Chapter 996: The First Gateway (6)
“So if you had sent the signal faster, we could have reacted…”
“What’s the point of the 3rd Legion’s assault force if they can’t even help us fight?”
“Ah, Sir Evan!!”
The residential district of Central Front Gateway City. The search party’s emergency room.
The search party members, who had been loudly complaining while wrapped in bandages, shot up upon seeing Lennok.
“Sit.”
Lennok stopped the members who were awkwardly trying to salute and looked around, speaking.
“It seems you’re feeling a bit better.”
“Though bones were broken and burns were sustained, it’s a miracle to have all our limbs intact, sir.”
Uluric, a search party member who had been guarding Lennok, chuckled as he patted the bandage wrapped around his shoulder.
“We’re lucky to have come back alive after running into madmen like the Legion.”
“That’s right, sir. This much will heal quickly with just a week of rest!”
“Haken. You nearly died, please, let’s rest for at least two weeks.”
“……”
The sight of the search party members laughing as they playfully smacked each other’s bandaged parts.
Lennok watched them, then pulled two small jars of ointment from his pocket.
“This is a highly effective medicine for pain. It’s a valuable item, so use it sparingly and share among yourselves.”
“Oh my, you shouldn’t have…”
“Isn’t it customary to visit the sick with only good intentions?”
Despite their words, the members eagerly accepted the ointment Lennok had given them.
They knew that medicine gifted by a high-ranking wizard like Lennok was no ordinary item.
“It’s fortunate that despite the incident in the middle, no one died.”
Lennok glanced around and said so, rising to his feet.
“I’ll be going. If fate allows, we’ll meet again.”
Having spent three days with the search party, guided all the way to the Gateway, he felt the need to check on their safety at least once.
Fortunately, it seemed no one had died, but all the members who had engaged in combat with the 3rd Legion would need to recuperate for some time.
Once he began moving to enter the Junction Spell Master’s operating theater, it would be difficult to find time.
Perhaps this very moment was the last bit of leisure he would have in Gateway City.
As Lennok thought so, preparing to leave the emergency room without hesitation, at that moment.
“Sir Evan.”
Uluric, re-adjusting his bandage and re-applying ointment, suddenly threw something towards Lennok.
Lennok stretched out a hand to catch it, but it missed entirely, falling to the floor.
“…Huh?”
“What’s this?”
Ignoring Uluric, who tilted his head, Lennok picked it up.
It looked like a small key, similar to a car key.
Uluric, collecting himself belatedly, answered.
“It’s the ignition key for the mechanical steed, Arumisu, issued to Gateway Search Party members.”
“Mechanical steed?”
Was he referring to the mechanical bikes the search party members rode?
“Since you arrived at the Front, you haven’t had a proper ride, haven’t you been riding in the back seat of a bike for the past three days?”
“……”
“It’s made from shape-memory alloy produced in the Central City, and it has built-in armor magic, so it can be used as armor to protect the wearer in a pinch.”
Uluric grinned, leaving Lennok to his thoughts.
“I won’t be going on operations for a while, so I’d like to give it to you, Sir Evan, as if it were lost during an operation.”
“Uluric, are you really going to embezzle military supplies like that in front of us?”
“If you’re bothered, you can return all the ointment you’re using to Sir Evan.”
Watching the members immediately start bickering, Lennok slipped the car key into his pocket.
“I’ll have it recovered on the way back. I’ll gladly accept it.”
“Ah, and this is something I heard from another search party battalion patrolling inside the Gateway…”
Hesitating, Uluric looked at the ointment Lennok had given him before finally speaking.
“There’s a rumor that another Deadrise Legion is currently stationed near the Front.”
“Another Legion?”
“Yes. I don’t know why, but they suddenly moved their encampment near the Gateway a few days ago.”
“……”
If another Deadrise Legion had suddenly moved near the Gateway, what could be the reason? It was certainly not unrelated to Lennok’s whereabouts after defeating Roberaid, the Lieutenant General of the 3rd Legion.
Uluric, too, seemed to feel no further explanation was needed, nodding with a grim expression.
“Please be careful, sir. If you need any help, we will come running anytime.”
“Sir Evan. Thank you so much for saving our lives!!”
“Always stay healthy, sir!!”
“…Yes. Thank you.”
Everyone fighting on the Central Front could die anywhere, anytime, and be found as a corpse. To say ‘let’s meet again’ was a luxury, yet they still exchanged words wishing for each other’s well-being.
Leaving the emergency room, Lennok walked past the search party members who had risen from their beds and saluted in unison.
As soon as he stepped out of the emergency room door, the medical staff waiting outside bowed deeply.
“Thank you for assisting the Gateway Search Party, Sir Martinez.”
“May God’s blessing be upon all the Eyes of Blue’s endeavors…”
“If you ever need any medication, please contact us at this number. We have rare medicinal herbs found only in the Gateway.”
They clasped their hands together, conveying their wishes to Lennok as if offering a prayer.
Unconcealed admiration emanated from the expressions and gazes of the hospital staff.
Were they impressed by the fact that Lennok had saved the search party during the battle with the 3rd Legion and hadn’t forgotten to visit them?
He hadn’t done it for his reputation, but the spread of Cheonbeon’s fame in this direction wasn’t a bad thing at all. The more Evan Martinez’s name spread in a direction opposite to Adamant Thunder’s notoriety, the more things Lennok could accomplish using this identity.
Turning out of the dim emergency room corridor, Bernard, who had been leaning against the wall, nodded to Lennok.
“To make time for search party members you’ve only been with for a few days, you truly are as compassionate as they say.”
“……”
“And how you completely ignore anything outside your interests. Indeed, not all rumors from the Central are groundless, it seems.”
“Is that all you have to say?”
As Lennok remained silent, completely ignoring Bernard’s words, he merely shrugged, unperturbed.
“Well, it doesn’t matter to me how you spend your final preparation time. If you’re ready, shall we go?”
Bernard said, gesturing lightly to Lennok.
“Let’s go straight to the black market. We’ll start by meeting the Watcher there.”
“This way.”
Clang, clang!!
Passing through a dark corridor without even a single lamp, a dazzling night street glittering with starlight came into view.
Brilliant lamps and music that hurt the ears. The strong scent of spices that stung the nose.
A bustling night street so lively that standing still felt overwhelming.
Was it an illusion that the heat of this black market felt uniquely intense even within Gateway City?
“The black market, reformed from an outer mining excavation site. It’s where the most people and money move within this city.”
“What kind of goods are usually dealt with in the black market?”
“What else would there be that can’t be officially displayed from the Central?”
Bernard shrugged in response, pointing to a corner of the underground cavity.
Looking at the humans packed tightly within rusty iron bars, Bernard spoke.
“Humans. Beast-kin. Half-breeds. And various other rare demi-humans. It’s the slave trade.”
“……”
“Prisoners defeated in war, or shields to be used in war. Large factions are deeply involved, so even the search party dares not intervene.”
Bernard shrugged and motioned to Lennok.
“According to information acquired from this side, the Watcher, who is scheduled for surgery, will be visiting the black market tonight.”
Bernard pointed to a golden tower glowing with blue light at the end of the black market street.
“The meeting place is Hwacheongru, located in the Central Commercial District of the black market. With many rooms and good security, it’s a favorite spot for VIPs who wish to avoid surveillance.”
“Hwacheongru, you say…”
“I’ve booked the room right next to the top-floor private room reserved by the Eyes of Blue Watcher. You’ll need to make direct contact once you’re inside Hwacheongru, timing it right.”
Bernard turned to Lennok and spoke.
“A closed organization like the Eyes of Blue wouldn’t even listen unless it was from another former Watcher. It’s probably the method that will minimize their backlash.”
“……”
The commercial district within the black market, where high-rise buildings were concentrated.
Among them, Lennok immediately moved towards the striking blue-lit golden tower.
“I’ll go ahead.”
“Are you sure you don’t want to look around the black market during the remaining time? There are a few items only handled here.”
“As I said, I need to confirm who that Watcher is first to plan a countermeasure.”
Lennok replied, passing through the dazzling lights of the black market’s commercial district.
“I might have to change my persuasion method depending on the Watcher. In the worst case, they might even pick a fight with me.”
“…Did your departure from the Eyes of Blue end rather badly, then?”
“Well…”
Lennok chuckled at Bernard’s question.
“I’m not sure what they think of it.”
Lennok remembered many high-ranking Watchers of the Eyes of Blue, but their temperaments varied wildly. Among them were those hostile to Evan, and Watchers loyal only to Lapis.
When Evan, who had left the Eyes of Blue, met with the Ability Awakening Warband, there was no telling how that Watcher would react.
Therefore, it was important for him to first ascertain the opponent’s identity and then devise a method of persuasion.
“If that’s what you think, I’ll guide you straight to Hwacheongru.”
Bernard gave a wry smile and nodded.
“Come this way. It’s a bit of a detour to get to the room I booked.”
“Walking there is fine, but…”
As Lennok said that, he subtly glanced around the street.
Ever since he’d descended into the heart of the black market’s night street, he’d felt peculiar gazes clinging to him.
“……”
At first subtle, then gradually becoming more overt as time passed, eyes of scrutiny.
At the same time, whispers began to reach Lennok from various parts of the street.
“Look. It’s Evan Martinez.”
“It really is. That flame wizard…”
“He looks exactly like when he burned Vulcan. Not a single thing has changed.”
More than half of the superhumans frequenting the black market seemed to clearly recognize Lennok and his presence.
People were whispering from a distance, without directly approaching Lennok.
“I heard he left the Eyes of Blue, so why is he at the Gateway?”
“Is he having a meeting with a major faction?”
“Did you hear the rumor? As soon as he arrived at the Central Front, he took down Lieutenant General Robert Roberaid…”
“Quiet. It’s just a rumor. Who knows who else is here?”
“……”
Curiosity and interest. Admiration and caution.
With every step he took along the street, gazes followed him, only to vanish as if washed away the moment he turned his head.
It wasn’t fear of Lennok, but rather curious gazes, as if observing a very famous person.
Only then did Lennok realize the nature of those gazes and emotions, and he inwardly smiled wryly.
‘I never thought I’d realize how famous Cheonbeon’s name has become on the Central Front in a place like this.’
He had heard that the events in Vulcan had made him incredibly famous, and that Cheonbeon’s reputation had changed dramatically. But he never imagined that other factions or superhumans from the Central would show such curiosity towards Cheonbeon.
It was a very different kind of treatment compared to when he was known by the infamy of Adamant Thunder.
Bernard shrugged and headed for the entrance of the blue-lit golden tower.
Receiving the business card Bernard offered, the attendant covered his mouth slightly, an astonished expression on his face.
“Ah! Pioneer’s…”
The attendant, alternating glances between Lennok and Bernard, eventually returned with a smiling face and bowed deeply.
“You have booked VIP Room 3 at 9 PM. I will show you the way.”
They took the opulent elevator in the center of the golden tower to the top floor.
Angel, leaning against the elevator, asked incredulously.
“I wondered how you booked a room in such a high-end restaurant so easily; you used Pioneer’s name, didn’t you?”
“More precisely, I used Odin’s name.”
“Odin?”
“He’s referring to Odin Meyers, the former leader of Pioneer.”
Angel answered instead.
“A Level 7 Ranger and an 8-level Pathfinder. He’s a hero of the Holy War, known as ‘the Guide.’ I heard he disappeared after Pioneer disbanded…”
“Odin loved the food at Hwacheongru so much that Pioneer’s name was still on the priority reservation list.”
Bernard said, stepping out into the top-floor corridor.
“It’s a name no one uses anymore. Someone like me might as well make good use of it so it isn’t forgotten.”
“……”
Despite his words, it was clear Bernard had an attachment to the explorer organization, Pioneer.
They passed through a corridor adorned with blue and gold silk, heading towards a spacious room partitioned by screens.
The round table was already set, waiting for food to be served.
The floor was tiered like steps next to the corridor, designed to offer a clear view of the stage set on the top floor.
Given the presence of microphones and speakers, perhaps performers would be called to add music or songs.
“The room the Watcher booked is Room 2. The reservation time is the same as ours, 9 PM.”
As soon as they arrived at VIP Room 3 on the top floor, Bernard quickly turned his gaze to Lennok.
“The local time is 8:55 PM. Considering the time it takes to come up in the elevator, they must be somewhere in this Hwacheongru.”
“……”
“Well? Can you detect the Watcher’s location and identity from here?”
“…No.”
Lennok, who had been closing his eyes and using mana detection, spoke.
“I don’t sense the Watcher’s presence in Hwacheongru.”
“What?”
“At least within the golden tower, there’s no magical reaction that seems to belong to the Eyes of Blue.”
“That’s…”
Angel turned his gaze to Bernard with a troubled expression.
They had never considered the possibility that the Eyes of Blue Watcher wouldn’t come to this black market at all.
“Was the information wrong from the start?”
“…Unlikely. I personally secured and verified the reservation list managed by Hwacheongru’s manager.”
Bernard said, his expression thoughtful.
“The client’s name wasn’t there, but it was confirmed that the Eyes of Blue side booked Room 2 today. But if the Watcher hasn’t come…”
“You said there was an easy way and a difficult way to enter the Junction Spell Master’s operating theater.”
Lennok continued to use mana detection as he spoke.
“Tell me about the difficult way, too.”
“It’s meaningless to discuss the difficult method now…”
Bernard shrugged.
“The Junction Spell Master shows great interest in those with unique spellcraft or talents, often inviting such individuals for direct conversation. And in most cases, he kills them to use as dissection subjects.”
“……”
“It’s not that no one has been invited to the operating theater and survived. However, those who did survive mostly went mad or became monstrous aberrations and died shortly after.”
“Given how thoroughly the Ability Awakening Warband has investigated the Junction Spell Master’s activities, why haven’t they intervened yet?”
“Currently, most of the core forces of the Ability Awakening Warband are deployed deep within the Veil. This is to secure the path to Paradox Red, the forward base secured by the Warband, and the surrounding ‘Four Archangels’ Demonic Mirror Realm’.”
Bernard explained.
“Regardless of the war with the Alliance and the Cult, the atmosphere inside the Front is extremely tense. If the balance collapses, a single faction could be swallowed whole instantly. Especially Jinwa’s Paradise Lost, spread across the Front’s outskirts… oh, whoops.”
Bernard covered his mouth as if he had made a mistake, then gave a wry smile and nodded.
“From here on, it’s information I can’t speak of directly. You understand, right?”
“……”
Jinwa’s Paradise Lost.
Lennok also knew what that meant and why it shouldn’t be spoken aloud.
If the Warband’s forces and operations were entangled to that extent, it was natural that he couldn’t explain the specific circumstances.
As he thought so, about to say something, Lennok suddenly shifted his gaze.
“Someone has arrived in Room 2.”
“…The Watcher just arrived?”
“I don’t know exactly whose presence it is, but…”
At the very least, it was clear that the being who had just arrived in that room was directly related to the Eyes of Blue.
In that case, he needed to make contact and seek an explanation right away, according to the plan.
As Lennok unhesitatingly left the room and pushed open the door to Room 2, which was right next door, at that moment.
Slam!!
Behind a leisurely stride, a crimson robe swayed, and a faint heat wave swirled along its hem.
The guest, who had been calmly seated at the head of the table in the room, stroked his chin with one hand and stretched out his arm.
He picked up the teapot, poured tea into the cup before him, and spoke.
“To barge in without permission to enter, it seems your etiquette needs re-teaching.”
“……”
“Despite ample warning, you made no preparations, so I had to personally take action to close my ears.”
The middle-aged man, who swept back his fiery red hair, leisurely tilted his head and spoke to Lennok.
“Or, do you still have questions about this situation?”
The opponent, who immediately uttered incomprehensible words upon entering the room.
But Bernard and Angel’s faces hardened coldly as soon as they saw the man seated at the head of the table.
A tone of voice that was not just stiff, but overbearing. A heat that wrapped around and burned his entire body just from the man breathing.
Despite his pale complexion and tired expression, his overwhelming presence was undeniable.
It was because they keenly recognized the aura of a powerful individual, one who scattered real mana in the form of an attribute.
“Surely…!!”
As even Bernard couldn’t hide his agitation and stepped back, Lennok took a step forward.
“I have mountains of questions.”
Lennok pulled up a chair opposite him and sat down, pouring tea into a cup himself, then spoke.
“But I’m not sure if they’re questions I should be asking you yet.”
“……”
Lennok slowly raised his teacup, his eyes glinting coldly as he looked at the man’s face.
“Blaiver Magic Tower Lord. What brings you here, you who were the administrator of the First Gateway?”
The Eyes of Blue’s high-ranking Watcher’s secretly arranged meeting at Hwacheongru.
The one who appeared at that location was not the Eyes of Blue Watcher Lennok knew, but an 8-level flame wizard.
It was the Blaiver Magic Tower Lord himself, who had previously served as the administrator of the First Gateway before the Junction Spell Master.
“If you’re aware of this Tower Lord’s whereabouts, then our conversation will be quicker.”
But the Tower Lord remained unperturbed by Lennok’s words, a gentle smile on his face.
“Indeed, a spellcaster like yourself would naturally be capable of that. It’s also why I came here in person today.”
“……”
With a seemingly benevolent smile, he nodded to Lennok and spoke.
“Sit. As a fellow wizard who walks the path of flame magic, I have some advice I’d like to offer you.”