Chapter 35

Has something changed?

Lennok wondered, having waited for a long time without feeling anything remarkable.

The doubt in his magical abilities began to creep in, which was unusual for him as he had never questioned his talent before.

Tilting his head in confusion, Lennok left the area and released the magic he had accumulated into the air with a forceful gesture.

[Lightning Bound]

Kwajijijijik!!!

"Ahhhh!!"

"Th, the lightning......!!"

The remaining gang members fighting fiercely were immediately drawn to a powerful blow that captured their attention.

Those who were quick to observe Lennok's actions soon realized a crucial fact: the boss and the wizard had been taken down.

The unmistakable evidence was the wizard's cherished staff in Lennok's hand.

As the realization sank in, the once chaotic scene was replaced with an eerie silence.

The screams and gunshots ceased, and those who had understood that the fight was overturned fled as if their lives depended on it.

They left behind dozens of cheap jeeps, countless guns and ammunition, and other equipment as they ran for safety.

The onlookers who had witnessed the unbelievable scene eventually found their legs giving out and they sat down, unable to process what had just occurred.

"Huh.......?

"Is it, over?"

While Lennok had confronted the two most dominant leaders alone, it was evident that the other individuals outside had also faced a numerical disadvantage.

Upon reflecting on the battle, it was apparent that they had tenaciously resisted by utilizing the wreckage of the exploded car as a shield.

However, if it hadn't been for the pyrokinetic who had continuously hurled himself at the front line, it was plausible that they might have faced complete annihilation.

"Haak, haak...!!"

The pyrokinetic, who lacked inherent strength, had exhausted himself by pushing beyond his limits to the brink of death.

He now lay on the ground, weeping and sniffling, but still keeping a watchful eye on Lennok.

His earnest desire was for Lennok to acknowledge the immense effort and suffering he had endured throughout the fight.

'Interesting.'

Lennok gazed down at the gasping pyrokinetic.

It was improbable for someone who only possessed the ability to shoot flames from their arms to have lasted in the recent battle.

Nevertheless, the superhuman had met Lennok's demand by drawing attention and courageously fighting at the forefront with his blazing flames.

The fact that he had survived and experienced the elation of victory after risking his life in battle demonstrated that he was starting to earn his place.

The scorched surroundings were a clear indication that the pyrokinetic had pushed his abilities beyond their limits.

Perhaps it was only when pushed to the brink that he realized his true potential.

Ultimately, the intense battle that had posed a threat wasn't a negative experience for him.

"You've worked hard."

The superhuman felt a wave of relief wash over him upon hearing Lennok's words.

He had given his all and didn't need to push himself any further.

However, Lennok's focus had now shifted to the abilities of the spoils he had acquired from the recent battle.

Despite the boastful wizard's insignificant skills, the item he carried must have held some significance beyond its decorative value.

Nonetheless, the fact that Lennok had yet to discern its true power was weighing heavily on him.

'It's not something that speeds up casting, nor does it increase mana rotation rate. I thought it might be an item that enhances the power of magic itself, but that doesn't seem to be the case either... Ah.'

Lennok discovered the answer about 30 seconds later.

The mana he had consumed during the battle had recovered slightly, but the increase was so minute that it felt like a mere pinch of sand.

Nevertheless, Lennok's highly sensitive perception of mana allowed him to detect it immediately.

Without hesitation, Lennok casually discarded the slender staff he had been holding and adjusted his attire.

He saw no point in carrying around the staff for the sole purpose of slightly increasing his mana recovery.

If it wasn't helpful, he had no interest in keeping it. Additionally, carrying a staff in every battle would be akin to advertising that he was a wizard.

'Considering that, it might be better to be discreet about being a wizard when choosing equipment.'

Revealing his identity as a wizard in every battle was something Lennok wished to avoid.

He believed that the most effective strategy was to launch the first strike, followed by the most potent counterattack.

That brief moment when his opponents remained unaware of his identity was akin to a guaranteed victory for him.

'If I polish this aspect a bit more, I might be able to establish a battle pattern to utilize.'

Lennok thought so, looking around at the people gathering around him.

In one battle and three spells that pierced the sky, Lennok had emerged as the undisputed leader of the group.

With just over a dozen individuals, they triumphed over a hundred opponents without suffering significant casualties.

It went without saying that the awakened superhuman and outstanding wizard were invaluable assets in a large-scale battle.

Even though they didn't know each other's names, the eyes of the people who had fought together overnight revealed a strong bond of trust, as if they were willing to entrust their lives to one another.

However, Lennok was fully aware that this leadership role was temporary.

For now, they acted like blood brothers, but in the future, they might be forced to confront each other with guns drawn.

In this world, fleeting are the moments of joy, while it's the haunting memories that one must shoulder for longevity.

Nevertheless, Lennok concealed such feelings and smiled warmly, outwardly appearing content.

"Everyone has worked hard."

"Hahaha!"

"Thank you for your hard work, Mr. Wizard!"

The people were excited as if they were warriors who had won a war and were promised a substantial spoil.

"Those who are uninjured will take the seriously injured to the hospital. Those who have minor injuries will stay with me and keep this place for the remaining time. After interrogating the wizard, it seems there will be no more battles, but let's fulfill the contract until the promised time."

"Understood!"

A resounding response reverberated through the warehouse as Lennok and the group behind him made their way inside.

Exhausted from the intense battle, Lennok found a spot to sit and slumped down.

The adrenaline had worn off, and fatigue had set in, which was unsurprising considering how much mana he had used during the fight.

He thought about lighting a cigarette, but quickly decided against it since he had to conserve them until he could replenish his stock at the orchard.

Taking a deep breath, Lennok relaxed his body and leaned his head against the warehouse wall.

Though his body was weary, his mental fortitude remained strong, as he keenly listened to his surroundings while simultaneously spreading his mana widely to prepare for any unexpected situations.

Outside, the sunlight began to filter in, and the blood-stained dawn gave way to morning.

Facing the light pouring through the open ceiling of the warehouse, Lennok quietly closed his eyes.

Time passed, and the group slowly dispersed as individuals excited to receive their promised reward from the pharmaceutical company departed.

Though they were unaware of who their opponent had been, the prospect of a considerable amount motivated them to accept the job.

In the end, those who had risked their lives for two days would receive their fair reward.

Lennok waited until everyone had left before starting to clean up the warehouse.

People bid their farewells politely and disappeared one by one. In particular, the psychic who had feared for his life shed tears of gratitude and bowed deeply before heading home.

Though he had initially doubted his abilities, he had made significant progress with his psychic powers during the intense battle, which he saw as a blessing in disguise.

As the last person in the warehouse, Lennok waved his hand roughly to send off the departing psychic.

He then contacted Sage, whose information he had received earlier, and provided a brief report of the situation.

Though Sage found it hard to believe the outcome of the overnight battle, he readily gave Lennok permission to take a few samples.

"Two bottles of sleeping pills. There's also a powerful drug for fatigue recovery. This is a vitamin I don't have at home... I need to take this too."

While pretending to clean up the warehouse, Lennok had secretly gathered a few medicines stacked in the warehouse.

These items were of much higher quality than the cheap supplements he normally consumed at home, and he felt a sense of prosperity.

As he prepared to leave the warehouse with a spring in his step, Lennok suddenly halted at the sight of Grime's staff that he had tossed aside the previous night.

Although he had no intention of using the staff, which was more for show than substance, Lennok hesitantly picked it up for some reason.

'Could it be sold for some money??'

The staff was equipment meant for a level 3 wizard, and Lennok thought it would fetch a decent price if he gave it to Jenny.

With a glimmer of hope, he carelessly tucked the staff behind his back and left the warehouse.

Despite being awake for nearly two days, Lennok's work wasn't done yet.

He could only relax after personally submitting the sample to the patent office, which he didn't particularly enjoy doing.

However, the thought of the 30 million cells promised by the pharmaceutical company made him forget his dislike for the task.

He flagged down a taxi on the outskirts and set course for the district housing the patent office.

His destination was in the 10s district, where the city's administrative bodies were stationed. This was a first for him.

The closer he got to the city center, the more expansive and spotless the streets became, the surrounding structures soaring higher and higher.

As he penetrated deeper into District 10, the population swelled until it plummeted abruptly upon entering the city hub.

The streets were impeccably clean, and hushed. Several structures boasted exquisite architecture.

A cathedral nestled within a forest of skyscrapers that appeared to touch the heavens.

This avenue was teeming with offices inhabited by the city's ruling class.

This was the beating heart of the mega-city Vulcan, the domain of those who orchestrated the symphony of the surrounding districts.

From this point on, this was a district frequented solely by city government officials, including bureaucrats.

The comparatively insignificant patent office was situated in District 8.

As it was early morning, there were hardly any people on the streets around the patent office, except for an occasional sighting of an old man walking his dog or those engrossed in morning exercises.

Lennok got off the taxi and headed straight for the patent office, which looked more like an antique temple from a myth than a regular building.

Despite its unusual appearance, it was easy to find.

The faint light coming from inside suggested that the doors were already open.

'Should I submit quickly and get out?'

As Lennok absentmindedly put his hand in his pocket and turned towards the alley leading to the patent office, the old man sitting on a nearby bench catching his breath spoke to him.

"What brings a young man like you to a place like this so early in the morning?"

The old man sitting on the bench catching his breath was wearing light workout clothes, with a towel around his neck. A large black dog accompanied him, pressing its head into his hand and sticking out its long tongue.

Though the man seemed to have sweated quite a bit from his exercise, his eyes were sharp and betrayed his age.

"This is a patent office, what do you think I'd be doing?"

Lennok hesitated for a moment, but he chose an appropriate response.

"Oh, it seems you have developed a valuable technology. Quite impressive for your young age."

'What should I do.......?'

In this city, there were many people who struck up conversations with strangers, but ignoring the old man completely didn't sit well with Lennok. He couldn't help but think that the fact that the old man enjoyed exercising in such a place suggested that he wasn't an ordinary person.

Lennok knew that if such a person suddenly spoke to him, it might not just be because he needed someone to talk to. Though Lennok believed in his own talent and will, he knew it was still too early for him to be involved with the powerful, especially not in a way that involved face-to-face conversations.

Lennok wondered what would be a subtle way to extricate himself from the conversation without leaving a strong impression.

'I'm not very confident in my rhetoric........'

As Lennok thought about how to extricate himself from the conversation, he glanced down at the old man. Though the old man was still looking at him with an unwavering gaze, Lennok's keen perception noticed that his gaze was slightly off-center. More precisely, it was aimed at the staff of Grime hanging behind Lennok.

Lennok had a small suspicion and inferred the behaviors derived from that suspicion, ultimately reaching the cause in one swift thought. Just by the direction of the old man's gaze, Lennok found the answer in an instant.

'......Ah.'

Lennok, whose face changed color in an instant, smiled faintly.

"Did you enjoy the show I put on yesterday?"

"What do you mean?"

"I spread some fireworks so that the people watching from a distance could see better. You must have liked it since you were waiting for me like this."

Lennok said, calmly meeting his gaze.

"Councilor."

This time, it was the old man's turn to be silent.

(TO BE CONTINUED)