Genius Wizard Takes Medicine [EN]: Chapter 538

“There was an incident where over a thousand people were massacred without any warning.”

In the conference room located inside the Kurvas Dam’s inner gate, Keegan spoke, projecting a hologram onto the wall.

“The investigation into the cause revealed that all of them showed the same symptoms of high fever, seizures, and confusion. We realized that a powerful radiation exposure was the cause.”

The hologram displayed a map of the central area of the massive city of Balkan.

“The area where the radiation exposure occurred is Sector 25. It was one of the first areas to be designated as a restricted zone, along with Sector 19.”

“Are you saying that the Kurvas Dam was built to prevent the radiation exposure occurring in Sector 25?” Felix asked, and Keegan nodded.

“Radiation exposure from magic particles is difficult to detect, and it takes a long time to recognize its severity as it accumulates and concentrates in the body.”

“……”

“However, if we concentrate the water resources of the 20s sectors, it is also possible to dilute it to a level harmless to the human body.”

“…That’s a dangerous story.”

Felix spoke with a weary expression.

“If this fact becomes known, the Central Council won’t be safe either.”

Keegan agreed with Felix’s words.

“If this fact is made public, some city council members may have to step down from their positions. But that’s all.”

“……”

“Decades have passed, and the vested interests surrounding the Kurvas Dam are so complex that it’s impossible to know who to hold responsible now.”

Even if this issue were made public, who would stop this massive multipurpose gravity dam and solve the problem of the restricted area?

Just stopping the dam to briefly check the radiation-related issue would halt half of the water supply in the 20s sectors.

The financial losses incurred during that time would be astronomical.

No one wants to step forward knowing that fact, nor do they want to take responsibility.

It’s even more so because they know that there are mountains of such festering problems in this massive city.

“The academic community has concluded that it is virtually impossible to artificially cause radiation exposure from magic particles.”

Ilya, who had been listening quietly to the explanation, continued.

“Magic particles, which provide stable and efficient power to living beings, require enormous investment to decompose or eliminate them.”

“……”

“Magic particle radiation exposure is difficult to harm the human body even when exposed to the decomposition process for a long time… For such a phenomenon to have persisted on this scale for decades…”

Ilya’s eyes shone sharply as she looked at Keegan.

“What kind of experiments have you been conducting in Sector 25?”

“…Let’s get back to the main point. The problem is that the radiation exposure from magic particles has been getting stronger in recent months.”

“…”

Keegan looked around with a slightly stiff face and said,

“If this continues, it wouldn’t be surprising if harmful radiation particles are leaked into all the water facilities in the 20s sectors.”

The direct flow of radiation particles, so harmful that they cannot be diluted by the dam’s water, into the water supply of the 20s sectors.

The casualties and financial losses that would occur through that process are difficult to estimate in terms of scale and numbers.

“The higher-ups believe that a meltdown is highly likely to have occurred at the particle power plant located in the deepest part of Sector 25.”

Keegan continued.

“Therefore, your goal will be to enter the restricted area, find the power plant, and eliminate the cause of the worsening radiation exposure.”

“What is the specific location of the power plant?” At Felix’s question, Keegan immediately had his aides distribute something.

The image of a blurry, distorted satellite photo. The image quality is so severely blurred that it’s difficult to even recognize the shape, indicating how old and outdated the data is.

“This is a photo taken by a spirit satellite [a satellite powered by magic] just before Sector 25 was designated as a restricted area.”

“The quality is terrible…”

“Fortunately, it seems that Mr. Kyunroe here can sense the concentration of magic particle radiation to some extent, so there shouldn’t be much difficulty in finding the way.”

“You’re saying that if we hadn’t recruited Mr. Ban, the difficulty of this task would have been much higher.”

At Ilya’s sharp remark, Keegan could not refute and smiled bitterly.

“Isn’t it not that surprising that the presence or absence of a mage determines the success or failure of such an operation?”

“…”

Ilya closed her mouth at the truly reasonable rebuttal.

Frankly speaking, it was obvious that even if Ilya and Felix’s combined power and value were added together, it would be difficult to catch up to Lenox alone.

High-ranking transcendent. Everyone in this place understood the value of a mage who had completed and surpassed the hierarchy with pure spellcasting.

“There should be more parts that need explanation.”

“Yes?”

Lenox’s lowered gaze turned to Keegan.

“The dam is located in Sector 22. The restricted area is Sector 25. Even if we go in a straight line from the closest point, it’s difficult to break through due to the barrier blocking the sectors.”

“…”

“According to Lucinda, the time that the bio-code can operate alive is only about an hour. We’ve spent about 20 minutes on moving and briefing, so we have to arrive at the entrance of the restricted area within 30 minutes.”

Without waiting for Keegan’s answer, Lenox tapped the table and said,

“Considering what you said earlier about ‘launching,’ it seems like you want us to be ejected and fall above the restricted area… Then we have to reach the launch pad or the ejection port before that.”

In the silent conference room, only Lenox’s voice echoed.

“The fact that you haven’t mentioned that yet means that there must be hidden circumstances or secrets about the location or function of the launch pad itself.”

“…The intuition of a high-ranking mage is truly amazing. You already understood that much?” Keegan smiled wryly and snapped his fingers, and at the same time, his aides began to pile up military equipment next to the table.

Clank, clank!!

Suits and gas masks similar to what the others were wearing, as well as firearms, mechanical equipment, communication devices, and auxiliary gear.

In front of the aides who quickly distributed the equipment, including screen transmitters, location trackers, and what appeared to be communication devices, Keegan said,

“The following information must be kept strictly confidential. This is also the reason why I’m telling you this last.”

The moment Felix hesitated, Keegan’s face hardened.

“Inside the restricted area… there are still survivors.”

“…Survivors?”

“We don’t know who they are or what their purpose is, but there are definitely traces of their survival.”

Keegan lowered his voice and whispered quietly,

“And for some reason, there are council members who periodically send food relief ships for them.”

“…”

“At this point, it’s the only way to get something into the restricted area. Other methods are administratively, physically, and magically impossible.”

Listening to Lenox’s words and Keegan’s explanation, everyone finally fully understood this operation.

Board the food relief ship, have the bio-code recognized by the barrier of the restricted area, and enter. Find the particle power plant inside the area and eliminate the cause of the radiation exposure.

While the others were silent at the absurdity of the operation’s difficulty, Keegan began to connect the screen transmitter.

“The underground shelter of the Kurvas Dam is connected to military secret facilities, and among them is an island where the food relief ship launch pad is located.”

“…”

“To operate the relief ship, you need to simultaneously occupy and break through the soldiers guarding the launch pad from four directions.”

Keegan, who had just attached Lenox’s transmitter directly to his chest, said,

“Operate the launch pad by manipulating four different instrument panels at the same time, and board the relief ship.”

That strange gaze, half old man and half young man, quietly stared into Lenox’s eyes.

“We will take full responsibility for the aftermath.”

* * *

In the conference room where the four transcendents had left.

A tense silence lingered in the space where dozens of aides still remained.

The sound of swallowing saliva, the echoing heartbeats, and the regular beeping sounds were mixed together, creating a strange melody.

Beep, beep, beep…

Amidst the beeping, someone quietly asked,

“Will it be okay?”

“What do you mean?”

One of the aides was staring intently at the conference room wall with a worried expression.

“The other three are one thing, but in the case of Kyunroe, there are circumstances that he recently suffered a major injury.”

“…”

“I heard that he is having trouble moving without life support equipment, isn’t the condition too bad to handle this operation…”

No matter how powerful and great a high-ranking mage is, they are still living beings who will die if their brain and heart are damaged.

Even if they are a spellcaster who demonstrates great value and talent in areas other than combat ability, they cannot avoid acting alone in such special operations.

The underground shelter leading to the island where the food relief ship launch pad is located. The soldiers of the senator guarding that path.

It’s not just about dealing with them.

“Considering the environment of the shelter, we should have aides who can fight follow them even now.”

The underground shelter is strong against external shocks, but it is quite weak against shocks arising from within.

If high-powered magic or technology is used indiscriminately in the narrow and dark passage, it wouldn’t be surprising if the passage collapses entirely and they are buried alive tens of meters underground.

In the end, they have to reach their destination using magic or precise techniques that do not damage the passage, as well as strong physical strength.

In this regard, Kyunroe is virtually a transcendent in the completely opposite condition.

Even if he constantly repeats one-on-many battles through his own combat ability and local-scale magic manifestation, it is difficult to guarantee success in such an extreme situation.

No matter how much of a mage Kyunroe is who has accumulated unrealistic achievements in the shadows, can he demonstrate his true abilities in conditions and environments that suppress his abilities to this extent?

But before answering that, Keegan turned his head towards the wall where the other aides’ gazes were directed.

“…Mr. Azlan didn’t say anything about that.”

“…”

“The other team members also didn’t make any comments about Kyunroe’s safety. It’s not our place to interfere.”

The four screens that appeared on the conference room wall each moved rapidly, and a series of intense gunshots and explosions that seemed to tear the eardrums began to echo.

KWA-AAANG!!

The four screens landed on the ground almost simultaneously and began to rush forward at different speeds.

The movements of attacking the missile launch pad located in the center of the island where the food relief ship is located from four different directions.

=How did outsiders infiltrate this far…!!

=They are lawbreakers trying to invade the restricted area, subdue them immediately!!

TATATATATANG!!

Since the area of the island is not small, the number of soldiers guarding the four directions leading to the launch pad easily exceeds several hundred in each direction.

As they are guarding a secret area directly related to the restricted area, all of the soldiers are considerable magic users.

They are not afraid of close combat using magic, as well as the support of firearms, and they rush in without hesitation.

The transmitter screens of the transcendents, divided into four directions, began to shake slightly before the start of the full-scale battle.

At that moment when the other aides were about to watch the scene with tense expressions.

[There’s one thing I want to confirm before boarding the relief ship.]

Lenox’s calm voice echoed in the conference room.

[You said that the purpose of the food relief ship is for the survivors who might be alive in the restricted area.]

“…”

[But the senators I know are not that benevolent or compassionate. Rather, they might be using that as a pretext to hide their real purpose.]

“…The fact that survivors exist in the restricted area has been verified through various circumstances.”

[Is that so?]

Lenox smiled.

[Is that circumstance because you, Manager Grimes, are the survivor of that restricted area?]

“…!!“

Keegan didn’t answer, but it was unavoidable that the faces of the other aides who were assisting him turned pale.

[A peculiar appearance with a mixture of youth and aging. It was too heterogeneous to be a natural constitution or disease. It looked more like an artificial disaster.]

“…”

[If the phenomenon that occurred in your body is related to radiation exposure, I can somewhat guess what’s happening inside.]

“What do you want to hear?”

[I just want to hear the answer to my guess. There won’t be another chance to ask separately if it’s not now.]

“That’s a question in an area that I cannot answer.”

[I’ll wait until you occupy the launch pad and operate the relief ship.]

Clank!!

At the same time, the heavy sound of metal friction was heard from beyond the screen.

[Think about it slowly during that time. It’ll be enough time to change your mind.]

“What does that even mean…”

Keegan was about to answer that, but then he stared blankly at the video projected on the conference room wall.

Unlike the other three screens, the scenery in the video from Lenox’s transmitter was completely different.

FZZZZT!!!

The moment he unleashed lightning in the empty air, one of the soldiers who rushed out of the darkness thrust his head into the light.

THWACK!!

The corpse’s head disappeared on the spot, and blood spurted out.

It doesn’t end with one coincidence.

When he flicked flames under his feet, a transcendent who rose from the shadows was burned alive.

When he raised the muzzle of his revolver above his head, they exposed their defenseless vital points as if they had been waiting for it and were hit.

Every time the colorful glow of magic that stretched from his fingertips illuminated the dark underground shelter.

The soldiers rushed in as if they wanted to die, rather than avoiding the trajectory.

The moment he grasped the opponent’s speed and position, he predicted the next action and placed magic there in advance.

He leads them to death by seizing the breath just before the moment, so subtle and perfect that they cannot avoid the magic he has placed in advance.

An overwhelming offense and defense that even a transcendent who has surpassed human reaction speed cannot react to even when they see it.

Even the aides who were watching the scene together through the transmitter were speechless and stared at the screen.

“Th-this is…”

“…”

An overwhelming predictive ability close to precognition that has surpassed the speed of perception.

It’s not an area that can be explained by strategy or pattern analysis.

A combat intelligence that has solidified into one ability by repeating countless combinations and calculations of intuition, judgment, experience, and skill.

“Is this the perspective of a high-ranking mage looking at the world…”

Those words, muttered blankly by one of the aides, perfectly represented the feelings of the others.

Even though they are watching it directly, they cannot share that moment. They understand it with their heads, but they cannot accept it with their hearts.

Even though they know that he is a human being who lives and breathes like them, all the movements and judgments that extend from his head and magic have already crossed the boundary of life.

THUDUDUDUDUK!!

The magic of lightning and flames that rises with his will never misses a single moment.

Like moths rushing towards a flame, like madmen rushing head-on towards death.

The sight of transcendents who rush madly towards the glow of magic that Lenox is creating, only to die so easily.

The hand that holds and wields magic is infinitely slow and relaxed.

But the speed at which humans die beyond the transmitter changes fiercely and violently, as if they are being ground up.

KAGAGAGAK!!

=KYYAAAAAAK!!

=Why, why aren’t you avoiding it! Hold on!! Maintain your position and formation!!

=I-It’s impossible…!! It’s being read perfectly from the start of the attack- UGH!!“

The transcendents guarding the passage are not recklessly rushing towards Lenox.

Rather, they are desperately trying to buy time by retreating and maintaining their formation, trying to hold out until their numbers increase.

But even such trivial movements are forcibly seized and their bodies are turned around, their heads are burned, and their bone marrow is extracted.

The movement of magic dancing on the mage’s fingertips has already surpassed the understanding of other transcendents.

The moment strategy and psychological warfare begin, he sees through all the patterns with the first move and dismantles the opponent’s magic in reverse.

It’s as if he is looking into the future, grabbing the opponent’s throat, and throwing them into death. Fragments of lightning flash, scattering countless bloodstains all over the passage.

An unrealistic battle as if he is jumping over the timeline, seeing the end of others in advance, and leading them.

The other three are also breaking through the shelter, demonstrating truly unrealistic combat abilities without holding back.

But the battle that Lenox is showing is not even a fight where he is competing with the opponent’s strength and speed and facing death.

Death that falls like a flowing stream, countless corpses falling in order as if they were directed by his gestures.

Beyond that, a path opened as if the waves were parting, and the control room appeared.

KOOONG!!

The shape of a huge island visible beyond the glass wall of the control room, and the shape of a food relief ship resembling a rocket located in the center.

And even the magnificent barrier tens of meters high that stretches out in front of such a relief ship.

The only passage to enter Sector 25 was right there.

The hand visible on the transmitter screen grabs the button on the instrument panel without hesitation.

Only then did Keegan come to his senses and press the communicator in surprise and shout,

“You must not operate the instrument panel yet, you have to operate the devices in the four areas at the same time to unlock and open the barrier’s door…!!“

[You promised that you would take care of the aftermath.]

“…Yes?”

BEEP!! BEEP!! BEEP!!

At the same time as Lenox’s answer, red warning lights began to flash in the conference room where Keegan and the aides were located.

[Warning. Accessing the system control authority of the Kurvas Dam facilities…]

[Permission to intrude granted. Forced shutdown of the underground shelter security system.]

[Forced ejection of the southern shelter control authority. Forced ejection of 3 types of identical access authorities.]

By simultaneously linking the Kurvas Dam’s system and the relief ship’s security system, he forcibly seized the security of the other three locations.

From the beginning, Lenox had no intention of waiting for the other three.

BANG!!

The door of the control room, which had been tightly closed, opened wide, and the path leading to the relief ship was lowered as it was.

The moment Felix and Ilya’s figures began to be seen at the ends of the other three shelters.

The barrier tens of meters high that stretched out in front of the relief ship began to wriggle, slowly breaking down the wall and revealing the scenery beyond.

The sight of the barrier blocking the other side of the restricted area beginning to sink in place.

While Keegan was gaping at the scene, only Lenox’s voice echoed from beyond the transmitter.

[The door is open. We’re going into the restricted area now.]