Chapter 54
With unwavering determination, Lennok nodded, calmly tapping into his wellspring of mana. Swift and imperceptible, a smooth and vibrant energy surged through him, as if conjured by pure sorcery.
In an instant, a force assembled,
[Reverse Gravity]
Wooooooong!!!
Suddenly, gravity inverted precisely, causing everything in the vicinity, including the containers, to float upwards. The bewildering spectacle defied the laws of physics, with gravity's direction completely overturned.
The expressions of the two individuals, who had firmly planted their feet on the ground, shifted abruptly.
".....!!"
Their reactions were swift.
Kwaang!!
The bandit-like man drove his hand into the cement floor to resist, while Jude unsheathed his sword and locked eyes with Lennok, piercing it into the ground.
Lennok nonchalantly shook his head at the scene.
He hadn't anticipated that a mere reversal of gravity would cause significant harm.
[Reverse Gravity] was renowned for its lack of substance, despite its magnificent exterior and the powerful effect of reversing gravity. It consumed a tremendous amount of mana.
If his goal was to immobilize his opponent, it would have been wiser to employ [Gravity Bind].
However, there was a reason Lennok had chosen to manipulate gravity in this particular manner.
The first to detect the anomaly was Jude Russel.
".....Wait, this direction!!"
The reversal of gravity wasn't confined solely to their immediate surroundings.
As Jude observed six containers floating mid-air, drifting away from the shore, a foreboding realization crossed his mind.
Lennok smirked.
"You have a keen sense."
Kwaaaaaaaaaa!!!
Terrifyingly, a massive wave surged forth from the harbor, swelling and stretching toward the heavens.
Lennok had reversed the gravity within this area, encompassing even the sea behind him.
For a fleeting moment, the wave expanded and tilted, casting a second shadow upon the midnight sky, shrouding it in darkness.
Simultaneously, Lennok manipulated his mana once more.
In stark contrast to before, his power instantaneously dominated the space, disrupting the force that the two adversaries exerted.
Uddudduduk!!
"Kuk...!! Damn, what is this..!!"
"Magic...?!"
Both individuals were highly skilled, making it unlikely for them to be deceived twice. However, that was precisely why Lennok had to seize the perfect moment.
Despite having numerous opportunities to strike down the bandit-like man while evading, he had patiently advanced to this juncture, all for this singular instant.
It was a brief moment when the movements of the two, attempting to evade the approaching wave, transformed into those of ordinary individuals.
A colossal surge of seawater enveloped the trio.
Kwaaaaaaaaaa!!
The briny aroma permeated the harbor's edge.
Without allowing the moisture to dry, Lennok unleashed his mana to its fullest extent.
He felt the mana within his core churn and transform into a burden on his body, but he clenched his teeth and exerted every ounce of strength to push it forward.
The strain of consecutively employing magic with substantial mana consumption was not a concern in the current situation.
The air in this vicinity grew heavy with moisture, accompanied by a bone-chilling coldness, akin to a freezing gust.
[Ice Round]
Whoosh!!
In an instant, the flowing seawater between the docks froze, capturing and ensnaring everything suspended above it.
A gargantuan ice mass, resembling a sweeping wave, traversed the entire visible expanse, bearing down with immense force.
Though less potent than [Frost Horn], a spell reserved for large-scale freezing, [Ice Round] boasted an exceptionally short casting time and a broad range, as long as the prerequisite of pre-existing moisture was met.
It was the most efficient and powerful magic that could be employed at this moment.
Lennok exhaled frosty breath through clenched teeth as he swiftly drew his revolver from his waist.
[Aim Correction]
[Trigger Reinforcement]
[Rotational Acceleration]
In the blink of an eye, the barrel of the revolver, infused with three auxiliary spells, aligned with one of the two men who had instantly become encased in ice.
Considering the abilities of the bandit-like man and Jude Russel, Lennok knew he couldn't hold them for long.
If he wished to ensure their defeat, whom should he eliminate first?
The contemplation had already reached its conclusion.
Without a moment's hesitation, Lennok firmly pulled the trigger.
BANG!!
A spark danced between the revolver's muzzle, and smoke scattered.
Simultaneously, the bandit-like man, frozen in a stumbling stance, had half of his head utterly shattered.
Whoom!!
Accompanied by a dull thud, akin to a bursting snowball, hot blood gushed forth.
Only then did the man, released from his icy restraints, gaze at Lennok with eyes of disbelief.
"This... this can't be. Just because I couldn't move for a moment....!!"
Even with half of his head blown off, he remained lucid and articulate.
The man was no low-level warrior, to meet such a futile end.
However, Lennok offered no reply and promptly pulled the trigger once more.
What significance did the man's strength and skill as a warrior hold?
He had been caught off guard, and furthermore, he had failed to grasp Lennok's true capabilities.
His defeat stemmed solely from these factors.
No opportunities for redemption remained.
The strength invoked by the bandit-like man from his ancestral spirits was formidable, to the point where even Lennok couldn't easily confront it head-on.
Jude Russel's prowess was still unknown, but it was prudent to eliminate the confirmed threat first before strategizing the next battle.
BANG!!
"Sh, shit...!!"
As the man's body, with only the lower portion of his head intact, collapsed, Jude Russel was released from the frigid clutches of ice.
Swoosh!!
Simultaneously, he left behind a hazy afterimage, vanishing from sight in an instant, only to reappear before Lennok like a flash.
A daring decision to target a wizard immediately after he had employed magic.
Considering that his body had just thawed from the icy grip, it was an astoundingly astute choice.
Kraaang!!
He must have believed that he could shatter Lennok's defense with a single strike.
Undoubtedly, he had poured all his mana into capitalizing on this golden opportunity.
However, Lennok did not fall for the same ploy twice, attempting to breach his defenses.
Ooooong...!!
If the layered shields shattered under a mighty force, a mere adjustment in their arrangement would suffice.
Lennok meticulously spaced out the shields and slightly altered their angles as the attack approached, causing the descending force to stray off course each time one shield was shattered.
Had he been unprepared, the outcome might have been different. But in a situation where he was well aware, he could handle it as he pleased.
Though he needed to exercise greater control over his mana, it proved sufficient in a scenario where he focused solely on defense.
"Kuk....!!"
Similar to the bandit-like man a while ago, Jude Russel must have hoped to witness a perplexed expression on Lennok's face.
Yet, it was Jude Russel himself who clenched his lips tightly, biting back frustration.
In the instant Jude realized his initial attack had been thwarted, his figure vanished with an eerie sound.
Upon confirming Lennok's power, he must have instinctively known that a head-on confrontation would yield no answers.
Whoosh!!
Desperately seeking a gap in Lennok's shield, Jude swiftly maneuvered in all directions.
In that brief moment, he discerned that Lennok's shield was not omnidirectional and swiftly devised the most effective countermeasure.
Shriek...!! Shriek...!!
Only the sound of wind whistling through the chaotic, ice-covered harbor echoed.
Thump! Thump! Thump!!
The hollow sound of dozens of footsteps treading on empty containers, causing unexpected chips in the cargo's edges.
Amidst the invisible gusts of determination, Lennok patiently awaited Jude's approach, tightly gripping his revolver.
He knew Jude Russel would not flee from this place.
The only question was whether Lennok could perceive Jude's tactics and suppress them.
That was the crux of the matter.
And Lennok had faith in his own talent and the power he possessed.
He slowly advanced, an unprotected gesture seemingly offering an opportunity.
But rather than charging headlong, Jude accelerated slightly, bewildering Lennok's senses and carefully assessing the situation.
Contrary to his earlier arrogance, his demeanor had become remarkably cautious.
This gap brought a faint smile to Lennok's lips.
Swoosh!!!
It was a moment Lennok could never have predicted, yet it arrived no later than anticipated.
Precisely at the juncture that pierced through sensation and thought.
Jude materialized from Lennok's left side, driving his blade forward.
The motion was so light, so natural that it would go unnoticed unless consciously perceived.
A single maneuver that showcased the expertise of Jude Russel, the swordsman, as a skilled assassin.
But Lennok reacted.
Kraaang!!!
The instant Jude emerged from his flank, Lennok unleashed a shock spell, forcefully slamming him to the ground.
Like someone's hair being yanked, Jude's upper body crumpled.
In an instant, a crimson whip tightly bound his limbs.
The fight concluded abruptly.
Jude, whose deadly strike had met with futility, gazed up at Lennok with eyes filled with disbelief.
"Ho, how...?!"
Lennok responded calmly.
"From the beginning."
His gaze shifted to the ice shard still lodged in the edge of Jude's coat.
Lennok had utilized a fragment of his remaining mana from the [Ice Round]. Though its speed was difficult to discern with the naked eye, Lennok's ability to sense mana set him apart. Moreover, tracking the movement of the mana he had dispersed himself was easier than keeping his eyes wide open and chasing what couldn't be seen.
From the moment Lennok overturned the seawater, he had firmly seized the advantage. It was only then that Jude, realizing the situation, attempted to rise desperately with a pallid face. However, the magic Lennok had prepared was already taking form.
Kiiiiii...!!
The shadow that emerged from beneath Jude's feet transformed into a massive maw and engulfed his lower body. The surprise magic from the Shadow series, which thrived in darkness, proved effective once again.
A horrific scream followed.
"Ah, Aaaaaah!!"
Jude, having lost both legs in a single exchange, dropped his sword as he emitted a pained groan. Slowly, he began to drag his torso backward with both arms, as if attempting to escape Lennok.
But instead of pursuing him, Lennok chuckled. The last gambit Jude had thrown seemed far too obvious.
"Do you expect me to fall for it after you so delightfully licked the blood in front of my eyes?"
"........."
At Lennok's words, Jude Russel's body came to an abrupt halt.
Puuuuduuuk!!
Without uttering a word, he transformed into a crimson mist and began to flee into the night sky.
Vampires.
Possessing formidable physical abilities, cunning combat intelligence, insatiable bloodlust, and the power to manipulate blood mist.
Similar to werewolves, they had established their own dominion and pursued pure blood, albeit in a different manner. Had Lennok now encountered both of these mirror-like races that were similar yet distinct?
However, curiosity did not linger.
The vampire's blood transformation was an advantageous ability, but it rendered them highly vulnerable to attacks.
Taking on that form to escape meant nothing more than a final desperate measure.
Lightning descended from the parched sky.
In the dazzling flash, the faint silhouette disintegrated into ash and vanished, leaving no trace behind. Lennok slowly turned around after confirming it.
After the battle, his mouth felt parched, and his head began to grow increasingly light. Recognizing that the effects of the drug had worn off, Lennok hastily lit a fresh cigarette.
"Whew....."
He settled upon a section of the container that had been neatly sliced by Jude Russel's sword and exhaled smoke.
The shirt, drenched in sweat, swiftly cooled in the night breeze. His lungs ached, and his legs trembled, for it had been a long time since he exerted himself to this extent.
The area where the shotgun had struck his stomach also began to throb. When he lifted his shirt to inspect the damage, a vivid bruise had already spread beneath his abdomen.
Even while drawing on the burning cigarette, the pain was not mild. It seemed that the ache after the drug's effects wore off would be far from gentle.
(TO BE CONTINUED)
(Don't mess with a Genius) May 31CH 56-57 (Warning) Jun 2CH 58-59 (Blood Mage) Jun 4CH 60-61 (Chase & Fight) Jun 5CH 62-63 (Madam & The Blueprint) Jun 7