Chapter 67: Your Name (5) |
*
Soldiers in black Combat Uniforms were walking in.
The Crest of the Ironclad was emblazoned on their chests.
Igor's hollow eyes read the Crest.
'Damn it. To think the Ironclad Special Mission Unit would come.'
They were a famous group of Private Soldiers in the Underworld.
Each and every regular Operative had expensive Magic Engravings all over their bodies and fired Ammunition without restraint.
The combat power of a single Operative created this way was on par with Boris.
Moreover, such Operatives moved in a Unit, forming formations like trained soldiers.
It wasn't for nothing that the Underworld Black Magicians avoided a direct confrontation with Director Schun.
As soon as they appeared, Igor had already finished his calculations.
'No chance of winning. Retreat.'
What was the reason for trying to kidnap those around him and offer them as sacrifices, rather than assassinating Director Schun in the first place?
It was because a direct confrontation was completely unwinnable.
Since that same Director Schun had come in person, retreating was the best option.
Igor sent a signal to Boris with his eyes.
'Retreat.'
Boris's vertical Pupil moved slightly.
It was a signal of understanding.
The two simultaneously took a step back.
But Captain Shen had no intention of allowing it.
The moment he saw Igor's heels lift from the stone floor, Shen was already fumbling with the Control Panel of the Magic tool on his back.
With his left hand, he flipped open the Instrument Panel attached to the side of the Magic tool.
Beneath the glass, several Scale Markings were laid out side by side.
Remaining Mana Stone, Atmospheric Pressure, Temperature, Humidity, and so on.
Shen's gloved index finger swept over the Scale Markings once.
Shen's thumb turned the Control Valve next to the Instrument Panel half a turn.
Screeeech, with a metallic scream, the vibration of Magical Power compressing inside the Nozzle traveled up his arm to his Shoulder.
The Scale Markings rose.
"Ignition."
Shen calmly warned his allies and pulled the Trigger.
Fwoooosh—!
A Demon of Fire swallowed the hallway.
A wave of crimson Flame, incomparable to the fire from before, surged toward Igor and Boris.
"What in the..."
The students stared blankly at the overwhelming firepower.
They were considered geniuses in the High School Division.
But, the battle of the adults was on a different dimension.
"This is... a real battle between wizards..."
The beads of sweat on Freya's cheeks evaporated before they could even hit the floor.
The stone walls glowed red, and the Magic Stone Lamp on the ceiling couldn't withstand the heat, making a sound of cracking glass.
Boris raised his arms to cover his face, standing as if to protect Igor.
"Igor! I can't hold on for long!"
"Understood."
Snap!
Igor snapped his fingers.
The Flame, which looked like an entire Furnace had been poured out, vanished as if a candle had been blown out.
As soon as the fire was gone, Igor sneered at Captain Shen.
"You used such a Basic Flame Magic. Combustion using Oxygen and Dust. Isn't that a Formula from 100 years ago?"
"..."
The Skinny Wizard, Igor, put on an air of composure and provoked him.
But Captain Shen didn't fall for the provocation.
He simply fumbled with the Control Panel of his Magic tool in silence.
Click.
No fire sparked.
Click. Click.
Sparks only flew from the tip of the Nozzle, but no Flame formed.
Captain Shen's eyes narrowed.
"A Dispel."
The Magic tool's Ignition Condition had been changed.
Whiiiine—
The wing beats of the flying Insects disrupted the Dust, interfering with the collection of combustible material.
In addition to this, the bugs crawling on the walls were rapidly changing the Symbolism of this place.
There was no way to properly start a fire like this.
But Captain Shen was not flustered.
"I will find a Workaround within five minutes. Cover me."
A short command was given.
The Operatives immediately dispersed.
Igor clicked his tongue upon hearing the words 'five minutes'.
'Five minutes is enough for him to break through.'
He had realized it from the two brief exchanges just now.
That man was accustomed to battle.
His claim of finding a Workaround in five minutes was by no means a bluff.
Therefore, he needed to get out before then.
Igor's gaze turned to Boris standing beside him.
"Five minutes, you say."
Igor muttered, chewing on an unlit Cigarette.
"Good work, Boris."
"What...?"
Before Boris could even grasp the situation.
Igor moved his lips and bent one of his fingers.
Crack!
A sharp sound, like bones breaking, echoed.
At the same time, Boris clutched his temple.
With the feeling of something squirming in his head, the edges of his vision began to turn red.
He instinctively knew something was wrong.
"Igor... you son of a bitch... don't tell me..."
Boris's vertical pupil trembled.
He had known it since he received the Chimera Procedure from the Black Sorcerers.
That something would be planted in his body.
The reason he let it be, despite knowing, was because the power the Chimera Procedure offered was too great.
He had been prepared for it and even had a plan to escape if necessary.
But now that it was actually happening, curses flew from his mouth.
"Fuck... this isn't... righ..."
With those as his last words, the light of reason in Boris's eyes died out.
In its place was the pure impulse of violence.
Director Schun's eyes narrowed.
"A Berserker Transformation using Toxoplasma as a Catalyst?"
"...?"
The skinny Mage wanted to ask the meaning of the words that flowed from Director Schun's mouth.
As one who delved into Black magic, the knowledge Director Schun possessed was quite coveted.
But now was not the time.
"Boris. I'm counting on you. Buy as much time as you can with this."
Igor flicked his un-broken finger.
The swarm of Beetles that had been covering the wizard's body now enveloped Boris.
The dark blue Carapace glistened like oil in the residual light of the Magic Stone Lamp.
"Grrrr..."
Boris's vertical Pupil scanned the hallway.
The Reptile instincts and violence left in him gave a clear directive.
Destroy the most dangerous thing first.
And the most dangerous thing here was Captain Shen's Flamethrower.
"Graaaah!!"
He gripped his Great Hammer and charged.
The stone floor cracked every time his scale-covered legs stomped on it.
"Fire."
Tat-tat-tat-tatang!
The Operatives' gun muzzles all spat fire at once.
As the Ammunition hit Boris's Shoulder, two Beetles crumpled and were flung off.
Blood spurted from the few places where his skin was pierced.
But Boris did not stop.
From beginning to end, his Pupils were fixed only on Captain Shen.
Shen took his hands off the Magic tool he was disassembling and raised his head.
"...Tough guy."
As the Great Hammer was raised, a shadow fell over Captain Shen's Gas Mask.
And with no technique whatsoever, relying only on Gravity and Physical Strength, the Hammerhead fell toward the Crown of Shen's head.
But,
Kaaang!
Before it reached, the hammer stopped in mid-air.
Wedged between the Hammerhead and Captain Shen's skull was a single Hand Axe.
Following the handle of the Hand Axe led to a red-haired girl wearing a Gas Mask.
Boris's vertical Pupil widened.
It was because he felt a greater Threat from the girl than from Captain Shen.
Gagagak!
Immediately after, the Hand Axe slid down the handle of the Great Hammer.
Hooking the axe head like a hook, the red-haired girl—Erika—put her entire Body weight into it and, wham, slammed it down.
"Heave-ho."
Boris, not letting go of the handle, naturally bent forward.
Watching the scene, Captain Shen clicked his tongue.
"To use Magical Power and Fighting Aura at the same time. Wouldn't it be fair to call her an Apprentice knight already?"
The Lizard's body pitched forward.
And using the recoil of the downward strike, Erika leaped over the Lizard's head.
Her Hand Axe hooked under Boris's thick chin.
"He said not to kill you."
Crack!
The Lizard's neck twisted at an angle different from that of a human.
The sound of his Cervical Vertebrae screaming under the Scales echoed throughout the hallway.
The Focus in Boris's eyes disappeared.
The giant body collapsed to the floor along with the Great Hammer.
Kuuuung——
The Red-Haired Girl lightly jumped off the fallen Boris's back and swung her axe once as if dusting it off.
"The wizard?"
Erika's gaze turned to the end of the hall, toward the stairs.
She could see Igor's back as he ran toward the stairs.
"Where do you think you're going."
Chh-ik.
Erika's palm slid across the Axe Blade.
Bright red blood trickled down the blade.
Erika took a stance and threw the axe.
The axe, imbued with a Dark Red Fighting Aura, tore through the air.
Thwack!
The Axe Blade grazed the thigh of Igor, who was turning the corner of the stairs, and embedded itself in the hem of his Robe.
"Hnngh!"
Igor gritted his teeth and quickened his pace.
Tearing off the Robe that was firmly stuck to the wall, the Black Sorcerer descended into the basement.
Watching his back disappear into the darkness, Erika clicked her tongue.
"I'm sorry, Director Schun. I let him get away again."
Annoyance and self-reproach were mixed in Erika's voice.
But Director Schun waved his hand at her.
"It's alright. He won't escape this time."
His gaze fell upon the Robe that had fallen to the floor.
He approached the fallen Robe, muttered a few words, then turned toward Captain Shen.
"Captain, please continue the pursuit. If the Mage disappears, do not pursue; return and report to me."
"Understood."
Captain Shen gave a short nod.
The Reinforcement Circuit engraved beneath his Combat Uniform glowed red.
Two Operatives followed behind him.
The three-man Pursuit Team disappeared into the darkness, following Igor's Bloodstain.
Director Schun watched their backs for a moment.
Soon, he adjusted the brim of his Fedora and walked toward the students leaning against the wall.
His gaze was fixed on one Student the entire time.
"Student Kal."
No answer came back.
What came out of his mouth was not words, but a Metallic sound.
His lips were turning purple, and cold sweat was trickling down his Forehead.
Director Schun quickly diagnosed Kal's condition.
"It's a Pneumothorax. Were you hit in the chest?"
Kal nodded with difficulty.
Director Schun knelt and sat beside Kal.
"Fortunately, you're still conscious."
Director Schun's gaze stopped on Kal's left chest.
"Student Eli."
Eli.
A Scholarship Student from the Department of Alchemy.
With her hands covered in blood, she was sticking a quill pen tube into Kal's chest.
Her Eyeglasses were crooked, and the fingers holding the tube were trembling.
"Director...!"
Eli called out to Director Schun, her voice choked with tears.
Director Schun smiled as if to reassure her.
"You gave him good Treatment. Thanks to you, you saved Student Kal's life."
The tube was inserted between Kal's Second rib.
Every time Kal's chest rose and fell, a faint hiss came from the end of the tube.
It meant the improvised Thoracic decompression device was working properly.
"You didn't ignore what I said at Mealtime."
"B-but why can't Kal breathe?"
Director Schun didn't answer and lowered his gaze.
Outwardly, there seemed to be no problem.
But,
Tap, tap — Thud.
When he tapped on the left and right sides of the chest alternately, he heard different sounds.
A clear sound came from the right side, but a dull, heavy sound came back from the left.
"...There's blood collecting inside his chest. A Hemothorax is in progress."
Director Schun quickly opened his Bag.
First, he took out a Brown bottle with a Latin Label.
[Erythroxylum Coca]
Pop!
After flicking the cork off with his finger, he filled a Syringe with the Medication from the Brown bottle.
As he expelled the air from the tip of the Syringe, Director Schun said,
"Student Kal. You mustn't fall asleep."
Kal's left rib cage. Between the fourth and fifth ribs.
Director Schun's fingers fumbled for the lower edge of the Rib to find the position.
And he inserted the Injection needle.
"It won't hurt as much now. Even so, you mustn't fall asleep. Student Eli. Keep talking to Kal so he doesn't fall asleep."
"Huh?"
"I mean, you two should talk about the day you first met."
As he spoke, Kal's expression became much more relaxed.
The Injection just now had induced Anesthesia.
Yulian immediately prepared for the next procedure.
He opened his Surgical tools case, changed his gloves, and poured disinfectant on his hands.
Then he picked up a custom razor blade that resembled a Scalpel.
"Student Kal. Now, don't be surprised."
The Razor blade cut through the flesh between the Ribs.
He cut through the Subcutaneous tissue and made an Incision along the fiber grain of the Serratus anterior muscle and Intercostal muscle.
The time it took to open the Pleura was less than a minute.
"Student Kal."
"..."
"This will hurt a little."
Right after he finished speaking.
Director Schun's index and middle fingers pushed their way between the Ribs.
And his entire wrist entered Kal's chest.
"...!!"
"...!"
The students and Ironclad soldiers present all held their breath at once.
Hot blood soaked Director Schun's sleeve crimson.
Relying only on the sensation at his Fingertips, he began to search for the torn part.
'It should be around here somewhere... Hmm... Ah, found it.'
The lung was torn.
A broken rib had torn the lung, causing blood to pool inside the chest.
The solution in such cases is simple.
What do you do if a faucet is leaking?
You shut it off.
The human body wasn't all that different.
'Here it is.'
Director Schun firmly gripped the Root of the Lung (Pulmonary hilum) from which blood was gushing.
And he twisted and bent the Root of the Lung 180 degrees.
Pudeuk!
"????"
"????"
An unusual sound effect came from Kal's chest.
The mouths of the watching students fell open.
A Gun slipped from the hand of one of the Ironclad Operatives with a clatter.
But what was more surprising was that Kal's condition began to improve rapidly afterward.
"Heeok!"
Wheeze— Wheeze—
Kal, who had been on the verge of his last breath just a moment ago, was breathing again.
The Complexion was also starting to return to his lips, which had been turning purple.
While the students and Operatives rubbed their eyes at the unbelievable sight.
Director Schun had already finished the Skin suture.
"This should be enough. For the rest, he can go back and receive Healing Magic at the Temple."
Smiling brightly, Director Schun cleaned up his blood-stained gloves.
He felt a sense of satisfaction for the first time in a while, being able to put his Specialty to use.
'As expected, I'm a Surgeon. I haven't lost my touch.'
He was worried he might make a mistake since it had been a while.
But perhaps because he had done this kind of Surgery hundreds of times in his Previous life,
when he set his mind to it, Yulian's body moved on its own.
Just then, Eli, who was holding Kal's hand tightly, asked with a trembling voice.
"D... Director. By any chance, was that just now..."
"?"
"Was it... something like Black magic? Or a Chimera Procedure..."
Director Schun shook his head.
"No. This isn't magic, but... hmm... yes. It's a Basic technique. With Practice, everyone here can do it."
At least, unlike Arcane Magic, it doesn't require ridiculous Talent, right?
Director Schun spoke with that intention.
'No. I don't think I could do that, Teacher.'
'Isn't that Arcane Magic?'
'Older Brother. You're amazing, as expected...!'
But that intention didn't get across at all.
