LIGHTNOVELWORLD Chapter 82
Chapter 82
The Tower of Magic (마탑)
It was a term that referred to a tower established by ancient sorcerers, widely known across the continent. Among the legends, some claimed that the Tower of Magic possessed power comparable to that of mighty nations.
The Ivory Tower of Knowledge, the Babel Tower, the Magicians’ Paradise…
Despite countless tales, no one had ever laid eyes on it. Special task forces had conducted investigations, but Yan’s conclusion remained firm:
“An existence of fantastical fiction.”
Even if a group dedicated to magical research rivaled the strength of an entire nation, it was inconceivable. Yet, beyond wars, the utility of magicians was boundless: agriculture, artifact crafting, magical studies, academia, business—the demand overflowed.
Nations and factions trembled, striving to recruit magicians. And now, there were not one but two individuals mentioning the enigmatic group known as the “Tower of Magic.”
“Descendants of the Tower?”
Eamon remained silent, hovering in thin air as he scrutinized Yan. His intense gaze seemed to pierce through Yan’s very essence.
Then, Monmon sighed:
“Truly the worst.”
Yan understood why Monmon uttered those words. Perhaps this apprentice of the Tower of Magic was genuine.
“Can you do as I asked?”
“Well, it’s your call.”
“Don’t worry. But you’re still lacking. Stall for time.”
And so, a brief moment passed.
Suddenly, Eamon’s crimson eyes widened. He sensed something from Yan’s mana.
“To think there’s still a remnant of the lineage!”
Eamon’s empty eye sockets seemed to smile—an eerie expression that only Yan could perceive.
“Join me, then. We’ve nearly reached the pinnacle of magic. As a descendant of the Tower, you’ll comprehend my research thus far. And if you desire anything else, I’ll share it generously.”
Yan furrowed his brow, puzzled by Eamon’s cryptic words.
“Perhaps it’s an opportunity.” After all, befriending a necromancer with such power couldn’t hurt.
“Is it just about researching together?”
“Huh? What do you mean? We’ll be side by side.”
“Together?” Yan hesitated.
“Of course. You must become a lich. What can a mere human body, which barely lives a century, achieve?”
Eamon’s response earned Yan a skeptical look.
“The pinnacle of magic—the ‘Essence of Magic’—doesn’t the very phrase thrill you? Living eternally alongside me, delving into magic until the end of time. Time is infinite; someday, we’ll reach it!”
It was utter madness.
Unless Yan’s mind spun as wildly as a cultist’s, he wouldn’t spout such nonsense.
“Go away, lunatic.”
But Eamon grinned.
“I thought you’d say that. When I wore the mortal shroud, death terrified me too. However…”
His robe fluttered, and ominous black mana emanated from his body, shrouding the sky.
“You’ll be grateful to me.”
With nothing but bones for arms, Eamon swung.
Instantly, black mana formed intricate runes all around.
It mirrored the scene Monmon had witnessed before—the same patterns.
From each rune, elemental spells erupted: ice spears, fire arrows, lightning bolts, venomous acids…
Yan watched the onslaught, aghast.
“All this while saying ‘let’s be companions’?”
Eamon’s grin widened.
“Since you’re destined to become a lich, why cling to mere existence? Embrace eternity!”
And so, the madman persisted.
* * *
“Kwakwakwakwa-crrrash!
“Kukung!”
Eamon’s magical onslaught was immense. The desolate plateau was now blanketed solely by runes and mana. But Yan wasn’t without his own strategy.
As undead creatures swiftly passed him, caught in the crossfire of Eamon’s magical assault, their fading morale seeped into Yan’s being.
“Die gracefully,” Eamon taunted. “After all, you can’t escape my grasp.”
Yan’s lips curled in defiance. “Why should I die at all?”
Thwack!
Yan halted, spun around, and drew Ascalon from its sheath, deflecting the incoming spells.
“Zap-zap!”
The collision between Ascalon and the magical projectiles sent sparks flying. Eamon’s eyes widened.
“Influencing mana, are we?” he muttered.
But Yan remained unfazed. Although the black blade posed challenges, it wasn’t insurmountable. He could still hold his ground.
With a skeletal arm, Eamon gestured, and hundreds of new magical runes materialized above Yan’s head. Yellow glyphs spun violently, conjuring spherical mana orbs.
Yan smirked, tightening his grip on Ascalon. “Adaptable, aren’t you?”
Ascalon specialized in disrupting mana. It could halt magical phenomena by merely touching them. But there was a catch—it required direct contact with the blade. Otherwise, it became a battle of endurance.
How many spells could Yan deflect without exhausting himself? Would the mage or the swordsman tire first?
Wuuuuung!
The sky blazed as Eamon’s summoned orbs turned night into day. Yan swallowed hard.
The energy emanating from those orbs was formidable. A single hit would unleash a cascade of follow-up attacks, overwhelming him.
“Still hanging on?” Eamon’s laughter echoed.
Yan’s body screamed from the impact. His speed waned, and his gaze darted around.
Undead creatures converged, drawn by the chaotic display. Yan had orchestrated this—luring them to this spot.
“Almost time,” Yan thought.
His mana reserves were sufficient for one last move.
“No more magic,” Yan decided.
He was well-versed in magic theory, but Eamon’s expertise surpassed his. Using magic risked backlash, and the burden would fall on the caster.
So Yan relied on martial arts and divine power.
He raised Eamon’s gaze. “No intention of fighting hand-to-hand?”
“Naturally not,” Eamon replied, grinning.
The sky filled with orbs, hurtling toward Yan.
“Heh, heh, heh! You won’t shake them off easily.”
Eamon’s expression changed when Yan’s posture shifted.
“What’s this?”
Yan’s left hand extended, and a blue rune appeared near his ankle. It was a target spell.
“Haste!”
The blue rune activated, and Yan’s ankle glowed. His body shot forward, crossing the plateau at breakneck speed.
Ordinary humans would have vanished instantly. But Yan was no ordinary man.
Eamon’s eyes widened. “Still not giving up?”
“Of course not.” Yan’s gaze swept the area. The mana fluctuations from Eamon intensified.
“Keep gaping,” Yan said. “I’ll crush your morale until there’s nothing left.”
[To be continued…]