Inside the power plant, there are approximately five hundred individuals. The external force exerted on the plant amounts to about one hundred and twenty.
Taking into account only minor injuries, the approximate force ratio stands at 4 to 1.
Perhaps the equilibrium is being maintained due to the struggles of the remaining team members who accompanied Lennok.
In particular, Dylan, who joined the team later, displays an overwhelmingly active role.
He concentrates on securing their territory while boldly confronting the gunfire raining down at the front gate.
This clearly highlights the superior capabilities of the Antares-affiliated mercenaries compared to other independent contractors.
Another noteworthy aspect is the remarkably heightened vitality and agility demonstrated by the gang members, as evident in their life reactions and movements.
It appears as though they have augmented their own power through some specialized means.
Upon conveying this observation to Killian, he contemplates the information with a pained expression, as if he has a notion in mind.
"By the way, among the prisoners we have apprehended, a considerable number exhibited symptoms similar to withdrawal. They most likely utilized some form of performance-enhancing drug."
"It likely provides a significant boost to physical abilities for a brief duration but comes with severe side effects."
"Considering that, it might be better to retreat now and attack the power plant later?"
Killian speaks as if he has stumbled upon a vital secret.
His intentions are clear.
By further prolonging the conflict, the gang members and soldiers will be weakened by the adverse effects of the drug, making it easier for them to capture the power plant against their substantially diminished forces.
However, Lennok firmly shakes his head.
"No, we must enter immediately."
"What? Why?"
Lennok remained silent and promptly began walking forward.
Killian hadn't considered the situation thoroughly, but if Panua were present, she would likely echo Lennok's sentiment.
‘The gang boss, whose identity remains unknown to us, wouldn't have devised such a sloppy plan after provoking Dyke headquarters.'
Lennok never underestimated or belittled his opponent.
He was a skilled entrepreneur who had smoothly taken over the arms business in District 40s until Lennok intervened in the matter.
While it was uncertain to what extent he had strategized and initiated the conflict, it was highly unlikely that he would have prepared such straightforward countermeasures as Killian had envisioned.
No, it seemed more plausible that he was intentionally creating the impression that stalling for time would be advantageous for them.
‘I don't know what they are plotting, but it's likely they are the ones who need to buy time.'
If their boss's countermeasure was inconsequential, then it wouldn't matter. However, what if he had orchestrated a game-changing move that could alter the situation?
Aware of the gang's attempts to establish contact with the Pandemonium, Lennok had no intention of falling for their ruse.
‘We break through in one go.'
Raising his mana strongly, he took a step forward.
Sensing the surge of power, Dylan, who had been engaged in an assault on the front gate, turned his head.
Despite his leather jacket being riddled with bullet holes, he wielded two short spears with agility and appeared unscathed.
"Van, aren't you a bit late?"
"Fall back."
Whoosh!
Lennok uttered softly, releasing a long flame from his hand.
"We're breaking through the power plant right now."
Without uttering a word, Dylan swiftly directed the other freelancers who had been following him to retreat.
Having experienced Lennok's abilities firsthand on multiple occasions, Dylan knew the caliber of wizard he was dealing with.
And Lennok didn't disappoint Dylan's expectations.
With a flick of his hand, he cast the flaming vortex surrounding his right hand down to the ground.
[Field of Flame]
Whoosh!
The flames, spreading rapidly like a wildfire along the asphalt, swiftly engulfed the power plant.
The fire, though not scorching or intense, swiftly ignited countless vehicles scattered in the power plant's parking lot.
Kwaang! Kwaang!
Both those inside and outside the power plant realized Lennok's strategy only when the vehicles transformed into dozens of blazing fireballs, erupting in explosions.
"Oh, no!"
"Stop it! If all those explode, we're doomed!"
"Damn it…!!"
In an instant, panic gripped the gang members and soldiers. Lennok nodded in satisfaction as he observed the chaos.
"Let's move in."
As soon as he spoke, the freelancers standing behind Lennok surged forward, rushing into the power plant.
Other team members, having received the news, swiftly joined the assault, forcefully pushing back the gang members in a coordinated effort.
Killian, having transformed into the form of a wolf, leaped into the enemy lines, while Dylan's spear swiftly pierced through the disoriented former soldiers under the influence of drugs.
Agria targeted the machine guns on the power plant's rooftop with her lasers, while Jode and Kainy spearheaded the charge.
The balance that had seemingly held until now crumbled like a facade, and it took little time for the power plant to be surrounded once again.
Walking at the rear of the group, Lennok glanced toward the power plant's entrance.
‘He should be appearing soon.'
No matter how much the opposition desired to buy time, they could not ignore the situation after being driven back so far.
If Lennok's suspicions were correct, the boss would have to reveal himself and stall for time to unleash a hidden trick.
Sure enough, as an eerie silence descended upon the parking lot, a man gradually emerged from the rooftop of the power plant.
He possessed a sharp and perceptive appearance, his handsome features accentuated by a weary countenance. Despite his fatigued appearance, his physique exuded strength.
With an expressionless face, he calmly observed the gathering of around a hundred individuals below the power plant.
Lennok sensed the boiling surge of mana emanating from the man.
‘That's him.'
The leader of the formidable gang known as Cigar Bang.
The businessman who, alongside Beck Clinton, held a stake in the arms business of District 40s.
Finally, the gang's leader, Eden Garcia, had unveiled himself for the first time in this location.
"It appears my message didn't quite get through," Eden spoke, his voice low but resonating with the power of mana.
"I did extend an invitation, but I didn't expect to be met with such hostility."
"Is that all you have to say?" Killian retorted. "I thought you'd have a more fitting last word."
A mocking reply, clearly reflecting Killian's confidence in the success of their plan.
Having infiltrated the gang's power plant and confronted the boss face-to-face, they had pushed their adversary to this point, allowing for a hint of arrogance to seep through.
In response to Killian's provocation, Eden slowly shook his head.
"This is why it's impossible to communicate with ignorant creatures."
"…What's that supposed to mean?"
"I'd prefer to converse with a more capable executive."
With those words, Eden turned his gaze towards Lennok.
As if he had known all along.
"You're the one, aren't you?"
Lennok remained silent, but Eden narrowed his eyes as if that was confirmation enough.
"That mana, the magic you just employed… I understand why Beck died in such a futile manner. It seems you played a significant role in this affair for Dyke Corporation."
"………."
"If things had progressed slightly slower, we wouldn't be pushed to this extent. I'll concede that. However, from now on, things will be different."
"Van, do we really need to listen to this any longer?" Dylan interjected.
Without waiting for Lennok's response to Eden's words, Dylan sprang into action.
With a spear in hand, he swiftly drew back his shoulder and launched it forward.
The spear transformed into a streak of light, hurtling towards Eden's head.
Its velocity was comparable to that of a supersonic projectile.
Had Eden not been forewarned, it wouldn't have been surprising for his head to explode from such a surprise attack.
But Eden reacted.
In an instant, a cluster of lightning formed around him, rotating hexagonally, deflecting Dylan's spear.
Kaaang!!
"….!!"
More than Dylan, who had thrown the spear, it was Lennok, observing from behind, who furrowed his brow.
It wasn't because Eden employed lightning magic. Lennok already knew that Eden hailed from the Thorben school of magic, courtesy of Madam.
However, the fact that the lightning Eden used did not originate from his own body but manifested from behind him was an entirely different matter.
Noticing Lennok's focused gaze, Eden smiled.
"It seems you've caught on."
"……Are you drawing power from elsewhere?"
"Yes. I've amassed a considerable amount of energy for this purpose. Through dealings with scavengers, I've tapped into underground waterways, refining and storing electric energy in the power plant."
Indeed, his words rang true.
Through detection magic, Lennok could observe torrents of electrical current surging from the amplifiers situated on the rooftop, spreading a blue lattice in all directions.
Had he spent all this time charging them up, preparing for their optimal utilization?
If Eden had foreseen this scenario from the outset and stationed himself within the power plant, then his strategy had hit the mark.
And to validate his own claims, Eden activated all the amplifiers, harnessing their collective power.
Ziiiiiiiing….!!!
The electricity dispersed, then reconvened.
Behind Eden, an immense amount of electrical energy unfolded like a Mandala, enshrouding the sky above the power plant.
His face, obscured by the intense white light, barely revealed a cruel smile.
"If you can somehow amass enough power, a door to transcend limits opens… I'll demonstrate it right here, right now."
Vrooooooom!!!
Countless lightning bolts spread wide, driven by the abnormal rotation of mana.
All that raw power transformed into spears of lightning, charging downward towards the earth.
[Thunderchant]
A frigid rain of blue electricity hung in the cold autumn air, singing a deadly melody.
In response, Lennok launched shock spells at Eden and unleashed ice magic, subjecting him to various tests, but it proved futile.
A tempest of blue, boasting the widest range among the unique magic of the Thorben school, swept across the entire power plant.
Kwaaaaang!!!
"Arrgh!!"
"This is impossible. How can he… from such a distance?!"
"Stay clear of the vehicles!! We'll be swept away!!"
The hundred freelancers, hired to match the number of gang members, found themselves helplessly melting in the backwash of cascading lightning.
Though they tried to maintain their distance using metallic bodies, it was of no avail. Eden's magic melted the entire asphalt of the parking lot in an instant.
Even amidst this chaos, the only ones barely holding their ground were Lennok and a few other team members who had passed the previous trials and earned their place in the group.
However, they too were overwhelmed by the vast magic that Eden unleashed.
"………"
It was to be expected.
While he had temporarily harnessed the power stored within the power plant, the magic Eden displayed was awe-inspiring, defying belief to any human observer.
Lennok sighed, glancing down at Dylan, who was crawling towards him while being directly struck by the descending lightning.
He extended the shield around him to protect Dylan's head and scolded him irritably.
"You idiot, you're going to get yourself killed."
"We can discuss that later. So, what's our plan now?"
It wasn't as if he hadn't anticipated Eden's control over the rooftop power plant and his utilization of unique lightning magic.
In fact, as soon as Lennok learned from Madam that Eden was a lightning wizard, he promptly gathered information about him.
However, what had caught him off guard was the sheer power of Eden's magic.
"We need to fight our way up to the rooftop. Can you do it?"
TRIVIA:
Mandala (Sanskrit: ?????, romanized: ma??ala, lit. ‘circle', [?m????l?]) is a religious and ritual symbol in Hinduism and Buddhism. Mandalas are geometric configurations of symbols.
(TO BE CONTINUED)
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