Chapter 76
Chapter 76
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 76
Chapter Title: The Eternal Illusion
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I had suggested the somewhat reckless plan of storming the tower in broad daylight, yet Mitra showed no reaction.
She simply watched me with intrigued eyes.
It was as if she was confident she could fix anything that went wrong during the mission.
‘Still, it's not a truly reckless move. A battle is inevitable, whether it's day or night.’
To disable the tower's sophisticated barrier magic would take days, even for someone more skilled than I.
Naturally, we'd have to force our way in, which would inevitably alert the personnel stationed there.
Chaos would ensue, and the mages would come pouring out.
A surprise attack during the day, when security is more relaxed, would actually allow the operation to proceed much faster.
"Deploy the diversionary team immediately. We won't move until the fifth level is open."
"Understood."
"If you die in battle, the family will take good care of you. So don't worry."
"What? D-Die in battle?"
"Well, it's a possibility. I'm just saying, if something happens, handle it."
"..."
The diversionary team's escape route was already prepared.
The assassination guild's branch in the Caliburn Duchy had agreed to assist with their retreat, so getting out wouldn't be too difficult.
‘The problem is whether the Grangmagia is actually in the laboratory...’
Additionally, the location of the Gray Tower's Master was crucial.
But despite the efforts of the Caliburn branch and the Discret Guild, they hadn't been able to find him.
He was known for being elusive, appearing here and there without warning.
A fitting trait for the head of a magic tower specializing in illusion magic.
‘Still, I can't delay the operation.’
I have my own primary mission to attend to, after all.
I immediately gestured with my chin toward the elite assassins of the central branch.
The operation to raid the Gray Magic Tower was finally about to begin.
* * *
"Second floor forces neutralized!"
"A barrier is forming on the third floor!"
"Force a breach!"
*CRASH!*
The moment the tower's third-level security shattered, the veteran members of the central branch surged forward.
They instantly pushed through the barrier and began a massacre inside.
As the battle raged on, they destroyed several magic circles, opening a path to the top of the tower.
‘So far, so good.’
I glanced over and met Mitra's eyes.
She seemed to be thinking the same thing, giving a small nod.
Now it was time for us to run wild on the stage the guild agents had set.
*BOOM!*
"Fourth floor barrier is open!"
"Moving in!"
*Swish! Swish! Swish!*
Mitra and I shot up toward the top of the tower as if we were in a race.
From the fifth level onward, we would have to break through on our own.
One of us would likely be diverted away from the Tower Master's laboratory.
It was obvious that whoever obtained the Grangmagia first would claim the greater achievement.
The outcome would likely depend on the nature of the fifth-level security.
*Thud!*
Soon, we arrived at what appeared to be the entrance to the laboratory.
Two thick doors blocked our path. I naturally reached for the left doorknob.
It was right in front of me.
Mitra nodded and placed her hand on the right doorknob.
I didn't know which was the real path, but one thing was certain.
Without knowing the special method to pass, the doors would only open if both knobs were turned simultaneously.
This was information we had already gathered, so there was no hesitation.
"Let's go."
"Right."
*Click! Clack! Flash—!*
As the doors opened, an incredibly bright light burst from within.
I let the strong suction pull me in, my senses on high alert.
Unable to see clearly, I tried to detect any danger with my other senses.
Fortunately, there seemed to be no immediate threat.
‘This place...’
As the dazzling haze of light gradually subsided, I could see my surroundings.
Thankfully, I had entered the mage's laboratory.
It seemed Mitra was the one stuck wandering inside the barrier, fighting the fifth-level security magic.
But I couldn't let my guard down.
‘This is the Tower Master's laboratory. There's a high chance of magical devices I don't know about.’
The Riverune family's magic was merely a secondary tool to perfect their martial arts.
Therefore, I had little information on high-level barriers or the 'Extreme Connection Realm.'
It was only known to be similar to what the Rantzverger called the 'Realm of Ultimate Density.'
‘The Extreme Connection Realm. A state where one can create new, specialized magic.’
Illusion magic itself could be considered a byproduct of the realms achieved by previous Tower Masters.
Of course, it was unknown whether the current Tower Master had newly reached the Extreme Connection Realm.
He was that shrouded in mystery, and the Gray Magic Tower was a rather secretive organization.
‘To the point where rumors of bizarre human experiments circulated behind the scenes.’
I raised my mana and scanned the area, but nothing stood out.
There were only traces of old experiments, and the Tower Master was nowhere to be seen.
If I could quickly find the Grangmagia, the mission would be over.
I made a wide, cautious circuit around the laboratory.
As befitting a place used only by the Tower Master, the interior was quite spacious.
‘They said it was kept in a corner of the laboratory.’
That was all the information the guild had managed to obtain.
That meant it was kept very secretly, so there was no need to panic just because I couldn't see it right away.
But just then.
"Huh?"
There, displayed prominently in a case on the wall, was a large staff.
‘Seriously? They just left something this important out in the open?’
Befitting a divine artifact of a magic tower that uses illusion magic, the Grangmagia was adorned with a variety of jewels.
Judging by the strange way they reflected light, each one seemed extraordinary.
As if possessed, I took the staff from the display case.
*Clunk!*
"What's this? It can't be this easy."
Alarm bells were ringing in my head, but my body was moving on its own.
As if I were the master of this laboratory.
‘Wait, the master?’
Suddenly, a word flashed through my mind.
I caught a glimpse in a mirror of myself walking with the Grangmagia tucked under my arm.
In that very moment, a shiver ran down my entire body.
‘An illusion... This is the Tower Master's form. I'm unconsciously mimicking his usual actions.’
What would happen if I just let my body do as it pleased?
I would undoubtedly fall into a trap set within the laboratory.
But I won't fall for such a cheap trick.
I immediately stopped walking and looked down at the Grangmagia hanging limply in my hand.
This seems to be the culprit...
The problem was how to break this damned illusion.
There are many techniques that affect human perception.
‘Like the Rantzverger's Form-Shifting Invisibility Technique or Soul Shadow Evasion.’
Expanding the scope to include magic, there would be countless similar methods.
The way to break such secret arts wasn't that difficult.
As long as you kept your wits about you.
*Swoosh! Thwack.*
I slung the Grangmagia over my shoulder and moved in front of the display case of materials.
‘A high-quality mana stone cube. Meticulously processed. This should do.’
*Whoooosh!*
I immediately swung the Tower Master's staff toward the mana stone cube.
When two objects with powerful energy collide, one of them is bound to be destroyed.
In this situation, the chances of the mana stone cube shattering were extremely high.
But such a disaster did not occur.
*Thump.*
The Grangmagia, which had been descending at tremendous speed, stopped mid-air as if blocked by something.
*CRASH! Shatter!*
Then, the surrounding space began to shatter like glass.
It wasn't that my location changed.
It was simply the sound of the illusion magic cast on the laboratory breaking.
"Oh? To break that, you must be quite skilled. An interesting one has come."
Just then, an elderly voice sounded from behind me.
It was astonishing that I hadn't felt his presence despite him being so close.
My senses were that sharp, after all.
Glancing back, I saw an old man in a neat gray robe.
White hair, a slightly ruddy face, and blue eyes.
His appearance was ordinary, but his aura was anything but.
‘So this one was a fake.’
He was holding a staff identical to mine.
That must be the real Grangmagia.
"The Master of the Gray Tower, I presume."
I asked with a deliberately calm expression.
The old man in the gray robe gave a surprisingly easygoing laugh and flicked his staff.
*Whoosh!*
"Heh heh! Such an ill-mannered young man. Wreaking havoc in someone else's laboratory."
Simultaneously, the mana stone cube in front of me flew through the air and into the Tower Master's hands.
He turned away as if he had no particular interest in me.
Then he gave the Grangmagia a great swing.
"Go die a lonely death in the Eternal Illusion. I can't be bothered to clean up the corpse, so handle yourself accordingly."
With that, his figure vanished completely.
*Thud! Thud! Thud!*
As soon as he finished speaking, the sound of steady footsteps came from somewhere.
All sorts of scenes flashed by at an incredible speed, making it impossible to keep my bearings.
‘What is this?’
Sensing a presence, I whipped my head around, only to see a familiar face.
My mother, who had always greeted me with infinite affection, my stern father, and even my mischievous younger brother.
The same illusion I had seen in Esmeranta's Tower appeared before me.
*Shing!*
They all drew their swords, beaming with wide smiles.
Their lips were smiling, but their eyes stared at me with murderous intent.
Then, the Tower Master's voice echoed in my ears.
"If you had not climbed Esmeranta's Tower, you would never be able to break the Eternal Illusion. Now, accept your death quietly."
*Step! Step!*
At the same time, my family advanced step by step, raising their swords.
It was a touch-and-go situation, but I could only laugh in disbelief.
‘Ha... I thought it would be something special, but it's this again?’
Completely ignoring my family's attacks, I charged into an empty space.
"I'm the one who smashed all that to pieces, you bastard."