Genius Wizard Takes Medicine [EN]: Chapter 362

“The final gate… is this the scale?” Even Lenok was speechless at the sight unfolding below the bridge. Considering what this labyrinth meant to the Dullard [a term for a powerful, perhaps eccentric, mage], Iggis Ithernoar, he wouldn’t have simply filled the inner part of the labyrinth with useless statues for decoration. I thought he was a transcendent who had reached the pinnacle as a barrier mage, but did he also have such expertise in golem creation? The answer to the question that filled my head in an instant came from elsewhere. “It’s not Iggis himself, but a relic left by a black mage who was close to him.” A bike sped through the labyrinth, avoiding the battles happening everywhere. A cool-looking woman with a nonchalant expression matched its speed right next to it, spouting carefree words. Evelyn, recognizing her face, frowned. “Maiya…!” “You’ve heard of the Night Parade of a Hundred Demons in the military city of Yorta, right? The plan to capture all the spirits and ghosts in this world and build a bridge to ascension. The direction is different, but that’s a byproduct of that project.” Lenok and Evelyn almost simultaneously raised their magical power, but Maiya waved her hand without paying attention to their reaction. At the same time as she lightly rotated her magic power, the heads of the superhumans who were rushing towards the three of them from all directions burst open with absurd ease. Pop! Pop! Pop! A hand technique that was so precise and cruel that it was barely visible to the eye. However, Maiya didn’t give even a shred of attention to the death she had created. “Now that their meaning is gone, it would be quite a headache if those things fell into the hands of some strange guy. In fact, this space is like a warehouse where the Dullard’s legacy is stored.” After saying that, Maiya turned her head slightly towards the fur ball on her shoulder. ‘Is it okay to say it like this?’ [It’s enough.] The professor said through the mouth of the tattered fur ball. [The appearance of the final gate is too different from what I knew. At this point, we need to borrow the power of others.] ‘Damn it, I don’t really like it, but…’ After saying that, Maiya turned her head and spoke to Lenok again. “Anyway, what do you think? If you’re peace-loving Watchers, aren’t you a little interested in my proposal?” “……” In the silence, only the sound of the bike engine echoed. Thud! Thud! Thud! Exceeding 100 kilometers per hour with ease. Maiya opened her mouth, matching the speed of the two people with only her own two legs. “If you help me, I’ll help you enter the deepest part of the labyrinth. It wouldn’t be a bad thing for each other.” If she simply tried to lure them in for the same purpose, there was a high possibility that they wouldn’t fall for it. So, Maiya turned the tables, making it seem like she was more interested in the artifact than the ascender himself, and packaged it as if it were for the greater good to gain their cooperation. It was an impromptu idea that came from the professor, but it was a perfect excuse. Even at this moment, as entrants continued to arrive on the huge bridge that was merging into one, battles were taking place everywhere. “Block them!! Don’t let them get ahead!!” “Just kill them!! We have to cut off their breath before they deploy their domain!!” “Damn it, it’s too late!! I’m being dragged in!!” “Aaaaargh!!” Kugagagagaga!!! In the chaotic battle where level 5 and level 6 superhumans were entangled, dazzling magical lights flashed everywhere as the few level 7 Saint-level ability users exerted their power. Among them, one mage, prepared for death, deployed a magnetic domain. The atmosphere of the battlefield began to change around it, with the projection of a different world appearing in the labyrinth. Everyone here was intuitively aware that the end was visible at the end of this bridge, beyond the third gate. If they reached the gate first anyway, there was no need to listen to her proposal. The moment Lenok ignored Maiya’s words and tried to twist the throttle once more. A clear male voice was heard from behind. “Hey rider, stop for a moment and let’s talk.” Kuuuung!!! A tremendous pressure pressed down on the entire bridge area, forcibly stopping the bike. At the same time, a magnificent purple barrier blocked their path, blocking everything and pulling them back. “……!!” Lenok frowned at the sight of the bike, which was not moving forward properly and was beginning to distort. Even at this moment, the wheels were spinning like crazy, but the speed was not just reduced, it was almost impossible to move forward. However, it was not simply because of the intensity of gravity, but because the entire space was gradually being distorted by that gravity. The purple barrier that had been slammed down onto the bridge was preventing them from moving forward by distorting the space itself. A realm that interferes with space as a result. The opponent was definitely a monster who had grasped a clue to move beyond the end of the Saint-level. As if he knew Lenok’s feelings, a leisurely voice echoed from behind. “In such a magnificent historic site, you’re rudely dragging around a motorcycle, young man, is that how you should behave?” “Gravity-type, and even Saint-level or higher…” Evelyn turned her head, sweating profusely. She also intuitively knew what level the pressure that was being slammed down all around had reached. “He’s not an opponent we can ignore.” “……” While Lenok was silent, the voice spoke to Maiya, who was next to him. “It’s been a while, sister. How have you been?” “Balak…” Maiya’s eyes cooled down. “I heard you recently reached that realm, but I didn’t expect you to show up so soon. I thought you would move after confirming the Dullard’s death, but it seems you were quite impatient?” “Isn’t my sister just as impatient?” Thud! Along with the leisurely answer, a plump middle-aged man who looked like he had no connection to exercise appeared. He was stroking his bluish chin because he hadn’t shaved properly, and the way he was picking his teeth with one hand was so out of sync with the fierce atmosphere of this labyrinth. He had a relaxed impression, as if he wouldn’t even notice if a blade was thrust into his thick belly right next to him. However, the sight of more than a dozen corpses floating behind his back completely overturned all those impressions. The bizarre sight of corpses hanging limply as if they had been hanged, like decorations on his back. A cruel hand technique that was far removed from the sensibilities of ordinary humans. The man chuckled, not even caring about the fearful gazes directed at him. “If the Dullard was in his right mind, he wouldn’t leave beings like us alone. It seems like my sister wants to enter the cradle even though she knows that.” “……” “Well, I think I know what the situation is, but it doesn’t matter. For my own personal reasons, I have to stop those two from getting ahead. I hope you will follow my will in this place.” The man called Balak stared at Lenok with sharp eyes. “Especially you, mage, judging by my sister’s attitude, you seem to have quite good skills. Don’t act rashly. So that I don’t have to kill you.” Balak’s words seemed to openly check Lenok. Lenok frowned slightly, and Maiya, who saw it, chuckled. “Geez, you didn’t even listen when I was talking… Well, good luck.” The moment Maiya tried to pass the two of them and move forward. “Where are you going, sister? You should listen to my story for a moment too.” Kugugugugung!! The thick purple barrier instantly blocked Maiya’s path. Maiya’s eyes, which had turned her head back, cooled down. “You impudent bastard… are you not going to remove this right now?” “I won’t remove it.” “Are you saying we should fight before even passing through the gate? It seems like you’ve already forgotten who was your senior in the Machine City.” “Just because you’re old doesn’t necessarily mean you’re a senior.” The man replied, not at all intimidated by Maiya’s sharp gaze. “You can only be treated as a senior if you act like one, Executor?” “……” “My sister’s words, who fled to the mortal world after the construction of the Ascension Gate failed, don’t really resonate with me.” “……You’ve become quite fearless while I wasn’t looking, Balak.” Maiya, who had taken a step forward, replied with a blank expression. “There was no one who could say those words carelessly in front of me.” “A lot of time has passed.” The man called Balak crossed his arms and replied indifferently. “Enough to forget the power of a has-been who has stepped down from the front lines.” Kugugugugu!! With those words, the pressure pressing down on all sides intensified, and the purple wave that burst out from the man slammed down on a vast area of nearly tens of meters. At the same time as the light of the wave, which was rotating in a distorted oval shape, became darker, the infinitely amplified gravity began to gradually bend even the huge bridge. A huge gravity field that encompassed an area of about a hundred meters in the vicinity. The immense flow of gravity, which was pulling and rotating everything around Balak, instantly subdued all the battles and resistance in the vicinity. “Ugh…!!” Not only Lenok and Evelyn, but also all the competitors who were struggling to move forward from the middle of the bridge were collared by the incredibly powerful collection of attractive forces. The surrounding scenery was strangely distorted, and the viewing angle was completely twisted. It was not just a matter of bending light and vision, but a realm where the power of gravity manipulation was beginning to affect space itself. If it weren’t for the support of the shield and common magic, it would have been difficult to even breathe properly. Only then did Evelyn, who had recognized the identity of the man called Balak, let out a faint groan. “Balak O’Edon. A monster who stands at the forefront of the vanguard has reached this labyrinth…” “Do you know him?” Lenok, who was familiar with the situation in the Demon Realm and Vulcan, but was still in the dark about the situation on the continent, asked. “He’s a monster who reached level 8 not long ago as a gravity-type psychic. I heard that he joined the Ability Awakening Vanguard as soon as he reached the extreme, but I didn’t expect him to start working already…” Evelyn whispered with a small sigh. “Because of his powerful and unique abilities, he used to be dedicated to psychic research in the Machine City, and it seems he became acquainted with Maiya in the process.” Putt, putt…!! Evelyn forced her shoulders and neck, which were drooping downwards, up and stared at the two with sharp eyes. “It’s the first time I’ve actually seen his face, so I was late to recognize him. I heard he had a strong reclusive and hermit-like nature, but to think he had such a personality…” “If Balak is that skilled, it’s actually a good thing.” Lenok replied, immediately raising his magic power. “While the two are confronting each other, we can look for an opportunity to escape…” [I have a better plan than that, would you like to hear it?] “……!!” Evelyn, startled by the voice that suddenly echoed from below her stomach, slammed her fist down. [Kuek!!] “W-what was that?” “Fur ball…” [S-slowly…] It was the fur ball that was always attached to Maiya’s shoulder, trembling and complaining of pain. Evelyn muttered with a dumbfounded expression even in this serious situation. “No, is it talking…?” [Ugh… It is a living being with nerves and senses. I am only linking my consciousness with this friend right now, but I can feel everything.] A somewhat subdued middle-aged man’s voice. However, Lenok rather calmly lowered his gaze after hearing those words. “I thought Maiya had been talking to someone since earlier, so you were the one. Are you planning to get our cooperation?” [You’re quick-witted. You’re worthy of being a mage favored by the Lighthouse Keeper.] A single word that implied that he knew their identity and circumstances in detail. Evelyn’s expression cooled down, but Lenok didn’t care and rather stared intently at the fur ball. “In this labyrinth where all communication with the outside is cut off, you’re perfectly linking your consciousness with this creature… You’re not an ordinary mage either.” [Otherwise, would I even think of walking into the Dullard’s countless labyrinth with a clear mind?] The fur ball, which rolled around and met Lenok’s gaze, leaked a transmission in a serious voice. [More than that, I haven’t received an answer yet.] “……” [The proposal is the same as what Maiya said earlier. To obtain the right to enter the third gate of the labyrinth and prevent the artifact from falling into the hands of the wrong person. On that premise, we will let the two of you enter the Dullard’s cradle first.] “The cradle…” [It wouldn’t be a bad proposal for the Watchers either, would it? As much as you pursue a seemingly impossible cause, that benevolence can be trusted. I just thought it would be more reasonable to ask you than the monsters who are blinded by greed.] The words flowed out as if they had been recorded in advance on the fur ball. [It’s the final gate. Now that Balak O’Edon has stepped forward, we don’t know when the other monsters will try to make a move. I hope you can make a decision as soon as possible.] The ending that the Blue Eye was pursuing, their benevolence and sincerity, and the fact that they had no intention of making the same proposal to other Watchers, but that true intention was not revealed in the voice at all. Among them, these two were the only ones who had both the personality and ability to be helpful. Even Balak, the gravity-type psychic who was holding Maiya back, could be easily overcome with the help of the mage and the archer. That was a plan that was possible because Maiya and the professor had never officially revealed that they belonged to the Demon Realm. It was a proposal made possible by Maiya’s thoroughness, who had never revealed her identity even though some time had passed since she joined Pandemonium. A proposal that mixed the professor’s rather personal taste of achieving his goal by borrowing the hands of the Watchers, who rejected and regarded them as enemies. However, Lenok shook his head while raising his magic power and pushing back the gravity that was being slammed down with a shield. “The proposal itself isn’t bad… but I’ll have to refuse.” [Why?] “It doesn’t matter that you belong to the Demon Realm, but I can’t trust you if you’re hiding your identity.” [……What?] The fur ball hesitated at the completely unexpected answer.