Chapter 111

“I know that too,” Hina replied with a displeased expression, her lips tightly pressed together.

“Isn’t it intriguing?” the young man smirked, continuing his thought. “The fact that someone like him was in obscurity for so long, and now he’s making a name for himself in this turbulent time.”

“Do you think there’s a special reason for that?”

“I don’t want to make excuses, but it wouldn’t be surprising if there were circumstances fitting his abilities.”

A glimmer of light flickered in the darkness.

“Aren’t you curious about those circumstances?”

Though Hina had only worked with Lennok once, she understood how different the wizard called ‘Van’ was. In a city filled with talented people and superhumans, he stood out solely based on his abilities. He was a freelancer who preferred to operate alone, unaffiliated with any particular organization or group. While it might seem inefficient, it undeniably contributed to the wide recognition of his name, ‘Van.’

When the agents investigated Lennok, they found an extraordinary track record overshadowing his eccentric behavior. However, the young man argued that there was more to dig into beyond what was visible—the secrets held by the talented wizard.

Understanding his words, Hina slightly furrowed her brows. “So you need a collaborator.”

“To be precise, I need someone who can defend me, even after everything has been revealed to the team leader,” the young man chuckled softly. “You know the team leader has a fondness for him.”

“And so?”

“I’m not saying I don’t understand her feelings. It’s been over three months since Halliban, who was a fairly competent wizard for field operations, died gruesomely. From the team leader’s perspective, she’s desperately in need of a capable wizard.”

“......”

“However, shouldn’t we ensure that he has the qualifications and integrity to join us as a colleague?”

Rather than answering his direct question, Hina scowled.

If she truly disapproved, her personality would lead her to flatly reject it without leaving any room for doubt. But the truth was that she, too, was strongly attracted to his abilities, regardless of Van’s character or actions.

Realizing this, the young man chuckled softly and disappeared into the shadows.

Hina gazed at the empty space for a moment before picking up her clothes and leaving the small room.

***

-Three days had passed since the tracking of the dummy data ended.

Beep!

Vroooom!

A truck sped across the desert, leaving behind a thick cloud of dust.

Sitting at the back of the truck, Lennok absentmindedly watched the cityscape recede into the distance. While he had been to the outskirts of the city a few times, it had been a while since he completely left the metropolis.

The memory of stealing a strange car and trembling as he entered the Vulcan still vividly lingered in Lennok’s mind.

Evelyn’s calm voice continued to resonate through his earphones.

-The location information we secured has been cross-verified using all available resources. This is reliable information.

“......”

-He’s hiding quite well, but the heat from the desert he’s in is causing brief interruptions in the jamming. We focused on those moments to take satellite images, and now we have a pretty good idea.

Evelyn’s words continued, but Lennok did not bother to respond verbally.

The communication echoing in his ear wasn’t just for him; it was instructions being broadcast to all team members participating in this operation.

He wasn’t pleased that the information embargo was only lifted just before the operation started, but he understood the need for security reasons.

Moreover, the other team members in the truck were also listening intently to Evelyn’s communications.

-The location found by tracking the encryption key is a temporary base of the terrorist organization, Falcon. It seems to be a place set up for resupplying people in Vulcan.

“......”

-The objective of the operation is twofold.

Evelyn’s voice turned icy cold.

-To neutralize the internal power of the base and to secure the communication network for tracing back to Falcon’s headquarters.

“......”

-The base commander, Daron, is away from the base to receive supplies. He’s a madman who has modified his body with machinery, and there are wild rumors about him, so it would be better to finish the operation before he returns.

She explained the details of the operation in a quick and concise tone.

Things she had already mentioned once to Lennok.

Divided into three teams, 1 and 3 take the lead and retreat, while team 2 gathers information. While team 2 is withdrawing, teams 1 and 3 neutralize the base.

Naturally, all eyes were on Lennok, the team leader of Team 2.

-Our communication will be cut off.

Evelyn said.

-From now on, operators waiting nearby will assist the operation. Good luck.

“Frankly speaking, isn’t it your first time on this operation? On the other hand, we have already tested each other’s skills by working together before. I don’t think we need to explicitly state who is better suited for this mission.”

Lennok, not expecting anyone to take his side in this situation, turned his head and stared at the two people sharply.

Caught by Lennok’s gaze, the two subtly averted their eyes elsewhere.

Their simultaneous movement made it clear to Lennok that they had their own hidden motives. Including the chlorine psychic, the two were part of the same squad 2 as Lennok this time.

It wasn’t just about Lennok’s abilities; the two didn’t want their roles in the 2nd squad, which would undoubtedly receive the most support in this operation, to be taken by other team members.

Moreover, considering the display of his abilities in the last operation, there seemed to be an unspoken agreement that it would be better to side with Lennok in this situation.

Their shifty gazes concealed various intentions.

Who would be the most helpful to Lennok?

“Don’t confuse the mission objective with my goal.’

All Lennok want is to find Craig and inquire about the legacy left by the old wizard family. And to uncover the secrets and clues of this world. Attacking Falcon’s temporary base, extracting information, and tracking their main base are just a part of his goals.

“Huh...”

Lennok, who quickly calculated the situation, slowly held onto the truck’s railing and stepped onto the desert sand.

If he had jumped off with a big leap, he might have seriously injured his knees.

The man looked at Lenok with a ridiculous expression and shook his head in disbelief.

“Ah, it’s all wrong... every one of them, this guy and that guy, they’re all fools.”

He pulled out a long dagger from his waist and quickly channeled his mana.

“Did you come down because you decided to accept our request?”

Before answering, Lennok quietly glanced down at the watch on his left wrist.

“There are about 30 minutes left until the start of the operation.”

“Damn, this guy hasn’t been responsive for a while now...!!”

Finally losing his temper, the lime-haired man kicked the ground, and a cloud of sand exploded, obscuring his figure.

Bang!

Regardless, Lennok, with a cigarette in his mouth, was lost in thought.

There were countless ways to deal with these idiots, and the efficiency of each approach was significant enough that prioritizing Lennok’s mana, which was in perfect condition, didn’t matter.

From Lennok’s perspective, he could react almost simultaneously as his opponent made a move.

He considered the consequences of using mana and the most efficient and safe way to reveal his power and talent.

‘If I take into account the situation at the start of the operation... the answer is already determined.’

Without hesitation, he reached out and grasped the mana of the void.

Considering the laws of this world, how far had he come? Was he at level 5 or perhaps level 6?

And how much further could he go?

He factored in the time to think as he grasped.

[Sand Thrust]

With that, the sand piled up under Lenok’s feet began to stir and rise all at once.

Whoooooooo...!!!

A dark curtain spread under the scorching desert sky, blocking all visibility around.

The other freelancers, who were observing the scene, were left with their mouths wide open in surprise.

“A, a sand wizard...!!”

“It’s impossible. How can he freely use such a rare magic...!!”

As the enormous sand umbrella was now complete, the man’s figure appeared.

It was evident that he was taken aback.

Unable to handle the huge curtain of sand that enveloped Lennok, he stared at it in astonishment while Lennok calmly sat down under the umbrella he had created.

Though he cooled the surrounding air with magic, the satisfaction of having shade in this desert was unparalleled.

Exhaling a long puff of smoke, Lennok gestured to the people around him.

“It would be good to rest until then. Those who can’t stand the heat can come in.”

(To be Continued)

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