Marvel Magic Case Files

Chapter 820 Underground Cavern (Second Update)

Maya Hansen once conducted a thorough cellular examination of Salomon's body.

This examination occurred at the time the Praetorian Guard plan was proposed, and coupled with Maya Hansen's astonishing curiosity about the physical functions of arcane sorcerers, she had the opportunity to analyze Salomon's anomalies and compare them with the physiological functions of Asgardians, studying the differences in their evolutionary paths. One of the many conclusions reached was that his ATP levels far exceeded the normal 50.7 grams; the efficiency of his biochemical cycles such as the Calvin cycle, glycolysis, and tricarboxylic acid cycle was astonishing; the rate at which ADP binds to phosphate groups was also incredibly fast; the massive amounts of lactic acid produced during exercise were oxidized into carbon dioxide and water by his heart and skeletal muscles in a very short time; and his exceptionally powerful liver and kidneys were able to maintain blood sugar balance during his exercise.

Although comprehensive research on the liver had not yet begun at the time, the Immortal City's biological laboratory analyzed part of the cause. This was because his mitochondria were extremely efficient at synthesizing high-energy phosphate compounds. Such an efficient mitochondrial respiratory chain would be a terrible neurodegenerative disease—mitochondrial dysfunction and abnormal energy metabolism—in an ordinary person, but in Salomon, it could be an advantage because other parts of his body were also different from ordinary people.

His mitochondria became a highly classified research project for the Immortal City and the numerous biological laboratories it purchased. Unaware of the situation, the research institutes initially believed they were receiving disease analysis regarding a deficiency in the mitochondrial respiratory chain enzyme complex. The Royal Guard's project was a plan to replicate and mimic the functions of an ordinary human body, but this method of replication was extremely expensive, and ordinary people would need to grow certain specialized organs to acquire this ability. Simply put, Salomon could engage in prolonged, strenuous activity, and his body could supply the energy needed to sustain this sustained, intense exercise.

Although the masked sage was unaware of the examination's results, he still sensed Salomon's power in the most direct way. While his arm grew weak, the sorcerer continued to wield the holy sword at his original speed, even increasing it, as if his power were inexhaustible and he would never tire. He and the sorcerer seemed to fall into a pitch-black tunnel, where an eternity seemed to pass, and Salomon and the masked sage clashed several more times.

The battle only came to a temporary end when they plunged into a bottomless lake.

Salomon's entire body was engulfed in magical flames, which solidified and continuously evaporated the liquid, creating a dense network of white bubbles around him, much like an underwater volcano. The turbulent underwater currents propelled him like a falling leaf, while his power armor constantly broadcasted information about the surrounding pressure, temperature, and other conditions, making him realize his dire situation. Fortunately, the power armor was designed for space combat, so there was no risk of leakage. By the time he gradually deactivated his stigmata to gain a clearer view, the masked sage had already vanished.

The jet engine stopped supplying some fuel and reduced the size of its chamber to prevent it from shutting off. Meanwhile, the high-strength turbine blades continued to rotate while changing their angle, pushing the water toward the deflector channel. This channel was originally intended for rainy conditions, but it was now being used as an underwater propulsion device, propelling the jet engine toward the surface along with the water vapor from the decomposition of a small amount of lake water.

Salomon's expression was icy; he already knew the masked sage's identity. During their fight, he had seen the small brass tube hanging on the sage's chest more than once, and he was certain it was a lipstick, just like the one he had seen many years ago. It was the lipstick Bayonetta's mother had given her before her death, the bullet that killed the "Last Lumen Sage." Although he didn't know why Baldr had appeared in this era, who had used the power of the Eye of the World to bring him here, or why the lipstick was in Baldr's hands, he was determined to kill this "Last Lumen Sage."

Before he could even leave the water, an even stronger undercurrent surged towards him. The reduced power of the jet engine was no match for the turbulent current, and in an instant, the arcane mage was pushed and tumbled forward by it. Just as he managed to grab onto a rock amidst the chaos, a dark figure emerged from the torrent.

Bayonetta stood on the ever-advancing stone platform, leisurely squinting as she carefully discerned the enormous, ray-like shadow rapidly approaching in the water. "There's a shortcut, but it looks like they're planning a welcoming party." She instinctively walked towards it. It was a lower-dimensional creature called [Insidious], its giant ray-like body bearing two enormous eyes, its primary function being to house members of the blood war between the Abyss and Hell using its internal organs.

Not only lower-dimensional beings, but also many souls who love bloodshed and slaughter are taken away by [Insidious] after falling into the lower dimensions. All creatures that board this living troop transport ship will be surrounded by the stench of death and rotting flesh, killing each other within its body. The final winner will step onto the battlefield. As for the dead souls, they become [Insidious]'s energy, which is emitted from the eyes on both sides of the pectoral fins, giving it the capabilities of an offensive warship.

The arcane mage waited quietly for the creature from the lower plane to pass by.

He didn't know where he was, but he was certain Baldr couldn't have gone far. Find him, kill him—that was his goal. Salomon took a deep breath; the oxygen from the circulating air system was filled with the smell of chemicals. No, calm down, he told himself—his goal was to find Bayonetta, not to kill the sage; Bayonetta's safety was far more important than the sage's. He closed his eyes, focusing his attention while expanding his thoughts. The rushing water was teeming with countless malevolent forces, some even more powerful and sinister than the manta ray-like lower-dimensional creatures they had just encountered.

The pinky ring on my left hand is burning hot.

This ring had been burning ever since it first appeared to the angels at the start of the battle; it was the ultimate power of dominion. Salomon believed he could command almost any extradimensional being he saw if he so desired. However, he did not, for Kamar-Taj had only one method for dealing with extradimensional beings: those who refused to submit faced death, and forced enslavement was pointless.

He put some of his thoughts outside of the battle.

As he fell, he felt a resonance from behind, a resonance only a homunculus born of his soul could experience. He didn't know if activating his numerous stigmata would affect the homunculi, but now the communication system was completely severed from the command chain, and he couldn't return to check on the situation. He barely suppressed his worries and increased the power of his jet engines to keep up. He didn't find Bayonetta's whereabouts, but he did find a place that resembled a portal. His intuition told him that this was the Gates of Hell, and he was in an underground cavern of the towering Mount Finnbowent.

The assault transport boats descended vertically amidst the corpses, their landing gear crushing the angels' bodies into mincemeat. The sorority frantically advanced along the corpses, rummaging through piles of bodies, cutting into the angels' flesh, trying to find Catherine in the blood and mud. A deeply ominous, dark thought lingered in their minds—a premonition that they would not find Catherine alive.

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(End of this chapter)