Genius Wizard Takes Medicine [EN]: Chapter 844

Takeover (13)

It was the darkest hour, just before dawn.

Lenok stood deep within the damp forest, where the night dew had yet to evaporate.

Halfway up a steep mountain that straddled the border between districts 35 and 36.

‘For a research institute directly under the City Council, they’ve chosen quite a peculiar location.’

Lenok muttered, manipulating the soil beneath his feet to ascend the mountain effortlessly.

‘It’s a gray area, straddling the Whitestone National Park in District 35, yet not actually part of the park itself. It might have been a measure to hide the research facility in the first place.’

[Here, it’s hidden so that no coordinates are captured on the satellite map.]

Davi responded in agreement with Lenok’s words.

[It’s a zone that only appears on old map scans that haven’t been updated on the central network, so I think Master’s guess is probably right?]

‘The City Council must be controlling even real-time updated map data. It’s not a difficult task with the power of magic… We’re here.’

As Lenok spoke, the outline of a round research institute, cleverly concealed near the mountain’s edge, began to come into view.

Strange structures, like overturned hemispheres, were irregularly built along the mountain ridge.

Unless one were looking down from the mountain’s peak, the exterior was so vague that even Lenok had to concentrate to barely make it out while climbing the mountain.

Even if a hiker were to get lost in the national park and stumble upon this place, most would probably go back down without even realizing the existence of the research institute.

And those who, by some very low probability, succeeded in discovering the research institute…

Clank!!

A black gun barrel suddenly emerged from the bushes.

But Lenok was not surprised; he calmly raised his hand and brushed it aside.

The machine gun stood alone on its mount, unused.

It was a security device designed to automatically fire at approaching objects, without human intervention.

And a weapon subordinate to such a system was meaningless to Davi, who had already detected it.

Lenok easily bypassed all sorts of security devices cleverly hidden among the bushes and tree stumps, with the help of the cyber spirit.

[They’re all just poorly secured devices.]

Davi, who had poked his head out from inside Lenok’s coat, snorted with a smug expression.

[To make a research institute using Master’s name, is this all they can do? I should show them what’s what!]

‘Can you hold back for a bit?’

Lenok could now well imagine how chaotic this research institute would become if Davi showed them ‘what’s what’.

First, he needed to know what was happening at the research institute to figure out how to deal with it.

Rather, something else caught Lenok’s attention.

‘This research institute. It’s not a recently built facility.’

[Huh?]

‘The security devices here. They’re the latest models, but the mounts have been here for quite some time.’

Lenok said, stepping off the bushes and looking at the spot where the mount was embedded.

The moss growing under the bushes naturally covered the mount where the machine gun was attached.

‘The security system itself was completed a long time ago. Only the equipment and system have been updated recently.’

Lenok checked the machine gun’s serial number, entered it into the deep web to investigate its manufacturing date, and then nodded.

‘Perhaps there was another facility here before the research institute.’

[Ah, Master. Look over there.]

Davi wiggled his front paws inside Lenok’s coat and raised them.

[The light coming from over there is very impure.]

‘Impure?’

Lenok turned his head, but he couldn’t see what Davi was talking about with the naked eye.

With his magic detection deliberately turned off, Lenok’s poor physical abilities made it difficult to grasp what it meant.

[Um, what was it called…]

Davi tilted his head, looking slightly troubled, then tapped his tail.

[Ah, cigarette smoke! It’s cigarette smoke.]

‘……’

[There are several of them gathered together.]

Lenok could almost guess what Davi was thinking, based on the way he chose his words, after seeing the cigarettes Lenok usually smoked.

From the perspective of a cyber spirit, it was no wonder that such cigarettes seemed utterly useless.

Although the explanation was a bit odd, Lenok immediately understood what Davi meant.

If cigarette smoke was gathered in a secluded part of the research institute, there was only one reason.

‘A smoking area.’

It was probably because there was a separate, secluded space that couldn’t be made openly in front of the research facility.

As he said, several people were scattered around a small garden where Lenok had arrived, smoking cigarettes.

They wore white gowns, with greasy hair and faces worn out by fatigue.

Their appearance, exhausted not by physical labor but by mental wear and tear, made it clear that they were researchers.

However, instead of immediately walking over and beating up the researchers, Lenok hid himself nearby and eavesdropped on their conversations.

‘…When will the third experiment research personnel be replenished?’

‘I overheard the team leader’s phone call earlier, and they said not to expect it.’

‘Damn it, and they’re telling us to proceed with development on schedule?’

‘We can’t just bring in anyone and use them. We need someone with at least some research or consulting experience in magic theory.’

The conversations were exchanged quietly in tired voices.

It seemed they had already finished a few experiments and had come out for a short break.

‘It’s not like we’re asking for geniuses like Professor Bailen. Anyone who can help with the research is enough!’

‘It seems the higher-ups want more than that. They want to reorganize this place into a top-tier research institution this time.’

‘Ha, even if the situation is good, aren’t they aiming too high?’

The researchers grumbled with all sorts of complaints, but overall, they didn’t seem to be strongly opposed.

They seemed to have accepted the current situation to some extent and were familiar with the research institute.

Someone quietly muttered as they passed by.

‘Maybe we really need Professor Bailen?’

‘……’

A low silence flowed among the researchers.

Lenok quietly observed the atmosphere, which felt somewhat uncomfortable.

The other researchers, who had been smoking with strange expressions, made an effort to lighten the mood and stood up.

‘Enough, let’s experiment with the new format we discovered yesterday. I have a plausible pattern in mind.’

‘After we finish this, it’s the whole research building recruitment schedule, what are you talking about? We have to go listen to a lecture.’

‘Ah, they said they invited a person to help with the research. Is that what the lecture is about?’

‘They say he’s a highly respected teacher in that field. We need to understand his theory first to be able to integrate it…’

The researchers, grumbling as if they were annoyed, got up one by one.

The researchers scattered towards the back doors of the various research buildings.

Lenok waited quietly, and only after all the researchers had left did he get up.

‘The research building where the lecture is being held will be empty. Good.’

[Shall we hack into the research building’s internal system to find out the lecture time?]

‘No, let’s try messing with that later.’

Lenok said, glancing at the cigarette butts the researchers had left in the ashtray at the smoking area.

Lenok activated his magic power to check the discarded cigarette butts, then turned away.

‘Independent networks used in research institutions like this often shut down completely once an intrusion is detected. We might only have one chance to easily interfere with the network.’

[Even if these independent networks are shut down, I can smash them with my power.]

‘In a way that paralyzes the entire system and servers of the research institute?’

[……I’m just doing what I do best.]

‘Which is the most fun.’

Lenok grabbed Davi’s impudent mouth with both hands and stretched it out, then headed towards the back door of a nearby research building.

The moment he grabbed the doorknob with his bare hand, red letters appeared above the door.

Beep!!

[Biometric pattern mismatch. Please try again.]

It was easy to be mistaken by the seemingly unguarded reactions of the researchers, but the security of the research institute was not so lax.

Not only was the door set to full lock as soon as it closed, but the system also required the researchers’ biometric information to open it again.

As soon as it recognized that the user was not authorized, a red warning light flashed and repeated a strong warning message.

[If a matching pattern is not recognized within 5 seconds, security forces will be called. 5, 4……]

A stern declaration that security forces would be called immediately after just one pattern mismatch. It was clear how thoroughly the security surrounding the research institute was maintained.

Davi, hanging from Lenok’s hand, wiggled his six tails as if showing off.

[I have no choice but to step in for the sake of my naive Master.]

‘Wait.’

[……?]

Lenok ignored Davi’s question and raised his magic power on the spot.

The moment a transparent liquid flowed from Lenok’s fingertips as he gripped the doorknob.

[Biometric pattern match confirmed. Welcome.]

Chik…!!

A clear chime sounded, and the lock was released, and the door opened.

Lenok, who had clenched and unclenched his slightly wet right hand, immediately stepped into the hallway inside the research building.

[That’s not like Master, using such a straightforward method. What’s gotten into you?]

‘It’s hard to get a feel for it if I don’t practice in real situations like this.’

[A feel for what?]

‘Hermes Orokneer’s Mass Manipulation.’

Lenok replied, shaking his hand as if he was uncomfortable.

‘Instead of modulating magic power, I replicated artificial biological material.’

The method Lenok used to pass through the research building’s security was not that complicated.

He analyzed the biometric information from the cigarette butts left by the researchers, adjusted it with mass manipulation, and used it to create biological material that was enough to pass through security.

‘It should be simple with the expected process, but it’s still difficult… Creating something is not an easy task.’

Hermes’s mass manipulation was a miracle that used magic to imitate existing mass.

Imitating creation, which was unimaginable under the physical laws of the current world, was possible because he, as an ascendant from the old world, had obtained an answer equivalent to the world.

Even though the efficiency and fuel consumption were greatly reduced because it was a power that did not fit the laws of this world, the potential and possibilities of mass manipulation were truly infinite.

Along with the Five Laws of the Fate’s Scale, it was one of the highest-level advanced magics that Lenok still struggled to use properly.

‘It’s even harder to control because it’s not magic based on my own mental image. It feels like the standard sensation itself is all over the place.’

If used well, it could show ridiculously good results even with simple operations like now, but the process itself was extremely difficult and capricious.

It was probably because it strongly reflected the nature and character of Hermes, the original owner of mass manipulation.

It would be stranger if a magic that contained the life of a strange person who lived as a prime minister of a country and became an ascendant as a war proxy who trampled on civilization was simple and intuitive.

[The thing Master just made, it was imitating the biological material on the cigarette butts.]

While Lenok was thinking and looking around, Davi, who had been deep in thought, muttered.

Davi’s fur stood on end, looking slightly horrified.

[Then isn’t it just the same as the saliva of a completely unknown organism…?]

‘Do you have to say it and make me feel uncomfortable?’

[Kyaak! Kyaak!]

‘Be quiet.’

Lenok, who had shoved the spirit, who was screaming like a nightingale to avoid his wet hand, into his coat, began to walk down the hallway of the research building.

It was clear that everyone had gone to the auditorium, as there was no sound in this research building.

The problem was that all the doors on both sides of the hallway were tightly locked, making it impossible to enter.

When he tried to grab a door, a red warning message immediately appeared above the door, just like when he entered the research building.

[You can just put a lot of organic saliva on your hand and touch the doorknobs.]

Davi grumbled with a sulky expression from inside Lenok’s coat.

[Please don’t call me until it’s all over.]

‘I don’t plan to.’

Lenok replied and walked across the hallway towards the lobby in the center of the research building.

Several hallways that crossed the research building, and a central hall that connected the hallways.

Lenok, who had naturally picked up and put on a white gown that was draped over a chair on one side of the desk, was lost in thought.

‘The structure of the research building itself is not difficult to grasp. The problem is the other side.’

Unless there were special facilities or equipment, the structure of the other research buildings would not be much different.

The important thing was the question of where to go to investigate the purpose of this research institute.

Lenok’s goal was not to destroy this research institute that bore Evan Bailen’s name, but to find out the intentions of the Central Council that created it.

‘Hmm?’

Lenok’s gaze, which had been lost in thought, turned to a monitor on one side of the desk.

Something was moving on several split screens that seemed to be showing CCTV footage of each research building.

A researcher with disheveled white hair was scratching his head, yawning with a cup of coffee in one hand.

He walked down the hallway, muttering to himself like a madman, and then went into a research room without even closing the door.

‘……’

He was wearing a white gown, so he must be a researcher, but his behavior was quite unusual in many ways.

If he was still in the research building while the other researchers were dragged to the lecture, he must be a high-ranking researcher.

Lenok immediately set his target and moved.

Thud!

He suddenly opened the half-open door of the research room and stood next to the white-haired researcher.

The researcher, who was sitting in front of the microscope and operating it without even realizing the door had opened, turned his head.

His expression was blurry and unfocused. He was holding a cup of coffee, but he looked dazed as if he was drunk.

‘Huh? Who are you?’

‘I am…’

Lenok hesitated for a moment, then smiled instead of answering.

Since he had come here with half of his face, there was no reason to hide anything or be hesitant.

‘I’m the person who came here today.’

‘……’

The researcher, with a dazed expression at the strange answer that was not a lie, nodded as if he had realized something.

‘Ah, I see. You’re a new researcher who came in this time?’

‘Hmm.’

‘The team leader of Team 2 said they were planning to recruit personnel for the research institute~ So they’ve found an applicant now.’

Lenok also smiled calmly at the natural acceptance.

‘I apologize for the late introduction.’

‘Okay, I’ve remembered your face, so go.’

‘Where do you mean?’

‘Ah, didn’t you hear? They’re explaining the necessary magic theory through an invited lecture. All the other researchers will be there, so go and listen to the explanation.’

The researcher, who seemed to have no interest in the newcomer, gave a rough explanation and waved his hand.

Lenok pretended to hesitate for a moment and asked.

‘Um… Is it okay for you not to go, senior?’

‘Me? I’m fine.’

Just as Lenok was about to choose his words at the nonchalant answer, the young man said in a light voice as he passed by.

‘That lecture was planned for idiots who don’t even know what they’re researching.’

‘……’

A sharp reply that didn’t match his leisurely attitude.

The young man, perhaps thinking his words were a bit harsh, glanced at Lenok.

‘Well, even if I say this, you probably don’t know what I’m talking about. If you’re curious, why don’t you come here for a moment and take a look at this?’

The young man, who had pulled Lenok to sit in front of the microscope he was looking at, said.

‘The magic pattern that forms the basis of the common magic system. A masterpiece created by Professor Evan Bailen, and an invention that could change the history of the continent.’

‘……’

‘It’s said to be based on very old ancient magic, but there’s something here that can’t be explained by that alone. This research institute is a garbage dump built to research that and spew out more plausible nonsense.’

‘……That’s a harsh statement.’

‘Why, do you think you’re any different?’

‘……’

‘I’ve been researching this magic system every day since the common magic was announced. And I’ve discovered that there’s a secret hidden in this magic pattern that’s completely different from the existing ones.’

The young man smiled wryly and winked at Lenok.

‘The fact I just mentioned is clearly shown in that microscope.’

‘……’

‘Check it out. If you’re useful enough to work at this research institute, you’ll know it as soon as you see it. No, you have to know it.’

‘What happens if I don’t know?’

‘If you don’t?’

The young man’s gaze towards Lenok turned cold for a moment.

‘It just means one more stupid dropout to be cut in the next quarter.’

‘……’

He seemed to have quite a fierce personality for someone who was slacking off alone in the research building.

Lenok shrugged his shoulders and put his eyes to the microscope, and the young man immediately activated the device’s switch.