Genius Wizard Takes Medicine [EN]: Chapter 1061

Among all the artifacts Lenok possessed, the Pentarect was the power that operated the least dependent on Lenok’s abilities. However, because of that, the results achieved through the Pentarect could be easily discarded without much burden. A relic that existed and functioned in a way most unrelated to Lenok, and conversely, was not difficult to clean up afterward. It was the method least expected by the Underlord, and it was possible to recover it if necessary, so he chose the Pentarect first. However, he did not expect that the monstrous being would take that opportunity to come out and see Lenok directly.

=Although I said ‘business,’ there’s no need to feel too burdened.

A crimson hand with seven fingers appeared above the seven-pointed star on the altar. The being, shaped like a starfish, wriggled grotesquely yet posed its question politely.

=What I’m focusing on is your demonic talent itself. There’s no reason to fix the form connected to it to just one thing.

Contrary to its grotesque and hideous aura, its polite and courteous voice created a strong sense of incongruity. The entity behind the forbidden ritual that corrupted the Hedro military into monsters. Has the monstrous being that transformed a living human army into monsters come to contact Lenok directly?

“I heard that the Hedro military was corrupted into monsters through a forbidden ritual,” Lenok asked. “Then, are you the master of that forbidden ritual?”

=The fact that our contractors ended up in that form is ultimately what they themselves desired.

The starfish laughed.

=It was simply the most suitable form to bind their finite lives to war. Since it was a result they wished for and accepted themselves, how can they blame anyone?

“……”

=However, as I said before, that’s not what I wanted to talk about.

Crack…!!

The starfish bent towards Lenok in a circular motion and flicked its fingers as if greeting him.

=That skill you used to massacre the Hedro military. It was very impressive. It was a refined technique that even our alien beasts could not easily imitate.

“……”

=You must be an individual who has honed their talent by killing countless living beings for a very long time.

The starfish asked.

=Before that talent rusts with the passage of time, I definitely want to preserve your genetic disposition. Would you like to join us?

“Preserve my genetic disposition?”

The choice of words was not very fitting for a monster summoned from a bizarre altar. While Lenok frowned at the sudden proposal, the starfish stretched out its hand towards Lenok.

=The method is simple. Just provide some of your bodily cells that contain your genetic traits.

Chomp!!

The palm with seven fingers split open, transforming into a mouth.

=Then, we will acquire your genetic information and preserve that blessed talent beyond the end.

“……”

=If you allow it, as I mentioned, I will guide you to the long-lived species and wholeheartedly cooperate with all the slaughter you commit. What do you say?

For something that suddenly appeared and demanded Lenok’s genetic information, the purpose they spoke of was unusual. The words ‘alien beasts’ they used to describe themselves, the preservation of genetic information, and even their attitude of mentioning the time after the end.

[That’s absurd.]

At that moment, Oliviera, who had been listening to the conversation, sneered.

[How atrocious must your actions on the Western Front have been for something like that to hear rumors and come looking for you?]

“……”

[It seems that the infamy you’ve built up in the Balkans has finally borne fruit. How commendable.]

“Thanks for the compliment.”

Lenok pressed his temple and opened his mouth towards the starfish.

“I understand what you’re saying, but I have no intention of handing over my biological information to a monster I don’t even know.”

=I believe I have introduced myself sufficiently.

“And I’m not crazy enough to join hands with a monstrous being and indulge in slaughter.”

Lenok said, looking at the altar with cold eyes.

“In the first place, was that something that could only be done by joining hands with you?”

=Indeed, is that so?

The starfish said, as if momentarily impressed.

=If you mean you want to freely indulge in killing without borrowing anyone’s hand, then I have no choice.

“……”

Has Lenok’s expression reached a level where it’s fixed and doesn’t change no matter what is said? Without even needing to check, he could guess how much Oliviera was sneering behind him. However, the starfish, rather than being offended by Lenok’s answer, seemed impressed and began to wriggle on the altar, changing its form.

=I understand. I have no choice but to acknowledge the sincerity you have towards killing.

Sizzle!!

The unpleasant form on the blood-stained altar shrank and transformed into a tentacle the size of a finger.

=Ah, that’s good. It seems the shape-shifting technique still works.

The tentacle, which seemed satisfied with its transformed appearance, spoke from the altar.

=Please come closer and pick me up. I don’t think I can climb onto your shoulder by myself.

“……What are you trying to do?”

=The genetic disposition of an individual is deeply related to the individual’s taste and aesthetic sense.

The tentacle wriggled and tilted its head as if saluting Lenok.

=The aesthetics of killing you mentioned are also deeply related to your extraordinary talent for killing. This is worth studying.

“……”

=Even if we can’t make a contract today, I think I can be satisfied by supporting you from afar and observing that aesthetic.

“That’s… unexpected.”

Lenok, understanding what the tentacle was saying, tilted his head.

“Are you saying you’ll help me without making a contract or whatever right now?”

=Yes. I will guide you to the territory of the long-lived species I know.

The tentacle said, nodding its head.

=I changed my form to the optimal one for that, so please lend me your shoulder for a moment.

“……”

Come to think of it, the tentacle’s form is similar to an antenna. Was it originally to help Lenok find his way that it changed its form? A being that calls itself an alien beast and demands to preserve Lenok’s genetic disposition. A monster that misinterprets all of Lenok’s answers in a strange way, yet seems to like that part even more. But how could such a bizarre tentacle have a connection with the long-lived species of the Outer City?

Oliviera asked, dumbfounded.

[To have this result even after taking down the backer of the Hedro military. I don’t know if you’re lucky or unlucky.]

“……”

[Anyway, you can say you’ve reaped the reward for using that strange relic. What are you planning to do?]

“Things have taken a strange turn, but… there’s no reason to refuse.”

Lenok said, reaching out his hand towards the tentacle on the altar. Lenok forcibly ignored the sensation of the tentacle wriggling up his finger and turned his gaze.

“Besides, this situation is something the Underlord wouldn’t have expected, so it’s meaningful.”

[……]

“While searching for the long-lived species this tentacle is talking about, let’s observe the Underlord’s reaction. Then, we might be able to figure out the Underlord’s intentions.”

No matter how meticulously the Underlord planned, they couldn’t have imagined that the backer who corrupted the Hedro military would appear now. If so, then the method proposed by this tentacle is also likely a result that deviates from the Underlord’s expectations. It would be meaningful just to see how the Underlord, who is monitoring Lenok under the orders of the Sovereign, will react to this unexpected situation. Thinking that, Lenok placed the tentacle on his shoulder, deactivated Nyx’s insignia, and turned to leave. At that moment, the tentacle immediately raised its head towards somewhere.

=Ah, you’ve blocked the surrounding senses with an artifact. I feel a bit of energy now.

“Let’s go to the long-lived species you know.”

Lenok asked, placing the tentacle on his shoulder and withdrawing his mana.

“However, the space in this vicinity is being reconstructed in real-time, changing its coordinates. Can you find the direction?”

=You don’t have to worry about that.

The tentacle said, wriggling its body.

=The other side of the veil where Kundara is hiding is a special space, so it’s not bound by direction.

“What do you mean?”

=Because this side was created using the shadow of a star as a medium, this place is not a spacetime with normal positional coordinates in the first place.

The tentacle explained.

=To put it simply, it’s a concept similar to a phantom dimension, so among Kundara’s long-lived species, only a limited number can operate normally outside the city.

“That means…”

=Transcendent beings who can build their own territories and possess independent spacetime.

The tentacle on Lenok’s shoulder simultaneously began to lean its body to the left.

=The way to find a path in the other side of the veil is not by coordinates, but by using the energy of the territory as a compass.

“……”

=It’s this way. It’s not far.

The tentacle tapped Lenok’s shoulder as if urging him. Lenok, making eye contact with Oliviera, put the Pentarect in his arms and began to walk.

Swoosh…!!

He walked aimlessly through the thick fog that seemed to have no end. Only the tentacle on his shoulder, pointing the direction like an antenna, and Oliviera’s presence could be felt.

“Can you sense the Underlord’s gaze?”

[……Not yet.]

Oliviera answered slowly.

[Rather, I feel the energy of the ‘territory’ this tentacle is talking about first.]

“……”

Lenok also felt something similar, so he kept his mouth shut. Every time he walked in the direction the tentacle was guiding, a very heavy and powerful presence began to be felt from beyond the thick fog. Whoosh, whoosh… It was as if something very large was slowly breathing out, emitting a fishy breath. A faint fishy smell mixed in the wind blowing through the fog, simultaneously sharpening his senses. The long-lived species that the tentacle knew. A level 8 transcendent being who had built their own territory. A chilling sensation that made him realize with his whole body that he was stepping into their nest.

=Here it is.

At that moment, the tentacle hanging on Lenok’s shoulder opened its mouth.

=It wouldn’t have been difficult to find the energy normally, but it was a bit further than I thought.

“……”

Despite the tentacle’s explanation, Lenok closed his mouth at the sight before him. Because, in the thick fog, a vast sea that seemed to have no end had unfolded. Splash, splash…!! There was no ground at all, only a vast surface of water where the endless sea stretched out. The waves, crashing against each other, made a sound as they split apart. The end of the horizon, where the seawater pushed out and endlessly soaked in.

=The guardian of Kundara’s sea.

The tentacle said.

=It’s the deep-sea territory where the Sea God Dragon King Alogon resides.

Swoosh!!

The incoming waves split to both sides. As if defying the laws of physics, the waves, reaching tens of meters, split apart, revealing the depths of the sea. Thump, thump, thump!!!! A huge wall of water rose, and beneath it, the appearance of a huge palace began to be seen. The majestic shape of a palace located in the deepest part of the sea at the edge of the horizon, in a foggy seaside. Thud!!! From both sides of the endless audience hall corridor, fish-men with gills prostrated themselves and bowed their heads. At the end of the vast dragon palace, a middle-aged man with a beast-like ferocious impression was leaning back on a throne. Koo-ooo…!!! Despite being buried in the chair as if languid, his dignity could not be hidden. The aura flowing out was endlessly savage. Mana that was closer to a beast or a demonic creature than a human, endlessly primal and full of wildness. A dangerous and ferocious murderous intent, as if it would explode at any moment, filled the sea. The guardian of Kundara’s sea. One of the eight Dragon Kings who protect the Outer City. Alogon, the Sea Minister. The master of the deep-sea territory that Karnis had warned about and mentioned to be careful of, was looking down at Lenok with fierce eyes.

“There hasn’t been anyone who has shown their face in my deep-sea territory for the past 10 years.”

The bright blue, flashing reptilian pupils scattered a chilling murderous intent from within the man’s eyes. The man, who had been staring at Lenok who had descended below the throne, asked in a languid tone.

“Why are the insects gathering so diversely today?”

[That’s wrong. He’s not someone you can have a conversation with.]

Lenok, who had met his gaze, remained silent, and even Oliviera clicked her tongue and trailed off.

[I had some hope since he was a long-lived species that transcended the hierarchy, but the aura I feel is almost that of a beast.]

“Why have insects, who live for a time like mayflies, come to my territory?”

=I would like to explain that part myself, Alogon.

The tentacle that had been on Lenok’s shoulder soared up and floated in front of Alogon’s eyes. The tentacle, stretched out long like an antenna, wriggled in front of Alogon’s eyes, raising a bright red seven-pointed star. Kiiing!!

“……”

Alogon finally turned his fierce gaze towards the tentacle. Alogon, who had been looking at the seven-pointed star’s glow with his blue pupils as if displeased, asked.

“What are you doing here?”

=This magician. He’s a very amazing ‘candidate’ I’ve been keeping an eye on.

However, despite Alogon’s reaction, the tentacle answered leisurely, wriggling.

=I thought it was a genetic disposition worth preserving, so I’m helping him out for a while.

“A candidate?”

At that moment, a subtle sneer mixed into Alogon’s gaze as he looked at Lenok.

“You’ve been bitten by something troublesome. You must have a very strange disposition.”

=Alogon. If we use your deep-sea territory, we can reach Kundara right now.

The tentacle asked.

=I apologize for suddenly asking, but would you please move your deep-sea territory towards Kundara?

“……”

=You owed me a debt for the matter of leaving your genetic information to posterity.

The tentacle said, leaving Alogon who had closed his mouth.

=I will consider this request as repaying that debt. What do you say?

Alien beast. Recording of genetic disposition. He had been concerned about Lenok’s genetic information since earlier, so was it that the tentacle’s ability itself was biased towards that? If he had cooperated with Kundara’s long-lived species with that ability, then it could be understood why the tentacle had made such a proposal to Lenok. It was difficult to understand why the tentacle was showing favor to Lenok, but if he could gain the cooperation of the Eight Dragon Kings through it, it would be meaningful. Just as Lenok was thinking that and looking around at the countless fish-men forces surrounding him.

“No.”

Alogon shook his head.

“That won’t do.”

=Yes?

The tentacle stiffened, as if it hadn’t expected to be rejected right away.

“Kundara is currently facing a very important undertaking that will determine the fate of the city.”

Ignoring the tentacle’s reaction, the Dragon King, leaning on the throne, said in a languid tone.

“The entire city has become extremely sensitive to external interference, and all means of heading to Kundara are currently blocked.”

“……”

“In the first place, if you had chosen the right time to enter, you wouldn’t have had to go through my territory normally.”

The Dragon King, Alogon, who had twitched his thick, white eyebrows, said, stroking his beard.

“Now that all the paths to Kundara are blocked, you must have used a shortcut.”

Thump, thump, thump…!!!

At the same time as Alogon rose from his throne, the dragon palace in the sea began to shake violently. At the same time, the waves that had split based on the dragon palace quickly closed from above, beginning to fill the surroundings with seawater. Whoosh!!!! In the seawater rushing into the palace, Alogon’s body swelled explosively and rotated. In front of Lenok’s eyes, a huge being made of blue scales moved at subsonic speed, instantly taking over the surroundings. A huge water dragon, large enough to fill the entire audience hall, flashed its bright blue eyes in front of Lenok.

[Short-lived species. Were you the impurity that ‘cut’ the veil and disturbed the spacetime of the other side?]