Genius Wizard Takes Medicine [EN]: Chapter 1085

The majestic gate at the end of the bridge trembled like an old door.

KWA-AANG!

After vibrating as if resisting a few times, the gate finally gave way, unable to withstand the force, and burst open.

The long-lived species, facing the vast hall beyond, couldn’t hide their admiration.

“Oh, oh…!!”

“Is this the inside of the Eighth… the Eighth Calamity…!!”

Even the long-lived species, who had lived for ages, were encountering the hall of the Eighth Calamity for the first time.

Those who had never dared to set foot in this forbidden place without reaching Level 8 were continuously expressing their awe.

“I can’t believe it. I never thought I’d see this place in my lifetime…”

“Look there. So many shrines commemorating the great founders…!!”

Statues of the founders who established Kundara were displayed on both sides of the hall, and the misty universe was reflected through the glass ceiling.

A magnificent misty galaxy, constantly rotating, enveloped this city, completed like a giant satellite.

One of the few places where this city could be observed and looked down upon from the outside.

The long-lived species, who had been mesmerized by the hall, fell silent as they saw the last group entering the hall.

“It hasn’t changed since the last time I arrived.”

Lenok walked with an expressionless face, and Oliviera stood beside him.

Everyone was conscious of the presence of the mage at the rear of the group.

“…”

The surroundings became quiet as Lenok walked past the long-lived species.

Some avoided Lenok’s gaze, while others stared intently at his back.

The reactions of the long-lived species, which were closer to indifference or suspicion, were different, but there was one thing they all had in common.

From the moment Lenok challenged the trial of the Eighth Calamity, they couldn’t take their eyes off him for a moment.

[The gazes are so intense, it’s almost painful.]

Oliviera, who was walking beside him, also seemed to feel it, whispering with a playful tone.

[Even if they can’t say it, they know what your actions mean.]

“…”

Lenok’s choice to forcibly stop the trial of the Calamity instead of passing it.

However, with the gate stopped while open, Maleon’s followers were also able to enter the Eighth Calamity.

The fact that they were able to enter the hall, which was originally not allowed for those who had not reached Level 8, was thanks to the short-lived species who had been questioning his abilities.

It was only natural that the attitudes of the long-lived species towards Lenok were mixed and awkward.

Even the Hollow Spirit, who had been threatening before the trial, couldn’t hide his agitation, so there was no need to mention the others.

[The more the long-lived species have challenged the trial of the Calamity designed by Jintun, the more unbelievable it will be.]

Oliviera laughed coldly.

It was a strange tone, as if she found the fact itself so amusing that she could hardly contain herself.

[I’m looking forward to how those proud old men will treat you in the future. It won’t be boring for a while.]

“It’s not like I did it to break the pride of the long-lived species, so it doesn’t matter.”

Lenok said, turning his gaze.

“The important thing is to increase the success rate by increasing the number of assistants participating in the plan. That’s what I did it for in the first place.”

Paralyzing the trial of the Eighth Calamity was not for Lenok to pass the trial alone.

Not only Oliviera, but also the long-lived species gathered here possessed abilities or techniques to help Maleon.

If they could help perform the task directly in the hall of the Eighth Calamity, the success rate of the ascension ritual would increase even slightly.

[Do you think you can trust those old men that much regarding this plan?]

Oliviera asked.

[If any of them betray the Jewel Dragon, there could be problems with the ritual.]

“Originally, Maleon and I would have had to handle all the minor processes and rituals.”

Lenok replied.

“If we can divide the preparation process and drastically reduce the time required, it’s a risk we can handle.”

[Hmm…]

Maleon’s plan was based on the assumption that it would take place at the ascension magic circle located at the end of the sanctuary of the Eighth Calamity.

The ascension magic circle was something left behind by Jintun, which could forcibly trigger the ascension ritual to challenge Level 9.

Originally, only grand mages of Level 8 could enter the Eighth Calamity, so Lenok and Maleon would have had to divide all the preparation and processes of the ritual.

“There may be those among the long-lived species who follow Maleon who have other intentions. I don’t deny that possibility. But…”

[But?]

“As long as I participate in the ascension ritual, it won’t be difficult to find the traitor.”

Lenok’s expression turned cold.

“Even if they try to do something, as long as I directly oversee the ritual, I can always notice the anomaly.”

[Because you can definitely expose the traitor, you’re ignoring the risk and reducing the time?]

Oliviera shook her head.

[That’s a very you-like way of thinking. Or is it just that you’re taking it easy because it’s not your own challenge?]

“…I’ve already agreed with Maleon in advance. He’s also taking into account what variables there might be in this matter.”

“What are you two talking about so interestingly?”

Suddenly, a dragon’s head appeared from behind Lenok and spoke.

Maleon, who had been standing behind the two of them, was looking down at Lenok with a beaming smile.

“Maleon.”

“Perfect. So far, it’s been more successful than expected.”

Maleon smiled and gestured with his eyes towards the long-lived species murmuring in the distance.

“As you said before, the closer we get to completing the ‘adjustment’ inside the Eighth Calamity, the closer we’ll get to the best state. At this rate, things will get even easier.”

“…”

“And, is this person a friend of Ban’s?”

Maleon turned to Oliviera, placed his hand on his chest, and bowed politely.

“I am Maleon Gnosis. The ruler of the Eight Great Dragon Kings and one of the top members of the Council of Elders.”

[…]

“Of course, she is also a colleague of Nibex from the Council of Elders, with whom you have a close relationship.”

[You already knew about me.]

“How could I not know about the possessor of the Seven-Colored Jewel Eye?”

Maleon, raising his head at Oliviera’s cynicism, smiled.

“There are those who remember that you have traveled to many magic towers and cities for a long time. I also heard stories from the elders.”

[…]

“A failure who dreamed of an unchanging ending and even changed his own origin. Originally, we shouldn’t have met in this place.”

Maleon’s eyes momentarily sank deeply as he faced the Jewel Eye behind the veil.

“But if a twisted causality has led me to this moment, I intend to accept even that as part of the challenge.”

[You think it doesn’t matter if you fail in this plan.]

Oliviera replied with a cold telepathic voice.

[Do you think it’s meaningful to maintain such an attitude in a challenge?]

“I’ve finished all the preparations I can, so I’m just trying not to dwell on trivial things anymore.”

Maleon replied calmly to Oliviera’s sharp words.

“If the success or failure of the plan is swayed by just one or two variables, it would mean that I was a challenger who should not have succeeded from the beginning.”

[No. You must succeed.]

Oliviera, with her arms crossed, tilted her head and retorted.

[As long as I and Gyeonrye are cooperating in your challenge, you must become the bridge to the Ninth Calamity in this place.]

“…”

[Take responsibility and bear the burden yourself. If you ignore your duty as one who stands above and take on the challenge, you must be aware that you must achieve results even in death.]

“That’s…”

Maleon, who was momentarily wide-eyed, perhaps not expecting to hear such words from Oliviera, laughed.

“That’s a theory I’ve heard a lot. Were you perhaps from the Imperial City?”

[…]

Oliviera did not answer.

Instead, with a cold sigh that seemed to mock him, she simply turned her head and walked past Maleon.

Maleon, who had been silently watching her back, then looked at Lenok and smiled wryly.

“She’s just like Nibex’s acquaintance. Every word she says is filled with poison, not just thorns.”

“You already know what happened to Nibex Orosia.”

Lenok replied indifferently.

“Knowing that, you deliberately brought up her name to provoke her, so it’s only natural that she wouldn’t respond kindly. Is that even a question?”

Maleon Gnosis was not only the leader of the Eight Great Dragon Kings but also a powerful figure holding the position of the top member of the Council of Elders.

There was no way he wouldn’t know what had happened to her in Nibex’s toxic domain.

Knowing that, he mentioned Nibex to Oliviera and acted like he knew her, so it was only natural that her response wouldn’t be pleasant.

“Well, that wasn’t my intention. It seems there was some misunderstanding.”

Maleon scratched his cheek with an awkward expression.

“Her Jewel Eye is constantly changing, but conversely, it is a power that does not change. This is close to a completely opposite inverse property in my challenge.”

“…”

“Of course, cooperating in this ritual is not good for her either. I was just surprised that she is with you despite knowing that.”

Maleon glanced at Lenok and asked.

“Can I interpret that as meaning that she is willing to listen to your request that much?”

“…We did make a deal for this matter.”

Lenok replied, turning his gaze.

“So, where is the ascension magic circle? I need to check the state of the magic circle first to estimate when the ritual will be possible.”

What Maleon had asked Lenok to do was to adjust the ascension magic circle to assist in the ritual process.

In fact, it was like entrusting Lenok with the first step of initiating Maleon’s challenge to ascend.

The success rate of the plan would depend on whether Lenok could adjust the magic circle and activate the ascension ritual.

Maleon, understanding what Lenok was saying, immediately nodded and turned to walk.

“The ascension magic circle is located at the end of the sanctuary of the Eighth Calamity, as I said. You’ll know it right away when you see it.”

“You’ll know it right away when you see it?”

“What do you think is at the end of the sanctuary of the Eighth Calamity?”

“…”

Lenok, who had frowned at Maleon’s sudden question, slightly opened his mouth.

Maleon, looking at him, spoke without waiting for an answer.

“There is a door leading to the next one.”

“…That’s.”

“The ascension magic circle is hidden in front of the trial of the Ninth Calamity. I’ll tell you what that means to you now.”

* * *

“Hoo, hoo…”

“Haa…”

A vast hall where mysterious statues of long-lived species were displayed.

The deeper they went into the corridor, the rougher the breathing sounds around them became.

High-ranking long-lived species were sweating profusely with pale faces.

Some of them were unable to maintain their human forms and had returned to their true forms to move.

It was as if the deeper they went into the Eighth Calamity, the harder it was to endure for long.

“Since you entered the Eighth Calamity without reaching Level 8, your minds and bodies are unable to withstand the pressure.”

Maleon explained.

He spoke while injecting his magic power into the other long-lived species who had turned pale, replenishing their energy.

“To put it simply, it’s similar to the pain of having your lungs crushed by water pressure in the sea. I don’t think I need to explain it to you, who has been through the deep-sea domain of Alogon?”

“No, I understand what you mean.”

Lenok replied.

“You mean that if I were to enter the Ninth Calamity as I am now, I would experience similar pain to them.”

“Unfortunately, it will probably be dozens of times worse than that.”

Maleon laughed, casually picking up the collapsed Hollow Spirit.

“Of course, I’ve never been to the Ninth Calamity myself, but according to the words of the ascenders who have been there, it must be true.”

“…An ascender who has been there.”

Po Hyul Gong said that he had borrowed the help of an ascender to transport Kaise’s body to the Ninth Calamity.

Was the ascender mentioned by the vampire the same being that Maleon was mentioning now?

Before Lenok could ask about that, Maleon naturally explained.

“Bisaek is an existence with a unique origin among the ascenders, so if you use a special method, you can borrow his power.”

“…”

“He has a peculiar personality and enjoys wandering outside the continent, so it’s difficult to interact with him, but he is still a transcendent being who can communicate if you follow the procedure.”

The ascender Bisaek.

He had heard that name in Anathema’s memories.

The transcendent being who had lent his power to act on authority and prove his existence, enabling Anathema’s expulsion.

Did he visit Kundara sometime and stop by the space-time of the Ninth Calamity?

“The environment inside the Ninth Calamity is so cruel that it’s beyond imagination, and I’ve heard that non-living things live and wander there.”

“…”

“The Council of Elders left the Ninth Calamity empty because the founders did not take into account that the environment of the Ninth Calamity would change like this when they designed Kundara.”

“Are you saying that the environment of the Ninth Calamity has changed from what it used to be?”

“Well, according to Bisaek, that place is already…”

Maleon paused for a moment, then shook his head and stood up.

“No, there’s no reason to worry about things that haven’t happened. There’s no need to assume the worst-case scenario from the start.”

“I can feel that just talking about the Ninth Calamity can make your mind and body unstable.”

“Don’t worry. I just wanted to promise you that I will help you even after you enter the Ninth Calamity.”

Maleon smiled.

“It’s not like everything will be over once I become an ascender. As promised, I have to take you to the deepest part of the Ninth Calamity, right?”

“…”

“That’s what I was trying to promise, so rest assured. I won’t just shut my mouth and pretend I don’t know anything after becoming an ascender.”

Lenok shook his head as he looked at Maleon, who was chuckling and stroking his chin.

The place where Kaise’s body was enshrined was the Tenth Gate of the Ninth Calamity.

It wasn’t over just by passing through the Ninth Calamity, but they had to find a place called the Tenth Gate within it.

But if, as Maleon explained, non-living things were living and wandering there, what was the reason?

Maleon Gnosis was a considerable good person in Lenok’s eyes, but there were still suspicious parts about him.

Should he doubt that part until the end before the ascension ritual, or should he uncover the truth after the ritual is successful?

While Lenok was lost in thought, Maleon carefully patted the shoulder of the Hollow Spirit he was carrying.

“Hollow Spirit. Are you feeling a little better?”

“…Lord Maleon.”

“You don’t look well. How about going back now?”

Maleon asked with a worried expression as the Hollow Spirit struggled to lift his head.

“I don’t want to lose you in a place like this. Originally, it was a challenge I was going to do alone, so it wouldn’t be a problem if you went back.”

“How can I take care of myself when Lord Maleon is risking his life…”

The Hollow Spirit said with difficulty.

“My technique… will be helpful… If I can… increase your luck… before the ritual…”

“…”

He didn’t seem to have much combat power for a manager of the Seventh Calamity, but he was a long-lived species who used techniques related to luck.

Maleon couldn’t deny that the Hollow Spirit’s technique would be helpful, so he closed his mouth.

Maleon, who had been silently watching the panting Hollow Spirit, said in a subdued voice.

“I guess there’s no choice.”

Maleon, who was carrying an old man in one hand, began to form hand seals with his other empty hand.

Each time he moved as if tapping the air, the hand seals changed and transitioned at an incredible speed.

PAA-AA-AA-AAT!!!!

At that moment, a colorless shockwave began to explode from under Maleon’s feet.

The shockwave, which instantly covered the hall of the Eighth Calamity and spread out as if protecting the long-lived species following Maleon.

Lenok, realizing the meaning of the hand seals, turned his gaze, and Maleon finished the incantation without hesitation.

“Self-Sovereign Domain Deployment-”

CRACK!!

At that moment, a thick hoof that appeared from somewhere crushed Maleon’s hand.

Maleon’s hand, crushed by the strong pressure, snapped and twisted, and a shockwave was emitted as it collided with the floor.

PAA-AANG!!!

“…!!!”

The shape of a hoof engulfed in blue flames.

A giant reindeer was staring down at Maleon’s face, having stepped on his hand.

Blue flames were constantly burning on the giant horns that protruded from the reindeer’s head, dimly illuminating the surroundings.

Lenok frowned and raised his magic power.

“…Yeah, there’s no way they’d just let it go.”

Speed and leg strength so fast that Maleon didn’t even have time to react, crushing his hand.

Agile reactions that allowed him to move freely within the space of the Eighth Calamity and stop Maleon’s self-sovereign domain deployment.

Even the presence of the strange blue flames burning on both the hoof and the horns.

No matter how you looked at it, he was definitely not an ordinary long-lived species.

Just as Lenok was about to step forward, Maleon spoke first.

“I didn’t think you would come all the way here to see me off.”

Very polite words to the person who had crushed his hand.

However, the reindeer retorted as if it were natural.

“I didn’t come to see you off, but to monitor you.”

“…”

“I stopped you from doing something foolish, so I think you should be grateful for my consideration.”

The reindeer’s eyes, looking down at Maleon, shone calmly.

“Even though Nibex has fallen into such a state, you still haven’t come to your senses.”

“L-Lord Regnus…!!”

The Hollow Spirit, who was panting behind Maleon, exclaimed in shock as if he recognized the reindeer.

“The top member of the Council of Elders is still here…!!”

Only then did Lenok realize who the reindeer blocking Maleon was and frowned.

The highest decision-making body of Kundara, which was allowed to enter and reside in the Eighth Calamity.

The top member of the Council of Elders, of which there were only five in the outer city, had appeared directly in front of the group.

“As the manager of the Eighth Calamity, it’s not strange that I’m still here.”

The long-lived species called Regnus said coldly.

“Rather, isn’t it more unacceptable that beings who have not passed the trial in a legitimate way have entered the hall?”

“…”

“But if it wasn’t for something more important than that, I wouldn’t have moved myself.”

“Something important, you say?”

“The time of the Ninth Calamity is moving again, and Jintun’s legacy is pulsating in the sanctuary.”

The giant reindeer’s blue eyes seemed to pass over Lenok.

“It seems that there is a being among you who has received the grace of an ascender.”