Afterword (2)

A few days had passed since Ian wrapped up his schedule in Busan.

Mid-March. Weather that could now be called full-on spring blanketed the streets of Seoul. The cherry trees were in full bloom, and flowers of all kinds had bloomed everywhere. Sunlight that wasn't too hot fell from the sky.

Still, spring didn't bring only good things. Pollen drifted thickly through the falling petals, and fine dust painted the view a hazy white. Maybe it was different in the provinces, but Seoul got hit directly by the yellow dust too, so there was no way to keep the windows open.

Of course, that didn't affect Ian much. He'd been holed up in the workshop every day since the day he got the grimoire, so that was only natural. Even if air got in, the workshop's air purifier was running at full power, filtering out impurities, so there was no problem. The workshop environment was always kept in peak condition.

It was the same now.

The workshop living room was filled with cool circulating air.

Ian sat in a chair and adjusted his lensless glasses. With a clatter, the glasses jostled slightly.

“Hmm.”

In his hands was [Blue Shackles and the Book of Contracts]. The blue grimoire, with its chains clanking annoyingly, vibrated as if delighted by Ian's touch.

[Wung, wung...! Uuung...!]...