Chapter 160
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 160
Chapter Title: Recalux (3)
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"What, you're already here?"
"...Yeah."
As we entered the inn in Laderam where we'd agreed to meet, we spotted Ha Yu-ri already seated at the table.
"Why'd you get here so fast? We're pretty early ourselves..."
"...It's about my little sister."
Her words made instant sense.
Ha Yu-ri glanced at Shariss beside me and asked,
"So... this woman's the old monster's former colleague?"
Her gaze wasn't friendly. Shariss noticed and scowled right back.
"...Hah, watch your damn eyes."
'Shit, why are you two like this?'
"My eyes? You talk just like the bitch who uses dark magic."
'Hey, I use dark magic too...'
I felt the splash damage hitting me too.
"Bitch? Hah... Listen to her."
"Hold on. You two... know this is an inn, right?"
At my words, Shariss and Ha Yu-ri, who'd been raising their voices, looked around.
The other patrons in the inn were sneaking glances at the two beauties arguing.
Soundproofing magic kept our voices from carrying, though.
Ha Yu-ri was famous enough that she'd altered her hair color and minor features, but her looks were still striking.
Watching the scene unfold, Luska finally spoke up.
"What a spectacle. How dare slaves raise their voices in front of their master? Neither of you has had proper discipline."
Shariss let out an incredulous yell.
"Who the hell is this woman?!"
'...Feels like déjà vu.'
"...I explained on the way."
"So what? This pisses me off! Why do I have to deal with this?!"
I was starting to get annoyed too. Stuck between these three women, I had no clue what I was even doing.
What glory was worth this bullshit? Doubt crept in.
"Fuck, everyone shut up, alright? If we're like this from the start, what's the point?"
"....."
"Ha Yu-ri, don't you want revenge? Don't you want to find your sister?"
Her face paled at my words.
"Shariss, ease up. I get you're pissed, but why take it out on me? I told you on the way this might happen, so bear with it."
"...Sorry."
It was my fault for assembling this mess of a team.
'...Man, I miss Wi Ho-yeon.'
She listened well, loyal, quiet, strong, beautiful, body to die for...
"...Anyway, let's all calm down. Ha Yu-ri, control your emotions. I understand, but I told you Shariss has nothing to do with it."
"...Yes, sorry."
The mood settled a bit, so I nodded at Shariss.
She opened her mouth with a sour expression.
"First off, I'll explain about the geezer... I mean, Recalux. Listen up."
Everyone focused on her words.
"Recalux is a chimera sorcerer. Same as that guy. Though there's a world of difference in skill..."
'Shit, no need to compare me.'
"Recalux pursues two directions in chimeras. One is pure monster forms. No trace of humanity left."
Ha Yu-ri's face darkened as she listened.
If her sister had been used in experiments like that, it had to be horrifying for her.
"The other is human-form chimeras. Barely chimeras, really—they aim to create humans with explosive mana. Like coating mana circuits with special materials or transplanting a dragon heart."
Ha Yu-ri asked in a trembling voice.
"Th-then... what about my sister...?"
"...If he used her as an experiment like he said, pray it's the latter. The former would be a mindless monster."
"No way..."
"One more thing for everyone: if Recalux is in this city, he definitely has his own hideout."
Classic dark sorcerer habit.
"Fighting a dark sorcerer—especially a chimera sorcerer—on their home turf doubles the difficulty. Don't underestimate him."
"...Even with three ranker-level powerhouses?"
Shariss shook her head at my question.
"No, we have enough firepower. No matter how strong the geezer is, he can't beat us even at home. Just don't get complacent."
Got it. This continent's all about dying in a blink if you're careless.
"Especially you. Your combat power's ant-level, so be extra careful."
"Ant-level is harsh..."
"Compared to Recalux, the geezer."
...Yeah, I get why they look down on me.
'But I haven't just been sitting around.'
Mana pool's grown, new materials acquired—why wouldn't I experiment?
Of course I broke into new territory too.
'Still miles behind them.'
Recently, my job rank went up. Current status:
'This chimera I made exceeded expectations.'
I only had two in total now, but this was my first true combat chimera.
"This the place?"
"Yes, Master."
I couldn't believe it. Because...
'What the fuck? Running a potion shop right in the middle of the city?'
The others reacted the same—except Shariss.
"Fits the geezer's style. He's bold like that. He figures no one would suspect the city center, so he's banking on that."
"...Shall we head in?"
Hiding our tension, we entered the shop.
Ding—
"Welcome."
The shopkeeper's greeting rang out, and turning toward the voice, a pretty woman came into view.
'What?'
Recalux was an old man.
'Why's there a woman...'
Wrong guess? Trap? Thoughts raced—then Shariss spoke loud enough for all to hear.
"...The geezer's chimera. Human-type."
Right after, the woman's eyes changed, and she spoke in a eerie voice.
"Intruders detected. Explode."
'What?'
Her body began swelling unnaturally.
Boom—!!!
The shop exploded in the city center.
"Urk..."
Luckily, Ha Yu-ri encased us in ice just in time, nullifying the blast.
"Hah, a suicide chimera?"
For some reason, my lips curled up in this mess.
As a fellow chimera sorcerer, Recalux's work fascinated me.
Shariss, though, looked disgusted.
"The geezer whipped up another freak."
"Did we miss the old monster?"
Ha Yu-ri's face was desperate. Missing him now would be unthinkable for her.
If we lost him here, he'd burrow deeper, maybe untouchable forever.
"No, I know the geezer's tricks. He's fleeing right now. From right below us."
Shariss finished and touched a relatively intact bookshelf amid the debris.
Click.
Don't know the mechanism, but the shelf rotated, revealing a passage to the basement.
"Geezer's style. Makes you think you missed him, then slips away or backstabs."
"...So he might be prepping a backstab."
"No. He's probably running for his life. That chimera's eyes saw our faces."
Shariss knew Recalux inside out.
"He might not know our exact level, but he gets the gist. Guy like him knows when he can't win. Sharp as hell."
"Then let's track him fast."
We descended immediately. A lab-like space and an artificial cave appeared.
More tunnel than cave.
'Leads somewhere.'
No signs of people in the lab, so we dashed through the tunnel.
We'd been running a while when...
"Hold up."
Luska stopped us mid-stride.
"What is it?"
"Master, something's coming from ahead."
"What?"
Ha Yu-ri and Shariss sensed it too, unlike me.
"It's huge. Prepare for battle, Master."
'Huge?'
I soon understood.
Rumble—
With massive vibrations, it emerged: like a giant maggot with only a mouth.
Creepy part? Glossy black surface, but tiny mouths studded all over its sides.
"Hah, the geezer's favorite chimera. Didn't expect him to deploy it so soon... Guess he's desperate to escape."
Ha Yu-ri spoke urgently.
"We can't get stalled here..."
"Ha Yu-ri, take Luska and go ahead."
"Huh?"
Confused looks. Luska too.
"What do you mean, Master? What about you...!"
Shariss alone could win eventually, but protecting me changes everything.
Hence their reactions.
"I'll go alone. You handle the rest..."
"I'm not dead weight anymore."
"Huh?"
As they panicked, I pulled a seed from my pocket.
'Using it already.'
I tossed it to the ground.
They stared, confused—but it didn't take long for shock to set in.
The seed hit the floor, and black and white flesh formed, merging.
"From the Swamp of Oblivion..."
Their reactions thrilled me. Always the weakest, this was fresh.
'Electrifying.'
I'm still the weakest here, but that's them being inhumanly strong.
The chimera fully materialized.
Mouths agape from the others.
Me, the combat-zero guy, made this? Unbelievable.
"Master... when did you...?"
From Luska's reaction, no such thing in the first timeline.
Smaller than the enemy, but still overwhelming size.
Quadrupedal monster, demon-like face, bulky yet sleek body, half white, half black.
Tail made of flesh bundles from the birth cocoon.
Straight out of a cosmic horror flick.
This was my new chimera.