ยฉNovel Buddy
Genius Wizard Takes Medicine-Chapter 187
BOOM!
Once Dominicโs presence disappears, the entire field of vision becomes instantly obscured from all directions. ๐๐ง๐ฎ๐ฎ๐ฌ๐ฎ๐๐ฃ๐๐๐ฎ๐.๐๐๐ข
By the time you react to this realization, itโs already too late.
As soon as Lennok sensed the presence of mana, he swiftly threw his body to the side and deactivated the protective shield.
Thereโs a focused impact on my lower abdomen.
Simultaneously, Dominic, appearing directly in front of Lennok, delivers a powerful clenched-fist punch.
Kwaah!
By adjusting the angle of the shield, his punch connects with the ash-covered ground.
A massive shockwave erupts, violently shaking the ground, and the settled dust billows into the air, scattering in every direction.
Dominic glanced back at Lennok in the now ash-laden world, and a smile crept onto his face.
โNot bad. Letโs see how long you can last.โ
โIf all youโve got is that kind of punch, thereโs nothing more to see.โ
Despite the sweat trickling down his face, Lennokโs lips curled into a grin.
He conjured a slender spear of flame in his hand and muttered,
โIโm tired of only dealing with strong monsters.โ
Before he could finish speaking, another clash of magical energies erupted.
The energy emanating from Dominicโs tightly clenched fist coalesced into a dense light, visible to the naked eye.
Dozens of fireballs summoned by Lennok illuminated the surroundings like lanterns.
Doo Doo Doo Doo!
Before they could catch their breath, dozens of attacks and defenses unfolded in a flash.
The shockwaves from Dominicโs rapid-fire punches and the explosions of Lennokโs fireballs echoed aimlessly, filling the air.
The violent fluctuations of magical energy caused the ash and dust to swirl, infiltrating their respiratory systems.
โCough!โ
Despite involuntary coughing, Lennok remained focused.
He harnessed the energy from the exploding fireball and redirected it as a fresh wave of flames toward Dominic.
The shockwave from his step scattered the ash, enveloping Dominic.
Kwaah!
Harnessing the residual magical energy from the exploded fireball above Dominicโs head, Lennok forged a massive flaming sword and brought it down.
He encircled Dominicโs limbs with a large ring of fire formed by his clenched hands.
โKraah!โ
However, Dominic, emitting a bizarre sound that could be either a scream or a laugh, nullified all of Lennokโs efforts and retaliated with a fierce kick.
A simple act of thrusting the sole of his foot forward.
Yet, the tremendous force it carried not only displaced the air at subsonic speed but also disrupted the flow of magical energy.
Paah!
The moment he allowed himself to be struck head-on, a kick so potent it could easily have severed him.
Nevertheless, Lennok narrowly avoided the force by skimming over the ground, just barely.
The ash and dust beneath his feet provided him with mobility, much like what he had previously done in the desert.
The hem of his coat turned to dust and disappeared, leaving his clothing ragged in an instant.
It all began with the deployment of the fireball.
He continued to summon new fireballs continuously, ensuring not a single strand of flame energy escaped.
Initially, the battle seemed overwhelmingly in favor of Dominic, but as Lennok added more fire, the balance shifted.
โUghโฆ!โ
However, Lennokโs complexion began to pale.
The toll of not taking a break and constantly exerting his body and mind since the Drug Lordโs declaration of emergency.
He had relied on drugs to combat fatigue, but since assuming the disguise of Byzen, he hadnโt even touched a cigarette, fearing it might raise suspicions.
Now, consecutive battles against opponents with different styles added to his exhaustion.
To cope with the moment, Lennok deliberately lit a cigarette and even took a painkiller called Dipfiler, but the burden on his body didnโt easily dissipate.
From a body where pain had vanished, a peculiar heaviness surged through his bones.
Dominic swung his limbs effortlessly, showcasing his formidable strength. However, that raw power was anything but simple.
Each swing produced a strike that traveled at speeds comparable to sound, forcing Lennok to concentrate solely on evasion and defense.
Simultaneously, he had to deceive Dominicโs keen senses by replicating Byzenโs magical pattern and utilizing only fire-based unique magic, which continually constrained him.
If he were an ordinary mage, attempting to execute even one of Lennokโs simultaneous maneuvers would likely result in a catastrophic failure.
Maintaining this delicate equilibrium underscored Lennokโs extensive capabilities.
Doo doo doo doo doo!!
Even as he grappled with concerns and burdens, the skirmish escalated.
Dominic, previously known solely as a drug dealer, displayed a stance much more credible and well-practiced than Lennok had anticipated.
It would have been impossible if Dominic hadnโt honed his senses for this moment. Consequently, he managed that extraordinary physique with some effort but without significant difficulty.
Lennok, too, was prepared.
โHooโฆโ
Drawing a deep breath, Lennok took a step forward, brushing ash from the corner of his mouth.
He didnโt waver, even as the relentless succession of blows threatened to rend flesh and muscle upon impact.
He moved in accordance with the path illuminated by his extensive combat experience and razor-sharp intuition.
Planning an evasion route against an opponent who trusted their physical prowess and charged relentlessly would inevitably lead to a cornered position.
What mattered was taking that daring step forward to evade death.
Zhaeeeeek!!
The substantial shockwave unleashed directly from the front had already surpassed the force of a mere fist swing.
He infused magical flames into his remaining shield, deflecting the residual energy and closing the distance perilously.
Shiiieeek!!
The dust and ash beneath his feet glided smoothly, aiding Lennokโs precarious evasion.
In that fleeting moment when both combatantsโ breaths were slightly out of sync.
Lennok, guided by his combat intuition, had sensed it long before, but his motor nerves could never bridge the distance.
His pale palm found its mark precisely on Dominicโs vital point.
In this ultra-close-quarters combat, where there was virtually no distance separating them.
Lennokโs palm made contact. In that tightly packed space, a condensed flame surged.
It erupted directly within Dominicโs body.
Unique Fire Magic Attribute Transformation
[Inferno Blaze]
Kwaaaaaaaaang!!
โAaaaaaaaaack!!!โ
The horrifying sensation of all his internal organs turning to ashes.
Despite having a body that couldnโt feel pain, Dominic screamed for the first time, gripped by this strange experience.
In that instant, wings crafted from bone sprouted from both sides of his back, propelling Lennok away.
Teeeeeer!!
He barely managed to reinstate his shields on both flanks.
Though he had avoided a direct hit and retreated, the wind pressure had crushed his internal organs, leaving him queasy.
โUghโฆโฆ!!โ
Lennokโs body responded violently to even minor stimuli, depleting his dwindling stamina.
โI have to buy time until Grisha is readyโฆโ
In Lennokโs plan, this situation was largely improvised, making it impossible to expect smooth communication between the two.
If the Drug Lord sensed even the slightest hint of danger, he would promptly sever the connection with the Homunculus and make his escape.
But that wasnโt what Lennok aimed for.
His goal was to inflict a fatal blow upon Dominic Cabaro in this battle, effectively retiring him from the drug trade on this continent.
Wasnโt it a decision to reverse the odds, rather than fleeing until the boundaryโs end, after recognizing that possibility?
Amidst the desperate struggle, one had to leave a glimmer of hope for victory and entice the Drug Lord to focus on the battle.
Of course, achieving all this while maintaining a disguise and relying solely on fire magic was exceedingly challengingโฆ
But didnโt one have to cast such a meticulous net to ensnare a big fish like the Drug Lord?
Kuuuuuuuuโฆ!!
Could it be that he had never anticipated a wizard attempting direct close combat?
Dominicโs entire body, which had been vulnerable to Lennokโs [Incineration] due to a momentary lapse, now bore little resemblance to a human.
His grotesque appearance included a body oozing sticky black oil, flames burning fiercely, flesh melting away to reveal bone, and even massive bony wings sprouting behind him.
Once consciousness began settling properly into the Homunculus body, the โfunctionsโ inherent to the original body began emerging in succession.
Physical transmutation, created from oneโs own body.
This was the alchemical secret where the alchemist directly manipulated the potent regenerative capability of the Homunculus, capable of regenerating regardless of damage or dismemberment.
Hence, the Homunculus crafted by the alchemist of WORLD 1.0 was both a formidable summon and gained renown as the most effective clone production technique in the game.
But what if all these elements werenโt confined to a mere game?
What if the knowledge Lennok had passionately acquired about the game could finally aid him?
The alchemical secret. The vulnerability inherent in the Homunculus might also exist in reality.
Physical manifestation through the materialization of consciousness.
While it was undeniably a potent spell that spanned great distances to control another body, directly embedding the alchemistโs consciousness into the Homunculusโs brain held significant implications.
If you could maintain a grip on the consciousness of that incredibly resilient Homunculus by completely crushing its skull and obliterating its brain.
The materialized consciousness of the alchemist would likewise suffer a severe blow.
In the game, it was depicted that if you failed to sever the link with the Homunculus in time and it perished, the alchemist endured near-fatal damage.
But what about in reality?
The foundation of Lennokโs gamble rested right there.
Hwarururuk!!
Even as his body continued to blaze, Dominicโs movements showed no signs of stopping.
Once he successfully achieved physical mutation, it seemed he became far more formidable, manifesting a colossal shield by enlarging the muscles of his left arm.
Kooong!!
The grotesque sight of bulging muscles forming a shield much larger than his body was unsettling.
Remaining still appeared unwise, but Lennok swiftly discerned Dominicโs intentions and clicked his tongue.
[Hooouuuuuuโฆโฆ]
With a soft exhale and a deep breath, Dominicโs entire body began to expand like a balloon, rapidly increasing in size.
Ddoodoodoodook!!
A horrifying cacophony of muscles and joints snapping and breaking echoed.
Yet, he felt no pain, and the side effects resulting from the rapid growth of his body were offset by his formidable regenerative abilities.
Lennok gazed up at Dominic as he expanded his body, causing the giant shield on his left arm to seem insignificant.
The body, which had truly transcended human limits and reached the realm of giants, continued to burn fiercely from the Incineration flames that Lennok had unleashed.
With a colossal size spanning up to 10 meters, the flames flickering from the massive body scattered ashes in all directions, turning the sunset sky a somber gray.
The giant, now large enough to overlook the floating island, fixed his gaze on Lennok as his entire form erupted in flames.
[โDid they also raise monsters like you even in the unmatched Blaiver Tower?โ]
His voice had regained its resonant quality, vibrating with magical power.
[โI was impressed. Although the magic you possess isnโt yet comparable to the monsters I know ofโฆ your judgment and combat skills in the recent battle are beyond my reach.โ]
โโฆโฆโ
[โI never knew that the gnarled mages of the Blaiver Tower could occasionally produce such masterpieces. It seems youโre not planning to sit idle in the upcoming war.โ]
Lennok, compelled by these inevitable words, cleared his throat and asked,
โThe war, you sayโฆ?โ
[โA massive chaos that will engulf the entire continent will occur soon enough.โ]
Dominicโs eyes burned with fervor.
[โWhile the world indulges in rituals over the monsters descending from the skies, the balance of power in this world will flip. We will change everything while the abominable transcenders remain silentโฆ I will be a part of that as the undeniable victor of this messy history.โ]
Pandemonium, known only as an international criminal organization, had far-reaching intentions beyond mere profit and loss.
Lennokโs once speculative thoughts now solidified into a resolute conviction.
They intended to harness the incoming monsters from the external sea to overturn the existing order.
Dominic Cabaro was now directly confirming to Lennok that the moment he had vaguely sensed was drawing near.
Kwaaang!!
The giantโs right arm extended, transforming into an ax as colossal as himself.
There was no need to explain how the Homunculus swiftly crafted that immense weapon in its place.
[โThe remaining duration of the barrier is one day.โ]
As the giant slowly advanced toward Lennok, he murmured,
[โAlthough itโs insufficient to burn everything in Phenom, itโs more than enough time to bring down the autonomous territoryโฆ The location of the lighthouse that you are so keen on hiding.โ]
โHooโฆ Arenโt you overconfident in your abilities?โ
Lennok drew a deep breath, forcing a strained chuckle.
โI get that youโre intoxicated by obtaining a perfect Homunculus, but if you were so confident in your own plans, you should have been more careful.โ
In that moment, something in Lennokโs words seemed to ignite an even fiercer glint in Dominicโs eyes.
[โWait, do youโฆ know something about this body?โ]
โAlchemy, the forgotten world of formulaeโฆ It looks like youโve accidentally stumbled upon its secret while joining hands with Pandemonium, but thatโs not how itโs supposed to be used.โ
Wooong!!
At that very instant, an enormous shadow cast itself over them.
As the giant gazed up at the sky, Lennok grinned.
โIโll gladly take both your consciousness and that body. Alchemy is not meant to be used in this manner.โ
[โWha-what is thisโฆ!!โ]
Even Dominic, unfamiliar with the autonomous territory, couldnโt help but step back as he recognized the identity of the colossal shadow that had just engulfed the third floating island where their battle had taken place.
Its unmistakable formโa floating island suspended in the air, where earth and vegetation melded seamlessly with the sky.
One of the largest floating islands in the autonomous territory, the second floating island, hovered directly above their heads.