Chapter 2635 – 2635. Dark Moon

Fzzzt!

The chain lightning, having killed all the mercenaries, flickered a few times in the air as if searching for prey, then disappeared, leaving behind the smell of ozone.

I scanned the mercenaries’ corpses and equipment.

Expensive-looking mechanical gear, by anyone’s standards.

The emblems of the Red Phalson and the Raven Knights were drawn in various places.

‘So, hostile forces temporarily joined hands? They didn’t seem to get along very well inside the dungeon, though.’

They must have joined forces for a common goal. That goal must be the reward from the dungeon.

‘The Spell Predator is worth it, though.’

It erases or steals magic below level 7.

Although it has the condition of being below level 7, it can actually erase more than 90% of the magic in this world. The value of the Spell Predator is worth more than billions.

I looked around and staggered. Muscle pain swept through my whole body, and I was out of breath. Because I was maintaining my unique skill, my entire body was under strain.

‘Unique skill, deactivate.’

The burden of the unique skill doesn’t just affect the body. All 255 mana roads were overheated by the unique skill. It wasn’t dangerous, but it was clear that there would be problems if I maintained the unique skill for too long.

‘Fortunately, there’s no problem mentally. It would be easier if it was just a problem with the mana roads… I felt a fatigue in my body as if I had sprinted four or five times.’

However, this level of fatigue would recover to some extent after a few minutes of rest. It was fortunate that the duration of the unique skill wasn’t long.

I took out a potion from my inventory and drank it. My stamina recovered, and the fatigue faded. Of course, potions aren’t a panacea. I had replenished my stamina with the potion’s energy for now, but eventually, there would be a price to pay at night.

‘I won’t be able to fall asleep easily because of the muscle pain.’

Well, I can endure muscle pain. If the pain is severe, I can take painkillers.

I put all the corpses and equipment into my inventory. The equipment can be sold for money. The corpses will be evidence to prove the justification of my actions.

‘In this world, if you have power but don’t wield it, you’re treated like an idiot. For my future reputation, revenge is a given.’

There are two targets to take revenge on.

The Red Phalson and the Raven Knights.

It’s not going to be easy. The one who dominates the battle zone is a level 7 like me. Of course, not all level 7s have the same combat power.

‘And I don’t necessarily have to kill them. I just need to inflict enough damage to make them regret messing with me.’

My victory condition isn’t killing the enemy commander.

It’s chaos.

Forcing unilateral damage on the enemy. And it’s easy for a level 7 archmage.

I smiled and headed towards the Raven Knights’ fortress.

The Raven Knights’ fortress had its entrance closed. Armored forces were stationed at the fortress entrance, and soldiers were on guard on the fortress walls. The entire fortress was filled with tension.

Their gazes and guns were directed at me. I didn’t stop. Five magic circles appeared around me. A five-layered chant squeezed out by 255 mana roads.

If the power of magic manifested through chanting is 100%, the magic circle can show more than 120% power. Of course, the downside of magic circles was that they took longer than chanting. So, when a mage uses a magic circle, it’s a declaration of their intention to kill.

“Stop right there. The Raven Fortress is currently under martial law. If you come any closer, we will attack!”

The one who seemed to be in charge among them shouted, sweating profusely. Of course, I didn’t stop.

“You were the ones who messed with me first. This is just revenge. Accept it.”

“…Just revenge? I don’t know what nonsense you’re talking about, but let’s talk it out. It seems like there’s some misunderstanding between us. No matter how great an archmage you are, you won’t be able to handle this fortress’s barrier and power.”

“Barrier. Ah, right. There was that annoying thing.”

I took out a wand from my inventory. The antique-looking wand shone in the light.

Spell Predator.

Its effective range is about 100m, and to remove magic or steal control of it, you have to clearly recognize the magic with your eyes.

‘It’s hard to use even if I steal control of the barrier. The barrier doesn’t have any other function other than protecting the fortress.’

There wasn’t much left until 100m.

The Raven Knights’ leader bit his lip and pondered before shouting.

“Attack! Don’t let the enemy get close!!”

Bullets, missiles, magic, all sorts of attacks were concentrated on me.

Before the attacks reached me, I used my ability.

[Leap]

A 10m space jump. I dodged the incoming attacks and leaped again.

“Space jump…?!”

“Is he a space-type mage! Damn it, why is such an archmage suddenly appearing and attacking us?!”

“Shoot! Shoot! Even if he’s a level 7 archmage, we have the advantage as long as we have the barrier! The distance of the space jump is short! Predict the distance of the space jump and shoot!!”

Indeed, their response was quick and appropriate, as they had plenty of practical experience. But I had a moment.

[Using Moment(刹那). Remaining stacks: 11]

The Moment I used at level 6 was different from the one I used at level 7. If the Moment I used at level 6 felt like the bullets were moving very slowly, the Moment I used now felt like they had stopped completely.

[Leap]

[Using Moment(刹那). Remaining stacks: 10]

[Leap]

[Using Moment(刹那). Remaining stacks: 9]

[Leap]

Repeating Moment and Leap.

The distance to the barrier was within 100m. I had achieved my goal.

I waved the wand towards the barrier. The wand glowed, and the barrier that had been protecting the fortress disappeared without a trace.

“The barrier…!”

“Take cover behind the walls and tanks!!”

“No, taking cover is meaningless! Concentrate fire on the mage and kill him! Fire all the missiles that can be launched from the fortress! Incinerate him!!”

The leader shouted at the top of his lungs.

It was too late. I was already prepared.

Five magic circles activated.

[Blizzard]

[Air Blast]

[Fire Tornado]

[Thunder Bolt]

[Lightning Spear]

A feast of different magics.

The most powerful and efficient were the wide-area magics. The clustered soldiers were swept away, and a path was opened. The compressed lightning that fell from the sky, Thunder Bolt, broke down the fortress wall, and the Lightning Spear pierced the center of the fortress.

The icicles falling from the sky were a disaster in themselves, and the Fire Tornado swept everything away.

That’s when it happened.

A huge slash appeared, cutting through the Fire Tornado. A man in black power armor walked out from the dispersing heat. A presence that dominated the battlefield in an instant.

He swung his black sword again. The clouds that had been scattering snow, icicles, and cold air to the ground were hit by the slash and disappeared. Swordsmanship that grasped the core of magic and cut it down. He was a master of the sword.

“Let’s stop here, Count Eugene Meyer.”

“Why should I? You were the ones who messed with me first.”

“…It must be about the dungeon incident that happened this time. We apologize for this. However, Your Excellency also concealed your identity. We had no choice but to misunderstand.”

“That identity was an official identity of Neo London. There was no reason to be attacked by the Raven Knights. You attacked because you were blinded by greed.”

“…The Raven Knights supply adamantite to the Neo Round Table Council and various companies.”

“Ah. That’s great. I supply superconductors to the Neo Round Table Council and various companies. The adamantite you supply is just from this mine, and you’re just miners. If the Round Table Council doesn’t like you, they can replace you at any time. On the other hand, the superconductor recipe only exists in my head.”

Me and the Raven Knights. If they had to choose between the two, the result was obvious.

“…Haa. I will bow my head and apologize for this incident. It’s not just an apology in words. I will give 20% of the Raven Fortress’s annual adamantite production to LK Corporation for free. How about that?”

20% of the annual production. I don’t know the exact number. But it’s definitely not a small amount.

‘I should stop here.’

I was a noble of Neo London. I couldn’t completely destroy the Raven Knights, who had Neo London as their backing. If I did, my public opinion and reputation would be ruined. I couldn’t let everything I had built up collapse over such a thing.

“Is the contract ready?”

“It won’t take long.”

We sat facing each other with the document in the middle of the office.

“I am Orlando, the commander of the Raven Knights. I’m late in introducing myself. My subordinates were very rude.”

“I’m Eugene Meyer. But wasn’t it you who approved your subordinates’ operation?”

“If I had known it was Count Meyer, I wouldn’t have approved it. The reason you came to the battlefield while concealing your identity… was to become a level 7. Congratulations on reaching that level.”

“Thank you. But are you going to keep wearing your helmet until the contract is signed?”

“I can’t take off this armor. This armor itself is both a curse and a power.”

“It seems you didn’t reach level 7 through normal means.”

“Because my talent is meager. I had to use a shortcut.”

“That armor itself is a unique skill, isn’t it?”

“……Where did you get my information?”

“Everyone who needs to know knows.”

“That’s true.”

We signed the contract and each took a copy. I put the contract in my inventory and got up from my seat. My business was done.

“Is Robert dead?”

“Robert? Who is that?”

“He’s the old butler. He participated in this incident.”

“Ah. If you’re talking about that old butler, I killed him. Is there a problem?”

“No. It’s just a pity. If you’re heading to the Red Phalson area, I’ll have my subordinates guide you. I’ll provide a helicopter.”

“……How did you know?”

“Now that you’ve just reached level 7, you must want to wield your power, right? I was the same.”

“I’d be grateful if you could guide me.”

“Currently, the master of the Red Phalson is in another area. It will take about 30 minutes for the master to return to the Red Phalson area. Cause some chaos and get out.”

“Why? Wouldn’t it be good for the Raven Knights, who are hostile to the Red Phalson, if I destroyed them?”

“We’re not always hostile. We cooperate in many ways. Ah, this is a secret.”

It wasn’t very surprising. They had shown a cooperative stance in the dungeon this time as well.

After that, I headed to the Red Phalson by helicopter provided by the Raven Knights.

The Red Phalson’s fortress could be seen in the distance. Like the Raven Knights’ fortress, it was protected by a barrier.

“If you approach any further, the helicopter may be shot down.”

“This is enough.”

I went down to the ground.

There was no need to force my way into the fortress like when I attacked the Raven Knights.

‘A barrier isn’t invincible.’

Knock, and it will be opened.

As soon as I landed on the ground, I fired magic at the fortress.

[Railgun]

A metal projectile that exceeded the speed of sound hit the fortress barrier. The barrier rippled greatly.

That day, the Red Phalson fortress was half-destroyed by a single mage.