Genius Wizard Takes Medicine [EN]: Chapter 310

The cold fog clung to the edges of the road at dawn.

The asphalt, previously torn and silent, suddenly glowed red-hot as dozens of lasers erupted, piercing the sky.

Kwaaaang!!

Two figures emerged from the explosions: Rundel, battered and bruised, and Lenok, sweating as he pursued him.

Lenok, lighting a cigarette, took a drag and smiled.

“Weren’t you going to wait until I suffocated? You’re so impatient.”

[Hmph, he was already filtering the heat and breathing…]

“You’re perceptive.”

Kadeudeudeudeuk!!

As soon as Lenok finished speaking, dozens of mechanical tentacles that had crawled up from the shattered asphalt simultaneously turned their gaze towards Rundel.

Red laser beams shone from the mouths of the dozens of snake-like tentacles, each as thick as a car.

The tentacle cluster spread out like a peacock’s tail. But this display was something Rundel himself had intended and created.

Now, seeing the snakes turn their muzzles towards him, Rundel let out a hollow laugh.

[I cut all the power lines a long time ago, but it’s still moving like this… What the hell are you?]

Installable heavy-duty parasitic magic cannon, Junes’s Snakes.

Its power and autonomous judgment were truly enormous, but it had an inherent limitation: it would not operate if it was installed in place and not supplied with power.

However, Lenok completely ignored such shortcomings and was driving Rundel into a corner by pulling the cannons he had installed in the underground coal mine to the surface.

Lenok, staring intently at Rundel, grinned and said,

“I’m acting as a battery.”

Fzzzzzt!!!

The electricity flowing from Lenok’s hands surged directly into the base of the severed mechanical tentacle cluster.

A perfect conversion with no margin of error, using power tailored to the specifications and purpose of the tentacles.

At the same time, he reset the defense system of the tentacles that Davi had subdued, targeting Rundel.

[Shit…!!]

With Rundel’s cry of desperation, the lasers fired from Junes’s Snakes blanketed the outskirts of the road, sweeping along the center line.

Kwa kwa kwa kwa!!

Lenok, comfortably watching Rundel flee madly from the rain of lasers firing from behind, asked Davi.

“Davi, is the analysis complete?”

[I have recorded the output and operating principles of the parts with the built-in temporary space implementation function.]

Davi immediately replied through Lenok’s earpiece.

[However, it seems that direct contact is required to seize control of that modified body. Since it uses an independent system, hacking is difficult without circuit intervention.]

“I don’t think you need to worry about that.”

Lenok replied, turning his gaze away from Rundel, who had disappeared in the laser bombardment.

“He seems to be running out of energy, so he’ll try to make a move soon.”

In this situation, the last resort Rundel could choose would be…

Kwaaaang!!

Wouldn’t it be a close-quarters battle using the temporary space projection at full power?

Rundel, who had flown dozens of meters with a temporary space jump, smashed Lenok’s shield with beam blades drawn from both hands, growling.

[I’m sorry, but let’s forget about the data collection.]

“Was that something you should be sorry to me about?”

[Instead, if I tear your corpse apart and take it back, wouldn’t my friends in bioengineering do something for me?]

Kiiing!!

The beam blades cut through Lenok’s shield without hesitation, deflecting the barrage of lasers and closing in.

The shield surrounding Lenok’s body rotated to absorb the light being emitted as it compressed.

Kiiiik!!

With a grating noise like metal scraping, the shield was unnaturally pushed back, and Lenok’s bare body began to be exposed.

[I told you.]

A fleeting moment of certainty that pierced his mind.

A blatant sneer mixed with conviction.

[It’s no use, I tell you?]

He pushed the space occupied by the shield into the temporary space, reversing their positions.

He transferred the position of the blade and the shield by pushing the space as a whole. The beam blade that Rundel swung was sucked in and shot towards Lenok’s abdomen.

Shweeeek!!

More than a dozen exchanges in the blink of an eye. A move that makes the opponent’s attacks meaningless by simultaneously calculating the implementation of the temporary space and the compression of space.

If he pushes the shield aside through momentary space interference and attacks, it becomes impossible for Lenok to have a normal exchange of offense and defense.

The interference of unpredictable physical laws that Rundel mentioned was exactly this kind of killing move.

No matter how much he tried to counter Rundel’s attacks with shields and electric magic, if Rundel pushed the space as he wanted, he would eventually have to expose a gap.

Furthermore, if he couldn’t even pinpoint Rundel’s location, it would be impossible for Lenok to block Rundel’s attacks in a head-on confrontation.

[First, the heart!!]

Shwaaek!!

Rundel, who had appeared behind Lenok in an instant, lightly pushed in the beam blade.

Lenok immediately reacted, turning the shield backward and striking down with lightning, but all of those attacks were pushed to one side as if they were tilted.

Conversely, Rundel’s blade curved like a crescent moon, aiming at Lenok’s chest from the front.

A marvel of creating a temporary space and dividing the space into two, pushing them in different directions.

If it were someone seeing it for the first time, it would be impossible to even react to this ultimate move.

However, Lenok calmly nodded, even as he saw the light of the blade approaching right in front of him.

“I knew it.”

[What?]

Kiiiiik!!

At that moment, the shields that had been pushed to Lenok’s sides bent inward in a bizarre way, instantly blocking Rundel’s blade.

Tuh-ung!!

[……!!!!]

An almost instantaneous block. But Rundel also realized what Lenok had done and shouted in an astonished voice.

[Did you predict the degree of space compression and bend the shield accordingly…!!]

If he created a temporary space and pushed the space to one side, Lenok could simply move the shield and magic he had implemented according to the degree of compression.

However, that was only possible if he could predict and react to the moment and distance the space was compressed.

If he failed to predict even once, he would lose his life on the spot.

Lenok knew how Rundel was trying to stab his vitals, but he was actually waiting for that unique space interference.

To wait for the one moment when Rundel was fixed in one space.

A very brief gap where the counterattack he thought was his ultimate move had missed.

Lenok’s palm pierced Rundel’s solar plexus, ruthlessly piercing through that fleeting gap.

The shape drawn by the magic compressed in his hand as it rotated was a flame that bloomed without knowing its limits.

[Chukhwa (Building Fire)]

The essence of firepower compressed to the limit was directly embedded into Rundel’s body, blasting his heavy mechanical body backward.

Kwaaaang!!!

[──────!!!!]

Rundel, who had been thrown out of the open space with an indescribable, bizarre scream, began to writhe madly on the spot.

[Damn it…!!]

The parts that had absorbed heat and heated up did not cool down easily.

The exoskeleton covering Rundel’s body fell off in pieces, and a gaunt body with mechanical attachments was revealed in an instant.

Purely biological tissue to preserve the magic source. The pinnacle of a cyborg who had replaced his entire body with machines, except for a part of it.

However, its technology and durability were more sophisticated and complete than anything Lenok had ever seen.

“The fact that you took that attack head-on tells me what you are.”

Lenok said as he walked out of the open space.

“It’s not that you modified your whole body and chose to implement a temporary space as the pinnacle of that technology. It’s just that the result of replacing your entire body for that function is what you look like.”

[Data transmission function disabled…!! When the hell!!]

Lenok slowly raised his magic power, looking down at Rundel, who was fumbling at his chest in a flustered manner.

“To devote your entire time to implementing only one function… It’s a life no different from a machine part.”

A group of madmen who modify their entire bodies to implement the technology they have researched.

The name of the organization, Gearside, itself clearly proves its purpose and origin.

“I don’t know what you want to do by joining hands with the Defense Force Command now, but it doesn’t matter.”

Lenok’s left eye, which had been shining purple, turned black.

“If I rummage through that body alive, I’ll be able to find out something.”

[Uwaaaaaaaaak!!]

A scream like a shriek.

Immediately after, Rundel’s gaunt body accelerated explosively and shot towards Lenok.

A deadly blow that creates a non-existent speed by pushing up the rear space as a whole, close to zero to one hundred.

Kiiiik!!

But even that last struggle was easily rendered futile in front of Lenok.

Lenok, who had stopped Rundel’s body in mid-air, said.

“It was a very good experience to get a feel for spatial combat.”

[A feel, you say… I see.]

Rundel, who had finally realized what Lenok had done, laughed in a daze.

[In front of a sorcerer who directly manipulates space, I was just showing off my tricks?]

“……”

[Just, a part… just, a part…]

Rundel began to mutter blankly.

Lenok listened to his muttering for a while, then used Davi’s power, which he had infiltrated into his body, to cut off his consciousness.

The light that had risen between the mechanical skulls disappeared as if it had been extinguished, and he used magic threads to tie up his limp body.

[It’s strangely modified electricity, so it tastes weird.]

Davi, who had been biting a wire between Rundel’s fallen body, jumped up.

[It’s like it’s been cooked halfway.]

“Did you cut off the data transmission properly?”

[They backed up the consciousness data to the Gearside public network, so I temporarily released the transmission and deleted the entire backup data.]

Davi, tapping Rundel’s head with her tail, raised her chin and said.

[You won’t have to eat this tasteless electricity again.]

“Good job.”

Lenok stroked Davi’s head, then picked her up and stood up.

The moment he broke through Rundel’s space compression and embedded Chukhwa into his solar plexus, Lenok digitized Davi and inserted her directly into Rundel’s body.

He was confident that the power of the electronic spirit could interfere with that body, which was mostly replaced by machines.

That prediction was correct, and from the moment he neutralized Rundel’s data transmission function, the battle was as good as over.

The reason Lenok tolerated Rundel’s last struggle was only to confirm whether the space he was manipulating could cope with Rundel’s temporary space compression.

After confirming that, it was enough.

The important thing was that he had not only identified the internal traitor but also successfully captured a member of Gearside alive.

“Send a message to Pallard and tell him the situation.”

Lenok said as he turned towards the parked bike.

He rubbed his stiff shoulder and took out another cigarette from his pocket.

He lit it, took a deep breath of smoke, sat on the bike, and sighed deeply.

“Tell him we found evidence of Gearside’s involvement.”

* * *

Agent Headquarters.

The vast auditorium located in the basement of the headquarters. It is a place with a stepped structure that can easily accommodate hundreds of people.

Pallard, standing on the central platform where the direction of the stairs converges, opened his mouth in a calm tone.

“The identities of 67% of the Defense Force intelligence unit personnel registered on the city government’s security network have been confirmed.”

Paat!

At the same time, countless photos of Defense Force members appeared on the screen. Among them, the photos with bright red X’s were more than half.

“We have captured and killed almost seven out of ten intelligence unit members. Considering that it was a very risky operation, it was an extremely successful achievement. Of course, it cannot be denied that the contribution of those two people was significant.”

It was obvious who those two people were without having to say it.

Even among the countless seats in the auditorium, eyes naturally turned to Ban and Ilya, who were sitting apart from each other.

Ban with an expressionless face and Ilya with her arms crossed and eyes closed.

“Especially in Ban’s case, he encountered a Gearside combatant during the operation and achieved results comparable to Ilya. Without further ado, let’s check it directly.”

The screen changed, and what appeared was a somewhat poor-quality camera video.

A man with heavy restraints on his entire body was shown locked in a solitary cell.

[Tsuzzzzzzzz!!!]

A shape that was somewhat bizarre, not quite like a human.

It certainly had a human face and form, but all of its components had an alien awkwardness that was closer to a machine than to life.

“……”

Ilya’s eyes sank deeply as she confirmed the scene. Lenok did not miss that moment and quietly stared at her.

“I think you understand why I am disclosing this information to you.”

Pallard said.

“I thought it was necessary to inform those who cooperated in the operation that this whole thing was not just a coup by the Defense Force.”

Silence flowed.

“Gearside. The heretics of magical engineering research who were ostracized even in the mechanical city of Machina. Elites armed with excellent brains and modified bodies.”

Pallard continued to speak to the silent freelancers.

“I don’t know why they participated in this, but it has become clear that they are directly involved in this matter. We may have to face an enemy beyond the level of stopping the fortress.”

With that, the screen changed again, and a satellite image taken from high above appeared.

“In the mobile fortress capture operation that will begin now.”

Kuuung!!

A huge steel fortress that made the ground tremble as it crushed the ground, emitting an endless rumble.

Its shape slowly but surely advanced forward, emitting dazzling magical light in all directions.

The number of cannons and armor attached to all sides of the fortress was over thousands, even by a rough estimate.

It was the majesty of a strategic weapon designed to form a line of fire, build a front line, and create a barrier, going beyond the level of forming a line of fire by itself.

The noise that burst through the screen and filled the auditorium.

Pallard opened his mouth, leaving the noise as it was.

“I’ll tell you in advance here. I would like those who want to drop out to tell me as soon as possible.”

“What do you mean?”

An elderly man sitting in the front row expressed his displeasure.

“Does that mean that there might be someone among us who will stab us in the back while we’re working?”

“……”

“If you’re not someone who wants your head blown off by Hyungung when he returns from his vacation, no one here would say that.”

“It just means that the situation outside is that urgent.”

The man closed his mouth at Pallard’s calm answer.

“While you were killing the members, I was waiting near District 13 with the personnel I had separately selected. If the Defense Force Command was targeting District 13, I thought they would move towards that side while the intelligence forces were being killed. What do you think the result was?”

Pallard continued without giving him a chance to answer.

“There was nothing. From the beginning, District 13 was not even on the Command’s radar. Their only goal was to buy time until the mobile fortress advanced near the mega-city.”

“That means…”

People nodded as they finally understood what Pallard was saying.

The agents had not simply planned the operation to deal with the mobile fortress.

They were killing the intelligence units, keenly observing the opponent’s reaction, and moving to figure out the Command’s true purpose based on that evidence.

“It means that the Defense Force Command’s goal is likely to be near the undeveloped area of the Balkan, not the closed area.”

“That’s correct.”

Hina nodded at Panoa’s addition.

“The grace period of not a short two weeks is a lie to hide their true purpose… At the same time, they were planning to advance near the undeveloped area while causing chaos inside the city and carrying out a diversionary operation.”

That true destination was likely to be related to the goals of Gearside, who had joined hands with the Defense Force Command.

Although they could not be sure what it was right now, it was clear that they had to prevent the Command from approaching the undeveloped area.

“Most of the agent field personnel who are not bound by the Prohibition Edict are out on the outskirts of the city, trying to figure out the mobile fortress’s route. The route is likely to be near the satellite city of Delta.”

Pallard, who had grabbed the microphone again, continued.

“I’ll give you half a day to prepare. Those who remain in this conference room until then will all go out to the undeveloped area and join the mobile fortress capture operation. Anyone have any questions?”

“I think we are severely lacking in manpower.”

Ilya, who had not taken her eyes off the video of the captured Gearside combatant, suddenly spoke.

“We succeeded in killing the Defense Force special forces, but according to what we’ve discussed so far, it was only a part of the plan to turn our attention to the inside of the mega-city. The real core forces of the Defense Force are still stationed near the mobile fortress.”

“So?”

“The lieutenant general Trepen, who commands the Command, is a Saint-level physical ability user… The three major generals under him have also officially reached level 7, and the colonels under them are also basically able to freely use the transformation of magic.”

There was nothing particularly secret about the Defense Force’s power.

The city government’s direct military group that had been guarding the border area of the mega-city of Balkan from the outermost area.

Even though it had been on a downward spiral for 20 years and its power and reputation had long since faded, it was natural that there were still many Saint-level superhumans and military-level ability users.

Except for the monsters of level 8, who were called out of the norm, superhumans above the military level had always been treated as the main forces in the city.

“If we assume Gearside’s participation, it seems that we are short on manpower, even if we look at it optimistically… It seems difficult to predict our victory.”

Her words were like pouring cold water on the heated atmosphere. But it was an issue that had to be addressed in this place.

The important thing was not to risk their lives to stop the mobile fortress from advancing.

It was to return alive and intact in the process of capturing the mobile fortress, eliminating the main officers of the Command, and crushing Gearside’s plan.

Unlike the agents who risked their lives to maintain the order and security of this city, what freelancers should value above all else was that process.

Apart from taking action for the success of this matter, whether there was a chance of winning or not was a very important issue.

In this operation, the only Saint-level ability users who could face the Defense Force Command were Lenok and a very few others.

In the end, in order to successfully complete this task, they would have to directly face the main officers, including the Command’s generals, and the fact that the number of special forces was outnumbered was leading to a situation where it was difficult to predict victory.

However, Pallard nodded readily even after hearing Ilya’s sharp question.

“That’s a very accurate point.”

“……”

“Both I and Councilor Meyer were aware of that problem at the time the Defense Force Command’s coup broke out. That’s why we divided our roles and moved in different directions until the last assassination attempt.”

Pallard smiled confidently.

“A level 7 Saint-level magician who is not bound by the Prohibition Edict in this mega-city and can willingly step forward for the peace and order of the city.”

Kiiik!

With those words, the door next to the auditorium opened, and someone slowly walked in.

“She will be the last participant in this operation.”

Bright blonde hair that reached down to her lower back and eyes as blue as the sea. A young woman wearing a simple shirt and a low-saturation blue suit.

However, the force of magic flowing from her body was as strong as anyone else in this place.

“My name is Alice Richelieu.”

At the same time as Pallard subtly moved aside, she opened her mouth as she stepped onto the platform.

“It’s my first time being in a place like this, but since the situation is what it is, we’ll have to endure each other’s discomfort. Please take care of me.”

The result of Agent Deputy Director Pallard’s efforts to find support forces everywhere was not in vain.

As a result, he had succeeded in bringing in a support force that was more suitable for this task than anyone else in this city.

The greatest talent of the Sinclair Magic Tower. A professor at Lavatenon University. A monster who completed the hierarchy in her late 20s.

She was recognized as a master of diversified elemental transformation magic and was the most famous and skilled person in this city.

He had succeeded in recruiting Alice Richelieu for this operation.

Alice and Lenok’s eyes met at the same time as she raised her head.

“……”

Lenok, sweating, subtly turned his gaze away.