The Game of a Legendary Genius Dark Mage - Chapter 167

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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 167
167
A Cat Ghost.
I’d suspected that if Cat Merchants existed, ghosts would too.
But to find one loitering near the entrance like this.
I was somewhat taken aback.
Yoo Sung-hyun didn’t let it show.
I absorbed the cat’s memories lightly.
[You’ve accomplished the impossible at your current level through ‘Unknown Power’.]
[Intelligence +2, Wisdom +2, Dexterity +1 permanently increased.]
‘Hmm. The stat gains are decent, but…’
The memories didn’t seem particularly useful.
A Cat Ghost that had served long as a soldier before becoming a specter.
Most of its memories consisted of routine duties and tasks to be performed here.
-Strangers are fascinating, meow. Back when I was on duty, nobody ever came. This would be fun, purr.
So chattered the Cat Ghost.
But there was nothing worth dwelling on.
Anyway, I set the ghost aside.
I observed the living Cat Soldiers.
Two Cat Soldiers gripping spears, standing guard at the City Gate.
Walking on two legs and wearing helmets with openings for their ears, they looked quite adorable, but how to describe it…
Their vigilant posture seemed somewhat pitiful to behold.
Of course, they were merely fulfilling their duties.
Just as Yoo Sung-hyun was about to speak to them, trembling slightly as they gripped their spears.
I noticed the spears and helmets.
And the breastplates covering their upper bodies—something extraordinary about them.
Indeed, the Cat Ghost’s memories showed they’d worn quite fine equipment.
Now, observing such gear, I checked their grades.
‘Unique?’
Each piece was at minimum Unique-grade equipment.
These days, I picked up Unique-grade items as casually as stones.
But they were items of considerable rarity.
Honestly, even Epic-grade items are precious.
Yet all their equipped items are Unique-grade?
Despite their cute appearance and pitiful demeanor, they might be skilled warriors.
I had no intention whatsoever of forcing my way through.
I should approach with utmost courtesy.
“I happened to wander in while exploring.”
Yoo Sung-hyun stepped forward and spoke.
Helena and the rest of my retinue all fell back behind me.
However, I decided to maintain vigilance in case circumstances took an unexpected turn.
Keeping my guard up.
When Yoo Sung-hyun spoke so politely.
The two Cat Soldiers tilted their heads in confusion.
“Hmm, meow. But even so, we can’t just let outsiders in willy-nilly!”
“That’s right, meow!”
The two Cat Soldiers chattered away in perfect harmony.
Was there no way around this?
Forcing my way through here didn’t seem like a wise choice.
Since they bore the clear NPC icon rather than a monster designation.
If I resorted to violence here.
I’d inevitably accumulate infamy.
I decided to wait quietly for now.
“If you wish to enter our city, you must take a test, meow!”
“Then you’ll receive hospitality befitting a guest, meow!”
The two Cat Soldiers spoke in succession like twins.
I nearly laughed at the sight.
But seeing their remarkably solemn and stern expressions, I barely managed to suppress it.
Then I recalled from memory what the test entailed.
According to my recollection, the test was….
“The test is a card game, meow!”
“A most difficult gamble, meow!”
“I see.”
So it was this after all?
I glanced at my retainers, uncertain how to proceed.
All of them except Helena bowed their heads, indicating they would follow my lead.
Helena gazed at me with a playful glint in her eyes and smiled as if she found this amusing.
Well, I had intended to enter anyway.
Whether it was a gamble or anything else, I had to go through with it.
“Very well. I shall take the test.”
“Hehehehe, it will be a harsh trial, meow.”
“Hehehehe, outsiders might easily fail, meow.”
They seemed to be attempting a cunning smile.
Yet they didn’t look cunning at all—the cats were quite adorable.
When I agreed to take the test.
The two Cat Soldiers led me and opened the City Gate.
Could they really open it this easily?
I let out a slightly bewildered laugh and followed them.
Helena drew up beside me and asked.
“So, are you good at gambling?”
“Hmm… If it’s poker, I at least know the rules.”
“Ahahaha! Then go win for us, Sung-hyun!”
“Of course.”
Though I wasn’t particularly confident about it.
Yoo Sung-hyun nodded in agreement.
If I lost here, I’d have to find another entrance or devise an alternative method.
I’d already deduced what that alternative might be.
But it wasn’t certain enough.
The best option was to pass through here if possible.
“Hehehehe, this is our rest… no, our testing grounds, meow!”
“Hehehehe! We shall conduct the test here, purr!”
The two Cat Soldiers, speaking as if it weren’t terrifying at all, led me to a place that was
‘No matter how I look at it, this is a rest room.’
It appeared to be a space where the soldiers took brief breaks.
There was a cat tower, and a cat wheel with nets and boxes scattered about.
It seemed like a room designed for them to enjoy themselves thoroughly.
Yoo Sung-hyun thought as much and sat at the table they’d guided him to.
They brought over a deck of cards as if everything had gone perfectly.
Trump cards—familiar enough to Yoo Sung-hyun.
The moment I sat at the table and the trump cards appeared,
[Hidden Quest, 『The Gatekeepers of Ninyaru – Hidden City of the Labyrinth Merchants』 has been generated.]
A message suddenly appeared, and a Quest was created.
Let me check what the rewards are.
『The Gatekeepers of Ninyaru – Hidden City of the Labyrinth Merchants』
→《Hidden》
→Ninyaru – Hidden City of the Labyrinth Merchants is presumed to be a city of Cat Merchants that frequently appears within the Labyrinth.
You have reached the entrance of Ninyaru – Hidden City of the Labyrinth Merchants with only small clues from the Labyrinth.
However, you have been blocked by two terrifying Cat Soldiers standing guard at that location.
Naturally, those two guarding this place declared they could not let just anyone through, and thus imposed an outrageous test.
That test is none other than gambling!
If you entertain those two terrifying Cat Soldiers with gambling and relieve their boredom, they have promised to allow you to pass through and arrive at Ninyaru – Hidden City of the Labyrinth Merchants.
Gamble with them and relieve their boredom.
If you achieve victory early, there will be additional rewards.
→Restriction: Users who have discovered the entrance to Ninyaru – Hidden City of the Labyrinth Merchants.
→Reward: Entrance Pass to Ninyaru – Hidden City of the Labyrinth Merchants.
→Failure: Entrance Pass to Ninyaru – Hidden City of the Labyrinth Merchants, 2 hours of gambling.
I was examining it quite seriously.
It was a completely adorable Quest.
Either way, they were allowing me to pass through.
Even if I failed, they’d give me the entrance pass.
However, there was a constraint: I had to entertain them for two hours.
I’d prefer to win if possible.
Wasting time on meaningless games didn’t sit well with me.
I needed to settle this quickly.
“Hehehehe, we’ll play gambling with three of us! Whoever runs out of these chips I’m giving you goes bankrupt!”
“Hehehehe, whoever still has chips at the end wins! The game is poker!”
“Understood.”
As Yoo Sung-hyun agreed, the Cat Soldiers casually removed their spears and helmets, then dealt cards across the table.
Watching how skillfully they dealt, it was clear they’d done this many times before.
They were remarkably proficient at it.
As Yoo Sung-hyun received his cards, I found myself with a surprisingly decent hand.
But since I didn’t know what they were holding, how should I bet?
While Yoo Sung-hyun was deliberating, Ghost—who was helping him—let out a subtle laugh.
-I can’t stand watching these greenhorn juniors get played for fools! This guy’s got a pair!”
1.
“Whoa!!! Are you a poker god!?”
“Noooo!!! I lost too!”
When you know your opponent’s cards, how could you possibly lose?
Yoo Sung-hyun claimed victory in a single round.
The two Cat Soldiers had no choice but to acknowledge him, wiping tears from their eyes.
To think he’d retired them so quickly!
Truly, this outsider was no ordinary being!
“That was incredible skill. Take this.”
“It’s a pass to the city. Carry it with you anytime.”
“Thank you.”
[Hidden Quest, ‘The Gatekeepers of Ninyaru – Hidden City of the Labyrinth Merchants’ has been cleared.]
[Rewards have been granted.]
As Yoo Sung-hyun thanked them after obtaining the pass, all three waved their hands as if they’d had a great time.
“Safe travels!”
“That was fun!”
-If you need help, just say the word!
Even the Cat Ghost chimed in.
Receiving farewells from all three, Yoo Sung-hyun walked toward the Corridor leading to the city.
Helena pouted, looking unimpressed.
“I thought it would be an intense gamble…”
Let me know if you need any help!
Ghost, even the Cat Soldier.
As Yoo Sung-hyun walked toward the corridor leading to Pentagrid City, he was escorted by the three of them.
Helena pouted her lips dismissively.
“I thought it was going to be a fierce game…”
“That would’ve been entertaining if the cats had done it.”
“But thinking about Nyao, it makes sense. Though I wonder if things would be different since Nyao must be an adult by now?”
Nyao.
The Cat Merchant that Helena had kept with her before.
I wondered what had become of them.
Yoo Sung-hyun nodded as if curious as well.
“The Labyrinth demihumans here, especially the feline ones, are quite cute and playful when young, but as they age, they tend to either gain weight or transform into something more beast-like.”
“Oh?”
“I suspect Nyao would be the latter. Even back then, being of royal blood, they had all the makings to become a fierce beast.”
Now that I heard it, I found it even more intriguing.
And royalty at that.
I wondered what kind of person they would be.
And what their reaction would be upon seeing Helena reborn anew.
It would be quite useful to observe for my future course of action.
Yoo Sung-hyun pressed forward with anticipation.
Following the long Corridor, I emerged to find
brilliant lights beginning to shimmer at its end.
Despite the hour being dark enough for nightfall,
such resplendent illumination poured forth.
What kind of place was this?
Curiosity quickened my pace.
As I stepped out of the Corridor,
I beheld numerous dwellings adorned with dazzling magical lights.
And between these homes, countless cats walked upright, strolling about.
In the sky, dragonfly-like glimmering creatures flitted about, while merchants at every street corner hawked their wares with boisterous chatter.
“We don’t come every single day, meow!”
“Today’s fish is fresh, purr!”
“Got premium treats here, meow!”
Each merchant called out different things.
Yet the scale and splendor were so vastly different from Pentagrid that my eyes were captivated.
“Wow.”
I never expected to visit a place this genuinely city-like while playing this game.
It conjured the illusion of stepping into a magical metropolis.
As I gazed around in wonder,
a message appeared.
[Entering Hidden City, ‘Ninyaru – Hidden City of the Labyrinth Merchants’.]
[You have made the first discovery of a Hidden City!]
[You have acquired the title ‘One Who Steps Into the Unknown’.]
[You have acquired the title ‘Steward of Ninyaru’.]
[First Discovery rewards have been granted.]
[Quest rewards from the Hidden City, Ninyaru – Hidden City of the Labyrinth Merchants, are doubled.]
[You possess the Unique Item, Horn of the Labyrinth Merchant Guild.]
[The effect of the Unique Item, Horn of the Labyrinth Merchant Guild, applies throughout Ninyaru – Hidden City of the Labyrinth Merchants.]
I received two messages and titles for entering the Hidden City.
The horn’s effect applies to the entire city.
Does that mean a discount is applied?
‘Not bad at all.’
Simply arriving in this dreamlike city was already worthwhile.
Doubled Quest rewards and a discount on top of that.
It was truly the icing on the cake.
While Yoo Sung-hyun was captivated by the enchanting scenery of the city, taking it all in.
The residents caught sight of his tall frame and gasped in astonishment.
“Meow!? A human just walked in!?”
“No way! This isn’t just any human! It’s a foreigner!”
“Meow!? A foreigner for the first time!”
“No, child. It’s the first human itself.”
“Oh! I didn’t know meow!”
Some added “meow” and “ong” to the end of their sentences.
Others spoke in a more standard manner.
It seemed the younger ones were the ones adding “meow” and “ong” to their words.
As everyone gazed at Yoo Sung-hyun in wonder.
Someone called out upon seeing him.
“Oh!? C-customer! How did you get here meow!?”
Becky, the cat with a familiar face, approached and acknowledged Yoo Sung-hyun.
By chance.
I was able to meet Becky.
“We meet again.”
“M-meow!?”

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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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