NOVEL NEXT Chapter 215
Chapter 215. Administrator Raven (1)
[This is Cosmos. Dr. Kim, where did you go? Did you enter some subspace?]
“Yes.”
The radio was still working.
“Raven’s Phase Dimension.”
[Hmm. What are you going to do there? A mage is practically omnipotent within their own Phase Dimension.]
“Exactly. I’m experiencing it firsthand.”
[Do you have a plan?]
I’m thinking about it.
There are some possible methods, but the faster I show my hand, the more disadvantageous it becomes. That’s probably why Raven isn’t launching an aggressive attack.
“Corruption’s Gaze.”
Again?
Something felt different this time, as the attack narrowly missed me. I hid among the debris as much as possible. Since Raven had almost nullified gravity in the Phase Dimension, flying around was easier.
“Let’s talk, Dr. Kim.”
I summoned a Popo, but it just flailed in the air without being able to do much. It seems I can’t rely on Popo for now.
Clapping my hands, the Popo disappeared somewhere. Is the only way to get close and strike? I pondered my next move.
“Within this space, nothing can escape my grasp. If you surrender now, I will consider your opinion, Dr. Kim.”
“Binding.”
Chains made of mana appeared around me, but this wasn’t a situation where such a trick would work. I swung the Niguras-5.
Raven’s red mana was quickly devoured by the cursed sword. The cursed sword made an eerie buzzing sound.
The Administrator’s voice echoed again.
“I admit it. The current Foundation is contradictory. In trying to contain supernatural phenomena, it has become a supernatural phenomenon itself. But, Dr. Kim. If you rise to the top of the Foundation, you will face the same reality and make the same choices as we did.”
I took out a talisman from my bag and threw it. A Clone Technique talisman made by Dr. Chae and Hasti.
Normally, using a Clone Technique talisman would only produce something vaguely humanoid. But here, the density of reality is low. The clone created by the talisman just now spread its Clockwork Wings.
Will you be able to tell which one is real?
“Even if you don’t answer, I can see your thoughts.”
‘What nonsense.’
I resumed my offensive. I picked up a machine gun and moved toward the enemy, while my clones surrounded Raven from three directions.
Open fire.
I pulled the trigger.
I was inevitably pushed back by the recoil, but that was part of the plan. Using the machine gun as a propulsion device. It didn’t seem to land a critical hit, but it succeeded in being a nuisance.
“That side.”
Raven created distance and fired red lightning toward the clones. The conclusion is this: Raven isn’t fully exerting control over this space either.
It won’t go as you think. Ask Hasti or the Walpurgis Special Forces how it went when they fought me relying solely on magic.
Two clones and I, three in total, surrounded the Administrator. Can you tell which one is real? The opponent held a staff.
Red mana filled the Defensive Magic Circle.
Administrator Raven deployed a barrier to block the barrage of bullets. A high-output barrier capable of stopping machine gun fire isn’t easy, but it was simple for Raven.
That wasn’t the problem.
Dr. Kim’s firepower was gradually increasing.
It seemed like the three clones were pouring firepower into the barrier while switching guns.
Why isn’t it working?
Twisting the spacetime of the Phase Dimension to gain an advantageous position, confirming locations, no, even identifying which clone is real.
Nothing is going right. Is it because of the existence’s rank? If an ordinary human had been pulled into this subspace, they would have died long ago.
Causality is tangled.
Depending on the type of magic, becoming a mage means you can’t rely on luck.
Unintended strokes of luck, wishing stars, or four-leaf clovers in the bushes hold no meaning. Distorting reality to achieve desires is now the mage’s role.
Not necessarily, but that’s the gist. Sometimes it feels like it’s true. Raven glared at the enemy.
Dr. Kim wasn’t an easy opponent. If he could be easily killed, he wouldn’t have come this far. The other Administrators aren’t fools either.
Even if causality is twisted, it’s not a problem for Raven to worry about. After all, adjusting causality is also a type of magic. It’s not impossible to counter.
First task: close the distance and kill Dr. Kim’s clone. Then target the main body.
Smoke rose from all directions.
Suddenly, Dr. Kim and his three clones charged simultaneously. The cursed sword aimed for the Administrator’s neck, and Raven easily dodged the slow blade. It’s not a speed he can’t handle.
“You’re not a swordsman, are you?”
Raven struck the black sword with the end of his staff, and the sword Dr. Kim held shattered.
As planned.
Death, birth, and circulation.
The Niguras-5.
A thousand people died, and their blood formed this cursed weapon. A thousand deaths, the birth of the sword. What’s the next step?
An ancient god died and became a black flower.
The flower bloomed and became an egg. From the egg, a Black Dragon was born, and every time the dragon dies or is injured, it returns to an egg state like a phoenix.
So, to restart the cycle, there must be death. What is death for the sword? Simply put, breaking it.
With a crab claw, I broke the sword as close to Raven as possible. I don’t know what will happen. What the next step of the cycle will be.
I just know it will be something grand.
“Dr. Kim, surely-”
As I thought. To be precise, one of the expected options. The Niguras-5 exploded, spewing black jelly-like liquid everywhere.
Enough blood for a thousand people to die.
Since I anticipated this and attacked from above, I avoided most of it. But Raven was drenched in the crimson liquid. Disgusting…
An inexplicable, chilling sense of revulsion.
Countless hands stretched out from the liquid the sword vomited. Hands made of the crimson, jelly-like blood. The souls, or at least some traces, of the people sacrificed to create the cursed weapon were released.
Filled with disgust and rage.
Raven looked at me with fear and revulsion, but there was nothing I could do. I don’t know what that is either. Just guessing.
Ah, there’s one thing I can do. I shook off the crimson liquid from my body and aimed my gun at Administrator Raven again.
Administrator Raven was dragged into a pool of rotting blood by the crimson hands.
As Raven’s face disappeared into the blood, the Phase Dimension collapsed, and the surroundings began to turn translucent like a mirage.
The Phase Dimension disappeared, and Tulle returned to its previous state. Where the pool of blood had been, Administrator Raven sat.
I reflexively raised my gun. Administrator Raven placed the backs of his hands on his forehead.
“Ah, I surrender. If I die this time, I might really die. I don’t want to fight anymore.”
Bang!
I immediately pulled the trigger. Raven grimaced like someone bitten by a mosquito and grabbed his hand. There was a bruise, but.
It didn’t seem like a serious injury. I considered using the Ultra-High-Temperature Flamethrower again, but Administrator Raven bowed his head.
“Will you believe that?”
“Administrators don’t lie.”
“Sure.”
I glared at Administrator Raven.
“I admit it. I lost. I’ve already ordered the cessation of combat. Show some courtesy.”
“Tsk.”
What can I do?
I lowered the gun slightly.
I also carry several supernatural phenomena, so it wouldn’t be strange if Raven had some resurrection-like phenomenon for emergencies.
“Dr. Kim.”
“Yes.”
“Do you think Acacia or Pixel are dead?”
“If they’re not dead, I’d be a bit sad.”
Even if I trust Raven, this isn’t the situation to be in. I grabbed Raven by the collar. I’ll throw him into the sea…
Splash!
Something massive emerged from beneath the surface. Like a submarine surfacing.
This is above Jörmungandr’s head.
“Bloody hell.”
“I agree.”
Raven sighed.
Only now could I slowly examine this Administrator’s face. I’m not sure if it’s slightly affected by Cognitive Interference.
It’s hard to describe what his face looks like. What I see now is an extremely ordinary middle-aged man. Just an uncle.
“Let’s do this, Dr. Kim. I won’t be hostile to you, so let’s each go our separate ways. Until this matter is resolved.”
“How can I trust that?”
“Promise.”
Who do you think I am? I kicked Raven, and he, who had been sitting on the ground, almost fell into Jörmungandr’s mouth.
“Ah, save me.”
“I’ll think about it if you give me something.”
“I’ll give you anything. Please.”
“Uh…”
I scratched my head. What should I take from Administrator Raven to be satisfied?
“Give me this island.”
“Fine, take it.”
The negotiation ended more laboriously than expected. Raven brushed himself off and stood up. This time, avoiding my gaze.