"Hmm…?"
"Wow…"
"What are you two up to?"
It had been almost a month since Lennok last visited Jenny's bar. As he stepped inside, a peculiar sense of nostalgia washed over him, and his gaze met Sebastian's, who sat at the bar engaged in conversation. Simultaneously, Jenny's eyes turned towards Lennok.
In a strange synchrony, they both let out surprised exclamations. Confused, Lennok furrowed his brow and asked Jenny what was going on. With a slightly awkward expression, she replied, "So, what have you been up to all this time?"
"What do you mean?"
"Your mana… it feels different."
Glancing at Sebastian's face, Lennok noticed a subtle stiffness in his expression. Both of them had a fair understanding of mana manipulation, so they could sense Lennok's growth to some extent.
At a loss for words, Lennok awkwardly shifted and promptly took a seat next to Sebastian. Just as he was about to sip from the glass Sebastian offered, he slyly slipped a business card into Lennok's hand. Thinking it was a new card, Lennok reached out, only to burst into laughter when he discovered a hidden piece of paper behind it.
"Hey, old man."
Jenny, catching Sebastian's trick like a ghost, looked down at him with cold eyes.
"Are you out of your mind?"
"Hmm, I'm only human. Greed is hard to resist."
"I can tolerate you fooling around with customers, but doing it right in front of me is crossing the line."
"Van seems ready to aim higher now. Doesn't he need a suitable partner?"
"Don't tell me my abilities aren't enough?"
For a moment, their gazes sharpened, but they soon clinked their glasses together and resumed their conversation.
Once again, they delved into the topic of the city government's movements.
"The crackdown is lasting longer than anticipated. It's becoming harder to predict the city council's intentions."
"The public stance they took after the agreement and their internal policies have completely changed. We might need more insiders."
"How much money have we invested so far? If it's not yielding results, then nothing will. They're the ones who value their lives the most, aren't they?"
"Tell me something I don't know."
"All my reliable sources are panicking. Independent operatives who aren't affiliated with any organization are struggling to acquire equipment and supplies…"
"Well, as for me…"
Jenny trailed off, sneaking a glance at Lennok, who appeared displeased.
There was no need to discuss equipment and supplies when they had a prodigy like Lennok, who started from nothing, accomplished various missions, and even took down gangs.
In fact, it was astonishing to witness Lennok's transformation since his arrival.
"… except for one person, they're all facing difficulties."
"I think I know who you're referring to, no need to say it."
"Stop fooling around."
Suddenly, footsteps could be heard from the back of the bar. The sound was short and abrupt—a stark contrast to the average adult's stride.
A boy with a chubby face and black hair poked his head into the smoke-filled bar.
"Jenny, remember the suspect I mentioned?"
The boy, speaking in a childish voice, scowled subtly when his eyes met Lennok's.
Lennok grinned upon seeing the boy's face.
"It's been almost a month. Are you doing well?"
"…Thanks to you."
Ryan Aiter, the Blood mage boy, responded stiffly, then placed a thick file on the bar with a thud.
Thump!
"I've traced the blood trails and documented the locations in the order listed on the roster. Out of the 48 individuals, 24 are deceased, three unconscious, and eight survivors."
"What about the missing three?"
"They're not human, so tracking them is challenging. I've noted down the possible race, so take a look."
Ryan's face appeared noticeably tired as he spoke, but Jenny wasted no time evaluating his work right then and there.
As she flipped through the file, Jenny paused.
"Hey, squirt."
"What now? I did my best."
"The locations of the deceased aren't properly organized. Are you playing games with me?"
"All we need is to find the bodies. Does it really matter where they died?"
"Is that your response? I'm pretty sure I emphasized that when I handed this task to you."
Ryan closed his mouth, realizing that arguing was futile, as Jenny spoke sternly.
"And how many times have I warned you? You're already two days past the deadline. Do you understand that your payment will be significantly reduced?"
"No, that's not fair."
Watching the two squabble like children, Lennok shook his head.
It was a scene he had witnessed just a month ago, but it felt familiar to him, having been in constant contact with Jenny.
Ryan, who lost his job during the government's inspection, heeded Lennok's advice and found a safe haven. He then sought out Jenny to engage in freelance work, just as Lennok had done.
It wasn't merely a coincidence that he overheard Jenny's name; he had followed rumors about Lennok, who had been gaining a reputation in the area, to the bar. Jenny, however, had the capacity to offer the boy similar opportunities.
Thus, the blood mage became a client of the broker.
Being an efficient broker, Jenny didn't cut any slack for the boy just because he was a client. Instead, she focused on extracting as much money as possible from him day by day.
From her perspective, she couldn't fathom how she had taken on yet another complete novice freelancer.
He lacked physical talent, and blood magic was too inefficient for combat, making even simple requests burdensome.
Due to his youth and incompetence with firearms, completing a proper assignment without relying on magic rituals was challenging.
At best, he had been assisting in bounty hunting by using the unique abilities of blood magic to track individuals with bounties. But even that required an adjustment period for the boy.
"Whether you're a blood mage or not, it doesn't matter to me. Just do your job. The one who performs well is the best, whether they're a mage or a beggar. Got it?"
Gulp…
Observing the boy scratch his cheek with a troubled expression, Lennok rose from his seat.
Sebastian, who was stirring his whiskey next to him, glanced up at him.
"Are you thinking of leaving already?"
"Yeah. Let Jenny know that I'll check out the extra zone."
If he lingered here for too long, there wouldn't be much to accomplish. Lennok had only come to inform them of his whereabouts after an extended absence.
Furthermore, the stares from other customers who were beginning to recognize him were becoming bothersome. Those who previously paid him no mind when he frequented the bar now watched his every move, which proved irritating.
Just as Lennok was about to leave, Sebastian called him back.
"Do you remember what I received for completing Autoble's request?"
"What?"
"Contact me whenever you need it. You might require a sturdy mount when traversing areas like the extra zones."
Sebastian's words jogged Lennok's memory.
Was he referring to the motorcycle blueprint he obtained from Madam?
Lennok chuckled at the thought and swiftly turned his head. While he couldn't deny his interest in the mode of transportation, it wasn't an urgent or essential matter at present.
Moreover, considering Lennok's less-than-stellar motor skills, he might need to develop additional riding-assist magic to handle a motorcycle. Sitting in the driver's seat and stepping on the accelerator presented another set of challenges.
Leaving the bar behind, Lennok headed straight for the undeveloped zone.
Thanks to the data provided by Jordan, which included various maps, navigation wasn't too difficult.
District 50s. It was a lawless territory beyond the reach of government inspections.
Lennok had once received a request to exterminate contaminants in the arid plains, but his current destination was quite distinct from that.
It was a foggy area where the scenery ahead grew increasingly hazy.
A damp meadow filled with moisture, where each step caused the moss to squish beneath his feet.
A peculiar sight unfolded before him—an amalgamation of the remnants of an undeveloped and discarded civilization, a half-constructed and abandoned four-lane road, and a lush green field. It was unlike anything Lennok had experienced before.
The dampness that clung to the tip of his nose added to his discomfort, yet Lennok calmly surveyed his surroundings with an indifferent expression.
"If the data is accurate, it should be around here."
If the information provided by Jordan was correct, there should be a small research lab in this area established by dark wizards.
Unofficially backed by the Palmus Corporation, which primarily dealt with artificial intelligence, this facility conducted research on chimeras and homunculi to gradually enhance the intelligence of artificial life forms.
However, rumors swirled that they were using real humans as test subjects, raising ethical concerns. Officially, the facility had begun the closure process.
Officially.
‘Of course, they wouldn't have shut down simply because the city government recommended it,' Lennok thought as he heightened his mana.
Compared to before, the flow of mana was infinitely smoother and swifter. Like the steady beat of a heart, the mana pulsed, spreading in all directions and instantaneously absorbing information about the surroundings.
As Lennok embraced the sensation of a void stretching across the plains, echoing like a distant echo, he suddenly halted, his eyes gleaming.
Despite the suffocating humidity and the shroud of fog, there was no denying it.
The mirage distorted in an eerie manner. Though it appeared empty, Lennok could sense a peculiar heat beyond it.
This was the place.
He extended his fingers and clenched his fist, creating a peculiar sound as if he had caught hold of something invisible. Accompanied by a subtle vibration, the sound echoed.
Kiiiii…
It resembled the creaking of a rusted hinge.
A black mist began to flow from the other side of the vacant landscape, resisting Lennok's mana. However, Lennok snorted and twisted his fingers.
Woojijijik!!
The mana extending from between his fingers seized the void, shattering it. Whatever had resisted his indomitable will crumbled, revealing the hidden space.
Kaaaaang!!
The sharp sound of breaking glass reverberated, and from within, something surged toward Lennok as if it had been lying in wait.
"Kahaaaak!!"
A grotesque creature, its flesh flapping as if it had been soaked throughout.
Three arms, one leg. A prosthetic on the rear and a wolf's head on the shoulder.
Was it a chimera? A homunculus?
Regardless, it bore no resemblance to a normal creature.
Lennok flexed his left arm slightly, immediately channeling his mana.
[Lightning Vortex]
Wiiiiing!!!
A cyan vortex of electricity whirled around his elbow, striking the monster's abdomen.
Kwajijijijik!!
With a resounding noise akin to a spinning blender, the monster's body was torn asunder by the vortex, reduced to a handful of dust.
Subsequently, various strange creatures rushed at Lennok.
Observing them shriek with unidentifiable cries, Lennok directed his mana downward.
Sssssssck!!
[Aqua Buster]
The fog's humidity swiftly transformed into a vast quantity of water, pouring down upon the creatures.
[Ice Round]
The resultant puddle promptly froze, ensnaring their feet.
With a twist and bend of the gravity whip he summoned, the upper bodies of the frozen creatures oddly folded back and were pulled away.
Woojijijik!!
Finally, he unleashed a unique spell from the Thorben school upon an approaching giant.
[Group Thunder]
Kwaaaaaa!!
A thunderous orb, as large as a car, descended upon the giant's head, bathing the surroundings in brilliant light and scorching its body with overwhelming heat.
It was a barrage of newfound spells, a testament to Lennok's effort and growth over time.
The monsters rushing forth from the hidden space were torn asunder and consumed by flames with each strike.
(TO BE CONTINUED)
