The Archmage’s Destruction Strategy - Chapter 16

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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#016. Magic Duel

It wasn’t only Sung-jun who reacted to the sudden attack.

Cha Hyeonho, the camp supervisor standing in front of him, also stepped back and drew his weapons as soon as he saw the defensive magic activate around Sung-jun’s body.

He pulled out two daggers from his waist that resembled the claws of a Velociraptor, famous for being sharp as razor blades, and held them in reverse grip as he shouted toward Sung-jun.

“Are you an Awakened? What’s your reason for hiding your identity?”

“I wasn’t particularly trying to hide it. I simply didn’t reveal it because there was no reason to.”

Seeing that Cha Hyeonho didn’t lower his combat stance despite his explanation, Sung-jun held out his palm with a slightly irritated expression.

Then he spoke to Shirasaki Miyu, who was glaring at him with her magic book open.

“I’d like to ask you something as well. Please explain why you attacked me without reason. If you can’t provide a satisfactory explanation, I won’t just stand here either.”

“What do you mean you won’t just stand here?”

“A rather unpleasant future would unfold for all of you.”

Watching Sung-jun emanate an aura as if he was ready to fight at any moment, Cha Hyeonho fell into confusion.

Everything unfolding before his eyes was beyond his comprehension.

‘Is he really going to fight?’

Everything was full of questions.

Why had Shirasaki Miyu, who would never try to fight even when someone pointed a blade at her, suddenly jumped out and attacked the man before them?

Why had the man hidden the fact that he was an Awakened?

And why was he trying to register his younger sister at the camp while bringing such a massive amount of supplies during these dangerous times?

Having no information about the situation, the best he could do was to stop the fight that might result in mass slaughter.

“Wait, let’s all lower our combat stances and talk first. I’ll put away my weapons first. Shirasaki-san, you should put away your artifact too.”

“As I said before, I’m not an Awakened affiliated with the Dimension Nation, but with the Japan Conquest Union. I have no obligation to follow your orders.”

“But right now you’re just a refugee eating our food at the camp I’m running, aren’t you? If you won’t follow orders, I could not only kick you out of the camp but also recommend your arrest to the Dimension Nation as a dangerous individual.”

“The Conquest Union won’t just sit still, will they?”

“Since all communications are cut off anyway, they have no way to assess the situation either, as you well know, Shirasaki-san. And you, the Awakened gentleman?”

“Ma Sung-jun.”

“Mr. Ma Sung-jun. I’ll apologize on behalf of that woman for attacking first. While it’s customary among Awakened that any retaliation is considered self-defense when someone uses their awakening abilities for a surprise attack first, I’d be grateful if you could follow my instructions here.”

Sung-jun showed a contemplative expression for a moment.

Then he sighed and relaxed his stance.

“Fine. But there won’t be a second time. If there’s one more surprise attack, I’ll consider at least the one who attacked first to have staked their life on the fight and will immediately retaliate.”

“Shirasaki-san?”

“Huu… Fine. But I need to take out some insurance.”

Shirasaki Miyu turned the pages of her magic book and cast a spell.

Then, centered around her body, a translucent wave that looked like ripples spread far into the distance.

‘A coordinate system disruption spell… This won’t be easy…’

Fundamentally, teleportation magic had fatal weaknesses that matched its overpowered nature.

Since it was magic that completely disassembled one’s body and soul to reconstruct them in a new location, even the slightest interference could cause major accidents.

That’s why Teacher often said that to recognize an incompetent mage, you should look at their ankles.

In urgent situations, many mages became crippled when they attempted teleportation spells but input the wrong height values for their destination, ending up teleported to positions where their ankles were buried in the ground.

The spell the girl called Shirasaki had just cast was also one of those spells that attacked the coordinate system.

‘But how exactly is she able to use magic? Teacher’s only disciple should have been me alone.’

However, after a brief process of deduction, Sung-jun could easily figure out how the girl had become able to use magic.

‘Since she mentioned the Japanese Awakened Union, it must be Pandora’s Box ability.’

Sometimes swords, sometimes spears, sometimes even necklaces or pieces of paper.

Pioneer Pandora, established in the Japanese region, granted numerous abilities to Japan’s Awakened, living up to its alias of ‘Thousand Changes, Ten Thousand Transformations.’

And among those abilities, there apparently was also an artifact that allowed one to demonstrate the same magical abilities as himself without any training.

‘To be able to use magic freely without training or learning… I wonder how powerful it is?’

While Sung-jun suppressed the competitive spirit rising within him, as Shirasaki Miyu finished her spell, the entire camp became a massive teleportation magic prohibition zone.

“Let’s have a talk for a moment. There are procedures needed for official registration as well.”

Thus, Sung-jun, Shirasaki Miyu, Cha Hyeonho, and Seoa came to have a conversation inside a tent with just the four of them after sending everyone else out.

“The first thing I’d like to ask is: Is the woman you brought also an Awakened?”

“No, I’m just a civilian.”

“Then the second question: Are you two really siblings?”

Sung-jun pondered for a moment then shook his head, and Cha Hyeonho nodded as if he had expected this.

“Then the source of the rice must also be different from the story you originally explained.”

“Would that be a problem?”

“It would normally be a problem, but not now. Since you’ve brought us items that we couldn’t recover with our capabilities anyway, we should be grateful instead.”

“Then about the refugee registration…”

“We’ll do as you wish. And while I’m absolutely not forcing you, I’d also like to ask if additional supply support might be possible…”

Since the other party didn’t make an issue of the rice’s source, Sung-jun freely told them the location of the remaining combat rations.

Upon hearing about the amount of supply materials, Cha Hyeonho’s eyes widened as he spoke to Sung-jun.

“Are you really going to give us all those supplies?”

“I don’t particularly like combat rations, and it’s not an amount I could eat alone anyway. And if the camp’s supply problem is solved, the supplies going to this child will be a bit more generous too.”

“Thank you so much! If you want, I’ll arrange for that child to be put on the supply priority list like the soldiers so she can receive more generous supplies!”

“Then please do that.”

“Then let’s conclude the discussion about official registration here… Do you have any thoughts about joining the camp?”

Naturally, the next topic was about getting Sung-jun, who was an Awakened, to join the camp.

However, Sung-jun, who had been cooperative until now, firmly shook his head and clearly expressed his refusal regarding this matter.

“That won’t do.”

“Even if not permanently, perhaps temporarily…”

“That won’t do either. The reason I asked you to register this child while handing over such a large amount of supplies was because I have other things to do.”

“…Still, I must ask you.”

Seeing Cha Hyeonho stand up and bow deeply while earnestly pleading, Sung-jun felt his heart waver.

However, Teacher’s suggestion spell placed deep in Sung-jun’s consciousness firmly held onto his wavering heart.

‘Now is not the time to delay. If it gets any later, future plans might get more twisted.’

‘That’s right, isn’t it?’

After finishing his consultation with Teacher’s voice heard from within, Sung-jun stood up with a resolute expression.

Then he sent a glance to Shirasaki Miyu, who was watching him with an intrigued expression, before speaking to Cha Hyeonho.

“Once the work I need to do now is somewhat finished, I’ll stop by the camp. It seems impossible to help you right now.”

“But…”

“Let’s end the discussion here. And Seoa.”

“Yes, oppa.”

“I’m sorry, but this is all I can do for you. Even if you resent me, it can’t be helped, so let’s part ways here.”

“…I can meet you again later, right?”

“…Yeah…”

Sung-jun swallowed the words ‘If you can stay alive until then…’ to himself.

The collapsed world after D-day was one where no one’s survival could be guaranteed.

Having finished his farewell with Seoa, Sung-jun finally walked toward Shirasaki Miyu.

“You have something to discuss with me separately, don’t you?”

“You’re quick to catch on?”

“Wait, Shirasaki-san. I’m sure I told you to refrain from impulsive fights?”

Sung-jun answered Cha Hyeonho’s words.

“It’s not a fight.”

And Shirasaki Miyu, with a smile on her lips, continued Sung-jun’s words.

“It’s a sparring match.”

***

In the middle of a deep forest far from the camp.

Sung-jun was facing off against the girl from the Japanese Awakened Union who had identified herself as Shirasaki Miyu, keeping their distance.

And perhaps because of the request not to let anyone approach the area, no human was approaching within a 2-kilometer radius centered around Sung-jun and her.

“While we’re at it, I’ve blocked sound too. No matter what we talk about here, no one will be able to hear us.”

“The informal speech since earlier is a bit annoying – did you learn Korean strangely?”

“I was the type who didn’t use honorifics even when I was originally in Japan.”

“Then it’s a personality problem. As a senior who uses the same magic, I’ll have to teach you proper respect for your elders.”

“Magic? Hmm… So you think my abilities are magic…”

“Cramming hundreds of magic circles into a single book and granting it consciousness, then casting spells through a grimoire as a medium – that should be considered a type of mage as well. Of course, there would need to be debate about whether the spellbook itself should be called a mage, or whether the user of that spellbook should be called a mage. Don’t you think so? Grimoire?”

[I never expected there would be a human in this world who understood my true identity… Kukukuk.]

At that very moment, the grimoire the girl was holding transformed into black mist and began expanding in size.

And that enlarged mist transformed into a horned goat-like monster, revealing itself beside the girl.

“An appearance resembling a goat. The ability to transform into black mist. The use of sound-blocking magic and illusion-type spells that interfere with teleportation… Are you Baphomet?”

[What? You even figured out my identity? That’s truly surprising. Are you really a mage?]

“What if I am?”

[Kahahahahaha!! Interesting! If you know enough about my identity, you must be well aware of my strength too! Yet seeing that you’re overflowing with the will to fight, you must be one of two things!]

“One of two things?”

[Either a complete idiot, or a psychopath who doesn’t understand the concept of fear.]

“Well. Which one could it be?”

Sung-jun brought forward the hands he had been clasping behind his back as he spoke.

“I’ll let you confirm it with your body from now on.”

This was the beginning of the first magical duel between mages ever to take place on Earth since the birth of the human race.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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