I Became a Genius Mage in the Cthulhu Game Chapter 17

Episode 17

Episode 17: Mask obsession

The name doesn’t really matter. Among the items that directly increase abilities, these gloves are the cheapest and most efficient.

As I was tightening the Velcro strap on my wrist, Jeong Ye-eun snooped over to me.

“Mister, are you a biker?”

Ugh, you mean uncle?

“No, I’ve never been near a motorcycle.”

“Eh, but why are you acting like a crazy person?”

That’s an overly honest question. I also answered honestly.

“hmm… … “Because I’m a crazy person?”

Was that a too honest answer? Ye-eun steps back slightly with a confused expression. Uh… … If I keep moving like that, will I get into another accident?

“Hey, wait!”

It’s already late. As Ye-eun stepped back, she dropped the cauldron hanging on the shelf, and the large cauldron spilled out, hitting other miscellaneous items… … .

[Invisible Hand]

In the end, I caught it with magic. It is inevitable that a mess like before will happen again.

Ye-eun is surprised to see the falling cauldron stop in midair and slowly come down.

“and! “Are you also a person with special abilities?”

“No, a wizard.”

“A wizard? omg! “Is that really why you’re wearing a mask?”

“uh.”

I don’t know what this has to do with wizards and masks, but I was lazy so I just said yes.

“wow!”

Rumbling-.

Ye-eun is so excited by what I say that she jumps up, and other miscellaneous things start to pour out.

Wow, go to sleep, please stay still.

For a girl at this energetic age, this store is too dangerous.

Why on earth are you making me work part-time? Did you say it was your first day working today?

“Mister, would you like to take a look? “There are so many there!”

Unintentionally, he got excited after seeing magic so many times that he dragged me and headed to a corner of the pawn shop.

Did they sell masks here too? I haven’t really found any masks here, so I might not know.

The place that Ye-eun guided us to was full of masks.

Starting with indigenous items such as Hahoe masks, there were items presumed to be Japanese or Chinese items, and, along with colorful Venetian masks, there were also scary items that may have been used by an African tribe.

‘It’s quite possible that I don’t remember.’

They are just ordinary masks.

I don’t know if it has antique value, but for the most part, it’s of little significance to me.

‘Still, would this mask be more believable than a cheap plastic mask?’

Before I was dragged into this world, I definitely had no interest in masks or anything like that.

But now a lot has changed. Is it because of mask obsession?

The visible objects are obviously ordinary masks with no special functions or abilities, but for some reason, they all feel fascinating.

I ended up taking my time and looking at the mask.

“how is it? There are a lot of good things, right?”

Looking at Ye-eun’s expression, I guess I acted like a serious masked otaku without even realizing it.

I tried to answer Ye-eun’s words, but I couldn’t open my mouth.

[System: The ‘Madman’s Luck’ effect is activated.]

Because a strange sound was heard between the masks.

– El, El, El… … Ugh, Ugh, Y’kaaa… … L’geb. Zackl Va.

So it was a very strange sound.

-Zi, Kur… … Ugh, Ugh… … Az… … Ai!

The underside of the mask is itchy.

Ye-eun, who didn’t notice my abnormality, was chattering some more, but I couldn’t hear what she was saying.

‘Where on earth is this sound coming from?’

It was clearly a sound heard between the masks. okay. There, that one.

Among the messy masks scattered everywhere, the most unique and special one catches the eye.

It was a mask.

So, it is modeled after the shape of a hideous goblin. So, it is a strangely shaped mask. There are two more holes below the eye sockets.

That means it has 4 eye holes instead of 2, so it has a very fascinating shape.

What’s on my face right now?

Oh, it was a crude plastic mask that resembled the shape of a skull.

I can’t believe you were using toys like this.

This cannot be called a mask.

The real mask is over there.

I want to write that. A young human female speaks to me. She knew the name… … Oh, was it Ye-eun? Why are you talking to me?

I have to wear that mask.

-Fhaan cthull, Venyuo aan Gi EL.

That’s the real mask.

I came here to become that mask. The mask obsession embedded in my psyche existed for this moment.

I slowly lifted the mask… … .

Pajijijik-.

[System: The exclusive attribute ‘Abyss Madness’ is activated. Nullifies the confusion effect.]

“Are you going to buy that too?”

This is the voice of Eun-taek Jeong, the pawn shop owner.

“yes?”

No, wait.

What was it?

hallucination? No, was there confusion? Since when? Why didn’t I get a message saying there was confusion? It was printed out, but I didn’t remember it?

It’s an unpleasant feeling. Memories are not completely connected.

Yeeun is standing right next to me with an expression like nothing happened.

Contrary to my perception, was I looking at the mask while having a good conversation with Ye-eun?

In my hand… … There is a mask that I saw earlier.

“Are you interested in that mask?”

Jeong Eun-taek must have thought of something else after seeing me hesitate for a moment.

“how much is it?”

“Hmm… … “Give it a try.”

“Here it is.”

Jung Eun-taek took the mask, looked at it for a moment using strange glasses with dozens of lenses, and then made a swooshing sound.

“What is this… … “It’s not something you’d be interested in.”

This means that it is an ordinary object that has no connection to magical artifacts or the existence of the abyss.

“is that so?”

weird.

Because my eyes are seeing something a little different.

[??’s mask (?? class accessory): Mask of unknown origin.

Research or appraisal is necessary to determine its identity.]

This is clearly an unidentified artifact.

It is an item whose true value can only be confirmed if you take the time to appraise it.

‘But it’s something that even Jung Eun-taek can’t appraise?’

Eun-taek Jeong is an NPC with emotional skills.

[Cthulhu World] If you get an unappraised artifact while playing, you usually bring it to Eun-taek Jeong and ask him to appraise it.

The items he cannot appraise are usually mythical or legendary. In terms of rank, the only items are SSS level or higher.

‘This mask is that kind of thing? ‘Then why didn’t I know about these masks?’

It’s an artifact I’ve never seen before.

‘Now that I think about it, one of the traits was activated earlier, right?’

[‘Madman’s Luck’: If you have madness, the ‘probability of finding hidden artifacts’ and ‘production success rate’ increase.

Holders of this trait are considered to have the following traits: ‘Unexpected Success’, ‘Sparkling Creativity’, and ‘Random Meeting’.]

‘ah… … This is it. Was it an artifact that couldn’t be discovered without this characteristic?’

Anyway, it is a hidden artifact that I have never seen before. I want to take it and check its capabilities.

I said, trying not to let the excitement show in my voice.

“I want it, even if it’s just a trivial item. “As you can see, I’m collecting masks.”

“hmm… … is it?”

Jeong Eun-taek looked at my face while wearing strange glasses.

It’s as if he wants to appraise the product itself.

Then he suddenly shows a generous expression and grins.

“Well, if you want this kind of miscellaneous stuff. “I’ll give you one as a gift.”

He reached out and held out the mask to me. I answered him, taking the mask.

“Thank you.”

You must be thinking that you purchased the orb at a good price. You’re probably confident that if you catch a decent customer, you can pull in around five thousand. Moreover, considering the purchase price of the items sold to me, it must have been a bad day.

“Anyway, we got a good deal. “Come again.”

“you’re right. “I stop by often.”

“I wish I could see you for a long time.”

The average lifespan of Paju’s troublemakers, who are no different from demons, is extremely short.

It is truly rare to retire with intact limbs like Jung Eun-taek.

I put the money I received in my backpack and left the pawn shop.

Ye-eun screamed to come again, but Jung Eun-taek could also be heard telling Ye-eun not to come out starting tomorrow.

Anyway, it was a good deal.

‘Let’s go to the motel quickly. I’ll have to check the mask properly when no one else is around.’

* * *

As soon as I got back to the motel, I briefly cleaned up the room.

It’s not like I’m doing difficult preparations, but for now I’m just going to perform a magical ritual.

Even though it may be a hassle, it is advisable to do the minimum amount of purification.

I sprinkled handfuls of salt I got from the pawn shop on each corner of the room.

Then I put all the unnecessary items in my backpack and threw them in the bathroom.

There are two things to do.

First, seal the [wriggling slime] and [black goat’s body fluids].

And we plan to examine the mask we received from the pawn shop.

‘Before investigating, first seal it. ‘If you become confused and defenseless while examining the mask, you never know what these guys will do.’

No matter how strong I am, I must not let down my guard.

These are not simple objects.

It is an object that contains the power of the beings of the abyss.

It is a medium that can directly connect with them, and at the same time, it is their fragment, and perhaps their alter ego.

You have your own will and desire, and you have the power to realize that will and desire.

It always manifests itself in a form that destroys or corrupts the human soul.

Special measures are needed to block their power.

A black cloth was spread on a small round table next to the bed, and a small crystal pillar about 10 cm long was placed on it.

Then take out the scented candle and light it. All items were purchased from a pawn shop.

It is a cloth made by peeling off the belly skin of a hungry ghost, and a crystal purified by exposure to sunlight and moonlight for 100 days and 100 nights.

Scented candles are made by mixing cedar scent with wax and hardening it.

I closed my eyes for a moment, took a breath, and then moved my hands using magical energy.

Kiiiiing… … .

A trail of fluorescent light is formed following my touch.

‘And form a magic circle.’

Usually, triangles or squares are drawn on top of a circle, and they are designed to have a beautiful and mysterious shape by considering symmetry, symbolism, and aesthetics.

Actually, there is no need for that. Even if it is a magic circle, it is ultimately just a kind of circuit diagram.

As long as input, operation, amplification, and output are performed, the form itself is not very important.

Of course, magic schools and magic towers have to consider visibility and educational convenience, so they force a format that is easy to create as a manual.

The equilateral triangle drawn inside the circle is said to encourage the magical power of fire.

‘What am I…? … There is no need to teach anyone, and there is no need to struggle to remember magic circles in specific forms.’

Therefore, symmetry and symbolism are ignored and the magic circle is formed using only the most efficient and practical form.

When I made it, it looked like crazy graffiti.

‘Okay, a few more like this.’

Magic circles with the meaning of sealing, weakening, confinement, and purification begin to bloom.

fantasy,