Chapter 535: Giant of Sunlight (2)

“A sealed zone…”

“I’m interested in Treffen’s attempt to transcend Hierarchy and pursue a different life by borrowing Gearsight’s power, but that’s not what we’re talking about today.”

Purity’s pristine white eyes, having set down his wine glass, sank deep.

“What’s important is the fact that you, and the other operational personnel, have personally ventured into the depths of the sealed zone.”

“…” Only then did Lennok, realizing the meaning of Purity’s words, slowly lift his head.

The secret of the Black Consumer Project that Madrich Onnion had mentioned.

Purity was implying that some work related to that very secret was deeply intertwined with the sealed zone.

“I sent a message to Sinclair Magic Tower to seek help from Aris Richellen, who shares similar conditions to you, but I haven’t even received a reply.”

Purity smacked his lips and sipped his wine glass.

“I hear there’s quite a stir inside that magic tower because of recently announced research findings, so it might be somewhat related.”

“There’s something I don’t understand.”

Lennok, staring intently at Purity’s expression, asked.

“Even among sealed zones, they can’t all be the same. Can the mere record of my entry into Sector 6 serve as a qualification?”

Among the dozens of sectors in the vast megacity, Sector 6 isn’t the only sealed zone.

Sector 19, known to hold the city’s darkest and deepest secrets.

Sector 23, where advanced military facilities and research institutes are gathered.

Sector 59, which was thoroughly turned into a garbage dump, but now no one knows what was discarded there.

Beyond these, there are other sealed zones, filled with all sorts of bizarre urban legends and ghost stories, with access completely restricted.

Compared to the rumors Lennok had heard, the importance or danger of Sector 6, where the city government’s ancient documents were collected, was nothing.

If Purity spoke like this, it seemed certain that he had business in another sealed zone.

But isn’t it awkward that Lennok would qualify and be needed for assistance just by having entered Sector 6?

However, Purity nodded as if understanding Lennok’s question.

“It’s not strange to think that way if you don’t understand the concept of a sealed zone itself.”

“Concept?”

“It’s not simply called a sealed zone because it’s physically isolated.”

Purity said that, dipped a chopstick into his wine glass, and began drawing on the table.

As his pristine white robe moved, droplets of wine fell from the chopstick, forming a complex, labyrinthine shape.

“Decades have passed since the isolation measures were implemented, and the barrier spells created for them have twisted and distorted over such a long time that even government elites find it difficult to touch them.”

“…”

“What if, beyond mere wordplay, the isolated zones are actually transforming into conceptually similar environments and closing themselves off?”

“Conceptually similar, you say…”

“That’s why, to prevent further spatial distortion, we need personnel who have already entered a designated sealed zone.”

Purity’s pristine white eyes shone brightly.

“The work we must undertake from now on will be a maintenance task that cannot be accomplished without accounting for such repercussions.”

“…I haven’t even said I’ll participate yet, but you’re already talking as if we’re a team.”

Lennok scoffed.

“It’s true I’m interested in the project, but I won’t help without conditions. You should know that, given you heard about Madrich Onnion’s situation.”

“It’s only natural to provide appropriate compensation commensurate with your skill.”

Krod nodded calmly, as if he understood.

“Since Turyeonmun has taken on this task, it’s also natural for us to propose the conditions. How about this offer?”

Purity lightly spun the chopstick and extended it towards Lennok, saying.

“Turyeonmun processes the vitality of superhumans into elixirs.”

“…”

“It’s one of Turyeonmun’s primary sources of income, boasts such high quality that it’s supplied directly to the City Council, and receives various support from inside and outside the city.”

“So?”

“I’ll select the finest elixir we’ve manufactured in the last 20 years for you.”

Purity picked up his wine glass again and added.

“It can be used for training, for checking one’s mastery, or consumed in urgent or critical situations to temporarily enhance vitality.”

“…”

“The primary focus of its refinement is the concept of regeneration and rehabilitation. Its core is a potent efficacy capable of restoring even a severed arm or leg on the spot.”

Purity, seeing Lennok silent, emphasized again.

“I am confident that this compensation will be more than sufficient to borrow the talent of a wizard of your caliber for about three days.”

An elixir, he said.

It accurately pinpointed the items or conditions Lennok needed while working as a freelancer.

Perhaps he had already researched the desired compensation Lennok had listed as a condition for designated requests on his deep web profile.

Indeed, Purity’s promise of Turyeonmun’s top-grade elixir didn’t feel particularly negative.

Although Lennok had consumed Archangel’s Tear to restore his physical condition, his weak body always needed more good elixirs, no matter how many he consumed.

Didn’t he start every morning by taking various supplements, vitamins, and elixirs for mana and vitality recovery?

Since he never knew when or where he might encounter a formidable foe, engage in battle, or suffer injuries, receiving Turyeonmun’s elixir as part of the deal wasn’t a bad trade.

However, Lennok slowly shook his head, despite knowing this.

“Hmm, is this still not enough?”

Purity stroked his chin complacently, even with the immediate rejection.

“I think I did well, just as the clerk wrote it down, but perhaps the order was wrong. Once I start speaking, I can’t remember it well.”

“…”

He didn’t seem particularly interested in where he had made a mistake or why Lennok had rejected the offer.

No, from the start, Purity himself wasn’t very accustomed to explaining situations like this or persuading someone to agree to a deal.

“Alright, enough with this troublesome talk, let’s wrap this up quickly. What do you want?”

As he tapped his neck, Purity’s face, which had been flushed from the alcohol, returned to its pristine white.

With a few gestures and mana rotations, Purity restored his physical condition, then rose from the table and looked down at Lennok.

“Since I’ve even held a council seat at one point, I can grant most requests.”

“…”

“What about in the political sphere? Attracting necessary investments for Sector 49, lifting excessive loan restrictions in the shadows, or even partially relaxing prohibited spell systems are all possible.”

Lennok listened quietly, then chuckled.

“You seem desperate. Is this matter that important to you?”

“You could say that. If we don’t deal with the sealed zone’s side effects now, it could lead to much bigger problems later.”

Purity readily conceded.

“That would become quite a troublesome liability for those who have been involved in the order of this city for a very long time… and I personally have a reason why I must go there.”

“…”

“Even if it means revealing some of the project’s secrets and darkness, there’s something that must be resolved now. What do you say?”

Purity asked.

“Are you willing to lend a hand with this matter?”

Before answering, Lennok reviewed the conditions and situation presented.

Since he couldn’t reach Aris, her help with this matter would be difficult to obtain.

It was clear that he would essentially have to resolve this matter with Purity.

A journey exploring the sealed zone with an 8-level monster whose mental stability was questionable.

What compensation could Lennok gain from this process?

Some secrets of the Black Consumer Project, specific details of the sealed zone, and Turyeonmun’s top-grade elixir.

The conditions weren’t bad.

Since there was time until a position opened up on the Central Council Technology Advisory Committee, investing a few days seemed feasible.

However, given that Adamant Thunder was known to be in critical condition, how much he would need to feign his condition during the operation…

And to what extent he should lend his strength and then withdraw, without Purity noticing…

These aspects would be hard to judge immediately without direct participation and assessment.

It didn’t take long to make a decision.

“If you add just one more condition, I’ll consider it positively.”

“What is it?”

“I want to learn Turyeonmun’s martial arts.”

At Lennok’s words, Purity immediately nodded.

“That’s not a difficult condition at all. Turyeonmun even has a curriculum for teaching basic self-defense to powerful casters like yourself—”

“From you, Purity, directly.”

“…”

Although the experiment against Rogier failed, Lennok hadn’t given up on controlling his own body.

If fundamentally improving poor motor skills or reactions was difficult, then manipulating his own body like a puppet was ultimately the answer, wasn’t it?

Just as close-quarters combat combined with spatial combat was half-forced upon him during the battle with Amrita.

The opponents and monsters he would face in the future were highly likely to impose unfavorable environments or conditions upon Lennok in absurd ways.

To prepare for this, it was evident that Lennok needed to refine his abilities and reactions in the relatively vulnerable field of close-quarters combat.

Therefore, Lennok intended to fundamentally explore not just the ability to manipulate his body with mana threads, but how to manipulate his body.

No matter how much he theoretically researched physical reactions and body manipulation, it wouldn’t compare to an organization like Turyeonmun, which had trained martial arts for hundreds of years, using their own bodies as test subjects.

And the most perfect masterpiece of the curriculum they had painstakingly built over a long time was sitting right before Lennok’s eyes.

“Hahaha…”

Purity chuckled.

“If I were to take on a disciple at this age, the hierarchy would get severely tangled. You truly propose something difficult.”

“I’m not expecting a master-disciple relationship. I don’t even want one.”

Lennok answered indifferently.

“To be precise, it’s closer to receiving the essence of the martial arts you’ve accumulated in the fastest and most efficient way possible. For that, isn’t it natural to seek help from Turyeonmun’s most powerful superhuman?”

“…Very well.”

Purity, who had been pondering slightly, raised his gaze.

On his pristine white face, an inscrutable, peculiar smile lingered.

A somewhat vacant, dazed smile, as if he were slightly unhinged.

“However, I’ll need to test whether you possess the martial talent to digest my teachings, or an aptitude that rivals it.”

“If necessary.”

Lennok wasn’t simply aiming to acquire martial arts skills comparable to superhumans right then and there.

However, Purity, a superhuman who transcended Hierarchy and had taught countless others, might be able to offer Lennok new inspiration.

It was with this expectation that Lennok had made the audacious request for Purity to teach him martial arts directly.

All the penalties binding Lennok. Even pinpointing just a part of the root of those problems from a different perspective would be half a success.

“I’ll prepare a suitable stage. I’ll finish preparations and return shortly.”

Flash!!

Purity, transformed into a pristine white flash of light, vanished from the spot.

Lennok feigned picking up his wine glass, letting out a small sigh, then quickly pulled out his phone.

“Krod Azlan, Krod Azlan…”

Using the deep web account Jenny had given him, he quickly accessed the community.

He immediately posted in the high-grade posts section, where only gem-tier members could write.

[Subject: Seeking information on Krod Azlan.]

= I’ll offer compensation if you provide information regarding his specific abilities, Miniature Universe, Mind Imprint, past record, or actions.

Information on a high-Hierarchy superhuman like Purity couldn’t be obtained by simply hacking or searching ordinary databases.

One would have to delve deep into the city government network, to its most highly secured core, just to find a trace.

While not impossible using Davi’s cybernetic abilities, it would inevitably take a considerable amount of time.

That’s why Lennok decided to use the deep web account to quickly acquire information instead of relying on Davi’s power.

Fortunately, the account Jenny lent him was also an Emerald-tier gem account.

There would be no issues with reliability or security.

The problem, however, lay elsewhere.

“…No reaction.”

Even after several minutes, no comments appeared, nor did the post’s view count rise.

Even with hundreds of thousands of people simultaneously logged in and browsing the deep web at that very moment, not a single person clicked on Lennok’s post.

This was despite the high-grade post category, where only gem accounts could write, having relatively high visibility and low regeneration.

Effectively, Lennok’s impromptu solution had failed.

Davi, who had been quietly watching him from his embrace, let out a small sigh.

[…Master knows far too little about the psychology of organics.]

“What do you mean?”

[With content like that, even stray dogs wouldn’t bother to look.]

Davi leaped out of his embrace and began wildly tapping on the phone with her chubby front paws, instead of Lennok.

The post was instantly deleted and began to be rewritten from scratch by the spirit’s touch.

[Watch closely. How a spirit, swimming freely through the cybernetic world, dominates the emotions of organics…!!]

Beep!!

[Subject: Just saw the deleted post and it made me think, isn’t it already decided who would win if Adamant Thunder and Purity fought?]

= Didn’t that old geezer Purity lose to Madrich Onnion even in his prime?

“…”

A subject line that defied common sense, and a body text that surpassed it.

Content where even Lennok found it hard to discern truth from falsehood.

But the reaction immediately after the post was created was completely opposite to before.

└What do you mean, against a spear master who ranks among the top five in Eastern Continent history…? Do you even know who Krod Azlan is?

└Did Purity ever fight Madrich Onnion? How do you know that?

└Purity’s supposed Miniature Universe ability is powerful enough to just devour most casters, so you think Adamant Thunder would win easily? Are you really an Emerald account?

└Sometimes there are guys high on the ‘underworld hype,’ you know. Just because it’s a gem account doesn’t mean they’re all noblemen…

└No, but it’s not entirely impossible. It’s a story that’s come up a few times before; simply put, Purity’s specialty is…

└Bringing up undocumented stories from decades ago again. If you’re going to say things like that, bring solid evidence!

└Adamant Thunder has people who can reliably testify to both his past record and achievements, and his actions are clearer than some monster from decades ago. They’re not even comparable.

└Bullshit, no matter how skilled Adamant Thunder is in close-quarters combat, if he can’t avoid Purity’s Straight-Step Pine Shadow (直步杉陰)…

Hundreds of comments swiftly streamed below the post in real-time.

Along with the view count, which instantly surged to over hundreds of thousands.

They weren’t just reacting to the post; they immediately began to argue among themselves in the comments, hypothesizing about various situations, techniques, and conditions.

In the process, various techniques and specialties presumed to be Purity’s were mentioned, as well as the abilities of a Miniature Universe, speculated to be his Mind Imprint.

Even higher-tier gem accounts than the one Lennok borrowed joined the fray, passionately debating their opinions.

“…”

Lennok, who had been idly staring at his phone with his mouth slightly agape, quietly looked back at Davi.

Davi chuckled, covering her mouth with her paws, and slowly wriggled back into Lennok’s embrace.

[Hehehe, those pathetic organics….]

“…Where are you going?”

[Squeak!]

Davi, pulled out by Lennok’s hand, squirmed wildly.

Lennok’s eyes shone brightly as he placed Davi back in front of the phone.

“It seems this isn’t your first time doing this. Let’s dig up all of Purity’s techniques and abilities before the test begins.”

A superhuman of the sunlight who had lived for a long time.

As long as past combat records remained, a certain level of his abilities would be estimated, and information would inevitably be released.

Lennok intended to use Davi’s help to mobilize all means necessary to pass Purity’s test.