Chapter 513: The Sniper’s True Worth (3)

Two arms of The Idol scatter as they completely shatter on the theater roof.

At the very least, it seems certain that Maiya failed to deflect the last arrow Evelyn just fired.

‘If The Idol is damaged, the Doctor’s plan is likely to become useless.’

Originally, the Doctor’s plan was to forcibly draw out the accumulated power in The Idol through the settlement to open a Translocation gate.

Since they don’t precisely know the strength of the Aegis agents and the foreign forces, it’s more rational to withdraw from this position than to waste energy fighting them unnecessarily.

To that end, they had been fighting outside the theater to protect The Idol and divert attention, but Evelyn’s sniping was far more powerful than anticipated.

The greatbow sniper shot, imbued with Miniature Universe inertia deviation. That single shot, blending magic and Mind Imprint, held an excessive power, too much to receive head-on.

With two of The Idol’s arms shattered, it would be impossible for the Doctor’s plan to proceed as originally intended.

Lennok’s expression, which had been wavering inside his mask, turned cold.

‘It’s impossible to kill them all. They probably know that, which is why they’re being so aggressive.’

If Lennok exerted his full power, it wouldn’t be impossible to wipe out most of the Aegis agents in this city today.

However, doing so would mean exposing not only Lennok’s true spellcasting methods but also, to some extent, Victor’s identity.

Evelyn, who was continuously sniping from an unknown location, and the other superhuman who was part of the foreign force would undoubtedly confirm it.

Perhaps the other members knew this as well, which is why they tried to blend into the situation instead of exerting their full power.

The mere existence of the foreign forces, inactive outside the city, made them cautious about using power when dealing with Aegis.

The enemies weren’t just the ones they were currently facing; if a full-scale battle ensued, they might even have to contend with the foreign forces.

The problem was that not only Lennok and Soryu, but also the Aegis agents, were not entirely unaware of this.

“Time is on our side. Everyone, calm down.”

“Broken Arrow has started moving. Slowly push them back!”

Having realized that Lennok could not be easily engaged after the fierce battle, the agents overtly began to shift to a war of attrition, buying time.

They, too, instinctively sensed that Evelyn’s sniping from the rear was forcing Pandemonium to make a choice.

Shiiiiiik!!

On the frozen river and ice fragments, Soryu, half-melted by the cold, and the black-visored figure clashed without cease, locked in a fierce engagement.

Soryu’s face half-transforming into a pale white skull and back, and the black-visored figure shattering the cold with bare hands while continuously unleashing dark magic.

The moment Lennok glanced at the two and tried to gather more magic.

Kiiiiiing…!!

A strange, strong gravitational pull was felt, pulling Lennok forcefully from behind his head.

“……”

He could refuse it with target-specific resistance. But at the point it was cast, it was a spell with enough power to force an immediate decision on whether to accept or reject.

Furthermore, the direction this spell originated from was not from the other Aegis agents, but from the theater where the Doctor was located.

Lennok recognized this and immediately surrendered his body to the flow of the spell without resistance.

Paat!!

Before he could even close and open his eyes, Lennok’s entire body Translocated, reappearing in the theater’s main hall.

Soryu, emitting cold air from his entire body, walked in, and other members, who seemed to have just been in combat, were intensely scattering their murderous magic.

Before they could say anything to each other, the Doctor, who was sitting atop The Idol with its two arms torn off, spoke.

“I called you. It seems there’s no longer any reason to waste time.”

“What do you mean…?”

The Doctor shifted his gaze.

“The damage to The Idol from the recent sniping has made opening the gate remote. Instead, I used the remaining power to Translocate you all into the theater.”

“You did something useless.”

Soryu looked up at the Doctor with a cold expression, dismissing him.

“It’ll only buy a moment. If we show signs of retreating, it’s obvious they’ll push in. What were you thinking?”

“I needed that very moment.”

As the Doctor said that, and simultaneously his ball of fur twitched, the colossal eight-armed idol of the reverse side he was sitting on began to crumble.

Kugugugu…!!

From amidst The Idol crumbling like grains of sand, ten subtly glowing jewels appeared.

Considering the number, they probably represented the ten crystal lenses that formed The Idol’s eyes.

The Doctor, without a word, rolled them evenly to the other members.

One each for eight members, and two additional ones for Maiya.

“The moment The Idol began to break, I gave up on opening the gate and compressed and backed up the internal data used in this settlement, distributing it into the crystal lenses.”

The Doctor said this, then slightly tilted his head towards the crystal lens in Lennok’s hand.

“If only four out of the ten crystal lenses are intact, the causality of this settlement can be fully maintained. I’m counting on you.”

“……”

It was only then that the members realized why the Doctor had entrusted them with these crystal lenses, and a hollow laugh escaped their lips.

From the moment Evelyn’s sniping was allowed, the Doctor had given up on opening the gate without regret, focusing instead on preserving the data entered through the settlement.

“The existence of The Idol is merely to organize the causality of the Old World into data format to facilitate input and output; the Old World’s causality collected so far will not disappear. But the information newly updated in this settlement is different.”

Beastly eyes glowed clearly within the ball of fur.

“Until the synchronization is complete, it must absolutely maintain the original data form. So from now on, each of you will take your crystal lens and escape this city on your own.”

“Heh heh, I don’t think that’s my business… Can’t we just kill them all?”

Hyeol-no let out a gloomy laugh, twirling the blade in his hand.

The Doctor immediately replied.

“As the opponent’s power grows stronger, it becomes easier for our abilities to be revealed. Is there any reason to engage in a disadvantageous battle?”

Since this settlement itself wasn’t originally for combat, the longer the engagement continued, the more the Doctor would have to worry about The Idol’s damage.

Furthermore, most of Pandemonium’s members are individualists far removed from the concept of teamwork.

In this situation, the Doctor had long ago concluded that it was more rational to ask them to take care of themselves and merely carry the crystal lenses, rather than forcing them to participate in protecting The Idol.

But Hyeol-no didn’t seem to agree much with that statement.

“I was having so much fun fighting, killing, and savoring, and you uselessly cut off my fun, and that’s all you have to say…?”

He dropped the crystal lens in his hand.

Thunk!!

Instead of breaking, the crystal lens rolled and settled at his feet.

“If I just leave this here, what happens?”

“What would change?”

The Doctor said indifferently.

“Unfortunately, you won’t be able to participate in the next settlement.”

“……”

Hyeol-no obediently picked up the crystal lens and wiped it with his tattered clothes.

Even the blood-crazed old fiend seemed to regret missing out on the benefits of participating in the settlement.

“If you’ve roughly understood, we’ll conclude the settlement a step early here. Anything else to say?”

“I think distributing crystal lenses to everyone gathered here is a bit unfair…”

The gangly puppet, Chevyen, looked back slightly and said.

“There are injured people, aren’t there?”

“No, don’t mind me!!”

Vernon, with a slightly pale complexion, took a mouthful of alcohol and then spat it onto his pierced shoulder.

Chiiiiiik…!!

At the same time, steam rose from his shoulder area, and the wound instantly began to staunch the bleeding.

It was too fast and agile a reaction to simply be considered an antiseptic effect from alcohol.

‘Is it a spell for disinfection and hemostasis using alcohol as a medium?’

Considering Vernon’s demeanor, the ability he wields might be the power to manipulate effects derived from alcohol.

Seeing that the last person had also chosen and gripped a crystal lens, the Doctor nodded.

“Good. Then, I’m done here.”

The Doctor, who had subtly looked up at Maiya, who was now standing behind him, smiled.

“Very interesting people came to today’s settlement, and there’s still much I want to ask… but I’ll have to put it off for future enjoyment.”

“……”

“If you’ll excuse me.”

At those words, Maiya’s hand fell onto the Doctor’s head.

Udeudeuk!!

The ball of fur vanished on the spot, becoming a handful of blood, without even a scream.

Lennok had once witnessed a similar scene in the Hanghasa Labyrinth.

Hadn’t Maiya once activated a forbidden spell by killing a life representing the Doctor’s will to overturn the situation of the labyrinth race?

If the Doctor intended to help in the same way as then, there should be a more visible change.

The answer came from Maiya’s lips.

“Avoid the drawbridges and temple entrances on the northwest and southwest sides of Bailuts. Those two locations have the strongest ill omens in the astrology.”

“……”

“Escape through any other direction and hide yourselves, or do as you please. This is the Doctor’s final message.”

“Did you find that out from what you just did, Maiya?”

“Perhaps.”

Instead of replying, Maiya folded her arms and nodded slightly.

“If we waste any more time, Marcia’s bombardment will start soon. Move.”

Lennok, passing through Maiya’s chilling gaze, asked.

“Are you planning to stay till the end and clean up?”

“What nonsense are you spouting?”

Maiyja, cutting off Lennok’s words curtly, lifted her gaze.

“I was just debating whether to leave or to watch the one firing these arrows for a moment.”

“You speak as if you know each other.”

“That’s none of your business.”

At Maiya’s frosty reply, Lennok obediently nodded.

“Indeed, it wouldn’t be strange for civil servants from two cities to be acquainted.”

“……”

Lennok spoke, enduring Maiya’s sharp glare directly.

A sharp sneer formed on Maiya’s lips.

“If you have something to say, spit it out quickly.”

“I have a way to disrupt the Divine Bow’s sniping.”

Lennok turned his gaze to the other members and continued naturally.

“Those who intend to follow the plan, stay and wait. Sabrinah, can you make a few items like a druid’s talisman with word spirit magic?”

“It’s not difficult. What do you plan to do?”

Lennok smiled at Sabrinah’s question.

“I plan to temporarily move the transportation system of the entire satellite city.”

Lennok immediately headed to the adjacent building through the passage behind the theater.

The ruined terminal located right next to the theater.

Perhaps it was designed from the beginning of the satellite city’s construction to have cultural life and transportation located close together.

Lennok unhesitatingly forced open the door to the terminal’s power room and roughly connected the long-broken wires with magic.

“Why are there so many broken parts?”

“The materials from the wires sell for good money when cut into chunks. There’s a lot of similar stolen goods at auctions. They were probably all stolen that way.”

“Even if the connection points are understandable, fixing the missing internal components would be difficult. Can you repair it?”

“What do you take me for?”

Davi grumbled, then leaped from Lennok’s arms and immediately spread her tail wide.

As her four tails swayed, the cyber spirit’s magic emanated.

It flowed into the broken power room, instantly repairing the damaged system.

Wooosh!!!

The dusty gauges lit up, and monitors turned on one by one, displaying dozens of camera feeds.

Cameras showing dozens of railway tracks located beneath the old terminal’s basement.

Underneath the sporadically dark railway cameras, dozens of trains that had stopped running long ago lay abandoned.

“System repair rate 34%. Power connection 78%. Declared non-operational. Forcibly overriding the system to enter emergency operation mode.”

Whyyyng-whyng!!

As Davi said that and manipulated the system, Lennok immediately gathered magic and converted that energy into electrical power.

Pazzzzzzt…!!!

A large amount of necessary power was directly supplied to the internal engine facilities of the power unit.

Forcibly injecting the minimum power required for emergency operation into the system, and making the trains on the tracks operate by force.

“Activating signals based on current stopped locations. Beginning full-power escape operation towards the city outskirts.”

As dozens of stopped trains simultaneously lit up, they surged forward onto the tracks.

They collided, crushed, and tumbled over each other, yet dozens of trains collectively rose from beneath the subway tracks and ascended onto the path leading to the surface.

Dudududududu!!!

A procession of trains, starting from the terminal near the theater, sped across the satellite city and quickly dispersed in various directions.

The other members, holding their ground in the main hall, looked at each other with a hint of surprise.

“…That was Victor’s doing?”

“So that’s what ‘diverting attention’ meant.”

“Was he telling us to just hop on one ourselves?”

Even without explicitly using the trains, the sheer number of trains simultaneously starting their operation would undoubtedly scatter a considerable number of arrows.

It was practically impossible for the Aegis agents or Evelyn to ignore the existence of dozens of trains speeding towards the city outskirts.

There was no need to deliberately create chaos and try to divert attention.

Lennok had devised a way to easily withdraw from this position simply by temporarily repairing the broken train operating system of the nearby terminal.

“His response is unusually natural…”

“He’s an unpredictable fellow. We can’t rule out the possibility of a trap.”

Of course, individuals like Chevyen and Logier were quick to suspect the situation first.

But not many people could ponder for long while arrows rained down from above them in succession.

Though not as large or powerful as the arrow that initially struck Vernon, the continuous barrages of forearm-sized arrows hindered their movements.

The very fact that the opponent insisted on widespread projection instead of powerful, single sniper shots was proof that they, too, wanted to buy time.

There was no time to think.

“I don’t care, damn it. I’m going first!!”

“Vernon.”

“The choice is their own, the deal is over!! You idiots, keep thinking hard. Hahahaha!!”

Vernon, clutching his injured shoulder and bursting into laughter, climbed onto the theater roof and boarded the tail end of a departing train.

He laughed heartily, chugged a bottle of alcohol, and quickly receded into the distance.

Simultaneously, as he clutched the word spirit magic talisman crafted by Sabrinah, his presence quickly began to fade.

A druid’s talisman that completely assimilated one’s presence with the surroundings, provided one remained still.

Vernon had immediately understood why Lennok had requested such a large quantity of those items.

Sabrinah, seeing this, also seemed to make up her mind, chuckling softly before leaping onto another train.

“Alright, what’s there to trust or not trust now? See you all later!”

Her appearance, waving innocently as she moved away.

“Pathetic… To rely on the help of others…”

“Hah, for someone who told us to wait, this is an extremely suspicious method. I’ll go separately.”

“Heh heh, it won’t matter if I kill more trash before I go… I don’t need any help…”

Some disappeared without relying on Lennok’s arrangement.

Regardless, their objective was still the same: to achieve their goal amidst the chaos caused by the trains.

Only Lennok, Soryu, and Maiya remained.

Soryu looked back at Lennok, who had returned after activating the terminal, with a cold gaze.

“Not a bad idea. You seem quite accustomed to this kind of thing. Am I wrong?”

“Think what you want.”

Lennok snorted in reply, but Soryu didn’t bat an eye.

Instead, he merely tilted his head slightly, seemingly deep in thought, as if trying to guess the reason for this action.

“A spellcaster accustomed to creating chaos and methods… The Reding Revolutionary Army or the Terragade wouldn’t teach things this way. As I felt during the Kaiushyu incident, your way of thinking and scale are certainly unique.”

“……”

“There’s an efficient route, no need to refuse it. I’ll go first.”

Soryu, who turned into ice and disappeared on the spot, boarded another train, and Maiya, the last one remaining, turned her gaze.

“I’ve been feeling it for a while, but you’re a strange one.”

“…That ice wielder?”

“No, you.”

Maiya’s eyes sharpened.

“You, you met me in the Hanghasa Labyrinth, didn’t you?”