Genius Wizard Takes Medicine [EN]: Chapter 147

Either way, it wasn’t a loss for Lenok. It was just that the debt had shifted from the Medicine Master to Jenny. The tragedy that befell the Medicine Master was unfortunate, but after hearing her story, Lenok actually lost interest in her. Her story might serve as a cautionary tale against high-level sorcerers carelessly imposing restrictions on themselves, but it held no meaning for Lenok. Don’t look back. Don’t regret. From the beginning, Lenok’s path was set. She would just gradually expand what she could do now, and pray that one day she would reach what she desired. Even pitying those who had stopped was a luxury for Lenok. Would the day come when Lenok would reflect on the advice she had given? But before that moment arrived, Lenok would already be moving forward. Realizing she had said all she needed to, Lenok turned away without hesitation and left the Medicine Master’s house. The sensation of Jenny waking up by the lake was so clear it felt like she could grasp it. It was time to clean up all the things she had passed by to meet her today.

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“Malabes, huh…” Jenny shook her head with a troubled expression. Between her thin fingers, a long cigarette had appeared from somewhere. Lenok had returned to Jenny’s bar after descending the Medicine Master’s mountain. Lenok briefly summarized her conversation with the Medicine Master for Jenny and Jordan. The details of their conversation about his body were secrets that only the Medicine Master and Lenok should share. It was enough to tell them that a plant called Malabes was needed, and that they might have to raid a drug lord’s vault.

“I’ve heard the name before too.” “It certainly won’t be easy to get.” Jordan, who had been quietly listening to Lenok, spoke up. “Jordan, do you know something about it?” “In that industry, it’s considered a legend of the past. After the fallen island was purified, the means to obtain new medicinal ingredients virtually disappeared, and many more effective drugs have been developed, so it’s only natural.” It meant that the supply was practically cut off, but since the demand was also extremely limited, it wasn’t a big problem. Certainly, as the Medicine Master had said, it was something that no one would have a reason or need to obtain unless they had a rare condition like Lenok.

“We don’t necessarily have to raid the drug lord’s vault,” Lenok said. “You mean we could trade with the Juice Master?” “In the end, all we need to do is get the Malabes from him.” Lenok didn’t care what kind of person Dominic Cabaro was. If he didn’t directly get involved with Lenok, it would be best to pass by without incident. As soon as she heard the Medicine Master’s words, Lenok’s first thought wasn’t to infiltrate the drug lord’s vault, but to obtain the item through a trade. If Lenok could obtain something that the Juice Master would covet, it wouldn’t be impossible to request a trade first and get the medicinal ingredient she wanted.

“We need to decide for sure before we go in,” Jenny said with a slightly hardened face. “The moment we reveal to the drug lord that we’re interested in a trade, his attention will naturally be focused on the vault. If our trade falls through and then we try to raid the vault, the difficulty will be several times higher than before.” “………” ‘We’, huh. It was touching that Jenny cared so much about Lenok’s affairs, but let’s focus on the immediate problem for now. Certainly, what she said was correct. Even if they could get something the Juice Master wanted, the moment they requested a trade, he would naturally focus his attention on the vault where the Malabes was stored. There was no reason to give the other side the initiative from the start. Jenny knew too well what kind of work Lenok preferred.

“We could use both methods at the same time,” Jordan chimed in. “The moment we bring the drug lord to the trade table, his defenses around the vault will naturally become lax. How about you, Ban, raid the drug lord’s vault in that gap?” “That’s too risky,” Lenok shook her head. “If something goes wrong during the trade, we’ll naturally be suspected of being connected to both incidents. And on top of that, we’re stealing the Malabes, the very item we were going to use for the trade? That’s not a method we should try unless we’re planning to completely antagonize the drug lord.” Lenok could avoid having her identity deeply investigated due to her ability to change her face and her strong target resistance against tracking magic or spells, but the two of them were different. No matter how perfectly they disguised their identities, it might be difficult for Jenny or Lenok to escape the eyes of the underworld. Lenok, who had rejected Jordan’s idea outright, grinned. “But I know how you both feel about the Juice Master.” “Hmm…” “Haha, was it that obvious?” Jordan groaned, and Jenny laughed awkwardly. The two of them were very subtly suggesting different solutions, but all of those alternatives were based on the assumption that the drug lord wouldn’t properly engage in a trade from the start. If the two of them, who were so well-versed in the underworld, were going to such lengths to say it indirectly, there was no need to hear how terrible the drug lord’s personality was.

“I didn’t want to say it because it seemed like you didn’t think that badly of the guy, Ban, but anyone who knows him even a little wouldn’t think of having a normal trade with him.” “………” “He’s a man who reached the top of the lowest drug industry. There’s no need to explain what it means to have never lost in a political arena where betrayal and collusion are as natural as breathing. If we simply go for a trade, there’s no chance it will end smoothly.” If even Jordan was saying this much, it meant that obtaining the desired item through a trade with the drug lord was close to impossible. “The best thing would be to find the Malabes somewhere other than the drug lord’s vault… but if we have to get our hands on the drug lord’s stuff, we’ll have to do it secretly through the back door—” “And without anyone knowing. That would be the next best option,” Jenny said. “Fortunately, Ban, you’re one of the most capable mages I’ve ever seen. If other freelancers were involved in this kind of thing, I’d just tell them to give up, but if it’s not a head-on confrontation, it might be worth trying.” Taptaptap!! She picked up her laptop and started typing on the keyboard. As the deep web screen flickered on and off, Jenny spoke. “I’ll prioritize finding other locations for the Malabes, and then gather data based on the Juice Master’s public schedule and the location of his vault.”

“How long will that take?” “…I can only get a sense of it after I start. If I’m being generous, it’ll take at least two weeks, no matter how late it gets.” Jenny wasn’t just managing Lenok, and considering the time it would take to request and receive data from other places, it wasn’t an unreasonable amount of time. Lenok nodded, emptied her remaining glass, and got up from her seat. “Then I should do some other things during that time.” “What?” Lenok grinned at Jenny’s face. “The Archangel’s Compassion. I can’t just leave it as it is.” She had prioritized meeting the Medicine Master, so she hadn’t touched it yet, but Lenok had no intention of foolishly leaving the rainbow-colored gem she had obtained. The expedition team would try to recover this incredibly valuable ancient artifact by any means necessary, so additional conflict was inevitable. Irina Pespild, who cherished the Archangel’s Compassion more than her own life, wouldn’t back down like this. If they were going to fight anyway, it was more in her nature to make the first move. “Settle things with the expedition team, get the remaining artifact from Irina Pespild, and gather information on the drug lord. There’s a mountain of things to do.” If she tracked down the old gentleman who had won the final artifact at the auction, she would be able to reach Irina Pespild. Once she had drawn her blade, she would settle things without leaving any loose ends. Lenok had no intention of stopping until she had seen Irina’s face.

Investigation (1)

The hospital corridor was dark, with all the lights off. Slow footsteps echoed in the late night. The one who opened the hospital room door with the sound of shoes was the old gentleman who had obtained the Archangel’s Compassion at the auction. “How are you feeling?” “………” Even though there was no answer, he took off his hat and sat on the chair next to the bed. “Judging by that expression, I think I know without you saying anything.” A young woman sat on the bed, her disheveled hair drooping. The eyes that could be seen through her hair were gleaming with cold murderous intent. Her dry lips slowly opened, and a cracked voice leaked out. “The operation failed. In a very terrible way.” “………” “I never thought I’d be backstabbed like this.” “Brook’s death is regrettable. You’ve lost a loyal comrade.” Even the old man thought that Brook’s acting skills and loyalty to the expedition team were extraordinary. Losing a talent who could put on a perfect performance in front of hundreds of people was certainly a painful loss. The woman was silent for a moment, but soon spoke in a cold voice. “…I don’t want to care about someone who’s already dead. Where is the item?” To be so calm even after the death of a comrade who had shared life and death with her, she was truly a ruthless person. But it was because of that nature that the old man trusted her more than anything.

“It’s here.” As the old man said that and snapped his fingers, something appeared from behind him as if a veil had been lifted. A staff with impressive wings hanging on both sides. The empty hole in the center of the staff contrasted with it. It was the artifact that they thought had been completely stolen at the auction, the Archangel’s Compassion. “It’s only half of the item now, but…” The old man said as he placed the staff in the woman’s hand. A cold yet familiar sensation. The woman, Irina Pespild, gripped the staff so tightly that her hand turned white, and muttered. “I won’t let this go. I will get my treasure back.” What did it matter now which side had the justification? Once they had started shedding blood, they couldn’t stop. The expedition team wasn’t very familiar with the rules of this city, but that didn’t mean they were naive. Since Brook, who had been the most active in trying to heal her injuries, was dead, the other members would also start moving to avenge him. “First of all, it’s important to alleviate your injuries. I’ve called a doctor who is as skilled as the Medicine Master, though he can’t keep secrets as well. You’ll be satisfied.” The old gentleman said as he tried to calm Irina’s anger. “I not only highly value your ability to explore ruins, but I also respect your character for caring about your comrades. Just as you care about the expedition team, I will do my best to help you.” “…I just hope you don’t get in my way.” Even at her cold reply, Vincent smiled silently. He also had an idea of how Brook had tried to obtain the Medicine Master’s talisman. And that the methods they had used weren’t very honorable. But what did it matter? The situation had already escalated to the point of no return, and they had made an enemy they couldn’t just leave alone. Deciding what was right and wrong was something they could do after they had survived. Vincent valued the ruthless but extremely capable leader of the expedition team more than some nameless mage who had almost killed her.

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“Huff, huff!!” Yard Maringson, the branch manager of Scavenger District 43, thought as he frantically moved his feet. ‘How did it come to this?’ As always, it was just a simple job. Labeling unknown cargo, moving it to the railway station, and getting paid for the freight. That was all. It had been quite some time since the city government’s inspection had ended, but the stiff atmosphere of this street hadn’t completely disappeared yet. That’s why he had been so careful, only taking on jobs that seemed safe, right? Of course, in the process, he had killed a few passersby and looted a nearby store, but that was nothing compared to what he had done so far. Today, after getting paid, he was planning to get drunk with his underlings at the club in District 40 and wash away the stench of blood. Until a skinny man appeared and ruined everything. Kwaaang!! The barricade made of all sorts of objects was destroyed, and the scavengers who had been desperately trying to hold the door were scattered into the air as chunks of meat.