Genius Wizard Takes Medicine [EN]: Chapter 534

‘A closed area…’

‘While Trepen’s actions, seeking to transcend hierarchy and pursue a different life by borrowing the power of Gearsides [a type of powerful artifact or technology], are interesting, that’s not what we’re here to discuss today.’

Gyeolbaek’s pure white eyes, having set down his glass, seemed to sink deeper.

‘What’s important is the fact that you and other operational resources have personally been to the depths of a closed area.’

‘…’

Only then did Lenox, realizing the meaning of Gyeolbaek’s words, slightly raise his head.

The secret of the Black Consumer Project that Madrich Onion had mentioned.

Gyeolbaek was implying that some work related to that secret was deeply intertwined with the closed area.

‘I sent a message to the Sinclair Magic Tower to seek the help of Aris Richelieu, who has similar qualifications to you, but I haven’t even received a reply.’

Gyeolbaek smacked his lips as he sipped his drink.

‘I heard that there’s quite a commotion within that magic tower due to recently announced research results, so there might be some connection.’

‘There’s something I don’t understand.’

Lenox, staring intently at Gyeolbaek’s expression, asked.

‘Even if it’s a closed area, not all closed areas are the same. Can the fact that I entered District 6 once be a qualification?’

Among the dozens of districts in the vast metropolis, District 6 is not the only closed area.

District 19, known to hold the city’s darkest and deepest secrets.

District 23, where advanced military facilities and research institutions are gathered in one place.

District 59, which was thoroughly turned into a junkyard, but now no one knows what was discarded there.

In addition, there are districts that have been closed off, filled with all sorts of bizarre urban legends and ghost stories.

Compared to the rumors Lenox had heard, the importance or danger of District 6, where the city government’s archives were kept, was nothing.

If Gyeolbaek is saying this, it seems certain that he has business in other closed areas.

But it feels awkward that Lenox is qualified and needs help just because he entered District 6.

However, Gyeolbaek nodded as if he understood Lenox’s question.

‘If you don’t understand the concept of a closed area itself, it’s not strange to think that way.’

‘Concept?’

‘It’s not just called a closed area because it’s physically isolated.’

Gyeolbaek said, using his chopsticks to draw on the table with the liquor in his glass.

Each time his pure white robe moved, drops of liquor fell from the chopsticks, creating a complex maze-like shape.

‘It’s been decades since the isolation measures were taken, and the barrier techniques created for it have been twisted and distorted over time, to the point where even the elite of government agencies have difficulty handling them.’

‘…’

‘If the isolated areas are actually changing into conceptually similar environments and closing off, what would you say?’

‘Conceptually similar…’

‘That’s why, to prevent further changes in space, we need personnel who have entered a closed area once.’

Gyeolbaek’s pure white eyes shone brightly.

‘What we have to do from now on will be maintenance work that cannot be done without considering such reactions.’

‘…You’re already talking as if we’re a team, even though I haven’t said I’ll participate yet.’

Lenox scoffed.

‘I’m interested in the project, but I have no intention of helping without conditions. If you’ve heard about Madrich Onion’s case, you should know.’

‘It’s only natural to provide fair compensation for your skills.’

Claude nodded calmly, as if he knew.

‘Since the Turyeon Gate [a powerful organization] is in charge of this matter, it’s also natural for us to propose the conditions. How about these conditions?’

Gyeolbaek, lightly turning his chopsticks and pointing them towards Lenox, said,

‘The main branch is conducting a business of refining the energy of superhumans into elixirs.’

‘…’

‘It’s one of the main sources of income for the main branch, and it boasts such good quality that it’s directly supplied to the city council, receiving various support from inside and outside the city.’

‘So?’

‘I’ll choose the best elixir from those manufactured in the last 20 years and give it to you.’

Gyeolbaek picked up his glass again and added,

‘It can be used for training or checking your own realm. It can also be taken in urgent or critical situations to temporarily increase vitality.’

‘…’

‘The highest priority was given to the refinement of the concept of regeneration and rehabilitation. The key is its powerful efficacy, enough to restore a severed arm or leg on the spot.’

Gyeolbaek emphasized again, looking at Lenox, who did not answer.

‘I’m confident that this level of compensation is by no means insufficient for borrowing the talent of a mage like you for about three days.’

An elixir.

Lenox had accurately identified the items or conditions he needed while working as a freelancer.

Perhaps he had investigated the desired compensation that was listed on his Deep Web profile as a condition for a designated request.

In fact, the promise of providing the highest-grade elixir from the Turyeon Gate, as Gyeolbaek had said, did not feel so negative.

Although he had restored his body’s condition by taking the Tears of the Archangel, Lenox’s weak body could never have enough good elixirs.

Every morning, he started the day by taking all sorts of nutritional supplements, vitamins, and elixirs to recover magic and energy.

Since he didn’t know when or where he might encounter a powerful enemy and get injured in battle, receiving the Turyeon Gate’s elixir as a trade was not a bad deal.

However, even knowing that, Lenox slowly shook his head.

‘Hmm, is this not enough after all?’

Gyeolbaek, who readily stroked his chin at the immediate refusal.

‘I thought I did well according to what the clerk wrote, but did I get the order wrong? Now that I’ve said it once, I’m starting to forget it.’

‘…’

He doesn’t seem to care where he made a mistake or why Lenox rejected the offer.

No, Gyeolbaek himself is not very accustomed to explaining the situation in this way and persuading someone to agree to a deal.

‘Well, let’s stop with the troublesome talk and wrap this up quickly. What do you want?’

At the same time as he tapped his neck, Gyeolbaek’s face, which had turned red from the alcohol, returned to its pure white.

Gyeolbaek, who had restored his body’s condition with a few gestures and magic rotations, got up from the table and looked down at Lenox.

‘Since I once held a position as a council member, I can grant most requests.’

‘…’

‘What about in the political arena? Attracting necessary investments to District 49, lifting excessive loan restrictions in the shadows, or even partially releasing prohibited spell systems is possible.’

Lenox listened to his words quietly and then laughed.

‘You seem desperate. Is this matter that important to you?’

‘That’s right. If the side effects of the closed area are not addressed now, it could lead to bigger problems later.’

Gyeolbaek readily agreed.

‘That would be quite a troublesome responsibility for those who have been involved in the order of this city for a long time… and I personally have a reason why I must go there.’

‘…’

‘Even if it means revealing some of the project’s secrets and darkness, there is something that needs to be resolved now. What do you say?’

Gyeolbaek asked.

‘Are you willing to lend a hand in this matter?’

Before answering, Lenox reviewed the conditions and situation that had been presented.

Since he couldn’t reach Aris, it would be difficult to get her help in this matter.

It was clear that he would have to work with Gyeolbaek to resolve this issue.

A journey to explore the closed area with an 8-level monster who is presumed to have unstable mental health.

What could Lenox gain in the process?

Some of the secrets of the Black Consumer Project, the specific circumstances of the closed area, and the highest-grade elixir from the Turyeon Gate.

The conditions were not bad.

Since there was still time before a position opened up on the City Council’s Technical Advisory Committee, it was possible to invest a few days.

However, since Kyunryeon was known to be in critical condition, he needed to figure out how much to feign his condition during the operation.

And how far he should lend his strength and pull back while avoiding Gyeolbaek’s eyes.

It was impossible to judge this immediately without actually participating and assessing the situation.

It didn’t take long to make a decision.

‘I’ll consider it positively if you add one more condition.’

‘What is it?’

‘I want to learn the martial arts of the Turyeon Gate.’

At Lenox’s words, Gyeolbaek immediately nodded.

‘That’s not a difficult condition. The main branch also has a curriculum to teach basic self-defense to powerful sorcerers like you-‘

‘From you, Gyeolbaek, directly.’

‘…’

The experiment with Rogier had failed, but Lenox had not yet given up on controlling his own body.

If it was fundamentally difficult to improve his poor motor skills or reactions, then manipulating his own body like a puppet was the answer after all.

Just like how he was half-forced into close combat alongside spatial combat in the battle with Amrita.

In the future, the opponents and monsters he would encounter were likely to force him into unfavorable environments or conditions in absurd ways.

To prepare for that, it was clear that Lenox needed to refine his abilities and reactions in the relatively weak area of close combat.

Therefore, Lenox was thinking of fundamentally exploring how to manipulate his body, beyond simply manipulating his body as a magic user.

No matter how much he theoretically researched physical reactions and body manipulation, he would not be able to match an organization like the Turyeon Gate, which had been training in martial arts by using their own bodies as test subjects for hundreds of years.

And the most perfect masterpiece of the curriculum they had built up over a long time was sitting in front of Lenox.

‘Hoo hoo…’

Gyeolbaek laughed.

‘If I take on a disciple at this age, my distribution will be severely twisted. You’re making a very difficult request.’

‘I’m not expecting a master-disciple relationship. I don’t even want it in the first place.’

Lenox answered indifferently.

‘To be precise, it’s more like sharing the essence of the martial arts you’ve accumulated in the fastest and most efficient way possible. To do that, it’s only natural to get help from the most powerful superhuman in the Turyeon Gate, isn’t it?’

‘…Very well.’

Gyeolbaek, who had been showing a slightly troubled expression, raised his gaze.

There was an unknown, strange smile on his pure white face as he looked at Lenox.

A vacant smile that felt somewhat out of it, as if he was slightly insane.

‘However, I’ll have to test whether you have the talent or aptitude to digest my teachings.’

‘If necessary.’

Lenox was not just aiming to acquire martial arts skills comparable to physical ability users at this moment.

However, if Gyeolbaek, a physical ability user who had transcended hierarchy and had taught many superhumans, could give Lenox another inspiration.

With that expectation, Lenox had made the reckless request to be taught martial arts directly by Gyeolbaek.

Even if he could only partially pinpoint the root of the problem of all the penalties that were binding Lenox from a different perspective, it would be half the success.

‘I’ll prepare a suitable stage. I’ll be back soon after finishing the preparations.’

Whoosh!!

Gyeolbaek’s figure, transformed into a pure white flash, disappeared from the spot.

Lenox pretended to pick up his glass and let out a small sigh, then quickly took out his phone.

‘Claude Azlan, Claude Azlan…’

Using the Deep Web account that Jenny had given him, he quickly accessed the community.

He immediately wrote a post in the high-level post section that only gem-grade members could write.

[Title: I want information about Claude Azlan.]

= I will pay for information about his specific abilities, small universe [a personal power manifestation], mental image, past records, or activities.

Information about a high-ranking physical ability user like Gyeolbaek cannot be obtained by hacking or searching through ordinary databases.

You would have to delve into the city government network, even the deepest parts with very strong security, to find any traces of him.

It was not impossible to use Davi’s brain power, but it would take a considerable amount of time.

Therefore, instead of borrowing Davi’s power, Lenox decided to quickly obtain information using his Deep Web account.

Fortunately, the account Jenny had lent him was also an emerald-grade gem account.

There was no chance of any problems with reliability or security.

Rather, the problem was elsewhere.

‘…There’s no response.’

Even after a few minutes, there were no comments, and the number of views on the post didn’t even increase.

Even though hundreds of thousands of people were simultaneously accessing the Deep Web at this time, not a single person clicked on Lenox’s post.

Even though the high-level post category, where only gem accounts can write, has relatively high attention and low regeneration, it was still like this.

In fact, Lenox’s improvisation had failed.

Davi, who had been quietly watching him from inside his pocket, let out a small sigh.

[…Master, you really don’t know anything about the physiology of organic beings.]

‘What do you mean?’

[With that kind of content, even stray dogs wouldn’t pay attention.]

Davi, who had jumped out of his pocket, began to tap on Lenox’s phone with his thick front paws.

The post was instantly deleted and rewritten from scratch by the spirit’s feet.

[Watch closely. How a spirit that freely swims in the cyber world dominates the emotions of organic beings…!!]

Beep!!

[Title: I was thinking about the post that was just deleted, but isn’t it already decided who would win if Kyunryeon and Gyeolbaek fought?]

=Wasn’t Gyeolbaek defeated by Madrich Onion even in his prime?

‘…’

A title that transcended common sense and a body that surpassed it.

Lenox didn’t know what was true and what was false.

However, the reaction that occurred immediately after the post was written was completely the opposite of before.

└What are you talking about with a spearman who is among the top five in the history of the Eastern Continent… Do you even know who Claude Azlan is?

└Has Gyeolbaek ever fought Madrich Onion? How do you know that?

└In the first place, Gyeolbaek’s ability, which is presumed to be his small universe, is enough to devour most sorcerers, so Kyunryeon would win easily? Are you sure you have an emerald account?

└Sometimes there are guys who are drunk on the dark side like this. Anyway, just because you have a gem account doesn’t mean you’re all nobles…

└No, but it’s not a completely impossible story. It’s been mentioned a few times before, but to explain it simply, Gyeolbaek’s specialty is…

└You’re bringing up stories from decades ago that don’t even have any data. If you’re going to say that, bring clear evidence and talk about it?

└Kyunryeon has people who can testify to all his past records and achievements, and his activities are clearer than those of the monsters from decades ago. They’re not even comparable in the first place.

└Bullshit, even if Kyunryeon is good at close combat, if he can’t avoid Gyeolbaek’s Straight Step Cedar Shade (直步杉陰) [a specific martial arts technique]…

Hundreds of comments were quickly running in real-time at the bottom of the post.

In addition, the number of views jumped to over hundreds of thousands in an instant.

They were not just reacting to the post, but were instantly starting to fight each other in the comments, assuming all sorts of situations, techniques, and conditions.

All sorts of techniques and specialties presumed to be Gyeolbaek’s, and the abilities of his small universe, which was presumed to be his mental image, were mentioned in the process.

Even gem accounts higher than the one Lenox had borrowed were joining in the fray and vehemently expressing their opinions.

‘…’

Lenox, who was staring blankly at his phone with his mouth slightly open, quietly turned to Davi.

Davi covered his mouth with his front paw and chuckled as he wriggled back into Lenox’s pocket.

[Hehehe, you are such insignificant organic beings…]

‘…Where are you going?’

[Kueeet.]

Davi, who was pulled out by Lenox’s hand, wriggled his body.

Lenox’s eyes shone brightly as he put Davi back in front of the phone.

‘It seems like you’ve done this more than once or twice. Let’s try to dig out all of Gyeolbaek’s techniques and abilities before the test starts.’

A superhuman of the Light who has lived for a long time.

As long as his past battle records remain, it is inevitable that his abilities will be estimated to some extent and information will be released.