The Return of the EX-Class Wizard - Chapter 59

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

The Return of an EX-Rank Mage Episode 059
‘It’s gotten so much wider.’
Now my eyes had opened to perceiving the ‘structure’.
In the lower floors around the 4th Floor, I could sense the approximate information through my body the moment I entered.
‘The width seems to have expanded by about 1.5 times.’
I moved my steps toward the wall.
The Tower is a closed world. A structure with an end.
“This should be enough.”
A horizon stretching far into the distance.
Yet that place is not a horizon.
The end of this world. The end point.
“First, I’ll apply a damage reduction formula to create a weakened energy bolt, then apply secondary reduction when it hits the wall. That will generate fragments.”
This was the method Christine taught me.
It has little utility for Dilknu—
Yet this single detail changes the outcome.
The sensations I honed on Floor 25 had awakened.
The experience of precisely guiding magic that left my hand.
‘I’ve practiced enough.’
I concentrated my mind while endlessly repeating it aloud.
“Precisely guide the fragments, separate them.”
A high-difficulty task of isolating a single fragment.
A small fragment of magical energy flying in. One mistake in control and I die.
Or suffer severe injury. But it’s fine.
‘Magic is inherently a dangerous discipline.’
Normally it’s not this dangerous.
‘How many magic-related incidents and accidents occur every single day.’
Several people died yesterday alone from magical fires.
‘I possess the wisdom and experience I’ve accumulated through my body, crossing countless lines of death.’
Moreover, thanks to my increased strength, my body’s durability has risen considerably.
I’ve reached a state where continuous use is now possible.
Progress was faster than expected.
With heightened stamina, my concentration continues to hold steady.
Once more, I succeeded in isolating a single fragment.
“Manifest a cube and grant Shield (10).”
I stabilized the fragment confined in the shield, then stored it in a scroll.
By the way, the blank scrolls were made by Emily, the greatest artisan in existence.
These ‘blank scrolls’ created by Emily’s unique methods are treasures worth their weight in gold.
Premium-grade scrolls specially crafted to contain even powerful high-tier magic.
I heightened my concentration once more and accelerated the final work.
I continuously steadied my resolve.
‘He scrambled like a dog just to survive my magic.’
It was truly brutal.
This time, the situation was different.
‘I’m not even facing an enemy.’
Just magic directed toward the world’s edge.
Similar to striking a dummy.
Far easier than striking a living, breathing opponent.
“Right now, I…”
I repeated it to myself once more.
“I can definitely do this.”
I couldn’t.
Choi Kang-mok’s magic was far too powerful.
Crack!
The specially crafted blank scroll shattered into pieces.
Scrolls were made of material similar to parchment.
Normally they would tear, but this one had been obliterated entirely.
Mayo’s interception succeeded in destroying dozens of scroll fragments, so I remained unharmed.
Choi Kang-mok, drained from the intense expenditure of mental and physical stamina, collapsed to the ground.
“Just leveling up makes my magic exponentially stronger.”
The increase in damage far outpaced the growth in control ability.
I knew this intellectually, but experiencing it was something else entirely.
The power embedded in the fragments was so immense that stabilizing it proved difficult.
‘I need to time it perfectly.’
I thoroughly analyzed the cause of failure.
“My dynamic visual acuity is severely lacking. My reaction speed to magic is slow. My situational judgment is poor.”
There was too much to do.
I had to simultaneously implement the cubic mana form and utilize the Small World, which wasn’t easy.
To use an analogy, I was like a computer with insufficient processing speed.
“There’s no helping it.”
Now was the time to focus on growth.
“I have no choice but to invest in Agility.”
Though I didn’t dream solely of combat magic, I had to invest in Agility when the moment called for it.
───────
[Status Window]
Strength: 49 (20 +5 +24)
Stamina: 40 (35 + 5)
Agility: 34
Intelligence: 30
*Remaining Stats: 0
───────

* * *
Saudi Arabia received the drone footage later than London, but they were able to confirm it.
When Choi Kang-mok’s Floor 25 clear video was shared, the Saudi Guild fell into stunned silence.
Everyone seated in the strategy conference room wore expressions of pure incomprehension.
“It resembles an energy bolt, but… surely it couldn’t be an energy bolt.”
“Two spells with extraordinary homing capabilities were cast in succession. One navigated the labyrinth, and
the other… was fired skyward.”
The next scene was nothing short of horrifying.
“It split into hundreds of fragments in the sky and rained down like a meteor shower.”
They defined the spell’s true nature as follows:
“CBU—Cluster Bomb Unit. A cluster munition.”
“….”
“We classify it as a top-tier homing area-of-effect spell that automatically transforms into cluster bomb configuration.”
Beyond that, they were at a loss.
Or rather, it was more accurate to say they *couldn’t* comprehend it.
What terrified them most was that he was merely level 50.
To them, an EX-Awakened felt like a walking strategic nuclear weapon.
After the silence, the conclusion followed.
“Cooperation with Seoul is essential.”
“I must correct that. Cooperation with Korea takes priority.”
Every move the EX-Awakened made flowed toward benefiting the nation as a whole.
It was clear.
He was a patriot.
“We must approach this with the overarching goal of cooperating with all of South Korea.”
Only then would a connection with the EX-Awakened materialize.
Naturally integrating the EX-Awakened into relations between nations.
That was Saudi Arabia’s strategic direction.
And finally, Seoul reached out first.
They needed accessories related to agility.
Artifacts and resources came from the Middle East—and Saudi Arabia was the finest source.
“The Skymark Pendant, the Frostwind Ring, the Dash Paluun, and the Thundersteed Combat Boots. Those are what we have. The Thundersteed Combat Boots are under special guild management, so export is difficult, but….”

* * *
Choi Kang-chul had found Saudi Arabia.
In an age where inter-Tower warping was possible, traveling to the Middle East could hardly be called a ‘journey’ anymore.
‘A revolution, indeed.’
Each time transportation evolved, humanity’s civilization shifted its entire trajectory.
From carriages to trains, trains to airplanes.
And now, the era of warping between Towers had arrived.
With Seoul as a hub, Europe, the Middle East, even the Americas—all were mere ‘teleportation’ away.
“The Sky-Marked Necklace. The Frostwind Ring Set, the Sprint Rune—I’m grateful for all of it, but… these are items London has already provided.”
“Is that so?”
Saudi Arabia’s ruler, Al Hirab, felt his smile stiffen.
Outwardly, he maintained composure, but inwardly, he burned with fury.
‘Those British fools. They’re desperate to curry favor.’
London, one of the world’s three greatest Guilds, prostrating itself like this?
No matter how exceptional the EX-Awakened opponent was, where had their pride gone?
‘Then Saudi Arabia must…’
“There is something called the Thunderhorse Combat Boots. A Legendary-tier item.”
He decided to present something far more impressive.

* * *
Agility-related accessories were relatively easy to obtain.
Christine, who had recently cleared the 49th Floor of Seoul Tower as practice, expressed her displeasure plainly.
“If you needed something like that, you should have asked us first!”
Without hesitation, she handed over the items she’d been holding.
The Sky-Marked Necklace.
The Frostwind Ring Set.
And the Sprint Rune.
All were equipment considered the pinnacle of the agility category.
Christine paid particular attention to the Sprint Rune.
“Besides, runes are being supplied from the 4th Floor anyway, right?”
The 4th Floor supplied runes.
Most had to be ground down for materials, but that alone was remarkable.
The world’s only stable source of runes.
“You can enhance the Sprint Rune as much as you want.”
Truly a gift tailored for an EX-Awakened—or rather, a blessing.
Pride gleamed in Christine’s expression.
“Honestly, is the Seoul Guild better, or is the London Guild better… hmm.”
The Thunderhorse Combat Boots.
This was an item London didn’t even possess.
A Legendary-tier item that boosted agility by a full seven points.
───────
[Thundersteed Combat Boots]
Type: Footwear
Grade: Legendary
Required Level: 40
Required Strength: 40
Attribute: Wind (風)/Divine Beast (神獸)
Description:
Boots crafted to mourn and honor the death of the Thunder God’s most beloved steed… (+See more)
Effects:
1) Agility +7
2) Auxiliary boost to movement-type martial arts/magic (Range +2, Uses +2)
───────
Christine blinked her eyes rapidly.
“Those Saudi bastards. They had something like this?”
Close-range combatants, ranged fighters, battle mages.
It was an item with excellent utility for everyone.
“We’d love to get one of these too. Do you have any more in stock?”
Items like this are worth whatever the seller demands.
Still, it wasn’t bad to have a rough estimate of its value.
“Did they pay around 100 billion?”
“No?”
“Then 200 billion? No, wait. Since it’s Saudi…”
They weren’t desperate for money.
Their usual stance was to sell at a high price—take it or leave it.
“They must have paid at least 300 billion or more.”
“They just gave it to him.”
“What?”
“As a gift, apparently.”
More precisely, they’d said: “We understand we’re behind London. However, we believe we can build an even stronger bond of trust with you than they can. The early bird doesn’t always fly the farthest. This is proof of our commitment. Please accept it.”
“Tch.”
Christine clenched her fist.
‘That’s exactly why I said we should give it for free, you stubborn sub-lords…!’
She’d run into resistance from the sub-lords.
They said it violated principle to simply provide it.
So she’d taken the minimum amount and sold it to the Seoul Guild.
From Christine’s perspective, it was infuriating.
‘Those old fools, obsessing over rules and principles for nothing…!’
Christine changed the subject.
“The synergy between the Spinkias Robe that London provided and these combat boots is incredible.”
Especially the second option.
It enhances movement-based martial arts and magic.
And ‘Blink’ is a movement-type spell.
“Wow! That’s going to be a huge help for you.”
It increases the distance you can travel with Blink by +2.
On top of that, it has ‘Uses +2’ attached.
It means you can use it up to three times regardless of cooldown.
“This is literally the exact setup combat mages dream about.”
“Not really….”
“You always say that.”
Christine simply laughed.
Her eyes were far softer than before.
“Watching you, I learn too. Like before, I’m going to set aside my pride and practice combat magic again.”
“….”
“Like that magical day when we first met.”
-Emotional intrusion attempt detected.
-Tsk. Former user, current
our
amplifies.
Crackle.
-Don’t you dare make that expression. Don’t smile at our user. If you smile, I’ll tear that mouth apart. Your emotions, your gaze, your tone. Even if I sew them all together to make a bag, it won’t be enough. Teeth_pulled_out_as_necklace Eyes_carved_out_nostalgia_for_that_smile_one_more_time_tongue_first
Don’t_smile_know_the_way_to_erase_that_smile
I couldn’t lose myself in sentiment.
Just now, the ‘former master’s’ words weren’t crooked.

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