Magic Monopoly: Reborn as the Sole Magic Tower Master-Chapter 293: Episode

Last night’s drinking party had been brutal. My head throbbed and my stomach churned, a violent testament to just how much I’d thrown back.

Overcome by the heavy lethargy of a severe hangover, I lay in bed like a corpse.

...If I ever let a single drop of alcohol touch my lips again, I’m not human.

My memory was patchy, but I slowly retraced my steps.

Jeong Seojin had gotten completely wasted. Jin Bora had given off a weirdly sultry vibe out of nowhere. Eunsol had whined about wanting to drink, too. And why on earth were the drinking game penalties so extreme?

I snapped out of my daze and looked around.

The Tower Master’s room on the ninth floor was as spotless as a brand-new house. Originally, this place should have been filled with Na Daeyong’s personal belongings, but it seemed the others had taken care to clear it out before I woke up.

"How are you feeling, Tower Master?"

Ea’s voice rang in my ears. Her beautiful silver hair fluttered as she descended from the air, holding a drink pouch with a straw.

"Please drink this. It is a green cabbage juice that is good for hangovers."

"Ah, thanks."

Enjoying the bitter, earthy taste of the green juice, I fell into thought.

Was it because of the alcohol? Last night’s declaration of war and the wild drinking party felt as blurry as a midsummer night’s dream.

Ea, having handed me the drink, landed softly beside the bed.

Seeing her gently smile as our eyes met, I was once again struck by her beauty. She truly possessed looks far beyond human capability.

"I didn’t make any mistakes yesterday, did I?"

"No, Tower Master," she replied, then immediately continued. "Except for when you tried to stand up to go to the bathroom, slipped on a snack bag, flipped the entire table, spilled the food, and then wailed that it was a waste as you got down on the floor to lick..."

"Aaaack! Stop!"

"Anyway, besides that, you made no mistakes."

A past I desperately didn’t want to remember resurfaced. Maybe because it was the first time I’d chugged hard liquor in five years, my tolerance was absolutely zero.

Ea smoothly extended a finger. The empty juice pouch slipped from my hand and floated into the air. A wet wipe drifted over to briskly wipe my mouth.

"Mmph!"

"How is it possible to use a straw and still get it all around your mouth?"

"Ea, you’re too rough."

She scrubbed my lips vigorously, then recalled the tissue to her hand and tossed it into the trash can along with the empty pouch.

"Ea."

"Yes, Tower Master."

"You’ll keep following me, right?"

Since we partially shared a consciousness, she probably knew my plans even without me saying them out loud.

"All homunculi obey their master’s commands. That is all."

"You know I hate it when you say that."

"I consider it inevitable, as I know you wouldn’t listen even if I tried to stop you."

She turned her head sharply away from me as she answered. She was definitely... pointing out what had happened five years ago.

"R-Right. I apologize for the Titan incident. That was definitely my fault."

I fell silent.

Seeing Marcello die right in front of me had made me completely lose my mind.

I had sworn to kill Albert, no matter the cost. That was the only thought I could process at the time.

To make that vow a reality, the top-tier engines of Over-Immersion and Unification had spun up, squeezing every ounce of energy from my body and mind. As a result, I achieved my goal of killing Albert, but I also fell into a five-year coma.

"Then let’s do this," I said, clapping my hands together. "I’ll unconditionally reflect your opinions in this new plan. I absolutely won’t do anything you tell me not to. Okay?"

"Then please scrap Plan B, Operation Nuclear Missile Threat."

Ah, that was my trump card!

Seeing my crestfallen expression, Ea cast her eyes down with a gloomy look. "As expected. Even if I try to stop you..."

"A-Alright! I definitely won’t do that!"

She smiled radiantly and twirled her hand.

Instantly, twenty holographic screens surrounded me, all broadcasting the exact same video. Twenty versions of me were shouting, "I definitely won’t do that!"

"Excellent. You clearly promised."

...I thought she hadn’t changed, but it seems she’s gotten much better at handling me than before.

Ugh. I got out of bed, stretched my stiff limbs, and walked around the room. It smelled fragrant, as if someone had just sprayed air freshener.

"Oh right, how’s the world reacting?"

"It’s in an uproar." Ea projected several news screens into the air. "The whole world is paying attention to the Tower Master’s return. Major foreign media outlets, in particular, have made headline news out of your mention of Nemesis and the declaration of war."

"That’s good. See? Wouldn’t it have been nice if the Alliance had just moved their asses from the start?"

The final disaster, Nemesis, was right around the corner.

The public needed to know and prepare now, but the Alliance and various world governments had been putting it off, claiming the truth would cause unnecessary panic in society.

What did societal panic matter when the world might literally end?

The Cataclysm was child’s play compared to Nemesis. The real terror would arrive in six months.

"For the time being, just let the media spout whatever they want," I said, stifling a yawn. "Also, record the official statements and movements of each organization regarding this situation. That way, I can set clear guidelines and make my move."

"Understood, Tower Master."

Right then, the magic circle elevator flashed, and someone came up to the ninth floor.

"Yusin!"

Eunsol, still wearing her pajamas, dashed over with her arms wide open and threw herself into my embrace.

"Hehe! Did you sleep well?"

"Y-Yeah," I said, subtly turning my head away. "Eunsol, I told you yesterday."

"Huh?"

"You’re all grown up now. Giving physical affection so casually like this is..."

At those words, Eunsol began to tear up. "Do you hate me, Yusin?"

"N-No. It’s not that..."

"Okay! Then that’s that!" She beamed brightly again and planted a quick kiss on my cheek. My face flushed hot while my rational mind screamed that this was incredibly inappropriate.

"I said you can’t!"

"Whyyy!" She puffed out her cheeks and threw a tantrum. "I like you, and you like me! So isn’t it fine?"

"You’re still a minor..."

"Age doesn’t matter!" she shouted loudly. "I don’t care what other adults say! They’re just looking through tinted glasses with their dirty minds! Why do their stares matter? We’ve always been like this ever since you raised me, so why should I stop because of what other people think?"

...Pubescent teenage girls truly are terrifying.

It seemed no logic could persuade her. If I spoke too harshly, she’d likely get hurt.

I looked at Ea with the desperation of a starting pitcher who had just thrown one hundred and twenty pitches and was praying for relief.

Ultimately, she stepped up to the mound.

"In that case, Administrator Eunsol, are you saying it is fine if the Tower Master is put in a difficult position due to the stares of others?"

"...H-huh?"

"The Tower Master is an adult. Moreover, he is a prominent public figure constantly on people’s lips. How would you feel if bad rumors spread about him and people insulted him, all because of your personal desires?"

Her pupils shook. "Th-That would be... wrong."

"There are lines that must be kept between people. I consider that to be basic courtesy and respect for one another."

As expected of Ea! She’s so articulate and firm!

"So it means I can do whatever I want with Yusin when no one is watching, right?"

How did she come to that conclusion?

"That is correct."

Why are you agreeing?!

"Hehe, Yusin!" She began rubbing against me again, showering me with affection.

Resigned, I let out a deep sigh and spoke. "Eunsol, should we talk about work for a second?"

"Yeah!" She backed away slightly and struck a cute ’at ease’ pose.

I pulled out some documents and a pen. "First, the vacant Golem Workshop. I mean the third-floor administrator position. Could you take over that role from now on?"

"Yeah! Now that you’re back, I’ll take it!"

"And..." I brought over the documents from the desk and continued. "The security firm you created, Esfall..."

"Of course, I’m merging it into the Magic Tower Group!"

I had planned to pitch the idea carefully, so her rapid agreement caught me completely off guard.

"Will Esfall accept it so easily?"

"Hmph! I’m the CEO, so what can they do about it? They’re nothing without me."

She spoke with utmost confidence, but I was still a little worried. "Could I speak with the director of Esfall on the phone?"

"Yeah!"

She pulled out her phone and immediately dialed a number. The line rang briefly, and the moment the other party picked up...

"You heard the news about the Tower Master, right? I’m going back to the Magic Tower. And we’re bringing the company with me."

She blurted out the declaration, and immediately, squawking protests erupted from the receiver. She retorted in annoyance, and a heated argument broke out in a flash.

"Eunsol! Don’t fight, put me on!"

After unleashing a barrage of curses, she huffed and handed the phone over.

Who did she take after to be such a tomboy? I sighed internally and took the call.

"Hello? I am Kim Yusin."

I explained the business model to Eunsol’s partner in a fast, clear tone. I needed to make a good impression.

When I had asked about her partner earlier, Eunsol had pouted and said, "He’s better at mechanical engineering than I am."

Five years ago, as a mere elementary schooler, she had gathered discarded hunting device scraps to build a turret and protect the slums. If someone like Eunsol acknowledged his skills, he was undoubtedly a massive talent.

I wasn’t just planning to acquire the company; I also intended to scout him as the seventh-floor administrator.

"We plan to sell your company’s equipment worldwide using Alchemia’s distribution routes."

The creations produced by these two geniuses were amazing, but frankly, their business acumen was severely lacking. By utilizing the Magic Tower’s now-massive capital and logistics, far greater things were possible.

—"If we become affiliated with the Magic Tower... do we only have to make what the Tower orders us to?"

"No, we have no intention of interfering like that. Feel free to make whatever you want. We will focus solely on sales and marketing. Ah, of course, if you’re interested, Director Choi..."

I subtly laid out the bait.

"I’d like to show you some highly interesting engineering technology. Please pay a visit to the Magic Tower."

Fortunately, the conversation ended on a good note. We agreed to discuss the details once he visited the Tower in person. Jeong Seojin would handle the negotiations well from there.

"Are you awake, Tower Master?"

"Yusin! Good morning!"

As soon as the thought crossed my mind, Jeong Seojin and Jin Bora stepped out of the elevator onto the ninth floor.

I chuckled and said, "Seojin. I really enjoyed your unaccompanied social dancing last night."

"...I don’t remember that." Jeong Seojin clutched his forehead.

Jin Bora and Eunsol shook with laughter.

"Anyway, go ahead with the acquisition of Eunsol’s Esfall. I already ironed things out with the person in charge."

"Understood. I’ll proceed with the details."

"Ugh, I don’t want to talk to that old man," Eunsol grumbled, prompting Jeong Seojin to look at her with an amused smile.

"Eunsol. I heard you skipped school yesterday, too."

"Ugh, I told you I’m not going! I’m going to drop out!"

"Are you going to keep making your big sister worry?"

Watching the three of them bicker, a laugh escaped me without realizing it. Having spent so much time together, they had truly become like a real family.

And the most important point was that these people knew about my investigation into demonkin, and I was personally confident that none of them were demonkins.

"I’ll emphasize this once more, but any mention of demonkins is an absolute secret."

The three of them stopped laughing and nodded with serious expressions.

"Don’t discuss this issue even amongst yourselves, and don’t make it obvious to others. I’ll conduct the investigation on my own."

"Understood, Tower Master."

"But the situation has become a bit more difficult," Jin Bora said, crossing her arms. "Now that the demonkin knows you’ve returned, they’ll be even more tense and on guard."

"Yeah. But if I keep talking to people, I’m sure I’ll catch a clue." I leaned back against my chair and continued. "Ea, call Samia for me. I need to have a serious talk with everyone, one by one."

There were several glaring mysteries surrounding Na Daeyong’s death.

Without a doubt, the demonkin was hiding among the Magic Tower members.