episode_0092

“Even if it’s impossible to completely remove the shield covering Sector 11. Could a hole be pierced?”

That was the first question asked.

Opinions were divided on the matter.

“Seeing as they cannot break through from the outside into this place right now, is it possible to break through a part and leave?”

“There’s a possibility that Sector 11 has been isolated in a different space, like a labyrinth.”

“Then wouldn’t breaking through the shield and going outside be impossible?”

A situation where nothing was decided.

No one could provide a clear explanation for this phenomenon.

“In the end, someone will have to go and investigate.”

But in this situation, who would step forward?

Theoretically, it might be possible if one were to clear away all the fog with wind magic and run, but being attacked by black magic users in the meantime would be too dangerous.

“If only spatial magic could be used….”

The Master Tower Lord tightly clenched his fist, as if regretting.

The atmosphere sagged.

Since the meeting had already been so long, they decided to take a short break.

Everyone left, and only I, my Master, and the Crown Prince remained in the barracks.

My Master immediately used some magic.

“They are making it with all their might, but apparently there are trial and error attempts. It will take at least a day.”

“I don’t think it will end just by removing the fog. Even if we solve something, they’ll throw their next move.”

The Crown Prince rubbed his temples as if he had a headache, frowning and drinking water.

I also leaned back in a chair to take a proper rest.

[There is a way.]

Noah’s voice was heard.

*

After a short break, everyone gathered back in the barracks.

Their expressions were still not good.

The more they held the meeting, the more they realized how difficult it was to navigate this situation.

“Why isn’t there a single priest from the Arielian Church visible?”

“There are a few. Literally a few, searched throughout the entire Sector 11. All of them are currently treating the injured.”

“Moreover, there wasn’t a single skilled person. Plus, a cursed doll was found in the basement of the Arielian Church. So the church really was connected to the black magic users!”

Sensing the atmosphere becoming increasingly agitated, the Blue 학파장 (Head of School) intervened.

And then.

“I heard that the Arielian Church summoned all their priests to the Holy Land. Saying there was an important matter.”

“They’re all the same kind of people! I will formally protest when I get outside!”

“Perhaps not all priests are corrupt. If so, everyone would have already known.”

“That’s true. The Pope, or the Saint. It’s likely the Saint who turned Sector 11 upside down recently.”

“Anyway, whoever has the power to move the church must have spearheaded this incident. This fog, too, could be easily passed through with the help of a skilled priest.”

I listened quietly, wondering if a new method had come to mind.

But still, nothing had changed.

The only ones who could resolve this situation were.

Still just me and Noah.

The risk was high, but we had no choice.

“Do you need me to find out what that shield is?”

Everyone’s eyes turned to me at the words I suddenly spoke.

“Hey, surely you don’t mean to go outside? It’s impossible for you, a mid-level explorer. No matter how much you are the Master Tower Lord’s disciple….”

“Haha! You must be joking!!”

Everyone reacted with disbelief.

“How will you do it? Will you use wind magic to move? Or will you dig an underground tunnel with earth magic? Surprisingly, we already tried digging tunnels, but they were all discovered! This is the black magic users’ territory.”

I also couldn’t explain the method. Because I couldn’t say that Noah was engraved within me.

However, my Master, the Crown Prince, and the Heads of School of the Tower, who knew me to some extent, just watched me in silence.

In times like this, I stepped forward with more confidence.

Thinking that perhaps this would give everyone a little peace of mind.

“Just tell me exactly what you need.”

Perhaps it was because of those confident words.

A little hope began to flicker in the barracks that had been filled with darkness and a chilling cold.

*

Nothing is perfect.

Rather, such a situation is the time when one must be most careful.

The black magic users who covered the shield with strange fog were waiting far too comfortably.

It was a natural thing.

Minimizing troop depletion while fighting is mentioned in all military tactics.

It’s not for nothing that preparing asymmetric forces like chemical warfare or nuclear weapons is considered cheaper in the modern era.

However, that carelessness, arrogance, etc., were a very great weapon for me.

Who would think that someone could break through this fog and come out? Or rather, if the fog had been removed by a fog remover, it would be understandable.

Breaking through that relaxed surveillance net, Noah and I slowly and carefully walked towards the edge of Sector 11.

[It was easier than I thought. I even worried about dying.]

‘That’s too much.’

The method Noah proposed was simple.

Since she too could slightly move the fog using black magic. At least one person could get out without being detected. Furthermore, my [Stealth] also helped in getting out undetected.

[I didn’t know they would be watching right in front.]

‘I know.’

As soon as we came out of the fog, what we saw were the black magic users surrounding the outside. Moreover, all the monsters were also gathered around the fog, waiting to eliminate anyone who came out.

[Isn’t that Stealth ability too overpowered?]

‘On the other hand, that’s all I have.’

Experiencing the overwhelming utility of the Thief’s Deck, I felt an urge to quickly finish making this deck as well.

Of course, safely ending this situation would be the priority.

‘Still, I almost died in the middle.’

[Ah, I didn’t know there would be a lack of oxygen.]

Even if the strange fog was pushed away, oxygen didn’t enter the space, so I had to hold my breath for quite a long time. The fortunate thing was that the strange fog seemed to cost the black magic users a little, as it didn’t cover all of Sector 11.

[Roughly 30m, perhaps?]

‘It’s definitely less than what I saw in the labyrinth.’

In the hidden dungeon, it was enough to cover the area even after walking for days, but compared to that, this is a mere drop in the bucket.

At this level, it’s possible to deal with it by making just a few fog removers.

Anyway, the situation viewed from the outside was a little more hopeful than viewed from the inside.

Because the wall of fog was not that thick.

However.

[It really looks like everyone is here?]

‘What?’

[The black magic users, I mean. I don’t know all of them, but there are really too many. Were there originally this many?]

‘Maybe you are that important?’

[If everyone important can move, couldn’t they just attack the labyrinth city? Is there any point in just blocking Sector 11?]

‘What if we escape while they are fighting? Besides, only by winning overwhelmingly like this will there be troops left after the fight.’

[That’s true!]

As we walked, talking appropriately, black magic users and monsters became almost invisible.

The buildings that had been burning and destroyed were all cleared, and only the shape of where the buildings had stood could be recognized.

[But when a house burns, there’s smoke.]

‘Right?’

[So many houses burned, but where did all the smoke go? You said Sector 11 was blocked. Are we currently breathing in the smoke in real time?]

Thump.

I stopped walking.

The words Noah spoke without thinking.

It felt like they were saying the answer.

‘Maybe Sector 11 isn’t isolated. The smoke went outside. Likewise, maybe air can pass through?’

[Then they could terrorize the labyrinth city with this fog!]

‘The Arielian Church wouldn’t want that much.’

[Because they are in a business relationship?]

‘Yes. Let’s go quickly.’

As I found a clue, my steps unconsciously grew faster.

Before long, we reached the front of the black shield covering Sector 11.

By the time we got here, black magic users and monsters were almost invisible.

Finding a place where we could adequately conceal ourselves, I released my Stealth, and Noah also came out.

“I feel a bit better. It must be hard to stay inside like that every day.”

Leaving Noah, who was stretching, behind, I moved towards the black shield.

Originally, each sector is clearly divided by a city wall.

Fortunately or unfortunately. The black shield was cast slightly smaller, not including the city wall.

Those who lived in the very outskirts of Sector 11 would fortunately be able to avoid this disaster.

“It doesn’t seem to have covered everything.”

“Yeah. From my memory, it takes about a minute of walking to reach the city wall that divides the sectors.”

Knock. Knock.

Noah knocked on the shield, trying to understand something.

“You don’t know either?”

“Yeah. It’s a bit different from what I know of black magic. Maybe because the scale is too large.”

“Probably. It’s impossible for me to dispel all divine magic either.”

“That’s a shame. I thought it might be easy to solve.”

“Since they would have made the plan assuming you were inside, I naturally thought you wouldn’t be able to.”

“What? Then you should have said so earlier.”

“As if you would have listened anyway.”

Leaving Noah, who was puffing up her cheeks and waving her arms, behind. I took out my watch.

Looking at my watch, the current time was day.

Darkness had fallen over Sector 11, but it must have been a sunny day outside.

It was the perfect time to prove my hypothesis.

Click.

I swap the deck.

『Deck has been swapped.』

『Current Deck: Elementalist’s Deck』

『Time until next swap is possible: 0:59:59』

I designate a Joker card.

The card I chose was.

[Darkness]

That card I hadn’t used much recently.

I had definitely avoided using it as much as possible, worried about being misunderstood, but now, this card was truly the Joker card to break through the situation.

『Joker Card – Draw 1 designated card additionally on the first turn.』

I drew one card from the top of the deck.

Exactly the [Darkness] card was drawn.

“Step back for a moment.”

“Okay!”

After seeing Noah put distance between us. I immediately threw the card.

[Darkness]

Swoosh-

Darkness quickly flowed out around my body.

And it moved.

Moving precisely, the darkness formed letters.

Precise control that I would never have been able to do before receiving education at the Magic Tower.

“Are you going to send that outside?”

“If someone is watching from outside, exchanging news would be beneficial.”

“Isn’t it dangerous? The Arielian Church will be spying on everything.”

“That’s why we need to quickly say the main point and escape quickly if there’s no contact from the outside.”

I move the darkness.

Slither.

The darkness moved over the shield.

Indeed, air could pass through.

The darkness that had been around me had somehow gone outside.

I don’t know who will see it, but I immediately turn the darkness into letters.

Reversed to be readable from that side.

The content is as follows.

[This black magic covering Sector 11 allows air to pass through. I am attempting to send contact by observing this.]

[Regarding the situation inside, most civilians have successfully evacuated due to the shield prepared by the Magic Tower.]

[However, the situation thereafter is not good. Black magic users and monsters are attacking.]

[I am curious about how things are going outside.]

[If you see this message, please reply within 10 minutes.]

I intended to maintain the darkness for as long as its duration allowed, and then immediately retreat.

But then, a reply flew back faster than expected.

A sharp wind, surprisingly, flew in and wrote letters on the ground.

[This is the Guild Leader. Is the Master Tower Lord safe?]

It was truly someone I hadn’t expected who sent the reply.