The Game of a Legendary Genius Dark Mage - Chapter 146

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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 146
146
The Witch.
In a game set against a fantasy backdrop.
It was an element that naturally appeared.
After all, one of Yoo Sung-hyun’s primary skills, the Sovereign’s Seal of Silence, featured the Witch prominently.
In any case, fantasy and witches shared a storied relationship.
Yet Yoo Sung-hyun himself knew little about witches.
Not in the sense of cultural knowledge about witches.
Rather, I didn’t fully understand what the Witch meant within the Eternal World.
‘The Witch of the Night,’ they called her.
But I had a remarkably simple way to learn about her, didn’t I?
Starting with the very title—the Witch of the Night.
And that woman, Serpina Nightbloom.
[Lot 11 goes to 6,000 gold! From this point forward, we’ll proceed in increments of 200 gold for faster bidding!!!]
As the Auctioneer continued.
The hall erupted into chaos.
Everyone rushed forward, desperate to bid.
Especially Lot 11—the Female Marquis was the most aggressive.
Enchanted by the very name of Serpina, the Witch of the Night.
‘A witch, then…’
So she was connected to dark magic after all.
-Mmmm~ I see I’m quite popular~ So, handsome nobleman~ won’t you buy me~?
Serpina Nightbloom spoke to Yoo Sung-hyun with a cloying voice and an alluring demeanor.
‘Hmm.’
Now that she approached this way.
I found myself reluctant to purchase.
Still, she did appear connected to dark magic.
Even if I didn’t buy the item.
There was no harm in gathering information.
When no one was watching, I extended my hand slightly.
-Mmmm~?
Serpina Nightbloom noticed my hand and let out an intrigued, cloying sound.
In that instant.
A teal-blue aura condensed at Serpina Nightbloom’s chest, where her heart lay.
It gathered slowly.
And flew directly into my palm.
Of course, no one else witnessed this.
Only the two involved—Serpina Nightbloom and myself.
We alone saw it.
Fiora could see it too.
—Mmm, delicious.
But while I was marveling at the taste of the food, I had no time to notice it.
A teal-colored aura swirling in my grasp.
As I absorbed Serpina Nightbloom’s memories.
Her memories flowed in like a panorama.
[‘Unknown Power’ has accomplished what is impossible at your current level.]
[Intelligence +10, Wisdom +10 permanently increased.]
My stats had risen tremendously.
Stats comparable to Fiora’s.
Leonik had a combined total of 23, and Fiora had 20.
There was no doubt this was an extraordinary number.
But beyond that stat increase.
There was something far more astonishing.
‘This… is?’
Memories flowed in like a violent wave.
Vast memories crashed in like a tsunami, and I struggled to absorb them.
A long panorama, just as when I had absorbed Leonik and Fiora.
In their cases, I had already known the stories somewhat.
So I had glossed over them quickly.
But these memories were different.
‘Ah.’
Memories stretching back from the distant past when she first arrived.
From her earliest recollection, she was pointed at for the innate mana she possessed.
She had merely wielded a mana that few could use.
Yet people had pointed fingers at her for actions they couldn’t explain.
To her, it was as natural as breathing.
But to them, it was the terror of the unknown.
—We must drive her from the village!
—We must cast out that wicked child at once, or our village will perish!!!
—Let us abandon this vile child in the Forest at once!!!
At merely five years old, she was cast out from the village where she was born.
By her own parents’ hands.
Expelled for wielding mana as easily as others breathed.
I learned to hold my breath and survive.
Never using mana under any circumstance.
Living without revealing it to anyone.
Holding my breath.
And so.
It seemed that was the right answer.
As she grew and blossomed into beauty, many sought her affection.
All she had done was refrain from using mana.
She was happy with how differently she was treated now.
All I needed to do was endure and live quietly.
With that realization, I painted a future living alongside the man I loved.
I became an ordinary woman, bore children, and lived peacefully with my beloved husband.
Or so I tried to.
But ten years after gaining a family, one day my husband asked me something.
-How is it that only you don’t age?
-What? Ha ha, you’re being silly.
-No, answer me properly. I heard the villagers whispering about it.
-I… I…
-Are you perhaps a Witch?
At those words, I couldn’t bring myself to answer.
The happy days I had been living mere moments before
shattered with a single question.
Even though I had lived in silence.
Even though I had told no one.
Because I lived a lifespan different from humans, I nearly fell prey to their hunting.
No—I nearly fell prey to the Inquisitors after being betrayed by the very husband I loved so dearly.
Yet I survived to the end.
If hiding myself wouldn’t work,
-Then I shall become a Witch.
From that day on, I stopped holding back.
I let mana flow freely from within me.
I learned magical skills once called the exclusive domain of mages.
With power in hand, I walked freely and displayed my strength.
Yet I could never walk about in daylight.
While the sun hung in the sky, I yearned for the embrace of the family I had loved.
I could not walk about in daylight.
And so,
I carried myself with even greater boldness.
Laughing lightly as though untouched by sorrow.
I lived on in that manner.
Thus I came to be called the Witch of the Night.
“Ah…”
Recalling that fragmented memory,
Yoo Sung-hyun looked upon Serpina Nightbloom.
In her eyes dwelt sorrow, and her smile was laden with sadness.
-Hmm~, perhaps it’s because I’ve only ever had things taken from me. Even in death, my memories are stolen~ What a strange experience~
Though spoken playfully, that smile was brimming with sorrow.
The sorrow of being unable to spend time with beloved family.
Yoo Sung-hyun exhaled softly at the sight.
Ghost was a spirit bearing quite a tragic tale.
There were people like that sometimes.
People who lived with deliberate levity even when sorrow weighed upon them.
Serpina Nightbloom was one of those people as well.
—I’m a bit embarrassed now~
Watching Serpina Nightbloom say such things.
Yoo Sung-hyun realized I absolutely had to obtain that stone.
There was no vessel to house Serpina Nightbloom’s soul right now.
For now, she had to remain bound to that stone as she traveled.
And I also grasped the necessity of that stone-like object.
Though I couldn’t use it immediately.
‘It’s the key to Serpina Nightbloom’s temporary dwelling.’
It appeared to be nothing more than an ordinary stone.
But without it, no matter what measures I took, Serpina Nightbloom’s temporary dwelling—
Thinking of what was left in that spire hidden in the Sixth Region, I absolutely had to obtain it.
As Yoo Sung-hyun made this assessment and grasped the situation.
[Ahhhhh!!! Number 11 again! 7,500 gold!!! Ah, all the competitors have withdrawn!!! After three more calls, I will finalize the sale….]
The auction was nearly at its end.
Just as the Auctioneer was about to conclude.
Yoo Sung-hyun urgently raised his bidding paddle.
Missing this would be catastrophic.
[Ah… Number 44… sir! 8,000 gold. You’ve bid 8,000 gold!!!]
The moment Yoo Sung-hyun suddenly raised his paddle.
All those who had been participating with fervent enthusiasm until just moments ago fell silent.
In that sudden hush.
What was this?
Yoo Sung-hyun glanced around, sensing something amiss.
Then.
Whoosh!
Swish!
Whip!
The moment Yoo Sung-hyun turned his gaze, everyone desperately averted their eyes.
Could it be?
Were they backing off thinking of the Belmore Branch Manager?
No, to this extent?
Even the Female Marquis numbered 11, who had been actively raising her paddle to bid until moments ago, was quick to evade Yoo Sung-hyun’s gaze.
And so.
[Eight thousand gold? Eight thousand gold!? Eight thousand gold!!! Lot forty-four is sold!!! Congratulations!!! Please collect your item after the auction concludes!!!]
After the Auctioneer’s announcement, I scratched my cheek.
I felt like I’d caused some trouble.
But regardless, I’d made a profit.
Still.
‘I shouldn’t come back next time.’
Or I could wear a mask, or tell the Belmore Branch Manager not to come.
The auction continued from there.
The remaining three items held nothing particularly special, so I passed on them.
Thus ended the eventful auction.
6.
A social gathering was scheduled to follow at the Auction House.
But Yoo Sung-hyun wasn’t one to enjoy such gatherings, so I excused myself.
Even if I had enjoyed them, everyone would feel uncomfortable with me present.
It was more accurate to say I deliberately abstained.
The moment I left the Auction House, I sought out a staff member to claim my winning bid.
I watched as the employee handed over the item with utmost courtesy and received it.
“Thank you so very much!!!”
[You have acquired an item related to 『Serpina Nightbloom, Witch of the Night』: 『?? ??? ??』.]
[A keyword for 『Serpina Nightbloom, Witch of the Night』 has been additionally recorded.]
Oh, so system messages appear for this too.
Well, acquiring something new is always good.
Thinking vaguely to myself.
I offered my thanks.
“I’m the one who should thank you. Then.”
“P-please take care of it!!!”
The employee was being exceptionally attentive.
I needed to disappear quickly.
With that thought, I left the Auction House.
I entrusted the stone to Fiora.
It was an item that could fit in my inventory.
But if it went in there…
‘I don’t know what would happen to Ghost.’
It would be better to have Fiora carry it to the Underworld instead.
Since Fiora was also a ghost, she could see Ghost as well.
-Hmm~ I thought you’d be with that handsome nobleman~ but instead I’m going with the little one~
Serpina Nightbloom spoke with a nasal tone.
I ignored her appropriately and spoke to Fiora.
“Fiora, this is an important item, so could you go to the Underworld and keep it safe?”
-Y-yes! I’ll k-keep it precious. L-let’s go, auntie.
—Oh my? Yes, let’s go then.
Perhaps it’s because I’ve cared for a child before?
Fiora spoke to me while picking up a stone.
Serpina Nightbloom followed her with a rather pleased smile on her face.
It seemed they would get along well.
‘Then….’
I felt a presence following close behind and let out a small sigh.
He wasn’t a strange person.
Or was he?
With such thoughts, I turned around in a secluded spot.
“Successor! You’ve purchased some fine goods!”
I could see the rather assertive Belmore Branch Manager.
Still, he did it for my sake.
There was nothing I could say about it.
After all, I benefited from it.
Even if everyone was frightened.
I heard it was the highest sales record in the history of the Auction House.
You could say it was a win-win for both sides.
That’s what I thought.
The Belmore Branch Manager knelt on one knee as if presenting an offering.
Or was it an offering?
In any case, he took that posture and handed me a beautifully wrapped item in both hands.
‘….’
It felt burdensome.
But that didn’t mean I wouldn’t accept it.
If I had refused everything that felt burdensome so far.
I wouldn’t have accepted the skill books or items that Kals gave me either.
That would be absurd.
Burden is burden.
Items are items.
So I accepted the item from the Belmore Branch Manager.
The message I’d been waiting for appeared.
[Will you enhance 『Young Helena’s Staff』 with 『Fragment of the Demon Dragon’s Heart』?]
*Warning!*
-Upon enhancement, 『Fragment of the Demon Dragon’s Heart』 will disappear.
[Are you sure you want to enhance it?]
[Yes / No]
‘Is this the first time since Shadow Mirror?’
Young Helena’s Staff, still at Unique grade.
And hadn’t I just obtained Hindel’s Sword, which was Legendary grade?
My primary class is Overlord, after all.
It was time to strengthen the staff as well.
‘Why not do it right now?’
There was no reason to hesitate.
I immediately pressed the accept button that appeared on the screen.
The staff that the girl Helena had been copying from the Belt of Strength in my inventory transformed back into a staff and materialized in my hand.
“Ah! Ahhhhh!!! That staff!?!?!”
Ignoring the Belmore Branch Manager screaming frantically beside me.
I focused my gaze solely on the transformation.
On the staff of deep black ink, starlight resembling light began to flicker and emerge slowly, as if stars were being born one by one in a solitary cosmos.
As they multiplied one after another.
Once all those stars took their place upon the staff.
It had transformed into a staff that appeared to be crafted after the very universe itself.
On that staff—which could be called a work of art rather than merely a staff—a large star-like gemstone protruded, adorning the head of the staff.
‘Wow.’
Visually, it had become far more magnificent.
So then, what about its performance?
I opened the item window.

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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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