Summoning Genius of Kizen - Chapter 149 Simon, Kazhan, and Erzebet ran frantically, finally arriving at their destination. The place they headed to was located on the outskirts of the Kizen campus. It was a secret base directly managed by Kizen Headquarters, built by drilling a hole into a sheer mountain cliff. It was a highly secure area, strictly forbidden to students, with trespassing potentially leading to semi-expulsion. “Think of it as a kind of campus command and control center.” Kazhan, running beside them, spoke. “It’s where they can monitor the entire school’s situation, as well as manage the barriers and emergency networks spread across the school.” Erzebet, listening beside them, chimed in. “I understand that explanation, but why would a Priest go to the command center?” “Because it’s the best place to activate the Prima Materia. By using the barrier system there, she can instantly scatter heterogeneous monsters across all of Kizen.” Simon, who had been listening silently, swallowed hard. The four heinous curse bombs installed in Kizen. From Francesca’s perspective, these bombs had to detonate only after her barrier was complete. But if she was discovered beforehand, or if even one failed to detonate on time, it would create a huge flaw in her plan. This was the core strategy to ensure 100% success of the terror attack. Kazhan had merely described it as ‘Plan B,’ but to Simon, it felt more like the difference between a sub-plan and a main plan. “We’re here.” At Kazhan’s words, the two also stopped. A large artificial cave was indeed visible in the mountain cliff. Erzebet casually extended her index finger. “But, was there originally a forest in front of the entrance?” “Of course not.” Blocking the cave entrance was a dense, overgrown forest. It was clearly no ordinary forest. Trees with eyes, and plants with gaping mouths, moved restlessly. They were similar to the plant-type monsters guarding the Desolaters. However, their numbers and scale were on a different level entirely. It was truly a colossal forest. “No time. Let’s break through head-on.” Simon and Erzebet nodded at Kazhan’s words. She shot out spiderwebs from her hands, and Simon tapped the Pier skull he was wearing. “Wake up, Pier.” “Kuhuhu! It’s starting!” Pier’s skull, which had been resting on his back, slowly rose and covered Simon’s head like a helmet. “By the way, boy, you said the opponent was a Toxicology teaching assistant, right?” “Yes.” Click. At his words, Pier’s skull, covering his head, transformed. Its jawbone and mouth parts slightly covered Simon’s nose and mouth, making it more like a mask than a helmet. “It’s like a temporary gas mask. It won’t be perfect, but you won’t fall to flimsy poisons.” “Good.” Simon turned his head. “Kazhan, don’t you need to prepare for poison?” “Poison doesn’t affect my body anyway. Francesca probably won’t fight with toxicology techniques.” It seemed he had a constitution somewhat immune to poison. Simon nodded lightly. “Then, let’s go.” Thud! Kazhan was the first to dash into the forest, followed by Simon and Erzebet. -Kizizizizi! The forest’s attack began. Simon’s eyes, fixed on the front, widened. Innumerable poisonous seeds poured down, and thorny vine whips lashed out from all directions. The grass on the ground sharpened like blades, and flower petals created a thick, poisonous mist. ‘I have to dodge all of this?’ Simon lowered his stance and ran. Poisonous projectiles fell wherever he ran, creating puddles of poison on the ground. It was much tougher than he expected. He seriously considered whether he should use Internal Jet Black Differentiation for a moment. A quick glance showed that Kazhan was nothing to worry about. Kazhan’s evasion technique was utterly unpredictable, like a ghost. While running at full speed, he would sway like laundry flapping in the wind to dodge attacks, or suddenly accelerate to outpace projectiles, shooting through the forest like a flash of light. ‘Ah!’ Just then, plant-type monsters surged out near a tree, blocking Simon’s path. Simon tightened his grip on his greatsword. “Wait.” Sharak. Swoosh. The bodies of the plant-type monsters cracked into three sections, then tore into shreds and flew into the air. “You should conserve your strength before facing the Priest.” “Erze!” Erzebet somersaulted over Simon and landed, then vigorously swung both hands. The tree monsters simultaneously revealed white growth rings and fell off in chunks, their plant monster bodies fluttering in the air. “Go ahead!” “Thanks!” Simon moved again, and Erzebet followed, protecting him, shooting out dark blue spiderwebs. Though she wasn’t a combat specialist, the power of an Ancient Undead was undeniable. Her true value was displayed not in one-on-one combat, but in battles against multiple opponents like this. Thanks to her, Simon, who had been contemplating using Internal Jet Black Differentiation, was able to conserve a lot of stamina and escape the forest. -Kizizizizi! But as soon as he emerged, over a hundred plant-type monsters, baring teeth from their petals, rushed after Simon from behind. Sharak. Swoosh. Just then, transparent threads stretched out behind Simon. The moment the plant-type monsters crossed them, they simultaneously split apart and piled up on the ground like debris. “I’ll handle this here!” Erzebet shouted. From the forest, not a hundred, but nearly a thousand plant-type monsters were rushing forward with crackling sounds. Simon hesitated for a moment but then nodded. “Don’t overdo it.” “Yes!” As she pulled on the spiderwebs, the plant-type monsters screamed and split apart. In front, Kazhan was beckoning. Simon took one last look at Erzebet, then quickly caught up with Kazhan and ran. “You have a good subordinate.” Kazhan said. “I’ve always worked alone, but having a summon like her makes me think it wouldn’t be bad.” Simon smiled faintly and tried to recruit him. “Kazhan, you should major in Summoning Studies like me. It’s fun.” “I took that midterm exam and got 20 points.” “Oh dear.” The two entered deep into the cave. The rough natural cave had now transformed into an artificial one with walls and a ceiling. It felt like they had entered a deep underground bunker. The surroundings grew darker, so both had to put on their glasses again. “Are we too late?” Kazhan said quietly, raising his head. A large hole was torn through the door that sealed off the entire command center. Simon felt an eerie sensation as he ran his palm over the surface of the hole, wondering what kind of dark magic could have done this. It felt less like it was forced open and more like something had melted the wall. The two ran through the darkness again. After what felt like about 15 minutes, they knew they had reached their destination. Instead of a cold floor, they stepped on carpet. And where there was no carpet, the bare floor was wet, squishy, and slippery. “Simon.” Kazhan spoke softly. “She’s found us too.” “……” He swallowed dryly. “The element of surprise is gone.” Kazhan muttered, grabbing a lever-type handle on the wall and pulling it down with all his might. Clank! Grrr! Something clunked beyond the wall, as if an emergency magic power generator was starting up. A moment later, the ceiling lights came on, brightly illuminating the command center. “……!!” Simon’s eyes shot open. Blood was everywhere, a complete bloodbath. Many people who had been guarding this place lay sprawled on the floor in gruesome states. ‘She took down all these people by herself?’ The security guards of such an important facility operated by headquarters would certainly not be pushovers. Simon’s head turned. In the center of the blood-soaked command center, a woman was sitting on a table. Red hair, a black scarf, a black suit from top to bottom, and black shoes. Kizen’s Head Toxicology Teaching Assistant, and current Toxicology Professor, Francesca Belmond. She was staring at the two of them. “I’ve been waiting.” Her tongue flicked like a snake. Simon felt blood rush to his face, an extreme rage boiling within him. “I really wanted to kill you.” She looked through Pier’s helmet at Simon, her eyes gleaming. “Thank you for walking right into my trap, ‘Witness’.” “……” “And long time no see.” Francesca added, looking at Kazhan. “‘Chaser’, who’s been persistently clinging on for over a year.” “It’s been a tiresome year.” Kazhan replied indifferently. “Why.” Then, both their gazes turned. Simon clenched his fists, glaring at Francesca with murderous eyes. “Why did you do something so insane?” She blinked, as if not understanding the question for a moment. Then she let out a small chuckle. “I am Efnel, you are Kizen.” Her fingertip pointed to her chest, then to the two of them. “Killing hostile forces. Isn’t that common sense?” “I’m not looking for that kind of simplistic answer!” Simon gritted his teeth. “No matter your affiliation with Efnel, didn’t you feel anything while you were at Kizen? You saw with your own eyes that ordinary people live here! And more importantly…!” Simon’s mind recalled Francesca passionately explaining things to students, diligently moving chalk across the blackboard. Though Simon had suspected her, he believed she was sincere when she stood at the podium, teaching students with such enthusiasm. “They were your students!” Simon shouted. “Don’t you feel even a shred of guilt or remorse? There were students who genuinely trusted, followed, and respected you!” “……Hmm.” She spread her five fingers wide. Her long, blood-red painted nails were visible. “The classes were just an act to hide my identity. I feel nothing when I see those wicked children of Satan. If you felt any passion, joy, or sincerity on my face, then it was….” Her lips curved into a long smile. “Perhaps my own satisfaction at performing the act well?” Swoosh! She lowered her head. A long flash of sword light passed where her forehead had been, leaving a large scar on the wall of the command center. “Thank you.” Simon, in the posture of having swung his greatsword, brought it back to his chest, supporting it with his left hand. “For making me feel no remorse in eliminating you.” Kugugugugugugu! Jet Black began to surge from Simon’s body. She smiled faintly. “This is your last lesson, Simon Pollentia. The answer to your question is….” Her Jet Black flowed out, forming a cross in the air. “Because the Great Goddess.” Shushushushushushushuk! Soon, countless crosses appeared in the air, engulfing the entire command center. “Commanded it.” “……I don’t know how Efnel’s system works. And even if that horrific act truly was a divine command.” Simon gripped his greatsword. “The decision is made by humans. Murderer.”
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