Chapter 114

Can we stop the interdimensional storm?

If it were Carisia here instead of me, she’d likely be able to block it with a high probability. The problem is having enough output to counteract this supernatural disaster…

In the original story, Baegmun would probably succeed without doubt, but since it’s Carisia, I can’t be sure. If I had prepared by carrying a sufficient amount of relics, there’s a ninety percent chance it could work.

I cautiously looked up at the sky. If I open my eyes fully and use the artifacts I’ve brought, I can estimate whether I can resolve this in time.

‘It might actually work…’

The aftermath is the issue. Even if my strange eye goes unnoticed, using an artifact capable of erasing that storm will inevitably lead to questioning about its nature.

Last time, Carisia saw two elders from the Ten Towers appear in the future—it was quite shocking. As insurance, I borrowed an artifact from Cnemon without hesitation, though it’s best not to use it. If Blasphemia decides to analyze it, they’ll discover its deep connection to the outer dimensions, which would mean the end for someone of Rank L13.

‘Being Rank L13 is still useful. It’d be wasteful to expend it here.’

“Senior! What should we do!?”

Instinctively, my hand moved toward my temple but consciously, I redirected it to my jawline.

As calmly as possible—I’m projecting the image Niobe trusts: that of an L13.

“You shouldn’t be here.”

“What?”

“You and I, one of us must report on what happens in this city. And between the two of us, I have a higher chance of surviving inside the interdimensional realm.”

“So—”

“Run, Miss Niobe.”

My voice wasn’t loud but firm, strict yet unhurried.

Niobe’s lips quivered—she’s trying to protest, unable to accept it. I searched for an appropriate line for such situations.

“Don’t mistake your position.”

“You are part of the command staff in this operation; I’m the field agent. Your job is to supervise agents and achieve results, not to jump into battle against the outer dimensions on the front lines.”

There’s about ten minutes or so before the storm breaches the world barrier and floods the outer dimensions. If you start running now with all your might, you can reach the outskirts of Algus City.

And if you keep going, you might narrowly escape the flood.

“Evacuate and report back to headquarters with all haste.”

***

Niobe couldn’t help but close her mouth, intending to declare that she would stay and fight alongside him.

She couldn’t waste the resolution shining behind L13’s resolute demeanor—the determination to inform Blasphemia of Argyreion’s atrocities even if it cost his life.

Leaving only the short reply, “Understood,” Niobe galloped away from Algus City according to his orders, showing respect for her senior.

She knew this was the best way to honor her senior’s resolve.

A concise situation report along with urgent requests for support. She repeatedly transmitted them towards Blasphemia’s main headquarters.

Though communication near the interdimensional rift will become extremely unstable, sending hundreds of messages might ensure at least one reaches the base, potentially turning the tide.

While Niobe ran, etching her senior’s determination to sacrifice himself, Ortes gazed at the Amimone Magic Tower.

‘How can I take this without destroying it and bring it to Cnemon…?’

If the blame was only loosely pinned, there would have been a way to replace just the leadership, but now he has no choice but to improvise.

***

“This is absurd waste.”

After the Argyreion leadership meeting, Nastiorn emerged from Haltos’ shadow and bluntly criticized.

Haltos nodded slightly, signaling he could continue.

“There is no trace of any credible threat. Had you suggested deploying strong forces to crush a presumed trap set by the Ten Towers, I would have understood.”

Nastiorn vented his dissatisfaction with the irrationality and lack of logic for quite some time. It was a sharp critique indeed, far exceeding what a subordinate should typically express.

Yet Haltos’ expression remained unchanged, which made Nastiorn uneasy.

To order such an illogical plan while maintaining an unnatural calmness…

“Listen.”

Haltos’ words were brief but heavy. Nastiorn suppressed his emotions and waited silently in the shadows for the head of Argyreion to deliver his decree.

“When hunting, there comes a moment when the prey is cornered, and everything clicks like a complex machine. A sense of intellectual satisfaction akin to solving a complicated puzzle, the achievement of defeating a formidable foe, and the relief that it’s finally over—a mix of emotions overwhelms you.”

This seemed irrelevant to the topic. Nastiorn began to suspect Haltos was losing his sanity.

“And right at that moment, the adversary appears and says, ‘You’re cornered too.’”

“What do you mean?”

“It means the hunter who chased the prey into a cave is also trapped in a cave with only one exit. And the adversary doesn’t hesitate to blow up the cave.”

“Pardon?”

Unbeknownst to Nastiorn, this was Haltos recounting genuine experiences.

He once drove Ortes to a ruin only to have him bury it and escape leisurely. Haltos had several similar stories.

Every Argyreion officer had experienced countless failed pursuits, each accompanied by mortal danger.

There was the case where two agents tasked with tracking ended up attacking each other, rendering both combat-incapable.

Another instance where explosion magic plastered across an interdimensional ruin failed to activate upon Ortes’ entry but triggered locally as soon as the pursuit team entered, turning the tables.

Before every terrible experience, there was always the feeling, “This time, we’ll surely catch him.”

After experiencing these scenarios multiple times, the very existence of the adversary became a dilemma.

‘He acted like a bullfighter…’

What gave migraines to Haltos and the rest of the Blasphemia pursuit team was the moment Ortes revealed his trail.

Each clue painstakingly tracked down always seemed impossible for Ortes to have deliberately prepared due to the rational assumption of time constraints.

If we strike now, this might finally be the time to sever his head. Any delay risks losing the trail again.

The moment one succumbs to such urgency, they fall into a trap.

Should we step in or grit our teeth and turn away?

Even if we turn away, is there another method to find him?

The suffocating pressure that accompanies approving every operation.

Ortes would describe it as “the frustration of getting matched with that guy again in a game,” a fusion of anger, fear, and vengeance held together by adhesive emotion.

Haltos felt the same irritation during the rescue signal from Algus City.

Upon hearing this explanation, Nastiorn thought,

‘Is he crazy?’

“There’s no doubt. This nausea can only come from that guy…”

Haltos’ confident muttering filled Nastiorn with regret for humanity and unease about Argyreion’s leader.

***

Gorgoph was bewildered by the sudden interdimensional storm.

‘What on earth is happening?’

It’s unnatural for an interdimensional storm to arise like this. Only Argyreion could disrupt the stability of a city protected by a magic tower and summon such a storm.

Gorgoph tried to logically interpret the current situation.

‘Tch, was there a coward among my comrades?!’

That a comrade, unable to endure the worsening situation and Blasphemia’s encirclement, sent out a distress signal.

And because Argyreion immediately responded to the distress signal, this situation arose.

‘There’s no way to communicate with Argyreion now. Guess I have no choice. First, gather the comrades inside the tower, then strike Danao once the storm subsides…!’

It’s obvious that after the interdimensional storm, flooding will follow. A lazy Danao will struggle to adapt to the rapidly changing mana. With a surprise attack from the comrades, removing the corrupted tower master should be effortless.

Looking out the window, Gorgoph spotted a mysterious squint-eyed man staring at the tower.

There seemed to be a faint blue light flickering around the man’s eyes.

‘A Blasphemia agent?’

His chilling appearance gives off an ominous vibe. He might be here to arrest everyone in the tower upon detecting the emergency situation.

At the moment Gorgoph unconsciously prepared a spell,

The man’s lips moved. Gorgoph repeated the words under his breath.

“Truth and… justice?”

***

Alright, Gorgoph.

You’re the one.