Chapter 36

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▶Final Rampart – Theogenes, Third Prince of the Arman Kingdom

Leaving behind the vanished traces of Jain, a blond young man with a tall stature and striking looks soon appeared.

At his dignified and elegant presence, Yerin started, hiding behind Taewoon as if feeling overwhelmed.

“A friend? This is, exactly…”

Theogenes, who looked confused for a moment, soon received information about the Theater’s system just as Jain had, and let out a truly candid smile.

“So that’s how it was. To think that all those memories were nothing more than a reenactment of the past.”

“It’s been a long time, Theogenes. How are you holding up?”

“There is no need to worry, my friend. Is it not a special memory to occasionally lay down all one’s burdens and embark on a journey like this?”

After chatting for a while to catch up, Taewoon introduced Yerin and provided detailed information regarding the current situation.

“I see. So you require my help to witness the Conclusion of the Theater this time? Then I shall gladly lend my strength.”

Considering Theogenes’ image of steadfastly defending the fortress wall alone against two of the Empire’s Seven Knights, it was as if Taewoon had gained an ally equivalent to a thousand soldiers.

After taking two days to adjust. Taewoon and Theogenes began contacting individuals from exploration teams with the greatest possible power through the connections Jain had secured.

And finally, a plausible response came.

“So, you two want to join the team?”

Melissa, a muscular woman who appeared to be in her 40s or 50s, looked at Taewoon and Theogenes with indifferent eyes and let out a thin sigh.

“Well, whatever else, how good are your skills?”

Melissa scanned Taewoon’s entire body with a distrustful gaze before continuing in a cold voice.

“If you can pull your own weight, that’s one thing… but it would be troublesome to take in frail fools who are all talk.”

The reason a large exploration team, which already had a solid force, was recruiting additional personnel was simple.

It was likely because the strength of other competitors was that formidable, and they felt a significant threat.

“…At the very least, we aren’t the type to be unwelcome anywhere. If you wish, you may verify it right here and now.”

“Heh. Is that so?”

Melissa responded by resting her chin on one arm as if listening to a cute joke, and boisterous laughter erupted from the table behind her.

“Kuhuhu, they look like they have short experience… a newborn puppy doesn’t know to fear the tiger.”

“Hey, you’re staying in this city and you don’t even know who Melissa is? She’s a high-ranking Magician who used to work for the state,”

It was a natural reaction. They hadn’t spent just a day or two here, and frankly, he had expected this much.

Seeing the two of them remain unshaken despite the ridicule, Melissa eventually nodded with a languid gaze.

“Well, if you put it that way, there’s no choice. Still, as I said, I’ll have to check your skills.”

“…What should we do?”

“Follow me. I’ll test you myself.”

Melissa quickly organized a few documents and then left the tent, heading toward the vast plains nearby.

And then.

“Whether you attack alone or together, try to endure my attack and succeed in counterattacking even slightly. If you can do that, you’ll be worth taking along.”

“I like that it’s simple.”

Although he hadn’t lived in this Theater for long, Taewoon was aware of the aphorisms that circulated secretly among Magicians.

‘…If you wish to keep your life long, do not even engage in an argument with a Magician of High-rank or above.’

In truth, while they are lumped together as Magicians, their levels vary wildly depending on individual capability and the grade of the Magic Tome they possess.

And being a Magician of High-rank or above meant that both of those factors had surpassed a certain standard.

He didn’t know their ecology perfectly, but it meant they were not opponents to be looked down upon or taken lightly.

‘This is the first time I’m facing one directly, but…’

Everyone who encountered them said the same thing. That High-rank Magicians felt like they were on a completely different level.

They had all reached a realm that an Ordinary Person could not oppose, and if one happened to get entangled with them in a negative way, it never ended well.

“…This is surprising, my friend. That woman’s Aura seems no less than that of the Empire’s Seven Knights.”

“I think so too.”

Since this was a Theater with a higher difficulty than the ‘Final Rampart,’ those who made a name for themselves there were highly likely to possess formidable power befitting that status.

However, that didn’t mean they couldn’t handle it.

The current Taewoon was confident he could achieve victory without much difficulty even if he faced Iosis again, and Theogenes was also a powerhouse counted as one of the core figures of the Theater.

“Would it be better if I took charge of the defense?”

“…I’ll ask first, but do you have means of attack as well?”

“Of course. It’s just that the situation to showcase it never arose back then.”

Theogenes muttered as if feeling slighted, and the moment Taewoon tried to respond, an eerie energy consumed the surroundings, and a dark red book floated above Melissa’s hand.

“Let me tell you, if you keep acting arrogant and your limbs get blown off, don’t come crying to me. I’m not the type to go easy on people.”

“…….”

After speaking, Melissa showed no sign of hesitation as she flipped a page and began to emit a powerful Aura.

Ominous light of Magical Power surged from Melissa’s body, and soon a violent gale whipped up.

A deafening explosion echoed, and a fierce vibration shook Taewoon and Theogenes’ bodies.

The surrounding ground began to turn black.

Soon, as vortices of Magical Power erupted consecutively from the ground, the earth cracked and sand flew, scattering fragments in all directions.

“Theogenes!”

“Do not worry. I am not a shield that would crumble to a mere storm like this.”

As Theogenes struck the ground with his sword still in its sheath, demonstrating his steadfast will, a massive golden energy surrounded the area, beginning to perfectly block the sandstorm made of Magical Power.

“It is quite heavy, but not to the point where I cannot endure it. Wait, my friend. I shall create a definite opportunity for you.”

The majesty of a High-rank Magician revealing their true power was truly reminiscent of a Hero or Superhuman from myth.

He couldn’t be certain, but wouldn’t it be an exaggeration to say she had reached the end of Level 3?

Whether in reality or in the Theater, strong individuals of this level were not commonly seen.

At a gesture from Melissa, the vortices stirring the surroundings simultaneously revealed murderous intent and began to pour down toward Taewoon and Theogenes.

It was a sight like a scene from a disaster movie.

However, even as the sandstorm tore through the sky and streaks of Magical Power hammered the barrier like explosions, Theogenes remained composed.

He simply poured more strength into the two feet planted on the earth, maintaining a perfect defensive posture with an unwavering attitude.

‘I don’t think this is the end…’

Against Melissa’s wide-range attacks, Theogenes’ barrier continued to hold its ground.

Glancing at that, Melissa let out a small, surprised laugh and flipped the page again, creating a giant made of piles of earth.

“Good, this is more like it. You guys are better than I thought. Now, here comes more!”

In an instant, Magical Power flashed, and the giant kicked off the ground, charging toward Taewoon and Theogenes.

And soon, it transformed into a shape like a tsunami, covering the entire golden barrier.

“Will you be okay?”

“Of course. I can certainly hold out for a few minutes.”

It was an attack powerful enough to trigger anxiety involuntarily, but as if to show he hadn’t boasted in vain, Theogenes eventually blocked the giant’s assault.

However, the giant, which had returned to a pile of earth, began to regenerate again and tried to hammer the barrier with its formed hands.

“My friend, get ready! I shall drive back the giant and open a path!”

Having finished speaking, Theogenes lifted the sword he had planted in the ground, finally drawing it from the sheath to reveal its dazzling form.

Heat like a scorching sun shimmered from the massive claymore, and soon a beam of light shot out in a straight line, piercing the giant’s head and creating a path forward through the sandstorm.

“…Pierce through, Barata.”

Taewoon, who had been gathering Magical Power and waiting for the moment, summoned several large Subterranean Trees—just as Iosis had done in the final moment—and began to dash forward riding them.

Melissa tried to create another sandstorm, but Taewoon’s movement was faster.

【Cinema Skill: The Red Man】

In an instant, Taewoon circled around to Melissa’s rear, taking the back position, and poured strength into the hand gripping Barata, aiming the spear tip at Melissa.

At that, Melissa closed the pages of the Magic Tome that had been emitting intense light and, reacting with surprise, threw a compliment toward Taewoon and Theogenes.

“What are you two? This isn’t the skill of common drifters.”

“Due to certain circumstances, we don’t belong anywhere, but we have no intention of being a burden.”

“I like it… if this level of strength is added, we can seriously compete with the Holy Sanctuary Knights or the Platinum Tower.”

Melissa offered a handshake with a pleased expression as if she had gained an unexpected result, and Taewoon accepted it.

“Instead, if you stab me in the back, you’re dead. I never let those who betray my trust live.”

“That won’t happen, so please do not worry.”

Melissa’s exploration team was a force strong enough to be counted among the Five Fingers of those aiming for these Ruins.

With them, there would be no major problem in penetrating at least to the deep layers of the Ruins.

Soon, Taewoon let out a sigh of relief and placed a cart carrying dozens of boxes in front of Melissa.

Upon checking the contents, a strange light flashed in Melissa’s eyes for a moment.