guy lived in a cave or something? No, even in a cave, he'd still know about mana stones,' the mage thought as he scrutinized Seo Ryun more closely.

"You're serious?" the mage finally asked, his voice tinged with both curiosity and suspicion.

"Mana stones are... well, everywhere. Even the most isolated villages use them. How is it that you've never encountered one before?"

Seo Ryun shifted uncomfortably under the man's gaze, unsure of how much he should reveal.

"Let's just say I'm not from around here," he said vaguely, trying to deflect further questions.