A Fire in the Darkness

"Just like you were trying to tell me earlier. Do you understand?" 

"All right!!" 

After sending away the man who was repeating his story with a pale face, Leo leaned against the wall and finished smoking his remaining cigarette. 

"I think I should stop by the orchard again soon… ." 

Thirty cigarettes of Cashburn tobacco purchased at Plumber's Orchard. 

I tried my best to save and avoid it, but when there's a huge request like this, I can't help but expend it quickly. 

I rummaged through my pockets and there were only four cigarettes left. 

I should have bought it in advance, but I kept putting it off because it was too expensive. 

Will it interfere with the battle? 

Leo thought about it for a moment, but it was true that it was difficult to guess the level of an opponent without actually facing them and seeing for himself. 

'Based on the time the effect lasts; I think I can last a full day….' 

If the gang splits their forces and charges in at different times, then Leo could also be in a bit of trouble. 

It was likely a needless worry, but Leo didn't stop thinking about it. 

Even if you assume all situations and launch an operation, there are many variables that can arise. 

Leo learned that the hard way when he met Croken Asylus. 

'We have plenty of horsepower and ammunition. We should also consider the possibility that we may have to buy some time by shooting at them if necessary.' 

Of course, I already knew the escape route in case something happened. 

I also memorized the underground passages inside the warehouse building as I went back and forth, so I don't think there will be any problems there. 

I stopped thinking for a moment and sat up. 

I've been away for so long; it's time I started showing myself to people. 

He must have been feeling uneasy about dealing with the gang as it was, and if Leo was away for a long time, he might sneak away. 

Leo didn't think he had any leadership or commanding ability, but he could at least guess what people were thinking without much difficulty. 

As expected, when Leo returned to the warehouse, several people turned their heads in surprise. 

"… … .." 

I don't think they are wrong. Life is precious to everyone. 

But the choice is theirs, too, and Leo had no intention of helping them make that choice. 

Leo went into the warehouse without saying a word, laid down on a random box, and sat down. 

There is still a lot of time left until the patent office opens. 

If the gang didn't move, they might have to spend quite some time waiting. 

'… ...It reminds me of the military.' 

It's not difficult compared to when I spent two years just killing time. 

Fortunately, the wizard's strong mental power allowed him to stay up all night without his thinking powers slowing down. 

Time goes by. 

Leo, who was taking the revolver out of his pocket and cleaning it, sensed that the outside was gradually becoming noisy. 

Immediately release your magic power in all directions to check for signs. 

A radius of 2km. The cognitive ability, which is much more developed and intense than before, sharply scans the surroundings. 

Indeed, just as I had felt, I was able to discover that all sorts of unknown heat were surrounding this area. 

Leo concentrated more intently and quickly gauged the strength of the crowd gathering here. 

'There are about two strong sensations. Then there are ten. The rest are about one hundred and fifty…' 

Two heads leading the group and ten executives. 150 members. 

It's a smaller number than Jenny said, but it's not a number that can make you let your guard down. 

As soon as he went outside with his head suddenly cold, the people who had been waiting immediately ran towards Leo. 

"W-Wizard…!! Outside right now…." 

"Know." 

Leo cut off the man's words and continued to concentrate while observing the situation outside. 

The speed is… quite fast. 

If there were only one or two people like this, you might think they were magic users, but if there were over a hundred people running at once, it seemed more likely that they were using vehicles. 

At that moment, Joe, who had just finished his patrol and returned, ran into the warehouse and shouted. 

"Come on!! Everyone gets ready!" 

Booooooooo!! 

Along with those words, the faint sound of an engine can be heard from far away. 

Headlights pierce through the faint darkness, illuminating all directions, and a pungent smell resonates and stings the tip of your nose. 

Before long, the darkness in the area was completely lifted, and the surrounding area was brightly lit by car lights. 

Fireworks 

"… … ." 

Judging by the engine noise and lights filling the area beyond the wall, others must have noticed that the area around the warehouse is now completely surrounded. 

People looked at Leo with frightened expressions, but Leo deliberately hardened his expression and answered. 

"Just guard the entrance. I'll take care of the rest." 

The strongest person in this place, and the only one who can use them in some way, is Leo. 

It was necessary to remain as cool as possible and instil composure. 

It's a good thing that the person with the ability to pyrotechnics who was threatened by Leo is at the forefront, but if it really feels dangerous, Leo and everyone else will run away. 

While I was pondering, the rough honking of the horn was getting closer. 

Each of them holds tightly to their respective equipment and waits. 

You can see vague silhouettes of people with their backs turned to the headlights, but they don't actually approach the warehouse. 

Should I wait to figure out the situation here? 

There was a long silence, and the first thing to move was not the vehicle at the entrance, but the wall near the warehouse. 

Kuung!! 

The axis of the earth shakes slightly, and a loud noise erupts. 

"Eek…!!" 

Someone screamed a new scream, but there was no one who disagreed with the sentiment. 

It didn't take long for me to realize what was happening. 

The gang's vehicles surrounding the warehouse are crashing into the wall. 

'They're thinking of tearing down the entire wall and completing the siege.' 

Although the cruel intention of not letting a single person live was clearly felt in this place, Leo burst into laughter. 

How much did you know about your opponent in this short amount of time to choose to attack them so thoughtlessly? 

The move they just made is now clear. 

It was already decided who would not be able to return from this place alive. 

As soon as the thought is finished, the arrangement shines. 

Kwaaaaang!! 

An ear-piercing roar from behind. A sharp hot wind that loosely wets the back of your neck. 

The dark sky turned bright red, and a hot heat rose up. 

At this moment, everyone looks up at the sky with the same feeling. 

A burning old Jeep is spinning in the air, flipping over. 

Kuuung!! 

A red fireball flying through the sky lands right in front of the warehouse site, sending sparks flying in all directions. 

While people fled in panic in all directions, Leo remained thoughtful without blinking an eye. 

'Even if it was caught in the explosion, it wouldn't have flown this far... ... Why?' 

Leo knows better than anyone else the power of the [Claymore] magic he installed. 

The amount of magic power invested, and the range of power modified were already perfectly organized in his senses. 

Even if it were to explode violently upon contact with the oil in the body of the car, it would be strange for an explosion large enough to blow up the car would occur. 

While he was pondering, Leo suddenly noticed oil leaking from inside the car and his eyes lit up. 

It's not very visible because it's engulfed in flames, but it's a deep fluorescent colour that's completely different from ordinary oil. 

As soon as it leaks out of the body and comes into contact with the heat, it reacts rapidly and bursts into flames. 

It seemed that the gang was not using regular fuel, but rather a different type of fuel to drive their vehicles. 

That small coincidence and Leo's arrangement combined to create a spectacular sight across the night sky in an instant. 

Boom! Boom!! Boom!!! 

The explosion doesn't end with one shot. 

A series of explosive sounds and fireballs rising like firecrackers across the dark sky. 

You are paying a heavy price for foolishly and ignorantly doing it without any preparation. 

In an instant, the ground shook with a vibration and the surrounding area became bright as if it were broad daylight. 

Under that light, Leo could see the face of the man leading the gang. 

A shaved head and a face that looks younger than expected. A long scar at the corner of the mouth. And baggy training clothes that don't really match the dignity of a captain. 

Another man standing next to him was holding a strangely long cane and smiling strangely. 

Leo's eyes lit up as he noticed the faint magic emanating from the man holding the staff. 

'Wizard Army.' 

This is the third time I've met the same wizard. 

Professor Alice Richellen. A search-type wizard who was assisting the Scavengers. And this man. 

And it's the first time we've faced each other head-on. 

What kind of magic should I use? How should I respond? What series do I mainly use? What Sinister system do I have? 

Should I attack first? Or should I receive it first and then counter? 

'I want to know.' 

Leo, who had dozens of thoughts in his head as soon as he saw the wizard, was slightly surprised to find himself being consumed by his own thoughts. 

"… … ." 

It was dangerous to lose focus in the face of hundreds of gangsters. 

But I'm so curious. 

What kind of magic do the wizards of this world truly use? 

What kind of battle will they force me to fight with what kind of attack method? How will they try to counter the magic I use? 

His reason and judgment, perfectly attuned to the wizard's talents, were completely absorbed in the moment beyond enjoying it. 

Yes. The experience of dealing with the exploration-type wizard I met last time felt so futile. 

Didn't he fail to stop Leo's interference, and instead, his magic was detected, and he died instantly from shock due to overclocking? 

But this wizard is different. 

Isn't he one of the two leaders who stand at the forefront of the gang and command the group? 

It may be possible to engage in much more advanced combat than that. 

"… ...sigh." 

… ...let's calm down. 

Take a deep breath and the smoke will penetrate deep into your lungs. 

Along with the dull sensation of hitting the back of the head, the medicinal ingredients quickly seep into every part of the body, adding a slight boost of strength. 

Leo, who had regained his composure in an instant, turned his gaze around again. 

The effect of [Claymore] was so explosive that a hole was blown in the siege surrounding this area. 

The idea of blocking the escape route with a force of about 100 men was absurd in the first place, but it was positive that there was a vacancy in the already small force. 

In fact, those standing in front of Leo also noticed the situation and their faces were bright with joy. 

I spread my magic power and quickly scanned the surroundings again. 

'The wrecked vehicle is just over a mile away. There are almost exactly a hundred people left.' 

Most of the personnel are also concentrated at the front of the warehouse site. 

There was no reason to let down my guard, but there was no need to be nervous any longer either. 

He places his right hand on his neck and generates magical power. 

Woohoo!! 

The words that came out of his voice, accompanied by the violent vibrations of magical power, reverberated loudly in all directions like thunder. 

[How long are you going to wait like that?] 

"… … !!!" 

[Come in. You must have something to say.] 

The engine noise that had been so loud in my ears suddenly stopped. 

There is a murmur of somewhat agitated voices, and the sound of other people getting out of the car. 

The flames that had been attached to the completely destroyed car body disappeared and darkness fell again. 

Through the hazy darkness, I could hear the sound of people approaching. 

The gang is actually walking towards the inside of the warehouse. 

If it were normal, something like this, showing a willingness to talk as Leo said, would not have happened. 

From the gang's point of view, all they had to do was sweep away everyone gathered here and secure a sample of the new drug.