"Good evening, Grandpa. Sorry for coming so late."
"Oho—you came well. Just closing up the shop. Wait inside, eh?"
Grandpa said while moving merchandise around.
"Nah—I'll help."
"That so? Thanks."
We finished tidying quickly and moved to the living room.
"...So—what brings you at this hour? Magic-related, I take it?"
After sipping hot green tea from the cup, Grandpa asked why I'd come so late.
Green tea—imported from eastern continent countries. Balanced sweetness, bitterness, astringency—green-colored tea.
Rare drink—but I like it and drink it often.
"Yeah. Actually—developing a new spell right now. Wanted your advice."
I showed him the paper with the formula.
Grandpa's an absurdly skilled artificer.
And deeply versed in magic.
He made my storage artifact.
Taught me magic basics.
My magic knowledge doesn't touch his feet.
Pure speculation—but Grandpa was probably a world-famous artificer once.
Ask ten random people "Who's the greatest artificer ever?"—eight or more would say Cavadeil Evans.
Grandpa's name is Cavadeil too.
No idea why he taught me magic—but I plan to keep Grandpa's identity secret.
I'll promote his general store—but not mention he's an artificer.
"Interesting spell. As expected of my disciple."
Grandpa smiled—praising me.
"Thanks. Hearing that from you gives me confidence."
"Hohoho! On spell development—you've long surpassed me. So—what's the consultation? Looks near complete."
"Yeah. Final form's clear—I can finish alone. Trial-and-error after. The issue's activation time. This spell inevitably takes time to cast. If I need it instantly—no time to wait leisurely. Like **Impact**—this'll become one of my signature moves."
"**Instantaneous Ability Hyper-Boost**, eh... Do you really think that's just a magic studies glitch?"
"...? What do you mean? It overturns support magic premises—so glitch, right?"
"I see... So your ability is—"
Grandpa muttered softly.
I couldn't catch it.
"What about my **Mana Convergence**?"
"No—nothing. Back to topic—this spell's nature makes shortening cast time impossible. Can't simplify it either."
"Figures..."
I slumped.
I'd racked my brain—no way to shorten cast time. Grandpa thought same.
"What about constant-activation magic tool? I could make that."
Constant-activation type...
Countless artificers toil daily to establish that tech—yet he says it casually...
"Possible—but it'd draw monsters, right?"
"Aye. Even with defenders elsewhere—straight line to you."
"Don't want something that scary... Or prep elsewhere—trigger when needed—wait! That might work!"
Idea hit—told Grandpa.
Inspired by Will's twinblade.
"...Indeed possible. Interval exists—but instant activation when needed. Embed mechanism in storage artifact—monster attraction stays same. Want me to make it?"
"Can you? This complex—I'd take years developing. No time for that."
"Aye—understood. You're my cute grandson. Grandpa grants any grandson request. But—you complete the spell."
"Yeah—got it. Thanks, Grandpa!"
"Don't mention. Prototype by tonight or tomorrow—report how it feels. Fine-tuning takes time."
Tonight or tomorrow...
This guy's really abnormal...
◇
After dinner with Grandpa—I left the shop for a certain bar.
No plans—but Grandpa mentioned unbelievable info on the way out.
**Amuntzaas** active in Southern Great Labyrinth.
Hearing that—had to verify.
Grandpa's well-connected—trust him—but content so serious—cross-check multiple sources.
**Amuntzaas**—alongside Cyclamen Cult—one of two major criminal organizations.
Unlike Cyclamen—no civilian harm.
Why major criminal group?
Mass explorer killings.
**Amuntzaas** claims Great Labyrinth conquest forbidden.
Kill explorers ignoring warnings.
Huge nuisance to explorers.
Why forbid conquest anyway?
West conquest—empire economy boomed from deep-layer materials flooding markets.
No more monster spawns—no labyrinth stones—but empire has many regular labyrinths. No stone shortage.
Magic stones and labyrinth materials—indispensable for daily life.
Regular labyrinths provide some—but Great Labyrinth has everything needed.
Stones too—only benefits to progressing Great Labyrinth floors.
Entered target bar—scanned inside.
Target bartender at counter—sat in front.
"Strongest one, please."
Placed five gold coins.
Bartender glanced—started mixing cocktail.
Clear blue—looked delicious.
I activated **Taste Block**—gulped it down.
Supposedly harmless—but insanely bad. Can't drink normally.
Never actually tasted it—**Taste Block** active.
This bartender—finish drink, he'll tell desired info.
Weird info broker.
"So—what do you want to know?"
Mouthwash—proper cocktail served this time.
**Taste Block** active—no flavor anyway.
"Heard **Amuntzaas** active in Southern Great Labyrinth. True?"
"True. Several upper-rank explorers already killed."
Entering Great Labyrinth or regular ones requires guild card.
**Amuntzaas** members blacklisted—no cards issued.
How do they enter?
They forge guild card substitutes.
Dive—kill explorers inside.
Quiet lately—but active again.
"Guild aware? No notice from them."
"Probably aware. Suppressing info to avoid panic. Truth unknown."
Public panic possible—understandable.
But this backfires?
Guild supposed to support explorers.
Need warning in clan.
Targets upper-rank.
Lower layers vast—upper-rank active.
Unlucky encounter possible—but not zero.
Specialized anti-personnel combat.
Plus—deep-layer capable.
Truly troublesome group.
Short span—Cyclamen Cult then **Amuntzaas** info.