NOTICE: Many of the novels have been removed because they might cause violations, which we were not aware of earlier.
#165. Melting Point (1)
The magic circle in the center of the tower.
Ray sat on the iron chair above it, lost in thought.
Knock knock! Knock knock!
“… … .”
The raindrops still pounding against the wall outside.
The damp air was still there, and despite the bright indoor lights, the vision was still blurry and gloomy.
The scenery remained unchanged, but it was difficult to say that yesterday and today were the same.
‘Today is the day of the procedure.’
Also, Ayla no longer existed in the scenery of the mansion.
About an hour ago.
Ayla left for the magic tower.
Riding the Amon family’s vehicle that arrived in front of the mansion gate.
All of the disciples looked at him with envy and jealousy.
“Sister! Go ahead and wait! I’ll follow you soon!”
What was Ayla’s expression when she heard those words from her younger sister?
Actually, I don’t remember very well.
All that came to mind was that the emotions in the bowl were extremely complicated.
‘We met yesterday, and I gave you all the advice I could give you.’
Ray thought back to the words he had said to Ayla in the hallway of the mansion.
“If you want to live, the most reasonable way is to kill Binjin.”
“If that’s too hard, I have no choice but to abandon my brother and run away.”
He also told us all the follow-up measures in case we chose the latter.
How to deal with the Amon Family members who pretend to take you to the Magic Tower.
After that, how should I escape Binjin’s pursuit and how should I live in the world?
Of course, this is all just advice.
The choice was Ayla’s.
“Are we still far from starting?”
Binjin, who was doing something at the table in front, answered Ray’s words.
“Haha, it seems that the wizard has high expectations for the procedure since you are rushing me like this. Could you please wait a moment?”
What was on the table was the tetrahedral safe that Ray had seen at the top of the tower.
Binjin opened the door easily, took out a fountain pen from inside, and put it in his front pocket.
“Do you keep your fountain pen in the safe?”
“I only use this fountain pen to write notes during my treatment. It’s a kind of jinx I have as a scholar.”
That’s what I thought.
Haven’t we said the same thing to all the scapegoats we’ve brought in so far?
“And by the way, there’s something I need to get to.”
“thing?”
Knock knock! Knock knock!
“Oh, I see you’ve arrived just in time.”
Binjin’s steps toward the tower’s entrance were filled with joy that could not be hidden.
Crunch! Creak─!
Swaaa …
As the door opened, heavy rain poured in.
Standing outside were members of the Amon Family, each holding a large wooden box.
“Where should I put this?”
“Move me inside. Wait, before that… .”
Binjin whispered something to his crew.
Ray used his magically enhanced hearing to eavesdrop on the conversation.
─Make sure that no one comes out of the mansion. Today is a much more important day than usual.
─Yes, I will monitor you more closely than usual.
After that, the members of the organization, following Binjin’s instructions, placed a wooden box near the magic circle and rushed out of the tower.
Ray asked, looking at the blue mana sizzling inside the box.
“What box is that?”
“This is a medicinal herb to manage any possible aftereffects after the procedure. We were running out of stock, but fortunately it arrived just in time. If you want, I can take it out and show it to you right now.”
“No, it’s okay.”
“Yes. So now I can say that everything is really ready. Can we start the procedure?”
“Of course. I’m really looking forward to it.”
Binjin covered his mouth with his hand and clapped his hands.
“Yes. I’m really looking forward to it too.”
The corners of her lips were visible, torn between her fingers.
Despite his calm tone, all kinds of emotions were storming through his body.
Anticipation, excitement, joy, nervousness, concern, etc.
The greatest of these emotions was the golden greed for the immense gains he would soon obtain.
Binjin sat with one knee bent and placed his hand on the floor to manipulate the magic circle.
Woof!
——————
faqwiki.xyz
Join our Discord for new chapter updates!
https://discord.com/invite/xr7SxG5T6V
——————
A large amount of dormant mana was activated and began to race along the countless lines that formed the magic circle.
And among the dense fake lines meant to confuse the senses.
Ray could see the flawless magic circle of exploitation.
‘The activation time is 4 minutes and 57 seconds later.’
Since I had been examining the magic circle every day, it wasn’t difficult to calculate the time of activation.
Ray counted the seconds in his head and focused his senses on everything around him.
From now on, I had to be extremely alert because any mistake or error could lead directly to death.
“The magic circle is currently being activated. The elemental mixture that has been gathering around it will gradually move. Soon, it will be absorbed into the wizard’s body. This is a natural phenomenon, so there is no need to be surprised at all.”
Binjin, who had stepped outside the magic circle, slowly continued his explanation while walking along the border.
─────!
The Milky Way below struggled more violently than ever before, knowing that a feast was about to be prepared.
… … .
The blue mana inside the box also seemed to be shaking slightly as if it was regaining consciousness.
In that tension, the second hand repeats countless ticks.
‘3 minutes.’
When the activation of the magic circle is exactly the same amount of time left as the duration of the ring’s neutralization.
“… To be honest, I’m jealous. In my case, I can’t get out of the second circle even after the procedure. Anyway, the follow-up care… .”
Ray caught Binjin lifting his ringed hand slightly as he explained.
I had plenty of time to respond, but I deliberately chose not to.
and.
Paat──!
It was only a moment before a blast of mana fired from the ring dug into this body and encircled it.
As I tried before, I couldn’t raise the ring’s mana at all.
Ray looked at Binjin with the most incomprehensible expression on his face and asked.
“What the hell is going on right now?”
“Kuhhhhhh… … .”
Binjin just smiled without answering.
He had been laughing as if he was enjoying the whole situation, but suddenly stopped laughing and spoke with a serious face.
“You insolent brat. How dare you pretend to be an elf and try to covet my knowledge.”
“What is that…?”
“Don’t you know? Your trick has been discovered. How do you feel about the gift I prepared? Doesn’t the feeling of the ring’s mana solidifying and not moving feel new?”
It wasn’t particularly new.
Because I’ve already experienced it.
Also, while the ring’s mana was sealed, the jewel’s mana could still be used.
‘But it’s not time to attack yet.’
Binjin is said to be a 2nd circle, but he is closer to the 3rd circle, and he also has a lot of combat experience.
In order to reduce errors in planning, it was necessary to exploit the moment when the enemy was most unguarded.
Ray tried to match the rhythm as best he could with a look of failure on his face as he tried to use the mana of the ring.
“This is…! How could this be…!”
“Kuhaha, are you surprised? What’s so surprising? If it’s possible to destroy the ring, then it’s not impossible to paralyze it, right? Don’t even think about moving a finger!”
The moment Ray tried to get up from his chair, a dark blue mana exploded from Binjin’s body.
And the next moment.
I could see the sight of thousands of ice crystals of gloomy colors covering the air above the magic circle.
“… … .”
Ray ran his finger over one of the crystals in front of him.
Even with just a light touch, the skin was cut without mercy and blood gushed out.
Binjin said in a proud voice.
“Don’t even think about coming out of there until the magic circle is activated. You must become a meek offering to the great evolution.”
“evolution?”
“Yes. Do you still think that the magic circle drawn under your feet is used for magic?”
“no way….”
“It’s an exploitation magic circle. I worked very hard to make sure you didn’t notice.”
Ray was silent.
Binjin burst into laughter again, perhaps because he thought the sight had shocked him greatly.
“Kuhahaha, you stupid and foolish guy. Don’t feel so wronged. It’s only natural that an inferior person can’t defeat a superior person.”
“… … .”
“Perhaps you should be grateful to me, for allowing an inferior being to live as part of a greater entity. It’s not harming you, but rather helping you.”
“A great entity?”
“Yes. You are a great, great entity. You will be a nutrient that strengthens the strength of the one I am raising with great care.”
A feeling of genuine consideration welled up in Binjin’s bowl.
At that moment, Ray seemed to know.
The reason why Binjin’s malice has never grown so great before.
Ray continued acting, judging the remaining time.
“Calm down for now. Even if you use me as a sacrificial lamb, the amount of mana you can extract is not much.”
“Tsk tsk. Don’t lie. Even if you can’t do it, we all already know that you’re more than 3 circles.”
“Can you handle the aftermath? You’d be surprised to know who’s behind me.”
“Haha, I don’t care. The only thing that matters is that you’re a quality mana source. And don’t worry about me. Making people disappear without a trace is my specialty.”
Binjin’s breathing became increasingly rapid and his fingertips began to tremble.
It seemed that the expectation of immediate gains was not the main focus.
“Break the ring, if you spare me I will teach you how to break the ring.”
“Of course, as a wizard and scholar, that is a technique I am very curious about.”
Binjin took out a fountain pen from his front pocket, aimed it at me, and said.
“There’s no need to hear it directly from your mouth. There’s a way. I’ll put your knowledge to good use. You’ll also learn what kind of person you are and why you approached me.”
15 seconds left.
Binjin had an expression on his face as if the whole situation was already over.
The moment when Ray secretly raised the jewel’s mana.
─Rustle.
A sound was heard from the box.
“Hmm? Oh, it seems my beloved disciple can’t wait for his turn.”
Ray didn’t miss the moment when Binjin turned his head.
Phage crackle!
A bright yellow lightning bolt, leaving an eerie trail in the air, hit the target.
dump!
Ray ran out of his seat as if he was exploding, watching Binjin’s new form crumble.
’12 seconds.’
Jiik─! Jijijik─!
As I fought my way through the ice crystals, my clothes were torn and my skin was mercilessly cut.
’11 seconds.’
Because the ring was sealed, elements that could be used for metallization or protection could not be used.
Advancing by destroying decisions with lightning was also inefficient due to the delay.
’10 seconds.’
Anyway, I am very insensitive to pain, so this level of pain doesn’t slow down my movements at all.
‘9 seconds.’
Also, by the boy’s standards, it wasn’t that big of an injury.
Above all else.
‘The sun will heal you.’
There was reliable insurance.
If Veronica found out, she would get hit in the back hundreds of times.
Ray arrived in front of Binjin covered in blood.
“Now…! Huh, how can I use magic…!”
“8 seconds.”
Continuing the first century, he quickly picked up Binjin, who was out of breath.
Binjin was on the thin side for an adult male, and Ray had been training hard to build up his strength, so he had no trouble with the movements.
“Ugh…! How could you use magic…! W-What are you trying to do…! Let go, let go! Let me, let me go right now…!
“6 seconds, I’ll put you down. Just a moment.”
Ray, who had been holding her arms behind her back, threw Binjin with all his might towards the magic circle.
Boooo …
“Ahhhhhhh!”
Binjin fell into the center of the magic circle, his clothes and skin being brutally torn by the ice crystals he had created.
“4 seconds.”
Ray picked up the fallen fountain pen and aimed it at Binjin.
“S-save me! Whoa, whatever you want, I’ll give it to you!”
“2 seconds. Indiago, you know?”
“Of course! I, once you get me out of here, I’ll tell you everything─!”
“No, it’s okay.”
Ray turned the cap of the fountain pen.
At the same time.
The light pouring out from the magic circle covered all the space inside the tower.
And soon.
Kwaaaaang──!
The boy could see something breaking through the floor and rising up.