The strikingly bright blonde hair swept back, and the piercing blue eyes immediately captured his attention upon their initial encounter.
Even at a close proximity, where their breaths mingled, there was no trace of awkwardness in Aris’s countenance.
Lennok, in that moment, comprehended the profound comfort he found in her presence and offered a wistful smile.
Their relationship had its origins in a simple misunderstanding, yet the emotional gap between them had swiftly narrowed.
It transcended the mere untangling of inner thoughts, to the extent that Lennok momentarily lost touch with his magical perception.
Observing the concern on Aris’s face, he nodded in slow reassurance.
“It’s okay. The topic regarding the Domain is quite interesting, I’ve had a lot to think about too.”
Although he was offering explanations, Aris still couldn’t tear her gaze away from Lennok’s visage.
“Lennok. But just now…”
“Yes?”
“…”
Aris Richellen faltered, unable to proceed, and turned her head away.
She couldn’t find the words to directly address how his typically composed countenance had turned so chilling in an instant.
“It’s nothing.”
But she knew the truth.
That he was an exceptionally talented wizard, a scholar with a remarkable theoretical perspective who had been without prestige before crossing paths with Aris.
That his lack of mana couldn’t be a mere coincidence.
Yet, both Aris and Lennok had chosen to feign ignorance, to refrain from delving into that reality.
Initially, it was because she lacked interest. Later, it became a matter of comfort. Eventually, knowing became something to dread.
He was gentle and composed, a contemplative soul.
Despite his prodigious abilities, he didn’t boast, didn’t seek position, and remained untroubled by his reputation.
His distinct viewpoint and skill, his unwavering passion for magic despite the unfavorable circumstances, were precisely the qualities Aris Richellen had always admired in a wizard.
She couldn’t help but be intrigued.
Aris understood as well.
Ultimately, wizards could never fully comprehend one another.
To understand how these superhuman beings, who manipulated the laws of the world, obtained their talents and techniques, one would need to delve into their deepest secrets.
Fundamentally, this was an impossible task for humans.
Recognizing this, Aris Richellen grasped what she desired and what she dreaded.
If she persisted in probing the reason behind Lennok’s recent expression, she sensed that this moment would eventually fade away.
Two scholars exchanging theoretical perspectives. A simple connection between a professor and an assistant professor.
Could Lennok and Aris transcend that and continue to coexist in this library?
What was the significance of this library scene, bathed in the late afternoon sun, for the two of them?
At that instant, a resonance that had never existed within Aris began to surface.
***
[The chairman doesn’t need to take action himself.]
The man’s voice came through the earphones.
Although Lennok had only met him face-to-face once, he had never forgotten the tone of his voice.
Antares spoke in a casual manner, not awaiting Lennok’s response.
[The leaders of the other triads are the same. They have lived long enough to accumulate deep burdens of karma. Each one is implicated in serious war crimes, and they are all bound by execution orders that have no statute of limitations.]
Lennok immediately grasped the implication.
The underworld’s puppeteers were bound by so many constraints and obligations that their freedom of movement was severely restricted.
If the underworld leaders were to make a move, the city government would have no choice but to intervene directly as well.
In the current circumstances, that would be a disadvantageous development.
[It was a wise choice to escalate the situation. If they show themselves in a conflict that attracts this much attention, monsters from the city government who hold grudges against the chairman might also step forward.]
The city government’s enigmatic figures… The only prominent figure Lennok was aware of within the city government’s ranks was one.
“Are you talking about those like ‘Missile’?”
[Of course, she is the strongest archer I know of… but there are seniors who worked far above her. They are the superhumans who established order and created a starting point during the chaotic times of this old city.]
Antares chuckled.
[It seems you contacted me to leave the cleanup to me if necessary, but I want to tell you that you don’t need to worry about dangers that are out of your reach.]
“…”
He seemed to deduce that Lennok had enlisted Velita’s assistance in locating his contact information.
[What’s important is the board of directors leading a huge organization called Cartel under her command… The founding contributors who have been with the chairman since the establishment of Cartel. Even at that time, they were superhumans who had reached self-transformation, so it’s not strange that they are now aiming for something beyond.]
Lennok grasped the implication in Antares’ words as well.
The aura emitted by Virgil in the old church and the mana that flowed from him.
Even Lennok couldn’t casually speculate on the extent of his abilities.
However, in response to Antares’ statement, Lennok shook his head.
“I don’t want to be convinced by just a few words.”
[…]
“Since I’ve started activities outside, it’s not strange that eventually, I’ll face dangers beyond what I anticipated. If it’s something that Jenny’s side cannot handle… then I’d like to ask for your help.”
[A favor… It’s been a long time since I’ve heard such a request.]
Antares chuckled softly.
[I’m not one to meddle, but owing a favor to a man like you isn’t a bad thing.]
That single statement sufficed.
Considering the tasks that lay ahead, having such a safety net in place was imperative.
Perhaps that was why he had gone to great lengths to establish direct contact with Antares, even if it seemed excessive.
It had been a busy period, but it couldn’t be denied that it had its rewards.
Lennok released the throttle he had been gripping tightly after ending the communication.
Thud thud thud thud thud!!!
The black coat billowed in the rushing wind.
With a thunderous roar that hardly seemed possible from an engine, the hefty tires spun furiously, etching rough marks into the pavement.
The jet-black vehicle glided along the road, vanishing like a streak of obsidian lightning.
Even as the motorcycle swayed from side to side with each twist of the throttle, Lennok’s countenance remained remarkably composed.
“Davi. How much further to go?”
[4 km straight ahead, then a right turn. After that, enter the left fork, and you will find a street with many unregistered buildings. You will arrive within 3 minutes.]
Davi’s voice over the earpiece exuded a calm demeanor, prompting one to wonder why they hadn’t employed this method earlier.
Having completely assumed control of the bike’s AI system, Davi’s voice and computational capabilities were transmitted directly through wireless earphones.
It consumed significantly less mana than directly summoning Davi and posed no issues in harnessing Davi’s abilities.
The results of the riding assistance magical algorithm surpassed Lennok’s expectations.
All Lennok needed to do was take a seat on the bike, grip the throttle, and make slight adjustments to the direction and speed of the steering wheel.
Davi seamlessly controlled the bike’s movements, handling the necessary motor skills and maintaining balance.
Incorporating calculations for air resistance from the automatic flight algorithm into the riding assistance magic made the act of driving feel natural, almost as if guided by a cyber spirit.
Two years into his freelance career in this bustling city, Lennok had acquired his own means of transportation.
For a brief moment, pedestrians’ attention was captivated by Lennok and his distinctive ride, but soon their curiosity waned, and they went about their business.
In Vulcan, where magic and engineering coexisted, Lennok’s bike was eye-catching but not an uncommon sight.
Even the designs of cars and bikes used in this city, where all manner of magic users traversed the streets, were no less impressive than Lennok’s vehicle.
“That’s an incredible noise. If you listen to it from the side, it feels like your ears will burst.”
“Look at the bike’s exterior. It’s like it’s clad in armor. Lucky it doesn’t get stuck somewhere.”
“Does it even matter? Guys who ride bikes like that are the ones whose bodies remain unscathed even if the bike is smashed to bits.”
“…”
The hushed conversations of passersby, as they turned their heads to catch a glimpse, were keenly detected by Lennok’s magical perception.
It appeared that people didn’t hold a favorable opinion of his bike.
Davi chimed in with a mildly amused tone.
[You’re being treated like a monster. Considering the atmosphere of the megacity, it’s not surprising.]
“Riding around on a bike this size probably doesn’t look good in any sense…”
The monstrous bike was engineered not only for its power but primarily for its substantial bulk and durability, making it well-suited for close-quarters combat during pursuits or escapes.
Given its essentially combat-oriented design, it was quite understandable that civilians found it intimidating.
[30 seconds to arrival. Turn left immediately towards the building in front.]
“Good.”
He twisted the steering wheel, causing the bike’s massive frame to lean close to the ground.
The bike’s body shook vigorously as it expertly weaved between the stationary cars.
At that speed, the bike collided head-on with the wall of the building.
Kwaaaaang!!!
“Aaaahhh!!!”
“Shit! He just crashed into it!!”
“What the hell is that guy doing?!”
While chaos erupted outside, within the building that Lennok had crashed into, an eerie silence prevailed.
The spacious lobby had instantly turned into disarray as the entrance and windows were shattered upon impact, but neither Lennok nor his bike had suffered a single scratch or dent.
Lennok steadied the bike with one foot and retrieved a cigarette from his pocket to light it.
It was the third prototype of cigarettes that Lennok had crafted himself.
The first had too short a duration, and the second had more intense side effects than he had anticipated.
As he flicked his finger to ignite the cigarette and took a drag, Lennok sensed the stares fixed upon him.
Even now, he could discern them clearly through his magical perception.
The numerous individuals concealed within the building.
As if they had been forewarned of the intrusion, they had meticulously evacuated only the lobby.
With an indifferent expression, Lennok gestured with his hand toward the rear.
“Those who think they’re not related to the Cartel, get out now.”
Simultaneously, Lennok retrieved a shotgun from a hidden compartment on his left wrist and raised the barrel, eliciting gasps from various corners of the room.
Click!!
“I’m planning to smash this place up until it’s beyond recovery today.”
“Hi-hik…!!”
“Da-damn… The wizard has really come…”
“Is he really going to fight with the Cartel? They say he’s one of the top freelancers in District 49…”
The hushed conversations around him reached Lennok’s ears without any exaggeration.
“Didn’t you hear? This is already the fourth place. He comes in like this, warns them, and smashes the whole building to bits.”
“That means he survived the last three times!”
“I, I’m leaving. If we stay here, we’re all going to die…!!”
As the concealed individuals began to flee one by one, more than a dozen of them soon turned into a stampede.
Lennok stood at the center of the lobby, silently observing the fleeing people.
It took less than five minutes for the number of life signs within the building to drop to below forty.
Once he confirmed the absence of any more moving figures, Lennok promptly dismounted from the bike.
He cast a shrinking spell and a lightweight spell, causing the bike to shrink to the size of a finger.
Lennok, who could store the vehicle he rode in his pocket—a convenience unique to wizards—immediately entered the elevator that ascended to the upper floors of the building without hesitation.
[Wouldn’t it be more rational to use the stairs, considering safety?]
“With you here?”
[…You’re not wrong.]
The elevator panel’s numbers swiftly changed, and in an instant, the elevator carrying Lennok shot skyward.
Kagagagagak!!
Unusual noises of components being pushed to their limits.
Simultaneously, the relentless pressure of gravity on Lennok’s shoulders indicated that they were moving at a speed that defied conventional limits.
Kiiieek!!
The elevator reached the top floor in an instant and came to a sudden halt.
The hulking enforcers positioned in front of the elevator simultaneously squeezed their triggers, unleashing a barrage of bullets at the iron door.
Dudududududududu!!!
In an instant, more than a hundred holes were perforated in the door, and thick smoke billowed from within the elevator.
“…”
A moment of silence.
Immediately thereafter, a brilliant flash of light erupted from the bullet-riddled elevator.
Baang!!
