<Chapter 1243> 1243. Dark Moon
It was the break of dawn, where the sun had yet to rise.
Perched atop the mansion while on guard duty, I narrowed my eyes and glared straight ahead. From a great distance, a cluster of light was swiftly approaching.
[Telescope]
Using magic to enhance my vision, I identified the nature of the rapidly approaching lights.
It was bicycles.
Over thirty people were furiously pedaling their bikes, racing towards us at a speed nearing 300km/h. It was clear they had illegally modified their bicycles.
I tapped my mask to send a radio transmission.
“Unit 212! Unit 31! Hostiles incoming!!”
-This is 212. Identify hostiles and location?!
“Approximately 30 hostiles. All riding illegally modified bicycles. They’ll reach the mansion gates in about 3 minutes. They appear to be armed with firearms.”
-Are they wearing angry-expression masks?
“I’ll check.”
I focused my sight. My vision improved, and the enemies became clearer.
“212, just as you said, all of them are wearing angry-expression masks.”
-Angry Cyclists, then.
“Angry Cyclists?”
-A local biker gang operating in this area. I heard they disappeared after losing an online turf war… but I think they’ve been hired by the laborers’ side. They’re probably planning one last big heist before leaving this city.
“Well, it’s not like they can continue living here after messing with nobility.”
There’s commotion below the mansion. Glancing down, I see the bodyguards preparing for combat upon realizing the appearance of the Angry Cyclists.
“212, even though they’re a biker gang, this is too conspicuous. This could be a strategy to draw attention. Check the barrier around the viscount’s room and prepare for any contingencies. Also, cast support magic on the bodyguard friends.”
-I’ll take care of it. That’s my job.
“31, what about you? Want to step in?”
-Calmly following orders.
31’s voice was composed. Though she has a penchant for battle, it seems these bikers don’t interest her.
“Guard Viscount Fertelgar alongside 212.”
-Understood.
With 31’s response, the Angry Cyclists stormed the mansion gates, firing guns and throwing bombs. The bodyguards countered with the divine equipment provided by Viscount Fertelgar.
‘These bikers are fighting way too recklessly. No fear of death—there’s madness in their actions. One explanation: drugs.’
I open the Astral Plane.
The mana surrounding me becomes perceptible, and the mana circuit activates. Carefully calculating magical formulas without exceeding level 4 spells or overloading level 3 spells, I channel the mana through the circuits, transforming it into magic.
[Fire Rain]
I activate a level 3 fire spell.
Flames conjured in midair descend to the ground. Startled, the enemies retreat. Even under the influence of drugs, no one willingly throws away their life like moths to a flame.
‘The power is weaker compared to Fireball, as expected.’
However, the purpose of Fire Rain was to dominate the battlefield.
body. I created an opening for the guards to catch their breath with a Fire Rain spell.
“Thanks for the support. Their morale’s been crushed thanks to you.”
A transmission came from Captain Lake of the security team.
“I just did my job.”
“These bastards have taken combat drugs. They’re not easy to handle. Can you provide magical support?”
“As I’ve said before, I’m doing my job.”
Fire support is the role of battle mages. We rarely fight directly on the front lines since mages are valuable assets.
“…Even so, in the military, we’re nothing more than high-grade expendables.”
I clicked my tongue and cleared my wandering thoughts. This is the middle of a battle.
“YAAAAAAAAHHOOOO!”
One of the angry cyclists screamed. It spread like an infection around the area.
“YAAAAAAHHOOOO!”
“YAHOO!!!”
“YAHOOOOOOO!!!”
The bikers furiously pedaled their bikes. But the wheels didn’t move. They stayed still as if storing energy.
“YAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHOOOOOOOO!!”
The bikers screamed. The noise was deafening, even hurting my ears from where I stood on the roof.
“Judging by their appearance, they must be turning into lizards… no, dragons.”
The moment their bike wheels scraped against the ground and shot forward, I cast my magic.
[Stone Wall]
Several walls rose from the earth. They were slightly tilted. The charging dragon-people couldn’t avoid the stone walls and instead flew into the air after colliding.
In the sky, they crazily pedaled their bikes but couldn’t fly. Instead, they plummeted downward.
The height was about 10 meters. Even with their enhanced abilities from combat drugs, falling from that height would surely cause injuries.
Puck! Pook! Puck!
The cyclists fell helplessly. The guards mercilessly shot them down one by one, finishing them off.
‘Half of them are dead now. The guards suffered minimal damage. This battle will end soon.’
As I considered my next spell, a transmission came from Unit 212.
“211! Unit 31 is in combat!”
“In combat? No one has entered the mansion from outside! Where did they come from?!”
“According to Lord Ptalgard, there was a secret passage we weren’t informed about!”
“…Shit.”
The curse slipped out naturally.
We’re risking our lives protecting Lord Ptalgard, yet the very person we’re guarding clearly doesn’t trust us.
I swallowed hard and calmed myself. Didn’t I already know that Lord Ptalgard didn’t trust us?
“What’s the opponent’s level?”
“Looks like a Class 3 Warrior. 31 is handling it. Doesn’t seem dangerous.”
“Meaning 31 is winning. Do I need to help?”
“No, it’s fine. Focus on the outside.”
“Got it.”
I ended the transmission.
This kind of thing happens often. And when it does, you have to act rationally. You can’t abandon your own duties just because a teammate is in danger. Doing so could lead to irreparable disaster. Right now, my priority is dealing with the lizard people in front of me.
Woooom.
My mana activated.
I drew a bright white magic circle in the air. Although it slows down casting compared to direct manifestation, it enhances the power of the magic.
[Ice Spear]
An ice spear shot out from the center of the magic circle. However, its target wasn’t the cyclists but Security Captain Lake who had been watching me cautiously. Without hesitation, Lake performed a backflip to dodge the Ice Spear.
The Ice Spear embedded in the ground exploded, sending freezing cold air in all directions. The icy blast froze everything around it. Even Lake’s body was frozen, though he shook off the ice shards. There was still some damage; the cold had seeped into his body, slowing him down.
“…What is the meaning of this? Are you betraying us?”
“The traitor is you.”
“Hey, I just got a report that the enemy entered the mansion through a secret passage. You already knew about the existence of the secret passage in this mansion, didn’t you?”
Lake Mak is supposedly the head of security. The Baron Ptelgar wouldn’t have put just anyone in the position of head of security. He must’ve worked under the baron for a few years at least and would’ve known about the secret passage.
“So, are you accusing me of betrayal based on just that? How ridiculous.”
“So, are you saying it’s not true?”
“No. It’s true.”
Lake Mak pushed off the ground. He smashed the heads of the nearby guards with his fists and charged towards me.
I shouted to the confused guards.
“I’ll handle the traitor Lake Mak. You guys stop Angry Cycle.”
The guards continued the battle, firing guns at Angry Cycle. The guards seem like they were trained by soldiers.
I narrowed my eyes and looked at Lake Mak.
‘This guy’s a 3rd-class warrior. He’s been hiding his skills.’
He ascended to the mansion roof in an instant, moving like a possessed monkey. His mastery over movement was nothing short of miraculous. As someone who lacks athletic talent, there’s no way I could achieve that level with pure physical ability alone.
“Are you Resistance Echoes?”
“Why do you think that? Isn’t it normal to suspect Bill Clarkson?”
“There are limits to bio-bomb magic. While small animals can be controlled, it’s different when it comes to humans. Humans have mana resistance and self-awareness. What I’m saying is, black mages can’t control humans turned into bio-bombs.”
“So what’s your point?”
“The key is the timing to detonate the bio-bomb. Someone inside the mansion needs to signal the perfect moment for the plan to succeed flawlessly.”
“…Yeah, it was a flawless plan. If only you hadn’t been so suspicious of those prostitutes.”
“Did you hire Angry Cycle as well?”
“Yes. Bill Clarkson didn’t have the money to hire them. I hired them as soon as the plan went awry. Here’s a proposal: how about you pretend you didn’t see anything?”
“Why should I?”
“Baron Ptelgar has to die here. It’s for world peace. As long as he lives, countless commoners will continue to be exploited and mocked by him.”
“That’s none of my business. I carry out my duties.”
“That’s why we hate soldiers. You’re not human, but more like a machine.”
Lake Mak charges. I take a step back to create distance. At the same time, I activate the magic I prepared during our conversation.
[Raging Torrent]
Streams of water shot up from beneath Lake Mak. Razor-sharp streams of water sliced through his body. A 3rd-class water attribute attack magic like this would normally cut an ordinary person into pieces, but Lake Mak only suffered cuts on his skin.
[Frost]
The water freezes.
Of course, the water soaking his body isn’t an exception. He was forced to wear an ice restraint.
“Haaaaa!”
With a yell, he unleashed his aura. Steam rose transparently from his body. With bloodshot eyes, he dashed toward me.
I used telekinesis to attack him with shattered ice fragments. It was useless. The ice couldn’t penetrate the aura surrounding his body.
I stepped back. There was nowhere to place my feet. My body fell unprotected from the roof.
“It’s over!”
Lake Mak raised his fist in triumph and ran towards me.
And then both of us stopped mid-air.
I turned my gaze to the mansion window. My eyes met with Room 212’s. She stuck her tongue out playfully and grabbed her right breast tightly. Sexual harassment in this situation? It left me somewhat speechless.
“W-What kind of magic is this?!”
“I didn’t cast it. My ally did.”
