Lennok carefully opened the wooden box and meticulously examined its contents.
Inside, there were twenty pills wrapped in delicate gold foil, neatly arranged on the cushion inside the wooden box.
[Based on the diagnosis of your biorythms that day, I focused on meticulously improving your constitution little by little.]
“I see…”
[Take one on the night of the full moon. It’s okay to exceed a month, but if the deviation exceeds a week, the side effects will become quite severe.]
She proceeded to explain the necessary precautions when taking the medication.
[After taking the medicine, for about 5 minutes, your constitution will become highly receptive to mana. Then, for at least 3 days, you won’t be able to move properly. It’s a process of hammering and stimulating the central nervous system of the body to accept a completely new stimulus, and during this, you may become unable to control your bowel and bladder.]
“…”
[One each month. After taking five, there will be significant improvement, and after taking half, cell necrosis due to mana poisoning will reduce below 80%. Ultimately, the symptoms of mana poisoning, including side effects, will be suppressed by about half. Depending on personal effort and progress, more improvement is definitely possible.]
“That’s impressive.”
Lennok had undergone considerable challenges to reach this moment today, but in reality, he had only entrusted his treatment to Yakson and brought her Malabes.
Yet, with just one assessment, Yakson had formulated an elixir capable of gradually enhancing Lennok’s constitution.
Even after acquiring knowledge of alchemy, Lennok had conducted numerous experiments with various substances to find the most effective enhancer for himself, but he couldn’t grasp Yakson’s method.
However, despite Lennok’s words, Yakson continued without altering her expression.
[Keep in mind that this can only gradually change the constitution, and it cannot solve mana poisoning itself. After the treatment, there will be no problem with physical enhancement through mana, but it can’t completely eliminate the side effects of the poisoning.]
“Understood.”
[Inside the wooden box, I have included copies of your and Kaiser’s medical records. If there’s a need for you to help Jenny, I hope you can find even a minor clue from there.]
Lennok nodded slowly and carefully placed the wooden box inside his coat. Yakson’s demeanor softened then.
[That’s good… You’re a well-behaved child. I wonder if this is what it would be like to have a grandson.]
“…”
Perhaps she would strive not to forget the events of today.
However, even if she were to record this day’s memory in a diary or preserve it in a video, she might never truly integrate this encounter into her life for the rest of her days.
Lennok understood the impossibility of fully comprehending her pain, tormented by the traces of a connection that seemed almost within reach yet remained forever elusive, hidden in a secluded lake.
But perhaps, someday, if Lennok were to attain a position of influence significant enough to liberate someone from their chains.
If he acquired the gentle touch capable of freeing his and others’ bonds without discrimination.
With an anticipation tinged with regret, Lennok bowed his head silently.
“Thank you for your kindness. Someday…”
Lennok suddenly realized the weight of the words he had inadvertently spoken and fell silent.
It felt like a promise too distant to make and share for Lennok, who couldn’t even guarantee his own future.
It was a promise that appeared overly hopeful for Lennok, who couldn’t assure what lay just a step ahead in his future.
For now, all he could do was express his sincere gratitude and offer compensation for what she had done and endured.
Thus, their parting, with a significance distinct from death, drew to a close.
The encounter between the two sorcerers, each staying within their own boundaries, remained a closely guarded secret, known only to one person.
For the first time, Lennok had achieved a significant breakthrough, acquiring the second clue to liberate himself from his own constraints.
* * *
“Is it over?”
As Lennok entered the back of the bar and nodded, Jenny tapped her long cigarette with a somber expression.
“Well, it ends up like this…”
She sighed briefly but refrained from saying more.
In the end, she was well aware that she couldn’t do anything for Yakson, lacking both the authority and the capability.
She didn’t even inquire about what Lennok had obtained from Yakson.
Even as Lennok and she embarked on their business venture and grew closer, they maintained a crucial distance between them.
Though it might seem insignificant, this carefully preserved distance was one of the key reasons why Lennok placed his trust in Jenny.
Taking a seat at the bar to catch his breath, Lennok received a glass of liquor from Jordan and offered a faint smile.
“Is it already okay for you to be out and about?”
“I am a doctor, after all.”
Jordan, with a pale face, chuckled.
“I know whether it’s my day to die or not. Today, by that standard, isn’t too bad.”
“How about sharing some of Jordan’s luck with these friends over here?”
With this remark, Lennok gestured to the mercenaries resting at a nearby table.
As the conflict with the cartel escalated, this establishment lost its status as a traditional pub.
The regulars who used to brave gunfire for their drinks grumbled, but it was only with Sebastian’s assistance in reallocating resources that they managed to create a space for the Krimgal Mercenary Office.
Raising his drink leisurely, Jordan remarked, “Even before you arrived, I had already given each of them a drink. Isn’t that only natural?”
Undoubtedly, the greatest contribution to the stronghold’s security, including Jenny and Jordan, came from the Krimgal Mercenary Office led by Dray Krimgal and his senior officers Weian, Kidel, and Ike. Their skills, along with those of the other mercenaries, far surpassed the average level Lennok had encountered during his freelancing days.
Even someone of Lennok’s caliber would be hard-pressed to stop them if they intervened directly, but at the very least, they had the strength to promptly report any irregularities.
Maintaining the security network they had established around District 49 was a natural collaboration between Lennok and Jenny.
“What interesting stories are you sharing?”
Dray, having just completed his duties, joined Lennok with a grin.
As the leader responsible for overseeing the security network he had set up, he still made time to patrol the streets and interact with his team members.
With a background as a former soldier, he appeared committed to maintaining the morale of his subordinates.
Lennok instinctively offered him a nearby glass and inquired, “How’s the job?”
“Well… obviously, it’s not easy.”
Dray chuckled and shook his head.
“District 49 itself is quite large, and besides Jenny’s manpower office, there are many other businesses. So we try to set up the security network as tightly as possible without upsetting them, but it’s difficult.”
Surviving without getting entangled in conflicts in the outer reaches of Vulcan, where the scent of blood never truly dissipates, is no simple feat.
The difficulty of identifying and safeguarding against dangerous individuals in a place overrun by outlaws and criminals is self-evident.
Dray understood this reality well and, instead of rigidly distinguishing between public and private spaces, used the pub as a reference point, gradually reducing security measures as one moved farther away from it.
“The good thing is, many of us in the team have experience in this kind of duty, so we’re not having trouble adapting.”
“It seems you’ve found some good recruits since expanding your office recently.”
As Jenny mentioned, once a name becomes recognized in this field, its reputation spreads swiftly.
If Dray had hired such capable individuals, it would have been natural for Jenny to have heard about it, but apparently, she hadn’t.
Picking up on something in her words, Lennok turned to Dray and inquired, “They’re soldiers, aren’t they?”
“…You’re very sharp. Yes, they are.”
Surprised, Dray nodded, and Jenny suddenly slapped her knee as realization dawned.
“That’s why I haven’t heard any of their names! Dray, did you bring people from the same unit as you?”
“A mercenary group made of special forces veterans sounds very reliable.”
Lennok knew that Dray was a former member of the Viper Battalion, a special forces unit. If Dray had recruited comrades with similar backgrounds, there would be no concerns about their organizational skills or mission performance.
“Not all of them are from my unit… Most of them, like me, have joined here for similar reasons. I just happened to be here first, so it was a chance to work together.”
“I see… The situation in the military hasn’t been good lately, has it?”
Dray chuckled wryly in response to Lennok’s observation.
“Well, hasn’t it been like this for a while? Units that are no longer useful on the front lines get discarded first, leading to discharge. Friends who have somehow held on until now are starting to look for a way to survive.”
Despite Vulcan still possessing formidable military strength, the number of troops maintained during peacetime was excessive, given the circumstances. It appeared that the city government might be considering gradually downsizing these oversized military units, which had long been criticized for their budgetary issues.
“Now that I think about it, soldiers were involved in dealing with the Cigar Bang gang problem too… It definitely feels like it’s been getting worse over the past few years.”
At that time, Beck Clinton, a key member of Cigar Bang, had been trading supplies to retired soldiers in exchange for weapons. These former soldiers had reportedly taken refuge in a satellite city that had been planned but later abandoned, and their whereabouts were now unknown.
Since this wasn’t an immediate concern, Lennok shifted the conversation.
“The growth of the office is good, but it seems hard to sustain such an income.”
While it was fortunate that Dray had brought a significant portion of his office’s personnel into the venture, the amount that Jenny and Lennok were currently paying seemed slightly insufficient to cover personnel costs for a force of this size.
For the group to function smoothly, they would require a substantial and consistent source of funding, or they would need to take on subcontracted work similar to high-level mana users like the Antares Mercenary Group.
Touching on a sensitive topic, Dray lowered his head slightly.
“Well, you’re not wrong. For now, the new members are satisfied with just their living expenses, knowing they’re lacking. But as I’m responsible for them, I need to find a way to offer them better treatment.”
“That makes sense. I understand.”
“…”
Dray glanced at Lennok, who was nodding casually, then averted his gaze.
The expansion of the office due to the inclusion of former military personnel was positive, but in the current circumstances, it was challenging to offer fair wages to his comrades. From Dray’s perspective, it might be beneficial in the long run, but how long could his colleagues endure the workload with the current pay?
Amidst these concerns, the business of Lennok and Jenny inevitably captured his attention.
Jenny’s expertise was unquestionable, but what truly caught Dray’s eye was Lennok’s capability itself.
He was well aware of how renowned Lennok had become due to his successful assignments, even back when he was an unknown freelancer. His ability to make swift decisions without hesitation and his sharp intuition in comprehending complex issues fundamentally had made him a standout in the field.
Lennok possessed an exceptional ability to evaluate work efficiency that surpassed his skills as a wizard. Even Dray found it challenging to match this talent.
Despite this remarkable talent, Lennok remained cautious and prudent in his dealings, earning the unwavering trust of everyone who knew him. While he might come across as indifferent to others, his fleeting insights and judgments allowed him to understand people to a great extent.
Although he could appear cold and ruthless, as long as there was a fair exchange, Lennok carried out his tasks responsibly and upheld a basic sense of duty toward his acquaintances.
Undoubtedly, Lennok had received numerous scouting offers, yet he remained fiercely independent, possibly envisioning a moment when he could stand alone.
So, the idea of Lennok joining under Dray’s leadership, rather than the other way around, wasn’t entirely far-fetched. Perhaps Dray’s decision to turn down other offers and participate in this particular venture was driven by this very notion.
While uncertain for now, Dray intended to keep this idea in mind for the time being.
Jenny glanced at the two men and suddenly stood up, as if remembering something important.
“By the way, the thing Van brought has recovered enough to speak. I don’t want to leave that crazy guy for too long, so let’s deal with it quickly and get rid of him.”
“…You say such brutal things so casually.”
Understanding what she meant by ‘thing,’ Dray made a reluctant expression, and Lennok also stood up.
“Let’s finish this quickly. By now, it should be in a state to speak.”
One of the few drawbacks of the Charm of Earth’s Embrace Artifact was that once activated, the owner couldn’t easily retract the artifact’s power.
Lennok wasn’t aware of how a sorcerer like Madria Falcia had addressed this issue, but he had no choice but to wait until the preheated mana in the artifact subsided.
“Girard Ozette is one of the Cartel’s executives directly involved in business management. Even if he seems insane on the outside, there’s definitely useful information in his head.”
“We might be able to deal a significant blow to the Cartel.”
“If possible, it would be good to learn about the upper echelons’ internal affairs. Especially information about the president and directors running the organization. We have no choice but to extract all the information he knows. And if that’s not enough…”
“If it’s not enough?”
Lennok’s eyes gleamed with a cold determination.
“This was never going to be a long-term task. We’ll have to start looking for people who can directly converse with the president and directors.”
Even if they couldn’t sway the Cartel’s chairman, without engaging with the top executives of the organization, the issue would remain unresolved.
Discovering the solution here could propel Lennok’s status to unprecedented heights.
All they could do was hope that their second meeting with Girard would serve their future plans.
Jenny headed to the door leading downstairs immediately, with Lennok following closely behind.
