The Game of a Legendary Genius Dark Mage - Chapter 14

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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 14
Episode 14
“Huff, huff, I almost died!!!”
Thanks to the players’ quick thinking and Sung-hyun’s swift response, Marlen regained consciousness.
She trembled, saying it could have been dangerous if things had gone wrong.
“Wow, this is the first time I’ve seen an NPC collapse.”
“Right? Wasn’t that dangerous?”
“Haha, come on, who dies just from seeing meat and leather, no matter how much?”
They laughed and joked about the commotion.
There’s no way an NPC in a game would die from seeing a massive amount of goods.
That’s probably why they said it.
But.
‘It really was dangerous.’
With her soul halfway pulled from her body, it had genuinely been perilous.
Only Sung-hyun could see it, so no one else knew.
Once the brief commotion died down.
Marlen gazed at the mountain of leather and meat before her, still unable to believe her eyes.
‘This… this is incredible.’
Before leaving the village, there were many outsiders who came to sell large quantities of rabbit meat and hides.
But an outsider who stacked meat and leather into a mountain like this?
I’d never seen such a thing in all my life.
They’d even hunted green deer and tigers.
This wasn’t something to simply overlook.
‘I must inform the village chief.’
That a great outsider had been born in Hindel Village.
As Marlen pondered this, she suddenly noticed something odd.
‘Wait? Did that sorcerer really open Hunter’s Forest this quickly?’
Hunter’s Forest was originally a hidden dungeon that could only be accessed after befriending Hindel Village’s sole mage.
But Sung-hyun had ignored that and found it by listening to a spirit.
He’d skipped the process and taken only the result.
Given the mage’s notoriously meticulous nature, she wouldn’t have granted it in just one day.
But what did it matter?
How he’d persuaded the mage wasn’t important.
What mattered was that Sung-hyun had brought this back.
The mountain of meat and leather still made my mind reel.
‘I thought something was different about him.’
I’d sensed he was no ordinary outsider, but not to this extent.
I never could have imagined.
Though I was flustered by the sheer unprecedented volume, I am Marlen.
I grasped the towering pile of rabbits’ count at a glance.
“Rabbits—one hundred and thirty-two of them. Then there are ten musk deer and one tiger. Since you’re a regular, I’ll give you 10 silver per rabbit, 100 silver per musk deer hide and 300 silver per hide, and for the tiger—the meat’s no good, but the hide is worth 3,000 silver….”
A total of 9,640 silver.
100 silver equals 1 gold.
Converting to gold, that’s 96 gold and 40 silver.
But since you’re a regular….
“There! 100 gold! You won’t find anyone else offering a deal like this anywhere!!!”
“Oh!”
“Hahahaha!!!”
Marlen laughed heartily, genuinely surprised to see Sung-hyun react so visibly.
She’d already calculated the regular customer discount, yet she added an extra 4 gold on top.
It was a gesture she wouldn’t have made if she truly disapproved.
Sung-hyun felt genuine gratitude toward her.
“Thank you.”
“Hahahaha! No, no! I should be thanking you!!! Even with the discount, the quality is outstanding!!! It’s no loss for me!!!”
[You have sold items at the Butcher Shop and obtained 100 gold.]
Marlen continued speaking with that characteristic warmth and directness.
I’d sensed it before, but beneath her rough exterior, she possessed a genuinely kind heart.
As I was feeling this gratitude….
The other users gasped in shock.
“Are you serious?! Did you hear? 100 gold?”
“Wow…, I mean, I’ve seen people doing the ’50 gold farming’ challenge in the Beginner Village, but 100 gold is a first for me?”
“Wait, was that even possible to earn…?”
Even catching over 100 rabbits wouldn’t get you that much… where did you even catch deer and tigers?”
“And more importantly, can you even catch them at level 1?”
Everything they listed seemed impossible.
Perhaps this was the realm of genius that ordinary people simply couldn’t comprehend.
They all swallowed hard and parted to let Sung-hyun pass.
When the gap was this vast, envy didn’t even register—only admiration remained.
The users gathered in the Butcher Shop felt exactly that way.
“Wow, he got a Steel Sword and one-shot the scarecrow too….”
“He’s really incredible.”
“We’re basically watching our future ranker right now.”
“Right!”
The commotion was unreal.
Embarrassed, Sung-hyun fled the Butcher Shop just as he had before.
He understood they meant it as praise, but hearing it face-to-face made his cheeks burn.
It was only natural.
Watching Sung-hyun’s retreating figure, Marlen couldn’t help but smile at how remarkable yet introverted he was.
Wasn’t that exactly what made Sung-hyun so charming?
Regardless, that wasn’t what mattered right now.
Before accepting the next user, Marlen spoke to Hans, another employee at the Butcher Shop.
“Hans, take this to the village chief for me, would you?”
“I’ll be right back.”
Hans nodded in agreement at Marlen’s unusually quiet and solemn tone—so unlike her usual self.
Though he didn’t know the details, he figured it must be something important, and he set off toward the village chief’s house without further question.
Hans would arrive faster than Sung-hyun, at least.
With that, I felt a weight lift from my shoulders.
Thinking there was nothing more to worry about, I called out in my usual manner.
“Next!!!”
1.
I stepped out of the Butcher Shop and ran a short distance.
The heat that had flushed my face quickly cooled.
Had I ever received such an overwhelming amount of praise in my previous life?
Even after receiving compliments at the Training Ground and the Butcher Shop before, I still hadn’t grown accustomed to it.
If only I’d been focused, I could have ignored it all.
‘This is rather awkward.’
It wasn’t a bad feeling, but there was no helping the embarrassment.
My work in the Beginner Village, where they paid the most generously for leather and meat, was finally complete.
I’d achieved the remarkable feat of earning 100 Gold.
How much was 100 Gold again?
‘What was the exchange rate? Was it 1 Dollar per 10 Silver?’
I’d looked it up yesterday evening, but I couldn’t recall the exact details.
I vaguely remembered 1 Gold being close to 10,000 Won.
So, doing a rough calculation…
‘This is worth 1 million Won?’
A full 100 Gold from the Beginner Village.
Even considering how generously they paid for meat and leather, it was a substantial sum.
Compared to the usual 10 Gold haul, this was ten times that amount.
Sung-hyun swallowed involuntarily at the thought.
I hadn’t realized it was such a significant amount of money.
‘This is incredible.’
I hadn’t given much thought to the idea that gaming could make money.
But to actually earn this much…
‘Hmm.’
It’s fun and the money is good.
There was no reason to refuse.
It even seemed like my sister was secretly rooting for me.
Most importantly…
‘It’s an Almighty class.’
If it were only this, I wouldn’t have taken it seriously either.
I would have enjoyed it to some extent and called it a day, but not anymore.
An Almighty-grade skill, and the memories and experiences of the world’s strongest Demon King.
It was a shame that Helena’s soul had vanished, suggesting she’d found peace, but since Sung-hyun retained her memories and experiences.
It would be foolish not to make use of this.
Sung-hyun had already made up his mind.
To think he’d commit to gaming full-time after just one day in the game.
‘Mom and Dad don’t seem particularly concerned either.’
They already knew his sister was making considerable money from gaming, yet they said nothing.
Becoming absorbed in a game and even making it a profession?
To outsiders, it might look like a complete failure in raising children.
Since Eternal World became a global mega-hit, perceptions have been shifting gradually, but it’s difficult to completely change the minds of older generations.
Yet they still acknowledge their children—that deserves respect.
‘I should show them filial piety.’
And while I’m at it, I’ll have a word with my sister too.
As Sung-hyun mulled over these thoughts, he arrived at the village chief’s house in the center of town.
Walking while lost in thought made the journey feel swift.
A house larger than the others, with guards stationed at the entrance.
Those guards were the reason one normally had to complete several tedious quests to enter the chief’s house, but Sung-hyun had no need for such quests.
『Gruger’s Letter of Recommendation』
He had a trump card.
As Sung-hyun approached, the guards became wary, wondering what he wanted.
Someone opened the door from the chief’s house and stepped out.
An NPC whose face seemed oddly familiar.
‘Huh? Who is that?’
He couldn’t immediately recall, but it was an employee from the Butcher Shop—not the one where Marlen worked.
Why was he coming out of the village chief’s house?
It wasn’t particularly his concern, though Sung-hyun was also coming from the Butcher Shop.
Curiosity flickered for a moment, but he didn’t dwell on it.
He didn’t want to get too involved in NPC affairs.
“Hans, next time you come by, knock a bit off the meat prices, will you?”
“Sigh, don’t you know Marlen’s personality? Not a chance.”
“True enough. Ha ha! Well then, take care.”
“Travel safely.”
“You too, and keep a sharp watch on the gate.”
Hans exchanged cheerful farewells with the guards and dashed off toward the Butcher Shop.
Then, spotting Sung-hyun standing in front of the chief’s house, he greeted him warmly.
“Oh! Sung-hyun, is that you? Wow, already coming to meet the chief—you’re something else! I wish eternal fortune upon your path! Take care!”
“Ah, yes. Thank you?”
The man was already sprinting away before Sung-hyun could finish his reply.
Seeing that speed, he understood why he’d been slower.
Anyway, that’s not what matters.
After Hans left, the two guards watching me cautiously spoke up.
“We can’t just let any foreigner through here.”
“You’ll need to help us with our work before we can let you pass.”
Seeing the stern guards, I produced the letter of recommendation from Gruger that I’d prepared in advance.
“Huh!?? A, a letter of recommendation from Instructor Gruger!?!”
“So, so you’re that foreigner!!! My apologies for wasting your time! Please, go right in!”
“Recognized by Instructor Gruger himself! Sorry for not recognizing you!”
“Kha ha! To be acknowledged by Instructor Gruger—truly remarkable, indeed!”
“Yes? Ah, yes, thank you….”
My face flushed as the guards continued their endless praise, and I received their enthusiastic salutes before standing before the village chief’s house.
One of the guards knocked on the door and spoke.
“Chief! We’re bringing in a foreigner who has received a letter of recommendation from Instructor Gruger.”
“….”
Though I couldn’t hear a clear response from inside, the guard kindly opened the door as if permission had been granted.
“Go on in. Ha ha. It’s an honor to meet a foreigner like yourself!”
“You’ll be the pride of our village!”
“Thank… you.”
Embarrassed, I stepped into the chief’s house.
An elderly man sitting in a rocking chair in the living room watched me, his long eyebrows twitching.
Though his eyes were hidden beneath wrinkles, I somehow felt our gazes meet.
“Hello, my name is Sung-hyun.”
“…Pleased to meet you. I’m Pahm, who leads Hindel Village.”
As I greeted him, the chief responded in kind.
Despite his frail appearance, Chief Pahm’s voice carried considerable strength.
I couldn’t help but marvel slightly at this mysterious quality.
It was the first time I’d heard such a vigorous voice from someone so visibly aged.
Noticing my surprise, Chief Pahm gestured familiarly toward a chair with his hand.
“Sit.”
“Ah, thank you.”
At the chief’s invitation, I sat in the chair across from his rocking chair.
Once I was seated, the chief spoke.
“…So you’ve dealt with Hunter’s Forest?”
“Ah, yes.”
I didn’t bother asking how he knew.
I simply assumed it was the game system at work.
So if my conversation with the chief ended here, I’d move on to the next village, right?
I smiled with anticipation, but Chief Pahm said something unexpected.
“Since ancient times, it has been our village’s custom to give a gift to any adventurer who deals with Hunter’s Forest. Since you’re a foreigner, I wouldn’t hesitate to give you a family heirloom.”
“A family… heirloom?”
I’ve heard that name somewhere before.
Surely it can’t be…
Sung-hyun hesitated at the thought.
Village Chief Pahm spoke.
“Those are leather gloves of a green deer—a complete set from the Forest Hunter that doesn’t drop in Hunter’s Forest. Tell me where you found them.”
“Ah.”
I couldn’t bring myself to say that I already knew.
So the Old Man Ghost had been the previous village chief’s spirit all along.
Should I ask for a different reward instead?
Faced with this awkward situation now.
Village Chief Pahm’s long eyebrows twitched, and his eyes seemed to open slightly wider.
And then.
“…Those gloves on your hand look familiar somehow…”
Cold sweat trickled down Sung-hyun’s back, despite his usual composure and calm demeanor.
A gulp.
What could I possibly say about this?
Sung-hyun’s mind raced with only that thought, and thanks to his naturally composed nature, his mind worked with sharp clarity.
In that moment, I recalled Helena’s memories—she who had been called a Demon King her entire life and fled.
If it were Helena, who had paid the price for escaping such situations, she could brush this off without hesitation.
As I drew upon those memories, a clever solution came to mind at once.
Helena truly was remarkable!
“Still, it wouldn’t feel right to simply accept such a precious family heirloom.”
“…Hmm.”
A tactful refusal.
I’d worded it carefully so the listener wouldn’t feel offended.
Village Chief Pahm nodded slowly.
“…Since you put it that way, I understand.”
“Phew.”
“Well, it does look similar enough, after all.”
“…”
He’d recognized it after all.
But he let it slide—perhaps that was fortunate.
The reward was somewhat disappointing, but I should be grateful that he didn’t press the matter.
That’s certainly what Sung-hyun thought.
Yet an unexpected remark came from Village Chief Pahm.
“Then I’ll give you a different reward instead.”
“What?”
“Why? Are you surprised?”
“…A little.”
“I promised a reward, and if the heirloom feels like a burden, I should offer something else. That’s how our family was raised.”
Truly, an exemplary education.
I waited with both admiration and joy swelling in my heart.
My eyebrows twitched again as I glanced at Sung-hyun.
Village Chief Pahm, who had been pondering what else might be good, rose from the rocking chair.
I wondered if I should offer him support, but to my surprise, he walked with remarkable vigor.
I shouldn’t judge by appearances, as they say.
Village Chief Pahm walked with steady steps and opened a box beside the fireplace.
His hands moved with such certainty, as though he had predetermined exactly what to give.
And what Village Chief Pahm withdrew was a staff.
A staff befitting a mage.
“Looking at you, I believe this staff would suit you perfectly.”
Village Chief Pahm chuckled softly as he handed me the staff.
The moment I received the staff, which thrummed with subtle power—
[You have obtained the 『Staff of the Forgotten』 from Village Chief Pahm of Hindel Village.]
‘The Forgotten?’
The instant doubt bloomed, I opened the Item Information.
『Staff of the Forgotten』
→《Rare+》
→A staff now forgotten, its previous wielder lost to time.
→Though the ages have obscured its master’s identity, the faint power lingering within the staff hints that its former user was a formidable dark mage.
→Slightly increased mana recovery after using dark magic skills.
→Slightly increased power of dark magic skills.
‘Wow.’
For me, now an Overlord, this staff was perfectly tailored.
I wished the increases were percentage-based rather than flat, but given the Rare+ grade, this was likely the limit.
It was an item I could be thoroughly satisfied with.
I thought I’d already received all the rewards from Hunter’s Forest.
It felt like receiving a gift from Santa Claus himself.
But how did he know?
That this was exactly the item I needed?
‘Does he know that I’m a dark mage?’
The thought suddenly occurred to me.
Village Chief Pahm broached another topic.
“Where are you planning to go?”
“Pardon?”
Lost in thought, I didn’t catch what he said at first.
Then I understood and answered immediately.
“I’m planning to head to Perseville.”
Perseville—one of the towns following Hindel Village, the Beginner Village.
There were several advantages, but my sister’s enthusiastic recommendation had been the deciding factor.
Weren’t the instructors here at the Training Ground supposed to be excellent at teaching skills?
Since Sung-hyun had also recognized it as a recommended village, there wasn’t much deliberation.
Village Chief Pahm nodded slowly upon hearing those words.
A look that seemed to say, “Is that so?”
Sung-hyun felt a strange vertigo wash over him at the sight of Village Chief Pahm and swallowed hard.
When I wondered if there was something more to this.
“Find the gravedigger Garelik.”
“Ah.”
[You have obtained a clue regarding the gravedigger Garelik.]
It was just that one phrase.
But from that single statement alone, a message materialized.
That I had obtained a clue.
And this clue was already a message I knew from my sister.
‘Is this… a hint about a hidden piece?’
He was giving it away so generously that it felt like he was giving too much.

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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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