Genius Wizard Takes Medicine [EN]: Chapter 612

Even if I were to perfectly repair the relic there, I wouldn’t be able to take the magic gun anyway.

The End of Theremer is, after all, a relic of the Machina that exists in the Machine City’s Mind Center. Strictly speaking, the ownership belongs to them.

Even if Renok were to claim ownership of the magic gun by talking about WORLD 2.0, it would only be heard as the ramblings of a madman.

And if he were to use force to get his hands on the magic gun right away, he would lose the means to uncover the secrets of Kaise and the Ascension Gate.

That’s why, instead of trying to completely fix the relic or stubbornly trying to get his hands on it right away, Renok intentionally failed the maintenance, only showing the true form of the magic gun.

Other artisans would also try to touch the item later, having discovered the new possibilities of the magic gun.

But if they realize that Renok is the only one who can repair the gun, they will inevitably have to entrust the magic gun to Renok again.

To anticipate and prepare for that moment, Renok left the Pentarect inside the End of Theremer.

The Pentarect, which he received as a gift from Myeong, is an artifact that has been perfectly synchronized with Renok’s magic power through repeated use.

It is an object that does not function at all when touched by anyone other than Renok.

‘Dabi, where is the Pentarect now?’

[The last signal was transmitted 8 hours ago, and the signal was cut off at the underwater barrier inside the Machina central district.]

Dabi whispered quietly, so that the heavily drunk Mauzer wouldn’t hear.

[It’s highly likely that it’s being stored in a barrier or space that can completely block the relic’s magic power or traces.]

“……”

There must be a space called the Mind Center inside the underwater barrier where relics are stored.

Even if the signal is cut off for now, it won’t be difficult to track the location later when the distance gets closer.

It’s enough for now that he has taken measures to track the location of the magic gun.

Renok didn’t stop there and turned his thoughts to the faint question that had started with the End of Theremer.

‘The Gunner and the Magic Gunner. Either way, these two job classes are definitely closely related to the secrets of the old world.’

The two job classes that Renok had chosen and played in WORLD 1.0 and 2.0.

Knowing that it has left strong traces and memories in this third world in some way, he needs to check it out himself no matter what.

Moreover, the fact that such a top-tier piece of equipment is relatively well-preserved among the relics of the old world, which are rarely found in complete form.

‘It can’t be a coincidence. It’s possible that it was equipment used by one of the two people…’

Due to his experience at the Far East Branch of the Guido Order, Renok knew that the cult leader was a being related to him,

but he was not yet sure who the other person was.

Or rather, he could guess who it was, but he was hesitant to jump to conclusions.

Why they are still in this world, and where the truth lies, can still only be vaguely speculated.

Although he has never once doubted that this world is a living, breathing reality.

Then why do the memories and history of the world exist in the same way as the data of the game called WORLD?

What part of the game Renok played brought him to this place?

The only trace that a very few people, including Renok, can recognize in this world full of confusion and doubt is inside the underwater barrier.

It’s a shame that he didn’t get the Meister title, but if it’s the price for chasing the End of Theremer, he has no choice but to accept it.

Having come to that conclusion, Renok threw the glass of alcohol Mauzer handed him into his mouth and got up from his seat.

“I did my best within the limits of what I could do. There’s no need to hold onto unsolvable worries for too long.”

“…Hehe, that’s right. I don’t know who’s getting younger.”

As soon as he heard Renok’s words, Mauzer’s shoulders twitched, and after a long silence, he finally answered.

Perhaps his answer resonated with him.

“So, what are you going to do now? Are you going to continue working in the workshop?”

Mauzer looked back at Renok, who was heading to the workbench, his face flushed with alcohol.

“Anyway, it’s as if the Meisters at the selection ceremony directly acknowledged your modification skills, so you’ll have a lot more customers looking for you.”

But Renok shook his head, wiping the dust off the workbench with a dry towel.

“No. I’m going to stop being an artisan for a few days.”

“Huh? Why?”

“I’ve gotten used to the modification process to some extent while handling various equipment.”

Click!!

Renok, who took out a white revolver from his chest and stroked it, said.

“Then shouldn’t I start taking care of my own equipment?”

“……”

Mauzer, who belatedly understood what Renok was saying, shook his head in a dumbfounded manner.

“Good heavens, does that mean that all the work you’ve done on other people’s equipment so far was just a test to see your skills?”

“The word ‘test’ is a bit much, isn’t it?”

Thump!!

Renok smiled as he placed various firearms, such as a revolver, a huge sniper rifle, and a heavy machine gun, one by one from his chest.

“Please say it was part of various experiences to approach the essence of an artisan.”

“Those mages, always…”

Although he said that, Mauzer also knew what it meant to modify a gun at this point.

That the very act of maintaining a gun meant that there might be a need to use it.

Renok was already preparing to move in a different way from working as an artisan.

Sighing and looking at the firearms that Renok was constantly taking out with a weary expression, Mauzer’s eyes faintly lit up when he saw the shotgun Renok had taken out.

“This is… the one I gave you as a gift.”

A magic-powered shotgun that was made to increase its power by charging magic power, and could be used without changing magazines.

It was a custom-made item that Mauzer gave as a token of gratitude for saving his life against the Bokmajeon [a type of monster] at the Blade Tower West Continent Branch.

He had given two at the time, but Ivelin said she didn’t need it, so Renok had it modified into a double-barrel by Palmer, an artisan staying in Vulcan.

“I remember the principle of the charging system and the serial number. Am I right?”

“Ah, I’ve been using it well since then. It’s a great item, as expected of an artisan from the Machine City.”

“I see… So that’s what happened?”

Mauzer seemed very pleased that Renok was still using and keeping the gift he had given him.

With a satisfied look, Mauzer muttered as he stroked the charging shotgun here and there.

“The shape has changed a bit. You modified it into a double-barrel. Is this part of the firearm modification you’re talking about?”

“It’s similar. To be precise, it’s more about refining the capabilities of firearms so that they can perform at their peak even on a fast-paced battlefield…”

Renok replied, skillfully removing the revolver magazine and placing the parts on the workbench.

“In the process, even if I have to sacrifice some efficiency, I’m going through modifications to specialize the advantages of each firearm.”

“Hmm, so that’s why you modified this charging shotgun into a double-barrel…”

Mauzer’s expression, who was now touching the shotgun with a slightly sober face, had returned to a serious one.

“Originally, charging shotguns are not made with double-barrels. This is because the efficiency of magic power charging decreases significantly the moment the number of barrels increases to two.”

“……”

“But it’s also true that expanding the barrel is the answer to increasing the power of a single shot. Considering that, I think I know what kind of modification you’re aiming for…”

Mauzer smiled as he stroked his chin.

“It’s interesting. You’ve been handling work by combining the most efficient maintenance and modification for the customers who come to you, but your own equipment is trying to move towards extreme specialization, far from efficiency.”

“Everyone needs different equipment depending on the situation.”

Renok smiled back and turned his gaze.

“More than that, you knew to some extent how I run the workshop.”

“You’re a more sensible and daring person than any mage I know.”

Mauzer replied as if it was nothing surprising.

“When such a mage suddenly comes to Machina and says he’s going to run a workshop, wouldn’t it be a great loss in life if I didn’t watch from the side?”

Even though he was almost drunk just a moment ago, the fact that he regained his reason the moment he touched the equipment must be because he had already reached a high level as an artisan.

Mauzer, who seemed to have completely sobered up, turned his shoulders and looked around before grabbing a hammer hanging on the wall.

“Okay.”

Thump!!

He stood in front of the makeshift workbench in front of the furnace and said, dipping the tongs into the fire with familiar movements.

“Now that things have turned out this way, I’ll help you with your modification work.”

“…Are you sure?”

“After watching you for a while, your senses and ideas are really great, but your proficiency in metallurgy isn’t that high.”

Mauzer nodded.

“Wouldn’t it be helpful if I just made and fixed the parts you need for your modification work?”

“That’s not wrong, but…”

If Renok were to entrust the work to Mauzer, a skilled artisan, instead of making the parts himself, he could greatly reduce the process and working time required for modification.

In addition, it would also be possible to find the optimal result by trying various things that could not be done with existing parts.

However, it would not only mean that Mauzer would be officially involved in Renok’s problem, but it would also be like passing all the chores to Mauzer.

No matter what parts Renok requests and entrusts to be made during the modification process, he would have to go through various processes of verification and trial and error.

Mauzer couldn’t have been unaware of that fact, but it was unexpected that he readily offered to help Renok.

But Mauzer chuckled and patted his stomach at Renok’s reaction.

“I feel good when I see people who cherish and use things for a long time like you.”

“……”

“The fact that the person who uses the things you worked hard to make also cherishes them is a different kind of joy than the reward of making things.”

Chiiik!!

Mauzer said, picking up the shotgun with the tongs heated in the furnace.

“And as I get older, I’m sometimes more drawn to that kind of motivation than making things.”

“Is that so.”

Mauzer had provided Renok with a space to use as a workshop, but he had always maintained a position of stepping back and watching what Renok was doing.

The reason why Mauzer suddenly said that he would help Renok with his gun modification work.

Was the fact that he was still using the magic-powered shotgun the decisive factor in drawing Mauzer’s cooperation?

As Renok, who does not make equipment himself, he could not yet understand exactly what kind of emotion the reward and joy that Mauzer was talking about was.

But it seemed certain that at least that level of motivation existed in the attitude and actions that Renok had shown.

Click!!

As he turned the direction of the furnace, the hot heat began to spread through the workshop and up to the top of his head.

At the same time as Mauzer struck the tongs strongly with the hammer, the loud noise of hammering metal echoed through the workshop and into the night streets.

The heat and light of the burning flames illuminate the darkened streets of the workshop district, but the people here consider even that noise and heat as traces of passion and talent.

They say that the artisan’s ambition that rises and disappears in a fleeting moment is considered the greatest treasure and asset in the Machina workshop district and is cherished.

Renok didn’t know much about the pride or talent of an artisan, but he agreed that the values they cherished were meaningful.

Kang, Kang!!

Renok, who was sweating and rolled up his sleeves, turned to Mauzer and smiled.

“I’ll start with the revolver. I’ll print out the parts blueprints now and put them on the wall, so let’s start right away.”

“You have to make the large parts first. That way, you can melt down the remaining metal again as intact as possible.”

Mauzer, who had walked ahead, looked at Renok and smiled back.

“You may have learned a little by watching over my shoulder while working in the workshop, but you don’t know much about the basics of metallurgy. I’ll teach you everything from scratch this time.”

“It would be nice if there was time for that, but…”

Renok’s gaze, which had turned slightly, sank slightly.

Mauzer didn’t seem to notice, but he could feel someone’s secret gaze watching this workshop.

Beyond simply watching and observing this place, a clear intention of action was felt.

“Learning metallurgy may have to be postponed.”

The answer to the results of the selection ceremony seemed to have arrived faster than expected.