Chapter 81
Chapter 81
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 81
Chapter Title: Tail Chase (3)
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Magic was a technique extremely specialized in one field, but if you rolled your brain a bit, there was always room to make use of its byproducts.
For instance, Water Flow Manipulation was originally a spell that controlled only the moisture detected within one's sensory range.
With a slight twist, you could observe the state of that 'moisture within sensory range' and use it like a radar.
'Territorial Advance can be utilized in a similar way.'
Territorial Advance extended mana like roots to claim the surrounding earth as territory, then shaped soldiers from the territory's soil and manipulated them like puppets.
Optimized for facing multiple foes, the standard method was to spread it wide and convert the largest possible area into territory.
But if Galen wished, he could extend it deep instead.
Of course, that would be pointless under normal circumstances.
Unless there was something underground.
For example... an empty space?
Galen could detect spaces that remained hollow, unclaimed by his territory.
'No way they'd dig a secret passage like some mine shaft deep into the abyss. At most, it's like a basement or a bit deeper.'
And that depth was well within the detection range of Territorial Advance at the Gold rank.
Ssssh!
At Galen's gesture, a portion of the surrounding earth rose up. It was like a dirt stake sprouting from the ground.
He tied his horse's reins to it, then slowly circled the mansion like he was taking a leisurely stroll.
Naturally, the mana of Territorial Advance continued to probe underground.
After scanning the depths, he found only one underground passage leading out from the mansion.
'Not like they'd bother making two.'
Recalling the transmitted image of the underground, it seemed they'd dug the tunnel with considerable care.
It was far longer than the simple basement passage in the tavern that could be traversed in a few minutes.
The path even extended beyond the range of his territory, so Galen couldn't guess where it led.
But who needed to know the destination?
Just block the starting point.
Krugugrugu!
Galen felt a faint vibration underfoot.
The form of the soldiers created by Territorial Advance was up to Galen's whim.
No need for puppet shapes—he could make plain ones, like the dirt stake he'd just formed for the reins.
Mounds of earth suddenly erupted from the tunnel floor, growing straight up to the ceiling.
Detecting that entire sections were now completely sealed with dirt, Galen withdrew his mana.
They could dig it out later with enough time, but for now, it was unusable. That was enough.
'Alright, then.'
With the escape route sealed, it was time to tighten the noose from the outside.
These guys were so obsessive about secrecy that their mansion guards were laughably lax.
He understood. They'd hidden in a normal residential area—if they lit up the place at night and posted dozens on patrol, anyone would get suspicious.
They were only wary of troublemakers among the guests inside, not imagining anyone storming in from outside.
It made things easy for Galen.
He extinguished the oil lamp's flame entirely and lightly approached the mansion wall.
Standing flush against the stone wall, Galen summoned Territorial Advance's mana once more.
Ssssh!
The ground beneath his feet slowly rose. A dirt platform lifted him up.
Stopping with just his head peeking over the wall, Galen peered into the yard beyond.
Light leaked from the building's windows, but the garden inside the wall was pitch black.
Perfectly normal for an ordinary house. What average person had the money for guards and patrols?
Raising the platform a bit higher, Galen easily vaulted the wall.
Thud!
A matching platform had already formed on the other side.
Not even a thief, yet he'd scaled the wall silently. Galen pulled a mask from his pocket and donned it, like some black market attendee.
He strolled leisurely toward the lit house.
'Quick and clean.'
The small garden passed in moments. At the door, Galen focused briefly and took a light breath.
The doorknob turned.
Kreeeak!
The men's gazes inside swiveled one by one to the doorway.
Assuming it was one of their own, they glanced casually—then their eyes bulged.
"Wh-what the?"
"A black market participant?"
"How'd he get out?"
"One, two, three... eight's the total, right?"
Galen calmly counted heads and closed the door.
Splat!
A water blob from Water Flow Manipulation had already burst one man's skull.
"Wh-what?!"
"You bastard—"
Another man reacted a beat late and crumpled without a proper scream.
"Shit, it's a mage!"
"K-kill him!"
By the time the disorganized group scattered around the living room drew their swords, three were already down.
Fighting without spirits for the first time in ages left a bit of an itch. Galen smacked his lips and gathered all nearby moisture at once.
Shwaaak!
The blood pooling from the dead mixed into the water, dancing through the air in a gruesome crimson swirl.
"Hit him together!"
"Damn it!"
Roaring to suppress their fear, they charged as one.
All eight men inside were Silver-rank warriors.
No matter the surprise attack, they weren't the type to die so pathetically.
Yet three had fallen in moments—that meant the intruder's magic vastly outclassed theirs.
No time to wonder why a Gold-rank mage had appeared out of nowhere.
Hesitate, and they'd join the first three.
A mage's weakness was close combat. Get in range, and they had a shot.
Thwack!
Four lunged at Galen simultaneously, but only two sounds rang out.
The noise of two impaled on blood spears and flung backward limply.
Savage glee lit the remaining pair's faces.
Relief that they weren't the targets, mixed with murderous intent to avenge their comrades by taking Galen down.
Clang!
But an odd sound echoed. A dull thud like striking rock, with brutal recoil jolting their hands.
"Guh?!"
"What?!"
Pain was secondary; their brains froze at the impossibility.
A waist slash? Maybe claim he wore hidden armor. But the throat strike—why?
Ah, this is Earth Bind, the spirits' specialty, Galen didn't bother explaining.
Thwack!
The two, still dazed, collapsed with shattered skulls.
"U-uwaaaah!"
The last one, too cramped to charge, decided flight over fight and bolted.
Crash!
He smashed through the window with his body and escaped outside.
Smack!
But he rocketed back inside faster than he'd fled.
A dirt puppet, summoned just before Galen entered, had been waiting outside.
Charging head-on at the slow but heavy construct earned him a face full of fist; he soon stopped twitching.
'Against Silvers, luring close combat works fine—definitely easier.'
The pinned-in-place sensation, like embedded in rock, wasn't pleasant.
But the tradeoff was rock-solid defense. Couldn't move? No issue casting spells.
If a Gold had been among the eight, he'd have needed different tactics. But through steady spars with Lilia, Galen could now roughly gauge foes by their moves. All Silvers confirmed—no need to overthink.
Releasing Earth Bind, Galen checked the eight corpses. All breaths gone.
He scanned the rest of the house. No one in other rooms.
And the spirit's location wasn't this building.
'Next building over... underground. Not moles, but they sure love burrowing.'
Basements hid from prying eyes and offered easy secret escapes.
Galen opened the door and stepped out.
The building he'd just cleared was a residence, a living space.
A separate structure served as a warehouse.
Following the spirit's guidance, Galen soon reached his target.
Opening the door revealed a stark warehouse, half-organized.
"What's going on? It got noisy... Gasp?!"
"Who're you?!"
Two men reacted far sharper than the house group.
But vigilance meant nothing against the Gold-Silver gulf.
Thud!
One faithfully ran inside to report; the other tried blocking Galen.
A water spear pierced the former's back mid-stride; the latter fell trying to face it head-on.
They'd guarded a proper staircase leading underground.
'Already ten Silvers? Flashy lineup for black market fences.'
Hiring only money-hungry Silvers? They'd raked in cash running the market.
Why risk magic beast dealings when they lived well? Or was that why they did?
Truth would come from interrogating the bosses.
Shaking his head, Galen descended the stairs.
A thick iron door loomed, tightly shut.
Kreeeek!
Galen shoved it open, needing his full body weight—it was heavy as hell.
Beyond was a spacious room, too big for a basement, more like a conference hall.
The long table with people seated on both sides gave it that vibe.
Some sat alone, others in pairs—mostly pairs.
Twelve teams, if pairs counted as one.
Spotting Lilia among them, Galen smirked faintly—hidden by the mask. Ticket eleven put her near the door.
Confirming she was safe, he eyed the table's end, opposite the entrance.
A woman in a black mask stood there, unlike the participants' white ones. Flanked by apparent bodyguards.
A man in a matching black mask lounged casually in a chair farther back.
Noting the one who pinged his instincts, Galen addressed the stares upon him.
"Sorry to interrupt your fun, folks, but the auction ends here tonight."
"What?"
"Who the hell are you?"
A few hotheads raised their voices, but the sharp ones sensed the abnormality.
"Looks like an uninvited guest wormed in."
The standing masked woman spoke with clear irritation.
"Dressed the part, though. How'd you find this place?"
"Well."
"...Not in a chatty mood, huh. Figures."
She raised her hand. One bodyguard swiftly retreated.
He yanked a cord on the wall—a signal to the surface.
And, predictably, nothing happened.
No minions rushing to seal the entrance. The woman's voice cracked in panic.
"Wh-what?!"
"All taken out already? And we barely started."
The seated man clicked his tongue and stood.
"We bail now."
"R-right!"
As first sensed, the back man outranked her despite the matching masks.
He fiddled with his chair, revealing a hole in the floor instantly.
No hesitation—he leaped in.
"Esteemed guests, deepest apologies! Due to this unfortunate incident, the auction will be postponed. Until next time!"
The woman spat her words breathlessly and vanished into the hole after him. The two bodyguards followed in a fluster.
Galen was alone, outside situation unclear—they could've watched longer, but the escape was shockingly swift.
"Uh, umm...!"
The leftover guests just stammered in confusion.
In the chaos, Lilia dashed to Galen and whispered.
"It's okay not to chase them, right?"
"Fine. They won't get far—I'll have them back soon."
Galen replied calmly, jerking his chin at the rest.
"Let's tidy up before they return."