Chapter 387

Words : 2504 Updated : Oct 11th, 2025

Despite Limrei’s unexpected appearance, Rudger wasn’t particularly surprised. He accepted the reality before him calmly, as if it were something predestined. Limrei asked, his eyes creasing deeply with wrinkles. “Did you know?” “To be honest, I was half-convinced.” “Half-convinced, you say.” “It changed depending on the situation. When you first approached me, I had my doubts. Why would someone of your caliber come here? There was a plausible reason, but it wasn’t entirely convincing. However, I softened my suspicions after seeing your subsequent attitude.” At least the warm attitude shown to Arpa wasn’t an act, but genuine. No. Perhaps everything shown until now was genuine. That’s why Rudger couldn’t be completely certain. “Yet you kept your guard up against me.” “Yes.” Rudger nodded honestly. Even after returning to the study and discovering the hidden place, Rudger kept that fact hidden from his companions. The one who came looking for Rudger afterward wasn’t Sempas or Roina, but Limrei. “So you found that hidden space. Instead of fleeing from the Shadow Knight, you even thought about breaking through. I underestimated you.” Limrei stroked his white beard with one hand. “Since when? When did you become certain about me?” “When you got separated from us after the door closed. Do you remember?” “Indeed.” “Thanks to the Truth Faction acting on their own, we were able to move separately. But I saw an opportunity there. I was confident that if there were killers hiding inside the mansion, they would definitely try to contact me through some means.” “You? Why?” “Why hide anything at this point?” “Right, John Doe. Your intuition is frighteningly sharp.” Limrei finally burst into laughter. Rather than finding it absurd, it was closer to pure admiration for such precise judgment. “But no one followed you. That’s when you became certain. The reason why they didn’t follow.” “It wasn’t that they couldn’t follow, but that there was no need to. And naturally, the reason was that someone was already assigned to keep watch.” “Now that person has appeared before you, are you satisfied?” At Limrei’s words, Rudger shook his head. “I find it regrettable.” “...How absurd. I deceived you all, and now I’ve done something irreversible. Yet you don’t even show anger.” “If I had encountered this situation without knowing anything, I would have been quite bewildered. But if I already knew, there’s no reason for that.” The same was true for Limrei. He naturally accepted that Rudger wasn’t particularly surprised to see him. Just as Rudger had foreseen this situation, Limrei too had foreseen it would come to this. That’s why he couldn’t hide his bitterness even more. It meant this catastrophe was predetermined, and they couldn’t avoid it. “If you hadn’t revealed yourself here, I would have remained ignorant until the end.” “You’re much more merciful than your public reputation suggests.” This wasn’t the attitude of John Doe, who would kill his subordinates for minor mistakes. But what did that matter now? “You know that couldn’t happen anyway, don’t you?” “Yes. That’s why I find it regrettable. I hoped my suspicions were wrong, but they turned out to be correct.” “I feel the same. I’d rather you fell to the Shadow Knights but that didn’t happen because your skills were too exceptional. I came here because I had a slight hope.” But that slight hope ended up being realized. “More importantly, what did you do with Samuel?” “That guy? I safely handed him over to other magicians.” Rudger looked at him with surprise that he hadn’t killed him but thinking about it, there was no particular reason to kill him. Rudger delivered his final ultimatum. “Let me ask you one last time. Do you have any intention of stopping?” “Why don’t you stop yourself?” “I’d die if I did, what choice do I have?” Thinking about it, that’s true, Limrei let out a bitter laugh. Finally, he wiped the smile from his face and stared at Rudger. Unlike usual, his cold, sunken eyes revealed a firm resolve at their core. “Regrettably, I too have reasons why I can’t stop.” “Is that so?” “Do you find it regrettable?” “Yes, I do.” “That’s how the world works. Struggles, antagonisms, conflicts – they all happen because of everyone’s own reasons.” “I agree.” Rudger turned to look at Arpa standing beside him. “Arpa.” “Leader, I...” Arpa tried to say something with a serious expression, but Rudger cut him off. “Step back.” “But, Leader.” “I understand. They’re enemies so we should fight. But Arpa, can you truly fight the Sage with all your heart?” At that question, Arpa’s eyes wavered greatly. Arpa glanced at Limrei. He recalled the pleasant conversations they had shared until just moments ago. “I...” I don’t want to fight Grandpa Limrei. But he couldn’t let Rudger fight alone either. “You must be perplexed.” “...” “I understand. But Arpa, these moments will inevitably come in life. Even in confusing situations where we don’t know what to choose, we must make decisions.” “Maybe there’s a way to resolve this peacefully, without fighting.” Those words were nothing more than foolish statements that belonged in fairy tales but Rudger didn’t mock Arpa, he just faintly smiled as if he was proud. “Arpa. Things in this world don’t always work out well. Bad intentions lead to bad things, and good intentions lead to even worse things. That’s the world we live in.” The road to hell is paved with good intentions. Rudger thought that saying really resonated. “But why?” “No one knows the reason. Not even me. That’s why we must find that reason.” We must continue walking this path and find the answer at its end. “What we have to do is very simple. We shouldn’t stop walking the path we’re on.” Because that was the duty given to us as people living in this world. Arpa lowered his head as if he had realized something. “I’m sorry. For being childish.” “It’s alright. Rather, I hope you keep that innocence forever.” Rudger liked that childlikeness of Arpa. After all, he didn’t like it when children had adult eyes. “Help up the fallen people and withdraw. You’ll get caught up in this if you stay here. They’re both still alive, so simple first aid should suffice.” “Yes. I understand.” Arpa immediately picked up the fallen Roina and left the area. Limrei, who had been quietly watching until then, spoke up. “You really are different from ordinary fellows.” “You think so?” “Yes. Though we’re enemies now, you’re right. What we have to do is simple. Don’t stop.” Limrei muttered in a self-deprecating voice before pressing his lips tight. No more conversation was needed. There is no path where everyone reaches a happy ending. Two people who wouldn’t stop met on a narrow bridge. There were two people and only one path. Here, one must certainly fall down into the shadows of the world. -Clang. Limrei planted his staff firmly on the ground. “As a senior in life who respects you, let me give you one piece of advice.” “Please speak. I’ll listen carefully.” “You’ll need to fight me with all your strength.” -Whoosh! At the same time, a fierce light burst from Limrei’s eyes. It wasn’t just the blue light that was overflowing, a fierce wind swept around Limrei, making his robe flutter. The mana that held a distinct form writhed violently, it was like looking at a huge furnace burning with mana. “Otherwise, you and your companions behind you will die.” “I was planning to do so even without you saying that.” Though he had consumed quite a bit of magic power in the previous battle, Rudger also raised his magical power thanks to the magic power he had reserved. [Aether Nocturnus] Black shadows surrounded his body. The rippling shadows covered from his feet to his crown, placing a crow mask on his face. Limrei is a 6th-rank Lexer class magician, not an opponent he could fight while holding back. ‘A one-on-one with a 6th-rank magician.’ Come to think of it, this was his first time. It’s not that he hadn’t fought 6th-rank magicians before, but it had never been purely one-on-one. ‘Moreover, the opponent doesn’t think I’m weak, so there’s no room for carelessness.’ The air trembled as the space around Limrei seemed to distort. It was an optical illusion caused by Limrei’s magical power being too strong. The atmosphere shook as if there was an earthquake and Rudger couldn’t shake off the tingling sensation on his skin. This is the full power of a Lexer magician and Limrei was planning to use all his strength now. ‘The moment I show even a slight opening, I die.’ The opponent is a 6th-rank magician and a veteran with abundant practical experience who has lived long. Naturally, there are differences in level even within the same 6th rank. In that sense, Limrei was by far the strongest human magician Rudger had ever met. Limrei took the first move. -Whoosh! The magical power whirled and spun above Limrei’s head, eventually drawing an elaborate magic formula. To create such a complex magic formula on the spot without any preparation was an unbelievable sight, but its power was even more incredible. As a dazzling flash of light sparkled, it rushed to Rudger’s immediate vicinity. It was a simple and direct attack made by releasing pure magical power, therefore, it was fast and powerful. ─This can’t be blocked. Rudger immediately threw his body sideways to avoid the bombardment. It was possible because his physical abilities had increased dramatically by wrapping his body in magic. If not for that, he wouldn’t have even been able to react. However, another magic power bombardment flew to where Rudger had dodged. From the start, Limrei hadn’t even expected this first strike to end it. This time, the position was also exquisite, making it impossible to dodge. Rudger had no choice but to hide his body under the shadow. Like sinking into a swamp, Rudger’s body slowly seeped under the shadow as a massive magical bombardment swept over it. The magical bombardment was so powerful that it left scars on the mansion that normally wouldn’t be damaged by ordinary means. Limrei quickly scanned around, rolling his eyes. He wasn’t surprised that Rudger had disappeared. Calmly, he just looked for Rudger who would show himself from somewhere. At that moment, several magical reactions occurred above his head. Along with flashing light, a rain of arrows of ice, fire, and electricity fell. It was an attack that perfectly covered within a 10m radius centered on Limrei. However, Limrei didn’t move a single step from his position, lightly waving his staff. -Ching. Countless straight lines pierced through the rain of elemental arrows. With a slight time difference, the arrows caused explosions. Multicolored explosions chaotically decorated the air but even amid those flashing lights, Limrei didn’t lose his composure. Immediately after, Rudger suddenly sprang out from Limrei’s shadow and thrust his sword stick. Limrei spun his staff once and struck the ground at the surprise attack from behind. -Boom!!! A huge storm of magical power swirled around Limrei and spread out in concentric circles. The magical storm pushed away Rudger who was trying to launch a surprise attack from behind. Limrei turned around and pointed his staff at Rudger. Magic formulas were drawn around the staff as merciless magical bombardments were fired in succession. Rudger disappeared from his spot, contracting into a point in mid-air. “Magic that transcends space. You keep surprising me.” Magic that can instantly avoid any attack. Moreover, he doesn’t hesitate to engage in close combat based on it. Limrei raised his magical power even stronger throughout his body and dominated the entire hall’s space. Detecting an anomaly in the scattered magical power, Limrei stretched out his hand. The magical power fluctuated in the empty air, and eventually, Rudger revealed himself there. “But it’s not perfect. In an environment with such dense magical power, it seems difficult to operate easily.” “...” To cover the entire space with one’s own magical power. He didn’t expect his magic of hiding in shadows and transcending space would be countered like this. It was something possible because he was a 6th-rank magician. ‘Even so, the magical power surging through the mansion itself must be considerable, yet he’s pushing it away and filling it with his own mana.’ It was a crude but effective method. While thinking this, Rudger brought his left hand, which wasn’t holding the sword stick, to his waist. The black revolver he quickly drew spat fire. -Ratatat! Instead of using Silence of Fire, Limrei blocked the magical bullets with a magical barrier. Though the barrier didn’t budge, Rudger didn’t stop pulling the trigger. Limrei’s eyebrows twitched at this sight. ‘The direction of the bullets...’ The bullets made of magical power changed direction in mid-air, moving at bizarre angles. Seeing the dazzling movement of the bullets, Limrei wrapped his barrier more densely. If you don’t know where they’ll come from, just block everything. The moment he thought that, the magical bullets disappeared in mid-air. Limrei discovered a cold flash appearing before his eyes. Rudger made the magical bullets transcend space but Limrei’s mind quickly grasped the situation. -Pop pop bang! The bullets that appeared inside the barrier exploded in mid-air because Limrei’s threads of magical power had pierced them. It was a level of skill comparable to shooting a flying fly with an arrow but Limrei demonstrated it without difficulty. “Not bad, but...” For a magician to hide a sword inside a staff, and to use a gun that fires bullets made of magical power. “Still not enough.” While all methods were extraordinary, they were far from reaching him. Limrei looked at Rudger as if asking if this was all and he couldn’t help but frown. Under the crow mask resembling a plague doctor, Rudger was holding a pipe tobacco. There was no way he would suddenly smoke in this situation. Wasn’t he a man who never even touched such things normally? ‘Is it doping?’ Were all the attacks until now just buying time for this? Moreover, the dense blue magical afterglow rising around Rudger was gradually pushing away Limrei’s magical power that had dominated the space. ‘With doping of that density, it wouldn’t be strange if his body broke down.’ Yet Rudger was enduring it perfectly. Or maybe he had a special constitution where this much was nothing. Whatever the case, just as he was about to judge that what he had to do hadn’t changed, Limrei saw a golden radiance rising from behind Rudger.

Chapter 387

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