Chapter 72: Dream On (1)
0psN04Photon Cannon.cdmrUX
YYe5d0The mass contained within the photons was minimal, but the impact of the photon output’s rapid speed was not something a mere monster could withstand.xH8tjI
tnExThe eyes of the Ulk chieftain blazed. Having battled humans numerous times, he knew how dangerous a mage could be.7jjO
MNytIts over! It looks scared! Shirone did it!y3KQB
5KuTUMartin shouted. However, Altor’s thoughts differed. They were not facing a mere beast but a monster. Although possessing intelligence, the beastly nature of these creatures was not to be underestimated.AGLD
IK4O7PPEven so, it wont end here. Even if Shirone is strong, he is still human. Predators that hunt in packs dont retreat just because of one or two casualties.ybgwYRt
ztoO6As Altor analyzed, the Ulk chieftain had no intention of retreating. The destructive power of a mage might be fearsome, but the collective aggression of a group did not fear a single individual.oxLIOV
i4vxdpUGrrrr, diecT7a
MUPCraaaaw!Cp6X1k
1lTK1nThe Ulk’s ferocious roar shook heaven and earth.pnY
lPTBwI can do this. As long as I stay focused, I can win.vQy
jZ1QD0uShirone teleported into the air and bombarded the ground with Photon Cannon. Bursts of light struck like hailstones. Even if the Ulks werent hit directly, the shockwaves from the ground impacted them.N3Nwxe
krWpYet, the Ulk’s ferocity was not diminished. Known as the kings of the forest when in groups, even ogres would yield to their combativeness.CtX
T6u9M3GIgnoring the losses of their kin, each Ulk lunged at Shirone, swinging their claws. Shirone quickly landed on the ground. There, seven Ulks were awaiting their chance.shB
UuY24JShirone transformed his Spirit Zone into the Attack Form of the Four Way Formation. As soon as the thorns of the Spirit Zone touched an Ulk, a barrage of Photon Cannons was fired. Intense flashes blinded the eyes, and the Ulks hit by the photons were flung back to where they came from.rfJI
36zWow, that’s incredible Shirone.7Ob
pew2mxThe children were astounded. A human fighting equally against dozens of Ulks was like a tale of heroes thought to be mere exaggeration. But witnessing Shirones battle made any story seem believable.AVYCu
PsBFBHa, ha.pQQl
X4onShirones breathing grew heavy. Each barrage of Photon Cannon felt like his consciousness would fly away. Maintaining photon output for more than 10 minutes was challenging due to the mental strength required but Photon Cannon was a fusion magic combining both light and mass.l1XNN
yO3ZRWJust as a human cannot focus on two things simultaneously, a mage can usually cast only one magic at a time. Except for special cases like Yiruki with Savant Syndrome, even high-ranking mages can cast only one magic at a time, usually combining two or three attributes to maximize the effect of a single magic.keN
3KYzHence, pure magic specialists are rare in the professional world. Most combine two or even three attributes to enhance a single magic’s effect, like Sienas Ice Tornado or Thadds Fire Sun.8drAg
WePTGFusion magic maximizes momentary efficiency but requires high mental strength. Shirone felt exhausted from repeatedly casting such demanding magic.uIp3K0
j5UNVIThis is bad. I dont have many shots left. It seems impossible to take them all down.OljsYP
VDBosgUlks, unlike street thugs, can sense their preys emotions. If they sense even a hint of fatigue, they will ruthlessly tear apart their prey.OtL5
b8wZIndeed, the Ulk chieftain, having lost a third of his kin, still displayed hostility.QONS
JCmdyShirone desperately intensified his Photon Cannon. A cluster of photons buried in the belly of the leading Ulk.FesG
Fu4Craaaaaw!jdHH
5sxbQThe bulky body skidded across the ground but, unlike before, it didnt fall and resisted the impact. Shirone felt a shock. He hadnt expected the power to drop so drastically.LD8
8PvRealizing Shirone’s fatigue, the Ulk chieftain ordered a full assault.ZREEwo1
4gPZCraaaw! Craaaw! Craaaw!F8R
RqszW6The Ulks, sensing victory, rushed forward.mrIRx1x
cv19In this situationUa8
MsvShirones only option was the Immortal Function.KGbUq
XguGBut could he endure it?HunrkAi
uMSYt4wCasting fusion magic in the Infinite Realm was different from merely using photon output. If he cast it in the Infinite Realm, the repercussions were unpredictable.uO7Z6G9
IQcTgbhGrrrrr!UVHr
v0MAs he opened the Immortal Function, immense pressure filled Shirones mind. It felt as if his head might explode.1kzIj
aDqeGthAaaaah!neDq
iSQykEmHe steeled his mind and opened his consciousness. As his self loosened, immense power surged in.W2nE2Q
bC8EqThe Spirit Zone exploded intensely as it filled with light. The mass wave pushed the Ulks away, scattering golden fragments.Ud0KHG
FYmvJ3KHolding a sphere of light in his palm, Shirone thrust it forward with all his might. The Photon Cannon, a blazing white light, devastated the area. Repeatedly unleashing barrages like a broom sweeping the Ulks away.qJSmZQ
Hxj58f2However, he couldnt maintain this state forever. If the Infinite Realm was a sea, Shirones mind was a stream. The Immortal Function was a barrier blocking between them. He was using ocean water through a hole in the barrier, but if it continued, the barrier would collapse.rmY6uP9
pysSince the mental energy required varies with each magic, a mage chooses the most cost-effective magic for the situation.mHWp2CM
ep0ciOverpowered magic, offering disproportionately high effectiveness for its cost, included the Time Magic Stop, Invisibility Magic Invisiblerity, Alchemy Magic Injection, and Healing Magic Heal of Almighty.i38W
PWqBtWhat about Photon Cannon?hp3l
zeyf3EXShirone considered it close to overpowered.rDMsqhU
LhRiIts excellent attack speed, the combination of single and continuous fire, and even the ability to form a beam met all the requirements for an offensive magic.wWSg
LLoSbcHowever, the Photon Cannon was very draining. Continuously casting it like now could lead to a terrible consequence.V09
njzDIf I cast any more, Ill die!!5Ylc2aV
9DXwgShirone stopped casting Photon Cannon. The area was covered in dust, making it impossible to see even an inch ahead.R3nc4
RhFqVAs the wind swept away the dust, the children were shocked by the scene. The area hit by Photon Cannon was utterly devastated.TTjdzE
1sNiUlks were buried in the ground, looking chewed up, and those who fled were too terrified to mourn their dead kin.0Px
FwYwJyDShirone realized the power of Photon Cannon. Nothing was left where the light had passed.IIXBIaJ
nWpB8MqSuch an effect left even the caster in awe; how devastating was it for those on the receiving end? The Ulk chieftain, stricken with fear, had to accept reality.hvyc
ioBThis mage cannot be defeated.5ZPCaXA
yXWYlGrrr, we go. Let us go.nXUw3j4
NjUCurrently, Shirone was so exhausted that casting any magic was impossible. However, he stood firm till the end.c2jO
KFSDont come here again. If you enter these mountains one more time, it wont end like this.f6UDC
KGJPo9lThe Ulk chieftain conveyed his subservient emotions in broken human language.mFv1oc1
03qTsNot come. Strong magePK8
MVWhZ7Go.hBGb9PH
VU44sMLAs Shirone waved his hand, the Ulk chieftain was the first to leave. The other Ulks also retreated into the forest without hesitation, following their chieftain.GR7lOsC
1733XWTOnly after the Ulks disappeared did Shirone, relieved from the tension, stagger and collapse with his eyes closed.4rqVUcX
YNBQlShirone! Shirone!8R6
njim4igShh! Be quiet. They might come back.Ves7DtD
phhAltor cautioned the children, and they quickly covered their mouths.37ZA33E
3e7fSbAltor looked over Shirone again. Seeing him sleeping soundly, he couldnt help but chuckle.MnuKcmv
pDhaThe children of Huajeonmin Village had grown up over time, but Shirone seemed to remain the same as in his younger days.rj4
006yThey say mages don’t age.baGT4U
CqvsInitially, Altor thought Shirone was just another common child of a lumberjack. A picked-up child. Shirone didnt resemble Vincent at all, which might have been why Altor looked down on him even more.ptdx19
2l4PqjDBut it was a misconception. Perhaps Shirone wasnt the ugly duckling in the fairy tale?DCyL1pW
MwUSzA human entirely different in nature from lumberjacks.kXHqs
h11QxuAltor lifted Shirone effortlessly, feeling no pride despite his physical strength.8po
1ezMgHe now understood that he could never lift the weight of intelligence contained in Shirone’s light body.Y6becc
9nsHeaZLets go down. The hunting time is over.wG0
A2snBVHuh!sz2td
xgqU7pKWaking up, Shirone abruptly sat up.lQhx
MEyKNHe was in someone’s house.SsY809
E6XlTouching the back of the sofa and looking around, he noticed a cozy floor. The warmth from the hearth and the sound of cooking in the L-shaped kitchen reached his ears.QmD2N
d68Q3NHuh? Shirone’s awake. Lumina, Shirone is up!gXhD
hZ6ctMartin shouted, and noisy sounds came from the kitchen. Soon, Lumina peeked out from behind the wall with a flushed face.Hng
A6jWhere is this?Ph5ohl
m640pjrShirone then remembered. It was Lumina’s house, where he often stayed with his father when he was young.KwgF
VJn70rxChildren rushed down from upstairs. They hadn’t gone home and stayed by Shirone’s side, still in their hunting attire.GxJHq
1S4ayShirone, are you okay?r6lwW
PLCKEXAltor asked worriedly. As soon as they arrived home, they checked Shirone’s condition, but there seemed to be no abnormalities. However, they were ignorant about magic, so there could be unseen issues.0rGpreh
CQfvShirone conducted a few tests to check if there was anything wrong with his head. His memory was intact, and his mind seemed okay.8paF
mdsBIm fine. Seems like I just collapsed from fatigue.dvvBMpc
iOAhPhew, thats a relief. We thought something bad had happened to you.9Dki
ewVzjCShirone felt sorry for causing unnecessary worry. Of course, the children thought the opposite.wmIWSd
rK5NHaving slept soundly for a long time, I feel refreshed. It seems like my fatigue is finally going away.3sDB
Of2lHe had slept for a long time in the dormitory, but the fatigue didnt really go away. However, now he felt genuinely good. The persistent feeling of foreboding was gone.4ElPxrV
5G8IH‘I was confident I would overcome it. But now that it’s gone, I realize how much I’ve been enduring all this time. Armin was right. The sensation returned as soon as I mastered Photon Cannon. I didn’t even have a nightmare.’XLa00
IbhBMHA rumbling came from his stomach. It was hunger he hadnt felt in a long time. The savory smell wafting from the kitchen contributed to stimulating his appetite.cDtJHu
UE5cnShirone, licking his lips, asked Lumina.Wrv30
ZLuhWhat are you making?pgSVkTN
pn3LPork stew. Mom bought some meat.eelO
0pwiLuminas mother came out of the kitchen with a ladle in hand.TNzUD
pusus0bShirone, hello! Its been a long time.AXMT
dyyHello, ma’am. Sorry to trouble you because of me.J3Mu
0bmUWEWHaha, dont say that. You dont know how much my daughter has been waiting for you.sy817d
kosYAWzLuminas face turned bright red. Suddenly, her eyes grew sad, and she bowed her head.M2jInLu
ZXMXa6HAltor understood her feelings. Like him, the children must have realized it too.3VR
CpmShirone cannot be our leader. He wasnt a child of Huajeonmin Village, nor a lumberjacks son.FIMaGT
VaFfdxeShirone was a mage.8m0
M3xoKJtAs the mood darkened, Altor shouted loudly to lighten the atmosphere.6LN5Vd
JXR5H9HHey, hey! Im hungry. Lets eat first.TPI
hI4iYay! Meat after a long time! Meat! Meat!iNXCx
Ydew69rLuminas mother brought a large pot to the table. The stew, brimming with pork, was bubbling over its brim.vKz8EMP
fRpxsgLuminas family had only four members, but as it was common in Huajeonmin Village to gather in one house for meals, there was plenty of cutlery.ihqHF
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