Chapter 845

< Handover (13) >

#

The darkest dawn just before dawn.

Lennok was standing deep in the wet forest, where the night dew had not yet gone.

In the middle of the steep mountain that runs between Districts 35 and 36.

“For a research center established directly under the city council, you picked a pretty strange location.”

Lennok muttered as he climbed the mountain effortlessly, manipulating the dirt beneath his feet.

“It is a gray area that spans Whitestone National Park, located in Area 35, but is not actually included in the park’s territory. “It may have been a measure to hide the research facility in this way in the first place.”

[On the satellite map here, the coordinates are hidden so that you can’t find them at all.]

Dabi responded as if responding to Lennok’s words.

[I think the Master is probably right as this is an area that can only be seen through scanned copies of old maps that have not been updated on the central network.] “The city

council probably controls map data that is updated in real time. “It’s not a difficult task if you use the power of the magic technique... You’re there.”

While Lennok was saying that, the round shape of the laboratory, exquisitely hidden at the foot of the mountain, began to come into view.

A strange building that looks like a semicircular sphere turned upside down is erected irregularly along the ridge.

You wouldn’t know it if you looked down from the top of the mountain, but its appearance is so vague that even Lennok can only see it if you concentrate while climbing the mountain like this.

Even if you were a hiker who got lost in a national park and came here, most of you would go down without even noticing the existence of the research institute.

And those who succeed in finding the research center with a very low probability...

Slam!!

A pitch-black muzzle suddenly protruding from the bushes.

But Lennok was not surprised and calmly raised his hand to put it away.

The appearance of a machine gun lying on a stand without anyone using it.

It is a security device designed to automatically shoot approaching objects without human intervention.

And weapons dependent on this system have no meaning once they are discovered by Dabi.

In addition, Lennok easily broke through all kinds of security equipment exquisitely hidden between bushes and tree stumps with the help of the Thunder Spirit.

[All of them are equipment with poor security.]

Dabi peeked his head out from within the embrace and snorted with a smug look on his face.

[Is it only at this level to create a research institute in the name of the master? I have to show you what I saw!]

“Can you be patient for a moment?”

Now, I can’t even imagine how messed up this lab will be if I show Dabi the ‘principle’ he’s talking about.

Once you know what’s going on in the lab, you can think about how to deal with it.

Rather, what caught Lennok’s attention was somewhere else.

“This lab. “It is not a recently built facility.”

[Huh?]

“The security equipment erected here. “It’s the latest model, but that stand has been stuck here for quite some time.”

Lennok said, walking through the bushes beneath his feet and looking at the spot where the stand was stuck.

Moss growing under the bushes naturally covers the stand where the machine gun is attached.

“The border system itself to protect this place was completed a long time ago. “The equipment and systems have only recently been updated.”

Lennok checked the gun number of the machine gun, entered it into the deep web, searched the year of manufacture, and nodded.

“Maybe there used to be a facility other than a research institute.”

[Ah, Master. Look over there.]

Dabi lifted his front paws in his arms.

[The amount of light seen from over there is very impure.]

“Impure?”

I turned my head, but I couldn’t see what was being said with the naked eye.

Now that he has deliberately turned off his magical power detection, it is difficult to clearly understand what it means with Lennok’s low physical ability.

[What was that...]

Dabi tilted his head and tapped his tail, looking slightly worried.

[Ah, a cigarette! It’s a cigarette.]

“..............”

[There are several of them together.]

The choice of words makes it seem like you know what Dabi is thinking when he sees the cigarettes that Lennok usually smokes.

Well, from the Thunder Spirit’s point of view, it wouldn’t be strange for the beginning of the year to seem so useless.

The explanation was a bit strange, but I immediately understood what Dabi was saying.

If cigarette lights are gathered together in a dark place in a research lab, there is one reason.

“It’s a smoking area.”

This may be because there is a separate, secret space in front of the research facility that cannot be opened openly.

As he said, in the small garden where Lennok arrived, several people were gathered together and smoking cigarettes.

Dressed in a pure white gown, with matted hair and a face limp from fatigue.

It would be rather strange if it weren’t for the researcher to see him exhausted, not from physical but mental wear and tear.

However, rather than immediately walking there and attacking the researchers, Lennok hid nearby and overheard the conversation.

“......When will the third experimental research staff be replenished?”

“I overheard the team leader’s phone call earlier, and he said not to have any expectations.”

“Damn it, you want us to proceed with development according to the deadline?”

“You can’t bring in just anyone and use it. “At the very least, we need someone with research or consulting experience in magic theory.”

Conversations held quietly in weak voices.

From the looks of it, it seemed like he had already completed a few experiments and came out to take a short break.

“It’s not like we’re only bringing in geniuses like Professor Bylon. “As long as you can help with research, that’s fine!”

“It seems like the higher-ups want more than that. “You probably want to take this opportunity to reorganize this place into a top-tier research institute.”

“No matter how good the situation is, aren’t your expectations too high?”

The problem is that the doors to all the rooms on both sides of the hallway are locked, so you can’t go in.

As a test, I held the door and a red warning sign appeared right above the door, just like when I entered the research building.

[Just like before, I could just spread a lot of organic saliva on my hands and touch the doorknob.]

Dabi was in my arms, pouting.

[Please don’t call me until it’s all over.]

“I think so.”

Lennok responded and walked across the hallway toward the lobby located in the center of the research building.

A central hall connecting several corridors and corridors across the research building.

Lennok casually picked up the white gown draped over the chair on one side of the desk and put it on, lost in thought.

‘The structure of the research building itself is not difficult to understand. The problem is on the other side.’

Excluding areas with special facilities or equipment, the structure of other research buildings will not be much different.

What mattered was the question of where to turn to investigate the purpose of this institute.

What Lennok wanted was not to destroy this research institute bearing Evan Bylan’s name, but to find out the intentions of the Central Council that created it.

“hmm?”

Lennok, who was lost in thought, turned his gaze to the monitor standing on one side of the desk.

Something was moving on several split screens that seemed to show each research building on CCTV.

The image of a researcher yawning while holding a cup of coffee in one hand while scratching his shaggy white hair.

While walking down the hallway, I mumble to myself like I’m crazy, and then rush into the lab without even closing the door.

“............”

Looking at him wearing a white coat, you would guess he is a researcher, but his behavior seems unusual in many ways.

If a researcher proudly remains in the research building while other researchers are attending lectures, he or she must be a high-ranking researcher.

Lennok immediately decided on a target and moved.

Rattling!

He suddenly opened the half-open door of the lab and stood next to the white-haired researcher.

The researcher who was sitting in front of the laboratory operating the microscope, not even realizing the door was open, turned his head.

An expression that looks blurry and unfocused. He is holding a cup of coffee in his hand, but he looks dazed as if he is drunk.

“uh? who is this?”

“I...”

Lennok thought for a moment and then smiled instead of answering.

Since I came here with half a face anyway, there was no reason to hide anything or hold back.

“This is the person who came in here today.”

“............”

The researcher made a blank expression at the strange answer, which was not a lie, but then nodded as if he had noticed.

“Aha, I understand. “You’re the new researcher here, right?”

“hmm.”

“Last time, the leader of Team 2 said that he was planning to recruit more people to join the research institute. Now, we have found applicants.”

Lennok also smiled calmly at such natural understanding.

“Sorry for the late greeting.”

“Okay, I remembered your face, so go.”

“Where are you talking about?”

“Oh, didn’t you hear? The necessary magic theory is explained through an invited lecture. “The other researchers will be there, so go and listen to the explanation.”

The researcher waved his hand after giving a brief explanation as if he had no interest in the newcomer.

Lennok pretended to hesitate for a moment and then asked.

“Um... senior, is it okay if you don’t go?”

“me? I’m okay.”

Just as Lennok was about to choose what to say in response to that calm reply, the young man spoke in a light voice as if passing by.

“The reason I planned such a lecture was for idiots who don’t know what they are studying.”

“............”

A sharp answer that does not suit a leisurely attitude.

The young man also seemed to think that his words were a bit harsh, so he turned his gaze towards Lennok.

“Well, even if I say this, I don’t know what I’m talking about. “If you’re curious, would you like to come here and take a look at this?”

The young man said, dragging Lennok to sit in front of the microscope he was looking at.

“A magic modeling pattern that forms the basis of the common magic system. “It is a masterpiece created by Professor Evan Bylan and an invention that will change the history of the continent.”

“............”

“It is said to be based on a very old, ancient magic, but there is something here that cannot be explained by that alone. “This research institute is a garbage camp set up to study this and spit out more believable bullshit.”

“...That’s an extreme statement.”

“Why do you think it’s different from me?”

“............”

“I have been studying this magic system every single day since the public magic was announced. And I discovered that this magic pattern hides a completely different secret than before.”

The young man smiled wryly and winked at Lennok.

“The microscope there contains all the facts I said.”

“............”

“Check. “If you are useful enough to work in this lab, I will know it when I see it. No, I need to know.”

“What happens if you don’t know?”

“What if I can’t?”

The young man’s gaze towards Lennok suddenly turned cold.

“It’ll just be one more stupid loser to weed out next quarter.”

“............”

For someone who stayed alone in the research building and was lazy, he seems to have a pretty violent personality.

Lennok shrugged his eyes on the microscope and the young man immediately activated the switch on the equipment.