Genius Wizard Takes Medicine [EN]: Chapter 464

Instead of grabbing the sack Hairea had placed down, Lenok stared at it intently. He felt the weight of Myung’s direct involvement was heavier than before. “It was originally a reward requested by the clown, but it seems it was decided to give it to you based on the success of this operation,” Hairea said, smiling softly as she watched Lenok’s mask, seemingly aware of his inner thoughts. “Besides that, everything else inside is yours, including the shares of those who died during the operation, so don’t hesitate to take it.” Her mental fortitude was commendable, remaining composed even after receiving a stern warning from Lenok just moments ago. Only then did Lenok chuckle and open the sack, examining its contents. Immediately, the top of the sack was filled with a familiar, dazzling glow. “Jewels and consumable artifacts… focusing on physical items isn’t bad. What’s this, a drug?” Lenok let out a dry laugh as he pulled out a powder that was stored separately in a case inside the sack. Hairea shrugged, seeing it. “That’s what Rick, the illusionist, asked for. They say it’s a hallucinogen useful for his kind, but I don’t know the details.” Besides that, there were blueprints that seemed to be for gauntlet materials, and several documents that appeared to be alchemy recipes, filling the empty spaces in the sack. Various kinds of rewards requested by the superhumans who had infiltrated Kaius. They were likely items related to their personal achievements or desires. Lenok only briefly checked those items before immediately pulling out the object that was at the very bottom of the sack. Thud! A black cube with a heavy weight. It was small enough to fit in his pocket. Unlike other artifacts or catalysts that emitted a faint magical power, no energy could be felt from this one. However, its appearance was so unique that Lenok, who was holding it, was slightly surprised. Multi-faceted cubes kept rising from inside the cube as if flowers were blooming. Despite the shapes expanding and distorting from the inside, the cube’s size did not change at all. It was an extraordinary sight at first glance. This was probably the item that Myung had separately obtained and given to Lenok. “This is…” “They call it a Penteract,” Hairea said, looking down at it with a curious expression. “They say it’s a relic from the old world that embodies a shape that can only exist in the fifth dimension, but I don’t really understand what that means.” “…” “Originally, it was an item the clown had asked Myung for, but it seems it was decided to give it to you based on your contribution to this operation.” “…Do you know anything about its specific function?” Normally, he wouldn’t ask others about the function of a relic, but the item in his hand was an extremely obscure and rare object. It was impossible to properly perceive a fifth-dimensional object in a three-dimensional space in the first place. It was a miracle that an old-world relic had been brought into WORLD 3.0, but it was impossible to know exactly how the concept of spatial dimensions was interpreted in this world where mysteries existed. Hairea didn’t seem to have a deep understanding of the Penteract either, shrugging with a perplexed look. “According to Myung, it’s a medium that recreates results from other spatial dimensions by injecting magic power. Do you understand what that means?” “…” He had some idea, but it wouldn’t be as good as trying it out himself. With that thought, Lenok immediately began to draw up his magic power and slam it into the cube. Click, click, click…!! The Penteract, which had absorbed the magic power like a sponge, wriggled in place and instantly began to change its appearance. Hairea’s face turned pale as she watched it rapidly grow in size in Lenok’s hand. “W-wait a minute… Victor, if you use something like that in this church…!!” Thud!! A black scale appeared in front of Lenok’s eyes in an instant. It was about the same height as Lenok. Unlike the cube form, which had not emitted any magic power, it was now radiating a clear force. Lenok stroked his chin as he looked at the scale slowly swaying in front of him. “So, this is how it feels.” “What… is this?” Lenok opened his mouth, seeing Hairea’s bewildered expression. “It’s a kind of sorcery tool that operates using magical power as a medium. I’d guess it has the ability to measure weight…” “No, I know it would have that ability since it’s in the shape of a scale… but is this what it means to bring results from other spatial dimensions?” “It seems to be a relic that transforms into specific artifacts or objects at random when magic power is injected.” Only then did Hairea understand what the Penteract’s ability was, and she sighed and shook her head. “…There was a reason why the clown wanted this item so badly.” Lenok inwardly agreed. The clown, who left his abilities and even his rank to the variable of luck, would have made good use of this relic. ‘The problem is that Myung gave this to me, not the clown.’ Even though that monstrous black magician knew the clown’s abilities, the fact that he gave this to Lenok meant something. It would be a useless reward unless he expected Lenok to make good use of it as well. ‘It’s unlikely that it simply spits out artifacts at random. It’s worth researching. But…’ Lenok was lost in thought, holding the cube that was returning to its complex cubic form. Regardless of the cube’s function, he couldn’t shake the feeling that Myung’s favor towards Lenok was more than he had expected. Myung’s blatant attitude of trying to arm Lenok, even going to some lengths to do so. Even though this operation was over, the fact that he was taking care of the rewards in this way, what did it mean? Perhaps this operation wasn’t the real reason why Myung wanted Lenok. There is no favor without a price. The fact that Myung was giving Lenok various advice and favors in this way meant that he had high expectations for him. Someday, all of this might become an irreversible debt that would come back to Lenok. Lenok tried not to forget that fact, putting the Penteract in his pocket and picking up the sack. “Alright. Let’s wrap up this matter. When is the next one?” “Whenever you want. We’re conducting operations all over the continent, so there won’t be any major problems wherever you’re deployed,” Hairea said, taking out a map from inside the chapel table and unfolding it. At first glance, it looked like an ordinary map of the terrain, but inside, various dots were slowly wriggling and moving all over the continent. She pointed to one corner of the map and naturally continued her explanation. “The central front is the most urgent, but it’s excluded because of some unusual rumors lately. If you want an operation in the east, we plan to start in Evoke…” “No, if it’s okay anytime, let’s end it here for now,” Lenok said, interrupting Hairea and getting up from his seat. “I heard there’s a plan to inspect old-world relics in a nearby satellite city. It won’t be too late to talk after seeing how things are going there.” “…Do you know that the news about your schedule was only confirmed less than a week ago?” Hairea muttered, sounding dumbfounded, and stepped back, taking the map she was holding. “I don’t know where you heard it, but if you say so, I understand. You have a reason to participate because of the Kaius matter anyway.” It wasn’t that Lenok specifically wanted that or remembered the clown’s words carefully. A place where they gathered, organized, and distributed the old-world relics they had collected. It would be a lie to say that he wasn’t interested in the artifacts that would be circulating there, but more importantly, it was a chance to see the main forces of Pandemonium, who were directly active on the front lines. Of course, it was unlikely that a monster like Myung or Kroken, who overwhelmed all other superhumans, would show up, but it was still meaningful. From Lenok’s perspective, who had a foot in both the Azure Eye and Pandemonium, it was natural to want to see everything about both organizations. The fact that Myung hadn’t said anything about it, even though he couldn’t have been unaware, was proof that he didn’t care much about it. If that was the case, then Lenok could just move and check as he wanted. With that thought, Lenok wrapped the sack Hairea had given him in magic power and lifted it up before turning his back. Hairea stared at Lenok’s back for a moment, then hesitated slightly before opening her mouth. “…Can I ask you just one thing?” “What is it?” “I heard you were with the clown until the end at the Well of the Guide.” Hairea quietly asked, staring intently at Lenok’s mask. “Did you perhaps… see the truth about ascension there?” “…” He was slightly surprised. Was the truth of this world also an object of desire for this dual personality who was impossible to read? No, Lenok slowly analyzed Hairea’s gaze and realized that it was a slightly different emotion than desire. She just wanted to know. She wouldn’t try to ascend now, but she was a member of an organization that was quite close to that goal in some way. If Pandemonium really moved in the direction they wanted and achieved their goal, and if there was a next step at the end of that future. She wanted to know if an uncertain hope could also be cast upon her. Even if she didn’t show it, she would want to know. Perhaps she thought that a talented and arrogant mage, rather than the monsters whose thoughts were unknown, might tell her the truth. At the same time as he thought that far, Lenok realized that this was a fragment of the desire that would one day overflow the world. Eventually, even those who were not qualified would know that the end was near. Whether they wanted it to come or rejected it, everyone would be waiting for the moment of the opening of the heavens, which was within a time unit that they could definitely perceive, even Lenok, who had recognized and realized that moment long ago, could not grasp the end. Before answering Hairea’s words, the faces of countless people he had known flashed before Lenok’s eyes. After a moment of silence, Lenok scoffed. “It’s nothing special.” Hairea’s face hardened. “…Nothing special, you say?” “It’s not a problem that will be solved by thinking about it for a long time. If you think too deeply, you’ll just get buried. What’s the point of forcing yourself to think, agonizing, and suffering?” “…” “It’s enough to remind myself why I’m here.” Lenok said that and turned his head away. Hairea stared blankly at Lenok’s figure, then smiled bitterly. “That’s an arrogant thought. One that I can’t follow.” “…” “But I know you’re not a bad person.” She slumped weakly into a chair in the chapel and waved her hand at Lenok. “I’ll contact you when the next inspection schedule is confirmed. It was fun today.” Lenok left the church without replying. He walked through the water pipes behind the factory, where humid steam was being released. He took off his mask and swept his hair back through the scattering smoke. Chiiik! The view opened up, and the temperature of the air touching his skin changed drastically. It felt strange to feel the sensation on his bare face after wearing a mask for several days. “Hoo…” He touched his dry face and looked at his face in a broken window nearby, using it as a mirror. Even though he had been camping outside the city for several days, he was surprised that he had no major internal injuries other than heavy fatigue. The effect of reversing his physical age by taking the Archangel’s Tears, which had flushed out all the injuries and waste that had accumulated in his body without him knowing. Considering the sensation of his body, which was more of a reverse aging than a physical sensation, this feeling wouldn’t last long, but what did it matter? Even while entering the jungle and struggling among the melee of the ascenders, he had clearly felt that his condition itself had changed significantly. He wanted to research his changed condition and the efficiency of his internal magic circuit right away, but there was something he had to do first. Unlike the fact that Pandemonium’s long-prepared plan had ended with half success, the question he had obtained at the end still remained within Lenok. The one question that Lenok, who had witnessed the scenery of the outer sea and the end of Gye Baek, had to solve himself. The place where he could find the answer to that question was in this city. Without delay, Lenok immediately moved to the undeveloped area of ​​the 40th district. * * * “Ban, haven’t you been away for too long?” Chen said, laughing and patting Lenok’s shoulder as he waited for his call. “I tried to contact you a few times, but it was hard to get through. How busy have you been?” Palhong Fortress, one of the three leaders of the underworld. It was the first time he had visited this place since he had come here to stop Walter Martinez’s apostle descent. They had lost a member of the family that supported their power and Ibon, and had changed their name to Yukbang Fortress, but they were still surviving and holding their ground. The city government still needed people to manage the cracks on the outskirts of the city, and if the existing personnel were safe, there was no need to pass on the responsibility and possession to them. After Oren of the Samyeong family became the head of the family, they were subjected to various checks and controversies, but their power was still intact. No, in Lenok’s eyes, they looked much better than they had at the moment when Ilwon and Ibon had collapsed. Lenok nodded faintly and took Chen’s hand. “A lot has happened.” Chen laughed and turned his gaze away. “I keep hearing news from outside the fortress. I heard rumors that you had a fight with the city government’s high-ranking officials.” “Hmm.” “There were also rumors that you would be focusing on recuperation for a while. It seems your condition is better than I thought?” Chen’s expression changed as if he was somewhat amazed. “Everyone was talking as if you were already dead. Well, if I didn’t know what happened in the fortress, I would have thought it was nonsense.” “…” “Well, that’s not important now. Let’s go to the mansion first.” Lenok recalled the last time he had met Chen. At that time, Lenok had taken over the mansion and land of the Ilwon family head as a reward for defeating the apostle, and had leased it to Chen. Lenok, who had no intention of staying in the fortress for long, only needed to secure the crack in the secret place located in the mansion. Chen had started a business using the leased land of the family head, and now it had grown to a considerable size. Urrrung!! A row of buildings located near the old-fashioned wooden mansion of the Ilwon family head. Below, huge heavy equipment was using the spacious front yard as a parking lot. The line of trucks constantly coming and going, transporting cargo, stretched all the way to the main road outside the fortress. Chen noticed Lenok’s gaze and grinned. “It looks better than you thought, right?” “It’s not just good.” “The labor and maintenance costs are considerable, but even considering that, the sales are quite high.” Chen shrugged his shoulders proudly. “With the lifting of the gold restriction laws, the city’s facilities have been severely damaged, so we have plenty of work to do. The construction industry is experiencing an unexpected boom.” “…” “I’ve been planning this kind of business for a while, but I’ve been lucky in many ways. Since we have the name of the fortress, many people think we’re neutral.” He knew that it wasn’t just luck. Someone as intelligent as Chen couldn’t have failed to hear the rumors about Lenok and the specific circumstances. The fact that he could maintain a consistent attitude even though he knew what Lenok was doing was an extraordinary trait. A person who didn’t take external information into account when accepting existing relationships. It was a talent that was hard to find even among the people Lenok knew. He had a foolish personality when it came to doing business. “Is my sister doing well? She’s so busy these days that I can’t even get in touch with her.” “Jenny says she’s one of the busiest freelancers,” Lenok replied. “I heard that her martial arts skills and personality have caught the eye, and she’s receiving requests from various places.” In the case of training, Jenny was one of the most diligent freelancers managed by Jenny, so her reputation and pay were rising rapidly. When Lenok had offered to teach her magic, she had barely made time to come, so it would be even harder to see her face normally. “That’s a relief. I’m planning to take a short vacation soon, so I’ll have to contact my sister in advance to clear her schedule.” Chen said with a faint smile as he brought the key to the lock on the door. “If I want to expand my business to the public side, I’ll have to put in the legwork even if I don’t want to.” “I’ll connect you with Sebastian. He’s a broker who specializes in dealing with that side, so he can connect you with his network.” “Are you going to take the introduction fee?” Lenok laughed at Chen’s nonchalant reply. “Of course.” Squeak…!! The door opened, and the secret place at the deepest part of the mansion revealed itself to the two of them. A lush green field, with a black coffin in the middle. The atmosphere of the secret place, which flowed slowly as if time had stopped and quietly sank. The most fundamental reason for the existence of the Palhong Fortress. A crack in the world that existed in the giant city. Chen stepped back slightly and said, “I’ll leave you alone since you don’t want to be disturbed. Call me if you need anything.” “Thank you.” “…But, can you at least give me a hint about what you’re going to do in the crack this time?” Chen smiled with an awkward look. “Well, what I mean is… it’s not that I really want to know, but if there’s a problem that could affect my business, it would be good to prepare in advance.” “Don’t worry. It probably won’t cause that much of a commotion.” Lenok smiled faintly and turned his gaze to the inside of the secret place. “Why I’m here. Maybe I’ll find out this time.” “…What?” The events of the demonic war that had begun in Kaius were all over, but Lenok still had things to do. The truth of the scenery he had faced beyond the outer sea. Lenok was planning to unravel that question and answer in this place.