CH 104

Without a moment’s hesitation, the two superhumans sprang into action.

Crash…!!

The ground beneath Manson shattered, causing his body to vanish in an instant.

Kaang!!!

A sharp impact echoed against Lennok’s side.

However, thanks to his shield, the force dissipated, causing the blade to lose its trajectory.

[Oh ho.]

Lennok stared in awe at Manson’s audacity and forcefully thrust the crackling mass of electricity in his grasp.

[Lightning Bound!]

Pzzzzzzzzzzz!!!

A torrent of electricity erupted, illuminating the dark underground waterway with its magical radiance.

The immensely concentrated sphere of electricity, far surpassing its previous form, detonated, branching out into hundreds of tendrils.

Although the magic’s initial launch speed wasn’t swift, the explosion itself surpassed it by far.

This slight delay momentarily caught Manson off guard.

Hundreds of electric currents surged directly into his body.

Kwaang!!

Even at the early stage of his awakening, Lennok possessed a spell with formidable power against individuals.

The delayed detonation, rather than occurring upon casting, made it difficult for superhumans who made split-second decisions and devised rapid responses.

If it connected, it offered outstanding cost-effectiveness, capable of temporarily incapacitating the creature like Croken.

However, Manson didn’t merely succumb to it. He managed to extract himself from the swirling electric storm unscathed.

[You’re more impetuous than I anticipated.]

In his hand, he held a sleek black cloak that had mysteriously materialized.

Electric sparks flickered amidst the cold, metallic sheen of the cloak, giving it a rigid appearance. It seemed to have no trouble safeguarding Manson’s body.

An artifact, perhaps?

It wouldn’t be unusual for a freelancer of Manson’s repute to carry an array of tools.

In fact, it would be odd for someone like Lennok, who valued lightweight equipment and swift mobility, to possess such items.

Manson mused, stroking his metallic chin with his left hand, the one not wielding a sword.

[You’re quite the nimble wizard. Your shield is sturdy too… Are you stronger than I initially thought?]

Manson muttered to himself, then promptly shook off his thoughts.

[Well, it matters little. Dealing with a drunkard is easier. I’ll knock you out and extract the information bit by bit.]

Despite his metallic visage, Manson proved to be a pensive adversary.

However, the maneuver he had just displayed couldn’t be underestimated.

‘Is this the first swordsman I’ve encountered since Jude Russell?’

It had been quite some time since Lennok faced a swordsman, not since the unkempt vampire swordsman he had encountered at the port.

In a world where guns and magic held equal sway among superhumans, melee weapons posed a challenge unless one was proficient with them.

It required a sense of self-assured skill and innate reflexes, as well as the confidence that one’s mana and physical enhancements were on par with other superhumans.

But those warriors who transcended these handicaps and rose above a certain level brought forth movements and insights that were hard for even Lennok to counter.

‘And not all swordsmen rely on a single blade.’

Just as Lennok used a gun as a secondary weapon, couldn’t Manson employ various weapons in a similar fashion?

Before that thought could fully develop, Manson abruptly raised his left hand and struck his own temple.

Clang!

“…What are you doing?”

[Damn it. Why won’t it come out? I shouldn’t have smashed my head with this useless junk.]

Clang!

As he spoke and swung his metal head with a fist once again, a long, slender glass vial popped out from his mouth.

An ampoule brimming with a dull, gray gas.

Manson picked it up delicately between two fingers and began to shake it.

[The fact that you’re not running away even after seeing this proves you’re just a kid. There’s no need to be cautious… Ugh!!]

Crash!!

Ignoring his words would be the wisest course of action.

Lennok wasn’t sure what Manson was attempting, but standing idly by and watching would be foolish.

Instead of responding, Lennok drew water from the nearby canal and doused Manson with it.

Simultaneously, Lennok gathered the overflowing coldness in his hand and dispersed it. The canal water, unable to endure the extreme cold, froze instantly, restricting Manson’s movements.

[Icebound]

Clang Clang Clang!!!

It was a spell that could only be utilized efficiently in the presence of water. However, under the right conditions, its effectiveness far exceeded that of common magic.

Ice magic was one of Lennok’s preferred choices as it allowed him to manipulate the environment to his advantage.

[Wait, hold on…!!]

Caught off guard by Lennok’s incoming magic, Manson found himself encased in freezing ice, causing the ampoule to slip from his grasp and roll across the ground.

Confirming that Manson’s plan had been foiled, Lennok promptly channeled his mana, forming a white magic circle in midair.

[Explosion]

As he twisted his left hand to rotate the magic circle, the ice fragments adhering to Manson’s body suddenly stood upright and detonated.

Crash!!!

Compared to Lennok’s usual explosions, it wasn’t particularly large. However, causing an explosion from a distance of ten meters using only ice as a medium was no small feat.

This practical application of unique magic was acquired through Eden’s research diary. Lennok had been innovating new spells by applying this method to not only lightning magic but also ice magic.

An unceasing flow of inspiration and an unwavering intuition never to miss a beat—these were the two most crucial talents for a wizard, harmonizing and entwining, tirelessly forging new paths.

Lennok extended his five fingers, catching the swirling ice fragments in the air. Simultaneously, the exploding shards reversed their trajectory, descending like a torrential downpour onto Manson’s location.

At first glance, it appeared as if Lennok possessed unrestricted control over the elements. One could easily mistake him for a psychic rather than a wizard.

There was no need for a name for the magic he had just conjured on the spot.

Aaaahhhh…!!

A cascade of frigid crystals turned the dim underground sewer into a blinding white blaze.

Had he defeated Manson?

Lennok believed he had taken all necessary precautions, but he wisely refrained from uttering the incantation of his magic. Instead, he closely monitored Manson’s life signs with his exquisitely sensitive mana detection.

However, even then, Lennok couldn’t prevent Manson’s hand from thrusting through the frosty mist.

Bang!!

Despite such a fierce assault, the gun in Manson’s hand remained intact, unleashing a fiery blast.

Lennok discerned the gun barrel’s trajectory and swiftly summoned his shield, but the bullet proved faster, piercing the ampoule.

Unable to withstand the impact, the ampoule cracked, and the gray gas inside explosively spewed out.

In no time, the gas permeated the sewer, filling it completely.

Instantly, Lennok’s forehead furrowed as he comprehended the potency of the gas contained within the ampoule.

‘Mana…….’

The chill emanating from the shield enveloping him and the mana emanating from all directions began to distort slightly.

It gradually eroded the structure of the already formed magic.

Though employing a different method, it was fatal for wizards who keenly sensed the spell’s intricacies, distorting the mana’s pattern by warping the environment rather than erasing the mana itself.

A different approach, akin to an EMP against wizards.

While observing his crumbling shield, Lennok’s mind wandered as Manson’s voice echoed through the dense gray gas.

[Hmm~~! The scent is always delightful. The aroma of panicking wizards. It’s incredibly sweet.]

[Is the mana not behaving as you expected? I can see it in your expression. It must be your first time experiencing this. It’s something I seldom resort to, even with significant resolve.]

Thud, thud.

A towering figure made its way through the gas.

Despite being engulfed in the explosion and encased in ice, his complexion surprisingly remained unscathed.

Wounds were still visible on his exposed upper body, peeking through torn clothes, but even those were swiftly healing before Lennok’s eyes.

Lennok’s gaze narrowed instinctively as he confirmed this.

‘So he’s the type with average endurance but remarkable regeneration… Quite rare.’

Recalling the physical freelancers he had worked with, most were skilled at minimizing damage when struck, but not many possessed the ability to recover swiftly from inflicted wounds.

Dylan, who had managed to rise unscathed after his waist was bent by Croken, fell into the same category as the Manson standing before him.

Manson, with one hand on his head, surveyed his surroundings, tilting his head as if noticing Lennok just now.

[Aren’t you running away?]

“What?”

[By now, your mana is likely not functioning properly. Most wizards would be too frightened and would be running away at this point. You’re tougher than I expected.]

“……”

[Still, it’s better than being a coward. The flavor is much more enjoyable when it comes from someone who resists until the bitter end, rather than those who give up and beg for mercy.]

Brandishing his drawn sword, Manson approached Lennok, who had been lost in thought.

“The gas you just used. It’s not an item created through magic or ritual.”

[Oh-ho.]

Interfering with the magic constructed by Lennok solely through the effects of an item would be impossible.

Lennok’s mastery of mana control had far surpassed that of ordinary wizards.

To disrupt his mana, one would require a treasure known as a relic.

Hence, the phenomenon currently affecting his mana was likely a method of indirectly altering the environment, rather than directly targeting Lennok, the wizard.

“Is it a technique that hinders the movement of mana itself, gradually causing the collapse of the magic structure? Considering it lacks a specific target, it doesn’t appear to be an intentional artifact.”

Lennok deduced as he touched his hip.

“It’s a superpower, or perhaps a rare flora or fauna with similar properties. If it’s such a valuable asset in battle, it must come at a high price.”

Upon hearing Lennok’s words, Manson, who had been chattering, paused and stared at him.

[Hmm? You’re quite astute, too good to kill right here. That was also evident when you discovered the pillar before me…]

Manson, tapping his rigid chin with his sword resting on his shoulder, spoke.

[Why don’t you join forces with me? I don’t know who commissioned you to intervene in this matter, but survival holds no meaning here anyway. My client is a person of considerable rank.]

“A high-ranking person?”

[Yes. I have plenty of other tasks to attend to besides this. Personally, I wish to have someone as sharp as you by my side. If you agree to work under me, I can speak highly of you to my client.]

A high-ranking person…

Manson didn’t divulge his client’s name on the spot, but Lennok, having a rough idea of the situation, immediately suspected the identity of the employer.

‘It seems Reisen has also caught wind of something and intervened.’

Does Evelyn know about this? Whether they are aware that the agent is deviating from Reisen’s path, and whether countermeasures are in place, is a more pressing concern than anticipated.

It appeared that further delay was no longer an option.