The Return of The Mythical Archmage [EN]: Chapter 330

After Shin Hayul entered the main room for the AI implantation, Jisun Chan and Adela moved to the medical room and quickly completed their final physical checkups.

It was a comprehensive checkup to worry about possible side effects, but fortunately, no side effects were found at all.

“Thank you for your hard work.”

“Thank you.”

Adela and Jisun Chan thanked the examiner and left the examination room.

“You’ve both worked hard.”

Kim Kangin greeted the two of them.

“Adela, you’ve also worked hard.”

He first greeted Jisun Chan, who was part of his team, and then Adela.

“How is your body feeling?”

“My body feels great, but mentally, I’m a bit…”

Jisun Chan blankly raised his gaze.

He stared blankly at the empty space above Kim Kangin’s head and smiled wryly.

Then, he suddenly looked startled, and his face turned pale.

“Ah, no. It’s not that I’m mentally distressed because of Aslan. It’s, what is it? You know, that feeling when it’s too sudden and you can’t calm down? Yes. My head is just a mess! That’s why. Haha.”

Then, he babbled to himself like a madman.

“Of course. How could I be dissatisfied when Aslan will be guiding me in the future? It’s an infinite honor.”

Half crying, half laughing.

It was an obviously forced smile.

“…”

Kim Kangin’s eyes were filled with worry.

He knew that they were talking to a past figure named Aslan Polohamruin [a legendary mage], but from the outside, it just looked like they were talking to themselves while staring at empty space.

It was natural for him to have such a look.

“Yes. The friend next to me is Jisun Chan. Yes. Aslan Polohamruin is Jisun Chan’s supporter.”

The reactions of the two people who had the AI implanted were so extreme that it was even more worrying.

Adela was calm as could be, while Jisun Chan was in a complete rush.

He also had a slight thought that maybe there was a problem with Jisun Chan’s AI.

“Pitiful… is he?”

Adela tilted her head.

“Ah, eccentric… I see. It seems like what Hayul said wasn’t a joke.”

Adela’s eyes were filled with pity as she looked at Jisun Chan.

She looked like she felt sorry for him, wondering what the AI had told him.

“Me? I’m so happy. Elena is going to be my supporter. I look forward to working with you in the future.”

Adela smiled faintly.

She looked genuinely happy.

“…I can’t get used to this.”

Adela, with a full smile, talking to someone invisible.

And Jisun Chan, sweating profusely, talking to someone invisible.

Shin Inhyuk looked back and forth between the two of them and let out a small groan.

“I feel the same way.”

Kim Kangin’s expression was no different from Shin Inhyuk’s.

He didn’t know what to say to them right now.

“A partner to be with in the future, a soulmate…”

Stella, who had been quietly observing the situation from behind Shin Inhyuk, murmured nonchalantly.

“It’s so cool.”

“…Stella?”

Stella’s expression was strange.

It was hard to tell if she was lively or excited.

Anyway, she looked very happy.

“It’s like the main character from ‘Celestial Martial Emperor’.”

“…Celestial Martial Emperor?”

Kim Kangin’s eyes were filled with questions.

What was Celestial Martial Emperor?

‘Is it a code word for swordsmen? Or the name of a new sword technique?’

He didn’t know.

The terms used by swordsmen these days were changing so rapidly that he couldn’t understand them at all.

‘Celestial Martial Emperor. Literally, the martial emperor standing above the sky. Hmm… Is it the name of a new school?’

Kim Kangin was lost in thought with a serious expression.

“…”

Shin Inhyuk shook his head as he looked at the two of them.

‘This is a complete mess.’

Jisun Chan and Adela, talking to the empty air.

And Stella Vinoche, looking at them and thinking of martial arts novels.

Finally, Kim Kangin, listening to Stella Vinoche’s nonsense and engaging in useless contemplation.

It was a complete mess.

Could there be a situation that better fits the idiom ‘worse and worse’?

Weeeeeeeng, weeeeeeeng-!

The alarm went off at that moment.

A red light was emitted from the special communication terminals that Shin Inhyuk and Kim Kangin always carried, and a siren sounded loudly.

“…Again.”

Shin Inhyuk frowned.

“It’s been frequent lately.”

Kim Kangin smiled bitterly and checked the terminal.

“Is it another monster rampage?”

Adela approached Kim Kangin and asked.

“Yes. It’s a monster rampage.”

“What’s the danger level?”

“The danger level is 5. Fortunately, it’s not a very serious situation.”

One year ago.

Without any warning, the frequency of mana disasters suddenly increased.

Among them, monster rampages increased beyond noticeable levels, almost tenfold.

Last year, there were only about 10 monster rampages, but this year, there have been nearly 100.

Considering that it’s only September, it will easily exceed 120.

The frequency of occurrence has increased by a whopping 12 times.

“I’m sorry to say this to Hayul, but I have to go first.”

Kim Kangin put the terminal in his pocket and looked at Shin Inhyuk.

“I see. Was the Blue Magic Tower on duty in the situation room today?”

“Yes.”

Recently, as mana disasters have become more frequent, Korea’s security system has also undergone dramatic changes.

In the past, they only formed a duty team and had them work in the situation room.

Now, each company and tower company takes turns in charge of the situation room.

The duty team alone could not accurately respond to all situations, so they reorganized the structure as a last resort.

“I should hurry.”

“Yes. I think you should.”

Kim Kangin was about to run out of the building when.

“Tower Lord. I’ll go too.”

Jisun Chan stopped Kim Kangin.

“Jisun Chan, don’t overdo it and rest. Right now…”

Kim Kangin was about to order Jisun Chan to rest when.

“…Wait a minute.”

Something suddenly came to mind.

“Come to think of it, Director Terun said that he needed to measure combat data in a real battle.”

More important than the implantation was the data afterward.

It was even more important to collect data on how stable and powerful the two’s magic had become after the implantation.

“Then this is the perfect opportunity.”

Then, wouldn’t this situation be the perfect time?

Danger level 5.

A level that two 7-circle mages could easily handle.

Even if something happened, it was a level that Kim Kangin could somehow manage on his own.

It wouldn’t be bad to put the two into a real battle now.

“Adela.”

“Yes. I can provide support.”

Adela understood Kim Kangin’s intentions first and answered ahead of time.

“I’m just asking in case, but there won’t be any complaints from the Mystic Committee later…”

“There will never be such a thing.”

“Okay. I’ll trust the words of the next family head.”

Kim Kangin smiled and took out his phone.

Then, he sent a text to Terun.

[I’m thinking of putting Jisun Chan and Adela into a real battle. Is there any problem?]

The answer came right away.

[No problem. It’s what I wanted.]

[It would be even better if you could go with them. Please take care of them.]

It was the expected answer.

Kim Kangin sent a reply saying that he would leave right away and turned his gaze to Adela and Jisun Chan.

“Permission granted. Let’s go.”

It was the moment when the first real battle deployment of the new generation AI was decided.

* * *

Pyeongyang.

In the past, the capital of North Korea, a divided country.

Currently, a developed city that has become one of Korea’s territories.

Kim Kangin, Jisun Chan, Adela, and Stella were moving towards Pyeongyang.

“I didn’t expect Stella to come too…”

“Don’t worry. It won’t develop into an international issue.”

“…Even if Stella doesn’t intend to, the French government might think differently.”

Kim Kangin smiled bitterly.

Adela Steart was a mage belonging to a different organization, but she was still within Korea.

Even if she was deployed in a real battle through a support request, there wouldn’t be any major problems.

But Stella Vinoche was different.

She was French, not Korean.

She was also one of the highest-ranking guests in France.

What would happen if it became known that such a person was deployed in such a private mission?

At the very least, it would become an international issue.

In the worst case, it could even lead to an international trial.

How could he not worry?

“It’s okay. The French government doesn’t know I’m here. If we stay quiet, there won’t be any problems.”

“…That’s more of a problem.”

The fact that Stella Vinoche was in Korea was only known to the four people here, Shin Hayul, Terun, and Shin Inhyuk.

“It would be fortunate if it stopped at an international issue. If things go wrong, it could even turn into a kidnapping of the Vinoche heiress…”

“Hey. That’s going too far.”

Stella waved her hand and joked.

Kim Kangin sighed softly as he looked at Stella.

“Anyone would think that the possibility isn’t zero. So…”

“Yes. Don’t worry. I’ll just be watching.”

Stella pointed to her waist.

“Look. As proof, I didn’t even bring my sword, did I?”

“Can I really trust you?”

Stella Vinoche’s personality was no different from that of Sein Vinoche [a renowned swordsman].

She was prone to acting as she pleased, and it was her routine to act according to her mood when something happened.

Kim Kangin wasn’t naive enough to believe what such a person said.

“You really don’t have to worry. I may not know anything else, but I would never do anything that would cause trouble for Hayul.”

The moment Shin Hayul’s name came up, Kim Kangin’s expression brightened instantly.

“That’s right. We can’t let Hayul be in trouble. You know that well.”

Stella had never broken a promise she made in Shin Hayul’s name.

As long as Shin Hayul’s name was mentioned, the possibility of Stella doing something strange was close to 0%.

If she said that much, he could rest assured.

“Then I can participate in the operation with peace of mind.”

“Seeing you so relieved makes me feel strange. What did you think of me?”

Stella glared at Kim Kangin with a bitter expression.

“I was seeing you as a wonderful daughter who inherited the blood of Sein Vinoche.”

The problem was that not only her skills but also her unruly personality were a carbon copy.

“…That’s strange. It’s clearly a compliment, but it sounds like an insult.”

“You’re mistaken.”

There was a bone in Kim Kangin’s words.

In the past two and a half years, he had been involved with Stella Vinoche several times due to his connection with Shin Hayul.

There was never a time when problems didn’t occur.

It was natural for Kim Kangin to react like that.

“Well, we’re about to arrive soon.”

Kim Kangin forcibly avoided Stella’s gaze and spoke to Adela and Jisun Chan.

“Are you two ready?”

“I’m perfect.”

Jisun Chan gave a thumbs up and grinned.

Adela nodded silently.

It was a reaction that clearly showed their personalities.

The only thing they had in common was that confidence was flowing from every part of their bodies.

“Good.”

Kim Kangin took out his communication terminal with a faint smile.

“Blue One. We’ve arrived at the scene.”

Blue One.

Blue was the code for the Blue Magic Tower Lord, and One was the code for the Tower Lord.

“From this moment on, I will take charge of this scene. Other members, please evacuate immediately.”

The next moment.

Kieeeeeeeeeeeek-!

The roar of a monster echoed loudly.

“Then, shall we see your skills?”

“You can look forward to it.”

“We’ll be back.”

Looking at the numerous monsters that appeared beyond the car window, Adela and Jisun Chan stepped out of the car.

“Let’s go, Adela.”

“Yes.”

There was not a trace of fear in the two’s steps.

* * *

Inside the combat vehicle that Kim Kangin was driving.

Stella Vinoche’s eyes were as wide as they could be.

“They… both of them. Weren’t they said to be 6-circle masters?”

It was shock beyond surprise.

She was observing the two’s battle with an expression that made her wonder if it was even possible.

“Yes. They were definitely like that until yesterday…”

The Blue Magic Tower Lord’s expression was no different from Stella’s.

No, his surprise was even greater than Stella’s.

He had an expression that made him wonder if this was even possible.

“Is the definition of mastery in Korea different from that in France?”

“There’s no way that’s possible.”

He felt like his absurdity had joined hands with his soul and left his brain.

“The latest AI technology that Hayul and Terun Sitrea have been working on for nearly three years. I expected the performance to be excellent, but…”

Kim Kangin let out a hollow laugh.

He was so dumbfounded that he couldn’t even speak.

“I never thought it would be this much…”

Jisun Chan and Adela.

The two’s magic was far beyond the 6th circle.

Honestly, he would believe it if they were 7-circle masters.

“With that level of defense magic… I don’t think we need any front-liners. He alone could do the work of ten average swordsmen.”

First, Jisun Chan.

A special mage specializing in defense magic.

His already powerful defense magic had grown even further.

No, it was not enough to describe it as growth.

It was not growth, but evolution.

Jisun Chan’s defense magic had evolved to a higher dimension.

“How many spells is he processing in parallel?”

“12, no. It just increased by one, so it’s 13.”

Until now, Jisun Chan was just a solid mage who could deploy a powerful barrier, nothing more and nothing less.

He could deploy the highest-intensity defense magic called the Octagonal Gate, but his processing speed could not keep up with the magic.

Due to the heavy processing load of the Octagonal Gate, he could not deploy more than three spells at the same time.

He couldn’t even deploy magic more than 5 meters away from his body.

But what about now?

Minimum magic casting distance of 20 meters.

Minimum number of simultaneous casts, 13.

All weaknesses had completely disappeared.

Jisun Chan’s lifelong homework, which he had to overcome through effort and time, was solved in an instant.

The result was what he was seeing now.

A mage who was only a 6-circle master was blocking the attacks of so many monsters alone.

“Okay, fine. Let’s say that Jisun Chan is a 6-circle master. But…”

Stella stared intently at Adela’s back.

“Adela Steart. I can’t believe that she’s a 6-circle master.”

Adela Steart was even more extreme.

Her growth was incomparable to Jisun Chan’s.

“How can that be called 6-circle magic…”

From the beginning, Adela Steart’s magic was beyond mastery.

She had perfectly absorbed the grace of God and made it her own.

As a result, she had completely overcome the curse that her ancestors had.

Could her magic be on par with other mages?

That was why her magic had been treated as non-standard.

Like Shin Hayul’s magic, it was recognized as something beyond mastery.

But…

“…I understand. I can’t believe it either.”

Even so, it wasn’t to this extent.

“That’s a 7-circle master… no, I would believe it if she was at the beginning of the 8th circle.”

The air around Adela was different.

It was as if all the mana around her was under Adela’s control.

“As expected of my rival. I have to fight harder too.”

Stella’s eyes shone sharply.

“Rival?”

“There’s such a thing.”

Stella smiled faintly and mumbled.

It was then, as Stella was watching Adela’s battle.

“…Hmm?”

Something caught her eye.

“Did that tree just move?”

“A tree?”

“Yes. It moved, or rather, it grew…”

It felt like the tree had reacted as if it had touched Adela’s mana.

“You’re not talking about it being blown by the wind… Did you see it wrong?”

“…Is that so?”

Stella tilted her head.

When she heard that it was a mistake, it seemed like a mistake.

“Yes. You must have seen it wrong.”

Kim Kangin asserted that it was a mistake.

Adela’s magic was a moon attribute magic. It had nothing to do with plants.

There was no way a tree could grow or move.

“More than that…”

Kim Kangin looked at the two’s battle and nonchalantly brought up a new topic.

“If Jisun Chan and Adela are at this level…”

Goosebumps rose on Kim Kangin’s arm.

Just thinking about it sent shivers down his spine.

“What level will Hayul be at?”

“Ah…?”

Goosebumps also rose on Stella’s arm.

A genius who surpassed Adela Steart.

A genius who had already entered the 7th circle and was challenging the master level, Shin Hayul, who would be recorded in history.

Once his implantation was complete.

What kind of appearance would he show?

“This, I might not be able to compete with him anymore.”

Kim Kangin let out a hollow laugh as he stroked his bumpy arm.