City of Witches Chapter 394

My hair had turned white.

My insides were boiling as if I had swallowed a whole ember of fire.

"Takasho…"

The friend who had supported Siwoo more than anyone during five years of slavery.

The friend who shattered prejudices of being a delinquent and ran toward his dreams more splendidly than anyone.

That friend was being reduced to a tattered rag.

By a single piece of trash, a public enemy.

The crystal orb for long-distance communication that Bianca had shown was illuminating an endless time of torture.

When I came to my senses, there was a metallic taste in my mouth.

I had unknowingly bitten my lip.

"Isn't it admirable? Your friend. He hasn't uttered a word even as he ended up like this. Even though it's a rather meaningless act."

The sight of torturing Takasho.

The sight of mocking his loyalty and will.

I want to kill her.

For the first time in my life, I felt an intense desire to kill someone.

Not the vague meaning of cursing, but the raw, literal desire to kill.

The public enemy record obtained from the archive I visited with Diana before.

While the recorded video hadn't ended yet, I opened that large book.

Separate from the anger that felt like the blood vessels in my brain would burst, my mind tried to precisely assess this situation.

Simply being swayed by emotions and floundering is the worst strategy.

The significance of this video isn't simply cruel torment.

Of course, it's bait to lure out Shin Siwoo.

Then knowing information about the opponent I must face is important.

The year the record was created was 1972.

Though it's from over 50 years ago, Siwoo could easily find the protagonist in the video.

Because a faded black-and-white photo was attached.

Witch of Desire.

Bianca Bellili.

The matriarch of Mexico's largest cartel and a public enemy belonging to Cliptoth.

Active since 1860, a witch of the 22nd hierarchy who has existed as a public enemy for over 150 years.

"What I want is the Red Branch and you, Shin Siwoo. Shouldn't you come to save Takasho, who endured so hard for his friend?"

Innate magic is 'Possessive Desire'.

A collector who has acquired over a thousand Artifacts and five Ceremonial Artifacts.

Currently, the limitations of Magical Engineering are clear, which is a common argument among witches, but the Witch of Desire was different.

She is not only a collector but also an outstanding artisan who can 'assimilate' and modify Artifacts and Ceremonial Artifacts that come into her hands.

"The location is here. The shipyard on Yeongdo Island, Busan. The time is, hmm... I'll give you plenty of time, let's say noon."

Page after page, the list of possessed Ceremonial Artifacts and Artifacts continued.

Dozens of pages of this large book are devoted to describing the danger of Bianca Bellili.

And even this is data from 50 years ago.

"But there's one very important condition. You must come alone without telling anyone.

One-on-one negotiation is basic in hostage situations, right? If you inform other witches or there's even a hint that you came with someone, Takasho will die."

Siwoo flipped through the pages listing the magical tools Bianca possessed and their effects.

There's no time to leisurely and calmly read through everything.

Like taking photos, page by page, he crammed all the information into his brain.

"Don't think this offer will be the last. If you don't come this time, I'll capture your precious people one by one and tie them up again. Like the apprentice witch twins, or Sharon Evergreen."

The mind grasped to not lose reason.

The anger cools down icily.

And he begins to face reality.

"I'll be waiting expectantly. Good luck."

The Witch of Desire understands our situation more than expected.

Unlike with Ea Sadalmelik, she's not launching a surprise attack but summoning Siwoo based on thorough investigation.

Moreover, the opponent is no ordinary thug but at least a public enemy of the 22nd hierarchy or higher.

Just looking at the record book documenting information from 50 years ago gives an idea of how strong she must be.

Especially since an opponent who employs such cruel methods isn't calling Siwoo out for a cup of tea.

Anxiety about the future blooming like mold in the coldly washed mind.

If I want to avoid it, I could avoid it.

If I want to ignore it, I could ignore it.

"...Takasho..."

But I can't pretend not to see the friend who tried to keep his loyalty while writhing in excruciating pain.

I have to go.

All other 'safe' options were erased from my mind.

Closing my eyes, I analyzed the information embedded in my mind and made plans.

All plans assume I will have to fight the Witch of Desire.

Even if Siwoo stands before her alone, there's no guarantee Bianca will keep her promise.

To secure Takasho's safety, combat preparation is necessary.

Siwoo looked at his watch.

The scheduled time is about 5 hours from now.

A time that could be considered long or short.

She probably gave ample time considering the possibility of late crystal orb checking and Gehenna customs procedures.

Also, giving this much time and taking the position of 'waiting with the hostage' means.

It's also an expression of confidence that she can escape even if Siwoo comes with other helpers.

The important thing is that this scrap of time is Siwoo's final opportunity to utilize.

Every minute and second is too precious to let flow away meaninglessly.

Siwoo immediately took the Red Branch.

Feeling the weighty texture of the Ceremonial Artifact wrapped in the Black Ribbon, Siwoo immediately began calculating coordinates.

"Wait a little. I'll come save you."

Knowing it wouldn't be heard, Siwoo muttered lowly as his body disappeared with a blue flash of magic power.

The realm of Great Witches who can twist principles and subtleties to defy the world's inevitability, the 20th hierarchy.

Bianca Bellili is two levels higher than that.

She is a stronger opponent than any enemy Siwoo has faced so far.

Even though I learned Elemental Magic from Sharon and strengthened the law of shadows.

Even though I learned Close Combat from Master and can utilize the Contract of the King of All Maladies to its limits.

Siwoo was still merely a novice witch.

Like this, the chance of victory converges infinitely toward 0%, just adding one life destined for a miserable death.

Additional preliminary preparation was needed.

The place Siwoo found was the mansion where Kibele Periwinkle resides, whose address he had received earlier.

Periwinkle, sitting leisurely in the mansion handling business, welcomed Siwoo who appeared without notice.

"What brings you here?"

"It's been a while, Periwinkle-nim."The four-leaf clover of luck created by Periwinkle.

It not only induces the fortune of its possessor but also allows even the fate of death to be deflected.

In a fight where one might risk their life, that clover will become a miraculous last resort.

"You came without even contacting me. Did you come to keep your promise?"

Siwoo approached Periwinkle without delay, striding purposefully toward her.

Periwinkle tried to rise from her seat and embrace Siwoo, but was immediately restrained.

"I'm sorry, but that might be a bit difficult today."

"What, you didn't come for sex? Then why did you come?"

"......"

Periwinkle tilted her head at Siwoo's distinctly different demeanor.

She had thought he came for the host bar consulting as promised, but his rigid attitude was unexpected.

"Can you give me as many of the four-leaf clovers you gave me before as possible?"

"Suddenly?"

Flustered by the abrupt request, Periwinkle poked Siwoo's chest a few times, somewhat taken aback.

"Do you think I just hand those out to anyone?"

"I'll agree to any condition next time."

"What's this? Acting all serious."

"Please."

Periwinkle's gaze swept over Siwoo from head to toe.

A look that seemed to assess his worth while simultaneously detecting the situation.

An expression lacking leisure and an undeniable tension.

And she clearly captured the darkness felt deep within his pupils.

"Four times."

After a prolonged silence, Periwinkle's demeanor shifted completely.

She let out a deep sigh and spoke.

"That's the maximum I can intervene to dramatically change one person's fate. Do you know what that means?"

"It means I have three left."

"It's annoying how you talk as if I've already agreed. Well, it's not a bad condition either."

Periwinkle closed her eyes.

From within her tightly clenched fist, a subtle rainbow light shimmered, and a massive pulse of magic power resonated.

When she opened her hand, three utterly ordinary-looking four-leaf clovers lay there.

Periwinkle, who had used her magic power as if wringing it out, shook her head vigorously as if feeling fatigued.

"Do you know the value contained in each of these clovers?"

For an ordinary human, merely possessing one would attract heavenly fortune.

It bestows countless forms of luck—romantic, financial, business—too numerous to list one by one.

And there are six of them.

Even if one just opened a simple chicken restaurant, it would likely grow into a global franchise.

Even with mediocre looks, women would swarm like bees, and winning every lottery ticket bought out of boredom would be no surprise.

"All magic in the world is divided into subject and object. Manifesting magic targeting an object is far more difficult than when the self is the subject. And I can perfectly apply my innate magic to others."

"Yes, I know."

"That's why I never give these clovers to just anyone. If they were to fall into the wrong hands of a public enemy, my life could be in danger if I ever met that Witch. Perfectly identical innate magics cancel each other out."

Even as she said this, Periwinkle wove the clovers with her magic power, crafting them into a bracelet-like form.

She slipped it onto Siwoo's wrist, then stood on her tiptoes to plant a small kiss on his forehead.

"So, I won't ask what's going on. But don't let any bad person take it, and come back safely."

"Thank you very much."

"Thank me? You'll have to repay me diligently, like a stud horse."

Siwoo, whose butt was playfully slapped, bowed his head one last time in farewell and used a coordinate translocation spell to Flora's Dress Shop.

There was still one more preparation left.