Genius Wizard Takes Medicine [EN]: Chapter 402

Swish, swish, swish!!! The ceaselessly pouring rain soaked the hallway through the broken windows. The rainwater pooling on the plush carpet mixed with bright red blood and a fishy oil, creating a foul odor. Lenok ignored his coat getting wet and walked straight out of the hallway. ‘They knew I was waiting here, yet they still went ahead with the operation. There must be more to it.’ Today’s gathering was, after all, a part of collecting evidence to prove that the organization behind the terrorist attack on Dyke was Achilles Security Company. It wasn’t enough to simply defeat the enemies; clear evidence was needed to show that Achilles was actually involved. As Lenok thought this and rotated his magic power to find the remaining superhumans and spiders, a sharp noise, like insects gnawing, suddenly echoed from the hallway walls. Kaga-ga-gak!!! No, it wasn’t just noise. In an instant, the thick concrete covering the walls crumbled away, revealing the bare framework. The rain-soaked night street scene visible through the steel bars, and the sight of mechanical spiders moving in perfect unison beyond it. Only then did Lenok realize what the opponent was aiming for, and his expression slightly changed. “They can’t be planning to collapse the building by eating away at it…!!” “Grab his feet!!” “Use the spiders as shields!!” Kiri-ri-rik!! At the same time, other spiders and superhumans not affected by the magnetic field rushed at Lenok. Turrets protruding from various joints fired hot flames and bullets alternately, chipping away at the barrier and disrupting his focus with strange sonic waves. Fierce lasers poured down from above, and sharp blades battered and tore at the shield. All of their movements were so agile that it was hard to believe they were just machines. Kaga-ga-gak!!! The eerie sight of them clinging to the shield, wriggling, and grinding drills into it from their undersides. Lenok, staring intently at the drills spinning fiercely before him, raised his hand. [Lightning Bound] [12-Layer Overload Torrent] [Barrier Formation: Hierarchy Shift] Ppa-ji-ji-jik!!! The air crumpled and shattered like paper under the oppressive heat. After gaining the ability to use unique magic, he used common magic only for simple firepower boosts. However, after passing through the filter of barrier magic, it could show its power in a different direction than unique magic. Unlike unique magic, which has a set direction and result, common magic, which is relatively free to customize, allows for the application of barrier magic. The lightning that spread out from Lenok writhed like a living snake, forming a huge barrier. Lenok, standing at the center of the barrier, swiftly made a series of hand seals. [Thunder Pillar: Flying Azure] [Hundred and Eight Thunder Showers] A complex incantation that used not just simple magic power, but also re-drew already created common magic. Although the process seemed cumbersome to use in battle, its scale was different from what Lenok had wielded so far. The resonance echoed between the pillars of lightning that struck down from the sky. The flashes of light that permeated the storm of magic power intercepted the superhumans who were running through the air, one after another. “Kuh-haaaak!!” “Shit, shit…!!” “There’s nowhere left to run!!” Avoiding the falling superhumans and spiders, he manipulated his shield and armor to deflect the blades that came right up to him. The chilling waves of murderous intent that narrowly grazed his limbs. The damp magic of curses that brushed against his nose. Unlike before, he deflected the spells and murderous intent that came at him with full force and sharpness, yet he did not stop. Kwaaaaah!!! The lightning that burst out between the pillars of electricity that wrapped around him from all directions split and struck like stakes. The spiraling magic power that rotated and wrapped around his will pierced through the collapsing debris and shattered the desperate resistance of the superhumans. Eudeudeudeuk!! The gruesome sound of bones and flesh being crushed. The shouts that burst from their throats, despite the desperation within, were drowned out by the surrounding noise. The moment dozens of lightning bolts, which had rotated once around Lenok, fluttered and rippled like wings. Kkiiiiik…!! An entire floor of the building where the battle was taking place exploded, greatly bending the building’s waist. The upper half of the building, which had tilted greatly to one side, swayed and then fell, stopping in a right angle as it crashed into the spire next to it. Kuuuuuung!!! The impact mixed cement and dust, scattering a thick fog, and the hot heat that spread from the debris painted an unexpected mirage in the night sky. Lenok, who had climbed up the magic thread from the 7th-floor hallway of the building that was tilted at a right angle, coughed incessantly. “Cough, cough!!” While covering his mouth with one hand and spitting out the dust stuck in his throat, he continuously manipulated the magic thread he had connected with his other hand to pull it. The figures of the superhumans tied to the dozen or so magic threads that were pulled along. Their bodies were stiff, and they were only groaning incomprehensibly while rolling their eyes, a sight that was all too familiar, as if he had seen it before. “Cough…!! I was manipulating the shield, and there was a mistake in the breathing filter…!!” [A mistake? That’s not like you, Master.] “Hoo… The magic power keeps jumping during the process of layering the barrier spells. Because of that, there seems to be errors in some of the magic I use regularly.” Lenok wiped away the cold sweat and sighed softly. “I thought it would be okay since I’ve used it in a few real battles, but I need to be more careful.” He had inherited the barrier magic of Jintun through memory, but he was only understanding its operating principles and using it directly. In the process of combining the spells, which had the strong imprint of an Ascender [a being who has transcended normal limitations], with Lenok’s magic, side effects of his senses jumping were often occurring. Although he was suppressing the side effects with his transcendent magic manipulation ability, if he wasn’t careful, the filter he had placed on the shield would go awry. For Lenok, who controlled environmental factors such as temperature and humidity by applying common magic to the shield that covered his entire body, it was an issue that needed to be approached very carefully. [We also confirmed through the accelerator that the side effects become stronger as the scale of the magic you handle increases. If the manipulation jumps once even in a battle like this, then eventually, a problem is bound to occur…] A problem that arose because Lenok had embraced various spells in a vast and immense vessel. There might be no problem when handling spells individually, but it was only natural that conflicts would arise in the process of combining spells based on different imprints. “Still, I managed to secure a few of them alive.” Lenok, who had climbed onto the wall of the building that was bent at a right angle, took a breath as he looked at the superhumans tied to the magic threads. The number of people who survived this battle without dying at Lenok’s hands was exactly eight. They were the ones who had survived until the end and tried to survive against Lenok. Their skills and awareness were likely matched by their knowledge. “If I hand them over to Panoa, he’ll create some kind of evidence. If I hand over the mechanical spiders I caught earlier as well, securing evidence that it was Achilles’ doing is…” Pa-a-a-aht!!! At that moment, a bright blue light soared into the rain-soaked night sky and poured down on Lenok’s head. Instantly illuminating the entire area, it formed a circular hemisphere centered on the Dyke branch. At the same time, a powerful pressure, as if heavily pressing down on Lenok’s shoulders, began to control all directions. A hemisphere made of a huge blue light. All the light was directed at Lenok alone, illuminating his body brightly. Lenok’s expression hardened as he felt that it was trying to suppress his magic itself rather than his physical movements. “Magic pattern analysis 50% complete. It’s not as good as I expected, but I’ll have to be satisfied with this for now.” Someone who appeared on the opposite side of the building that was bent at a right angle spoke to Lenok. A young man’s face, so young that it was awkward to see him wearing a soaking wet white gown in the rain. He didn’t know his actual age, but the man, who looked no different from Lenok in appearance, adjusted his glasses as he looked at Lenok. “If I’ve confirmed that the new spell defense system works even against a mage like you, then that’s a sufficient achievement. It’s worth being faithful to the purpose without worrying about the aftermath.” Kugugugu…!!! The magic power flowing from the man’s body was at a level that even Lenok could not disregard. Regardless of the situation around Lenok, the opponent in front of him was also a Saint-level superhuman who had completed his hierarchy [a level of power]. If the hemisphere surrounding Lenok began to work properly and suppress his magic, Lenok’s current combat ability would not guarantee victory. Only then did Lenok realize why the man had appeared only now, and he nodded. “A spell defense system. Is that part of the new project you’re preparing this time?” “To be precise, it’s a new leash to control powerful superhumans like you.” The man, who agreed through his glasses that were wet and barely visible, said. “Nice to meet you, Ban. I’m Graham Campbell, the head of the Achilles Technology Strategy Team. It’s a great honor to showcase this project against a mage like you.” Even as he spoke, the huge blue hemisphere that had spread out over the area was narrowing its range and slowly approaching Lenok. The pressure applied was also increasing as the hemisphere narrowed the distance. The moment Lenok tried to raise his magic power, a flash of light shot from one side of the hemisphere and scattered the magic power he had raised into the air. Chi-ji-ji-jik…!!! “I forbid you from using magic.” Graham, who began to walk on the glass window of the vertically bent building wall as if it were the floor, said. “To be precise, it’s a system that recognizes the magic patterns emitted externally and intercepts them on the spot, rather than interfering with the movement of magic power within the body.” “A system…” “Your magic pattern is so complex that it took a long time to record it in the system’s memory, but the security weapons you faced were originally terminals made for that purpose.” Was he talking about the mechanical spiders that had rushed at Lenok until just now? They were now close enough to see each other’s faces with the naked eye, and he continued. “The moment they are destroyed, they record the spells that were poured on them and transmit the data. The accumulated data is then schematized and fitted into a huge framework called a magic pattern, which is implemented as part of the system.” Every time he pulled up his magic power and extended it outwards, the blue light emitted from outside the sphere intercepted Lenok’s magic power. It couldn’t destroy it, but it was a type of field that prevented the magic power from condensing into a clear spell. “It’s not a finished product yet, but it’s possible to use it after adjusting it for just one person. How do you feel?” Graham asked. “This is probably the last time you’ll be able to stand here with a clear mind. After we capture you, we plan to soak your brain in truth serum and make you spill everything you know. Before that, I’d like to hear your honest thoughts.” “I see.” Lenok nodded. “I don’t know how big of a picture you’re drawing, but your confidence is quite impressive.” “…” “I know that there are differing opinions about the new project even within the city government. Even if you borrow the power of unapproved forces, if you continue with such drastic actions, you will eventually reach your limit.” Lenok asked, looking at Graham who was fiddling with a terminal with his finger. “Do you believe that a control system that replaces the Law of Prohibition has that much significance?” “Hmm, now that I think about it, this is the first time I’m talking to someone who was directly involved in the Defense Force’s rebellion.” Graham, who had been acting as if he would grab Lenok and make him kneel at any moment, tilted his glasses as if he had become interested. “Do you find the state of this city after the Law was lifted satisfactory?” “…” “There are many people who are not happy with the current situation. Especially since they know that the city council’s decision was not made after careful consideration.” “What do you mean?” “In the end, the reason the city council lifted the Law of Prohibition was to prevent a situation where they couldn’t control their military forces, like the rebellion caused by the Defense Force.” Graham said, looking down at Lenok with cold eyes. “They just want to prevent situations like the current one, which exploited the loopholes in the Law. They are not denying the need for control itself.” “I’m not interested in whether the superhumans in this city need freedom and responsibility.” Lenok replied with a nonchalant expression. “What I want to ask is, do you really believe that a hastily put-together project like this will have the same effect as the Law?” “…” The order of the rapidly changing metropolis was established not under clear rules, but under tacit agreements and a balance of power. What the city government’s high-ranking officials were trying to do by borrowing Achilles’ technology was a drastic move that completely ignored these relationships. Even if it wasn’t Lenok, someone who was resentful of this would have stopped it sooner or later. Lenok was curious if Graham, an important figure in Achilles, knew that fact and was still doing what he was doing now. “That’s exactly why we’re testing the system against lawbreakers like you.” Graham smiled as he wiped away the rain. “So please, do your best to struggle. If we can prove that the system works against a mage of your caliber, then getting proper investment from the old fogies in the city council will be a piece of cake.” It wasn’t just to destroy Dyke and seize its production facilities. It was a place to prove whether the new project, created by combining Achilles’ technology and the plans of high-ranking officials, could really have the same level of control as the Law. However, Lenok, instead of shrinking back even after hearing that fact in front of him, smiled faintly. “Madrich Onion persuaded you by saying that, didn’t he?” “…!!!” “But it seems he didn’t properly tell you what magic means to a mage.” Perhaps he didn’t expect that name to come out of Lenok’s mouth here. Lenok, looking down at Graham, whose eyes were wide open, snapped his fingers. Kwaaaang!! Something that popped out from under Lenok’s feet instantly lifted his body onto its back and began to look down at Graham. Eight legs. A heavy black body. A familiar bright red glow. The moment Graham realized that it was the mechanical spider and security weapon he had been controlling until just now, 71-Araneia, his mouth twisted. Da-da-da-da-dak!!! Dozens of spiders that popped out from various parts of the hallway simultaneously climbed over the broken windows and began to surround the two of them. Had he lost control of all the mechanical spiders that he thought were destroyed? “How…!!” “I understand roughly what kind of system Achilles is thinking of.” Chwararararak!!! Numerous bundles of paper that popped out from the cracks of the shattered building and scattered. A baby fox was playfully jumping around among the hundreds and thousands of documents that fluttered down like snow in the rainy night sky. Lenok smiled as he looked down at Graham’s stiffened face. “Then it’s my turn to use it.”