Genius Wizard Takes Medicine [EN]: Chapter 1066

Star’s Shadow (13)

Immediately after Lenok opened the spatial rift to Kundara, the Under-Lord appeared, accompanied by a roaring water dragon.

*Whoosh!!!*

The boundary between the reverse side of space-time and the deep-sea region became chaotically mixed, blurring the surrounding scenery.

Waves and fog distorted from all directions, clouding all senses like a faint illusion.

“I wondered how you managed to defeat Alogon in the deep-sea region and find me…”

Lenok’s gaze deepened as he looked at the Under-Lord standing before him and the roaring Water Dragon King in the distance.

“So, you didn’t actually defeat Alogon to get here. You just caused his water manipulation to go berserk and flipped the surrounding space?”

Lenok’s location was exposed immediately after Alogon lost control of his magic nearby.

However, the aura of the roaring water dragon was incredibly ominous, while the Under-Lord’s body was covered in blood.

The Under-Lord’s condition was the complete opposite of what it should have been if he had defeated Alogon.

Lenok realized through the series of events that the Under-Lord had tricked Alogon into forcibly destroying the surroundings.

“While you were enjoying your games in the deep-sea region, I wasn’t just idly standing by.”

The Under-Lord spoke leisurely.

“The water manipulation that controls the currents is indeed a difficult ability to deal with, so I borrowed some forbidden arts just in case.”

He ran his hand down his bloodied forearm, causing thick blood to drip down his arm.

The Under-Lord, who squeezed his arm as if wringing out every last drop of blood, spoke with a languid expression.

“The effect is certain, but all my senses have dulled, making it difficult to come to my senses… It’s not something I can do twice for many reasons.”

“Forbidden arts, you say.”

Lenok’s eyes flashed coldly.

“Are you referring to the corpse demon technique you directly injected into your body?”

“…”

The numerous wounds etched into the Under-Lord’s body were proof that he had suffered countless blows in the deep-sea region.

It was strange that he was even alive and moving with his body in such a tattered state.

Lenok recognized that this sense of incongruity was not a delusion but the result of the corpse demon technique [a forbidden art that turns the user into a zombie-like being].

“To think you’re moving so normally despite suffering such injuries, you’ve modified your body into a corpse demon.”

“Yes, but you don’t have to worry.”

The Under-Lord gave a sinister smile.

“Unless the zombification is complete, there is a way to return to normal. It’s not an important matter, is it?”

“…”

“I did my best for this journey, but I didn’t expect you to break the promise you made with me.”

*Drop, drop…!!*

The Under-Lord, with blood dripping from his hands, raised them and swept his hair back.

“I believe I warned you about that several times…”

His tattooed skin was covered with all sorts of cuts and bruises, his face a mess.

However, the Under-Lord’s eyes, visible between the wounds, were shining more eerily than ever before.

“You went ahead and opened the door to Kundara by yourself.”

“I appreciate the Order Alliance’s consideration, but after wandering around the reverse side, I figured I could do it alone.”

Lenok smiled, crossing his arms.

“It’s a shame we couldn’t do it together, but it’s hard to ignore the Eight Dragon Kings looking for you, isn’t it?”

“…Hoh. Is that so?”

The Under-Lord grinned with his blood-soaked face.

“Then, could you show me once more how you opened the path to Kundara, right in front of me?”

“…”

“My knowledge is limited, and I can’t even begin to guess how you managed to touch the barrier.”

Indeed, the Under-Lord had not seen the moment Lenok used the Celestial Technique’s Miniature Garden [a technique that manipulates space].

He had found Lenok right after Lenok opened the barrier by twisting it with the Miniature Garden and then closed the garden.

However, because his senses had dulled from modifying his own body into a corpse demon, he had failed to see it.

Having confirmed that much, Lenok shook his head with a smile.

“Well, I don’t really know either.”

“Huh?”

“Somehow, things just worked out. I was lucky.”

“…”

The Under-Lord stared at Lenok with a blank face, then tilted his head.

“Do you really think that makes any sense right now?”

“Of course.”

Lenok said, pointing to the spatial rift to Kundara behind him.

“The result of creating it is right here, isn’t it?”

“…”

At the point when Lenok opened the path to Kundara, the Under-Lord must have been certain that Lenok possessed the Celestial Technique.

However, that fact was merely something the Under-Lord had suspected even before guiding Lenok.

The reason the Under-Lord had accompanied Lenok was to see the Celestial Technique with his own eyes and confirm it.

But the Under-Lord had ended up missing that crucial moment while dealing with Alogon.

The Under-Lord, who had been silent, spoke.

“I was mistaken.”

*Thud, thud!!*

He reached for his blood-soaked clothes, and the wet sleeves and fabric were torn off.

The Under-Lord, who had cut off his sleeves to free his arms, spoke with a smile.

“I didn’t expect a great mage who is said to be obsessed with blood to be such a fan of sophistry. I’m disappointed.”

“It’s nothing compared to the excuses the Order Alliance has been making in front of me.”

Lenok replied nonchalantly.

“Did you expect a good answer after testing me in the reverse side of space-time under the guise of guidance?”

“…”

“I’m still interested in the Alliance Leader’s proposal. I’m willing to cooperate when it comes to the ‘hunt’ he mentioned.”

Lenok said, turning around as he stepped on the splashing water.

“But given how things have turned out, how much can I trust your alliance?”

“…”

Lenok sneered at the silent Under-Lord.

“At least, I can’t cooperate until I talk to the Alliance Leader himself about this situation. That’s all.”

“I am a blade that moves according to the will entrusted to me by the Alliance Leader.”

The Under-Lord replied.

“No matter what you think, or what outcome you desire, I will only carry out his message.”

“…”

“Very well. If you truly intend to refuse the cup offered by the Alliance Leader-”

The Under-Lord, who smeared his own blood on his tattooed forearm, tilted his head.

“Then I have no choice but to become the penalty drink for you.”

“…”

“The secret you’re hiding. The existence of the technique you didn’t tell the Alliance Leader about. The reason why you alone could twist the barrier.”

The Under-Lord’s eyes turned cold.

“I will confirm it right here and now.”

“You’re still caught up in vain delusions.”

Lenok pointed to the sky with his finger.

“The Eight Dragon Kings of the deep-sea region. You didn’t even properly fight them from the start, did you?”

“…”

No matter how strong the Under-Lord’s power was, it was impossible for him to defeat Alogon in the deep-sea region in such a short time.

And, if the Under-Lord had somehow caused Alogon’s water manipulation to go berserk and lose control-

“This way, Alogon.”

*Kiiing!!*

At the same time as he unleashed his magic with his fingertip, he released his hidden presence.

Simultaneously, the water dragon, which had been rampaging and roaring in the fog, glared fiercely in the direction where the Under-Lord was standing.

Lenok raised his magic the moment he saw the massive body of the water dragon plummeting towards him at an incredible speed.

*[Oooooooo!!!!]*

*KWAHAAANG!!!*

The huge water dragon slammed its head into the canyon amidst the misty fog, and the canyon began to collapse.

The crumbling rocks and vegetation quickly fell down the canyon cliffs.

However, neither Lenok nor the Under-Lord were injured in that indiscriminate attack.

They had simply climbed onto the body of the water dragon that had slammed its head into the canyon, firmly attaching themselves to its blue scales.

*Pzzzt!!*

[Rending Thunder: Bloom]

The rotating electricity from Lenok’s fingertips bloomed like a blue flower and exploded towards the Under-Lord.

After the lightning flashed through the collapsing canyon, a bright blue magical light pierced through the mist.

It collided with the slash unleashed by the Under-Lord in mid-air and scattered on the spot.

*Clang!!*

“This way!!!”

At the same time, superhuman aquatic beings with gills dashed out from all directions of the foggy canyon.

The aquatic beings skillfully ran along the steep cliffs, manipulating the currents.

“Capture the short-lived mage. Join Lord Alogon!!”

“We must kill the Alliance here and take back the Orb of the Deep Sea!!”

The starfish had bought them time against the aquatic beings, but there was a limit to that.

Even that monster could not hide the direction or location of the canyon where magic was overflowing.

*Bwaaang!!*

As if surrounding Lenok and the Under-Lord who were riding on the water dragon, dozens of aquatic beings fell down simultaneously.

The compressed currents, spear blades, and slashes intersected and rotated intricately amidst the collapsing canyon.

*Kagagagak!!!*

On the violently shaking body of the water dragon, the Under-Lord gracefully turned away from the flashing lightning.

He instantly closed the distance, leaning his body as if back-to-back with Lenok, and disappeared in a flash.

“The Under-Lord Technique I use is the power to cut away what is burdened.”

The Under-Lord whispered in a low voice, tilting his head towards Lenok.

“But that’s why the activation of the technique must use the ‘karma’ I have received as its power source.”

“A trick…!!”

By explaining his own technique, he was forcibly increasing the power of the technique through a spell.

Adding a chant and a spell to the Under-Lord Technique, which was characterized by having no premonition, forcibly adding a premonition.

A chant to add to cut something invisible and intangible, just like when he cut the barrier.

He wouldn’t give him a chance to activate the technique.

Lenok, turning around with a cold expression, raised his magic and unleashed a barrage of blinks.

Lenok’s hand, wrapped in thick electricity, blocked all the flashing slashes from all directions and ruthlessly struck the Under-Lord’s solar plexus.

*Paang!!!*

“Kuh…!!”

A terrifying lightning bolt pierced through the Under-Lord, who had easily evaded the aquatic beings’ currents and spear blades, and even Alogon’s rampage.

Immediately after, the Under-Lord’s body bent sharply at a right angle, and his face contorted in terrible pain.

He had only allowed a single blow, but it felt as if all his internal organs were twisted.

Even the Under-Lord, who had undergone zombification, felt an excruciating pain as if his nerves were severed and his soul was fragmented.

[Severing Cut]

*Kagagak!!*

Even while spitting up blood, he desperately activated the severing technique, unleashing a slash and pushing Lenok away.

The Under-Lord’s reaction, instinctively swinging his slash and trying to create distance even while his mind was in a daze.

‘His technique is something, but his durability is insane because of his zombified body.’

Lenok looked down at the staggering Under-Lord with cold eyes.

Alogon and the aquatic beings took turns rampaging, causing the canyon to collapse and change.

Even amidst the chaotic onslaught that was pouring down indiscriminately, he was somehow managing to hold Lenok back.

The power of his slashes, the placement of his techniques. His movements and reactions, his body movements, and his outstanding skill, which showed no flaws.

[One Awakening]

*KWAHAAANG!!!*

The moment Lenok formed a hand seal with his right hand, a tremendous amount of lightning exploded from behind his shoulder.

[Piercing Thunder Collapse]

The vast current covering the steep cliffs bent along his gesture, and in an instant, it transformed into a giant lightning stake.

The Under-Lord spoke, gritting his teeth in pain as the lightning pierced his entire body.

“Because it is the power that I forge into a blade and shoot out the damage I have directly received…!!”

*Flash!!*

Before he could even finish his sentence, the lightning of Piercing Thunder Collapse struck the Under-Lord’s entire body diagonally.

The moment the Saint-level magic, which had reached the highest level in terms of pure output among electric magic, descended upon the reverse side of space-time.

The bright blue lightning drew a huge circle, striking the canyon with intense lightning in all directions.

*Kugwagwagwagwa!!!*

The entire canyon shook violently, evaporating the mist and piles of dirt indiscriminately.

Following the trajectory of the Piercing Thunder Collapse, deep scars remained in the canyon, forming caves.

The Under-Lord stood staggering at the end of the cave that had been created.

“-It is a miracle that my deficiency completes as a blade that exercises authority.”

“…”

Beneath his feet was the figure of an aquatic being, holding a trident, who had fallen in a battered state.

“Cough…!! You…!!”

“The power to use the damage you received as the power source for your technique.”

Lenok asked, looking at the Under-Lord with a hardened expression.

“That’s why you were able to cut the barrier with that technique.”

The Under-Lord Technique was the power to shoot out all the damage inflicted on his body as a slash.

The Under-Lord had gathered all the damage inflicted on his body and unleashed a slash to counter the magic of Piercing Thunder Collapse.

The damage he had received from Alogon, and the onslaught of the aquatic beings, were so powerful.

That was why the Under-Lord was able to create a slash that could protect his body from the firepower of Piercing Thunder Collapse.

“It’s time.”

The Under-Lord smiled and pointed to the spatial rift located at the top of the canyon.

“The path to Kundara that you opened will soon close.”

“…”

“If you really want to go to the Outer City, you’ll have to use that ‘method’ again to twist the barrier.”

Even if he had twisted the barrier using the Celestial Technique, the effect of the technique would not last forever.

That was why the Under-Lord had been stalling for time against Lenok, waiting for the spatial rift to close.

It wasn’t just to secure evidence of Lenok’s Celestial Technique.

The Under-Lord’s obsession, as if he had to ‘see’ the Celestial Technique with his own eyes.

Could that be the condition to move the Alliance Leader who resided in the Glass Garden?

“I see.”

However, even after thinking that far, Lenok immediately reached into his pocket.

“But aren’t you missing something?”

“…Huh?”

Lenok asked.

“You weren’t the only one who cut the barrier and opened the path, were you?”

“…Could it be.”

Olivier Laon Maze was nowhere to be seen.

The moment the Under-Lord realized that fact, the expression disappeared from his face.

[Rending Thunder. Found you.]

*Tuk!!*

Olivier, wearing a flamboyant robe, appeared on the opposite side of the collapsing canyon.

In her hand, she was holding the corpse demon Under-Lord by the scruff of his neck, who was struggling with a pale face.

“U, uwaaa…!!”

[I hid in the boundary of the deep-sea region, and it took me a little time to find you even with my magic eye.]

Olivier, looking at the corpse demon Under-Lord with her magic eye shining through her veil, spoke with a hint of laughter.

[How troublesome.]

“He, hehet…”

The corpse demon Under-Lord gave an awkward smile, looking at Olivier’s expression.

“I, I was hiding pretty well, but how did you know…”

[I’ll give you three.]

Olivier’s magic eye narrowed.

[Throw that bug who calls himself the Alliance Leader’s blade off the cliff right now.]

“We, we… we traveled together for a while, didn’t we…”

[Two.]

Looking at Olivier, who was as firm as a knife, the corpse demon Under-Lord tried to somehow smooth things over.

“I, I’ll talk to the Under-Lord, so, so please calm down…”

[One.]

“Uwaaaat!!”

The moment Olivier grabbed the corpse demon Under-Lord by the scruff of his neck and stretched her hand out over the cliff.

The pale corpse demon Under-Lord closed his eyes tightly and began to chant a technique.

“…Oh, dear.”

At that moment, the Under-Lord’s body began to move towards the cliff according to the will of the corpse demon Under-Lord.

The Under-Lord, who had stiffened his neck and turned it around, asked Lenok.

“From the beginning, were you aiming for the corpse demon Under-Lord, not me?”

“I’ve been thinking about it since the moment the corpse demon Under-Lord disappeared.”

Lenok replied, looking at the Under-Lord with his arms crossed.

“Since you didn’t care about the life or death of the corpse demon Under-Lord, there must be a reason why you hid him.”

“…”

Because he had modified his own body into a corpse demon by borrowing the corpse demon technique, he was bound to be affected by the manipulation of the corpse demon technique.

That was why Lenok had Olivier find the corpse demon Under-Lord who had hidden his body.

Olivier, who possessed the magic eye of the Seven Colors, was a person who could see through the reverse side of the barrier.

He knew that if he could secure the corpse demon Under-Lord, he could control the zombified Under-Lord.

*Whoosh!!!*

The Under-Lord slowly moved his steps and stood at the edge of the swaying cliff.

Below the cliff of the deep and misty canyon, where the bottom could not be seen.

It was a space close to a false dimension that existed inside the reverse side of the barrier.

Only the person falling would know what existed below the cliff and whether they could come back alive.

“I’m not going to kill you with my own hands here.”

Lenok said, looking at the Under-Lord’s back.

“I’m still interested in the Second Apostle’s matter. But if it comes to this, the Alliance Leader will understand my answer.”

“…”

“If you want something, you should ask me directly instead of making excuses with trivial reasons.”

Lenok shook his head with a cold expression.

“I don’t want to cooperate with your plans in the form of hiding in the Glass Garden and borrowing the hands of others.”

“I, I see…”

The Under-Lord, who had been looking down at the misty canyon, turned his head with a strained expression.

“But, this won’t be the end.”

“…”

“No matter what you want in the Outer City, someday, you will definitely-”

[You talk too much.]

*Whoosh!!*

The Under-Lord’s words could not continue any further.

As Olivier raised her hand, the corpse demon Under-Lord closed his eyes tightly and manipulated the technique.

The Under-Lord’s body fell into the misty canyon below.

“U, uwa…!”

While the pale corpse demon Under-Lord sat down, Olivier pointed at her.

[What are you going to do with this corpse demon?]

“As I said, I’m not going to kill him.”

Lenok replied.

“From my point of view, I still want to leave room for cooperation with the Alliance. There’s no need to completely antagonize the Alliance yet.”

[You threw the Under-Lord off the cliff and you’re saying that?]

“He’s a wielder of a technique that converts received damage into slashes. Since he’s a corpse demon, it’s hard to kill him by normal means.”

Lenok smiled at Olivier’s indifferent remark.

“Since we don’t have much time, I just chose the method that came to mind right away.”

“…”

“Let’s move right away.”

Lenok said, pointing to the spatial rift he had opened using the Miniature Garden.

“It’s really time to go to the Outer City now.”

[…Hmm.]

Olivier let out a cold sigh and turned away.

Leaving Olivier heading towards the spatial rift, Lenok turned towards the corpse demon Under-Lord.

“The Order Alliance Leader seems to have a very high opinion of the potential of the technique you possess.”

“Th, that’s…”

“If your technique were to fall into the hands of the Order, something irreversible would happen.”

“…”

“I thought about killing you here and making sure you could never be revived again…”

Lenok narrowed his eyes as he looked at the cowering corpse demon Under-Lord.

“It would be difficult. If you’ve gone so far as to turn your own body into a corpse demon, you must have prepared a way to survive somewhere.”

“…”

Lenok said, turning his steps to follow Olivier, who had disappeared through the door.

*Crack!!*

The cliff of the canyon below his feet cracked open, and the Under-Lord, covered in dirt, jumped out.

“Haha…!!!”

*Dududududu!!!*

Cutting through the pouring dirt and rocks with his slashes, the Under-Lord’s figure jumped up, stepping on the debris.

The Under-Lord, who was climbing up the cliff at an incredible speed, stepping on the debris, flashed his eyes.

“Not yet…!!!”

The Under-Lord, with an ominous thought covering his entire body, reached out his hand towards Lenok.

Did he cut through all the falling debris and climb up after falling off the cliff?

If he used the ‘authority’ of the Alliance Leader that was engraved on his body even after being dominated by the corpse demon technique, it could be understood.

But even knowing that, Lenok reached into his pocket with a nonchalant expression.

“A corpse demon is an existence that exists on the boundary between life and death, and can only be processed with the corpse demon technique.”

Lenok, who had taken out the Compassion of the Archangel [a magical artifact], pointed it at the Under-Lord and said.

“And, the more the zombification progresses, the closer it gets to an inanimate object rather than a living being.”

“…Huh?”

“Didn’t you say yourself that zombification was progressing earlier?”

Lenok smiled.

Just like when he used the Compassion of the Archangel to forcibly move the corpse demon Under-Lord when attacking the Overmind.

Because a much easier method had become available in that short time against the zombified Under-Lord.

“Now you’re also caught in the Compassion of the Archangel’s detection range.”

*Kiiing!!*

There was no answer.

At the same time as the Compassion of the Archangel activated, the corpse demon Under-Lord’s body was forcibly teleported.

This time, he was dropped directly into the middle of the misty canyon with no place to grab onto.

“Aaaaaaaa!!!”

The Under-Lord’s scream faded away. Lenok, who had passed by the corpse demon Under-Lord with his mouth agape, took a step towards the door leading to Kundara.