Originally, one of the items was designated for Evelyn, but after careful consideration, she ultimately decided to pass on the other item to Lennok as well.
For someone like her, proficient in both long-range and close-range combat using only a bow and a handful of arrows, the item held little practical value.
Nevertheless, it proved challenging to casually bestow such a gift upon other operatives. Consequently, she chose to entrust it to Lennok, who found himself in a similar situation.
Lennok, naturally, harbored no intention of simply storing away and forgetting about the invaluable gift he had received.
“A rechargeable model… Indeed, this approach could significantly boost the firepower of firearms.”
Even during his time as a magic gunner in the game, there existed rechargeable firearms. However, at that time, rechargeable models often sacrificed durability for higher firepower, which didn’t elicit much enthusiasm among magic gunners.
During that period, Lennok didn’t particularly favor rechargeable firearms, but now, with his magical aptitude, the situation had completely changed.
Recharging with mana, swift durability depletion – these were issues that Lennok could easily address from his perspective.
With a flick of his fingers, Lennok adeptly removed the shotgun’s stock and whispered with determination, “Let’s go for a double-barrel.”
[…Wouldn’t it be better to let Palmer handle this?]
“What about the old man who finds other firearms troublesome and carries only a revolver? Do you think he’d assist?”
After firmly binding the two barrels with his mana, he employed the heat generated from the mana drawn between his fingers to fuse them together.
Sizzzz…
“I’ve sourced all the necessary materials from the dark web. As long as I have the manual, the actual work isn’t challenging.”
As the barrels merged, the heat that erupted illuminated Lennok’s face brightly.
“Let’s complete the modifications within half a day, and spend the remaining time organizing and equipping the artifacts and magical books we’ve acquired.”
Since the day he first arrived in this city after escaping the factory, he had come a long way, yet the path ahead still seemed daunting.
Because he knew he could push himself further, and because he understood he still possessed the strength to do so.
Because he had not yet reached the zenith of the talents he had unlocked even before awakening in this world.
Lennok pressed on without pause.
He needed to hold on tenaciously, strive, and endure.
The lights in the lab dimmed after a full day and night.
* * *
“Van!”
Lennok casually avoided the sight of Dylan, who was wildly gesticulating and waving his hands.
Dylan sported a mask reminiscent of a flamboyantly patterned pro wrestler and a leather jacket adorned with various weapons hanging from his back.
Even though it had been some time since their last meeting, his external appearance had not changed much.
“Hey, hey! It’s been too long!”
Dylan enthusiastically bounced around, drawing the attention of other patrons in the bar.
Startled, Jenny, holding a shaker, gave Dylan a smack on the head.
Thud!
“Quiet down, you idiot. What are you doing in my establishment?”
“But, come on… How could you guys do all that behind my back while I was away on a business trip?”
Dylan, despite being hit on the head, rose energetically to protest.
“Velber and Velita were bragging all over town about making a fortune from the cartel’s business; I just couldn’t stand it!”
…
While the narrative had been somewhat distorted, it wasn’t entirely inaccurate.
When they borrowed personnel from the Antares Mercenary Office, Lennok and Jenny had indeed compensated Velber and Velita generously.
Since it fell within the tax-deductible range, and their names were also included in the company, it was like killing two birds with one stone.
Now officially in a cooperative relationship with the Antares Office, it wasn’t a challenging task.
“Hoo… It was my mistake. I should have stuck close to the group and picked up whatever scraps fell from the table.”
Pouring a glass of whiskey from Jorden’s bottle, he muttered to himself.
Jenny shook her head and commented, “Is this a mercenary or a parasite?”
“A parasite! I’ve been a partner with Van for as long as anyone. Much better than the cunning Velita and money-grubbing Velber, right?”
With that declaration, he drew the sword he carried on his back, beginning to stroke it affectionately.
“Take a good look, Jenny. This is a token of trust given to me by Van as a gift. Do you have something like this? No, right?”
“Crazy guy…”
Jenny responded with a bewildered expression, avoiding further conversation due to his odd enthusiasm.
However, Lennok couldn’t help but notice the peculiar shape of the sword in Dylan’s hands.
“Dylan, the appearance of the sword seems to have changed.”
If it was the same sword Lennok had once gifted to Dylan, it would be the imposing greatsword wielded by Arasha’s expedition leader, Irina Phefield.
A relic of the Gido Order, it was known for its exceptionally thick blade and prominent veins.
Yet, the sword Dylan now held, though still crimson, had undergone a transformation, maintaining a slender and smooth appearance.
“Uhahahaha!!”
“……”
After consuming approximately ten bottles of whiskey and thoroughly loosening up, Lennok finally engaged in a coherent conversation with Dylan.
“I’ve been up north.”
Dylan, tilting his head slightly, swirled the glass in his hand and began to speak.
“Well, there’s no point in hiding it now… I’m from the Gido Order. To be precise, I was one of their experimental subjects.”
“……”
A moment of silence ensued.
It was somewhat expected, but Lennok hadn’t anticipated Dylan sharing his past so casually.
Dylan, who had nonchalantly disclosed his experiences, nodded.
“Having survived there for a considerable time, I was implanted with a biocode that grants me authorization to use the Order’s artifacts. That’s why I can wield this sword.”
Irina Phefield had wielded the greatsword with formidable combat prowess, but it required a substantial amount of blood and pain to fuel its abilities.
Dylan’s immunity to the sword’s side effects hinted at a deeper reason.
“I didn’t anticipate obtaining something like this by helping you, but now that I have it, I need to figure out how to use it, right? So, I infiltrated the Gido Order’s branch in the Northern Continent and had a persuasive chat with their officials.”
Was that the cause of Dylan’s prolonged absence after Lennok’s return from the autonomous region?
Even though he spoke lightly, traveling all the way to the Northern Continent indicated a significant investment of time and effort.
“It seems like it paid off.”
The distinct change in the blade’s shape served as evidence that Dylan had mastered the sword’s usage.
“That’s correct. My body is different from others, so I faced some challenges in understanding the abilities I had unlocked. But while handling this weapon, I certainly made progress in that regard.”
Dylan grinned.
“And while I was at it, I had a few run-ins with their priests, so it wasn’t a bad personal experience.”
“Do you hold a grudge against the Order?”
Lennok inquired, well aware of what the Gido Order was like.
Not just because he had grown accustomed to this world, but also because he had encountered its dark side.
The Gido Order was a formidable and fanatical group that had even existed in the game WORLD 2.0.
It remained a mystery why an organization known for its notorious and peculiar spirituality in the game also existed in this real world.
However, it was highly improbable that fanatics who regarded human life as expendable had suddenly reformed.
Dylan, who had been silent, finally responded.
“Do you know what the Order worships?”
“……”
“They worship monstrous entities from the outer sea as deities, believing that these beings will usher them into paradise. They are psychopaths.”
In WORLD 2.0, this information had not been available. They were only known to venerate an unnamed deity, but now, their object of worship had become specific.
“Resentment… I can’t say that’s what I feel. It’s more like disgust.”
“Disgust…”
“I have no desire to get entangled with them, and I don’t plan to, but if I ever come across them, I just want to eliminate them all… That’s the kind of feeling I have. I’m not one to be consumed by grand notions of revenge…”
Dylan spoke with a casual tone, accompanied by a chuckle, but Lennok could discern a deeper emotion beneath his seemingly nonchalant words.
What kind of suffering and sacrifice had Dylan endured, first as an experimental subject of the Order and then as a mercenary with the Vulcan?
At the very least, the Dylan that Lennok knew was not someone who could easily forget the tears and bloodshed endured during that journey.
“……Well, let’s put an end to this unnecessary talk. So, why did you reach out to me after all this time?”
Dylan’s eyes gleamed with anticipation.
“Have you received a significant mission that requires my assistance? Tell me quickly, where are we striking?”
“The Order.”
Lennok’s response hung heavily in the air.
Dylan remained silent, his eyes visible through the mask blinking in surprise.
“I need information about the Gido sect. I require your assistance.”
Despite his busy schedule, Lennok hadn’t forgotten his conversation with Agnetta. The leader of Pandemonium had left a message for Lennok, suggesting that he should pursue the trail of the Gido sect if he sought the magic of time.
When it came to gathering information about the Gido sect, there was no one better suited for the task than Dylan, who had been entangled with them. What Lennok desired was right in front of him.
***
“Evan, Assistant Professor?”
Lost in thought, Lennok raised his head at the voice calling his name.
Rabatenon Magic University. Elemental Department Building 3.
Sunlight streamed into the classroom. Priscilla, seated in the front row, regarded Lennok with a puzzled expression.
“…I apologize. Let’s continue with the lecture.”
Lennok stated this and redirected his attention.
It was his first day back at work as an assistant professor.
Instead of Lennok, who had been absent for an extended period, Aris had taken over the role of teaching elemental magic to the students. Typically, someone at the level of an associate professor should not be away for such an extended time. However, no one complained about Lennok taking Aris’s place in teaching.
Perhaps it was because rumors had circulated even within the university about Aris Richellen, considered the most talented mage, having reached level 7.
“Let me explain once more about the compatibility between attributes…”
‘Quite challenging.’
Even as he projected mana onto the blackboard and drew diagrams, Lennok realized that teaching wasn’t his strong suit. While imparting theory to the students was manageable, maintaining their interest without losing their focus and nurturing their abilities as mages, as Aris did, was an entirely different challenge.
To be precise, it was difficult to gauge how much of the theory students could comprehend and apply practically after just one lecture.
After the lengthy class concluded, Lennok, who found himself alone in the empty classroom, organized his teaching materials and stood up.
There was a significant amount of work to be done now that he had returned to the university. He needed to organize and summarize the research data and papers left behind by Aris, as well as assign assignments to the students based on the curriculum she had prepared.
It was ironic.
Despite having a plethora of responsibilities, he stubbornly held onto his position as an assistant professor. The reason for clinging to this role, even though its significance had diminished, was likely because he didn’t want to let go of the thread of fate that had fortuitously connected them.
He was certain that Aris would eventually reclaim her position, armed with the qualifications to pursue her own desires.
All Lennok had to do was patiently await that moment and occupy the vacant seat to some extent.
“Hmm, hmm…”
At that very moment, someone behind Lennok began to cough softly.
A young man with neatly combed hair stood at the classroom door, wearing a hesitant expression.
“…Archiwood?”
“Oh, it’s been a while since I saw you at school.”
Approaching and speaking in a hushed tone, his voice quivered as he said, “I’ve come to discuss the assignment you gave… I have something to tell you.”
