Chapter 172
Kiiiiing-!
Lloyd’s fist clenched tightly.
Inside, the Noctanium jewel trembled violently.
It was a rebellion, a resistance.
‘This is no joke, is it?’
Lloyd flinched involuntarily.
The jewel in the Black Wizard’s necklace.
This jewel was not an easy opponent after all.
‘It’s going wild.’
Lloyd’s eyebrow twitched.
It felt like riding an untamed wild horse.
Or like driving a truck with broken brakes down a hill.
But Lloyd didn’t care.
Rather, he increased the rotational force of his Mana Circle even more.
He absorbed and released the jewel’s resisting force.
At the same time, he infiltrated some of his Mana into the jewel.
This was possible because of the Asrahan Heart Technique.
‘Let’s see.’
Lloyd closed his eyes.
His Mana pushed into the jewel.
He focused all his senses on that Mana.
Then, the structure of the Mana arranged within the jewel began to feel like a landscape.
‘It’s complicated.’
It was like a maze.
Numerous points, lines, and surfaces were lined up, crossed, and intertwined.
Was this how a country bumpkin feels when they first come to a bustling area of Seoul?
Or would this be the feeling of driving a car in Yeongdeungpo Rotary during rush hour on the first day after escaping a long-dormant driver’s license?
An overwhelming complexity.
A transcendental sense of helplessness and desolation.
Or the feeling of being trapped in a jungle in an instant.
But Lloyd was not flustered.
Rather, he cast a firm and tough mind control spell on himself.
‘This is a blueprint. A diagram. It’s just a diagram made haphazardly by group project members. So what should I do? I have to fix it. I have to revise it. That’s how I avoid failing the course! And don’t miss out on the scholarship!’
If he missed the scholarship, it would be a disaster.
He was barely making a living while paying for his room in the boarding house.
But if he had to pay tuition without a scholarship?
He would have to take a year off entirely and work as a manual laborer.
He didn’t want that.
Because it would delay his graduation.
Because it would delay his entry into society.
Because it would mean an extension of his wretched, bottom-of-the-barrel life.
‘I have to get my engineer’s license! I have to get it quickly!’
Lloyd shouted, recalling his feelings at the time.
With this, mind control, success.
That was when it started.
He maintained his sanity even within the transcendentally desolate and complex Mana circuit.
He did not lose his composure.
He calmly grasped the entire space.
He analyzed the points, lines, and surfaces with a cool head.
Not in a hurry.
Step by step.
Like untangling a tangled thread.
He grasped and understood the structure of the Mana arranged within the jewel.
Then, naturally, a path appeared.
Where to modify.
How to change it.
What results would come out of it.
The moment he grasped everything, a smile came naturally.
‘You guys are finished now.’
Lloyd’s full-fledged modification work began.
The modification work in a state where he had grasped everything was surprisingly easy.
Because it was a familiar task.
‘It’s not just familiar. It’s sickeningly familiar!’
This is a blueprint.
It’s the work of fixing a blueprint.
Thinking that way made it easier.
Lloyd modified and rearranged the Mana arrangement in the Noctanium, sometimes boldly, sometimes in detail.
How long had passed like that?
Finally, the results of the modification work began to emerge.
Tzzzzzzzz!
A part of the firm Namaran Barrier shook.
The color that had even dyed the sky changed.
A black color with a deep purple hue like Noctanium.
That unique ominous color faded and shimmered with iridescent colors.
At the same time, the Black Wizard’s complexion also changed.
“…Keuh!”
The Black Wizard unconsciously gasped.
At the same time, his eyes widened in astonishment.
Simply surprised?
No.
‘Mana… from my body!’
It was rapidly draining away.
It was being absorbed into the barrier.
‘G-Geuheok!’
The Black Wizard’s heart raced irregularly.
Nevertheless, he could not do anything about it.
Because he was already activating the Noctanium.
Because he was protected by a powerful defensive magic, and at the same time, he could not move.
Even because he could not cancel this magic.
‘How… how could this be?’
The Black Wizard could not understand.
Lloyd, who had appeared in front of him just now.
Even when he was smirking and babbling, he didn’t expect this to happen.
That he would change the Mana absorption target of the barrier.
That he could do it.
He thought it was all bluff.
It was natural.
Because it was a statement that deviated from common sense.
Because it was an absolutely impossible story.
But now he saw that it was not.
Those words, they were all true!
‘How, how the hell… Keuheogeok!’
He could no longer endure it.
The Black Wizard felt despair.
But he could not even struggle.
He was still standing with his arms outstretched, being deprived of his Mana.
His vision became blurred, his hair fell out in clumps, and his skin became parched.
The blood in his body instantly dried up.
Rapid muscle loss occurred.
His liver and heart shriveled.
In other words, he had become a mummy while standing.
Even then, the last remaining drop of Mana was greedily absorbed into the barrier.
It was right after that that Lloyd opened his eyes.
“…Whoa, scary.”
The first thing he saw when he opened his eyes was the face of the Black Wizard, who had almost become a mummy.
Because he was standing close to him, holding the necklace.
He had to capture that face in almost a zoom-in full shot.
“Ugh. Seriously.”
Lloyd shuddered and hurriedly stepped back.
The Black Wizard had already died while standing.
On the one hand, he felt bitter, but that was it.
He didn’t particularly feel sorry or pitiful.
It was his own fault.
It was what that guy had done.
He was trying to kill thousands, tens of thousands of citizens with that terrible barrier.
Thinking that he had received the price for it, he didn’t feel particularly sorry.
Rather, he felt that he had to hurry even more.
“This is no time to be spacing out like this. Ggoming?”
“Ggoming!”
Ggoming, flapping his wings and running over, poing poing, as soon as he called him.
Fortunately, he seemed to have recovered a lot from the shock in the meantime.
“Can you fly?”
“Ggoming!”
“Really? Are you okay? If it seems hard, you don’t have to overdo it. I can just run around a bit harder.”
“Ggomiming! Ggoming!”
Ggoming shook his big, round head.
He said vigorously.
“Ggoming! Ggomiming!”
“Hmm, still, considering the situation, you’re not thinking of sitting back and watching?”
“Ggoming!”
Then Ggoming offered his back as if telling him to get on quickly.
He climbed onto the guy’s back.
Lloyd’s gaze was already fixed on the next target.
Another Black Wizard on a cliff face quite far away.
That Black Wizard was also standing with his arms outstretched.
“That way. I think there’s another one. Let’s go!”
“Ggoming!”
Ggoming’s wings spread powerfully.
Lloyd’s eyes, fixed on the next target, flashed.
‘You guys are all dead now.’
Today, he would change all the Mana absorption targets of the barriers they had set up.
And then?
He would swallow all of their other jewels as well.
Lloyd’s heart pounded at the thought.
♣
Meanwhile, in` the public hall in Namaran.
Originally, it was a public building owned by the Count, freely used for public gatherings, meetings, and lectures of citizens.
Today was no different.
The public hall was as crowded as ever.
Various works by local artists were exhibited.
Many citizens gathered to enjoy the exhibition.
Their laughter, admiration, warm concessions, and everyday conversations came and went.
Until just 30 minutes ago, the scene here was certainly like that.
“So that’s what makes life ironic. You never know what’s going to happen in life. Don’t you think?”
Cannavaro smiled brightly.
A celebrity in Namaran and a compassionate philanthropist.
Thanks to him, he was an individual who received the respect of all citizens.
He was usually famous for always having a smiling face.
He never lost his smile, no matter what bad things happened.
A smile that warmed the heart just by looking at it.
A simple smile that was free of selfishness.
Such a smile was like his symbol.
Today was also the same.
When he appeared in the public hall about 30 minutes ago, most of the citizens smiled brightly at him.
They said that he had come to the exhibition despite being busy.
They said that they were happy and pleased to see him like this.
He responded with a pleased smile in front of the citizens’ brightened faces.
And the Namaran Barrier was activated.
“Not just people’s lives, but their inner thoughts are like that too. Everyone has regarded me as a philanthropist. They’ve said they respect me. But did everyone really do that? I don’t think so. There must have been guys who cursed me, saying that I was a jerk who was showing off and throwing money around. They must have been smiling slyly in front of me while thinking that in their hearts. In case some crumbs might fall. Well, I understand. That’s just how people are.”
Cannavaro’s benevolent smile twisted.
One corner of his lips curled up.
His gaze was directed at a man who had fallen on the floor of the exhibition hall.
A sturdy man in his early thirties.
A knight under Count Namaran.
“Keueu… Eup…!”
Unlike the other citizens around him, the knight was not yet unconscious.
While convulsing due to the large amount of Mana leaving his body, he was desperately holding on to his fading consciousness.
For one reason only.
Because of his will to protect the young daughter he was holding in his arms.
“Why… are you… doing this…!”
The knight asked, squeezing out the words as if spitting out blood.
He could not understand.
Why this was happening.
What was the reason why Mana was rapidly leaving his body.
Whether the people around him, himself, and his daughter in his arms would die so futilely.
He was just enjoying his day off.
He had just come out for an outing with his daughter.
Why did he have to suffer this?
Was there really no way to protect his daughter?
In the face of an incomprehensible situation, injustice and fear rushed in.
Moreover, what about Cannavaro in front of him?
He was the only one who looked fine in this unprecedented situation.
No, far from thinking about helping the people around him, he seemed to be enjoying this situation.
That appearance was even more chilling and frightening.
“Why am I doing this.”
Cannavaro’s thin lips smirked.
“A sacrifice just needs to disappear quietly like a sacrifice.”
“What…”
Kuajak!
Cannavaro’s foot kicked the knight’s head.
The knight, who had barely been holding on, fainted instantly.
Once a philanthropist.
But now, a Black Wizard who has revealed his dark intentions.
Cannavaro hummed and moved his steps.
He walked, stepping on the fallen people or pushing them away with his feet as if cleaning up trash. Towards the stage where the largest statue was erected on one side of the public hall exhibition hall.
“Ha.”
Cannavaro burst out laughing at the statue.
“The Fall of an Angel.”
An angel who had lost his wings and fallen was sitting on the floor.
But only his head was held stiffly towards the sky.
His eyes were the same.
As if resenting the one who had taken away his wings.
Or as if vowing revenge in his hardened heart.
The appearance of a fallen angel staring at the sky with gloomy and venomous eyes.
“A truly fitting work for today’s great undertaking.”
An even more pleased smile came out.
He brought his hand to his mouth.
He bit down, crunching.
A torn finger with blood flowing out.
He caressed the fallen angel’s entire body with that hand.
He engraved all sorts of bizarre patterns in various places.
Meanwhile, Cannavaro’s smile deepened.
Now, the preparations for summoning the Hell Knight were all finished.
All that was left was waiting.
‘I just have to wait until midnight.’
That should be enough time for the Mana to gather sufficiently.
Finally, the Hell Knight would descend on this land.
He would turn this kingdom into a living hell.
It was around that time that Cannavaro was feeling deeply moved.
“Ugh…”
A groan was heard from behind.
Cannavaro involuntarily turned to look in that direction.
And he had to capture an unexpected sight in his eyes.
“Cannavaro… are you crazy?”
The knight who had fainted earlier was regaining consciousness.
Still trying to protect his daughter with all his body, he was struggling to open his eyes and glaring at this side resentfully.
“Heo.”
A hollow laugh flowed from Cannavaro’s mouth.
‘What’s going on?’
How could a guy who had been knocked unconscious once regain consciousness?
It would have been a natural thing in normal times, but it was not a natural thing now.
Because the barrier was activated.
‘That guy, I know he was barely holding on using his Mana Heart earlier, but he wouldn’t have been able to do that after he fainted. He should have been helplessly absorbed of his Mana and never woken up again. But how the hell?’
He could not understand.
But Cannavaro did not hesitate or waver.
If he woke up again, he could just trample him again and knock him unconscious.
Thinking that way, he was about to turn his steps towards the knight.
“Keueueuk…!”
“Mommy… Mommy…”
Groans began to be heard from all directions.
They were the citizens who had fallen in various places in the public hall.
Struggling to mutter, barely wriggling, they were each opening their eyes. They were regaining consciousness. They were looking around with eyes filled with confusion and pain, and raising their heads.
‘What is this?’
Cannavaro’s smile wavered.
An impossible thing was happening.
Now, even ordinary people, not just the knight with the Mana Heart, were regaining consciousness one by one?
‘Is this possible?’
Or was there something wrong with the barrier?
Cannavaro turned his body with a sinking feeling.
Something was wrong.
People who were being absorbed of their Mana were regaining consciousness.
He was the only one who could be fine inside the barrier.
Because he had received the blessing of Noctanium.
Because he had been promised an exception from the curse of the barrier.
‘But why? Why?’
Were those vermin-like ordinary guys regaining consciousness one by one?
Were they daring to send him eyes asking for help?
‘I need some confirmation!’
He became anxious.
He ran out of the public hall. He checked the barrier first. At that moment, his eyes widened in astonishment.
“The barrier…”
It had changed.
It should have been a purple color close to black.
But it was not now.
It was shining with iridescent colors.
And he could see the people who had fallen on the main street around the public hall regaining consciousness one by one.
“……”
It was clear now.
There was definitely something wrong with the barrier.
The Mana absorption towards the citizens had been stopped.
The despairing realization did not end there.
Among the people who were struggling to open their eyes in various places.
He saw a silver-haired man walking towards this side with a straight gait.
Seureureung.
The silver-haired man, Javier Asrahan, drawing his sword without a word as soon as he saw this side’s face.
The moment his eyes met him.
Cannavaro felt an inexplicable, icy fear.
For the first time, his smile disappeared without a trace.