Genius Wizard Takes Medicine [EN]: Chapter 644

“58% of the Level 3 residential area has been damaged beyond repair.”

“The entire lower workshop district has been completely destroyed. Over 150 casualties. The count is ongoing.”

“The food research district and the suspended factory district collided during the relocation. Approximately 30 blocks have fallen.”

In the control room, where thousands of monitors floated, hundreds of operators continued their reports at a rapid pace.

The news coming from their mouths was almost entirely about destruction, collapse, casualties, and accidents.

Even their voices, which had been devoid of emotion, gradually became hesitant, and they began to glance around cautiously with each report.

At the very back of the control room, someone standing with their hands behind their back smiled faintly.

“Why are you all so hesitant?”

“……”

“I’m listening carefully. Please continue your reports. I want to hear about everything happening throughout the city.”

A young man with long, platinum-blonde hair. His features were so delicate that his refined aura seemed all the more intense.

Despite his gentle smile, his true intentions were unfathomable, and his demeanor exuded a strange dignity.

Except for the fact that his complexion was paler than usual, it was difficult to even dare to speak to him rashly.

“Councilor Hermes…”

One of the executives who had been directing the operators swallowed hard and called his name.

“I apologize, but would it be possible to slow down the district relocation speed just a bit?”

“……”

“We started the district relocation faster than scheduled, and despite issuing evacuation orders in advance, there have been many casualties.”

Even as they tried to deliver their reports without emotion, the moments of death and destruction were being broadcast live on the monitors.

“It is estimated that over 3,000 casualties have already occurred since the start of the district relocation. If we continue the relocation at this pace, it may truly become irreversible.”

“Control Officer Gilmore Brept.”

The control officer, whose name was called by Hermes’ calm voice, flinched.

Hermes stared intently into his eyes and spoke again.

“Age 42. Level 3 supervisor. 19 years of experience. Has been working in the control room for over 6 years, and commutes from his nearby residence. Family of three. A wife, a son, and a daughter.”

Gilmore gritted his teeth at Hermes’ words, which recited the control officer’s personal information without any records or reports.

“Councilor, even if you say that, I…!!”

“You’ve been maintaining a relationship with Secretary Cathy of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for two years now, haven’t you?”

“…!!!”

At that moment, Gilmore’s face contorted horribly, looking pitiful.

Hermes didn’t stop there.

“You’ve been taking kickbacks from the managers of each district at every relocation checkpoint, and you’ve been informing them of their assigned locations in advance for four years. The amount you’ve pocketed is over 800 million cells.”

“P-please, stop…”

“You fought with your younger sibling over the mansion your parents left you, and eight years ago, on a rainy day, at the garbage incinerator…”

“Aaaagh!! Aaaagh!!!”

Gilmore, screaming as if in agony and tearing at his hair, knelt down on the spot and bowed his head.

“Please!! Please!!”

Gilmore’s frantic begging. The control room was instantly filled with a deathly silence.

The operators’ expressions, as they stared at their superior who had crumbled so easily, were as pale as corpses.

Hermes looked down at the back of Gilmore’s head, then quietly knelt down and stroked his hair.

“Control Officer Gilmore. I actually don’t dislike people like you.”

“Ugh, h-hic…!!”

“Everyone has both good and bad within them. Who can blame them for changing and showing different sides depending on the situation? But…”

Hermes, who had been stroking Gilmore’s head as he sobbed quietly, suddenly grabbed his hair tightly.

Thud!!

Gilmore’s gaze followed Hermes’ hand as he was pulled up effortlessly.

Hermes, holding his hair, smiled kindly and said,

“I don’t want to hear such advice from a human who crumbles just from having their contradictions pointed out. Do you understand my feelings?”

“I-I understand…!!!”

Goodness and ugliness. Hermes believed that these two concepts were not so contradictory.

How could a person live under a consistent belief throughout their life, which spanned decades?

Even the great transcendents who challenged ascension did not dare to dream of transcending the world at first.

It was only natural for those who had gained the qualifications to change their minds, change their hearts, and change their inner selves.

As long as they reached the right answer in the end, the intermediate process was meaningless.

Therefore, Hermes believed that those who were ashamed of their own flaws had no responsibility or qualifications.

“Hehehe, hic…!!!”

As soon as Hermes let go, Gilmore buried his forehead in the ground and quietly sobbed.

Everyone pretended not to see him, prostrate at Hermes’ feet as if worshiping a god.

Hermes had completely crushed the advice that the control officer had given with desperate resolve, with just a few words.

Rather than hitting or killing him, the way he calmly broke him down felt all the more terrifying.

It wasn’t pressure through force or authority.

His transparent tone and reactions, which didn’t exude any energy, and every word that came from them, pointed out and shattered the other person’s secrets and contradictions.

Everyone realized why the Ex Machina [a powerful governing body] had granted this man all authority related to the declaration of martial law.

Why they had transferred the decision-making power to drastically advance the district relocation schedule of the mechanical city, Machina.

It was through an alien charisma, different from that of ordinary power holders or leaders.

Hermes looked at the other operators and said with a transparent smile, as usual.

“Shall we continue?”

“…Understood.”

The operators’ hands, pale-faced, became even busier as they manipulated the control panels.

Hermes leaned back in his chair, watching them, and glanced at the fallen Gilmore.

“The control officer may think that this whole scene is wrong, but in fact, the district relocation of the mechanical city was created to be used in this way.”

“…Y-yes…?”

Hermes smiled transparently, knowing that Gilmore had raised his gaze and the operators were listening.

“It’s only natural that parts wear out every time the city changes. Originally, they needed to be replaced much faster.”

“…”

Hermes was the self that had been consumed by the memories of an ascendant, but at the same time, he was also a powerful figure who held a position in the Ex Machina’s leadership.

Having experienced reigning at the pinnacle of Machina’s power and possessing the memories of an ascendant, he knew why the mechanical city had chosen the method of district relocation.

“Everyone knew that in a rapidly changing world, it shouldn’t just be inanimate objects that are worn down as parts.”

Hermes murmured.

“Now, it seems that there are few people left who remember why the city was made this way, the cause and effect…”

What the mechanical city needed to move was not just parts made of oil and metal.

Oil and blood squeezed from human flesh and blood. The screams of pain and the existence of souls offered as sacrifices.

A great result completed by using the entire city as a foundation.

Long before the city was built, the founders had tried to prepare for such a moment that would come someday.

What Hermes was trying to do was simply to awaken the arrangements they had made long ago.

Considering that, the accidents and damages that were happening now were just trivial matters.

“The city’s power and souls are gathering as one. Good…”

Hermes, who had closed his eyes and nodded as if looking out over the entire city from his seat, slowly rose from his seat.

“I will go back and prepare.”

After entrusting himself to the memories left by the ascendant of the old world, Hermes had been running with all his assets and resources solely for that purpose.

A human’s foolish mind was nothing more than a small candle in front of the overwhelming self of a transcendent.

Neither the body, nor power, nor status, nor even circumstances and relationships had any meaning.

The important thing was to inherit that great will, which was inclined towards ascension, in this world, and to be reborn as his true self.

By using the Meister’s life as a trade, he had succeeded in summoning the archangel of the old world from beyond the gate, and all preparations were complete.

All that remained was to throw himself completely beyond the ascendant’s overwhelming self and memories, just like when he first started.

All preparations were complete.

In the place where the hope of this city had sparked, Hermes would once again obtain the ‘qualification’.

* * *

In the silent upper workshop district. Lenox’s workshop.

Lenox, who had been staring at Maiya Renslit with a cold gaze for a long time, quietly opened his mouth.

“I’ve heard quite a few stories about you in this city.”

“…”

Lenox, slowly walking along the workshop wall and pulling down the remaining curtains through the window gaps, asked.

“You, who ran away after the failure of the Ascension Gate, why are you here?”

Lenox had already encountered Maiya several times in other situations.

Under the name of Evan of the Azure Eye in Hanghasamigung [a place of great power], and as Victor of the Bokmajeon [a powerful organization] in the satellite city of Bairutz, he had clashed and cooperated with Jintun and the interim settlement.

He had faced Maiya on both the allied and enemy sides, but there had never been a moment when her presence did not feel dangerous.

A physical ability user who had transcended the hierarchy and reached level 8.

A genius who was instinctively gifted with the talent for using blood magic.

Rich experience accumulated as an executor, and sharp judgment that encompassed all of those abilities.

Wasn’t she said to be a hero who had built up an overwhelming track record and gained tremendous fame in this city in the past?

The existence of Maiya Renslit that Lenox had experienced was a powerful being whose grand title was not at all awkward, and who possessed outstanding intelligence.

Yet, she was a ghost-like existence that had not yet escaped the shackles of the failure of the Ascension Gate.

From the beginning, the reason she joined Pandemonium [a mysterious organization] was related to the failure of the Ascension Gate.

An existence with a sensitive reverse scale that still made her angry and painful just by mentioning that fact.

But that was why Lenox had not expected to encounter Maiya at this point.

If the existence of the mechanical city, Machina, was such a sensitive failure that just thinking about it caused Maiya pain.

He had vaguely thought that the day Maiya would return to this city would be after she had found a way to fundamentally solve the problem.

“…”

Enemy or ally?

At least the executor Maiya Renslit that Lenox knew was closer to a superhuman who was good at cutting off the cause of the problem rather than resolving it.

It wouldn’t be strange at all if she were to say that she would cut off Lenox’s head right here and stabilize the mechanical city.

‘If a battle starts, I’ll have to create distance with Enakphil’s five fingers and then buy time. The problem is that the condition is met only if I can block Maiya’s small universe at least twice…’

While waiting for an answer, he was unconsciously imagining the worst-case scenario and planning the layout in his head.

Instead of answering Lenox’s question, Maiya silently raised her gaze.

A vacant look as if she were looking not at the scenery of this workshop, but far beyond it.

She murmured.

“There’s not much time left.”

“What?”

“As the second Ascension Gate broke down, a state of emergency was declared in the city, and all the armed groups within Machina are chasing after the cause of this situation.”

Maiya’s sharp gaze landed on Lenox’s face.

“As Hermes awakens in a new body, the suspect has narrowed down to this side.”

“…”

“The entire city is in an uproar as the district relocation is being forcibly carried out, but it’s only a matter of time before they find you.”

“What do you want to say?”

Lenox pulled a chair next to him and sat down, asking.

He took out a cigarette from his pocket, lit it, and inhaled the smoke.

Lenox said, looking at the cigarette smoke rising above the three of them.

“I already know that without you saying it. Rather than that, I want to hear the reason why you came to my workshop.”

“…”

“If you left the city and ran away after the failure of the Ascension Gate, there’s no reason for you to come back at this point. The power holders of this city tried to bury the failure of the gate, but they were using the legacy of the gate that you left behind to their heart’s content.”

Lenox lightly gestured with the cigarette in one hand.

“I confirmed at the seabed barrier’s core that what Hermes was aiming for was this. But you’re different.”

Lenox added without waiting for Maiya’s answer.

“If an existence like you intervenes, there’s a high possibility that the situation itself will be twisted. Knowing that, I need to know why you came to my workshop.”

If Maiya had appeared in another district of Machina instead of Lenox’s workshop, the attention of the entire city would have already been focused on that side.

Considering that, Maiya must have hidden her appearance and sought out Lenox’s workshop first.

And that act itself was more than clear that she had business with Lenox.

She, who was in charge of the Ascension Gate project in the mechanical city, Machina, why did she return to this city and seek out Lenox now that the gate was shattered?

Has she found a way to fundamentally resolve the failure of the Ascension Gate?

Even if it meant taking a loss greater than a clash with this monster-like executor, it was necessary to address it.

“…”

Perhaps she felt something from Lenox’s sharp answer.

A cold smile formed on Maiya’s lips as she stared at his face.

“You know that your condition is broken, but you’re not hesitating. Is it because you understand the situation that well?”

“…”

“You’re talking recklessly, but your judgment is close to the correct answer. You’re not an ordinary craftsman after all.”

Maiya said that and slowly withdrew the blade that had been aimed at Mauzer’s neck.

“Hermes is planning to create a new gate above ground.”

Maiya, leaning back in her chair with her arms crossed, murmured.

“The district relocation, which is causing casualties that are not in line with the schedule, is a preliminary operation to secure the necessary offerings. Once the district relocation is complete, he will complete the gate immediately.”

“…”

He knew that Hermes’ real purpose was not to summon a god-slayer, but to summon the ascendant of the old world himself.

But Maiya was going one step further, telling him that the district relocation that was happening now was a preliminary preparation for that.

“Find Hermes before the district relocation is completely finished, and prevent his true form from being summoned.”

Maiya’s gaze shone sharply.

“I know that you still have business with Hermes. If you’re willing to cooperate, I’ll make a path to Hermes myself, in the name of Pathfinder.”

“Make a path.”

Lenox chuckled.

“Hermes is the very self of a transcendent who is not bound by the shackles of body and mind. How do you plan to find him alone?”

“Of course, it’s not something I can do alone.”

Instead of answering, Maiya brought the small sword she was holding to her forearm.

Slash!!

As she cut her forearm without hesitation, the wound opened and her blood dripped onto the floor.

[Blood Magic 4-Fold Deployment]

[Single Arrival Other Projection]

[Human Link Restoration]

Squeak!!

At that spot, bloodstains rose up and seemed to form the shape of a small door, and then the door slowly began to open.

Maiya looked at the door of blood that had risen and smiled coldly.

“So, I’m going to summon an assistant. You don’t have any objections, do you?”

“T-this is…”

Mauzer unconsciously stepped back at the bizarre shape, and Lenox also hardened his face as he realized what kind of technique Maiya had used.

The blood magic that Maiya had used to summon the commander from the giant cradle where Jintun was sleeping in Hanghasamigung.

Maiya was planning to summon an assistant who did not exist in this city to this place using her own method.

Thump!!

A huge presence was felt for a moment from beyond the door, and then it disappeared as if washed away.

Instead, a listless voice echoed from beyond the invisible spatial rift.

[Maiya. I’m very busy right now. What is it?]

“Doctor, there’s something we need to do.”

Maiya immediately stated her business to the voice, not caring about it.

Lenox was not surprised either, as he guessed the identity of the other party the moment he heard the voice.

She was trying to directly summon the Doctor at this point using her own blood magic.

[Something we need to do? Such things are piling up every day, even without you asking.]

“…”

[The way you call is also very rough and impolite. What a shameless idea to pass on some of the output to the summoned target.]

The Doctor spoke as if grumbling without stopping.

[Only a monster like the commander can pay the price and respond to this kind of summoning. If you expect things to go as well as they did in the labyrinth…]

“The self of a transcendent has awakened beyond the Ascension Gate. It’s one of the worst-case scenarios we had assumed.”

At that moment, the Doctor’s words, which had been heard from beyond the door, stopped abruptly.

“I know you have no regrets, but at least you have to take responsibility for this matter.”

Maiya spoke again, not caring about the Doctor’s reaction.

“Because that is the very regret that you designed and released into this world. Atermeyer.”

[……]

At that moment, the Doctor’s presence, which was felt from beyond the door, began to change completely.