Genius Wizard Takes Medicine [EN]: Chapter 911

A forgotten ritual for warriors to challenge ascension, huh?

Lenok, who never expected to hear such words in a place like this, remained silent for a moment, a cigarette still in his mouth.

Beside Lenok, who was staring at the ceiling of the engine room and exhaling smoke, the guardian spirit, who had been rolling around haphazardly, grumbled.

[Gyao~]

“……”

It seemed the smell of the cigarette Lenok was smoking didn’t sit well with it.

Lenok, with a wry smile, put out the cigarette and said,

“I got a much more honest answer than I expected.”

“……”

“Is that Felix’s conclusion about the pilgrimage?”

Felix’s words were shocking, but Lenok didn’t miss the subtle nuance of the answer.

A ritual for warriors to challenge ascension.

It sounded like it wasn’t a publicly known fact, but rather Felix’s personal conclusion.

“That’s right. There are still many different opinions about the pilgrimage. Some say that only those who walk the path can know the answer.”

Felix nodded.

“But I had a vague idea even before the journey ended. It was only after Asilus left and Antares failed that I was able to be certain. That was….”

Felix hesitated, as if reluctant to give the answer he had in mind.

“It was a very grand ritual in itself. So grand that even those who embarked on the journey had difficulty realizing it.”

“……”

“It was so old and worn that its origins are unknown, and now it is only passed down with its essence intact. All of it was a process of reorganizing our own microcosms into a single path.”

“A path….”

“Unlike the self-generating domain [a magical field that alters reality based on one’s inner image] where the root image is spread around oneself, the microcosm is closer to the power of transforming one’s own body according to the image.”

Felix said.

“We must make our bodies the answer and the possibility to be allowed a great challenge.”

“……”

“The pilgrimage must have been a ritual that was passed down in the form of a journey, that very process itself.”

Felix muttered, with a somewhat pained expression.

“A very long, painful, and utterly cruel ritual.”

“……”

“It was only after reaching the end of the journey that we realized the true nature of the pilgrimage.”

Felix said, as if recalling a distant memory.

“It was because he was outstanding. Antares already understood the true nature of the pilgrimage and knew what could be achieved through the ritual.”

“……”

“And that’s why he gave up in the end.”

Felix’s voice, answering himself, was as quiet and low as if he would be sucked into the endless darkness at any moment.

“I know. The reason why Antares failed and had to force his own ending. The reason why Asilus gave up the pilgrimage. The fact that those two are not different at all.”

“……”

“We were not beings who could change the ending. Or perhaps, we were beings who didn’t want to change it.”

Felix closed his eyes again.

“Either way, it was clear that we were not qualified, so I thought that both I and Antares had forgotten it all….”

From the moment Antares mentioned the promise of the pilgrimage, Felix must have recalled the memories of that time as well.

Lenok, who had rubbed out the cigarette and burned it completely to ashes, nodded.

“That’s an impressive answer.”

He had thought that the pilgrimage, which was occasionally mentioned among outstanding warriors, would be an unusual concept.

But he never imagined that it would mean a ritual to obtain the qualification to challenge ascension as a warrior.

“Thank you for being honest. Those of us who use magic are closer to each other in our own ways, so I never thought such a ritual would exist.”

Lenok nodded and raised his hand.

“It must be from the difference in how you awaken the root image through magic? The difference between the self-generating domain and the microcosm reaches the point of changing the process. It’s a very interesting topic.”

The self-generating domain that changes reality with the root image, and the power of the microcosm that changes oneself.

Both are the completion points that can be reached only after completing the seven levels of self-transformation.

But the fact is that no one has yet properly identified the difference and principle.

The landscapes, abilities, and activation principles drawn by individual images were so different that it was virtually meaningless to look for rules or tendencies.

Nevertheless, the very existence of the pilgrimage as a ritual is clear evidence that there is a great will that cannot be guessed by human common sense.

‘The reason why Antares failed and Croken gave up….’

The reason for those words that Felix muttered in passing can be understood if the pilgrimage is really a kind of ascension ritual.

Clearly, neither of them failed because their abilities were insufficient or they lacked qualifications.

Rather, it is obvious to think that they have reasons why they should not be bound by such a ritual.

Having finished his assessment, Lenok then picked up the remaining tools and got up from his seat.

“It seems I’ve heard much more valuable information than I thought. I don’t want to just take it for free, is there anything you want?”

“……”

Felix opened his mouth as if to refuse the offer outright, but hesitated as if something had come to mind.

Felix, who had been watching Lenok by his side, would know that such words rarely came from Lenok.

Lenok chuckled at the sight.

“I can grant most requests, so feel free to speak.”

The truth about the pilgrimage was something close to an unexpected gain for Lenok.

Moreover, this answer itself was Felix conveying the truth he had directly experienced while passing through the pilgrimage.

Of course, it would be impossible for Lenok, who is not a warrior, to challenge the pilgrimage right away, but just knowing this fact would allow him to pinpoint the motives of other monsters in more detail.

“If you want, I’ll catch hundreds of tuna for you in the sea near Balkan.”

“Huk…!!”

Felix opened his beak wide as if he had completely lost his mind, but barely managed to endure it after a desperate effort.

It seemed that Felix really had something he wanted to ask Lenok seriously.

Lenok, having confirmed his sincerity, waited for a moment instead of making any more jokes.

Felix, who had been hesitating, asked.

“It’s a shameless request, but could you help me handle the power of the Ascended…?”

“……The power of the Ascended?”

The Ascended, who rose to the rank of an Ascended as a Berserker.

Was he now trying to get his hands on the power of the Ascended, which he had warned was dangerous before?

The moment Lenok’s expression slightly hardened at those words, Felix immediately continued.

“It’s not because I have any lingering attachment to the power of the Berserker. However, I want to study the power of the Ascended and find a way to become stronger.”

“Find a way to become stronger?”

“A monster who has risen to the rank of an Ascended as a physical ability user. Moreover, it is very rare for that power to remain in this world.”

Felix said with a serious expression.

“I am confident that if I can properly learn the method of handling it, my skills will greatly improve.”

Lenok remembered that Felix had once been able to fight Croken to some extent while wielding the hammer containing the power of the Ascended.

However, Lenok knew what kind of circumstances the Ascended had actually obtained the qualifications for ascension, and what kind of existence he had served as a body and was buried in Yorta’s Interstice [a dimensional rift].

Even if Felix were to study the power and strength of the Ascended now, it was impossible to be sure whether the results obtained from it would truly be helpful to him.

“It is clear that in order to complete the hierarchy and move beyond it, one must transcend the limits of the species.”

Felix, looking at Lenok with a strong gaze, said.

“I am trying to find a way to transcend my limits without going insane by studying the power left by the Berserker.”

“You’re saying you’ll use the power of the Ascended as a negative example.”

“I’m not asking for your help. In the first place, it would be unconscionable to ask for your advice on my martial arts concerns. But if there is even a small hope, would you allow me to seize the opportunity?”

It was not impossible for Lenok to understand why Felix wanted to become stronger.

At least he was not the kind of person who would irresponsibly let go of everything he had just because destruction was approaching.

He was the kind of person who would not give up, but would find something he could do until the end and do his best.

That was why Lenok had trusted Felix and entrusted him with several important matters of the Tower.

“……Okay.”

Lenok nodded and reached into his pocket.

A worn wooden plaque wrapped in a murky, distorted magical power.

Lenok took out a small wooden plaque that could fit in one hand and threw it in front of Felix.

Kiiing!

The plaque stopped in mid-air with a strange sound of tearing through the air.

Felix’s eyes widened at the sight of the familiar magical power wrapped around the plaque.

“This is….”

“It’s a plaque contaminated with the power of the Ascended.”

Lenok said with his arms crossed.

“It was originally made to contain a curse and mark the target.”

“……”

“I believe you can guess why I’m giving this to you.”

Lenok tilted his head as he looked at the silent Felix.

A cursed plaque that he had taken from Yorta’s Interstice whenever he had the chance.

Lenok, having chosen one of the remaining plaques that had a particularly strong power of the Ascended, handed it to Felix.

“Don’t ask anything, and don’t tell anyone. You should keep this a secret from Antares as well.”

“……”

“I will only allow your training and research when I am watching you directly. If you agree and accept these three conditions, you can take the plaque.”

“……Even though it has nothing to do with you, are you going to such lengths for me?”

Felix said in a slightly subdued voice and slowly got up from his seat.

He clenched the plaque in his thick hand and thumped his fist against his chest.

“I won’t ask anything, and I won’t tell anything… I understand.”

Felix’s piercing eyes shone with an indescribable, strong will.

“I will do my best to repay your trust.”

“There are a few more things that need to be taken care of before the Tower is normalized.”

Lenok said as he turned around.

“Let’s pick a week when we have time and start.”

He could feel Felix bowing his head behind him, but Lenok didn’t bother to show off.

Strictly speaking, helping Felix study the power of the Ascended was also for Lenok himself.

Lenok’s Incarnation [a unique power manifestation] was a power modeled after the old world’s Kwon-sa [a martial arts master].

Studying the power of the Ascended, who had existed as the body of the cult leader, might be a meaningful clue in handling the Incarnation.

If a physical ability user like Felix were to experiment on his own body and pursue growth, it would be helpful for both of them if Lenok were to watch over him and provide safety measures.

Thinking so, Lenok immediately left the Tower’s engine room and took out his cell phone.

Contact from Jenny and Chen regarding the redevelopment of the Six-Pointed Fortress’s sanctuary and the outer area of the Magic Tower.

A belated call from Pandemonium’s broker, Highlea.

A letter from the watcher belonging to the Azure Eye, Captain Dreyfus, asking if he could see him separately.

A message from Clarice Richelene, a high-ranking mage belonging to the Sinclair Magic Tower.

Even a formal letter from Innocence, Claude Azlan, regarding the meeting.

“……”

There was one thing he could try first, putting all of that aside.

A certain call that the Deep Web administrators had made to Lenok. Interference from the cyber network that had never intervened in reality before.

But Lenok had an assistant who was freer than anyone else in the cyber space.

“Davi.”

[Yay~]

Kiiing!!

Davi instantly transformed into a giant fox and soared up.

Lenok, pointing to the huge golden spiral floating on the ceiling of the underground common area, raised his magical power.

“I’m going to temporarily overlay your self-generating domain over this entire space using the power of the Ouroboros magic system. Get ready.”

The underground common area where the guardian spirit usually resides is not just an empty space without purpose.

It is the most concentrated place of Lenok’s power within the Tower’s territory, and a space with a high density of magical power that can replace Lenok’s own existence in case of emergency.

And in this Magic Tower built through the Ouroboros magic system, it is also the place where Lenok’s creation magic power is best projected.

A golden spiral descended like an angel’s halo above the head of the giant fox, which was much taller than Lenok, and the six tails of the cyber spirit spread out in different directions, emitting a dazzling light.

[Hoo….]

Even for Davi, it seemed to take a lot of effort to build such a highly advanced concept, and a breath escaped unconsciously.

The power to spread the scenery of the mind to the world, which even the computational power of Davi, who was born as a cyber spirit, could not calculate.

A miracle that only the spirit born in this world with Lenok could obtain.

Paah!

The moment the colorless wave that emanated from Davi was absorbed as if sucked into the golden spiral above his head.

Self-generating domain deployment: Spirit Resonance

Cyber Hierarchy Image Implementation

[Dream Simulation Realm]

Paah!

Particles emitting blue light from all sides of the huge underground common area connected countless lines and turned into a blue net.

Each particle became a living intermediary, building a network in the real world and transforming it into a cyber space.

Davi, who had instantly covered the entire underground common area with his domain, finally collapsed on the spot.

[I, I succeeded…….]

“Good job.”

The self-generating domain that Davi had just deployed was not deployed due to Lenok’s intervention or help.

Although it happened within Lenok’s territory, Davi had succeeded in deploying the self-generating domain on his own without even reaching level 7.

[It was much easier than before because it was deployed overlapping the underground common area with a fixed area.]

The giant Davi scratched his cheek with his front paw and said.

Davi himself knew that this domain deployment was not entirely possible due to his own abilities.

[Actually, I don’t think I could have even tried it if it wasn’t deployed within Master’s territory…….]

“Anything is important to start with. The important thing is to get used to the feeling first.”

[That’s what Master always says when teaching magic to organic beings, you know? How about changing the repertoire when you praise me?]

Leaving Davi, who couldn’t be honest and grumbled, Lenok looked around the materialized Dream Simulation Realm.

A strange landscape where countless particles and networks were materialized and floating around.

As Lenok silently looked at the landscape of the domain, Davi rubbed his head against Lenok’s chest and asked.

[So, can we just connect to the Deep Web like this?]

“If we use a normal connection route, it will be no different from accessing the community so far.”

Lenok said and gestured.

“Can you bypass the connection system once and touch the firewall of the central network?”

[Ah, you mean to make them notice on purpose?]

Davi, who immediately understood Lenok’s words, began to twist the landscape of the Dream Simulation Realm and manipulate the cyber space.

Pababak!!

In the midst of the complex network landscape that was changing rapidly before his eyes, he quickly found an unauthorized route to access the Deep Web.

At that moment, dozens of red warning messages began to appear one after another in front of Lenok’s eyes.

[Warning: The overlay network is infected and immediate action is required. Please fix the magic-embedded bouncer according to the following instructions.]

[Warning: The overlay network is infected and immediate action is required. Please fix the magic-embedded bouncer according to the following instructions.]

The shape of the warning messages, which densely filled a corner of the Dream Simulation Realm and flickered as if they would immediately erode the cyber space.

But Lenok, knowing that, only stared at the warning messages without taking any particular action.

While Davi was watching Lenok’s reaction and waiting, leaving the explosively increasing warning messages unattended.

The text of the warning messages that had been appearing incessantly began to be output slightly differently before his eyes.

[Warning: The overlay network is infected and immediate action is required. Please fix the magic-embedded bouncer according to the following instructions. (They really came to find us)]

[Warning: The overlay network is infected and immediate action is required. (Did they get in touch with the broker?) Please fix the bouncer.]

[Warning: The overlay network is infected and immediate (Who told them about this connection method?) Please fix the magic-embedded bouncer according to the following instructions.]

“Since we don’t have much time, let’s get to the point. I know that you contacted me because of the abilities I have.”

Lenok said with his arms crossed and gestured to Davi, who began to convert Lenok’s words into electrical signals and overlay them on the warning messages.

“I have information I’m looking for, and if I can confirm that you can find it, I will agree to the deal.”

Silence.

It was a long time before the text of the warning messages that had been appearing in succession began to change again.

[Warning: The overlay network (Maybe we can check if it’s data accumulated in the network)]

[Warning: Overlay (Tell us what information you are looking for.) Please fix the magic-embedded bouncer according to the following instructions.]

“Everything about the leader of Pandemonium and the leader of the Guido Order.”

[…….]

“Or any information directly related to their identities.”

The reason why Lenok was trying to contact and trade with the Deep Web administrators ahead of several schedules.

It was because he was certain that one of the two transcendents had once stayed in this city.

Regarding Lapis’s case, Lenok had felt the urgent need to explore the qualifications for ascension more deeply.

If even a fragment of that information still remained in the abandoned sea of the network, which was presumed to be a byproduct of the project.

Chijik, chijijik-

A strange, grating noise slowly faded away.

The warning messages that had densely covered Lenok’s eyes disappeared at a similar speed as they had appeared.

A clean answer appeared on the screen.

[We have it.]

“……!!”

Lenok’s expression, who never expected to hear such a refreshing answer, changed slightly.

The moment Davi glanced at Lenok with an uneasy expression.

[But it’s not data that we have the authority to access.]

[We need your help. Can you directly access the Deep Web?]

“Do you want me to enter the cyber space directly?”

[I’ll send you the address. Please connect to that place.]

“Address?”

[There is a community within the Deep Web that is discussing what you did. The firepower is so strong that it would be a suitable place to hide a huge information backflow like you.]

The text that appeared after all the warning messages disappeared contained some very interesting content.

“The firepower is strong?”

[Because your battle with Gyeonryeon ended ambiguously, there is a very fierce debate about the outcome.]

The warning message replied as if it was unexpected.

[I guess you didn’t know, which is quite unexpected. How can you have such delicate cyber interference ability and have no interest in the internal reactions of the Deep Web?]

“……”

He had heard that a huge gamble had been opened regarding the duel between Gyeonryeon and himself, but he never imagined that the public opinion would still be so heated.

[Well, that’s fine. If what they say is true, even that arrogance is not a bad thing for us.]

At the same time, the landscape of the Dream Simulation Realm where Lenok was standing began to change.

[Let’s start by telling you how the Deep Web is evaluating your achievements.]