Genius Wizard Takes Medicine [EN]: Chapter 998

The First Gate (9)

“I was planning to refrain from activity for a while after taking charge of the First Gate, but….”

The night streets of the black market blazed.

Flames fell like bombs, rippling outwards, and the commercial district was a mess, with the gold pagoda split and collapsed.

A young man, walking out onto the leaning outer wall of the Hwacheong Pavilion, looked around with an indifferent expression.

“For some reason, flies keep buzzing around me. It’s too noisy to get any work done.”

“……”

“Tower Master. What is going on here?”

At the young man’s calm voice, Lenok adjusted his magic and rose from his seat.

A green surgical gown and inorganic eyes. An eerie sense of incongruity, where even a normal presence couldn’t be felt.

Despite having a human form, there was a strong sense of otherness, making him feel not quite human.

This man was one of the four Great Sorcerers under the Order Alliance, and an 8th-level specialist sorcerer.

The Conjunction Master, said to have the most unique status since the Alliance Leader.

‘Did Angel and Bernard retreat?’

Lenok, looking around, realized that the two had disappeared and nodded.

If they had left the battlefield in advance as Lenok had signaled just before the fight, then that was enough.

With the plan going awry, it was best to quickly find their own roles.

“……Sorcerer.”

Whoosh!!

The Tower Master, who had forcefully canceled the expansion of the magnetic field in the Sorcerer’s hand, summoned his staff back and rose from his seat with a tired expression.

Even after having his magnetic field expansion forcibly canceled by the Sorcerer, he seemed to be trying to somehow salvage the situation.

“Sorry for the interruption. This wasn’t my intention.”

“Not your intention, you say.”

The Conjunction Master asked with a blank face, putting on gloves.

“Looking at this scene in the black market, do you expect me to believe that?”

“That’s….”

“I don’t care about the commotion happening inside the gate city. You guys can kill each other as you please.”

The Conjunction Master turned his gaze to the Tower Master and said with a cold expression.

“However, there is one thing. I clearly said that the use of domains is forbidden.”

“……”

“My operating room is a very sensitive area, and even the slightest activation of mental imagery can affect it.”

The Sorcerer slowly tilted his head, his eyes flashing with an inorganic light.

“Tower Master. You, of all people, should have known that.”

“……”

The meeting of the current manager of the First Gate and the former manager.

But it was unnecessary to ask which of the two was in a superior position.

The Tower Master couldn’t meet the Conjunction Master’s gaze, and the Sorcerer was openly glaring at the Tower Master.

‘That’s strange….’

There might be a power gap between the two sorcerers, but even considering that, the Tower Master’s attitude was strangely submissive.

Even if the Conjunction Master had monstrous abilities, it was hard to believe that a sorcerer as proud as the Tower Master would show such submission.

Did the Tower Master deeply acknowledge and sympathize with the fact that the Sorcerer possessed such unrealistic capabilities?

No, if he was that afraid of the Sorcerer’s existence, there would be no reason to risk deploying a domain in the first place-

While Lenok was lost in thought, the Tower Master, who had quickly organized his magic, opened his mouth.

“……I can explain everything. I’ll take care of it.”

“Ah, it’s fine. I’ll hear your excuses later.”

The moment the Sorcerer waved his hand dismissively.

Sharp flesh that had sprung up from under the Tower Master’s feet pierced through the Tower Master’s back in an instant.

“Kuh…!!”

Thud!!

With a sound like something being devoured, the Tower Master’s face contorted in agony.

The Sorcerer, who had approached the Tower Master skewered like a skewer on a chimera, adjusted his mask and said.

“I’ve injected an anesthetic into your spinal cord, so you won’t be able to move for a while. Keep your mouth shut.”

“……”

“I’m going back to the operating room. Follow me.”

The Sorcerer, having instantly neutralized the Tower Master with the chimera he had summoned, was about to drag him straight into the operating room.

Lenok, watching the scene, slowly flicked his fingers.

‘I have to move. But….’

It was inevitable that the situation would fall apart the moment the Conjunction Master intruded into the battlefield.

But there was still time for Lenok to make a choice.

The Sorcerer seemed to be only interested in the Tower Master right now, but it wouldn’t be strange if he turned his attention to Lenok at any moment.

With the Tower Master down and the Sorcerer appearing, what was the best way to achieve his goal?

The moment Lenok took a step back from the Sorcerer, thinking that.

“Ah, that’s right.”

The Sorcerer, as if belatedly remembering Lenok, quickly turned his gaze.

“Evan Martinez. You were here too.”

“……”

The young man, staring intently at Lenok from behind his mask, stroked his chin as if pondering.

“What should I do? I don’t have much time….”

“I believe there is still a day left until the appointment time.”

Lenok replied calmly.

“I’ll come to you when the time comes. I still have things to do at the gate.”

“……”

“Or are you planning to leave the black market in this state?”

Even after hearing Lenok’s words, which seemed indifferent, the Conjunction Master did not react.

He simply observed Lenok calmly, as if studying him.

How much time had passed?

The moment the silence that had fallen on the black market became so intense that it was deafening.

“I see. I’ve made up my mind.”

The Sorcerer, who had been staring for a long time, slowly nodded.

“I think it would be better to just take you to the operating room too.”

Kwaaaang!!!

A huge mass of flesh surged from behind the Sorcerer, instantly engulfing the entire black market area.

“Uwoooooooo!!!!”

The appearance of a massive chimera, opening its huge mouth and wailing, sucking in everything on the ground.

Lenok and the Tower Master’s figures, with no ground to stand on, fell as if being sucked into the chimera’s throat.

“…!!”

The moment Lenok tried to take a deep breath and gather his magic at the appearance of the chimera in the middle of the black market.

[That’s enough, Conjunction Master.]

A purple gravity field exploded, sweeping and surging across the entire black market.

Whoosh!!!

The chimera was swallowing the debris of the buildings and Lenok’s figure was forcibly lifted by the technique.

A strong sense of incongruity, as if the gravity had been reversed and strengthened.

“This power is…!!”

A congenital ability based on powerful mental strength. A type of gravity manipulation that was familiar to Lenok as well.

The ability of the monster he had encountered once in the Hanghasa Labyrinth. The moment Lenok realized its identity and raised his gaze.

[My comrades from the vanguard gave me a heads-up, I’m quite late.]

Charrrrrk!!!

Thick purple chains were cast down over the night sky, and a powerful transmission echoed.

Dozens of corpses hanging between the links of the chains swayed aimlessly with the vibrations.

A vast gravity field that covered the black market at the same time as his appearance, and an older man standing on it was looking down at them.

[Evan Martinez. It’s been a while. You haven’t changed at all since I saw you in the labyrinth.]

“Balak O’edon…!!!”

An 8th-level gravity-based psychic. The Sixth Seat of the Ability Awakening Vanguard.

Was the monster who had gone berserk in the Hanghasa Labyrinth because he couldn’t control his own talent now moving in the gate city?

It must have been Bernard and Angel who had retreated from the black market who took action.

The moment Lenok sensed that fact and looked up at the sky with a surprised expression.

[Conjunction Master. It is no longer possible to condone the atrocities you are committing in the gate city.]

Balak’s booming transmission echoed harshly through the night sky.

[The entire continent knows what you are doing by establishing that heinous life domain. Are you truly not afraid of being cursed by humanity?]

“Psychic. My time is very valuable.”

The Conjunction Master turned his gaze to Balak, who was standing in the night sky, with a nonchalant expression.

“If you want to have a consultation with me, you’ll have to bring about 100 million cells per hour.”

[Money can be paid in any amount. What does mere wealth matter to us?]

Balak chuckled and stroked his chin.

[But your curiosity and desire for research that transcends ethics seem impossible to stop, no matter what the cost.]

“I don’t want to hear that from a psychic who collects the corpses he killed as trophies.”

The Conjunction Master, letting go of the Tower Master’s collar, whose body was faintly convulsing, turned his gaze.

The purple chains hanging in the gravity field, and the sight of the corpses hanging by their necks between the chain links.

The Sorcerer said, rubbing his hands.

“I’ve told the Order before, but all the research I conduct is essentially for the better lives of humans. It’s a process for a permanent and utilitarian conclusion, rather than my own curiosity.”

[Of course, there’s no reason why a heretic like you would be loyal to the Alliance Leader?]

Balak, slowly bending his body while riding the gravity field that covered and rotated the black market, said.

[That’s what a specialist sorcerer is. A flower blooming from twisted and rotten soil, so it emits a more intense and powerful fragrance than anything else… Even though you have taken on a human form, you are an existence that can never mix with others.]

“……”

[Rather, that may be why you treat even fellow superhumans as patients, and can treat and operate on them.]

Kugugugung…!!!

[Put down Evan Martinez and leave. That man is a flame too precious to be extinguished by the Sorcerer’s hand.]

Whoooong!!!

Each time Balak spoke, gravity waves exploded, and the scenery of the night sky was constantly distorted.

Even Lenok couldn’t even guess how much stronger Balak’s psychic power had become after completing the adjustment of his ability.

[In the name of Balak O’edon, the vanguard of the Ability Awakening Vanguard, I forbid you from obtaining any more ‘potential’.]

“Interesting. Do you know that saying that only makes me want it more?”

The Sorcerer, showing a bright smile for the first time, slowly took off the glove he was wearing on his right hand.

“I can’t help it. I’ve been thinking that I needed to set an example since I took over as the manager of the gate.”

[An example, you say.]

“Ability Awakening Vanguard. The corpses of psychics are just what I needed for my operating room specimens.”

The Sorcerer, who had gently swept through the cold night air with his bare hand, stepped forward and said.

“I’ll cut open your skull, take out your brain, and display it in my dissection room.”

[…….]

“A psychic who reached the 8th level with only his given talent. You must be a fool who can’t control his own talent and goes berserk, right?”

The Sorcerer, adjusting his mask with his other gloved hand, gathered his magic.

“Let’s begin. I’ll show you here and now how unrefined a congenital ability is.”

[Conjunction Master. It seems you still haven’t realized.]

Kugugugu…!!!

Balak’s transmission echoed loudly through the earthquake that shook the ground.

[Have you not guessed why I haven’t been on the scene since I arrived at the gate?]

“What?”

[The adjustment of psychic power that I have invested in for the past few months.]

The moment the Conjunction Master also realized that and stared at the shaking ground, Balak clenched both fists tightly.

[It was all Conjunction Art. It was the maximization of restrictions to deal with you……!!!]

Kkiiiiiik……!!

The gravity field, hundreds of meters in size, covering the black market tilted at an angle.

With a sound like metal grinding against metal, the earth’s axis slowly shook.

The moment the Conjunction Master slightly frowned at the fierce pressure, the ground split open and a purple gravity wave erupted.

Ku-gwa-gwa-gwa!!!

Intense purple pillars shot up dozens at a time in all directions, striking the ground like whips.

All the terrain in the area swept by the gravity waves was crushed and pulverized.

Even Lenok’s face hardened at the oppressive feeling, as if a formless giant was stomping madly over the black market.

‘The power…….’

The range and intensity of the gravity field are far greater than expected.

The output feels almost several times higher than when we fought in the labyrinth.

However, the Conjunction Master did not move, even while looking at the gravity waves pouring down from above.

He simply extended his bare hand, without a glove, over the gravity ripples that were crushing everything around him.

Kkudeudeuk!!

The moment the Conjunction Master’s hand touched the gravity wave, a bizarre sound, as if something was being twisted, echoed.

Immediately after, the gravity wave, which was drawing a circle, twisted and flipped, narrowly missing the Conjunction Master and crushing the ground next to him.

Kwaaaang!!

Eudeudeudeuk!!

The gravity ripples exploded and slashed diagonally across the black market streets.

Lenok’s eyes flashed sharply as he watched the Master raise his bare hand.

‘Is that the Conjunction Art?’

The ability of the Conjunction Art is, as the name suggests, to join objects and control the joined targets.

Everything the Master touches is joined on the spot and becomes a tool that follows the Master’s will.

It’s a simple ability, but the problem is that the range of application of the Conjunction Art is ridiculously vast.

It can forcibly close magnetic fields by joining them, or twist the direction of gravity waves by joining them with surrounding debris.

It can join living things to create grotesque chimeras, and conversely, it can heal high-level transcendents through surgery.

‘The maximization of the application of the Art, unique to the Special Trait System. So, this is what’s possible when reaching level 8.’

Originally, vague concepts like conjunction do not operate under the laws of Art [a system of magic or abilities].

It’s a miracle that can only exist because of the power of the Special Trait System, which expands and includes the concept of Art to an absurd level.

This is also the reason why the Conjunction Master is a unique powerhouse within the Federation and one of the four Great Masters who form the Great Connection [a powerful organization or alliance].

“Somehow, I thought the output was unusually strong even when using the Art…….”

The Master, who had grabbed and twisted the real gravity with his bare hands, slowly dusted off his hands and said.

“Is it a Geas [a magical compulsion or vow] that increases the power of the ability only when fighting against me?”

[…….]

“You’re insane. Even if you’re an 8th-level ability user, you won’t be able to handle the backlash if you increase the power of your psychic ability with such restrictions.”

[It is the arrogance of the weak to go to the battlefield without this level of resolve against a Special Trait Art user like you.]

Kuuung!!

Balak, who had landed on the ruined black market street, said.

[Now that you are far from your domain, it is the right time to try to win.]

“No, it’s a useless effort.”

The Master, who raised his gaze while clenching and opening his hand, replied.

“My Art is not fundamentally a power specialized for combat. Therefore, it is not affected by the environment.”

Tuk!

The Master, who grabbed the debris of a building with his bare hand, raised his magic power and tilted his head.

At that moment, a huge shield made by joining the debris of the building soared up and received the gravity wave.

Jjeo-eong!!

Unbelievable durability for something made by joining debris that would break if stepped on.

The Master, who knocked down the shield of debris he had made with a single gesture, said.

“The presence or absence of a domain is no problem for me.”

[Indeed, let’s see if that’s just empty confidence……!!]

Weeeeing!!!

At the same time as Balak clenched both fists, a deep purple light began to gather in his hands.

At the same time, the surrounding objects rotated as if being sucked into Balak’s hands, and the view in front of him was distorted.

Ku-gwa-gwa-gwa!!!

The gravity field, hundreds of meters in radius, hanging over the black market sky, responded to Balak’s will.

The moment it pressed down, encompassing the entire black market street within its range.

[Haaaap!!!]

Balak, clenching his fists, lifted both hands above his head as if turning them over.

A motion as if grabbing and pulling up the invisible void. At the same time, the ground exploded and the earth tilted diagonally.

Kwa-u-u-u-ung!!!

The moment the Master jumped up following the explosion, Balak pulled down as if grabbing the void this time.

All the objects that had risen into the air, including the Conjunction Master, fell to the ground at sonic speed and were smashed.

Kwaaaang!!

Creating a center of gravity within the gravity field, twisting the direction of gravity and increasing the output.

The gravity waves generated by manipulating the center of gravity pulled in and threw around the surrounding scenery.

Every time Balak, who had floated into the air, swung the gravity sphere, the ground was pulverized and turned into a wasteland.

“It’s a pity I didn’t bring a scalpel. I don’t like such a crude structure.”

However, the Master’s expression did not change in the storm of the raging gravity waves.

Kiiing!!!

He joined the debris of buildings to create bridges, and built walls and towers to receive the gravity waves.

He summoned chimeras made of joined flesh to use as meat shields, and increased his speed by leaping on them as platforms.

The free manipulation of the Art, regardless of the target or viewpoint, is amazing, but what is truly astonishing is that there is no sign of it in the process.

The Art is completed and activated the moment it touches an object. The magic power consumed is also almost negligible.

This is proof that the Master’s Conjunction Art is optimized to a level that is theoretically almost perfect.

Kki-gi-gi-gi-gik!!!

Behind the Master, who was accelerating as if sliding, the joined structures and chimeras rose up from all directions and staggered.

Every place his hand brushed past, he transformed and modified everything, creating a forest of grotesque shapes.

The ruins of the black market, pulverized by gravity waves, were reconstructed by the Conjunction Art, adding to the chaos.

Kuuung!!

Balak, who was watching the battlefield where destruction and creation were repeated alternately, increased his output with a roar.

[If the Conjunction Art is the problem, then it’s enough to eliminate the materials that will be the target of the Art……!!]

Balak’s eyes flashed as he fell like a bomb on the ground in the rain of gravity waves.

[I will turn you into a puddle of blood here with the black market!!!]

Kwaaaang!!

Hundreds of gravity waves fell, and the debris scattered in the black market disappeared into dust.

The Conjunction Art is a powerful force, but the true value of the Art comes out when there are materials to join.

If so, Balak would have no choice but to gain the upper hand if he eliminated all the targets the Master could join.

[Oooooooo!!!!]

Weeeeing!!

Eight gravity spheres appeared above Balak’s head as he raised both hands.

As the eight gravity spheres rotated around the gravity field, the ground of the mining site, which was wrapped in the gravity field, was crushed as if it was being torn apart.

A series of intense bombardments, as if an invisible hand was breaking, stirring, and compressing the cliffs and ground of the mining site, continued.

“Haha.”

With the Master’s low laugh, the ore mining site where the black market was located was lifted into the air as if it was being torn off from the spot.

Ku-gwa-gwa-gwa-gwa-gwa!!!!

The black market area, with a radius of hundreds of meters, rose up as if it had become a huge floating island.

A miracle that manipulates the entire gravity field extending throughout the black market to float a real object.

However, the target was not an object or a person, but the mining site itself located on the outskirts of the gate city.

“The ranking of the Ability Awakening Corps is the most messed up among the forces I’ve ever faced.”

Perhaps the scale itself felt absurd even for the Master, he raised his gaze.

“Even though you put a Geas on target designation, you’re only the sixth psychic like you?”

[Oooooooo!!!]

He lifted the entire black market street and then pulled the gravity to slam it into the ground.

An output that would be more than enough to crush the Master’s body, no matter what he did.

The Master, who was looking at the rapidly approaching ground with an expressionless face, then threw off the glove on his left hand.

“I admit it. At least I won’t be able to finish the job during the surgery time.”

The Master said, putting his hands together.

“Shall we start by releasing that target designation?”

Jjeo-jeo-jeok……!!!

Black magic power, twisted like acrid smoke, rose from the Master’s body.

A dark and sticky magic power that was hard to believe was from the Master, whose presence was faint.

The moment Lenok realized that it was the unique magic power of a Special Trait Art user and hardened his face.

“Art activation. Target designation added.”

The Master, who lightly twisted his clasped hands, muttered.

“Life Domain Summon.”

Jjeo-eo-eo-eo-eop!!!

At that moment, a huge mass of flesh-covered architecture soared from the ground.

A huge dome of flesh, hundreds of meters long. It writhed grotesquely like a living creature, twisting its body, and had the exact same presence as the Master.

Only then did Lenok realize how the Master had dealt with Balak’s attack, and his face hardened.

“He released the target designation Geas by using the domain……!!”

The domain that one obtains upon reaching level 8 is the power that reflects the ideal of the user.

Therefore, in the Art System, the existence of a domain is treated as equivalent to the user himself.

The Geas that Balak Oedon had placed was a restriction that increased the output of psychic power only when fighting against the Conjunction Master.

However, the Master summoned the domain and increased the number of targets designated by Balak’s Geas, forcibly releasing the target designation Geas.

[Keup……?!!!]

The target designation, which should have been only one Master, increased to two, causing the Geas to go awry, and the backlash came.

Balak, who spat out blood, staggered but gritted his teeth and dropped the island he had created.

The ceiling covered with a membrane opened like the mouth of an insect, and received the falling island as it was.

Kwaaaang!!!

With a tremendous shock wave, the debris of the black market ground was mixed and crushed between the masses of flesh.

The space of the operating room quickly wrapped around Lenok’s body and pulled him in as if sucking him in.

“…….”

Lenok, instead of pushing away, rather entrusted his body to the pulling force, even though he was aware of such movement.

* * *

Click, click.

The grating sound of metal friction. Cold and inorganic air.

The acrid smell of blood pricking the tip of his nose, and the bright light felt beyond his eyelids.

He opens his eyes.

A pink room stained with blood. Someone wearing a green surgical gown was standing with his back to Lenok.

“…….”

Lenok, who was about to say something, closed his mouth when he saw the belt that was tightly binding his body.

On a huge operating table bed, his body was firmly bound at all four limbs.

The other person spoke without even turning to look at Lenok.

“You’re awake.”

“……Where is this?”

“Why are you asking now?”

The Conjunction Master, who had turned his back, approached Lenok and said.

“Welcome to my operating room.”