Chapter 1022: Milestone (9)
“I’ve collected so many items and artifacts that it’s becoming a problem.”
The large truck rumbled and shuddered through the main street of Gateway City, which was almost fully restored.
Perhaps because it was no different from a transport vehicle participating in the reconstruction efforts, no one gave it a second glance for long.
In the cargo bed of the truck, naturally leaving the city, Lennok, who had been stuffing items under the blackout curtains, wiped his sweat and shook his head.
“Even with miniaturization magic and subspace storage, I’m running out of space…”
After finishing his interview with the Deadrise 4th Legion Commander, Lennok had completed his preparations to leave Gateway City.
Over two days of recuperating in the infirmary, he had already decided when and how to return to Vulcan.
The problem was that, unlike when he first arrived at the Central Front, he now had many things to take with him when leaving.
All sorts of medicinal herbs, potions, and equipment acquired from the Conjunction Spell Master’s Life Domain, along with the former Tower Lord’s top-tier artifacts. The equipment abandoned on the battlefield after the Gabihaeng, and even supplies provided by the search party—they had all piled up into a mountain of luggage.
Even after using miniaturization and weight reduction magic to their limits, Lennok and Angel still had to divide the load.
“At least the artifacts left by the Tower Lord are wearable items, which is a relief…”
He hadn’t spent his time in the infirmary idly resting.
He had finished investigating the robe, belt, and gloves left by the Tower Lord, a series of artifacts, and had mastered their usage.
“The Phoenix’s Robe, specialized in flame resistance and assimilation. The Socket Belt, which extracts and uses the magic power of gemstones. And…”
Lennok murmured, touching the red magic circle drawn on the back of the pristine white glove.
“The Blazing Conversion Gloves, which convert mana to use Old World combustion magic.”
Unlike Heat Magic, which raises its power through preheating, Old World combustion magic focused on explosive power, generating firepower quickly in a short amount of time.
In terms of its nature, combustion magic had many similarities to the Lightning Magic Lennok primarily used.
That’s why Lennok was confident that combustion magic would suit him well and sought ways to master it, but…
[If it were a magic that could be easily learned by analyzing one artifact, the Master wouldn’t have coveted it so much.]
“…”
As Davi’s unnecessarily sharp remark suggested, for now, he could only grasp the gloves’ abilities and use them as auxiliary tools.
Of course, the mere existence of these gloves allowed him to increase the preheating speed of Heat Magic, which was a significant gain.
“If it had been a grimoire-like artifact instead of gloves, there would have been meaningful progress. A bit disappointing.”
[Human greed knows no bounds.]
It was certainly a greater gain than expected to obtain these artifacts after missing the Tower Lord.
However, separate from having gained the “potential” of combustion magic and black magic, the only regret was that both magics required further research.
“While combustion magic can be practiced alongside Heat Magic to increase proficiency, black magic is an entirely different case.”
Lennok pulled Davi’s cheek, lost in thought.
“I’ve neglected it somewhat since I awakened Property Transformation, so I’ll need to work diligently to improve.”
Black magic was one of the most anomalous magic systems among all the spellcraft Lennok had learned.
Even including Trait-type Spellcraft, which couldn’t be categorized, it was the power whose spellcraft outcome was the most unpredictable across all systems.
A spellcraft where the exchange rate was unknowable, sometimes returning 10 when 1 was put in, and sometimes 1 when 5 was put in.
But precisely because of that, at its peak, it was a magic that could twist rules and fate, allowing one to gain abnormal power like the Nether King.
No other magic system could completely deviate from the laws of growth and exchange and operate independently in such a way.
The reason Myeong broke down, and the reason he could become so strong, was that he had intrinsically come closest to the root of black magic.
Therefore, Lennok was well aware of the necessity of properly mastering black magic, but…
“What Myeong left behind was, in the end, potential. To make it bloom from that turning point, I have no choice but to work hard myself.”
[Is the Master’s playtime with me going to decrease again…]
Davi drooped and grumbled, as if she hadn’t expected anything different.
As Lennok stroked Davi’s head in his arms, the truck’s cargo bed burst open, and search party members rushed in.
Thump! Thump! Thump!!
They squeezed large packages, which they had been carrying on their shoulders, into the truck’s cargo bed.
“Sir Evan. We swiped half a year’s worth of preserved food from the search party’s supply depot!”
“The Gateway City Merchants’ Association sent a complete set of clothing and bedding. Where should we put them?”
“These are expensive distilled spirits sent from the black market entertainment district. They say it’s a courtesy for the administrator…”
Lennok watched the items pile up, making his efforts to organize the luggage meaningless, and shook his head with an incredulous expression.
“I specifically told you not to bring any more supplies or materials than this.”
“Oh, the 4th Legion sent their remaining materials from the outpost. Should we not accept those?”
“…”
Even as he spoke, Lennok sighed at the sight of the squad members neatly organizing the cargo bed.
“I’ll sort out a reasonable amount. Take the rest. I don’t have enough hands to carry them anyway.”
“But Sir Evan.”
“If you leave the city like this, won’t you just wander the continent again without a proper affiliation?”
The search party members finally turned to Lennok with serious expressions.
“You haven’t had anywhere to receive support since leaving the Eyes of Blue, so please don’t decline.”
“…”
The search party didn’t utter a single word asking Lennok not to leave Gateway City.
They didn’t ask him to protect Gateway City as it was, or to take on the role of the Gateway’s administrator.
Perhaps because they knew how meaningless such requests would be to a Watcher who had left the Eyes of Blue.
That’s why instead of holding Lennok back, they were trying to give him as many supplies as possible.
As if to diffuse the slightly heavy atmosphere, the squad members quickly joked around.
“Do you know what Sir Evan’s reputation is like in Gateway City right now?”
“If you arbitrarily send back gifts, our search party would actually be in a difficult position.”
“…”
Gateway City, swept over and gone by the Gabihaeng, would maintain a lull without any factional intervention for a while.
As long as the Celestial Flower’s Myriad-League Fragrance burned the veil, the function of the [Gateway] to create cracks in the veil would not disappear.
With everything over, only the story of Cheonbeon, who killed the Conjunction Spell Master and confronted Myeong, remained in this city.
Therefore, the materials gathered here were not merely for goodwill, repayment, or gifts.
Lennok, understanding the search party’s words, nodded.
“…I’ll accept only the amount that can be tied to the cargo bed’s ceiling. Nothing more is needed.”
“We’ll take care of it immediately!”
Angel shrugged his shoulders, watching the search party members scatter in an orderly fashion.
“What a mess. Is it somewhat organized?”
“Has Eredis Zabelin left?”
“She left ages ago,” Angel said, leaning into the driver’s seat.
“She’s a busy woman. I never imagined she’d come all the way to Gateway City herself.”
“She seems to hold a considerable position within the Warband.”
“She’s one of Ophelia’s most trusted superhumans. Both her personality and her actions make the title ‘Spear of the Warband’ well-deserved.”
“…”
Lennok gazed at Angel for a moment, then zipped up his bag and asked, “You must have been quite close with the Zero Seat.”
“It’s all in the past, no need to concern yourself with it,” Angel replied with a wry smile.
“Besides, the current Ophelia is likely no longer the person I knew anyway…”
“…”
“More importantly, my only superior is the Chairman. Are you questioning my corporate loyalty now?”
Though he spoke lightly, it was unlikely that Angel was serving Olivera deceitfully.
He had fought Evan to the death, and even after meeting his acquaintances from the Warband, Angel hadn’t shown any particular agitation.
Perhaps it was because while he might yearn for the Ability Awakening Warband, he still didn’t agree with their direction.
“Have the time and place been set?”
“I’ve been in contact with the Head Office Secretary’s Office.”
As Lennok leaned towards the driver’s seat, Angel nodded.
“We’ve received the coordinates for the item exchange, so let’s get moving.”
“Where are the coordinates?”
“Bailuts, the satellite city. We’ll store the transported materials there and exchange the items.”
Angel naturally extended the terminal screen he was holding.
“I hear it’s a ghost city that was once used as a meeting place by Pandemonium.”
“We’ve arrived at the border area. It feels surprisingly easy to have left the Central Front.”
Vroom!!
The journey from Gateway City, leaving the Central Front, was smoother than expected.
It was the opposite of the commotion that had lasted for days on the way to the Gateway, but it wasn’t surprising.
“No one in their right mind would attempt looting or murder at a time like this.”
At Angel’s surprised remark, Lennok, holding an unlit cigar in his mouth, let out a soft laugh.
Hearing about the Gabihaeng that erupted at the first Gateway, the entire Central Front would be lying low by now.
It was only natural that not a single rat scurried about in the fluttering grasslands.
Leaving this border area, they would soon enter the mega-city via the satellite cities near Vulcan’s undeveloped zones.
“Well, this is my stop,” Bernard yawned, putting down his binoculars from atop the truck, then scratched his belly and jumped down.
Bernard approached the passenger seat and extended a hairy hand to Lennok.
“Good work, Martinez. It was a shitty job, but at least we survived, right?”
“Are you planning to return to the Warband?”
“Unlike that Angel guy, I’m still tied to the Warband. And I don’t particularly intend to break free.”
Bernard shrugged.
“I agree that the Ability Awakening Warband has lost its initial purpose. I can understand Angel’s disappointment.”
“…”
Bernard smiled, looking at Angel, who silently tilted his head.
“But without the Zero Seat, the number of surviving superhumans would be far less than it is now. At least, I don’t want to deny that outcome.”
“You seem to agree that the existence of the Collective Psychic Network is a direction for innate superhumans.”
“It’s certainly clear that it wasn’t a choice for Ophelia, the Zero Seat, herself.”
Bernard’s eyes momentarily turned serious.
“That’s what a great cause is. It’s the same reason we risked our lives during the Holy War to find the location of the Cult’s Main Branch.”
It was an answer only Bernard, who had lived as an explorer for Pioneer, could give.
Perhaps he, too, had long pondered the reason for living after the Holy War ended.
“Well, you don’t necessarily have to understand. Now that I think about it, Angel’s choice doesn’t seem so bad either.”
“…”
“The Cartel’s Chairman, who abandoned magic for innate abilities, is undoubtedly an extraordinary madman. The answer he’s seeking is probably quite plausible in its own way.”
Bernard gave a gentle smile to the silent Angel.
“If you’re living well, that’s all that matters. Then maybe we’ll meet again someday, won’t we?”
“…Bernard,” Angel hesitated, opening his mouth with difficulty.
“I—”
“I’d like to know the location of the Cult’s Main Branch,” Lennok suddenly interjected, as if a thought had struck him.
“The Valley of Lament. Can you tell me where it’s hidden on the continent?”
“…”
At Lennok’s casual question, Angel and Bernard’s expressions froze awkwardly.
Bernard turned his gaze, looking bewildered, and asked with a sour expression, “An Apostle-Slayer indeed. Did you really have to ask that in the middle of this heartwarming farewell?”
“Even after the Gabihaeng passed, the Seventh Apostle’s body was never found,” Lennok replied, toying with the unlit cigar.
“It’s certain that that vampire survived this incident. I suspect it’s due to the Tenth Apostle’s Apostle Spellcraft.”
“…”
“As long as the Cult’s Main Branch remains intact, even if Apostles are subjugated, their Apostle Spellcraft will continue to be inherited and passed down.”
Angel and Bernard’s expressions also turned tense as they understood Lennok’s words.
The weight of the words from Cheonbeon himself, who had directly subjugated the Tenth Apostle of the Cult, Amrita Fraubel.
Both superhumans knew that his deduction was infinitely close to the truth.
“…I understand what you mean, but that might be difficult,” Bernard said with a stiff expression.
“The terms of the treaty that halted the Holy War were to ‘erase’ the location of the Valley. All Pioneer members cooperated in that task.”
“Erase, you say…”
“We erased the physical entrance, its location coordinates, and memories. We performed the opposite of the operation we did to find the Main Branch, effectively erasing the fact itself.”
Bernard’s expression turned somewhat bitter.
“It was the greatest exploration of my life, but now it’s no longer mine. I’m sorry.”
“…”
“Well, saying more would just spoil the taste of alcohol. I’ll just grab a few bottles from the back of the truck and leave.”
Bernard patted Lennok’s shoulder and turned to leave.
“Oh, and seriously consider meeting the Zero Seat.”
“The Zero Seat?”
“The Zero Seat may have drifted far from humanity, but her memories and judgment haven’t gone awry.”
Bernard, who had grabbed several bottles from the cargo bed, tapped his temple.
“It wouldn’t be a lie to say she wants to see you. She just probably thought any means to achieve that would be fine.”
“…”
“Even if it’s not the way that Rebid tried, it shouldn’t be difficult to get an invitation through Eredis.”
Bernard grinned and waved his hand.
“It was a short time, but it was interesting to work with a wizard like you. Let’s meet again alive next time.”
Pioneer. An explorer who had gained renown under the name of ‘Pathfinder.’
Was he a person who treated even his time with Lennok in Gateway City as part of an adventure and enjoyed it?
If he had lived chasing curiosity rather than a mission, Lennok had no desire to comment on his way of life.
Vrooom!!
Lennok silently watched Bernard, who remained at the border, drinking alcohol, in the rearview mirror.
Angel, gripping the steering wheel, began to glance at Lennok.
“If you want to meet Ophelia…”
“No.” Lennok smiled and shook his head.
“Not now. There’s no need to make a vague promise already.”
More time had passed than he expected since he moved under Evan’s identity to obtain a veil fragment.
His preparations to head to Outer Tribulation City, Kundara, had been postponed even further than planned.
The Zero Seat’s invitation. The Legion Parade. They were undoubtedly important matters, but they could be considered when he visited the Central Front again.
As Lennok was lost in thought, the faint shadow of the satellite city began to appear in the darkness.
Bailuts, the satellite city.
The satellite city he had visited when participating in Pandemonium’s interim settlement under Victor’s identity.
The Cartel must have chosen it as a meeting place, but it was ironic that they had picked that particular satellite city.
Screech!!
Before long, the truck, which had entered the satellite city, slowly came to a halt.
Angel, pressing the brake, pulled out the car key and handed it to Lennok, saying, “Take it. It’s yours.”
“I’ll move immediately.”
All the materials loaded on the truck were acquired under the identity of Evan Martinez.
Naturally, there were almost no items that could be publicly handed over to Adamant Thunder here.
At best, perhaps gifting the Conjunction Spell Master’s surgical tools to Jordan.
Swish…!!
The dry air of the satellite city, which now felt familiar. Dust and cement powder obscured the darkened night sky.
“I didn’t know this until I, a Vulcan native, came here, but they say it’s a city used for black market dealings,” Angel said, shouldering a heavy bag and starting to walk ahead.
“They say there are abandoned railway tracks all over the city, so there are many escape routes.”
“…”
While listening to Angel’s explanation, the two quickly arrived at the railway station in the city center.
The sight of the half-destroyed train station remained in Lennok’s memory.
He remembered attempting to escape by forcibly operating an abandoned train during Pandemonium’s interim settlement.
“This way.”
The waiting area plaza, lined with a convenience store, benches, train schedules, and electronic displays.
As Angel opened the door and guided Lennok inside, he immediately stopped, looking troubled.
Lennok narrowed his eyes at the strange atmosphere he felt as soon as they entered the station.
“Someone’s here.”
“…”
Centered in the wide waiting room illuminated by moonlight, he felt very strong presences surrounding them.
A girl sitting on the convenience store counter, holding a spear; a young man leaning against the wall with his arms crossed.
Sharp gazes seemed to be directed at them from outside the windows, and the faint presence of magic circles.
An icy will-thought that didn’t seek to kill Lennok directly, but was extremely wary and watchful.
“Oh dear?”
Angel turned his gaze with a flustered expression at the tense atmosphere, reminiscent of war.
“Some of the executives, even board members… The secretary’s office didn’t mention anything about this?”
“…”
Lennok, instead of Angel, silently turned his gaze to the end of the waiting room.
At the end of a row of waiting seats, a slender young man wearing glasses stood.
“It’s been a long time, Evan Martinez.”
He wore a loose martial arts uniform and greeted them with his hands clasped together.
“I received your call and have been waiting, but you are much later than expected.”
“Curse user.”
Lennok also recognized that smiling face, difficult to read despite the constant grin.
Lauder, the Cartel’s 6th executive. The executive in charge of the pharmaceutical division, and an opponent he had fought before.
The curse user who, along with Angel, had blocked Lennok’s path when he broke through Vulcan’s underworld under Cheonbeon’s identity.
Lennok remembered him for his hateful words towards humans and his unique curse spellcraft.
“Quite the excessive reception. I didn’t expect such a welcome from the Cartel.”
“Please understand with a generous heart.”
As Lennok chuckled, staring at Lauder, his smile deepened.
“Having heard the news from the Central Front, we couldn’t even begin to guess what state you might be in.”
“…”
Though he smiled outwardly, Lennok felt that he was being watched even more thoroughly than before.
Had the Cartel’s executives, board members, and key personnel moved solely to receive a single item from Lennok?
It was an excessively strict measure, but Lennok could easily understand the situation.
This was Evan Martinez’s first appearance outside the front line after defeating the Deadrise Legion Commander and the Conjunction Spell Master.
If they had heard about the incident at Gateway City, anyone would have to change their attitude when dealing with Cheonbeon.
How much Cheonbeon’s prestige had changed from his defeat in battle with Adamant Thunder until now.
Lennok felt that the superhumans surrounding him were now focusing intensely on his every breath and gesture.
Lennok slowly slipped his hand into his pocket and let out a soft laugh.
“So, I just hand over the item to you?”
“While I would have liked to have full authority over this matter.”
Lauder tilted his head, smiling.
“We alone couldn’t possibly match Cheonbeon’s name value, you see.”
“…”
“Our Head Office’s new external consultant has agreed to cooperate on this matter.”
“…A consultant, you say.”
He knew that the Cartel, led by Olivera, was unusually adept at recruiting talent.
But had they actually succeeded in recruiting a skilled individual capable of matching Cheonbeon’s reputation?
However, if there was a strong individual of such caliber near Vulcan, Lennok surely would have heard their name.
“This way.”
Lauder slowly led Lennok to a room located deeper inside the waiting room.
As he opened the door, he stepped back, and Lennok entered the room.
Inside the room were a small table and two simple chairs.
A woman sat opposite him, silently sipping tea…
A black veil covering her face, a jet-black trench coat, and even a small parasol handle hooked on her wrist.
[Olivera’s requests were always bothersome and unpleasant.]
The woman, sipping coffee with a black-gloved hand, slowly set down her cup and lowered her gaze.
[But this time, I can’t help but be grateful. That’s why there’s no reason to arbitrarily cut off even a bad connection.]
“…You.”
[This is the first time we’ve met face-to-face, Evan Martinez.]
The woman smiled quietly, her red eyes gleaming through the veil.
[My name is Elevra Tribiyer. You can call me Madam.]
“…”
The oldest broker in the mega-city of Vulcan.
A high-ranking vampire who was also involved in the Black Consumer Project.
Madam was greeting Lennok as the Cartel’s new executive.
[We have much to discuss, so please, have a seat.]
Madam whispered, her eyes twinkling through the veil.
[For the ‘gift’ you’ve brought, the Cartel has prepared a fitting reward.]
“…”
[Lariata Armush. As a fellow vampire, I also have something to tell the Apostle-Slayer about her. What do you say?]
Lennok, who had been silent, slowly moved to the chair opposite Madam and sat down.