Genius Prismatic Mage Chapter 116

#116. Flowers blooming in the mud (5)

Ray’s hand pulled out of the bosom.

It was carrying jewels worth a whopping 4.2 million shillings.

─Please return it without any damage if possible!

Jade’s scream came to mind.

But it seemed impossible anyway.

All he wants is to accidentally drop the jewel by ‘mistake’.

So, a painting that naturally exposes the presence of jewels.

‘You shouldn’t act awkwardly. It can make people feel uncomfortable.’

Or, for fear of breaking, you put the jewel down gently.

Or, you can take it out of your arms, show it off, and then put it back in.

That can’t be possible.

In a split second, I made up my mind.

Wheeeeeeee!

Ray shed his jewels.

To be exact, it was closer to a throwing motion than a throwing one.

Percussion!

The jewel hit the floor and bounced into the air.

A number of sparks created by Ray flashed around the jewel.

“Ah.”

Ray, who had snatched the jewel with a mechanical reaction, started running towards his allies again.

Knock knock knock knock──!

The boy wasn’t very good at acting.

‘it’s okay.’

However, I am unaware of that fact.

Fortunately, the situation was so dire that no one noticed anything unusual and it passed.

Ray tilted his head back slightly.

I could see the enemies hurriedly sending radio messages somewhere.

“Come on board!”

The first platoon was waiting with all the supplies loaded.

Knock knock! Knock knock!

Ray has finished boarding.

It started off with a loud engine noise.

“What happened?”

“I was completely fooled.”

Ray’s answer was full of polite confidence.

McCully nodded with eyes of infinite trust and continued his report.

“We also received a call from the codename Honeyflower. During the engagement, a wooden box containing knives was dropped from the driver’s seat, and an enemy who witnessed it radioed somewhere urgently.”

“Is the pursuit continuing?”

“Yes. They say they are currently going around Route A and attracting all enemies in the vicinity.”

“Okay. We’ll take Route B. We need to lure the enemies nearby too.”

Toodoodoodo─! Toodoodoodo─!

A gunshot was heard from the back of the vehicle.

A number of vehicles followed behind.

Enemies leaning out the window with guns.

Such scenes were reflected in the rearview mirror.

The current location was a relatively wide road located between urban areas.

“Hold on tight, everyone!”

The van started to make an S-shaped turn with the driver’s shout.

Squeak─! Squeak─!

A handle that spins like crazy.

The occupants were pushed to one side and flattened as the body of the car lurched left and right.

Enemy bullets rained down next to the window, barely missing.

After one round of shooting.

The van’s movement returned to normal.

“Is everyone okay?”

“Davis! Your driving skills are really hot, aren’t they?”

“This kid, it looks like you intentionally turned the steering wheel more. Isn’t this a technique you’ve always wanted to try?”

McCully and his squad laughed and shuffled around.

Philip, whose butt was caught in the gap under the seat, also escaped.

‘I feel like there was a time like this before.’

I feel a strange sense of deja vu.

And then I thought about something else for a moment.

‘I’ll have to ask the driver later. If he’s willing to give me some lessons. If I’m going to be of any help to our group, I need to learn how to drive.’

Philip drew a short picture of himself wearing sunglasses and drifting freely with one hand on the steering wheel.

And then I turned my gaze to the passenger seat.

Ray had his eyes closed.

With an upright posture, as if he had been separated from the commotion just a moment ago.

‘It’s started.’

That was why Ray wasn’t using any protection around his vehicle.

This was because I had to completely concentrate on the magic I was currently using.

───────.

Inside the boy’s closed eyelids.

In the place where only black darkness should have existed, hundreds of images were passing by.

At the speed of a running train.

However, the image moved completely according to the boy’s will.

Or pause for a moment.

Skip a few.

Or come back.

It was a scene watched by hundreds of mice that the boy had secretly spread into the enemy camp.

There were limits to the number and location where it could be spread, as it had to be done without being detected by the enemy.

Also, because no sense of bond was formed, the clarity of the shared vision was not high.

But that was enough.

To predict enemy movements and find a way out.

“Turn to the right. The enemy has set up a barricade on the road ahead.”

“All right!”

Squeak──!

The driver turned the steering wheel immediately following Ray’s instructions.

“1st platoon. About 50 meters ahead. Be careful of the tow truck that appears on the right side of the intersection. 2nd platoon. About 30 meters ahead. On the left street. Go up the ramp to street 33.”

The command was given simultaneously to the 1st and 2nd squads.

Philip radioed for Ray, who was in a state of extreme concentration.

“2nd platoon! Take the left fork 30 meters ahead and go up the ramp to 33rd street!”

Under unwavering command, the two vans moved precariously through the enemy lines, seemingly on the edge of being caught.

Meanwhile.

Doo doo doo doo───!

There were more than twenty enemy vehicles chasing the vans of the 1st and 2nd platoons, firing shots.

Kwaaaaang───!

Also, the sound of explosions resonating everywhere.

Enemy wizards waiting in enemy vehicles or on rooftops hurled fireballs.

However, thanks to Ray’s prediction and instructions, this did not result in fatal damage.

Kkwaddeok─!

The door flew off.

Wooduk─!

Although the roof is dented.

The ride continued.

A series of precarious situations where it seems as if they could be caught at any moment.

The enemy clung more persistently.

“Re, Re! Nose, nosebleed!”

“are you okay.”

Ray wiped the blood with the back of his hand with his eyes closed.

Certainly, controlling hundreds of servants at the same time was not an easy task.

No matter how small the body is.

Even if the bonding speed is set low.

‘This number of lured enemies is sufficient. I think we can slowly leave the enemy camp and head towards our final destination.’

To be honest, it exceeded my expectations.

Because I thought it would be a success if even half of the enemy followed the lure.

But with this number, it seemed safe to assume that almost all enemy combatants were following them.

Is the opponent deliberately joining in on the chase?

Or maybe the baits they threw out really had a big effect.

‘…it could be both.’

What was clear was that the enemy’s pursuit was far more persistent and vicious than the previous engagement.

Judging by the momentum, it looks like they’ll keep up even if they go all the way to sector 50.

It should be possible to lure them to their final destination, which is not far away, without difficulty.

Ray opened his eyes and said.

“Let’s slowly get out.”

*

“fu*k! Step on it! Step on it more!”

“Above, it’s dangerous. If we speed up here and the car shakes….”

“fu*k! Get out of the way! You fu*king idiot!”

Brooke, who leaned into the driver’s seat and grabbed the steering wheel, rolled her bloodshot eyes forward.

Not far away, the rear of a van could be seen speeding across the bridge, with friendly vehicles chasing after it.

“Colin! You little punk! How dare you steal my stuff!”

Colin, who was screaming as if he was having a seizure, stepped on the accelerator pedal so hard that it broke.

Boohoo!

A four-seater jeep weaved precariously through the long line of cars on the road as it hurtled forward.

“You son of a thief who will chew you to death! If I catch you, I’ll cut off your wrists!”

When I first received the radio message from my subordinate, I was really surprised.

I never imagined that the ‘key’ that I thought was lost while attacking the supporters would actually be in Colin’s hands.

‘I can open it. I can open that bastard Niles’ safe.’

[Clang.]

Brooke licked her lips with her saliva-filled tongue, imagining the moment the key would fit into the safe’s slot.

There must be a huge amount of money in it.

No matter how low the percentage of protection taxes levied on merchants was, the organization that managed the entire sector was Nisho.

Even after deducting the salaries of the organization members and the cost of maintaining equipment, there would still be a considerable amount of money left over each month.

‘Do you eat it alone?’

I was so angry, but it was okay.

Because he would soon become the owner of that money.

In addition, an all-out attack order was given to Murkred, who had been controlling his actions and making him feel frustrated.

‘I told them to kill everyone but bring me the white-haired brat alive. And take that unknown jewel too.’

He himself pushed away the supporters.

Murkred gets what he wants.

There is no deal neater than this.

Boooo …

The jeep, which had reached top speed and surged ahead of the line, lined up with the van.

A gap of exactly one lane.

Brooke rolled down the window and shouted.

“Collin! I couldn’t find it no matter how hard I looked for it, and you took the key!”

Brook’s face flapped in the pouring wind like laundry on a line.

The voice was almost muffled, but anyway, the van’s passenger window rolled down and Colin’s cold face appeared.

“… … .”

“Collin──!! Hand me the keyaaa …

Colin, who was looking at Brooke with an indifferent look, lowered his head and fumbled with something.

Soon something came up through the window.

It was a straight middle finger.

“What the heck─.”

Just as Brooke was about to swear.

Doo doo doo doo──!

Colin quickly stuck his gun out the window and fired at the front tire of the jeep.

Thud!

A roaring sound effect.

A burst wheel.

A panicked Brook slammed on the brakes and gripped the steering wheel with gritted teeth.

Squeak───!

The jeep swayed from side to side like a drunk person.

Then, at a certain point when the speed had slowed down, I crashed into the bridge railing.

KWAAANG──!

Hot smoke rose from the half-crushed engine compartment.

The cars coming from behind in the same lane barely managed to swerve and pass by.

Shh …! Shhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!

The van drives away in an instant, and the vehicles of its men chase after it.

Seeing that sight, Brook honked the horn with all his might.

Kwaang! Paaaa …

“fu*k you───!! I’ll kill you! I’ll definitely kill you──!!”

A pain as terrible as his cracking voice was throbbing throughout his body.

*

There was a minor accident on the bridge, but the pursuit was successful.

Because I drove both vans that were scurrying down the street like flies into a dead end alley.

“therefore.”

Chick!

Brooke lit a cigarette.

The subordinate quickly lit the fire.

“Those fu*king bastards have nowhere to run anymore.”

Phew─

A wispy plume of smoke rising into the cloudy sky.

As the pleasure from the cigarette spread through her body, Brooke’s distorted face began to slowly relax.

Current location is on the outskirts of 38th Street.

A few ruined buildings stood precariously on the bare, dry ground, surrounded by a nearly vertical rocky hill that formed a wall.

And behind Brooke’s back.

Boooo …

The only access road from the basin to the city center.

On an asphalt road that is worn and cracked in places and full of dirt.

Boooo …

Boooo …

Trucks, buses, jeeps, tow trucks, etc.

A variety of vehicles, all of which looked to be at least 40 years old, were lined up in a long line, forming a barricade.

Knock! Knock!

The men who had finished parking their cars closed the doors, got out, and approached Brook one by one.

“I guess those guys still haven’t given up hope?”

“If you look around, there’s nowhere to run.”

Brook and his men’s gaze was directed into the basin, several dozen meters away.

Two vans, their bodies practically rags, were circling the rocky slope.

“Considering how greedy they were for the supplies, I guess they thought we would just play with them like we usually do and then let them go.”

“Those idiots, they got their own paths tangled up in the middle, right?”

“Thanks to you, I was able to blow my nose without touching it. I pushed it in this direction comfortably.”

They burst into uncontrollable laughter.

The two vans circling the hill without stopping felt like rats trying to find a way out.

Knock! Knock!

“… … .”

Members of the organization that belonged to the neutral faction also gathered nearby one by one.

Their faces looking into the basin were not very bright.

One of Brook’s men said.

“Brother, even though the road has been blocked, shouldn’t we cover it quickly? Is there a road on the hill behind the buildings that is blocked by the buildings?”

The other subordinates nodded and murmured in agreement.

Everyone seemed to have no idea that such a place existed in Sector 46.

“Don’t worry, the back is completely blocked by a hill. The slope is steep and there’s almost nothing to grab onto, so you’ll never be able to get up there.”

Brooke lit a cigarette.

The subordinates were amazed.

“Ohhh! As expected, it’s you, hyung. Have you been here before?”

“As expected, Sector 46 is in your hands, hyung!”

Brooke silently dropped his cigarette, stubbed it out, took out a new one, and put it in his mouth.

Chick. Hoo─

It was a place I often visited when I was young.

Even at that time, it was a desolate commercial complex that was in a state of ruin.

Brooke was lost in thought for a moment, her expression crumpled, when a startled voice came into her ear.

“Hey! Those guys! They’re going into the building!”

It was an outhouse.

Just in the middle of the building, supporters of the organization were getting out of their cars at the entrance, pushing open the broken glass door and going inside.

“Are you planning to launch a siege?”

“It looks like he’s going to struggle until the end.”

Most people laughed, but some did not.

“Brother, is it possible that… this is a trap? The chase wasn’t long, but considering that no other enemy came to provide support, and that Colin guy’s personality, there’s something a little suspicious…”

Brook frowned and gestured to his subordinate.

The subordinate approached cautiously.

Crack───!

My neck is twisted.

Brooke grabbed his subordinate by the collar and growled.

“That little Colin, what?”

“That, that….”

“If they set a trap, what are you going to do? Aren’t you confident you can win?”

“Oh, no!”

The emotions in Brooke’s bowl rippled as wildly as the muscles in her face that were distorted and twitching.

Red anger and irritation.

Dark blue inferiority complex.

Sticky, wet feelings.

Brooke let go of his subordinate’s collar and pushed him away, speaking loudly as if for everyone to hear.

“Keys and jewels. And Colin’s in there. If we catch Colin, the support faction will collapse on its own. Even if we assume there are hidden troops hiding in the building, damn it, the odds are three to one!”

Brooke grabbed the subordinate by the collar again and brought his face close to his.

“And, I know that Colin’s personality very well. He sacrificed himself. While he was luring the enemy, the remaining troops were able to secure all the supplies left on the streets without any interference. That bastard has always lived like that, pretending to care for others. Do you understand?”

While Brooke was screaming like that.

Squeak──!

Several more vehicles arrived near the barricade.

As men in reddish-brown coats poured out, the area suddenly became quiet.

The wizards of Murcred.

There were magicians who arrived at the scene in a pursuit vehicle together.

But suddenly the numbers doubled, and the pressure made it hard to breathe and my blood dried up.

‘All together, it must be thirty.’

Brook gulped as he released his subordinate’s collar and adjusted his clothes.

Thirty wizards.

If he had wanted to, he was the kind of person who could instantly reduce the 240 or so members of the organization currently in place to ashes.

‘But there’s nothing to worry about. Murkred is on our side.’

Brook, with the corners of his lips raised to hide his nervousness, approached the newly appeared wizards and spoke.

“You’ve arrived! We’ve been waiting for you to corner your prey as you said!”

The tallest, most stocky wizard looked down at Brook and spoke.

“These are Allegiant orders. He has given the order to enter. Seize the jewels, and capture the white-haired wizard alive if possible.”

Perfect bottom.

Even though she was ignored, Brooke didn’t seem too offended.

“Yes. I will keep that in mind. But if we are captured alive, are there any injuries or anything…”

“Just hold your breath. I think Allegiant would like to talk to you for a moment.”

Brooke grinned.

It was almost like saying that it was okay to kill someone even though they were captured alive.

Since there’s not much to worry about, you can just go in and cause a lot of chaos.

“Then let’s go straight in….”

There is some more conversation going on.

Thud. Thud.

All personnel began to move.

The footsteps of the two hundred and seventy people in total created the illusion that the ground was shaking.

Thud. Thud. Thud.

However, their expressions were different depending on their affiliation.

And beneath the sky, the clouds are getting thicker and thicker.

The boy on the rooftop was staring with his usual indifferent gaze.

──────.

A tidal wave of emotions crashing down, accompanied by the sound of huge footsteps.