[The sun is shining outside! Wake up quickly. If you wake up 10 minutes late, NoName will be mad at you!]
“Ugh, the sun… who changed my alarm…”
I turned off the beeping alarm and brushed my disheveled hair back.
As cold water splashed against my face, my mind cleared and I calmly sorted out the situation regarding Monica.
[Someone destroyed the safety device on the crystal sphere and intentionally changed the output unit from SI to US. Luckily, since Monica didn’t decrease the recovery time, the barrier almost exploded while in use.]
[So, you’re saying it wasn’t an accident?]
[Absolutely not. The default setting is SI units, and you have to mess with a bunch of complicated settings to change it.]
The upkeep check of the training arena was outsourced.
After reviewing the CCTV, it became clear that the employee who caused the problem was a painter who had been hired for less than a month.
Inquiring with the agency, they confirmed the employee had resigned on that very day.
Since no background check was possible, the Italian police handed the issue over to immigration authorities, and the case dragged on for a month.
Considering the destructive magic used by magic battle participants and the explosive power of a barrier right above someone’s skin, it was hard to dismiss it as attempted murder.
Even Duke Ricci’s objections didn’t seem to sway the iron rice bowl bureaucrats.
[Gosh, to proceed with the investigation, they’ll want a bribe. What’s wrong with these people these days?]
Unfortunately, public opinion about Monica wasn’t good, so relying on a special prosecutor was not an option.
Furious, Duke Ricci decided to hire a private investigator with the money instead and managed to illegally review nearby CCTV footage.
He eventually tracked down the scene where the employee removed a silicone mask and collected cash from the storage locker.
“An associate of the LokiAnemoNe clan. Works as a physiotherapist at San Raffaele Hospital. He killed two men during a mafia dispute in the past, but got released due to insufficient evidence… talk about suspicious.”
“Hey, why are you watching that? Hand it over.”
“If you’re a physiotherapist, you shouldn’t be looking for side jobs painting in the arena. Are all your qualifications fake too?”
I snatched the notebook from Saetbyeol’s hands.
When did she crawl into my room again?
“Why are you up so early?”
“I yawned. It’s noisy outside. I’m sensitive to noise, you know.”
The promised gathering time was drawing near.
I changed into casual clothes and placed the barrier stone in the center of the wand.
As I released a bit of mana, a thin veil flowed continuously around my body.
“It won’t take long. If they confess, I’ll hand them over to the police right away.”
“Can I tag along?”
“No, not if you haven’t washed up this morning.”
“Ah, come on, I’m clean!”
“If you go, it’ll be dangerous! Who knows what that guy might do?”
Even if he’s a mafia member, it’s clear that if we swarm him, he wouldn’t stand a chance.
But if he’s been abandoned by his organization, it’s a different story.
“Anyway, I can’t let you.”
“Are you really going to tell Dad?”
“Are you serious? Fine… just stay close to me.”
“Of course! I’ll stick to you like glue! Awww, your cheeks are so soft!”
I pushed away Saetbyeol, who was rubbing her cheeks against mine.
We headed to the back parking lot of the mansion without being late.
Two vans parked neatly side by side.
“NoName Wizard, let’s go.”
“Are you coming with us, Saetbyeol?”
“Somehow. She can take care of herself.”
All the wizards were present.
Though they appeared to be dressed for a casual outing…
Each of them was secretly carrying a transmutation circle inscriber beneath their padded jackets.
With this level of troops, it would’ve been possible to dominate the underground world if we went to Mexico or Brazil.
Of course, that wouldn’t actually happen.
“I’ve never heard that the mafia runs a hospital before coming here.”
Cecilia was in a cultural shock.
“It’s mainly used as a front for illicit activities like money laundering or drug trafficking.”
“But does the government turn a blind eye to it?”
“It’s not that they’re turning a blind eye; they do catch those who are bold enough to get caught. But if San Raffaele were to shut down, the healthcare infrastructure in Milan would collapse, making it hard to separate legal from illegal.”
“That’s complicated…”
The LokiAnemoNe mafia managed to survive by being clever in an era where competition is fierce.
In places like hospitals where large revenues and complex financial transactions occur, money laundering is incredibly easy.
Besides, they even claim to be contributing to local healthcare, despite being massively in debt.
Politicians funded by their campaign money wouldn’t want to disturb the beehive.
Eeeeek—
After a short ride, the vans arrived at the underground parking lot of the hospital.
“I’ll make sure to express my gratitude for this operation.”
Unfortunately, Chairman Ricci had to say farewell due to safety and political issues.
“Let’s grab one of these from the trunk.”
“What is it? Don’t tell me it’s drug drinks…!”
“It’s just Bacchus and Vita500. Simple drinks.”
Despite being a hideout for the mafia, it’s still a hospital.
There are many employees with no connections to organized crime.
Our goal was to go in quietly and extract only the organization members without causing a ruckus.
“If we go in suddenly, it would look suspicious. I think a surprise event format would be better.”
“Like Spider-Man visiting a hospital?”
“Yes, exactly! Here, remember this face of the culprit well.”
Since we didn’t know his name, we’d have to spread out and search the entire hospital.
“What if the culprit doesn’t show up for work?”
“That would be the worst-case scenario.”
“Then we’ll just have to call for the hospital director.”
It’s unlikely they’d assign just one person for the assassination.
Unless we catch the contractor directly, Monica would continue to be under threat of assassination.
“Everyone, be careful and contact me immediately if a situation arises.”
*
San Raffaele Hospital was bustling with the appearances of celebrities from early morning.
Eight wizards participating in the National Exchange Tournament led by NoName and Cheon Saetbyeol, born from 200 billion won worth of human transmutation magic.
Everyone was busy capturing this historic march in a single shot, both medical staff and patients.
Click click—
With an adorable peace sign, NoName posed with a shy smile.
She went to the reception desk and looked up at the nurses with bright, sparkling eyes.
‘OMG, she’s so cute!’
‘I want to pick her up and fly her like an airplane right now. That would be hilarious, right?’
But when faced with the pressure of curious stares, NoName awkwardly averted her gaze.
“Is it okay to look around the hospital for encouragement for the patients?”
“Ah, you should be asking the director…”
“The director isn’t at work today. You’ll need to call the deputy director.”
The deputy director, dressed in a black suit, hurriedly came down the elevator to greet the wizards.
“But what brings you all here…?”
“We wanted to check on the patients.”
“Ah! Oh, of course! Everyone will be thrilled! Hahaha! Should I assign a guide?”
“No, that won’t be necessary. We’ll take our time exploring on our own.”
Seeing the wizards casually greeting fans, the deputy director let out a sigh of relief.
When one wizard comes, it’s a visit; when several come, it’s an occupation.
With the world becoming more dangerous, there’s no guarantee that Italy won’t become like China.
Especially since entering the mafia underworld means being much more sensitive to certain issues.
Attempts to seize control have existed since ancient times.
Thus, while still being cautious, the deputy director found himself staring at NoName, who was meeting a three-year-old child.
“Wow kiddo, don’t you know me? All the Dream Capsules you use were made by your big sister.”
“Oh, no. This was made by Bluemi.”
“Who’s Bluemi?”
“There’s a picture of Bluemi on this capsule.”
“What’s this ugly blue puppy? So, is he more famous than me?”
“He’s not ugly! He’s famous! So famous that 900 people know him all over the world!”
“But your big sister is known by 999 people, right?”
“Ugh… Uh-oh, Mommy, what’s after 999?”
Watching NoName engage in a childish argument with a kid who didn’t even know the word for a thousand made the deputy director ease up.
As soon as the deputy director left the lobby, NoName slyly stood up.
“This place feels really creepy.”
How guilty must the deputy director feel to be worried about a child’s opinions?
“Shall we check out the pediatric ward?”
“Yeah.”
Following Cheon Saetbyeol’s suggestion, NoName nodded.
San Raffaele Hospital exuded a very strange atmosphere.
‘There’s no trouble anywhere.’
Not that we shouldn’t cause trouble; it’s just that the security stationed everywhere seemed ready to take out anyone causing a scene.
“Wow, your hair is white!”
“Whoa! Everyone calm down!”
And then we arrived at the pediatric ward.
With her friendly appearance and unique hair color, Cheon Saetbyeol became an instant star.
While she was busy coping with that, NoName was checking the hospital map for possible locations of the physiotherapist.
“I think we should look through all the wards. Let’s check the physical therapy and rehabilitation departments too… Oh, hello, nice to meet you.”
NoName exchanged smiles and handshakes with the parents who recognized her.
As NoName and Cheon Saetbyeol left the pediatric ward, the security guards who had been guarding the entrance began to follow them.
“Saetbyeol, listen up. Walk while you talk. Looks like we’ve started to attract a tail. I think the LokiAnemoNe might be keeping tabs on us now. Try to stay as close to me as possible.”
“Got it.”
“Uh? Hold on. Right there.”
Crossing the central lobby, I spotted a man heading towards the secluded area of the hospital.
His footsteps were directed towards the restricted access psychiatric ward.
‘That’s definitely him. But how am I supposed to keep waiting here?’
It would be too obvious to say I was here to meet patients and then just wait in one spot.
I thought for a moment, then noticed a roll of paper towels on the dining table.
“Hey, can you balance this on your head for a second?”
“Huh? You want me to balance this on my head? Like this?”
“Stay like that.”
One step, two steps.
Hop hop—
I took ten steps back.
[Cast: Arabesque Knot – Gold]
Crack—!
With a whip sound cutting through the air, the paper towel that had been on Saetbyeol’s head fell to the floor.
“Whoa!”
“Ta-da.”
““Wowwwww!””
“Whoa, what is that? A circus?”
“Wow, NoName is putting on a circus! Let’s hurry and go see!”
“Eww, what’s going on here!”
Applause erupted among the patients waiting for their appointments amidst NoName’s sudden circus show, while Saetbyeol trembled and screamed.
