Chapter 1462

<Chapter 1462> 162. Dark Moon

“Nice figure, huh.”

Long, straight limbs and skin without a single blemish.

Her chest was full, but not ridiculously large like some kind of exaggeration—just the right size. Everything was in perfect balance.

Her pubic area was as smooth as silk, not a hair to be seen.

Bell glanced at me, becoming aware of my gaze. She tried to stand tall and confident as I remained steadfast. I struggled to maintain my composure; otherwise, you know… certain parts would’ve betrayed me.

“Your heart rate’s rising. Blood’s starting to rush south… Are you in heat?”

Barkase’s voice echoed inside the capsule. Bell outside showed no reaction, so it seemed only I could hear him.

“…Honestly, that woman’s body and face are killer, can’t deny that.”

“That’s true. A rare beauty. If I still had a physical form, I’d be captivated too.”

“…What’s it like not having a body? Do pornographic things leave you unfazed?”

“I’ve transcended sexual desire, hunger, sleep… all of it. Nothing moves me anymore. Though sometimes I do miss those urges, maintaining rationality without being swayed by them is its own reward.”

“Hard to imagine that.”

Bell carefully entered the opposite capsule after stripping completely. For a moment, my eyes lingered on her shapely rear end. Very attractive.

“Let’s begin.”

Liquid began dripping from the ceiling. It looked like water but felt different as it seeped into my skin before flowing out again.

“You’re a wizard, so your waste products are minimal. Hmm? Fifty mana nodes detected… Sixteen of them are damaged. You must’ve pushed yourself pretty hard.”

“…Can they be repaired?”

“The mana shower doesn’t have repair functions. See an expert.”

The liquid pooled beneath me, slowly rising. There was no danger of drowning since this wasn’t actual liquid—it was mana.

Through the liquid, I could see dark impurities leaving my body and draining out of the capsule. That must’ve been the waste.

“Here’s something interesting: your partner appears to be a pure virgin. Quite impressive considering how chaotic this world is.”

“Bell isn’t my partner. We just met today.”

“Well, you two seem awfully chummy for strangers.”

“Does it even matter if she’s a virgin or not? Why are you telling me this crap?”

“And I may have mentioned to her that you were ogling her breasts and crotch while getting aroused.”

“……You little—”

I wanted to punch him.

If I could destroy this machine right now, I would—but doing so would only harm myself.

“As expected, your athletic abilities aren’t great.”

“…Yeah, I know. Sports and I don’t mix.”

“Controlling mana water should stop now. The mana shower isn’t dangerous.”

“I’ve never controlled mana water.”

“Oh ho? So the mana water is reacting to you on its own? What an absurd talent. Adjustments will be necessary. Do nothing and—”


“Shut up and stay still.”

The mana water had risen up to my knees and was now rippling. The tip of my elongated ears touched the mana water, and it wasn’t a pleasant feeling.

“You’ve got quite the impressive package there. Sex cultists would’ve drooled and gone mad if they saw you.”

“Sex cultists?”

“Crazy bastards who worship sex itself as a religion. Their doctrine involves an orgy every three days. They call it a ritual or something… but it’s just a bunch of idiots’ primitive nonsense.”

“…”

This was news to me. Barkase didn’t seem to be joking around.

The mana water soon rose all the way to my head. I could still breathe, no discomfort at all. It just felt like the air got slightly heavier.

Talking was possible too.

“Can’t the Mana Roads regenerate?”

“Well, we do have bodily regeneration functions, but the concept of Mana Roads is a bit different. Impossible. You should consult an expert. Preferably sooner rather than later. Your growth is being hindered by the damaged roads. 16 of them. 30% of the total are wrecked. This is serious.”

“…You’re making more fuss about this than I am.”

“I’m the normal one here. You’re the weirdo for staying so calm. Do you even realize? A regular mage wouldn’t be able to cast any proper spells. The only reason you’ve been using magic without issue so far… is pure talent.”

“…”

I know.

When it comes to magical talents, there’s no doubt about their authenticity.

“The waste expulsion is complete. Next, we’ll move on to the Mana Shower to strengthen your physical body. Oh, and your mana sensitivity will increase slightly. Not sure how meaningful that is to you.”

“You have 13 minutes.”

“What about Bell?”

“About 50 minutes more. Unlike you, I’ve decided to adjust her equipment. The machines she’s wearing are high-quality, but they’re not optimized at all. Plus, the operating system is trash, so I’ll reinstall it. Especially the core part… Hmm, maybe I shouldn’t say anything.”

“I have a rough idea.”

“Hmm?”

I closed my mouth and eyes.

“It’s done.”

The mana water drained out, and the capsule opened. I stepped out, wrapped in a towel, and sat on the chair next to the capsule, waiting. I looked at Bell inside the mana capsule. She seemed unconscious with her eyes closed while mechanical arms and legs were extended around her. Tiny machines—nanomachines or small robots—were adjusting her limbs.

I casually checked out her breasts and crotch area.

KWAH-AH-AHNG!

A tremendous sound came from outside.

I instinctively jumped up from my seat. Barkase’s hologram appeared beside me.

“What was that?”

“I’ll pull up the camera feed.”

A holographic screen appeared.

A monster was pounding on the entrance of the ruins.

It resembled a gorilla overall. Its upper body was extremely developed compared to its short lower half, and its arms were ridiculously long. However, instead of a head, it had a brain exposed. It looked like three human brains stitched together, forming a grotesque sight.

“There’s only one place capable of creating something like that—the Caballia Research Lab. Did they follow Bell’s trail?”

Caballia Research Lab. Bell harbors immense hatred toward that place since she was once an experiment subject there.

“Don’t worry. There’s no way a monster like that can break through the door…”

KWAHNG!

The door bent under the continuous punches from the monster. Barkase furrowed his brows as he watched the video feed.

“There’s no way the door could break from just those attacks. This is probably…”

“The influence of the Dark Gate.”

“Take a closer look at that brain. There’s a bullet hole mark. It seems this thing was already dead but revived due to the influence of the Dark Gate.”

It’s likely this thing has the Destroyer trait. A trait that effectively breaks through tough armor or building walls. In games, it instantly drains armor durability, combining with physical resistance to become the most hated trait by warriors.

“Is there any defensive gear here?”

“Nope. This place is just for Transcendentalists to take mana showers.”


“It’s just a building for the purpose. After receiving the mana shower, let’s leave immediately.”

“If we keep this up, that thing will eventually make its way inside. I guess I’ll have to step in.”

“Count on me.”

The door leading outside opened. I glanced at Bell Terrier inside the capsule before walking down the corridor.

I open the Astral plane.

My physical mana begins to respond to my will. Thanks to the mana shower, it feels more responsive than usual.

“Excellent.”

My body feels lighter.

It’s like I’ve shaken off invisible shackles, and now I’m soaring through the heavens—a refreshing clarity. Now I understand why transcendentalists go through mana showers periodically.

I moved forward along the corridor. Through that warped door, I can see that disgusting brain of his. A part of the brain splits open, and a single red eyeball pops out. The eyeball peers at me through the gap in the door.

My legs don’t falter. I calculate and construct a mana spell. My casting speed feels slightly faster than before the shower.

“Barksay! Open the door!”

The door opens. It’s warped, so it doesn’t open fully, but that’s fine—it’s enough space for the monster to come in. That thing comes charging at me, hopping wildly.

I extend my palm toward the monster.

[Air Blast]

A powerful gust of wind blows directly, sending the monster flying. Its massive body soars into the sky.

In that fleeting moment, I construct another spell in the slowed-down world.

[Railgun]

Flying through the night sky with a blue trajectory, the railgun pierces straight through the monster’s chest.

“Tch. Aimed for the head… but it twisted mid-motion and got hit in the chest instead.”

Kooong!

Landing on the ground, the beast charges at me on all fours, moving surprisingly fast.

[Lightning Spear]

I throw a spear of lightning. Upon hitting the monster, the spear explodes, scattering electric currents in all directions. The current flows through the monster’s body, yet it keeps coming—like it had no effect at all.

‘Is electrical magic ineffective? Is this also due to the Dark Moon?’

Calculating formulas in my mind, I clumsily form hand seals I’ve been practicing.

[Torrent]

[Frost]

Water erupts beneath the monster’s feet, drenching its body. Immediately after, Frost freezes the creature solid.

Dang!

Within three seconds, the monster shatters the ice and charges at me again.

[Levitation]

Before the monster’s fist can reach me, I ascend into the sky. The monster hesitates, gawking upward as if stunned. It swings its oversized fists, over two meters long, but they can’t reach me floating in the air.

The monster bends its knees and leaps with all its might. But its weak lower half has clear limitations compared to its gigantic upper body.

“I should’ve taken to the skies earlier.”

Casually pulling a bullet from my coat pocket, I use telekinesis to hold it steady while casting a spell.

[Railgun]

The descending railgun pierces the monster’s shoulder.

‘That time too, it dodged when I aimed for the head? Despite its bulky appearance, its reaction speed is incredible.’

The monster rips a nearby boulder and hurls it at me. BOOM! The barrier collides with the rock. The barrier shatters, and the rock crashes to the ground. Confirming that the remaining two barriers are intact, I continue using spells in succession.

[Railgun]

[Railgun]

[Railgun]

The first two railguns miss, but the third one cleanly obliterates the monster’s brain. Its massive body collapses onto the ground. I land and look at the corpse.

‘Definitely dead.’

Something still feels off to my senses.

‘I should check it out.’

[Water Blade]

Using the Water Blade, I slice apart the corpse. It takes quite some time because it’s so tough. Then, I find a small chip embedded in the heart of the corpse.

I stare intently at the chip. Dark mana emanates from it.