Genius Wizard Takes Medicine [EN]: Chapter 1021

Signpost (9)

“I’m starting to have trouble because I packed too many items and artifacts.”

Clunk, clunk!

A large truck rumbled across the main street of the gate city, which was almost completely restored.

It looked no different from the transport vehicles participating in the reconstruction work, so no one paid it much attention.

In the truck’s cargo hold, which was naturally leaving the city, Lenok, who was stuffing items under the dark tarp, wiped his sweat and shook his head.

“Even with both shrinking magic and subspace, there’s not enough room…”

After finishing his meeting with the commander of the Dead Rise 4th Corps, Lenok had completed preparations to leave the gate city.

He had already decided on the timing and method of returning to the Balkans while recuperating in the ward for two days.

The problem was that, unlike when he first arrived at the central front, he had many things to pack when leaving.

All sorts of herbs and medicines acquired in the life domain of the Grafting Art [a technique that combines living organisms with magic], equipment, and the top-tier artifacts left by the Tower Lord.

Equipment abandoned on the battlefield after the Graviflight [a large-scale aerial battle] ended. After packing even the supplies handed over by the search party, the luggage had piled up like a mountain.

Even after using shrinking and weight reduction magic to their limits, Lenok and Angel had to carry the luggage together.

“It’s a relief that the artifacts left by the Tower Lord are wearable…”

He didn’t just idly rest while recuperating in the hospital room.

He had finished researching the robe, belt, and gloves left by the Tower Lord and had learned how to use them.

“The Phoenix Robe, specialized for fire resistance and assimilation. The socket belt that extracts and uses the magic power of jewels. And…”

Lenok, touching the red magic circle drawn on the back of the white glove, muttered.

“The Burn Gloves that transmute magic power to use the combustion magic of the old world.”

Unlike flame heat magic, which increases power through preheating, the old world’s combustion magic focused on explosive power that quickly generated firepower in a short time.

In terms of the nature of combustion magic, it had many similarities with the electric magic that Lenok mainly used.

That’s why Lenok was sure that combustion magic would suit him well, and he looked for ways to master it, but…

[If it were a magic that could be easily acquired by analyzing one artifact, the Master wouldn’t have coveted it.]

“……”

As Davi’s unnecessarily sharp remark suggested, for now, he could only grasp the gloves’ abilities and use them as auxiliary tools.

Of course, there was a gain in that the existence of these gloves could increase the preheating speed of flame heat magic, but-

“If it were an artifact like a grimoire instead of gloves, there would have been significant progress. It’s a bit disappointing.”

[Human greed knows no bounds.]

It was clear that obtaining this level of artifact was more than expected, considering he had lost the Tower Lord.

However, apart from obtaining the ‘potential’ of combustion magic and black magic, it was disappointing that both magics required further research.

“There’s room to increase proficiency by linking combustion magic with flame heat magic, but black magic is a completely different case.”

Lenok, pulling Davi’s cheek, fell into thought.

“Since awakening the nature change, I’ve been half-neglecting it, and I’ll have to work hard to improve my skills.”

Black magic was one of the most heterogeneous magic systems among all the spells Lenok had learned.

Even including the special traits that could not be classified by system, it was the power with the most unpredictable result values among all systems.

A spell where you might get 10 back when you put in 1, or 1 back when you put in 5, with an exchange ratio that could not be predicted.

But that was why, at its peak, it was a magic that could obtain abnormal power by twisting rules and fate, like the Underworld King.

No magic system could operate alone by completely deviating from the laws of growth and exchange in that way.

The reason why Myung was broken, and the reason why he could become so strong, was because he was essentially the closest to the source of black magic.

That’s why Lenok was well aware of the need to properly learn black magic, but…

“What Myung left behind is ultimately potential. To make it bloom from that turning point, I have no choice but to work hard myself.”

[Does that mean the time Master spends playing with me will decrease again…]

Davi looked dejected and grumbled as if he hadn’t expected anything.

While Lenok was stroking Davi’s head in his arms, the truck’s cargo hold burst open, and search party members rushed in.

Thump! Thump! Thump!

They crammed large packages they had been carrying on their shoulders into the truck’s cargo hold.

“Evan-nim! We’ve stashed away half a year’s worth of preserved food from the search party’s supply depot!”

“The gate city merchant association has sent a full set of clothing and bedding. Where should we put it?”

“These are expensive distilled liquors sent from the black market entertainment district. They said it was a courtesy to the manager…”

Lenok, watching the items pile up, making a mockery of his efforts to organize, shook his head in bewilderment.

“I clearly told you not to bring any more supplies or materials.”

“Ah, the 4th Corps sent the remaining supplies from the garrison, should we not receive that?”

“……”

Lenok sighed at the sight of the members organizing the cargo hold while saying that.

“I’m planning to organize it moderately, so take the remaining items. I don’t have enough hands to carry them.”

“But, Evan-nim.”

“If you leave the city like this, won’t you be wandering the continent again without any affiliation?”

The search party members finally turned their gazes to Lenok with serious expressions.

“You haven’t had a place to receive support since leaving the Eyes of Azure [a former organization], so please don’t refuse.”

“……”

The search party didn’t utter a single request for Lenok not to leave the gate city.

To keep the gate city as it is, or to take on the role of the gate’s manager.

They probably knew how meaningless such a request would be to a Watcher who had left the Eyes of Azure.

That’s why, instead of holding onto Lenok, they were trying to give him as many supplies as possible.

As if trying to smooth over the slightly heavy atmosphere, the members quickly joked.

“Do you know how much of a reputation Evan-nim has in the gate city right now?”

“If we send back the gifts without permission, our search party will be in trouble.”

“……”

The gate city, swept away by the Graviflight, would remain in a lull for the time being without the intervention of any forces.

As long as the flames of the Thousand Miles Fragrance burned the barrier, the function of the [Gate] that created cracks in the barrier would not disappear.

At the end of everything, only the story of Chun, who killed the Grafting Art Lord and faced Myung, remained in this city.

That’s why the supplies gathered here were not just for courtesy, reward, or gifts.

Lenok, understanding what the search party had said, nodded.

“……I’ll only accept enough to be tied to the ceiling of the cargo hold. I don’t need any more than that.”

“We’ll take care of it right away!”

Angel, watching the search party members who ran out in an orderly fashion, shrugged his shoulders.

“It’s a mess. Is it roughly organized?”

“Did Eredis Javelin leave?”

“She left a long time ago.”

Angel said, sitting on the driver’s seat.

“She’s a busy person. I never imagined she would come to the gate city in person.”

“It seems she has a considerable position within the corps.”

“She’s one of the superhumans that Aphelia trusts the most. Given her personality, she deserves to be called the spear of the corps.”

“……”

Lenok, staring at Angel for a moment, finally zipped up his bag and asked.

“It seems you were quite close with the Lieutenant General.”

“It’s all in the past, so you don’t need to worry about it.”

Angel gave a bitter smile.

“In the first place, the current Aphelia is likely not the same person I knew…”

“……”

“Above all, my superior is only the Chairman. Are you doubting my loyalty to the company?”

Although he spoke lightly, it was unlikely that Angel was falsely serving Oliviera.

He had fought Evan at the risk of his life, and even after meeting his acquaintances from the corps, Angel didn’t particularly waver.

Even if he missed the Ability Awakening Corps, it was because he still didn’t agree with their direction.

“Has the time and place been set?”

“I’ve been in contact with the headquarters secretariat.”

As Lenok leaned towards the driver’s seat, Angel nodded.

“I’ve received the location coordinates for exchanging the items, so let’s move out.”

“Where are the coordinates?”

“The satellite city of Bairutz. We’ll store the transported items there and exchange the goods.”

Angel naturally held out the terminal screen he was holding.

“I heard it’s a ghost city that was once used as a rendezvous point for Pandemonium [a mysterious organization].”

* * *

“We’ve arrived at the border zone. It feels like we left the central front more easily than I thought.”

Brrr!

The journey from the gate city to leave the central front was smoother than expected.

It was the opposite of the chaos of the past few days when heading to the gate, but it was not surprising.

“If they were in their right minds, they wouldn’t try to loot or kill at this time.”

Lenok, who was holding an unlit cigar in his mouth, chuckled at Angel’s words, which seemed surprised.

If they had heard about the Graviflight that broke out at the first gate, the entire central front would be lying low by now.

It was natural that not even a rat was stirring in the swaying grasslands.

If they left the border zone like this, they would be near the undeveloped area of the Balkans. They would pass through satellite cities and enter a megacity.

“Well, this is my stop.”

Bernard, who had been yawning with binoculars on the truck, jumped down, scratching his belly.

Bernard, who approached the passenger seat, extended his hairy hand to Lenok.

“You’ve worked hard, Martinez. It was all crap, but you survived, so that’s all that matters, right?”

“Are you planning to return to the corps?”

“Unlike Angel, I’m still bound to the corps. I don’t particularly want to leave.”

Bernard shrugged his shoulders.

“I agree that the Ability Awakening Corps has lost its original purpose. I can understand why Angel was disappointed.”

“……”

Bernard smiled, looking at Angel, who had tilted his head silently.

“But if it weren’t for the Lieutenant General, the number of ability users who survived would have been much smaller. At least, I don’t want to deny that result.”

“It seems you agree that the existence of the collective mental network is a direction for innate ability users.”

“At least it’s clear that it wasn’t a choice for Aphelia herself.”

Bernard’s eyes turned serious for a moment.

“That’s what a cause is. The reason we risked our lives to find the location of the Church’s headquarters during the Holy War was the same.”

An answer that only Bernard, who had lived as an explorer of the Pioneer, could give.

Perhaps he too had been contemplating the reason he had to live for a long time after the Holy War.

“Well, you don’t have to understand. Now that I think about it, Angel’s choice doesn’t seem so bad either.”

“……”

“It’s certain that the Chairman of the Cartel, who abandoned magic and chose ability, is an extraordinary madman. The answer he’s drawing is also quite plausible.”

Bernard gave a gentle smile to the silent Angel.

“It’s okay as long as you’re doing well. Then we might be able to meet again someday.”

“……Bernard.”

Angel, who had been hesitating, finally opened his mouth with difficulty.

“I-”

“I’d like to hear about the location of the Church’s headquarters,” Lenok asked, as if suddenly remembering something.

“The Valley of Lamentation. Can you tell me where it’s hidden on the continent?”

“……”

At Lenok’s nonchalant question, Angel and Bernard’s expressions stiffened awkwardly.

Bernard, looking bewildered, asked with a sullen expression, “Typical Apostle Slayer. Did you really have to ask that now, in this warm, concluding atmosphere?”

“Even after Gabihaeng left, the bodies of the Seven Apostles were never found,” Lenok replied, fiddling with an unlit cigar.

“It’s certain that the vampire survived this incident. I suspect it’s due to the Apostle’s spell of the Tenth Apostle.”

“……”

“As long as the Church’s headquarters remains intact, even if we defeat the Apostles, their Apostle’s spells will continue to be inherited and passed on.”

Angel and Bernard’s expressions also changed to tense ones as they understood Lenok’s words.

The Ten Apostles of the Church. The weight of the words spoken by Chun-beon himself, who had directly defeated Amrita Praubel. Both ability users knew that it was a deduction that was infinitely close to the truth.

“……I understand what you mean, but that might be difficult,” Bernard said with a stiff expression.

“The content of the treaty that stopped the Holy War was to ‘erase’ the location of the valley. All the Pioneer members cooperated in that task.”

“Erase, huh……”

“It’s about erasing the physical entrance and location coordinates, including memories. We reversed the work we did to find the headquarters, erasing the very fact of its existence.”

Bernard’s expression turned somewhat bitter.

“It was the greatest adventure of my life, but it’s no longer mine. I’m sorry.”

“……”

“Well, talking more about it will only ruin the taste of the alcohol. I’ll just grab a few bottles from the back of the truck and leave.”

Bernard patted Lenok’s shoulder and turned to leave.

“Oh, and you should seriously consider meeting the Seat of the Circle.”

“The Seat of the Circle?”

“The Seat of the Circle may have become quite distant from humans, but their memory and judgment aren’t completely gone.”

Bernard, having grabbed several bottles from the cargo hold, tapped his temple.

“It’s no lie that they want to see you. They just probably thought the means didn’t matter.”

“……”

“Even if it’s not the method that Loebeid was trying, it wouldn’t be difficult to get an invitation through Eredis.”

Bernard smiled and waved his hand.

“It was fun working with a mage like you, even for a short time. Let’s meet again alive next time.”

The Pioneer. An explorer who made a name for himself as a pioneer. Was he someone who even considered and enjoyed the moments he spent with Lenok in the Gate City as part of his exploration?

If he had lived chasing curiosity rather than a mission, Lenok didn’t want to add anything to his way of life.

*Vroom!*

Lenok silently watched Bernard, who remained in the border area drinking, in the side mirror.

Angel, who was driving, began to glance at Lenok.

“If you want to meet Aphelia……”

“No.”

Lenok smiled and shook his head.

“Not now. There’s no need to make a promise without a deadline yet.”

After moving under Evan’s identity to obtain the fragments of the barrier, more time had passed than he had thought. The preparations that had begun to head to the outer city of Kundara were delayed even further than planned.

The Seat of the Circle’s invitation. The Legion’s parade. It was certainly important, but it was something to think about when he visited the central front again.

While Lenok was lost in thought, the shadows of the satellite city began to appear faintly in the darkness.

Satellite City Bairutz.

The satellite city he had visited when he participated in Pandemonium’s mid-term settlement under Victor’s identity. It was ironic that the Cartel had chosen that place among the satellite cities as their meeting point.

*Screech!*

Soon, the truck entered the city center of the satellite city and slowly stopped.

Angel, who had stepped on the brake, pulled out the car key and handed it to Lenok, saying, “Take it. It’s yours.”

“I’ll move right away.”

The supplies loaded on the truck were all items acquired under the identity of Evan Martinez. Of course, there were almost no items that could be handed over to Kyunroe externally here. At best, he could give Jorden the surgical tools for the grafting technique as a gift.

*Swish……!*

The stuffy air of the satellite city, which now felt familiar. Dust and cement powder obscured the darkened night sky.

“I’m not from Vulcan either, so I didn’t know this, but it’s said to be a city used as a black market,” Angel, carrying a heavy bag, began to walk ahead.

“There are abandoned railways all over the city, so there are many escape routes.”

“……”

While listening to Angel’s explanation, the two quickly arrived at the railway station in the city center. The shape of the half-destroyed train station remained in Lenok’s memory. He remembered trying to escape by forcibly operating an abandoned train during Pandemonium’s mid-term settlement.

“This way.”

The lounge plaza with shops, benches, train schedules, and electronic displays. As soon as Angel, who was guiding Lenok inside, opened the door, he stopped in his tracks with a troubled expression.

Lenok narrowed his eyes at the strange atmosphere he felt as soon as he entered the station.

“Someone’s here.”

“……”

Centered on the large lounge illuminated by moonlight, he could feel very intense presences surrounding them. A girl sitting on a shop counter with a spear, a young man leaning against the wall with his arms crossed. Sharp gazes seeming to be directed at them from outside the window, and even the presence of a faint magic circle. They didn’t seem to be trying to kill Lenok directly, but their cold intent seemed to be extremely wary and watchful.

“Huh?”

In the rigid atmosphere that resembled a war, Angel looked around with a bewildered expression.

“Some of the board members and even the executive team…… The secretariat didn’t mention anything like this?”

“……”

Instead of Angel, Lenok silently turned his gaze to the end of the lounge. At the end of the waiting seats lined up in a row, a slender young man wearing glasses was standing.

“It’s been a while, Evan Martinez,” he greeted them with his hands together, wearing a loose-fitting robe.

“I received your message and was waiting, but you’re much later than expected.”

“Curse Wielder.”

Lenok also knew that face, which was smiling but difficult to read. Rauder, the 6th President of the Cartel. The president in charge of the pharmaceutical division, and an opponent he had fought once before. The curse wielder who had blocked Lenok’s path with Angel when he broke through the underbelly of Vulcan under Chun-beon’s identity. Lenok remembered him because of his actions and unique curse spells that seemed to hate humans.

“The welcome is excessive. I didn’t expect this much of a welcome from the Cartel,” Lenok chuckled as he stared at Rauder, and his smile deepened.

“After hearing the news from the central front, we couldn’t even guess what state you might be in.”

“……”

He was smiling on the surface, but Lenok could feel that he was being watched even more thoroughly than before. Was it possible that the Cartel’s executive team and board members, along with their main forces, had moved just to receive one item from Lenok? It was an excessively strict measure, but Lenok could easily understand the situation. Evan Martinez, who had defeated the Dead Rise Legion Commander and the Grafting Surgeon, was showing his face outside the front lines for the first time. If they had heard about the events in the Gate City, anyone would have no choice but to change their attitude when dealing with Chun-beon. How much Chun-beon’s status had changed since his defeat in the battle with Kyunroe. Lenok could feel that the superhumans around him were extremely focused on watching even his breathing or a single gesture.

Lenok slowly slipped his hand into his pocket and chuckled. “So, do I just hand over the item to you?”

“Of course, it would have been nice if I had been in charge of this matter with full authority,” Rauder tilted his head to the side with a smile.

“But it seems we can’t match Chun-beon’s reputation on our own.”

“……”

“The headquarters’ new external advisor has agreed to cooperate in this matter.”

“……An advisor, huh.”

He knew that the Cartel, led by Oliviera, was unusually good at recruiting talent. But had they succeeded in recruiting someone so skilled that they could match Chun-beon’s name? However, if there was a strong person with that level of power near Vulcan, there was no way Lenok wouldn’t have heard of them.

“This way.”

Rauder, who had slowly started walking, guided Lenok to a room located inside the lounge. He stepped back as soon as he opened the door, and Lenok stepped into the room. A small table and two simple chairs were set up in the room. The figure of a woman sitting across from him, silently drinking tea…….

A black veil covering her face, a jet-black trench coat. Even the handle of a small parasol hanging from her wrist.

[Oliviera’s requests were always troublesome and unpleasant stories.]

The woman, who was sipping coffee with a hand wearing a black glove, slowly put down her cup and turned her gaze.

[But this time, I can’t help but express my gratitude. That’s why there’s no reason to cut off even a bad relationship.]

“……You are.”

[It’s the first time we’ve met face to face, Evan Martinez.]

The woman smiled quietly, her red eyes glowing from behind her veil.

[I’m Elebra Trivier. You can call me Madam.]

“……”

The oldest broker in the giant city of Vulcan. A high-ranking vampire who was also involved in the Black Consumer Project. Madam was welcoming Lenok as a new executive of the Cartel.

[There are many things we need to talk about, so let’s sit down and talk.]

Madam whispered, smiling behind her veil.

[The Cartel has also prepared a reasonable price for the ‘gift’ you brought.]

“……”

[Lariata Armush. As a fellow vampire, I have something to say to the Apostle Slayer about that woman. How about it?]

Lenok, who had been silent, slowly moved and sat in the chair opposite Madam.

Genius Wizard Takes Medicine [EN]

Genius Wizard Takes Medicine [EN]

The Genius Wizard who takes Medicine, 약먹는 천재마법사 약먹는 천재 마법사
Status: Ongoing Author: Native Language: Korean
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In "Genius Wizard Takes Medicine," the protagonist, an avid gamer, meticulously crafts the ultimate wizard character in the game "World" by maximizing magical abilities and accepting numerous disadvantageous traits. However, he suddenly finds himself transmigrated into this very character—a prodigious talent who cannot survive a single day without relying on drugs. Set against a cyberpunk fantasy backdrop, the story blends action, adventure, and intricate magic systems, inviting readers to explore a world where extraordinary power comes at a significant cost.

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