Chapter 1007: Conjunction Spell Master (8)
Whoosh!
Between the scattering inferno and Chimera fragments, Lennok and the Conjunction Spell Master’s shadows overlapped.
Lennok accelerated, bursting flames from his knees, elbows, and between his shoulder blades.
The Conjunction Spell Master, clad in a fluttering green surgical gown, met Lennok’s punch with bare hands.
Thump, thump, thump!
Even before their incanted spells could intervene, the physical battle, enhanced by body strengthening, took precedence.
High-intensity close-quarters combat, unbelievable for high-level spellcasters, battered their bodies.
Every time Lennok and the Conjunction Spell Master’s arms twisted and intertwined, flames and flesh scattered and exploded.
Snap!
He twisted a wrist to lock an forearm, then swung an elbow to strike down on a shoulder.
Lennok ducked under the Conjunction Spell Master’s descending arm, striking his side and kicking his knee.
The moment the Conjunction Spell Master, momentarily unbalanced, missed Lennok and instead braced himself against the fleshy outer wall.
Boom!
In an explosive burst, the swollen flesh erupted, oozing copious amounts of fluid.
“Eugh, eugh, eugh…”
The Chimeras, which had been howling, opened their jaws wide to consume the fluid falling from above.
The Conjunction Spell Master glanced at Lennok and smiled.
“You knew?”
“That if you don’t have surgical tools, Conjunction Spellcraft must be used bare-handed?”
Lennok straightened himself and replied.
“For someone who says that, you didn’t seem to try and hide it from the start.”
Despite Lennok being extremely careful to avoid the Conjunction Spell Master’s hands, the Stopping Wheel Barrier he had pre-cast was tattered.
This was proof that the barrier was under such pressure it could barely hold, even from the inevitable skin contact during close-quarters combat.
Lennok ran a hand through his disheveled hair, thinking.
The danger of the spellcraft is one thing, but his fighting skill is just ridiculous.
But what truly surprised Lennok was the Conjunction Spell Master’s astounding close-quarters combat prowess itself.
Lennok’s close-combat ability, having glimpsed Dorye’s martial arts in Yorta, was by no means low.
While not yet a perfected technique, considering Lennok’s tactical mind and intuition, he wouldn’t be outmatched anywhere.
Yet, astonishingly, the Conjunction Spell Master maintained a considerable balance in the close-quarters fight with Lennok, without being significantly overwhelmed.
The Conjunction Spell Master, an 8th-level trait-type spellcaster and surgeon, had achieved a comparable level of accomplishment in close-quarters combat.
“Excellent skill. The more I learn, the more surprising you become.”
The Conjunction Spell Master walked forward, flexing his wrist.
“When I first brought you to my Domain, your body was nowhere near capable of performing such close-quarters combat.”
“…”
Even though the clone’s diagnostic information hadn’t leaked, had he inferred Lennok’s condition just from a few encounters?
“I can guess what methods you used. The medicines in the operating room. Jindun’s Barrier Spellcraft. Accelerating and propelling with fire magic, and assisting control…”
The Conjunction Spell Master’s gaze, fixed on Lennok, suddenly deepened.
“The very act of combining spellcraft in such a way is proof that you’ve fought with handicaps many times. As expected, you’ve known about your body’s condition for a long time.”
“Are your delusions over?”
“Why are you so accustomed to fighting with such a body, and yet deliberately not avoiding combat… I only grow more curious.”
Thud!
The Conjunction Spell Master’s hand seized the head of a Chimera that was moaning blankly near the Gateway entrance.
“Just by sparking such curiosity in me, you are a more excellent research subject than anyone I’ve ever encountered.”
Trait-type Unique Spellcraft Property Transformation: Heteromorphic Conjunction
Ghostly Fusion [귀혼]!
Kiiiiing!
Two Chimeras touched by the Conjunction Spell Master’s hand were joined on the spot, fusing into one.
“KUEEEEEGH…!”
The grotesque, amalgamated Chimera flesh spun in the Conjunction Spell Master’s hand with a scream.
Immediately after, it transformed into a gigantic Chimera titan, several meters tall, and charged at Lennok.
“WOOOOAAAAHH!”
Clang!
When it slammed its blunt, fingerless fist into the ground, a violent tremor crushed even the Chimeras standing nearby.
A streak of flame rapidly shot across the lobby corridor, mixed with fluid and blood.
Blazing All-Combustion [화염전연]
Whoosh!
The stream of flame, engulfing the fleshy titan, swelled and instantly consumed its body.
Incinerate [일소]
In a single sweep, the several-meter-tall Chimera was reduced to ash.
Whoosh!
“Good firepower. The warm-up speed seems much faster than the Tower Lord’s.”
Thump-thump-thump!
The Conjunction Spell Master’s calm voice echoed intermittently among the Chimera horde.
“Then, shall we start with a group battle this time?”
The Conjunction Spell Master darted around the lobby at incredible speed, unleashing Conjunction Spellcraft indiscriminately.
At the same time, Chimeras from all directions twisted and fused, one by one, reborn as horrifying monsters.
“Ugh, aah, aahh…!”
It took only 8 seconds to convert hundreds of Chimeras, originally created for transporting goods, into combat-ready monsters on the battlefield.
Dozens of Chimeras, several meters tall, with vicious teeth and monstrous strength, simultaneously charged at Lennok.
Crunch!
Avoiding a giant worm-like creature trying to bite and tear at his ankle, Lennok leaped onto the reception desk.
He unfurled wings of flame at his waist, rotating and accelerating in short, split-second bursts.
He repelled the Chimeras chasing him by unleashing fiery shockwaves.
“Kruooooh!”
He launched miniature explosive flame orbs at the pterodactyl-like Chimeras unfurling their wings and falling from above.
Drawing dozens of dazzling fiery arcs in the air, he landed on the Gateway outpost sign.
Crack!
The moment the sign fell due to the impact, crushing and pulverizing the squirming flesh beneath his feet.
“Aah, aaaaaahh!”
The Chimeras, piled on top of each other, screamed and wildly swung their arms at Lennok.
“Hmph…”
Lennok took a deep drag from his cigar, simultaneously drawing up his magic and exhaling a breath downwards.
Gasping Blaze [천작]
Kuhwaaaah!
Hot flames, carried on Lennok’s breath, erupted and swept across the ground.
Beside the Chimeras writhing in agony, impaling spears of flesh lunged at him.
Chimeras wielding axes, hammers, and spearheads thrust at Lennok’s side with ferocious speed.
Swish!
He exploded flames at his side, using the recoil to twist his body away.
Stepping on the hammerhead of flesh piercing his waist, he bent his knees and unfurled his flame wings.
Paaang!
Lennok’s form began to streak diagonally along the writhing inner wall of the operating room.
Radiant Flame Step [화염보]
Trampling Fire [답섭]
Kwa-gwa-gwa-gwa-gwa!
Flames erupted along the wall Lennok stepped on, beginning to burn the writhing inner wall of flesh.
In an instant, Lennok circled the entire first-floor lobby hall of the operating room, setting it ablaze.
The entire operating room shook violently, twisting its body as if the flesh could no longer withstand the burns.
Swish!
A whip-like, serpent-shaped Chimera slammed its head into the inner wall, blocking Lennok’s path.
The Conjunction Spell Master, riding atop the Chimera, flickered and accelerated, reaching Lennok in an instant.
The Conjunction Spell Master and Lennok swung their arms at each other almost simultaneously.
Conjunction Spellcraft activated
Bedsores [욕창]
Forged Flame [축화]
Bwooong!
The Conjunction Spell Master and Lennok’s hands crossed in the air, brushing past each other’s forearms.
Crack!
Just from the brush of their hands, the Stopping Wheel Barrier around Lennok’s arm tore and shattered.
With the recoil, Lennok’s coat sleeve ripped, and bruises streamed across his skin.
The moment their arms met through the barrier, blood connected and coagulated along his forearm, causing internal bleeding.
But even knowing he had inflicted damage on Lennok, the Conjunction Spell Master could not smile.
Hwa-ruru-ruk!
Because the Conjunction Spell Master’s right arm, which had brushed past Lennok, was also engulfed in black flames.
The sleeve of his surgical gown burned away, revealing his tattered right arm hanging loosely within.
The Conjunction Spell Master, looking at his right hand, which had instantly blackened and burned from the Forged Flame, spoke.
“It hurts. Quite a lot, actually.”
“…”
“If it can penetrate the anesthetic constantly administered to me, then an opponent without fire resistance would definitely be incapacitated.”
“If you know your opponent’s intentions, no matter how difficult a technique is to land, you’ll always get at least one chance.”
Lennok smiled, quickly dissolving the bruises on his forearm with healing flames.
“You’ve been itching to touch me from the start, haven’t you?”
Forged Flame is a close-combat technique within pyrokinesis, extremely specialized in zero-range firepower projection.
Its incantation is almost instantaneous, and its power rivals high-tier magic.
Along with Partial Lightning, it is one of Lennok’s personally favored spells.
Although it has the restriction of only achieving its full power at ultra-close range, Lennok’s combat sense can overcome such a penalty.
Even against a spellcaster as powerful as the Conjunction Spell Master, if the situation and conditions were right, he could guarantee a hit.
“Well, yes. I’m looking forward to seeing what happens when I use Conjunction Spellcraft on you.”
The Conjunction Spell Master admitted frankly and turned, stepping on the serpent-shaped Chimera.
He retied the string of his surgical gown, whose sleeve had burned away, and said.
“You possess the most diverse possibilities among all the specimens I’ve acquired. If I were to apply my spellcraft to such a talent, aren’t you curious how your aptitudes would ‘conjoin’?”
“…”
“My spellcraft doesn’t discriminate between living and non-living things, but I find it much more valuable for research when used on living organisms.”
Kieee!
When he picked up a nearby Chimera, its flesh was molded like clay in the Conjunction Spell Master’s hand, changing shape.
In an instant, the Conjunction Spell Master took a Chimera and covered his damaged right hand with it, repairing his body as he spoke.
“But it’s not easy, after all. It’s natural that someone bearing the title ‘Apostle-Slayer’ would be skilled in combat, but you seem to have more hidden abilities than I expected…”
“…”
“Pyrokinesis and Barrier Spellcraft, attribute affinity that even reacts to innate abilities. A harmony of physical combat and alternative incantations. A style that branches from handling at least four or more types of spellcraft and abilities.”
Kugu-gu-gung!
The Conjunction Spell Master gestured, and the ceiling of the vast operating room’s first-floor lobby slowly began to open.
A hole formed in the fleshy ceiling, creating what looked like a vertical shaft.
“You seem to be deliberately limiting your output and trying to probe my abilities, but you’ll have to be careful from now on.”
The Conjunction Spell Master said, looking down with an expressionless face.
“If you keep holding back your strength unnecessarily, you might die before you can even show me your potential.”
“I don’t think that’s a concern I need to hear from you.”
Crunch!
Lennok smiled, incinerating a Chimera corpse with a flick of flame from his fingertips.
“How long do you think you can last, using these crude Chimeras as shields?”
“Indeed. You’re not wrong.”
The Conjunction Spell Master smiled and nodded.
“So, from now on, I’ll change the ‘ingredients’ a bit.”
“…What?”
Kurururung!
A powerful tremor echoed from beyond the hole in the ceiling.
A peculiar resonance, like something tumbling down.
Before Lennok could even grasp the source of the sound and move, hundreds of Chimeras came pouring down.
Kwaaang!
“Ugh, aah, aahh…!”
“Khaak, ha-ha-haak!”
These were combat-oriented Chimeras, distinctly different from those Lennok had fought so far, with bodies entirely composed of hard keratin or blades.
The modified monsters, spewing malice at living beings, screamed madly and charged at Lennok.
Kwaaaah!
Rolling flesh rained down on Lennok’s head, leaving no space to escape.
Their numbers were so vast that the falling Chimera flesh completely covered the skull at the end of the lobby.
“Hmph…!!”
Lennok took a quick, deep breath and ignited flames by rubbing his hands together.
Ignition [점화]
Crimson Linked Colors [홍련이색]
Hwa-ruru-ruk!
Lennok, having ignited flames at his fingertips, drew them across the air as if painting, leaving a fiery trajectory.
Instantly completing a magic circle made of flames, Lennok grasped it in one hand and swung it.
Kwaaaang!
The flames, exploding in Lennok’s grip, split into dozens of crimson rays and spun.
They became a giant curtain of flesh, piercing and burning through the falling Chimera horde.
“Kuaaaaaah!”
The Chimeras screamed in pain as their bodies burned, falling back, but new Chimeras immediately filled the gaps.
Lennok clicked his tongue, ignited a spark at his foot, and accelerated, picking up speed, but the Conjunction Spell Master did not miss the opening.
Kwaaang!
He forcefully shoved Lennok’s body with his shoulder, cracking the barrier and shaking his balance.
Unimaginable brute strength for the Conjunction Spell Master’s physique. Had he augmented his body using Chimeras?
There was no time to properly answer the question that arose in Lennok’s mind.
Kuh-gwa-gwa-gwang!
Dodging the continuous stream of falling Chimeras, Lennok raced through the burning lobby cavity.
Lennok’s form, engulfed in flames, bounced at a high angle, accelerating and sliding.
From the impact, dozens of fiery shockwaves erupted, violently shaking the curtain and scattering stardust.
Thump-thump-thump!
Hundreds of fleshy masses, blocking Lennok’s path, fell onto the Long-lived Being’s skull.
Chimeras crawled in, as if filling the bones of the dead Long-lived Being with new flesh.
Six-Form Crimson [육진홍]
Consumption Calamity Wall [섭식재벽]
Puh-buh-buh-buh-bung!
With a single gesture, the falling Chimera masses were instantly reduced to ash.
A wall of fire surrounded him, blocking the Chimeras’ approach, and the charging monsters evaporated upon contact.
Amidst the rain of falling flesh, a crimson radiance flashed, and with agonizing screams, the Chimeras burned and vanished.
“Kurururuk…!”
“Gul-luk, gul-luk!”
But the number of Chimeras falling from the ceiling exceeded the number Lennok was incinerating.
Even the relentless light of exploding flames was eventually buried and obscured beneath the hill of flesh.
A nearly unlimited mass assault, possible only within the Life Domain that mass-produced Chimeras.
“Hahaha…!!”
The Conjunction Spell Master, accelerating by stepping on the heads of Chimeras, charged towards Lennok’s buried location.
Thump-thump-thump!
Every time the Conjunction Spell Master moved his feet, the heads of the Chimeras he stepped on exploded, adding to his propulsion.
The Conjunction Spell Master’s form, clad in a green surgical gown, instantly surpassed the speed of sound.
Swaeeeaak!
The Conjunction Spell Master’s blurred form, moving at super-high speed, collided amidst the flesh with a half-rotation.
Immediately after, the Chimeras that had buried Lennok abruptly moved aside, clearing a path.
Whoosh!
The space compressed by Chimeras opened wide, revealing Lennok’s buried form.
The moment the Conjunction Spell Master’s left hand precisely struck Lennok’s solar plexus with an open palm.
“Spellcraft activated.”
Jja-eong!
A powerful shockwave exploded behind Lennok, sending the Chimeras pressing down on him flying backward.
“…Cough.”
Lennok’s shoulders trembled violently, and he coughed up blood, unable to withstand the impact.
The Conjunction Spell Master slowly approached, his arm bent as if supporting Lennok’s chest, and spoke.
“It conjoins all blood vessels and organs in the body. It fundamentally destroys metabolism, as well as basic life reactions.”
“…”
“Once the spellcraft lands even once, the outcome was predetermined from the start. I had prepared dozens of ways to twist your thoughts and exploit openings…”
The Conjunction Spell Master looked down at Lennok, who was trembling with difficulty, with an indifferent gaze.
“It doesn’t matter now. How I will destroy the potential within your body, I… think…”
At that moment, the Conjunction Spell Master’s words suddenly cut off.
Because blood, gushing from deep within the Conjunction Spell Master’s body, was flowing from his lips.
It wasn’t due to the fatigue of combat. It was a backlash stemming from a more fundamental and fatal problem.
His internal organs twisted and coiled, feeling the excruciating pain of a severed intestine.
The Conjunction Spell Master, his face contorted in pain too intense for even the anesthetic to suppress, spat out.
“You, the spellcraft…”
“If you hit me with the spellcraft even once, it’s your victory, you said.”
Lennok wiped the blood from his lips and slowly rose.
“That would only be the case if you precisely targeted and used Conjunction Spellcraft on me.”
“…”
“The backlash of the spellcraft when the designated target disappears. Didn’t you tell me yourself how significant that is?”
Lennok smiled, looking at the Conjunction Spell Master with a cold gaze.
“Shall we see how long you can withstand that backlash?”
At that moment, the Conjunction Spell Master’s entire upper left body crumpled like clay, then exploded.
Bwooong!