The Game of a Legendary Genius Dark Mage - Chapter 134

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Episode 134
134
5.
I was following the NPC Irmi toward a place called the Village.
I checked just in case.
“Lord, if we go in this direction, nothing will appear.”
Nocturnium said there was nothing.
Since it came from Nocturnium, it was almost certainly true.
Yet the fact that we were heading this way meant.
It was one of two things.
‘Either a trap, or a Hidden Dungeon that Nocturnium cannot explore, or a Hidden Field.’
A Hidden Field or Hidden Dungeon.
Or a trap.
None of it mattered.
I needed to level up anyway.
Hidden-related Quests were always welcome.
Quests had better experience efficiency anyway.
If I cleared it, my level would probably rise.
As Yoo Sung-hyun harbored such expectations.
-Whenever you give the word, I shall step forward, my lord.
-I, I too, w-will do as you command.
“I am of the same mind, my lord.”
The three of them, excluding Anemor whom I had sent to the Underworld for being too conspicuous, said so to Yoo Sung-hyun.
At such a reliable combination, Yoo Sung-hyun nodded as well.
Of course, Yoo Sung-hyun could have managed alone.
In any case, we proceeded following Irmi for quite some time.
How far had we gone?
Before long, as we walked.
“Haha, we’ve arrived at the Village.”
Somehow, as if enchanted, we reached the Village entrance.
But both Yoo Sung-hyun and the three retainers noticed.
That during our walk, space had warped in an instant and we had entered something like a portal.
It was not a hidden space like the Knights’ Hall.
We had been transported.
Like heat shimmer, it rippled.
The surroundings gradually transformed into the landscape of a village.
The ominous aura that had hung over us suddenly dissipated, and the Village began to transform into one brimming with vitality.
There was certainly something impressive about it.
As Yoo Sung-hyun gazed upon that vibrant Village, he appeared considerably puzzled.
‘Didn’t they say they were in dire straits?’
A Village in Peril, Yet Thrumming with Vitality?
Something felt off about it, admittedly.
But there was no law against it, either.
Yoo Sung-hyun let it slide for now.
The moment I stepped into the Village.
One by one, the villagers turned to stare at me.
Since my three retainers remained cloaked in concealment.
Every gaze fixed upon me alone.
Yet those stares were uniformly…
-Insolent wretches. I wouldn’t mind grinding out their eyeballs and drinking them down.
-Master, we should kill them.
“How dare you cast such irreverent eyes upon the Lord.”
Indeed, the villagers all regarded me as they might regard prey.
It was a gaze most players would have failed to perceive—but piercing through the discernment of Yoo Sung-hyun, who had absorbed the memories of countless masters, and my three retainers was no simple feat.
Yoo Sung-hyun surveyed the Village with evident amusement.
And Irmi spoke upon witnessing this.
“Hahaha, everyone is welcoming Lord Sung-hyun with open arms. How fortunate. Without Lord Sung-hyun, I wonder what would have become of our Village.”
“No, rather—what manner of monsters have brought you to such straits…?”
“Ah! Why such urgency? You’ve only just arrived—surely you should rest and recover first! As it happens, our Village has prepared quite the feast in honor of such a hero.”
“Pardon?”
Wasn’t this attitude rather suspicious?
When Yoo Sung-hyun’s expression betrayed open skepticism.
Irmi laughed smoothly and spoke with practiced ease.
“Surely one cannot accomplish great deeds without proper rest? Come now, don’t be difficult—let us proceed this way.”
At Irmi’s words, I found myself ushered forward.
The Village truly had prepared a festival—the abundance of food and festive atmosphere permeated the air.
And that was merely the beginning.
“Come, everyone! At last, the hero to save our Village! And a Knight, no less!!! Please welcome Lord Sung-hyun!!!”
As Irmi’s fanfare continued.
Yoo Sung-hyun found myself drawn forward in bewilderment.
The villagers, as one, gazed upon me and erupted in applause and cheers.
“Wow! A Knight!!!”
“You’ve come to help our Village!!! We are truly grateful!!!”
“Oh! A noble Knight is lending us aid!!!”
“Our Village is truly blessed!!!”
“Kuhahahaha!!! Fortune smiles upon our Village!”
Pop! Bang!
Clap clap clap clap clap!!!
Whoooosh!!
Boom boom bang!!!
Whistles mingled with the sharp crack of fireworks, fanfare, and thunderous applause.
Every villager expressed their joy and gratitude so openly.
Yet Yoo Sung-hyun’s suspicion only deepened.
For most people, such a spectacle would have been cause for genuine celebration and delight.
But it didn’t work on him.
Perhaps sensing his resistance.
The villagers withdrew their exaggerated gratitude.
And swiftly changed the subject.
“Come now, Knight! Please try this! It’s truly delicious!!!”
“Kyaaaa!!! This drink is amazing too!!!”
“Oh my? This one is delicious as well, isn’t it?”
How blatantly obvious.
The quality seemed rather poor, if I’m being honest.
Would anyone actually fall for this?
As I pondered such thoughts.
[Your high mental fortitude overcomes the illusion.]
[The illusion has no effect.]
‘What?’
Something felt off about this.
They were casting an illusion on me.
Wouldn’t anyone else have fallen victim to such a subtle technique?
It was so natural that I didn’t even realize it was being cast.
I myself hadn’t noticed something was affecting me until I saw the message.
So what should I do about this?
‘Hmm.’
My three companions were ready to leap into action at a single word.
Yet I had a strange feeling this wasn’t the end.
[Conditions satisfied.]
[Hidden Linked Quest, ‘Village in Peril’ is cleared.]
[Quest cleared. Rewards granted.]
[Hidden Linked Quest, ‘The Village of Suspicious Lies’ is generated.]
『The Village of Suspicious Lies』
→《Hidden-Linked》
→Follow the suspicious NPC Irmi Upse to a strange village that appeared suddenly.
The villagers welcome you with genuine warmth.
They hold a festival, treat you as a hero for agreeing to help their village, and show sincere affection.
Have you too been somewhat swayed by the village’s atmosphere?
You’ve been drawn into that warmth, yet you sense something peculiar beneath it.
The aura of illusion directed at you.
This aura is unmistakably being cast with the intent to ensnare your mind.
But you overcame it with your exceptional mental fortitude.
However, the villagers still regard you with suspicion.
Uncertain of what to do, you must decide whether to blend in with the atmosphere or deal with these suspicious individuals.
Choose one of the two.
→Restriction: Users who have overcome the enchantment’s influence in the Village.
→Reward: Leads to the next Quest. Experience from linked Quests is received all at once upon clearing the final Quest.
‘Interesting.’
Yoo Sung-hyun paused briefly at the new Quest.
Should he choose to strike down the villagers here?
Or should he play along?
He had to pick one.
Yoo Sung-hyun’s instinct told him that dealing with them here would result in some significant loss.
For someone who wielded spiritual abilities like Yoo Sung-hyun, such intuition was not something to dismiss lightly.
“Thank you all for the warm welcome.”
Yoo Sung-hyun said so and drank down the beverage one of the villagers offered him.
Then.
[You overcome the enchantment’s influence with your high mental fortitude.]
[The enchantment does not take effect.]
The message appeared once more.
But Yoo Sung-hyun’s appearance was slightly different.
His eyes grew slightly hazy and unfocused.
Of course, he was merely pretending to be affected.
At Yoo Sung-hyun’s act, the villagers relaxed and wore sinister smiles.
Finally, they had caught him.
The enchantment’s influence seemed not to work.
“It worked after all!”
Irmi Upse cried out in delight.
The three subordinates immediately moved to kill them all in that instant.
Yoo Sung-hyun spoke to Leonik and Fiora through their spiritual bond.
‘I’m fine, so wait.’
-…Understood, my lord.
-Yes, I understand.
The two of them relayed the message to Nocturnium as well.
But all three were displeased.
Even if it was an act, it seemed truly difficult for them to watch Yoo Sung-hyun pretend to be affected.
As Yoo Sung-hyun continued his performance.
Irmi Upse revealed his true nature.
“Hahaha, finally caught. Even knights are powerless before the enchantment’s strength.”
The creature who had been flattering them until moments ago completely reversed his demeanor as he spoke.
A woman preparing food beside him approached.
“I thought he’d resist at first.”
“Right? But once he drank the beverage, there was no escape.”
“The power of the illusion is far too potent.”
“Hahahaha! We’ve obtained a magnificent offering for our master!”
So spoke Irmi with glee.
Master?
Yoo Sung-hyun caught onto that word.
“How much longer until the master’s cave opens?”
“Since you arrived promptly, there are still thirty minutes remaining.”
“Better early than late, wouldn’t you say?”
“Indeed. I do hope the master will be pleased with this.”
“Hahahaha! Pleased, of course! We’ve captured such a fine knight. The master is certain to reward us!”
Yoo Sung-hyun smiled at this decidedly suspicious conversation.
This was becoming rather interesting.
A master, no less.
It appeared the Village was indeed in dire straits.
And by a most formidable monster at that.
As Yoo Sung-hyun processed this thought.
The system message appeared once more.
[Conditions met.]
[Hidden Linked Quest, ‘The Deceptive Village of Suspicion’ has been cleared.]
[You receive rewards for clearing the Quest.]
[Hidden Linked Quest, ‘Master of Illusions’ has been generated.]
『Master of Illusions』
→《Hidden-Linked》
→You have realized that a monster dominates this Village!
The villagers serve this monster, calling it their master.
In such circumstances, they have left you a clue: thirty minutes remain before you are offered as a sacrifice.
Escape the Village within that time, recruit allies to face the Master of Illusions, and prepare for the raid!
The Master of Illusions is no trivial opponent!
→Restriction: Only applies to users who chose to fall under the Village’s illusion.
→Reward: Leads to the next Quest. Experience from Linked Quests is received all at once upon clearing the final Quest.
*Warning: Should you be offered as a sacrifice as intended, you must raid alone.
Upon reading this message, Yoo Sung-hyun tilted his head inwardly.
Allies?
Necessarily?
In other words, if I simply wait here for thirty minutes, I’ll be allowed to raid alone, won’t I?
When would such an opportunity present itself again?
At last, I had the chance to test my new blade.
‘Ah, Narac fell far too easily back then, so I can test it properly this time.’
Yoo Sung-hyun feigned entrancement, waiting patiently for thirty minutes to pass while harboring such hopeful thoughts.
The three retainers observing him from a distance watched with expressions heavy with concern, speaking to one another in hushed tones.
-My, how strange… even the previous lord was like this…
-And this current lord too…
“…It seems he enjoys placing himself in predicaments.”
How could his actions be so identical to Helena’s?
It gave them headaches.
But why?
Strangely, nostalgia washed over them.
Memories of Helena from the past surfaced, and each wore a peculiar smile.
At times like these, they missed her.
As they waited for Yoo Sung-hyun while lost in such thoughts.
Though none could perceive it, a teal luminescence rippled across Yoo Sung-hyun’s chest, and between the waves, crimson hair became visible.
Simultaneously.
-Mmm, I should sleep a bit longer before heading out.
A captivating voice emerged alongside the phenomenon.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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