Genius Wizard Takes Medicine [EN]: Chapter 557

Having concluded the agreement with Gyeolbaek, Lenox immediately led the group to another location.

A bustling area where the power plant was visible in the distance, yet somewhat free from the ghost ship’s search.

Lenox, projecting an image with magic onto the upper part of a quiet movie theater screen, spoke.

“Currently, there are five superhuman forces cooperating with Kaise’s research at the particle power plant.”

Lenox tapped the screen, watching the others sitting anywhere in the theater seats, checking their equipment.

“Parden McQueen, Gilleon, Madrich Onion, Oliviera, and Claude Azlan himself.”

“……”

“While we can skip the others since we’ve faced them before, let’s hear directly about Claude Azlan’s own level.”

“At that time, I participated in the war after gaining enlightenment, honing my inspiration in actual combat,” Gyeolbaek replied quietly, leaning against a seat right next to the aisle.

“By the time the civil war was ending, I had already grasped the feeling, and a month after the war ended, I transcended the level and reached the extreme level.”

Felix and Ilya clicked their tongues at Gyeolbaek’s calm words.

“To say you’ve transcended the level so easily…”

“It’s a realm that everyone strives for their entire lives but can’t even reach the tip of.”

Even with his undisguised admiration, Gyeolbaek remained indifferent.

“To be precise, it means that at this point in time, I had not yet reached the extreme level. I felt something similar when I faced him.”

Lenox, also not paying attention to those words, asked again.

“If you participated in the operation, do you also know how Kaise’s research ended at that time?”

“Unfortunately, I don’t know well,” Gyeolbaek shook his head.

“I only inspected the area around the power plant for a few days immediately after the civil war subsided. Unlike now, the research ended quietly, and there was no news of the results later.”

“……”

They knew what kind of anomalies were occurring in the restricted area, but perhaps they acted so unilaterally because the incident had passed quietly at the time.

Just in case, it seemed that Gyeolbaek also did not know what conclusion Kaise had reached in the original timeline.

“Kaise is not telling even his gathered colleagues what he has found out himself, and he is calling us out.”

Lenox said, glancing at his phone from his pocket.

“To completely stop the radiation phenomenon and send back those who are trapped in the past, it would be efficient to borrow the power of the designer who led all the research.”

Lenox snapped his fingers, watching the listening group.

“Therefore, in this operation, we need to decide who will face whom to hold them back.”

“You mean we need to choose and focus.”

It’s not that they haven’t considered the possibility that all of this is a trap.

But if Kaise had intended to kill Lenox, why didn’t he try the moment he guessed Lenox’s identity?

Even when he secretly sent a message to Lenox using the firewall network.

Even when he called him to the cathedral and conveyed a message to the past Claude.

There were countless opportunities, and Kaise let them pass as if they were meaningless, even though he knew it.

It’s as if he really wanted to talk to Lenox again and convey something, rather than kill him.

‘Even when we first clashed, Kaise’s attitude wasn’t that aggressive. It was like he was observing and waiting for something…’

This space-time, which is not reality, exists so close to reality not only because of the space-time fixation research.

The construction and maintenance of the distorted space-time in a form close to reality is due to the influence of something unrelated to Kaise’s will or power.

Perhaps it’s because of the power of a being called Alcaide, who collaborated with Kaise, rather than Kaise himself.

‘By now, he might have noticed it to some extent.’

If Kaise knew that he was a being from the past, he would also realize that they could not exist with such independent thoughts and power just by that fact alone.

If so, it’s natural that he wants to talk directly with Lenox, not with his colleagues.

Because he vaguely recognized how far Kaise’s thoughts had reached, Lenox was thinking of entering the power plant again, following the message.

“The on-site judgment will be left to discretion depending on the situation, but basically, I plan to arrange the entry order so that a different structure is created from the last time.”

Ilya and Felix each faced McQueen and Gilleon, but despite their outstanding abilities, they could not easily break through them.

That was not simply because the two were lacking in skill or capacity, but because they were matched with opponents where it was difficult to easily determine superiority due to the compatibility of their abilities.

If so, it was necessary to forcibly change the structure and reset the board, even if it meant taking some losses.

Lenox said that, and then displayed the scenery of the power plant on the screen, determined the entry structure and timing, and set the breakthrough route.

“I’ll take the first entry. I’m confident in holding out and buying time.”

“I’ll directly target the underground power room. I want to create a structure that’s as comfortable as possible for Ban.”

Felix and Ilya, who were familiar with this kind of operation, quickly found their roles.

They do not hesitate to prioritize strategic judgment over the burden on individuals.

All the superhumans gathered here are close to aces in their respective organizations. They are all used to taking on responsibilities.

“There are less than three hours left until the time Kaise promised in his message. Once we’re ready, we’ll depart immediately.”

Lenox, having finished the meeting in an instant, said that and then left the theater, rubbing his temples.

Due to the fierce battle, a considerable amount of magic and energy had been consumed. Not only the others, but Lenox also needed some preparation.

To improve their condition and rearm in this state, they needed to rest even a little.

Lenox thought that and leaned against the empty movie theater cafe, trying to close his eyes and calm his mind, at that moment.

“You didn’t go far.”

He felt Gyeolbaek following him from the end of the hallway.

He approached Lenox with his hands behind his back and quietly placed something on the cafe table.

Thud!

“It’s the promised ‘Tuin’s Gugeol’ [a martial arts technique].”

Gyeolbaek replied with a clouded expression.

“The method of moving the body with the mind. I said I would teach it to you directly. I’m sorry I couldn’t keep my promise.”

“…Tuin’s Gugeol? Is this it?”

Lenox picked up the object Gyeolbaek dropped with a slightly bewildered look.

What he called Tuin’s Gugeol was not a simple book or a scroll with information.

What Gyeolbaek had placed was a small wooden statue of a martial artist, as if it had just been carved.

Lenox’s eyes faintly glowed as he carefully examined the wooden statue.

“I see. On the surface of the wooden statue…”

On the surface of the wooden statue, which was in the shape of a martial artist, something was densely engraved in extremely small letters, so small that it was difficult for Lenox to see with the naked eye.

Like carving Buddhist scriptures on a grain of rice with a needle, the number of letters engraved on the small wooden statue was countless.

The letters engraved in that way rotated along the wooden statue, drawing a beautiful picture on the martial artist’s body.

[I leave this Gugeol to break through the wall of martial arts through the study of the mind.]

The moment Gyeolbaek said that, the wooden statue Lenox was holding slowly moved and changed its posture.

Thud…!!

“…!!”

The figure of the martial artist, who had been clasping his hands, changed to a stance with his arms and legs spread diagonally, as if he were about to start a sparring match.

“If you recite the Gugeol engraved on the wooden statue, the movements will change accordingly,” Gyeolbaek explained.

“It’s the best way to show the process of the body being reconstructed according to a specific idea. It’s a kind of ancient relic used when leaving secrets in the text.”

“A relic…”

Lenox replied and slowly nodded.

An object that recorded the Gugeol of martial arts and was made to visually show how to move through it.

Gyeolbaek had been engrossed in holding the wooden statue and writing Tuin’s Gugeol on its surface during his remaining time.

“Tuin’s Gugeol does not refer to the method of learning and mastering it correctly. It’s closer to showing the results by following an already completed model.”

Gyeolbaek’s voice echoed in the quiet hallway of the movie theater.

“In the end, the mind is shaped differently according to ideals and desires. Unless someone is watching and adjusting it one by one, it’s impossible to awaken the mind with just a few lines of text.”

“That’s why I asked you to teach me directly.”

Gyeolbaek smiled wearily at Lenox’s sarcastic reply.

“I’m sorry that things have turned out this way. It’s my fault…”

“……”

Well, Lenox didn’t expect to be properly taught Tuin now.

Considering Gyeolbaek’s whereabouts after he went missing as soon as they entered the operation area, it was true that he didn’t expect him to try to keep his promise at this point.

However, he had put it aside because he thought it was more important to meet Kaise again than to urge Gyeolbaek to keep his promise right away.

“Please think of it as a gift of apology left when I’m still sane. I’m planning to mention it to Ilya and Magat separately.”

“Are you thinking of settling your remaining ties now?”

Gyeolbaek didn’t answer anymore and turned his back.

Lenox watched his receding figure and shook the wooden statue, saying,

“But if that’s what you’re thinking, you shouldn’t have given this to me in the first place.”

“……”

“Because the fundamental reason you went crazy must have been because of this technique called Tuin.”

Gyeolbaek’s footsteps stopped abruptly at those words.

“It wasn’t the fact that you transcended the level that was the problem, was it?”

Lenox asked.

“The problem arose because you chose Tuin as the method to reach level 8. Isn’t that right?”

The technique of moving the body with the mind, Tuin.

The extreme that brought the heart of a warrior, who takes one more step in a moment of desperation, into the realm of technique.

But if you are consumed by that technique, you become a monster who is mad with blood and battle, unable to distinguish between friend and foe.

The image of a martial artist who is engrossed in the joy and excitement of battle, burning with a desire to win regardless of the opponent. A monster consumed by the mind he created.

Isn’t the existence that exactly fits that description standing in front of Lenox right now?

Lenox understood why Gyeolbaek’s mental state was so unstable and precarious after seeing his disgraceful behavior in the restricted area.

It’s not because he’s old, or because he’s lost his way after reaching an excessively high level.

The very way Gyeolbaek transcended the level and reached level 8 was through the power of Tuin, which moves the body by burning the mind.

Now that he has lost his way, his mind is slowly trying to consume his body.

That is the end of those who tried to use it as a weapon, rather than thoroughly refining their own mental image into an ideal form.

Gyeolbaek was trying to directly pass on to Lenox the secret and concept that allowed him to reach level 8.

“Now you want to give me the madness you’re experiencing?”

“…That’s not it. My problem is that it arises because I chose Tuin as a means of transcending the level, as you said. It was the result of the foolishness of seeking a higher level.”

Gyeolbaek quietly shook his head.

“But that only applies to a fool like me. Training Tuin as a technique will not be a problem for an existence like you.”

“How can you be so sure?”

Even at Lenox’s question, Gyeolbaek smiled sadly.

As if he were looking at someone who had something from the beginning that he could never have.

“Because any delusion will be useless to someone who has already found their own answer.”

* * *

The sky of the power plant, cloudy with dark clouds.

McQueen was still sitting cross-legged under the transmission tower, concentrating his mind.

The figure of the stone statue Arjumarta, perched on top of the transmission tower above his head.

The moment the stone statue and McQueen, who had been meditating with a calm demeanor without any agitation, opened their eyes at the same time.

Taat!!

A young man with striking black and white hair landed in front of McQueen.

“Renegade monk. What are you doing here?”

“…It was the guardian of the Tu Ryon Gate [a fictional organization].”

McQueen, breathing heavily as if annoyed, closed his eyes again.

“If you’re planning to interfere, get lost. It’s hard enough to concentrate as it is.”

“I finished my return report and took a short nap… It seems the atmosphere has become strange in the meantime.”

The past Claude leaned against his spear and stroked his chin.

“The power plant’s alert status seems to have changed quite a bit too. What happened?”

At those words, McQueen frowned as if dumbfounded.

“Can’t you even see the scenery in front of you right now?”

The desolate scenery where nearly half of the power plant’s open space and facilities had melted and flowed away.

The ground was half torn up as if it had exploded, and the corridor leading to the power plant’s basement was clearly visible through it.

Isn’t it even stranger that Claude is asking if something happened after seeing that?

But Claude shrugged at McQueen’s rebuke.

“Was it only once or twice that allies fought each other on the front lines? There were times when we lifted the entire ground to build fortifications. Unless someone died, this isn’t even considered a disturbance.”

“…There was an intruder,” McQueen replied with an annoyed look.

“He broke through the defenses alone, met Kaise directly, and was exposed.”

“Hmm.”

“He fought with the chairman and fled, and now his whereabouts are unknown. Do you understand?”

Strictly speaking, it was McQueen’s fault for directly guiding the guy to the power plant, so he couldn’t feel comfortable having to say it himself.

“I see. He was an opponent who could compete directly with Oliviera. He must have been an incredibly powerful warrior.”

“No, he was a mage.”

“…A mage?”

Claude looked slightly surprised at McQueen’s answer.

Oliviera Ron Maze is a powerful mage, but her combat ability is an unusual superhuman comparable to that of a physical ability user of the same level.

She herself has traveled the continent for a long time and has accumulated countless experiences, and her nature is bold and enjoys competition.

It is impossible for an ordinary mage to fight her on equal terms, let alone hold out for even a moment.

Mages with combat power befitting their level are extremely rare, but to have held out against Oliviera and escaped, does that mean that the mage had an advantage over Oliviera in some way?

That a mage with such powerful and excellent combat abilities has not yet been identified by this side?

Only then did Claude understand why the atmosphere near the particle power plant had changed like this.

“Where are Gilleon and Oliviera now?”

“Gilleon is doing maintenance work on his wings, and the chairman is in the power room.”

A sharp smile formed on McQueen’s lips.

“By now, they must have finished the construction work to trap those guys in an illusion.”

“……”

No sooner had those words ended than an eerie shadow of fog began to fall over the two of them.

The figure of the huge ghost ship that had returned to the sky of the power plant.

Madrich Onion had finished his patrol of the area and returned to the power plant.

Gooooo…!!

McQueen glanced up at the scenery of the ghost fleet and shook his head.

“It seems there was no particular gain. I guess it can’t be helped…”

“Onion hasn’t changed his patrol method.”

“The area of the Mangryang Swaeryehan [a fictional ability] is released as soon as he leaves his position. As long as he maintains this posture, he won’t come down from the ship.”

“I see. Now, it seems there is no choice but to wait on-site.”

If it was a mage with the ability to be compared to Oliviera, hiding his presence from this side’s pursuit would be a piece of cake.

Moreover, this side cannot move even though the operation area has been exposed.

It’s a structure where they can only passively respond, whether the other side reinforces their forces or changes the direction of their attack.

Claude, who was looking at the ship with a curious look, asked in a passing tone.

“By the way, what were the mage’s features?”

“He’s a man with a sharp impression and black hair. He’s holding a thin staff with a wavy shape, and he’s wearing a black coat like a shadow.”

“…What?”

“He’s teamed up with a bird-headed giant and a woman who handles spheres. It would be easier to show you directly.”

While seeming annoyed, McQueen was answering Claude’s questions one by one.

Although his indifferent attitude was annoying, Claude was one of only two physical ability users here, along with Gilleon, and among them, he was the most specialized in solo action.

He was clearly a skilled person who could do his part in any battlefield, so it was worth explaining the situation to him, even if it was a bit late.

The moment McQueen said that and recalled the images of Lenox, Felix, and Ilya from his memory and showed them as images.

“……”

Claude’s face stiffened.

“The bird-headed giant uses a battle hammer and emits strange power. The woman who uses spheres uses super-vibration ability to control them remotely… Hmm?”

McQueen, thinking Claude’s reaction was strange, continued to explain them one by one, but stopped talking.

Claude, who had been listening to the explanation, turned his head sharply.

“Why? I want to hear more explanations right now. Please.”

“…No, more than that, I felt a sense of incongruity somewhere…”

The renegade monk, rarely frowning, tilted his head.

Although he had a somewhat prickly and strict nature, it was a rare reaction for this monk, who rarely became flustered or agitated.

“Is it the intruder’s presence? If you tell me the direction, I’ll go take care of it.”

The moment Claude, who had picked up his spear, raised his magic power, McQueen’s expression hardened.

“Yes, that magic power. It’s similar to yours, but with a terribly twisted mental image…”

“What are you talking about?”

“It’s like it’s being thrown at us from thousands of meters away-”

Swoosh…!!

At that moment, a white flash that flickered from the far side of the power plant’s cloudy sky plunged diagonally toward the ground.

The white light, falling in a faint spiral, raced toward the power plant and accurately pierced the keel of the ghost ship that blocked its path.

Kwaaaang!!!

A circular shockwave erupted from the point of impact. The ghost ship floating above the power plant shook violently, spewing out fog.

“…!!!!”

A sudden attack. Moreover, it was a powerful bombardment that could damage Madrich Onion’s ghost ship.

It was a terrifying idea that was clearly different from the abilities of the intruders they had been talking about so far.

Claude slightly opened his mouth, and McQueen, whose eyes were wide open, jumped up from his seat.

“I have to inform the chairman. Another monster has joined them…!!”

The moment McQueen muttered that and tried to contact the inside of the power plant through a magic communication.

Ta-a-ang!!

The inside of his wrist, which he had raised, was crushed, and blood splattered from the muscles.

Only after his wrist was completely shattered did the quiet sound of a gunshot belatedly reach his ears.

“…!!!”

Claude reached out his hand toward McQueen’s head, who couldn’t even scream and gritted his teeth.

Thwack!!

Claude, who had deflected the second bullet aimed at McQueen’s head, clicked his tongue.

“It’s like deflecting a cannonball. Such a stealthy yet powerful sniper shot, it’s an unbelievable shooting ability.”

“Are two different snipers attacking us…!!”

Nothing was caught in the search radius, but this side was unilaterally allowing attacks.

No, it wasn’t just because of that.

The presence of the white light that was first fired at the ghost ship was beyond imagination, so they had been distracted by it.

A stealthy yet deadly second sniper shot was fired, taking advantage of that overwhelming pure white idea.

All of this series of events was thoroughly planned and connected.

McQueen, who realized that in an instant, turned his head sharply.

“Claude Azlan, go to Kaise!!”

“…Are you sure?”

“The opponent is interfering with our communication. I don’t know why, but if the opponent doesn’t want it, we have to convey it by force.”

McQueen said, sweating profusely in pain, while tearing his clothes to tie his wrist and stop the bleeding.

“I’ll take responsibility and try to buy time with Onion. You go and tell Kaise about this right now…!!”

McQueen’s words did not continue to the end.

After a brief interval, the second white light that flickered from the far side of the sky accurately pierced the transmission tower and exploded.

Kwaaaaaa!!!

The explosion filled with white magic power engulfed the transmission tower and burned everything.

* * *

The figure of the transmission tower collapsing along with the new form of the summoned beast Arjumarta, who was screaming.

“Good.”

Lenox, who had confirmed the scene using the sniper scope of the sniper rifle, Sightglass-992, nodded.

“Target points 1 and 2, all shots confirmed. We will now begin entering the operation area.”

-Confirmed.

-I’m ready.

Felix and Ilya’s calm replies.

Lenox immediately continued without waiting for Gyeolbaek’s reply.

“Rather than directly targeting the inside of the power plant, focus on breaking down the outer perimeter. Repeat the bombardment towards target point 1.”

-…I understand.

A dry plain at least several kilometers away from the power plant.

Gyeolbaek, who had planted dozens of spears made by bending the streetlights set up on the street all over the plain, picked up one of them and infused it with his idea.

Creak…!!

The white magic power that flowed through Gyeolbaek’s hand covered the metal spear and rotated in a spiral.

The shape of the spear was distorted, unable to withstand the flow of extremely concentrated magic power.

But before the metal spear was completely destroyed, Gyeolbaek glanced at it, took a light step forward, and twisted his shoulder.

Crack!!

With the sound of joints twisting and grinding, Gyeolbaek’s right arm rotated as if it had disappeared on the spot.

Along with the faint shockwave that erupted from his fingertips, the white spear swam across the ground and soared into the clouds.

Fwaaaang!!

The third white light, which had penetrated the outer bridge of the power plant as if twisting it, pierced the ghost ship once more and exploded with a tremendous roar.

Gyeolbaek’s eyes, shaking between his white hair, looked up at the swaying figure of the ship in the distance.

An old man, who appeared like fog above the swaying ship, looked down at him with a stern gaze.

The moment two monsters who had transcended the level and reached level 8 recognized each other’s existence across thousands of meters.

“Let’s begin.”

Lenox, who had gotten on his bike, pulled the throttle without hesitation.