Limit Breaking Genius Mage Chapter 245

Episode 245: The King of the Underworld (2)

A cold rage boils within Grond.

My senses began to throb as a purple glow rose from my body.

I felt a power that was different from the members of the Winterthurts I had dealt with so far.

As he rules over Roafra, which is larger than a large city, and as the owner of the largest underworld on the Eastern Continent, he has a presence that allows him to consider himself a king.

Of course, he was not a transcendent being, but he was not at an ordinary level.

'The provocation worked.'

Verden had no intention of simply excluding Grond.

Not only was it a good opponent to test my strength as a quasi-transcendent, but it was also a chance to experience a type of strength I had never encountered before.

In other words, it was a stepping stone to see the world in a broader way.

Grond rose from his throne.

He stepped forward and placed his foot on the head of Meradin, a member of the royal guard who was writhing in pain.

“Tell me who is higher.”

“Your Majesty, Your Majesty……?”

Kwajik!

The skull was crushed like tofu.

Even though he had killed his most ardently loyal subject, Grond showed no change in emotion.

The lives of the worthless weaklings were of no concern.

The king of the underworld looked down on Verden.

The pressure of living.

Grond smiled slightly, revealing his fangs.

“You’re getting all cocky just because you dealt with some trash.”

Grond threw off his cumbersome cloak.

Immediately afterwards, the armor, leggings, and gauntlets that covered Grond began to break apart like puzzle pieces and then reassemble.

A full body armor engraved with strange patterns.

There was a small, inexplicable gap right in the center of his chest, and metal formed at the nape of his neck, wrapping around Grond's head to form a helmet.

By any measure, it was no ordinary magical item.

Verden looked at him with interest.

“That armor, is it an artifact?”

“You have a keen eye. ‘Insert’s Full Body Armor’. An artifact that reacts to energy, maximizing magic resistance and reducing shock. I haven’t had a single wound on my body since I got my hands on it.”

This is not the end.

Slurp.

Grond drew the weapon at his waist.

A sword of deep blue color was revealed to the world with a sound of cutting through the air. In the center of the straight blade, there was a deep section with four blood vessels.

Next, the decorations of the throne were separated.

A triangular piece of metal rotated and hovered in the air.

“Even the same artifact, the ‘Demon Sword Cedence’ and the shield ‘Floated’. Asher, the weapons you possess are also out of the ordinary, but they cannot be compared to me, who has reigned over the underworld for a long time.”

The number of artifacts that exist in the world is extremely small.

He had three of those items. They were such luxurious and wealthy equipment that he could call himself a king.

'Well, that's not what I'm supposed to say.'

The center of the three primary colors and Einver.

The weight of the two artifacts became anew apparent to me.

“So. Should I give you more time to prepare?”

“Are you trying so hard to act calm? I wonder if you can really pretend to be calm right before you die.”

Grond activated his energy.

The energy spreading out in all directions shimmered throughout the audience room. The eyes visible through the gaps in the helmet were strange.

“From now on, I will trample on your arrogance.”

Jeyoung's rule.

The flow of air was distorted and returned.

Verden clenched and unclenched his hands in an unpleasant sensation.

There was nothing wrong with the body itself, but I felt a slight resistance to the flow of magical power.

“Is it a skill?”

“It is a power that disrupts the power of beings that touch my territory. Those who handle ki hinder the operation of ki, and those who handle divine power reduce the effects of miracles. And magicians interfere with the calculation of magic───”

Grond twisted the corner of his mouth.

“It impedes flight.”

Kuung!

The audience room rang loudly, and Grond's new form shot forward. It was a speed that was honestly too fast for a single wizard's body vision to react to.

Verden raised his magic power.

It aimed at the Orient while forcibly ignoring the suppression of Qi.

Triple casting.

<Flare>

Three beams of fire extend out.

Even though the magic was right in front of him, Grond didn't try to dodge. He swung his sword from top to bottom, gaining speed.

The magic was split into pieces by the purple sword.

The <Flare> split in half and scattered into the air, transforming into magical power.

'Magic destruction?'

Magic is not destroyed by force.

The array of magical powers that formed the magic itself was broken. Based on the circumstances, it was clear that it was the performance of an artifact called the Magic Sword.

'A sword that cuts magic.'

Come to think of it, this is my first time facing off against an artifact owner. It was a different kind of battle than I've ever had before.

A magical light appeared on Verden's body.

In a split second, he unleashed his magic to strengthen his physical abilities, fused his magical powers with Orient, and swung powerfully at Grond, who was approaching him.

Kwaaaaang!

The shockwave of the gravity-coated rune and the sword energy collided.

* * *

Robert and Guile returned to Aurople.

Although he was busy commanding and monitoring the civil war from behind the scenes, he had no time to relax.

'Report to His Majesty quickly, we need more personnel to help Slay.'

There was absolutely no deep sense of loyalty, a sense of belonging to the organization, or camaraderie. The reason was one: he was one of the leaders of the Winterts.

Unlike the outside world, the underworld is a place where anyone with ability can gain power and money.

A natural insight that is quick and accurate in calculations and predictions. A way of thinking that excludes emotions and always pursues rational judgment was suitable for Loafra's life.

The only way for Robert, who came from the bottom with no foundation and was not even thirty years old, to become successful.

She was simply doing her duty.

“……?”

Robert, who was heading towards the underpass, looked around.

It was the same old street as always… … but I felt a strange sense of unease.

Some merchants hurriedly picked up the food and goods that had spilled out of their stalls, while citizens who were standing still tilted their heads and tapped their feet on the floor.

It was a small thing, but for some reason it caught my eye.

“What’s wrong?”

“No, don’t worry about it.”

He shook his head toward Gail.

The two people soon arrived at the underpass and went down the stairs.

… … It’s strangely quiet.

When I looked down the hallway, there was no procession of people coming and going from Loafra. Even the guards of Aurople had disappeared without a trace.

The wide underpass was empty.

“I guess it’s not just my imagination.”

Without saying a word, Gail pulled out the curved dagger.

He was Grond's secretary and also a bodyguard for an important figure in Wintert. He got on the VIP-only magic elevator with his nerves on edge and went straight to the underworld.

And through the glass I could see Loafra.

"uh……?"

Robert looked puzzled.

Gail, who was nearby, was the same. He stared blankly at the streets of the underworld, as if he couldn't believe it.

'What on earth happened?'

My understanding is not keeping up.

It was a sight that was completely out of touch with reality.

The ground collapsed in many places due to the twisted axis.

The streets were rugged and eerie, rising and falling irregularly. The buildings that had collapsed were reduced to rubble and stood silent.

Only the head of the clock tower erected near the square remained.

The clock's second hand, which has stopped moving completely, indirectly tells us when this situation occurred. It was not long ago.

Currently, one third of Roafra has been destroyed.

The traces of destruction stretch from the square to the ashen palace. Only after confirming it did Robert feel certain.

This is not a natural earthquake, but a landscape created by artificial forces.

'No way… Leonie?'

That's all there is to it.

The only one capable of inflicting such extensive damage was Leonil, a 6th-tier wizard in the kingdom.

Kuung.

As soon as the elevator arrived, we hurried to move.

No matter how tired Leonil was of waiting, it was hard to understand why he would attack Loafra like this.

'Then it is clear that there was friction between me and Bintert without my knowledge.'

In other words, the King of the Underworld and Leonil were at odds for some reason.

What on earth could be the cause?

Robert's head burned with excitement at the unprecedented situation.

Then, a man appeared, kneeling and hiding among the rubble. He looked very disheveled, but his face was familiar.

“Leniden?”

Gambler Leniden.

He was one of the powerful men in the south of Loafra, and he had his head bowed with his hands folded. I called him again, but there was no answer.

Only after Gail shook his shoulder did he react.

Leniden slowly raised his head.

The blood from the abrasions on his forehead and chin had hardened. His dazed eyes were slowly regaining their light.

“Ah… Robert…?”

“I see you’ve finally come to your senses. Let me ask you something first. Leniden, what on earth happened here?”

“What happened?”

Leniden shrugged his shoulders.

There was fear in the empty laughter.

“They’re all dead.”

"yes?"

“All who dared to oppose him have disappeared. The living terrain swallowed them up, pierced them, and blew them away without a trace. The only ones he forgave were those who knelt with me. Thanks to Marco over there, I was able to learn how to live, haha.”

Robert frowned at her rambling tone. Regardless, Leniden continued.

“Robert, if you don’t want to die, kneel down quickly. That is the only way to survive before the monster that single-handedly destroys the city.”

Leniden closed his eyes quietly.

The vicious behavior of gambling with people's lives according to his mood was no longer to be found in him.

What could have scared the gambler so much?

I have a feeling that maybe… … the culprit isn’t Leonil.

There was no sign of fire around here, suggesting that it was the work of a magician who deals with fire.

Robert raised his head.

As I looked around, I saw many people kneeling like Leniden. I was horrified at the absurd sight I had never seen before.

At that moment, a loud noise was heard from afar.

The vibrations that spread from the ash-colored palace reached even this distant place. Everyone was startled by the sound and covered their heads.

Something is happening in that castle.

“……Let’s go see His Majesty.”

Robert, who had been hesitating and biting his lip, headed towards the epicenter with Gail in front. At the moment, there was no other choice.

* * *

Shuhwaaaaah!

Verden moved nimbly, flying low, his toes barely touching the ground.

Grond, who had overtaken him in an instant, swung his magic sword.

“Put the pressure down!”

The density of the sword energy has decreased and its range has expanded.

Berden, who was swept up in it, crashed into the audience room. The impact was enough to crack the wall, but his expression didn't change at all as he was wrapped in Einver.

Grond flew in and stretched out his arms.

A magic sword with a deviated orbit in Orient was embedded in the wall.

And without stopping, Grond started running, kicking off the wall.

Kagagagagak!

The sword's scar is deeply engraved in the audience room.

Verden, who did not go against the flow of power, was pushed forward, and exploded with compressed air, instantly increasing the distance.

<Salt Lightning>

A red lightning bolt that traces a straight trajectory.

Grond manipulated the float.

As the three metal pieces formed a triangle, a translucent membrane appeared between them, completely blocking the magic.

A defensive barrier that absorbs 5th-tier synthetic magic without any aftereffects.

'It's artifact-like performance.'

Once again the flotilla split and rushed towards Verden.

An artifact that can be used as both a shield and an offensive weapon. It is not very powerful, but it is useful for distracting people.

<Demolition>

I bounced off the floats with a sphere of gravity, and responded to Grond who was shooting black energy with <Eight-wheeled Lightning>.

“Quadra Casting. As expected, he was a 6th-tier magician. Even if he were to be of the same level as Leonil, nothing would change.”

Phage, phage, phage!

Eight lightning strikes struck.

Even though the current was raging, Grond did not stop charging.

The magic resistance of the armor of the insert was formidable.

A blue aura flickers across the Demon Sword Cedence.

Breaking. The close range skill collided with Verden's shield.

Even though it was formed with <Arcane>, it was impossible to completely block it due to the nature of the magic sword.

The magic power that is being torn away.

Wow! Verden, who had been blocked by Orient, was pushed to the side. It was a shock that made my whole body tingle for a moment.

Grond expressed his admiration.

“Wow, I didn’t expect you to stop that. That’s quite a durable staff. And even within my craft, you maintain such fast magic calculations and precise flight. Are you perhaps a War Mage from the Western Empire?”

“…….”

“Okay, don’t say anything. You’ll soon have to say it anyway, even if you say no.”

Grond sharpened his sword.

Kwaaang! Kwaaang!

In the fierce battle that followed, the spacious audience room began to collapse.

Verden, who was accelerating the accident, flashed his eyes.

<Mixed Name>

“……?!”

Waves of chaos spread.

It was so sudden that it could not be blocked by Floated. Grond tried to reflexively cut it, but the range of the magic itself could not be completely nullified.

Swish! He thrust the demon sword into the audience room.

Magic enveloped his entire body, followed by powerful heat and physical force, but it could not break through the artifact's resistance.

Grond, who had left a rough scar on the floor, relaxed his tense muscles.

“Eyes that resembled attributes and magic circles that I’ve never seen before. Is it a magic spell or a special trait? It seems to have been a hidden move, and although it was quite powerful, unfortunately it didn’t reach me.”

He pointed the tip of his sword at Verden.

“And now, your magic power is slowly running out. If you hadn’t wasted your magic power by making a mess of Roafra, you could have fought harder, but there’s nothing you can do. Coming to Roafra and opposing me were the results of your own choices.”

Grond clicked his tongue and shook his head.

It was a tone of speech that gave off the composure of a strong person, perhaps because he thought he had the upper hand.

“…….”

Verden assessed the overall level of Grond.

The speed of the one wearing the artifact is greater than that of the Bloodstained Blade Layla, a candidate for the Ark, and his strength as a warrior surpasses that of Rupel, who was the Tooth of Gluttony.

In addition, it was not an exaggeration to say that Grond's craft and artifacts were in complete opposition to the wizard.

That's why.

“What a disappointment.”

"……what?"

The walls sank coldly.

Grond did not understand the meaning of that gaze. He asked again, but instead of answering, Verden activated the magic circuit with full power.

The power of <Arcane> was revealed without restraint in releasing magical power.

Kugugugugugugu… … !

A storm of magical power rages violently.

The physical force began to crack the entire audience room. Grond, who witnessed the force firsthand, opened his eyes wide.

'What is this amount of magic power?'

There is a magical power swirling around that is incomparable to what it was just a moment ago.

Could it be that you have been hiding your power until now? How dare you come against me?

Grond grabbed the magic sword with mixed emotions of anger and confusion.

Phew.

Verden heard of the Orient.

A sea of red flames appeared and rippled in the empty space reflected in the magic sword. Infinite magic sword. The flames, divided into many branches, combined to form dozens of flame spears.

The King of Darkness has a strength called Artifact.

But sometimes strengths can turn into huge weaknesses.

'It seems Grond didn't realize it.'

Now you will realize even if you don't want to know.

first.

Bombs fall.

Kwakwakwakwang!

A chain of explosions quickly surrounded Grond.

It's not a number that can be struck with a magic sword.

It withstood the impact and created a protective shield with floats.

As the magic ceased, Grond kicked away the flames with his foot and tried to counterattack.

But I couldn't move rashly.

Before he knew it, dozens of ice spears had risen into the sky and were aimed at him.

second.

"this……."

It's pouring down rain of ice.

The cold air exploded and froze the air. The floats, unable to withstand the continuous magical bombardment, were thrown out.

It takes time to reuse artifacts that have reached their limits.

“Ugh……!”

He shot down the magic that formed the black energy one after another.

The ice spear that could not be blocked was left to the full body armor.

However, even if you can resist the effects of the elements, you cannot completely eliminate all shocks. The balance of Grond, which was pushed back little by little, was broken.

Immediately after, he avoided the awkward fall by taking a fall and put all his weight on the tips of his feet.

'You've done this much magic twice, so you'll show me your weaknesses.'

That was common sense.

Grond opened his eyes sharply and raised his head.

But as if to mock him, his expectations were off the mark. Dozens of lightning spears filled the air, flashing toward Grond.

Verden stood calmly.

It is undeniable that a lot of magical power has been consumed so far, but there is plenty of room for it.

It was natural that Grond didn't understand.

Even if it was imperfect, the state of transcendence was not something that could be judged by the common sense and perspective of a lower being.

Third.

Grond flinched.

A ripple appeared in the pupils visible through the gap in the helmet.