Chapter 426: About What’s Changed (1)

Former Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, and a great 8-level Military Spirit Sorcerer.

The funeral of Madrich Onnion, who had contributed greatly to order in the mega-city since its early days, was truly grand.

A public servant who left the Military Spirit City to reside in Vulcan and dedicated himself to the city for a long time. Although he ultimately passed away in an unfortunate accident while attempting policies that went against the City Government’s stance, such as establishing a control organization to replace the Prohibition Edict.

What problem could there be in mourning and honoring a spirit that has already passed away?

Madrich Onnion left no family or relatives behind in his lifetime, so there were no obstacles in settling his estate and commending his contributions.

The fact that he captured sacrifices at the collapsed Naval Cemetery outside the city and used them as Military Spirits. The fact that he fought a decisive battle with Lennok and was defeated and perished in the process. The fact that he lived and died unbending, only for his ideals until his last moment. The citizens standing in the middle of the bustling street, mourning his death, knew none of this.

A large photograph of Madrich in his official robes passed through the middle of the road, carried in a limousine. Ceremonial vehicles flanked the limousine, along with police officers.

Lennok stood on the street barefaced, silently watching the procession.

“……”

Come to think of it, it’s been quite a while since he walked the streets barefaced like this.

As he awkwardly stroked his rough chin, a certain person who knew Lennok’s true appearance naturally came to mind.

What would Aris have said if she were here? Nearly two months had passed since she said she had to return to the magic tower.

She had taken a sabbatical from Rebatenon University, and there was no telling when she would return.

Had it been the right choice not to ask her why at the time?

Even with the perfect rationality and judgment of a wizard, he always looked back on past times and hesitated.

He vowed every time not to leave regrets, but it was never as easy as it sounded.

At least when he occasionally had deep interactions with others, Lennok always reflected on whether that moment had been right.

Evelyn, Jindun, Lapis, and even the monsters of Pandemonium. There were connections he shouldn’t forget, and couldn’t forget.

Lennok watched Madrich Onnion’s funeral procession disappear down the street for a long time before leaving.

Carol music echoed from all corners of the street. People celebrated each other as the year-end approached.

[May next year be filled with only good things, more than this year.]

[Happy holidays, and a happy new year!]

As he walked through the countless crowds, Lennok’s face naturally shifted to Van’s.

His face, presence, attire, all elements that stimulated the five senses, and even the mana pattern that formed a wizard’s unique identity. Even changing his identity, which he used to do with extreme caution, carefully selecting time and place, was now as free as breathing.

It wasn’t merely due to a vague certainty that his disguise process wouldn’t be discovered by others.

As Lennok’s power transcended the Hierarchy, as he filled it with content befitting his talent. As his self-doubt began to turn into conviction.

The fear of his identity being revealed was fading proportionally.

He had moved past the time when he discussed an uncertain future with only unknown potential, and beyond the memories of fearing someone who would recognize his vessel and covet his talent.

Lennok himself was now clearly aware that he was perfecting himself and aspiring to a level beyond that.

Even if someone were to discover and understand what Lennok truly was through his current appearance, Lennok was simultaneously gaining the strength and qualifications to endure the revelation of that truth and secret.

“……”

Changing to Van’s face and stepping into the outer district, he felt the gazes upon him shift once more.

Madrich Onnion’s death was officially sealed and not investigated further, but rumors related to him still circulated throughout the streets.

It was rumored that Adamant Thunder, commissioned by Olivera Ron Maize, had faced and defeated Madrich Onnion.

Dyke Corp. and the Cartel had joined forces to bring down Achilles.

During that process, rumors spread throughout the streets that Van’s martial prowess had reached the heavens.

‘As expected… It’s not turning out how I thought.’

There was no longer hatred or jealousy in the gazes directed at Lennok. No fool in this business didn’t know that the rumors circulating weren’t just idle talk.

Admiration and awe, or a lack of understanding and fear, as if looking at a completely incomprehensible monster or genius. The people of the underworld couldn’t hide these emotions, nor openly display them, so they averted their gazes. This awkward demeanor, as if looking at something that shouldn’t be there, conversely showed the status Lennok had seized on these streets.

With every step he took, others slowly receded in time with the fluttering lapels of his coat.

Even his limping gait, still recovering from injuries, made people fear and be wary.

Even that trembling movement would be no different from proof that Adamant Thunder had truly fought Madrich Onnion and survived.

Clink!

Opening the door to the bar and descending the stairs, Jenny turned her head and gave an awkward smile.

“Ah, Van…”

Of course, her awkwardness wasn’t due to Lennok’s changed status.

“While you were away, calls came in from various places. Some of them… were a bit hard to refuse directly. So, I thought I should get your confirmation first.”

“What is it?” Lennok asked, bowing his head as he awkwardly received the glass from Jordan.

Jenny slightly bowed her head and spoke.

“Perhaps because of the rumors about Madrich Onnion, various magic towers have contacted us.”

“…Magic towers?”

Since Lennok began to make a name for himself in the mega-city’s outer districts, he hadn’t had many dealings with magic towers. Unless he specifically met someone from a magic tower, or took a commissioned request like an Agent, how would he encounter the academic world?

Thus, even after starting to build his reputation as a freelancer and getting involved with underworld bigwigs, he hadn’t paid much attention to them. Jenny likely hadn’t had much experience receiving calls from magic towers in this manner either. Her slightly awkward demeanor proved it.

It was as if she was only now truly realizing that Lennok was a genuine wizard.

“Actually, there haven’t been any proper conversations, but I get the general idea. Everyone wants to confirm if you truly… um… that.”

“That?”

Jenny’s eyes darted around before she bit her lip slightly and said,

“The… Peak of Extremes wizard, I mean. It feels a bit strange to say it like this, but… they seem to want to know if you’ve reached level 8.”

“……”

“Oh, of course, they don’t want you to tell me that right now. It’s an extremely personal matter and private.”

Jenny waved both hands in front of Lennok’s calm face.

“What should I say… Just be aware. Similar requests will probably keep coming. As your broker, I need an appropriate answer regarding that matter… that’s it.”

Lennok let out a small laugh.

“You don’t need to be so cautious. I generally understand what’s going on.”

“Oh, really?”

“It’s only a one-level difference, but it means many people attach great significance to it…”

Leaning back in his chair, he idly twirled his glass, lost in thought.

It wasn’t hard to understand that the recent battle, in which Van had achieved victory against a level 8 Peak of Extremes individual, had created a huge ripple.

An Archmage who had completed the seven stages of Self-transformation was a monster and a superhuman capable of leading an organization anywhere on the continent.

But the level 8 powerhouses who transcended that Hierarchy were not beings that could be measured as mere humans.

Who would willingly take the risk of abandoning the seven levels they had built up over a lifetime, with a sound mind?

But precisely because of that, it was natural for an 8-level Archmage to be treated as a powerful, influential figure in continental history. Even in this mega-city of tens of millions, and among the various magic towers indifferent to wizards not of their own faction, the birth of a new Archmage was proof of how rare and uncommon such an event was.

No, even if he wasn’t, it wouldn’t matter. It was clear as day how many people would want a wizard who, despite not yet reaching level 8, had proven to possess comparable martial prowess.

Lennok finished his thoughts and stood up.

“I have no intention of changing the criteria. Tell them that.”

“You’ll only accept commissioned requests, with compensation and themes related to spatio-temporal spells and artifacts, right?”

For a very brief moment, he did think he might be able to hear news of Aris using this opportunity.

However, Lennok already knew that exchanging news like that wouldn’t hold much meaning.

Ultimately, there was no great gain in admitting that Lennok had acquired power comparable to level 8 in this manner. Only those demanding responsibilities befitting such power would increase.

At this point, where Lennok himself couldn’t fully claim to have reached the Peak of Extremes, there was no need to answer or acknowledge such things first.

What was important was reorganizing all this swirling power and order within him, according to the direction he had initially conceived.

“I’ve given them an answer, maintaining our existing stance for now, but should I contact them one more time separately?”

“No.”

Lennok drained the remaining drink and sharply turned his head.

“I’ll tell them myself.”

Whoosh…!!

At that moment, Lennok’s body vanished as if snuffed out, reappearing behind the spacious bar.

Under the dim lighting, Lennok sat nonchalantly among those who were in the middle of haggling over goods on a plush, right-angled sofa, and leaned back, speaking.

“You’ve probably heard what’s going on, so I’ll keep it brief.”

“…Hey, who the hell are you to butt into our deal?”

“We’re having an important discussion, so get lost.”

Two men who showed no sign of intimidation by Lennok, instead baring their teeth.

Lennok smiled faintly at them.

“I cast an awareness-jamming spell on everyone else right before I came in. Your quick wit to notice it and pretend not to know me is commendable.”

“What nonsense are you spouting…”

“But you two were the only ones who didn’t stop talking the moment I entered the bar. The patrons here are quite sensitive; they tend to pay attention, if only for a moment, when a new face comes in.”

“……”

Only after he said that did the two men immediately fall silent. The dirty hostility in their eyes vanished as if washed away, replaced only by a calm, almost intellectual gleam.

“Thorben Magic Tower, right? This is my first time seeing it directly. You can deliver a message to the other magic towers on my behalf.”

Lennok ignored their reaction, picked up the bottle from the table, poured some into their glasses, and said,

“Tell them I have no intention of getting involved in the magic towers’ dirty war business. Stepping onto the front lines will be entirely a matter of my own judgment. Understood?”

Thorben Magic Tower, which researches lightning-type unique magic. Wasn’t Eden, the boss of the Seager Bang Gang, who first made Lennok realize the existence of unique magic, also from here?

One of the wizard groups most actively engaged in war businesses using their power and knowledge. Outwardly, they maintained a dignified facade, citing the pursuit of scholarship and wisdom, but Lennok knew well that they were no different from Spell Alliances directly advancing to the central front and engaging in conflicts of interest.

Hadn’t the master of Blaiver Tower, which he had visited before, also directly advanced to the front lines and engaged in endless battles?

Even if he had previously thought of their power as inconsequential and paid little attention, if their martial prowess was comparable to the Peak of Extremes, it absolutely needed to be confirmed and addressed.

The magic tower personnel who thought so had already come to the city to personally confirm Lennok’s appearance.

“…I heard he wasn’t an arrogant genius who ran wild on talent alone, but this exceeds expectations.”

The man who had just been threatening Lennok instantly changed his expression.

“Indeed, a wizard who clawed his way up in such a harsh city wouldn’t be an ordinary softie.”

“……”

“Our Tower Master told us to try and coax you into at least setting up an appointment, but my thoughts differ. I actually agree with what you said.”

The man emptied the drink Lennok had poured and chuckled.

“You’re right, Adamant Thunder. At a time like this, it would be difficult for a talented new star to gain anything meaningful by joining the central front… The front lines are literally chaos itself right now.”

“I see.”

“With a few apostles from the cult starting to get involved, the front lines have become extremely chaotic. They don’t just stop at being powerful superhumans; they transform into monsters and run wild… As a result, attempts to break through the veil have become infrequent.”

“……”

Apostles of the Guido Cult, he thought. Lennok had once confirmed what those monsters, who worshipped the End of the Outer Sea as their god and wielded its power, transformed into in their final moments. Just as Walter Martinez had, creatures tens of meters long rampaging would overturn the terrain and cause countless deaths.

However, he hadn’t expected to hear directly from an insider that the situation on the central front was so difficult.

“Normally, we’d hide such things and try to sweet-talk you with pleasant words… But there’s no need for useless ploys against a man like you.”

“So, you’ve already finished your calculations?”

“If you’re hard to coax, shouldn’t we at least make a good impression? I’ve merely made a wise decision.”

The man shrugged, elbowing his colleague sitting next to him.

“Now that we know there’s little chance of you being swayed by other magic towers’ inducements, it’s our turn to try and make a good impression on you. Let’s just relax.”

Lennok let out a chuckle at the man’s utterly frank sentiments.

“You’re proficient in war businesses, and your mind works quickly. I like the honesty.”

“Good. That’s enough.”

The man, who had been looking longingly at the remaining alcohol in the bottle, replied.

“But other organizations, not just magic towers, probably think much the same. You know that, right?”

“……”

“You brought this upon yourself. Because you proved it. A wizard who has already accumulated martial prowess comparable to the Peak of Extremes. In fact, the fact that your level is unknown is even more appealing.”

The man continued, watching Lennok, who had his head bowed with arms crossed.

“Many won’t be able to accept that such power is freely roaming without being tied down anywhere. Many will want to possess it. I don’t know how you’ve managed your reputation until now…”

“I know.”

“You know?”

Lennok nodded.

“If I hadn’t considered that, I wouldn’t have started this work. It’s just that… I need to elevate this name as high as possible, even if it means enduring such hardships.”

He knew why this was happening only now.

Many of the countless deeds Lennok had performed until now weren’t solely accomplished under Van’s name, and it was also because Lennok had meticulously controlled his own reputation and status.

This was only possible because he had delicately managed his street reputation and the public’s perception of Van throughout that entire process, with Jenny’s help.

Hadn’t the series of events that transpired in the Hanghasa Labyrinth also been orchestrated and disguised under Evan’s name, not Van’s?

He had vaguely known since then that he possessed power comparable to level 8, but that fact had only now come to light under Van’s name.

Ultimately, it was because he understood that in order to access the most secret mysteries hidden by the project and the City Council, he needed equivalent proof.

Dealing with Madrich Onnion and completely unraveling his foundation was just the beginning.

Even if it meant directly antagonizing the City Council that governed this city, he had to uncover Alkaid’s secret.

After all, if he couldn’t understand what that name meant, he wouldn’t be able to move beyond the hollow echo that there was no next step.

At Lennok’s unwavering reply, the man was silent for a moment before nodding.

“I spoke out of turn… It’s probably a matter you understand far better than I do.”

“I appreciate the advice.”

“Alright. I’ll take my leave then. Thanks for the drink.”

The man said that and was about to turn, when he suddenly seemed to remember something and pulled it out from his pocket.

“Ah, just in case. This is a list of the magic towers that have contacted us. It might be good for you, Adamant Thunder, to know who’s interested in you.”

“……”

Lennok took the list without much thought and scanned it, then paused.

[Sinclair Magic Tower Elder Council, 3rd Seat]

[Claris Richellen]