Genius Wizard Takes Medicine [EN]: Chapter 1140

Showdown (11)

The human auction house was located in the underground of Tokerphos’s downtown area.

Customers wearing masks and matching dress codes bustled about.

They either found their reserved seats or nervously picked up the wine glasses brought by the staff.

In the sharply subdued atmosphere, the commotion gradually grew.

*Clap!*

The lights turned on, and a solemn-looking old man in a suit walked onto the platform.

The old man, looking at the customers with a calm expression, slowly grasped the microphone.

[Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for waiting.]

The white-haired old gentleman opened his mouth slowly, his low voice resonating.

[Due to the recent unfortunate events in Tokerphos, there has been confusion as the list of registered items has changed.]

[But now, the catalog has finally been organized, and it seems we can begin the auction.]

[Once again, I apologize for the delay.]

The old gentleman, acting as the host, calmed the situation with a composed voice.

The auction house did not mention any compensation for the delayed schedule, but the guests did not seem to care about such things at all.

They were only busy checking the numbered tickets distributed to them to confirm the items to be auctioned and place their bids.

The superhumans stationed around the auction house were also silently watching these customers.

[Then, as you have waited, we will start the auction right now.]

As the host gestured, the staff who had been waiting brought carts onto the platform.

Transparent light flowed out, but thick cloths covered them, preventing the contents from being seen.

[This item was not originally scheduled to be auctioned today, but I thought it was my duty to inform you first. Let me introduce it.]

The old man said, turning his gaze with a heavy voice.

[A relic of the Guise Order. A forbidden weapon made in the Pantheon. It is ‘Sorrow’.]

*Shwaak!*

As the cloth was pulled away, a pale barrel appeared.

A unique shape twisted into a long spiral, like a distorted screw.

A pure white aura gleamed and shone palely on the smooth barrel.

The moment the bizarre-looking barrel was revealed, exclamations burst out from all over the auction house.

“Beautiful…”

“That is the depraved weapon that has abandoned humanity…!!”

“Then, what happened at the stadium was indeed-”

People quickly exchanged glances, unable to hide their surprise at the appearance of the forbidden weapon.

They must have heard rumors about the inside story of the terror that occurred at the stadium.

The host, as if expecting such a reaction, calmly continued.

[Judging by your reactions, I don’t think I need to tell you what this weapon uses as ‘material’.]

[During the excavation process of this weapon, 15 workers died, and during the appraisal process, 4 appraisers died. All of them were either possessed or driven mad by this weapon.]

The host glanced at the pale barrel on display and moved his feet.

With just a slight tremor, the light of the barrel fluctuated, mesmerizing people’s eyes.

[The appraisers concluded that this weapon is a relic that is activated by the user’s ’emotions’.]

[A forbidden weapon made by the Order. Moreover, a new relic that has never been observed in the central front.]

[This means that there is a very high possibility that the 11th Divine Maiden was involved in the creation of the weapon.]

As the host continued to speak, the heat felt from all over the auction house gradually intensified.

Forbidden weapons made using high-ranking superhumans as materials. Everyone knows about the weapons that use the abilities of superhumans as power.

Even though there is demand all over the continent, there is no supply, so it is like calling the price, but among them, the forbidden weapons made by the Order are by far the best.

Moreover, if the name and appearance of the weapon are newly known-

[Let me tell you in advance that this auction house is not responsible for anything that happens after purchasing the Order’s forbidden weapon.]

The host nodded and stepped back.

[Then, we will start the auction with a starting bid of 5 billion cells.]

*Paaat!*

No sooner had he finished speaking than customers all over the auction house began to raise their hands.

The customers quickly bid using hand signals while holding their numbered tickets.

The old man began to calmly organize the hand signals coming from all directions.

[Number 41. 5.5 billion.]

[Number 29. 8 billion.]

[Number 193. 9.5 billion.]

[Number 5. 12 billion.]

In less than a minute since the start of the auction, the price jumped to more than double the starting bid.

However, the number of customers jumping into the competition continues to increase.

In the repeated bidding, the host is only quickly organizing the rising prices.

The eyes of the customers looking at the forbidden weapon shining brilliantly on the platform were burning.

‘The fact that the Order’s apostle appeared at the stadium and now this item is at the auction house…’

‘A top-grade weapon that the apostle would use directly. I must get it here no matter what.’

‘Even if I have to give up all other items, I have to bid.’

The inside story that Pandemonium and the Order’s apostle clashed at the Tokerphos Stadium has been leaked.

What does it mean that the Order’s forbidden weapon suddenly appeared at the auction house in this situation?

The pale barrel that has now appeared is proof that it is a weapon directly used by the highest-ranking apostle of the Order.

It is nothing less than a treasure among the forbidden weapons, by far the best.

There is no room to worry about the Order’s retaliation or the checks of other competitors that must be endured by acquiring it.

The thoughts of the customers who came to the auction house are aligned, and the competition becomes more intense.

Every time the price rises incessantly, the senses of the superhumans protecting the auction house become more sensitive.

*Piiing-!!!*

A black magic bullet shot from the darkness pierced their temples at an incredible speed.

“…!!!”

There was no time to even recognize what had happened and react.

In an instant, their minds were scrambled, their consciousness was overturned, and their thoughts went into a violent frenzy.

“Krrrk…!!”

Guards all around were sitting down in their places, their eyes rolled back and foaming at the mouth.

At the same time as the superhumans guarding the 5th-floor VIP seats fainted, Lenox walked out of the darkness.

Lenox, who had spread out his shadow robe, flicked his hand, and the fainted guard was dragged backward.

“It’s a complete mess.”

The clown, resting his chin on the VIP seat railing, laughed as he watched the auction below.

“They’re trying to divide up the spoils we risked our lives to obtain. Isn’t that funny?”

“It’s not particularly funny.”

Lenox, who had manipulated the magic bullet to remove obstacles, cast a cold gaze.

“It’s just pathetic.”

“No, well, there’s no need to blame the auction house for this.”

The clown said in a languid tone, waving his hand.

The clown, smiling at the weapon emitting a pale light, whispered.

“It was going to be ours anyway, so we should thank them for keeping it safe all this time.”

“Regardless, the activation of the spell is very fast.”

The Grafting Sorcerer, leaning against the hallway, crossed his arms and stared at Lenox.

“Is it because you’re using a magic bullet as a medium that you’re able to achieve that speed? Even if you compress the process to the limit, it would be difficult to realize the theoretical efficiency in reality.”

“…”

“In terms of magic manipulation, you might be even better than the Stasis Sorcerer. Is that why I can’t grasp its form with my senses?”

Since following the clown out of the hospital room, the Sorcerer has been engrossed in observing Lenox.

His nature of analyzing and appreciating other people’s spells and abilities as if dissecting them does not seem to have changed much.

While Lenox was ignoring the Sorcerer’s words, the clown leisurely leaned back.

“Then, the question is how to recover that item…”

The clown, who had stretched, turned his gaze towards Lenox and the Sorcerer.

“Who will do it? Shall I?”

“I will.”

“I’ll do it.”

Lenox and the Sorcerer answered almost simultaneously, and they met each other’s eyes.

“…”

“I need more practice to improve my spell performance.”

The Sorcerer, who had uncrossed his arms, said, leaving Lenox in silence.

“It was difficult to find a subject for practice, but this is perfect.”

The Sorcerer, who had taken off his gloves, stretched out his bare hand towards the auction house with an indifferent look.

“I’ll turn them into objects just as they are, making a fuss down there.”

“Oh, the Grafting Sorcerer’s objects. I’m a bit interested in that too.”

The clown grinned, resting his chin on his hand.

“I’ve heard of people being embalmed and turned into works of art while still alive. May I observe the technique here?”

“This crude operating room doesn’t have the chemicals or preservatives I used to use, so it’s difficult.”

The Sorcerer said indifferently.

“I don’t have a favorite subject either, so I don’t want to put in the effort. I’ll just touch them enough to get a feel for it and then kill them.”

“Hmm, that’s not so bad either.”

“Both of you, have you not been able to think since you woke up?”

Both the clown and the Sorcerer are experts when it comes to playing with humans.

As twisted sorcerers, it is natural that they are well-matched in that area.

However, annihilating all the humans in the auction house at this place was another matter.

Lenox, glaring at the two in annoyance, said.

“There’s a high possibility that we’ll have to go through Tokerphos again after the royal capital is captured. Considering that, we shouldn’t increase the damage, right?”

“Huh, is that so? I haven’t thought that far.”

The clown tilted his head, and the Sorcerer turned his gaze with an indifferent expression.

“It’s not really my business what happens to the other members after the operation is over, is it?”

“Manipulation Sorcerer. You, a special type, are having unnecessary worries.”

The Sorcerer advised as if he was pathetic.

“If there’s something you need, you can just ‘dissect’ and take it then. Don’t you even know that?”

“…It was my fault for having a serious discussion.”

Lenox turned away with a sneer and leaned back.

“I’ll take care of it myself.”

Lenox’s figure, wrapped in a black robe, fell backward from the 5th-floor VIP seat.

At the same time, all the lights on the ceiling of the auction house went out, and the surroundings were plunged into darkness.

*Whoosh!*

“W-what is it!!”

“Turn on the lights quickly! What are you doing-”

“It was my turn to bid!!”

The panicked customers stood up from all directions and frantically took out their cell phones.

The guards stationed throughout the auction house raised their magic power and drew their weapons.

“Contact the guys stationed at the generator and power room!”

“No, it’s an intruder!!!”

“Everyone, prepare for battle. The auction house has been attacked!”

Even in the sudden blackout, the superhuman’s sensitive vision accurately captured the intruder’s presence.

A shadow approaching the platform, walking through the customers who were in chaos in the darkness.

*Ssssh!*

The guards, who had drawn sharp swords, accelerated as if disappearing from their places and approached. They stabbed their blades at Lenox’s sides at an incredible speed.

The two blades that collided through the shadows sparked and intersected, piercing the robe.

However, the blades did not pierce the flesh that should have been inside the robe.

“It’s not there…!!”

“Is it an illusion?!”

Even though they had clearly stabbed with their swords, it felt as if they were cutting through empty air.

Even when they tried to pull out the cold weapons they were holding, they wouldn’t come out, as if they were submerged in a swamp.

Just as the panicked guards were about to twist their bodies and retreat, a gleam of light flashed in the rippling shadows.

“Get out of the way.”

*Chwaaaak!*

Black magic bullets fell from the invisible darkness all over the auction house.

The moment the magic bullets, which had spread out from Lenox, pierced through the ceiling, floor, walls, and pillars.

The dozens of superhumans who were moving in all directions collided as they tripped and were bound by the magic bullets.

*Kwaaang!*

“Ugh…!!”

“What is this!! Magic bullets?!!”

“Kyaaaak!!”

The guards, colliding and entangled with each other in the darkness, were bound by the magic bullets and tumbled to the floor.

The panicked customers got up from their seats and began to run around the display cases where the items were exhibited.

“I-it’s an attack!!”

“What are the syndicates doing! Subdue him quickly!!”

“Save me. I’ll just give up on today’s auction, please!!!”

*Click!*

Gun barrels were aimed from all directions at Lenox, who was standing alone among the fleeing people.

The snipers stationed in various places aimed their scopes and pulled the triggers.

The moment Lenox crossed his hands and stretched out his magic bullets to grab the bullets fired from all directions.

*Piiing…!!!*

“Your aiming skills are terrible.”

He attached magic bullets to dozens of bullets fired at the speed of sound and rotated them.

At the same time, he pulled them back, changing the direction and trajectory of the force, and fired them back.

The bullets that barely grazed Lenox’s figure and ricocheted off, accelerated the moment they ricocheted off the walls and floor in all directions.

“I’ll return them as they are.”

The bullets that had returned backward towards the snipers’ rifles shattered and exploded the barrels.

*Puh-buh-buh-bung!!!*

“Aaaargh!!”

“C-crazy…!!”

“It’s a monster!! A monster…!!”

The snipers, who had been burned on their faces and hands by the exploding guns, screamed in horror.

“Found you!”

The guards, holding cold weapons, approached at a rapid pace, traversing the auction house’s stairs and VIP seats.

The moment a guard stabbed his blade at the clown, who was leaning on the VIP seat and chuckling.

The guard’s face turned pale as he saw the blade bend limply like taffy.

“H-how can a sword…!!”

*Jjuwaaaak-!!*

The floor stretched out like rubber, dropping the guard’s figure down to the 5th floor.

“Kkyaaaak!!!”

“Well, all I can do right now is this kind of prank.”

The clown grinned and turned to the Sorcerer.

“What will you do?”

“Manipulation Sorcerer. You have a bizarre taste, as expected of a special type.”

The Sorcerer tilted his head.

“Do you like to keep them alive and watch their reactions? I don’t really understand, but if he wants to do it himself, I’ll concede this time.”

The Sorcerer, looking down at the auction house with a blank face, clasped his hands together.

“Maximum spell output. Recognition of the other side of space. Connection to the imaginary dimension.”

*Wooo-wooo-woong-!!!*

The moment the Sorcerer, who had clasped his hands together, twisted his hands towards the platform in the distance.

“Destruction of the barrier spell.”

*Paaaaaang!!!!*

The dozens of magic circles engraved on the display case where the forbidden weapon was stored violently glowed and then shattered.

The power to break the top-grade barrier magic circle, which was given to protect the items exhibited at the auction house, with a single gesture.

The impact caused a loud light to burst out in the middle of the darkened auction house, shaking the surroundings violently.

*Kugugugugugu!!!!*

“Is this all the power I can get even when I maximize the output?”

However, the Sorcerer frowned as if he was displeased even after destroying the barrier magic circle with a single gesture.

“It will take a long time to adjust the spell performance. It will be a troublesome task in many ways.”

“Uwaaaak!!”

A black robe fluttered above the platform overlooking the chaotic auction house.

Lenox, who had walked out without any interference, stopped in front of the pale barrel.

The auction house, which had turned into a scene of carnage in an instant. The screams and tremors heard from all directions.

The moment Lenox reached out his hand towards the forbidden weapon placed on the display case that had been broken into a mess.

“…Wait.”

Lenox realized something was wrong and turned his gaze towards the lower part of the stage.

“…”

“…”

“…”

“…”

The voices of the people who had been in chaos just a moment ago had stopped abruptly.

Hundreds of people were frozen in place, as if time had stopped, in the same state of confusion.

Even the host holding the microphone on the platform was frozen and not moving.

In an instant, a terribly quiet silence descended on the auction house.

Suddenly, one of the customers opened his mouth.

“Pandemonium. A bid of 1 cell.”

The old gentleman standing on the platform turned his head with a creak.

The host, who was holding the microphone, opened his mouth with a blank look.

[1 cell. It has been bid.]

“It has been bid.”

“It has been bid.”

“It has been bid.”

The staff, who had repeated the words in a daze, went up to the platform and began to pack the forbidden weapon’s storage box.

Below the staff who were moving in an orderly manner, the customers of the auction house all clapped their hands.

“Congratulations.”

“Congratulations.”

“Congratulations.”

*Clap clap clap clap clap clap clap clap-*

Hundreds of people with stiff faces and eerie smiles were clapping their hands towards the group.

“Puhah. Hahahahaha!!!!”

The clown, who was watching the scene, burst into laughter.

The clown, who had just dropped the guard he had been playing with, turned around, laughing hysterically.

“Ah, I’m sorry. We were a bit noisy, weren’t we?”

He said, wiping the tears from his eyes as he tilted his head, chuckling.

“It might have been a bit unpleasant for the guests who arrived first.”

“No, it’s okay.”

At that moment, a customer standing next to the clown naturally opened his mouth.

The customer, who had turned his gaze with a blank look, gave a hollow smile to the clown.

“Rather, it was such an interesting topic of conversation that I wanted to participate. I’ve recently become very interested in the mental abnormalities of special type sorcerers.”

“…”

The customers who were trying to escape from the auction house, the host who was holding the microphone on the platform, and the staff who were carrying the wine glasses all added a word.

A bizarre phenomenon as if one person was answering through the mouths of several people.

Lenox was able to confirm who the opponent was immediately after that.

“…Mastermind.”

The 8th-level mental power user that Lenox had encountered at the auction house.

Mastermind, Aoshu Spero, had intervened in the middle and started a conversation.

“I’ll ‘organize’ the memories of the customers who participated in the auction. There will be no problems.”

The staff member who had fallen at the clown’s feet said in a daze.

“However, there are VIPs in this city who are also displeased with your intervention.”

“…”

“It would be troublesome if this auction house collapsed for the time being. I hope you will refrain from making too much noise.”

A flat and hollow tone that did not feel any emotion.

However, not only Lenox, but also the clown and the Sorcerer were watching him with interest.

Manipulating the minds of hundreds of people to use them as trumpets, as well as arbitrarily bidding at the auction and handing over the forbidden weapon.

Is the reason for that simply to prevent Pandemonium from destroying this auction house?

Compared to the violent and crude method, the purpose feels truly mild.

“Ah, is that so?”

The clown, sitting on a nearby empty seat, picked up a wine glass and greeted the staff.

“I would like to thank you just for not taking our brains out.”

“You were the mental power user who adjusted my mind so that I could settle into this body.”

The Grafting Sorcerer met Aoshu Spero’s gaze with an indifferent look.

“Thanks to you, I’m feeling in real-time how my intelligence is becoming as stupid as this body. Should I thank you for that?”

“No, it’s okay.”

Spero answered calmly.

“If you want to be precise, I’m just repaying a debt to the Doctor.”

“…”

“I have a debt of gratitude to my former colleagues…”

The guard who had fallen at Lenox’s feet muttered with a blank look.

“Rather, I think I’m a little sorry to Atermeyer.”

“…”

Aoshu Spero is a being who is presumed to have worked as an executioner with Maiya Lenslit in the past.

It is not strange that he knows the Doctor who led the Ascension Gate Project.

That means that it was the Doctor who planned to transplant the Grafting Sorcerer’s right brain.

“It wasn’t really necessary, but thank you for helping anyway.”

The clown grinned and tilted his head.

“But if it was just about handing over the forbidden weapon, your VIP wouldn’t have needed to intervene like this.”

“…”

“Is there something you want to say to us?”

Due to Aoshu Spero’s intervention, they had recovered the forbidden weapon without causing a riot at the auction house.

However, if Spero had intended to intervene from the beginning, there would have been many easier ways than this way of showing off his abilities.

The clown was pointing out that fact and indirectly asking if there was something he wanted.

“I didn’t have anything I wanted to say, but now I have something I want to say.”

Spero agreed.

“One of the VIPs found the corpse of the 8th Apostle that the Order was secretly smuggling out.”

“…Huh?”

“It’s here, below.”

Spero, ignoring the change in the clown’s expression, pointed below.

“The 8th Apostle’s apostle magic. I think I can control it to some extent using my abilities.”

“…”

“If you help me a little, I think I can find something out.”

Spero, who had been staring at Lenox, tilted his head.

“The purpose of the Order’s actions this time. Don’t you want to know?”