“I know that too,” Hina replied with a displeased expression, her lips tightly pressed together.
“Isn’t it intriguing?” the young man smirked, continuing his thought. “The fact that someone like him was in obscurity for so long, and now he’s making a name for himself in this turbulent time.”
“Do you think there’s a special reason for that?”
“I don’t want to make excuses, but it wouldn’t be surprising if there were circumstances fitting his abilities.”
A glimmer of light flickered in the darkness.
“Aren’t you curious about those circumstances?”
Though Hina had only worked with Lennok once, she understood how different the wizard called ‘Van’ was. In a city filled with talented people and superhumans, he stood out solely based on his abilities. He was a freelancer who preferred to operate alone, unaffiliated with any particular organization or group. While it might seem inefficient, it undeniably contributed to the wide recognition of his name, ‘Van.’
When the agents investigated Lennok, they found an extraordinary track record overshadowing his eccentric behavior. However, the young man argued that there was more to dig into beyond what was visible—the secrets held by the talented wizard.
Understanding his words, Hina slightly furrowed her brows. “So you need a collaborator.”
“To be precise, I need someone who can defend me, even after everything has been revealed to the team leader,” the young man chuckled softly. “You know the team leader has a fondness for him.”
“And so?”
“I’m not saying I don’t understand her feelings. It’s been over three months since Halliban, who was a fairly competent wizard for field operations, died gruesomely. From the team leader’s perspective, she’s desperately in need of a capable wizard.”
“……”
“However, shouldn’t we ensure that he has the qualifications and integrity to join us as a colleague?”
Rather than answering his direct question, Hina scowled.
If she truly disapproved, her personality would lead her to flatly reject it without leaving any room for doubt. But the truth was that she, too, was strongly attracted to his abilities, regardless of Van’s character or actions.
Realizing this, the young man chuckled softly and disappeared into the shadows.
Hina gazed at the empty space for a moment before picking up her clothes and leaving the small room.
***
-Three days had passed since the tracking of the dummy data ended.
Beep!
Vroooom!
A truck sped across the desert, leaving behind a thick cloud of dust.
Sitting at the back of the truck, Lennok absentmindedly watched the cityscape recede into the distance. While he had been to the outskirts of the city a few times, it had been a while since he completely left the metropolis.
The memory of stealing a strange car and trembling as he entered the Vulcan still vividly lingered in Lennok’s mind.
Evelyn’s calm voice continued to resonate through his earphones.
-The location information we secured has been cross-verified using all available resources. This is reliable information.
“……”
-He’s hiding quite well, but the heat from the desert he’s in is causing brief interruptions in the jamming. We focused on those moments to take satellite images, and now we have a pretty good idea.
Evelyn’s words continued, but Lennok did not bother to respond verbally.
The communication echoing in his ear wasn’t just for him; it was instructions being broadcast to all team members participating in this operation.
He wasn’t pleased that the information embargo was only lifted just before the operation started, but he understood the need for security reasons.
Moreover, the other team members in the truck were also listening intently to Evelyn’s communications.
-The location found by tracking the encryption key is a temporary base of the terrorist organization, Falcon. It seems to be a place set up for resupplying people in Vulcan.
“……”
-The objective of the operation is twofold.
Evelyn’s voice turned icy cold.
-To neutralize the internal power of the base and to secure the communication network for tracing back to Falcon’s headquarters.
“……”
-The base commander, Daron, is away from the base to receive supplies. He’s a madman who has modified his body with machinery, and there are wild rumors about him, so it would be better to finish the operation before he returns.
She explained the details of the operation in a quick and concise tone.
Things she had already mentioned once to Lennok.
Divided into three teams, 1 and 3 take the lead and retreat, while team 2 gathers information. While team 2 is withdrawing, teams 1 and 3 neutralize the base.
Naturally, all eyes were on Lennok, the team leader of Team 2.
-Our communication will be cut off.
Evelyn said.
-From now on, operators waiting nearby will assist the operation. Good luck.
Click!
At the same time as the communication was cut off, the truck stopped.
At that very moment, another truck emerged through the swirling sand dust. The team members, who had gathered in the midst of the vast desert, slowly disembarked from the truck and exchanged glances with each other.
Unlike the others, Lennok remained seated on the truck, gazing up at the scorching sky. The environment was incredibly hot and dry. Mirage-like illusions danced on the horizon, even in such sunny weather. Thanks to Common magic, which cooled the body temperature and provided moderate ventilation, standing bare in this climate would have led to death from heatstroke within half an hour.
Engaged in such trivial observations, he took a cigarette from his pocket. A bored voice came from beside him, “You must really like cigarettes. Do you have to light it up in this crazy weather?”
The voice belonged to a young man with small scars on his face, the Chlorine power user who had accompanied Lennok in the previous trade center operation. Without responding, Lennok smiled and quietly lit his cigarette.
The young man hesitantly spoke again, “I’m sorry for asking, but what are you planning to do next?”
“What do you mean?”
“I mean, effectively, you’re the key to this operation as a wizard.”
Though his tone was more respectful than before, his words hit the mark. “Anyone who heard the briefing couldn’t miss it. The deployment and operation structure clearly supporting Team 2, the way they escort you in and out… There will be quite a few people dissatisfied with this.”
“Dissatisfaction, huh…” Lennok pondered. It wasn’t entirely baseless since freelancers typically disliked being heavily constrained. While they were hired by an agent and should follow their method to some extent, on the field, how many of them would truly abide by it? It was expected, especially when considering that direct intervention by agents was difficult.
Suddenly, someone knocked roughly on the truck where Lennok sat. A young man with bright lime-colored hair, adorned with piercings and fierce eyes, stood with a group of other team members who had descended from another truck, all staring at Lennok.
“Let’s talk. Come down,” the young man demanded.
“Talk from there,” Lennok calmly replied.
“What?”
“I can hear you.”
Undeterred, the young man approached, visibly irritated, but he managed to maintain his composure. He crossed his arms and leaned towards Lennok, questioning the operation plan.
“We’re dividing roles into entering-action-retreat, right? But in reality, aren’t we just cleaning up the 2nd unit’s mess? I can’t agree with this method.”
‘They said they would hand over operating to the field standby team, but no word has been said so far. There’s only one meaning to this.’
At this point, will they completely hand over the control of the operation to Lenok and refrain from intervening in what happens within?
Or, could this be a silent pressure stating if they can’t suppress this much confusion, they can’t be trusted to handle the job?
It was annoying, but Lennok understood to some extent.
The trash that scurries around on the streets.
A life chasing not regulation and control, but innate power and money.
To bind them under one order called an operation, a certain solution is needed in its own way.
It’s not something to get offended over.
If anything, isn’t Lennok also a resident of the street, no different from them?
He must not forget his essence, intoxicated by his ever-increasing reputation and price.
Didn’t he vow to survive by any means necessary and rise when he first arrived in this city?
Memories of his past experiences—the cold touch of the washstand, the warmth of a gun’s barrel, the discomfort of hardship—all flashed vividly in his mind. While others might forget and move on, Lennok vowed never to lose sight of his essence—the essence of the city and his own identity.
With cold determination in his eyes, Lennok rose slowly from his seat.
“Are you listening?”
He addressed those who were listening intently through their earphones to the unfolding situation.
“It’s a cost necessary to sort out this situation. You mustn’t forget.”
-……Thank you for your understanding.
From the response, it appeared that the agents were facing their own challenges.
Upon hearing the hushed voice, Lennok felt satisfied.
“Hey, do the guys in the truck feel the same way?”
Meanwhile, the man, seemingly wanting to gain more allies, turned to the other freelancers inside the same truck as Lennok.
“It’s not fair. We haven’t even seen that wizard’s skills properly. Even if the client gave direct orders…”
“I don’t think so.”
Interrupting the man’s speech with a deep voice was a large man, who had been sitting with his eyes closed and an indifferent expression, leaning against the truck.
“…What?”
“That guy is much more capable than you think. I believe the client’s judgment is accurate.”
“I feel the same way.”
The woman sitting next to him, with an expressionless face, added.
As the two sat side by side, they gave off a similar vibe.
“I have no complaints about my role here. Instead, I doubt if teams 1 and 3 can properly play their roles,” the woman said, her eyes gleaming.
“Frankly speaking, isn’t it your first time on this operation? On the other hand, we have already tested each other’s skills by working together before. I don’t think we need to explicitly state who is better suited for this mission.”
Lennok, not expecting anyone to take his side in this situation, turned his head and stared at the two people sharply.
Caught by Lennok’s gaze, the two subtly averted their eyes elsewhere.
Their simultaneous movement made it clear to Lennok that they had their own hidden motives. Including the chlorine psychic, the two were part of the same squad 2 as Lennok this time.
It wasn’t just about Lennok’s abilities; the two didn’t want their roles in the 2nd squad, which would undoubtedly receive the most support in this operation, to be taken by other team members.
Moreover, considering the display of his abilities in the last operation, there seemed to be an unspoken agreement that it would be better to side with Lennok in this situation.
Their shifty gazes concealed various intentions.
Who would be the most helpful to Lennok?
“Don’t confuse the mission objective with my goal.’
All Lennok want is to find Craig and inquire about the legacy left by the old wizard family. And to uncover the secrets and clues of this world. Attacking Falcon’s temporary base, extracting information, and tracking their main base are just a part of his goals.
“Huh…”
Lennok, who quickly calculated the situation, slowly held onto the truck’s railing and stepped onto the desert sand.
If he had jumped off with a big leap, he might have seriously injured his knees.
The man looked at Lenok with a ridiculous expression and shook his head in disbelief.
“Ah, it’s all wrong… every one of them, this guy and that guy, they’re all fools.”
He pulled out a long dagger from his waist and quickly channeled his mana.
“Did you come down because you decided to accept our request?”
Before answering, Lennok quietly glanced down at the watch on his left wrist.
“There are about 30 minutes left until the start of the operation.”
“Damn, this guy hasn’t been responsive for a while now…!!”
Finally losing his temper, the lime-haired man kicked the ground, and a cloud of sand exploded, obscuring his figure.
Bang!
Regardless, Lennok, with a cigarette in his mouth, was lost in thought.
There were countless ways to deal with these idiots, and the efficiency of each approach was significant enough that prioritizing Lennok’s mana, which was in perfect condition, didn’t matter.
From Lennok’s perspective, he could react almost simultaneously as his opponent made a move.
He considered the consequences of using mana and the most efficient and safe way to reveal his power and talent.
‘If I take into account the situation at the start of the operation… the answer is already determined.’
Without hesitation, he reached out and grasped the mana of the void.
Considering the laws of this world, how far had he come? Was he at level 5 or perhaps level 6?
And how much further could he go?
He factored in the time to think as he grasped.
[Sand Thrust]
With that, the sand piled up under Lenok’s feet began to stir and rise all at once.
Whoooooooo…!!!
A dark curtain spread under the scorching desert sky, blocking all visibility around.
The other freelancers, who were observing the scene, were left with their mouths wide open in surprise.
“A, a sand wizard…!!”
“It’s impossible. How can he freely use such a rare magic…!!”
As the enormous sand umbrella was now complete, the man’s figure appeared.
It was evident that he was taken aback.
Unable to handle the huge curtain of sand that enveloped Lennok, he stared at it in astonishment while Lennok calmly sat down under the umbrella he had created.
Though he cooled the surrounding air with magic, the satisfaction of having shade in this desert was unparalleled.
Exhaling a long puff of smoke, Lennok gestured to the people around him.
“It would be good to rest until then. Those who can’t stand the heat can come in.”
(To be Continued)
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