Genius Wizard Takes Medicine [EN]: Chapter 131

Jenny quickly opened both items, checked their contents, and nodded.

‘The module is a given… and the auction ticket is genuine. I didn’t expect you to get it so quickly.’

‘What do you think the Enforcement Agents are? We’ve bought hundreds of dangerous items directly from the auction house.’

If they can’t seize security items on the market, they just buy them directly from the auction house. It’s a very Vulcan way of doing things.

While Jenny handed the module and ticket to Lenok, Evelyn turned on the tablet on the desk and handed it to them.

‘This is an electronic ledger of the equipment and artifacts we have. Take a look and tell me if there’s anything you like.’

Evelyn said, lifting her teacup again.

‘We’ll start negotiations again then.’

‘Hmph… let’s see if you’ve picked out items good enough to say that.’

Jenny said, picking up the tablet and quickly flipping through the catalog on the screen.

Lenok held his throbbing head and quietly watched her flip through the tablet.

She didn’t say anything to him and was just flipping through the screen, but it seemed like she was checking how many items didn’t meet her standards rather than looking at each one in detail.

As he watched her casually flipping through, he saw a lot of various equipment that agents mainly use, such as various firearms, defense equipment, communication devices, and transportation.

If it’s an item recorded in the ledger, it’s natural that it’s something the agents have considered using.

Jenny quickly flipped through dozens of pages of the catalog and nodded.

‘Except for the fact that there are quite a few mass-produced items in the firearms section, the overall quality isn’t bad. It seems like there are quite a few items from the workshops too. It’s good enough to accept instead of cash.’

She said, handing the tablet completely to Lenok.

‘Ban, pick what you want first. I’ll tell you exactly what kind of item it is after I look at it. Let’s not lose a single penny.’

‘Jenny…’

Was it just his imagination that her playful smile felt particularly reliable today?

Lenok, who was experiencing a strong sense of trust from her for the first time, nodded without realizing it.

Jenny, who was right next to Lenok, began to explain each item that caught his eye.

‘The Duke 071 is a premium item from Daike Corporation, which produces monomolecular cutters [extremely sharp blades]. The production volume itself is small, and recently, the entire production line was moved, so demand is skyrocketing.’

‘The Canelo Viser 3rd generation is a military goggle with AI functions that has only recently started to be released to the public. Its performance is proven, and its durability in harsh environments is the best among similar products.’

‘The Miller IV is the most highly rated among personal defense pistols. It usually exists in the form of a bracelet, but it adopts a new transformation technology that is disassembled into cubes and reassembled according to the user’s brainwaves. I’ve never used this one myself.’

Lenok and Evelyn looked at her with curious eyes as Jenny seemed to know exactly where Lenok’s gaze was going and rattled off explanations.

She, who usually never showed it, was suddenly starting to explain all sorts of equipment as if she had been waiting for it, so it was no wonder they were surprised.

‘When you work as a broker, you naturally learn some things, and I also look up and study them separately. Especially in this equipment industry, there are various freelancers and organizations, so it also serves as a standard for estimating compensation, budgets, and costs.’

There must be a reason why she handles and mediates dozens of requests a month without any complaints.

After that, every time Lenok flipped through the catalog, Jenny explained in great detail what advantages the items the agents had, and how they would help Lenok.

As her words grew longer, Evelyn’s hand, which had been holding her teacup, began to tremble.

Isn’t this just a place to choose items for Lenok anyway?

The two of them completely relaxed and spent a long time looking at the items while flipping through the tablet.

Lenok, who was flipping through the middle and later parts of the catalog, suddenly stopped when he saw a familiar item.

‘This is…’

A huge bazooka with a black barrel and various cartridges combined.

Wasn’t this the cannon that Cheisha Arwell carried around and fired all sorts of rockets with?

Jenny scratched her cheek with a troubled expression when she saw it.

‘Multi-Operational Artillery Designation Weapon Tartaros. It was a hot topic in the defense industry for a while, but… honestly, I don’t recommend it. Whether or not you can handle it is secondary, but the places where you can use it are too limited, and the aftermath is difficult to deal with. It’s the kind of thing that only an organization like this can carry around for show.’

‘Hmm…’

If he used shrinking magic, the size and transportation method wouldn’t be a problem, but Lenok also agreed that the places where he could use it were too limited.

Unless it was a situation like this operation where he was invading the enemy’s territory, it would be difficult to just pour out artillery fire.

‘Besides, the price of the cartridges that go in here is no joke, so it could end up costing more than it’s worth. If you want artillery fire, you’d better look for other products.’

Considering the price of the cartridges, it was definitely not something he needed to get his hands on right now.

Lenok flipped the screen to the next one without any regrets.

He could feel Evelyn smiling bitterly on the other side, but it wasn’t something he needed to worry about in this situation.

In the end, Lenok listened to Jenny’s advice and chose three items, then handed the tablet to Evelyn.

The first was armor that, when infused with magic, completely covered the upper body, including the chest. It was practical in that it could be used as a pistol holder that could be worn on the shoulder.

The second was a kit of top-quality painkillers and remedies used by Enforcement Agents. They were made of items similar to or better than the quasi-elixir that Drey had given him, and they were imbued with magic, making them quite valuable.

And the last was the Sightglass-992, which was said to be the best of the sniper rifles used by agents on the front lines.

He had been recommended this item by a gun shop called Gun and Barrel before, but he never thought he would see this item again.

They said that its precision alone was the best among existing rifles.

Jenny said that it was mainly used by designated marksmen among the Enforcement Agents, so its performance was certain.

Evelyn, who had checked the items Lenok had chosen, nodded with a reluctant expression.

‘Okay. We’ll be losing a lot on our end, but considering our future relationship with you, Ban, it’s not a waste.’

‘Ban, don’t be fooled. If they were losing more than this, they would have been making a big fuss. I think we can squeeze more out of them.’

‘………’

In the end, Evelyn had to hand over a bracelet that increased magic control efficiency, as Jenny had said, before the deal could be finalized.

‘It doesn’t feel too bad, actually.’

He had never thought that a low-efficiency magic artifact would be of much help, but perhaps it was because Lenok’s magic sensitivity was too high, it felt pretty good.

Should he pay more attention to these kinds of artifacts in the future?

Jenny smiled contentedly as she saw the bracelet on Lenok’s wrist. Evelyn sighed deeply as she looked at her.

‘Haa… let’s settle the incentive issue cleanly here, and I hope we don’t have to talk about it again later. I already have too much to do.’

‘Don’t worry. That’s why I came all the way here with Ban.’

‘Yes. I hope so…’

Evelyn was listlessly munching on a carrot with a drained face.

Even if she was an archer who shot arrows that ran through the night sky of the city, she couldn’t be free from the city’s petty interests.

In this chaotic city where monsters like her lurked, there weren’t many things that could be solved simply with power.

Especially for those who wield influence in both the light and the dark, like the agents.

That’s why Lenok understood the level of responsibility and fatigue she was feeling.

He also understood what the title of ‘external advisor’ that she had put on Lenok’s head meant.

‘By the way, that’s unexpected.’

Evelyn turned her head towards Lenok, as if she had regained her energy after eating fiber.

‘I never thought you, Ban, would be so interested in firearms.’

‘What?’

‘It’s not common for someone who wields such powerful magic to be interested in shooting. You can carry a revolver as a secondary weapon, but it’s rare to choose a sniper rifle.’

‘………’

It was difficult to explain, so Lenok kept his mouth shut.

Why would he bother explaining that the efficiency he gained through shooting support magic far exceeded the hassle of simply carrying a gun?

After he was able to carry guns by imbuing them with lightweight and shrinking magic, such questions were meaningless to Lenok.

But if there was a reason why he chose a sniper rifle in particular, it was probably because of the powerful sniping ability that Evelyn had shown at the Trade Center.

That powerful long-range support ability to accurately suppress targets over several kilometers was something Lenok also coveted.

If he combined this powerful sniper rifle with his shooting support magic, he could modify it to his liking.

Evelyn subtly opened her mouth as she looked at Lenok.

‘If you want to learn about sniping, it wouldn’t be bad to join the Agents. There are no idiots among the Enforcement Agents who can’t handle a gun. If not, I can teach you myself…’

‘Hey, what are you doing in front of my client?’

‘Just stay still. The important thing is Ban’s intention, isn’t it? It’s a loss for the entire city if a mage as powerful as him moves as he pleases.’

Lenok, who had been quietly watching the two of them bickering again, shook his head and picked up the teacup in front of him.

He realized something when he thought about Hina’s reaction when she used to tease him for not knowing how to ride a bike.

Was it because he had only shown them how easily he handled everything?

It seemed that others found it quite strange that Lenok had something he couldn’t do, or that he was trying to learn something.

If he could take a few of these teases and increase the intimacy of others, it wouldn’t be a bad deal.

In fact, the atmosphere of the rather stiff meeting was softening with the words that Evelyn and Jenny were exchanging.

It wouldn’t be strange for them to want a colleague who had some humanity, rather than Lenok, who had been thoroughly hiding his flaws and only showing his strengths.

That’s why Lenok listened to the conversation that was buzzing in his ears and quietly looked out the window.

The difficult operation was over.

At this moment, when he had received the reward for finishing the hard work, it didn’t seem bad to stop for a moment and look around.

#

It wasn’t difficult to meet Raul and tell him about what had happened.

The Black Mages of the 부여 [Buyeo] faction, who had been under Evelyn’s protection, had regained their freedom.

The city government’s inspection, which had ended vaguely with Reisen’s downfall.

In District 44, where people’s footsteps had completely stopped, those who had left were returning, and it was slowly regaining its gloomy vitality.

The faint, tingling smell of unknown elixirs and the air filled with all sorts of strange techniques and magic were not a pleasant fragrance.

But Raul looked as if he had regained everything just from that.

The office inside the building where the Black Mages gathered to do business.

He wiped the dusty desk and brought a chair that had been pushed to one side to sit on.

He opened the creaking cupboard and took out coffee grounds, then skillfully brewed two cups and handed them to Lenok.

Raul, who had been staring at the steaming cup, said.

‘Actually, I had a vague feeling that it would end like this.’

‘The Beginning (1)’

‘Is that so?’

‘The reason why that friend created the strange faction called the Practical Faction was to take care of the other Black Mages who were relying on him.’

He continued, sipping his coffee.

‘To pursue ideals, you must not be bound by other things.’

‘……..’

‘I’ve seen too many of those people. Not a single one of them had a death that they were satisfied with… Now I don’t even have the strength to resent them.’

Flowing endlessly, until he settled in this city.

How many years had Raul met various people and passed through various deaths?

Lenok, who had only lived in this city for a little over a year, was also struggling to survive each day, and he was mourning it in his own way.

‘I can’t thank you enough for what you’ve done so far.’

‘…..It’s nothing.’

Raul shook his head at Lenok’s words.

‘I’m not a fool. I don’t know what’s going on in the city council’s courtyard, but I know how things are going. If Craig’s death was delayed, it wouldn’t be strange if the whole situation went in a worse direction. Am I wrong?’

‘………’

Lenok couldn’t deny those words.

If he had failed this operation, and if Craig had succeeded in controlling the fragment of the end called 멸목 [Myeolmok], as he had said.

No one could have guaranteed how the city’s landscape would have changed.

That’s why he looked out the window and brought up another topic.

‘…..He called the monster he was trying to summon a fragment of the end.’

‘The end… Even when I was wandering around the continent, it was a story that was treated as an old legend.’

Raul closed his eyes.

‘There was a time when there were many fanatics who believed in non-existent monsters. It didn’t take long to slaughter the madmen who hindered the prosperity of mankind and brought down the builders who built the cities, and to build the foundation.’

‘Are you saying that Vulcan’s history is not long?’

‘I’m saying that there has been a concern for a long time that the disaster that threatens the world may not be just a rumor.’

‘………’

‘There was only a rumor that the duty that 천견 [Cheongyeon], Madrea Falsier, had been carrying at the Philemon Lighthouse for a long time was that. No one has actually seen such monsters with their own eyes. If you want to confirm the truth, you should look for someone else, not me.’

‘I intend to do that without you telling me.’

Lenok said, slowly getting up.

The leg that had been strained in the battle with Jaun was still creaking.

He would have to try to get back to normal as soon as possible by using elixirs.

Raul looked up at Lenok’s gaunt figure as he got up, hiding his complicated feelings.

‘While you were diligently traveling outside the city and stopping Craig’s plans, we and others were just sitting comfortably and watching. The truth about the giant tree root pattern you were looking for was also much more serious than expected.’

‘What are you trying to say?’

‘Don’t you think the world is irrational?’

‘………’

‘There aren’t many people who will recognize you even if you search for hidden secrets alone. Even if this is a sign of the coming end… there won’t be many people who will join you.’

Raul continued.