The Game of a Legendary Genius Dark Mage - Chapter 18

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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 18
Episode 18
“My… my undead?”
Someone had stolen the undead I created myself?
I had never heard of such a thing.
And yet.
‘It looks even stronger…’
The appearance was completely different from the undead Beziron had created.
Wrapped in shadow-like darkness with wisps of teal-colored energy seeping through the gaps like smoke.
If I had encountered it as a monster, I wouldn’t even engage with something that looked like a high-level monster.
But why was it?
‘The level is actually lower?’
The undead’s levels were noticeably lower than when Beziron had created them.
Most had dropped by over 10 levels.
Right, let me think rationally.
This is someone whose level appears lower than my own.
They probably haven’t reached level 10 yet, but they were lucky enough to obtain a rare class before that.
I was startled by the message about the theft, but thinking calmly, it didn’t seem like much.
‘Yeah, I can handle this.’
A high-tier class in the game?
It matters, but in this game, true power is level!
High level is everything!
Beziron’s fighting spirit ignited with such thoughts.
Meanwhile, I was assessing my own condition.
‘…What exactly is this?’
Beziron must have been quite shocked, but I was also in a state of amazement.
I only realized it now, but I couldn’t fully control Helena’s memories.
More precisely, it was still difficult for me.
Until Helena helped, it was hard to recall memories of the Death Aura.
I could only vaguely recall its form and how it looked when Helena had used it.
Once Helena assisted, everything changed completely.
Memories of the Death Aura surfaced just a little.
‘Wow.’
My vision suddenly opened up.
I now understood clearly how to use the Death Aura.
Like suddenly gaining sharp vision after seeing through a haze?
No, it felt even more expansive than that.
Something utterly indescribable in words.
The sense of omnipotence I felt right after advancing to Overlord.
It resembled that liberation I experienced back then.
Along with that sense of liberation, a message materialized before me.
[You have transcended the current skill’s limits through an ‘Unknown Force’.]
[The proficiency of the Legendary Skill, ‘Aura of Death’, has dramatically increased.]
[The Legendary Skill, ‘Aura of Death’, has leveled up.]×4
[By achieving Lv 5 in the Legendary Skill, ‘Aura of Death’, a new effect has emerged.]
Ah!
So I wasn’t merely acquiring stat increases from memories and experiences.
I had yet to fully utilize my own abilities.
Upon realizing this.
My perspective shifted.
The memories and experiences of the Former Instructor Ghost I first obtained, along with the hunter Apik and the gravedigger Gerik.
Now I understood, at least in part.
Why Helena had told me I possessed talent superior even to her own.
My perspective had changed entirely.
“Attack.”
At my command, the zombies and skeletons—no, the Legion of Death—moved.
Their movements were of an entirely different dimension from when Beziron had created them.
They charged forward as if genuinely alive.
Their speed transcended what one would call undead velocity.
Yet my expression twisted peculiarly.
It’s different from the rabbit.
The movements themselves are simplistic.
Utterly unlike the rabbit’s Legion of Death, which moved proactively and employed tactics.
Perhaps it came down to whether intelligence existed or not?
-Do you feel it now?
“Yes.”
I nodded immediately at Helena’s words.
The absence of a soul.
I never imagined it could create such a disparity.
Now I understood how to wield the Overlord ability and my own power.
Beziron’s eyes widened like lanterns in shock at the speed of the undead moving at my command.
But even so, they were merely low-tier undead at a low level.
“Bone Arrow! Bone Spear! Bone Thorns!”
I chanted three skills as rapidly as possible to impede their advance.
The first to manifest was the Bone Arrow, summoned at the greatest speed.
Three arrows of bone flew forth, hurtling toward the zombies and skeletons.
Thunk, thunk, thunk!
Three bone arrows lodged in the chest of the leading zombie.
The damage seemed considerable, yet it was insufficient.
I could not halt the zombie’s advance.
But Beziron’s assault was far from over.
Two bone spears materialized from thin air, spinning automatically as they hurtled toward the zombies and skeletons.
Whiiiisssh!
A vicious sound tore through the air, echoing across the emptiness.
Two skeletons surged forward faster than the zombies, and the bone spears—shrieking with malevolent fury—drove straight through their skulls.
Crack! Crack!
Both skeletons exploded simultaneously.
Yet three skeletons remained, and two zombies still shambled forward.
Their speed quickened, closing the distance until they were nearly upon Beziron.
Cornered, Beziron’s face twisted into a grim smile.
The final spell—triggered at last as the skill cooldown expired.
A brilliant white radiance bloomed beneath Beziron’s feet, and bone spikes erupted from the ground like thorns.
Spikes of bone burst upward as if a trap had been sprung!
Shzzzzzzzzz!
-Grraaahhh!
-Grraaahhhhk!
-Clack, clack-clack!
-Clack-clack-clack!
-Clack-clack-clack-clack!
The bone spikes pierced through the zombies’ bodies like a thousand daggers.
Accumulated damage rendered their shadowy forms translucent and fading.
The skeletons, by contrast, suffered less damage but found themselves completely immobilized—bone spikes wedged between their skeletal joints.
Beziron’s smile widened with satisfaction. His spell had accomplished both offense and restraint in a single stroke.
The teal mist drifting through the air had accumulated considerable damage, but that was acceptable.
All I needed to do was eliminate Sung-hyun.
‘Now I’ll truly end this!’
The undead that could have aided him were all bound and helpless.
Beziron appeared to have gained the upper hand—until a teal spear suddenly flew toward him.
“Ugh!”
The teal spear arrived too swiftly to dodge, but my level advantage allowed me to avoid a fatal blow, taking the strike on my shoulder instead.
The spear of light pierced through my shoulder as easily as if it were soft flesh.
Thud.
“Aaahhhhh!”
Severe damage.
What kind of novice-level damage was this?!
But shock was premature.
[Dark Damage applied.]
[All vision and senses become impaired for 3 seconds.]
“What… what is this?”
My head spun as though I’d been sent flying through dozens of rotations, the dizziness nearly unbearable.
My vision wouldn’t focus properly.
Everything swirled together in a chaotic blur.
I couldn’t tell if up was down, down was up, or left was right.
If I couldn’t see at all, I wouldn’t be this disoriented.
My senses felt wrong.
At the same time, through Beziron’s dizzied vision, I was growing distant.
Was he fleeing?
“No, don’t run away!”
Beziron cried out desperately, and in that instant, I—who had been receding—suddenly drew near.
What on earth—his vision spun violently.
Huh?
“Why am I….”
Lying on the ground?
Amid the dizziness and spinning vision, only the messages appeared crystal clear.
[Critical Hit!]
[You are consumed by an irresistible force.]
[Your health has reached 0. Forced logout initiated.]
[Death penalty increased due to Infamy.]
[One of your highest-grade items drops due to Infamy.]
“No… w….”
I wanted to scream, but couldn’t even manage that before forced logout claimed me.
Unable to finish a single word, I crumbled to dust and vanished.
Beziron, Perseville’s highest-level player, had been defeated.
Only then could I exhale briefly.
“Phew.”
I had thought him a formidable opponent.
Fighting under several advantageous conditions, I had barely managed victory.
Especially without the vengeful spirits of the dead at the end, even I would have struggled.
All of that assistance was thanks to Helena.
“Thank you.”
As I expressed my gratitude and looked at Helena, exhaustion was plainly visible between the folds of gauze she had wrapped around her face at some point.
Was it from exerting so much power?
-Yawn. I’m tired, so I’ll head back inside. See you next time.
“Sure.”
After hearing my reply, Helena flashed an alluring smile through the black gauze and slipped into my embrace, disappearing.
Does she live inside my body?
I wondered if a spirit could actually reside within me, but I didn’t dwell on it much.
If something were wrong or problematic, I would have sensed it instinctively.
I felt no such instinct now.
The tension from victory simply melted away, leaving me drained.
A cascade of messages flooded my vision.
[You have achieved victory in your first player-versus-player combat!]
[You have obtained the Title: ‘Brawler’.]
[You have achieved victory against a player with a vastly different level!]
[You have completed an Achievement!]
[The Title ‘Brawler’ has evolved into the Title ‘Master of Combat’!]
[You have gained experience points!]
[Level Up!]×7
[You have reached Level 8.]
[You have defeated an opponent with a notorious reputation.]
[You have obtained the Title: ‘Righteous Adventurer’.]
[You have defeated an opponent who attacked first.]
[You have obtained your opponent’s item: ‘Sturdy Novice Dark Mage’s Robe’.]
“Oh?”
As the tension drained from my body, strength surged back in its place.
Such an abundance of rewards.
I’d barely obtained one title when I earned another that seemed to complement it perfectly through evolution.
Seven levels gained, reaching Level 8, and an item to boot?
This was an absolute goldmine.
Now I could begin to understand why some players hunted other users.
Though I wouldn’t resort to it myself.
‘So that’s why there are people who hunt down those with notorious reputations.’
I’d heard rumors of so-called ‘bounty hunters’ who claimed the rewards were far more lucrative than hunting monsters.
Now I understood why.
Despite all these rewards, I didn’t examine them immediately.
Because—
-Oh my! Won’t you take what’s in my Cabin as well!
Gerik, standing beside me, was eagerly urging me to collect his reward.
I smiled knowingly in response.
Gerik’s slow manner of speech and movements made his insistence rather endearing.
Though I could have teased him for his reaction, being the good person I am, I heeded his words and entered the Cabin.
Light streamed through the gaps in the dilapidated ceiling.
Thick dust had accumulated, evidence that no one had visited in quite some time.
The modest Cabin contained only a bed and a desk, upon which sat a single box.
-That’s it right there!
Gerik spoke excitedly, gesturing for me to open it.
Without hesitation, I opened the box.
Creak.
The old hinges groaned as the lid swung open.
Inside lay a single book and an envelope.
[Hidden Piece obtained: Unique-grade Dark Mage exclusive skill book, ‘Skill Book – Proliferating Undead’!]
[Hidden Piece obtained: Unique-grade item, ‘Elite Dark Mage Academy Recommendation Letter’!]
‘A Unique skill book? And on top of that…’
An Elite Dark Mage Academy recommendation letter, no less.
I swallowed hard and scratched my cheek.
A Unique-grade skill book alone was astounding, but an Elite Dark Mage Academy recommendation letter was something else entirely.
I’d obtained far better rewards than I’d anticipated.
So with this, I won’t have to worry about acquiring other skills?
[The ‘Elite Dark Mage Academy Recommendation Letter’ can be used from Level 10 onwards.]
‘I need to raise my level by 8 more.’
That didn’t seem particularly difficult.
Now, let me check the other rewards.
4.
[User ‘Sung-hyun’ has transcended the current skill limit due to an ‘unknown force’.]
[User ‘Sung-hyun’s Legendary skill, ‘Aura of Death’, experiences a massive increase in proficiency.]
Humans naturally fear phenomena they cannot comprehend.
Yet occasionally, there are those who grow angry at incomprehensible phenomena.
Ji Hye-jung, the team lead, was one of them.
“What is this now?”
“”….””
Lee Won-sang and Oh Jin-hyuk couldn’t utter a word.
How could they speak about something they didn’t understand?
They were seeing this for the first time themselves.
Above all, Oh Jin-hyuk couldn’t open his mouth.
He’d boldly proclaimed that the Beziron user couldn’t be defeated.
What was this?
Another appearance of an unknown force.
Now skill proficiency increases, not just stat boosts?
And not merely a significant proficiency gain—the skill level jumped up by five in a single instant.
If that hadn’t happened, could he have defeated the Beziron user?
Against an opponent with a 29-level difference?
‘Probably…’
Looking at Sung-hyun’s suddenly elevated synchronization rate and vital stats, it was hard to say.
Though Ji Hye-jung typically prioritized facts over speculation, this time she felt Sung-hyun would have won.
Level is everything.
The same held true in Eternal World.
In an RPG, nothing expressed raw power more directly than level.
Job grade?
When both players had high levels, the difference could certainly become apparent.
If a level 230 Normal-grade job user fought a level 200 Almighty-grade job user, nine times out of ten the Almighty-grade user would emerge victorious.
As levels increase, the gap between grades becomes stark.
But there’s virtually no Almighty-grade job where a level 1 can defeat a level 30.
Even the Overlord, which could be called special among Almighty classes.
Yet in the end, Sung-hyun won.
‘That’s impressive.’
Numbers can fluctuate within small ranges.
But I’ve never seen fluctuations this dramatic before.
What exactly is this unknown power?
Setting that aside, Sung-hyun’s movements, judgment, and ability to handle synchronization rates are extraordinary.
He feels more like a resident of that world than an NPC.
“I’ve never seen a player like this before.”
“Right…?”
“I-I haven’t either. It seems even more impressive than the rankers, doesn’t it?”
“Hmm, compared to when the rankers were level 1, it’s definitely on a different level.”
Team Lead Ji Hye-jung had no choice but to agree with that assessment.
Just looking at the numerical fluctuations alone is unprecedented, but the actual gameplay utilizing them is incredible.
Even Lee Won-sang and Oh Jin-hyuk had to acknowledge it.
This player is unlike anything we’ve seen before.
“At this rate, he’ll catch up to the rankers in no time.”
If someone else had said it, I would’ve scolded them for overreacting.
But coming from Team Lead Ji Hye-jung, the weight was different.
I understand he’s impressive, but to that degree?
Oh Jin-hyuk couldn’t help but be surprised by that statement.
After all, Team Lead Ji Hye-jung’s eye for talent in the User Management Team is well-known.
Catching up to rankers who have over a year and a half head start?
Could it really happen?
Lee Won-sang explained to the skeptical Oh Jin-hyuk.
“Before level 10, he already obtained a Necromancer-exclusive Unique Skill and an Elite Dark Mage Academy ticket. His starting point is already different. Plus, we still don’t know what this ‘unknown power’ actually is.”
“Huh???”
His starting point is fundamentally different.
Not all rankers had Almighty jobs or obtained Unique Skills from the beginning.
Team Lead Ji Hye-jung reacted to Lee Won-sang’s explanation.
“Sigh…”
Flinch!
At Team Lead Ji Hye-jung’s sigh, the two of them flinched and gauged her mood.
She seemed displeased.
‘Actually, the atmosphere seems quite fine?’
‘Y-yeah, right?’
In truth, neither Lee Won-sang nor Oh Jin-hyuk had done anything wrong.
There was no reason to scold these two.
“For now, let’s observe the situation. Since Immortal confirmed that Lee Won-sang isn’t a fraudulent player, there shouldn’t be any information breach.”
“Y-yes, that must be it!”
“O-of course.”
If Immortal—the greatest artificial intelligence in history—was involved, she would have already completed a full investigation into Sung-hyun’s family connections and every aspect of their background.
The matter had already slipped beyond their grasp.
All they could do now was—
“We’ll simply have to block any further anomalies that arise.”
“S-so then….”
“If anything is discovered, report it immediately. I’ll have to come in regardless of my days off.”
There was something almost noble in Team Lead Ji Hye-jung’s resigned murmur.
Watching her senior’s expression, Lee Won-sang also nodded in agreement, his own dark circles having grown considerably more pronounced.
“Phew, this unknown force is more troublesome than an Almighty-tier job advancement. If there are any other unusual developments, let me know. Prioritize them above all other rankers.”
“Understood.”
Team Lead Ji Hye-jung shuffled back to her desk with weary steps.
Though she had delegated the surveillance to them, she herself still had work to do.
‘I need to look into the Overlord more carefully.’
There could be other anomalies lurking beneath the surface.
I needed to investigate the Overlord’s history more thoroughly.

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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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