Chapter 579: How to Use Space (3)

An uncanny sight: following the shattered cracks beyond Lennok’s gaze, the very air was torn apart, severed.

Fragments of ruptures, cutting through space itself, severed the very sense of distance between things.

Following the shattered ruptures, the severed space spread throughout the entire underground cavern, indiscriminately tearing and cutting through walls and ground.

CRACKLE!!!

The spatial ruptures spreading from the wizard’s fingertips ripped in all directions, severing everything and violently shaking space itself, causing it to collapse.

One rupture after another, branching from their very roots, sent the Agent operatives scrambling in all directions, unable to even maintain formation.

[Don’t defend!! Evasion is the priority!!]

[If you can’t evade, you must be prepared to sacrifice a limb. If you don’t protect yourself with all the mana you have and brace……!!]

RUMBLE!!!

In rhythm with the wing’s engine roar, the entire underground cavern shook and fractured, violently disrupting the flow of battle.

Even relying on equipment, was it truly possible for a human to manipulate space itself with their bare hands, spreading ruptures to this extent?

The old man, O’Neil, who faced those ruptures at their closest, could not escape their destructive influence either.

CRASH!!

With a sound like shattering glass, the spatial ruptures extended even to the blade O’Neil held.

But instead of retreating to avoid the spatial severance Lennok caused, O’Neil defiantly took another step forward, thrusting his blade into the wing’s interior.

GRIND!

The blade, unable to withstand the rupture’s power, instantly shattered, losing its form. Yet, he forcefully held even those shattered fragments together with mana, reassembling them.

The sharp blade instantly slipped between the fractured wings and surged towards Lennok’s face, but.

As if it had been waiting, the wing fragments reconnected, seizing the blade that had pierced inside.

HISS!

Despite that, the attack, without losing its power, aimed precisely for Lennok’s temple.

In the instant O’Neil forcefully pushed the remaining blade into the tightly closed wings, intending to pierce the wizard hidden within.

The iron-plated wing, coiled around Lennok, unfurled with a snap, flinging O’Neil’s body backward and slamming him.

CRASH!!

The old man’s figure, smashing through several thick pillars scattered throughout the underground cavern, was sent crashing into the far wall.

Lennok, shaking his wings as if swatting a fly to repel his opponent, remained seated, coiling the iron-plated wing around his body.

CLICK, CLACK, CLICK!!!

Between the fractured wings, dozens of pre-equipped Predator machine gun barrels emerged, already warmed and ready.

[…….]

The moment someone among the operatives swallowed hard, imagining what was about to happen.

RAT-TAT-TAT-TAT-TAT!!!

Hundreds of bullets burst from the iron-plated wing, instantly enveloping the underground cavern and forming a massive curtain of fire.

In the rain of pouring bullets, the operatives gritted their teeth, drawing up their mana, and began to retreat.

[Everyone, retreat!!]

[All bullets are imbued with mana, it’ll be hard to endure for long!!!]

[Other team leaders will arrive soon!! If we can just hold formation until then……!!]

“That grotesque wing, I remember it.”

WHOOSH!

At that moment, a massive shadow descended in front of the operatives, rotating and transforming into a barrier that blocked all the incoming bullets.

The shadow curtain transformed into a black beast, swallowing the bullets whole, and from within it, Chain emerged, carrying a massive scythe.

“Decades ago, there was a handsome fellow who flew through the sky with such a bizarre monstrosity attached to him.”

Chain tilted her head with a puzzled expression, mumbling as if recalling old memories.

“He was definitely one of Kaiser’s close associates, I think.”

“It seems you’re referring to Deadrise’s Gray Ghost.”

At that moment, a faint smoke rose right beside Lennok, instantly taking on a human form.

CLICK!!

From the immediate vicinity on the opposite side, where Lennok’s wing couldn’t cover, Kade appeared, his gun aimed, and spoke.

Kade, with an impassive face, nodded, the gun barrel pressed against Lennok’s temple.

“It remains in my memory too. This is undoubtedly Gileon’s personal equipment.”

“Ah, right!! That was the name!”

Chain’s face brightened, and she clapped her hands.

“I’ve been away from the field for so long that my memory’s getting hazy, you know? I worked for ages, but now I can barely recall anything.”

“After Gileon left Kaiser, he’s only directly appeared on the front lines a handful of times.”

Kade replied in a calm tone.

“I too only heard news of him a couple of times while I was away from Vulcan. So…… I didn’t know Adamant Thunder would possess his equipment.”

This man, who had appeared out of nowhere and aimed at Lennok’s vital points, was not wrong.

The wing attached to Lennok’s waist was, in fact, equipment Gileon himself had left behind.

He had replaced the internal components that had melted from the Exposure Phenomenon and re-aligned the circuits to fully restore the wing’s functions.

A new piece of equipment: carapace fragments had been attached to the wing’s exterior to increase durability, and firearms were housed within for automatic firing.

Lennok had, in fact, been continuously testing the iron-plated wing’s abilities against the Agent operatives.

THUD!!

“Was it Van, you said? I recall hearing that name a few times while I was away from the agency.”

O’Neil stood up from beyond the debris of the collapsed pillars and spoke.

“He’s widely rumored to be a monster who survived in this city in the most un-wizard-like manner. I heard he’s not only filled with savagery, but possesses a disposition that enjoys bloody battles.”

“While not actively engaged, his past actions are significant, and he’s an eccentric individual with flawless achievements. He’s also a talent who has clashed with various organizations and even has records of cooperating with our agency.”

Kade said, his impassive face fixed on Lennok.

“It’s also known that he recently sustained a major injury and is refraining from activity.”

“You know quite a bit. Have you investigated me specifically?”

“I periodically check the profiles and actions of talented superhumans.”

Despite Lennok’s words, Kade didn’t waver in the slightest, adjusting his grip on his pistol.

“Because it’s troublesome to needlessly clash with capable strongmen.”

“Kade…… are you still continuing your contract work?”

Chain sighed, shaking her head.

“I used to turn a blind eye with my authority, but it’s difficult in Vulcan. I’m about to step down from my administrator position soon, so I won’t have the power anymore.”

“It’s fine, Chain. For now, I intend to focus on Agent work, following Greta.”

Kade replied silently, his gaze never leaving Lennok.

“However, we must first decide how to handle this man here today.”

“I was wondering how the Director of Aegis managed to reorganize the agency itself so powerfully in such a short time…….”

Lennok mumbled, closing his eyes and inhaling cigarette smoke.

“Did she call retired agents who served in Aegis decades ago back into active duty? Quite a talent.”

An assassin who worked as a contract killer. An old man with extraordinary swordsmanship skills, and a middle-aged woman adept at manipulating shadows.

Their past actions mentioning Kaiser and Deadrise as if familiar, and their speech and behavior as if they had lived in this city for a long time.

Their veteran skill in instantly surrounding Lennok and trying to neutralize him. Such veteran operatives couldn’t have just fallen from the sky.

Unique behaviors that all seemed to reflect the passage of time.

These were high-tier superhumans who had served in Aegis decades ago before retiring from the field.

“Oh my, so you didn’t know anything about us until now?”

Chain chuckled, as if surprised, and waggled her shadow scythe.

Bringing the blade of the scythe to Lennok’s throat, she said.

“I thought you were a wicked junior who knew everything but sided with the Cartel anyway. If you didn’t know the situation, perhaps we could just give you a suitable lecture and let you go?”

Chain’s black eyes gleamed indifferently.

“I don’t care about unskilled failures, but I want to keep talented wizards alive as long as possible. Who knows, maybe this guy will become the second Evan Vylun?”

“…….”

Silence fell around them at Chain’s sudden words.

O’Neil muttered as if utterly bewildered.

“You can’t even remember what you did in Aegis before, but you remember news like that just fine.”

“Isn’t it obvious, old man? What’s a hotter topic in this city than the commercialization of anti-gravity engines?”

Chain shrugged and said.

“My department can’t stop talking about it, so it’s impossible not to know. When will personal airships be available, when will experience centers open for those who want to fly, when will grotesque wings like the one this guy has be sold on the market…….”

“…….”

“My daughter even heard some strange rumor and came home asking for a hoverboard…… Haa, I told her I’d consider it if she did well on her next transfer exam.”

“I understand a mother’s struggles, but I think it would be best to quickly conclude the operation before more time passes.”

Kade glanced around and said.

“Director Greta said it would take time to find the ledgers in the vault. I’ll keep an eye on Adamant Thunder, so please finish your work quickly.”

“Kade, I’m not entirely sure what ‘accounting ledgers’ even means.”

O’Neil stroked his beard with an awkward expression, sheathing his sword.

“I know. Just open the vault door, and I’ll retrieve them.”

“Do you really know what ledgers Greta wants?”

“Old man, I may look like this, but I’m a civil servant who’s worked as an administrator for over a decade.”

Chain scoffed lightly, shaking her head.

“It’s obvious where the most distinctive and fatal flaw lies in an illegal corporate conglomerate like this. They can create multiple ledgers and manipulate the numbers. From there, we can build a case and have the financial regulatory body raid the Cartel’s subsidiaries.”

“I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

O’Neil, shaking his head as if troubled, waved his hand dismissively.

“You handle all of it. After all, you’re not the one checking the ledgers, are you?”

At that moment, Lennok, who had been silently listening to their conversation, mumbled.

“So you’re saying you’re not the ones checking the ledgers…….”

CLICK!!

Before Lennok could even finish his sentence, Kade aggressively pressed the gun barrel hard against his temple.

“Shut up. I won’t allow you to speak needlessly.”

“So that subtle reluctance to make a decision was because of this.”

Lennok, his head slightly pushed back by the gun barrel, glanced at Kade.

“The decision-maker isn’t far away. No, were they perhaps directly involved in the operation from the start?”

“…….”

The three operatives surrounding Lennok were veterans who had rolled through battlefields for decades.

Naturally, no superhuman was foolish enough to react to Lennok’s sudden, piercing words at this point.

But Lennok had already reached his conclusion, regardless of their reactions.

“Director Greta. She was here.”

In the darkness, the wizard’s lips curved into a faint smile.

“Then I have no more business with you.”

Kade didn’t hesitate.

The moment he heard those words, he immediately lowered the gun barrel and pulled the trigger, aiming for Lennok’s abdomen.

BANG!!

A drastic shot intended to neutralize the opponent here, rather than kill him.

But Lennok’s figure was no longer there.

Lennok, who had instantly stepped back using Flicker, pulled the iron-plated wing close and snapped his fingers.

Simultaneously, an invisible wave spread out from Lennok, sweeping through the surrounding space.

WOOSH!!

“What was that……?”

“He definitely did something…… wait, could it be!!”

Chain felt an unusual mana backlash from within her shadows and snapped her head around.

The bullets Lennok had first unleashed and that she had swallowed in mass when she appeared in the cavern.

The bullets, which had been embedded in her shadows, simultaneously resonated, exploding one after another from within Chain’s shadows.

CRACKLE……!!

Using hundreds of bullets as a medium, waves of lightning vibrated, rapidly amplifying their power.

The uncontrollable waves of lightning that erupted tore through Chain’s Shadow Curtain, collapsing her spell.

The iron-plated wing, crumpled into a fist-like shape, instantly struck her unguarded back with a flash.

CRASH!!

“Kkh……!!”

A sharp scream erupted from Chain’s mouth as she was flung and skidded into the lower part of the cavern.

Realizing the tide of battle had instantly turned, O’Neil and Kade moved simultaneously.

A flash of sword light gleamed from O’Neil’s waist, and Kade twisted his body, scattering dozens of grenades and flashbangs at his feet.

BOOM-BOOM-BOOM-BOOM!!

Dozens of mana streams surged forth amidst the explosions, clashing on the spot and scattering fragments in all directions.

As O’Neil’s sword slashed through the air, the blade, moving with his gestures, continuously traced dazzling trajectories.

But Lennok, shooting the rolling grenades at his feet with his revolver to deflect their explosion points, received all of O’Neil’s sword strikes with the iron-plated wing right there.

GRINDING!!!

“I recently learned a trick or two about close-quarters combat by observing.”

Lennok, raising his pristine white revolver from within the iron-plated wing, quietly mumbled.

“I think I’m starting to see it now.”

BANG!!

Through the widely spread wings, a revolver bullet streaked unimpeded, directly piercing O’Neil’s shoulder.

A targeted shot allowed with surprising ease for a swordsman who wielded his blade at subsonic speeds.

But with this single counterattack, O’Neil realized how skillfully his opponent wielded Spatial Leap Targeted Shot and his expression hardened.

“Space……!!”

“You saw it? Good senses.”

It wasn’t something possible by merely aiming for a momentary gap while parrying and defending sword strikes.

In the fleeting moment the blade and bullet clashed, the revolver bullet Lennok fired had, immediately after being triggered, leaped through space and embedded itself in O’Neil’s skin.

If it were merely a spatial leap, one could somehow parry it the moment it was perceived.

It was an impossible feat without calculating O’Neil’s reaction speed and sword trajectory to strike ahead, piercing a psychological gap.

It was, in effect, proof that the wizard was overpowering him in a battle of wits.

GRINDING!!

Lennok, splitting the iron-plated wing into five segments to deflect the sword strikes, simultaneously used Flicker and pulled the trigger.

O’Neil’s figure, glowing with sword light and scattering blood as if dancing, was almost eerily chilling.

“It seems the rumors of your injury weren’t false. Your overall physical capabilities have significantly deteriorated.”

Kade, who had instantly darted past O’Neil and burrowed into the wing’s interior, quietly whispered.

“Your attitude of barely moving since the start of the operation, your fighting style focused on personal equipment. Even your hands, which barely use your main magic.”

By now, a pair of jet-black daggers, appearing as a set, were held in his hands.

“Have you not properly rested since the Madrich Onnion incident?

The moment Kade spun around, his form turned into a faint smoke and vanished from the spot.

GRINDING!!

A chilling cutting sound as it ignored Lennok’s wing and hammered at the inner shield, cutting it away.

Sword energy, resembling a running mist in the air, spread over the shield’s exterior like flames, leaving deep lacerations.

SWISH!!

Shoulder, knee, nape of the neck, and flank.

Skillfully burrowing into areas that were relatively vulnerable, it scraped and cut away at the shield.

A contract killer. More specifically, a covert operative akin to an assassin. Their speed was too fast to perceive with the five senses.

Instead, he thoroughly circled within the space of Lennok’s extended wings, seemingly gaining protection from the wing’s power as well.

Was he, conversely, exploiting the fact that the iron-plated wing’s barrier was difficult to pierce head-on, using it to continue the battle?

GRINDING!!

The relentless cutting sounds echoing through the air caused the outer wall of the shield to give way and collapse.

Lennok’s shield was originally a barrier designed more for recovery and compression than its own inherent durability.

Due to his overloaded mana not having fully recovered since the Sealed Zone incident, the shield’s recovery power couldn’t keep up.

SWISH!!

Blood seeped through his shirt, rapidly staining his collar red.

But Lennok, heedless of the chilling sensation of his limbs being cut, shook his head.

“Artifact? Miniature Universe? Either way, it’s a method that channels power into cutting force and amplifies its destructive power.”

SWISH!!

Lennok, openly ignoring the sensation of the blade lightly cutting across his chest, took a bold step forward and mumbled.

“Then what about its stability?”

CLICK!! WOOSH!!

At that moment, the iron-plated wing transformed into the shape of a massive palm, and right then and there, it peeled away layers of space as if cutting through a cross-section.

The Spatial Delamination ability Gileon had used as a superpower, borrowing the iron-plated wing’s power.

Decades ago, Gileon had controlled his innately born power by borrowing the artifact known as the iron-plated wing, but.

For Lennok, who had begun directly manipulating the concept of space with existing theories and laws, replicating that principle was not difficult.

If it was merely spreading it like a shockwave across an area, without concern for direction or power, as he was doing now……!!

BOOM!!

With the distorting shock of space peeling away layers, Kade’s form, which had been darting quickly near Lennok, looking for an opening, was instantly flung backward.

“……!!!”

Kade’s face, having never imagined Lennok could manipulate space with such precision, showed unconcealable agitation.

A bullet, with exquisite precision, embedded itself in Kade’s leg, just as he was about to transform back into smoke and vanish from the spot.

[Marker attached. Synchronization initiated.]

Davi wagged her tail from within Lennok’s arms.

[Preparing spatial conversion formula calculation based on marker installation coordinates.]

The moment he heard Davi’s words, Lennok took a revolver bullet from his pocket and flicked it into the air above his head.

Just after Kade, through long experience, realized that movement was a type of trigger.

“Wait, could it be……!!”

[Execute.]

ZAP!

Kade and the bullet’s positions instantly swapped, and he plummeted from above Lennok’s head.

CLICK!!

Lennok extended the iron-plated wing like a hand, seizing Kade’s body, and wiped away the blood streaming down his cheek with a grin.

“Gotcha.”

CRASH!!

Kade’s body was slammed headfirst into the underground cavern floor, instantly becoming a human stake.

Only those with keen eyes among the operatives, who had watched the entire sequence from start to finish, shuddered.

[Did he swap spatial coordinates using a medium……!! He’s no longer human!!]

“Attaching a separate marker and synchronizing it takes time, but if the conditions are met, I can set up the situation exactly as I want.”

Lennok said, turning his gaze towards the operatives.

“And now, I’m pretty much ready.”

[Visibility patch complete. Prayer-based mana resistance disengaged.]

FLASH, FLASH, FLASH!!!

At that moment, faint blue mana began to glow sequentially from various parts of the Agent operatives’ bodies.

Realizing that this was a similar mana source to the marker he had just embedded in Kade’s body, the operatives forgot to breathe, looking up at Lennok.

The darkened underground cavern. An eerie sight: the markers Lennok had attached to the operatives’ bodies glowed like fireflies.

[Markers activated. Preparing spatial conversion formulas for parallel execution.]

At the end of their gaze, a mix of fear and awe, Lennok looked down at them and raised his hand.

“How much longer must I toy with you all before I can draw Greta Wilderhild here?”