Genius Wizard Takes Medicine [EN]: Chapter 823

That Do-rae’s body, stored in the Abyss, was an arrangement prepared for Kaise Bajur.

Davi called out to Lenok with a worried expression, who had stopped moving after realizing this.

[……Master?]

Lenok, who had been silent, ran a hand over his face with a troubled expression and looked at the inscription on the altar.

“I see……”

Come to think of it, it was strange.

Although he didn’t know much about the cult leader, he wasn’t the type to be attached to a body he had used and discarded.

No, wasn’t the cult leader in his memories not very interested in Do-rae’s existence in the first place?

He had dismissed the connection between Do-rae and himself as a coincidence, and had only mocked their longing and situation.

If such a cult leader had kept the body he had possessed in the Abyss, it was clear that it wasn’t for himself.

In the midst of facing the awakened Ascended, he had missed the true purpose hidden behind it.

Woooong!!!

The magic circle densely engraved on the altar was dyed a bright red light.

As if revealing the life sacrificed here, the infinitely transparent and red glow of blood slowly extinguished the magic circle.

Lenok quietly murmured, watching the magic circle gradually lose its light and fade away.

“Kaise……”

How had he changed after the Black Consumer Project failed?

He, who had vowed to find answers by thoroughly investigating all the failures of the world, had even participated in a sacrificial ritual and become a notary.

Lenok could not yet imagine how many failures, frustrations, and corruptions there had been.

Back then, the Kaise he had encountered in the restricted area was a strong person who had even momentarily captivated Lenok.

The gap between the Kaise who had chosen to disappear for Lenok and the record left here was so vast that it made him hesitate to even speculate.

“……”

No, this was just a past that only Lenok remembered.

The Kaise Bajur who had acknowledged his failure and handed over the reverse-heavenly mind was nowhere to be found.

What was here was a record of Kaise, who had failed the project and changed without ever meeting Lenok.

Did Seina and Naidri know about this?

She must have known that the history of the cult leader and Kaise’s deal over Do-rae’s body remained here.

Perhaps the priestess had transferred the authority of the high priest to Lenok to inform him of this fact.

If so, then Alcaide was not just one person……

Lenok thought so and rummaged through his inner pocket with a sinking gaze.

Flap!!

The Papyrus Aureus shone with a faint golden light.

If there was a record of Kaise here, would Ethan have also left a record in his journal?

Fortunately, as Lenok had expected, a new record had appeared in the journal.

[The 19th basement level of the memorial tower’s crematorium. A ritual site where the Papal States traded with the Soul Calming Pavilion to sacrifice believers.]

[After investigating the bloodstains and remains, the genetic information of 139 people was confirmed.]

[I offered my own blood and flesh on the altar, but there was no reaction. It is presumed that the ritual is completely over.]

“There’s a limit to how much you can enjoy bizarre behavior……”

Lenok shook his head at the insane record of offering himself directly on the altar.

He couldn’t possibly not know how dangerous the cult was, yet he had done such things without hesitation.

Just like tasting and evaluating the Headrain River water, he was a person with a somewhat twisted mind from the start.

Lenok then followed the records in the journal and wandered around the crematorium.

It seemed that Ethan had investigated this crematorium for quite a long time, as there were many records left in the journal.

[The statues erected around the crematorium are not of Yorta’s culture or style, but of Kundara’s.]

[Judging by the time, they seem to have been made before the central city was even built.]

Did the cult bring Kundara’s statues for the ritual and set them up here?

However, the record Lenok wanted to confirm through the journal was not this.

If Kaise Bajur had watched the cult’s ritual in this ritual site, Ethan would have surely found out about it.

He was trying to see if he had left any words related to him in his journal.

Lenok then quickly read through the records Ethan had left while traveling through Yorta.

The strange eating habits of the Man-Demon Aorosiku, who guarded the 10th basement level. The rare disease that the commander of the Thousand-Demon Fortress was suffering from, and other secrets.

That Yorta did not have strict restrictions on movement between social classes, and that it was surprisingly easy to live in, contrary to its complex customs.

Also, that miraculous reunions with family, friends, and lovers often occurred because they existed between life and death.

And that Ethan himself was secretly pleased with that fact.

“……”

As if summarizing his journey in Yorta and leaving his final thoughts.

The emotions he had felt and thought while exploring this city were there.

[The Night Parade of a Thousand Demons failed, but its fruits remain and support the order of the city.]

[It is an indispensable task for the city, but on the other hand, it is a force that prevents the dead souls from leaving the mortal world.]

[I still do not know if it is truly for the sake of the deceased.]

Goooh!!

Following the direction where the words of the journal were pointing, Lenok found himself at the end of the ruins.

Beyond the gate, where the scenery of the river, with its dynamic currents, was visible at a glance, where the Headrain River was overflowing.

The story about Kaise that Ethan Bajur had left before leaving this city.

[My father didn’t say anything, but I knew I wouldn’t live up to his expectations.]

[Because the destiny given to me was too meager compared to the future you envisioned.]

“……”

The last passage where Ethan Bajur summarized his thoughts on Kaise.

How he had accepted his situation of having inherited Kaise’s talent poorly, and how he had accepted that fact.

In an infinitely calm and quiet handwriting, Ethan’s feelings were written there.

[I don’t resent it. My father also had an unwanted nature, and had to send those who had been with him away first.]

[I can also understand that this was the most important motivation for starting the project.]

[However, in a situation where I could not take over the project, there was only one thing I could do.]

To release the curse that bound his own destiny in the Sanctuary of the Abyss, to disappear, and to be resurrected again with the power of reverse-heaven.

Ethan Bajur had literally succeeded in a miracle of reviving his body by using his own death as an opportunity.

[The reason I am leaving this journal is that there is a high possibility that I, who have been resurrected, will not be the same as before.]

[Because, as you did, people tend to change the moment they challenge the great task of changing fate.]

[After succeeding in resurrection, will I be able to recognize that this journal is a record I left behind?]

[To know that, I leave my journey in Yorta here.]

The words of the journal that appeared on the papyrus ended there.

As if to say that Ethan’s journey in Yorta had come to an end with those words.

“……”

In the end, Ethan never explained who he was even once while writing the journal.

Without revealing or explaining himself, he had only written down his own impressions in fragments.

That was probably because this journal was not for anyone else, but for Ethan himself.

If he had left this item for his new self, would the resurrected Ethan Bajur still be looking for this journal?

Lenok thought so and took out a silver necklace from his pocket.

The seal with the name of Paud Older, which he had received from Jorden. And the only relic of Kaise that Ethan had tried to obtain.

It was a type of artifact left by a Kundara Ascended, whose name itself contained power.

He had summoned the journal on the papyrus through the power of the necklace, so now that he had read it all, he might be able to find another meaning.

Davi also seemed to understand Lenok’s thoughts, and asked while perched on his shoulder, looking at the papyrus.

[Do you think the information Master wants is left there?]

“As you can see from the journal, Ethan Bajur is a person who is extremely obsessed with the connections and objects related to himself.”

Lenok answered, fiddling with the seal.

“I don’t know what kind of relationship Ethan had with Paud Older, but if he used an object he had once connected with as a key, he wouldn’t easily change it. If so, then surely……”

Kiriik!!

The moment he brought the necklace close, the letters of the journal began to wriggle and move.

The ink that made up the letters was disassembled and transformed into a series of lines and drawings.

Lenok, realizing that it was a process of drawing a huge map on the papyrus, focused his attention.

Ssssh……!!

From the depths of the Headrain River in the distance, a faint whirlpool began to appear.

“……Wait.”

It was caught by Lenok’s magic detection and was close enough to be seen with the naked eye at the same time.

It was difficult to measure accurately due to his poor condition, but it was moving at an incredible speed that made Lenok’s spine tingle.

Something was approaching this way from the deep depths of the Headrain River.

Realizing this, Lenok immediately used Blink to move aside.

A whitish figure that had passed through the gate became a streak of light and fell right into the middle of the ruins.

Kwaaaang!!

The huge rock shook violently, and the remains and urns scattered around fell down.

Lenok, who had covered his face with one hand, quickly pulled up his magic power and adjusted his obsidian mask.

At the same time that Davi quickly hid himself, Lenok, who had drawn out his magic threads and spread them around the ruins, turned his gaze.

“Phew……!!”

A pure white coat soaked in water. Long, flowing white hair.

A back view of a man with a thin physique, bent over with one knee on the ground, silently looking down at the ruins.

Lenok’s gaze, which was carefully observing the man who couldn’t hide his thin physique even in his large coat, shone sharply.

Even though he had plunged into the ruins after traversing the deep sea at that speed, he had not a single scratch.

A physical ability user. And a considerable strongman who didn’t match his physique.

The man slowly stood up and looked around, then lowered his head and vomited all the contents of his stomach.

“Uweeek.”

“……”

“I, I drank too much water…… It’s salty……”

The man, who muttered in a somewhat dazed voice, turned his head sharply.

The man, who had made eye contact through his long, flowing hair, tilted his head as if he had finally recognized Lenok.

“Huh? Who are you?”

“I think that’s what I should be asking.”

Lenok retorted in a cold tone.

“Did you swim through the Headrain River with your bare body and crawl into the crematorium?”

“Crematorium? I thought the smell of corpses was a bit strong, but this is a crematorium?”

The man muttered as if he was amazed.

“That’s strange. I thought I had found the right direction. Wasn’t this the Military City?”

“You……”

Indeed, this man was not a person related to Yorta. He was an outsider who had come to the city from outside.

However, Lenok felt his gaze drawn to the unique atmosphere the man was exuding.

A distorted idea that was somewhat different from other magic users.

A presence that was not complete as one, but was built enough to exist as an independent entity.

Lenok had met a psychic with a similar ability before coming to Yorta.

“You’re a clone ability user. And a very powerful one.”

“……Hmm?”

“Are you functioning as an almost perfectly independent entity, and have you built a firm ego?”

Lenok’s eyes, looking at the man, sank coldly.

“Who are you? If you have this level of innate ability, are you a general of the Ability Awakening Corps?”

“Ability Awakening Corps? No, I’m Songha.”

“……”

“I heard that the memorial tower built in this city had collapsed.”

Songha, who was scratching his head nonchalantly, explained despite Lenok’s sharp questioning.

Whether it was his nature to not care about the surrounding atmosphere or mood, or whether he was just insensitive, it was hard to tell.

Songha, not caring about Lenok’s reaction, muttered blankly as if recalling his memories.

“The staff were talking about this place, so I thought I should check it out. There’s something I want to find before the others come.”

Staff and confirmation. It was difficult to understand because it was disorganized, but it was certain that he knew about the collapse of the tower.

An organization that was quick to recognize and act on sensitive topics even within Yorta.

Or a powerful figure belonging to the leadership of such an organization.

“What are you looking for?”

“Oh, are you going to help me find it? But actually, I don’t really know either.”

Songha turned to Lenok with a delighted expression, then muttered vaguely as if trying to remember.

“It’s like a journal, not a notebook, but a record. Something someone left behind.”

“……”

“I heard it’s in the form of a scroll, and it’s likely to be sunk at the bottom of the river.”

Songha grumbled with a blank expression, leaving Lenok in silence.

“I haven’t seen it myself, I’ve only heard an explanation, so it’s hard to find. So I swam to the place where I felt a familiar idea-”

At that moment, Songha, who had stopped talking, stared intently at Lenok’s fingertips.

The old papyrus, half-hidden between the shadows of his robe.

Songha, who was looking at the papyrus that was drawing a map in real time and had not been completely hidden, said.

“I heard it looks exactly like the one you’re holding.”

“……”

Silence flowed as Lenok did not answer.

Songha, who was silently looking at the papyrus held in Lenok’s fingertips, asked.

“Is it you?”

“Then who are you?”

Lenok asked back.

“Are you a general of the Dead Rise?”

“……Hmm.”

Songha, who had his arms crossed and was tapping his hand, pondered.

He was lost in thought with a blank expression, then asked.

“I’m just asking in case…… You’re not from the same hometown as us, are you?”

“……”

“I see.”

As if he had understood the answer perfectly despite his dazed appearance, Songha nodded and flipped his coat.

A single katana hanging on his slender waist. It was hidden by his coat, so it wasn’t clearly visible, but its length was incredibly long.

Clank!

Songha, who slowly lowered his posture and placed one hand on the handle, looked up at Lenok.

The movement didn’t feel threatening at all, and it was so slow that it even seemed languid.

However, Lenok was clearly aware that his intuition had been on high alert from the moment Songha lowered his posture.

“I don’t know how you found out, but as you said, I’m a clone ability user.”

Songha said, stroking his sword by turning his waist.

“I split my clones and use them in various parts of the army, and I’m paying a great price to maintain my clones even at long distances.”

Was he a powerful superhuman who had swum through the Headrain River while restricting his abilities to maintain his clones over long distances?

The moment Lenok tried to guess how much Songha’s abilities were being restricted, after understanding the meaning.

“My physical abilities, metabolism, and respiratory functions are all restricted to within 30%. It’s so uncomfortable that it’s difficult to even live normally.”

Songha’s answer, explaining the conditions that were being restricted, as if it was nothing.

“But my swordsmanship exists in its complete form regardless of these restrictions. This is my foundation that I have trained before my psychic abilities.”

“……”

Songha said confidently, looking at the silent Lenok.

“So if you don’t want to die, hand over that scroll to me. Got it?”

“Yes. I don’t want to die.”

Lenok, who had been listening to Songha’s words quietly, chuckled and asked.

“But is it okay to explain your abilities and restrictions in such detail?”

“……Hmm?”

At that moment, Songha tilted his head as if he hadn’t thought about it at all.

“Huh? Eh? Hmm?”

He was lost in thought as if retracing his own words, then Songha fell silent.

“Did I……do that?”

“I don’t know if you’re insensitive or just out of your mind.”

Lenok sneered at the sight.

“Is intelligence included in the 30% of abilities that are restricted to maintain your clones?”

“……”

At that moment, Songha flinched his shoulders and glanced away.

A sensitive reaction as if he had been hit right on the mark by a word thrown out to openly ridicule him.

Lenok, who immediately noticed that, asked with a dumbfounded expression.

“……Really?”

[Wow……]

“……You.”

While Davi was admiring the idea that transcended common sense, Songha, whose ears were turning red, grabbed his katana.

“You’ve found out something you shouldn’t have.”