The Game of a Legendary Genius Dark Mage - Chapter 43

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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 43
Episode 43
Kallak’s health bar was scraping bottom, his chest pierced through by a devastating blow.
But there was no way I could simply accept death.
My trembling body, seized by fear, quickly put distance between myself and Kaisak, pulling a potion from my inventory.
Complete healing in one go was impossible, but this would buy me some time to endure.
If I could somehow fend off Kaisak’s relentless pursuit and hold on….
I could buy myself precious seconds.
But Kaisak did not pursue.
“…?”
I stared at Kaisak in confusion, unable to comprehend his inaction.
Above my head, I felt a suffocating pressure bearing down on the surrounding space.
A crushing weight beyond anything I could have imagined.
I immediately tried to move away from my position.
Or rather, I attempted to move.
Before my will could reach my feet.
A colossal hand seized my throat.
Crack!
“Gaahhh!”
My breath was cut off, and an overwhelming pressure spread through my entire body—I couldn’t even twitch a finger.
A chilling cold invaded my body, and I felt an irresistible force that permitted nothing but trembling.
Had I been poisoned?
No, I could soon understand what was happening.
A massive maw, resembling that of some grotesque mole, gaped open wide.
What appeared in my vision next was something bristling with wet, razor-sharp teeth.
Crunch! Snap!
After the sound reached my ears, the form above my neck vanished without a trace.
[You have gained experience!]
[Level Up!]×2
[You have reached Level 36.]
[You have defeated a notorious adversary.]
[You have obtained the opponent’s item, 『Giant’s Strength Belt』.]
As the system message window and item dropped before Yoo Sung-hyun.
Spirit Barfur, who had bitten off Kallak’s head, carelessly hurled the headless corpse to the ground like garbage, baring blood-stained fangs in a savage grin before turning his gaze toward Uz.
She was the only one left.
Uz felt every hair on her body stand on end at Spirit Barfur’s overwhelming presence.
Even Kim Che-gun, who was not the direct target, trembled.
What of Uz, who had become the focal point of that predatory attention?
I would surely die.
I would die without even being able to put up a fight.
‘A monster has been born within the Rapid Guild.’
Echo Willow was no pushover of a guild either.
But wasn’t this difference far too vast?
Surrendering would have wounded my pride, but Uz didn’t even consider such things.
Pride?
What was that?
If I died in my current state, I would suffer tremendous losses.
Knowing this all too well, my mind raced desperately.
“W-wait, just a moment!!”
As desperation set in, formal speech slipped from my lips.
Yet Yoo Sung-hyun made no move to stop Spirit Barfur, merely observing with an indifferent demeanor.
As if I were of no consequence whatsoever.
His calm, composed expression felt colder and more chilling to me than any other look could have been.
“I-I know the secrets of this place!! P-please, won’t you listen?!”
At my words, Yoo Sung-hyun remained silent, but Kim Che-gun and Spirit Barfur exchanged glances of surprise.
So desperate to live that I would go this far.
Even Yoo Sung-hyun seemed to ponder this for a moment, muttering thoughtfully.
“Hmm.”
“I-it won’t be a l-loss to hear me out!!”
“Well then, shall I listen? Besides what you know about Rocks being a Dark Mage, information about the Labyrinth Path here, or the conspiracies surrounding Village Chief Zail—I’m willing to hear anything else you have to offer.”
“Huh?”
At his words, I let out a stupid sound.
The information I had originally intended to share was about Rocks and Village Chief Zail.
But Yoo Sung-hyun had gone one step further.
How did he know about the Labyrinth Path?
That was information even I didn’t possess.
As I stood there dumbfounded and vacant.
Yoo Sung-hyun asked why I was like that, and I could only tremble at the sight.
“Y-you knew everything from the start…!!”
“If there is no further information to offer….”
As Yoo Sung-hyun finished speaking, Spirit Barfur moved.
I quickly cast my skills in desperation.
I couldn’t die like this.
I had to escape somehow.
But as I struggled with all my might, Kim Che-gun appeared before me with sword in hand and spoke.
“Don’t forget about me.”
“Kyaaaaaaah!!”
As Kim Che-gun’s blade struck me mid-spell cast.
My magical skills were canceled, and the impact reverberated back through me.
A phenomenon known as mana backlash.
It was one of the defining weaknesses of magic-class professions: vulnerability to attacks while casting spells.
Mana backlash surged through her body, and the damage struck Uz with devastating force.
“Cough—”
Crimson blood trickled from the corner of her mouth.
Even amid the excruciating damage, Uz attempted to evade, refusing to lose consciousness.
But a black shadow—one that had appeared from nowhere—blocked her escape route.
“Ah.”
A regretful sigh.
As that sigh echoed,
Spirit Barfur opened his massive jaws just as wide and clamped down on Uz’s body with a sickening crunch.
The terrifying bite force that had shredded even the body of Kallak, a formidable warrior, in a single motion.
Uz could not endure it. She was devoured by Spirit Barfur, meeting the same fate as her comrade Kallak.
Crunch!
[You have gained experience!]
[Level Up!]
[You are now Level 37.]
[You have defeated a notorious target.]
[You have acquired the opponent’s item: 『Tome of Flames』.]
Two items gleaming brilliantly with golden radiance.
From the effects enveloping them to their names, they were far from ordinary.
Yoo Sung-hyun picked up the items to examine them.
『Giant’s Strength Belt』
→《Unique》
→Can only be equipped by warrior-class professions.
→A mystical belt imbued with the formidable power of giants.
→Few in this world know how it was crafted or what drove the giants to create it.
→When equipped, you can wield the power of giants.
→Strength +20% increase.
→Attack Power +5% increase.
『Tome of Flames』
→《Unique》
→Can only be equipped by mage-class professions.
→A grimoire inscribed with various incantations that enhance flame magic.
→It is a remarkably rare artifact even within the Flame Tower, and all flame mages covet it.
→Flame-type magic casting time reduced by 20%.
→Flame-type magic power +10% increase.
“Wow.”
The options were nothing short of extraordinary.
Unique items, no less.
Even for notorious users, the probability of dropping the best items was far lower than one might expect.
And yet he dropped items like these?
Just how many people must he have killed?
Yoo Sung-hyun marveled at the Giant’s Strength Belt and extended it toward Kim Che-gun.
‘This is right.’
In truth, I had essentially secured both items myself, but there was a reason for offering them this way.
Neither item was particularly useful to me, nor could I even use them.
If they were items I’d have to sell anyway.
‘It’s better to give them away now and claim all the Dark Mage items that drop here for myself.’
This calculation lay beneath the gesture.
It worked out perfectly.
I had planned to hand over gold if I discovered a Hidden Piece and negotiate for it.
Thanks to these two appearing, it was as if I’d saved myself that expense.
But Kim Che-gun’s response was unexpected.
“No, I have no need for it.”
“…?”
So he was after the Hidden Piece after all.
Yoo Sung-hyun closed his mouth with a look of disappointment.
Kim Che-gun waved his hand dismissively as he saw the misunderstanding.
What?
Yoo Sung-hyun felt confused.
“Ahem, I am well aware of your skill and reputation, Yoo Sung-hyun. My contribution this time was minimal at best, so it would be improper for me to accept.”
“Ah, I see.”
“And regarding the rewards we’ll obtain here, I have no intention of claiming any share whatsoever.”
“What?”
He was willing to concede even that?
Upon hearing those words, Yoo Sung-hyun regarded Kim Che-gun with a sense that something was amiss.
At their master’s reaction, all the undead in the vicinity began creeping toward Kim Che-gun.
-Keruk, kerhu. (Protect our Lord.)
-Take the life of the greedy one.
-Greedy? Kik kik! Kik!
-How dare you covet what belongs to our master.
As the pressure slowly tightened around his throat, Kim Che-gun felt his skin crawl.
Was this the oppression one would feel if they made Yoo Sung-hyun an enemy?
He was fortunate merely to avoid being crushed by terror on the spot.
As Kim Che-gun barely held his ground.
Yoo Sung-hyun glared at the undead.
Immediately, the undead that had been rushing forward as if to kill him retreated and bowed their heads to Yoo Sung-hyun.
-Ke, kekek! Kerhu! (We, we apologize!)
-Please, do not be displeased.
-Our apologies. Kik.
-I sincerely apologize, sir. We overstepped our bounds with you.
The undead who had been intent on obliterating Kim Che-gun with mere aura alone became docile as lambs.
Overwhelming combat power and numerical superiority.
Those two factors alone had made Kim Che-gun tremble with fear.
But now that she possessed superior intellect and absolute obedience as well.
Kim Che-gun resolved never to make Yoo Sung-hyun an enemy.
‘I don’t even want to imagine it.’
Kim Che-gun shuddered and swallowed hard.
Yoo Sung-hyun looked at Kim Che-gun as if asking if she was alright.
“Are you alright?”
“Ah, yes, I’m fine. Haha, the Joseon First Blade shouldn’t be intimidated to this extent.”
“Ah… is that so?”
Yoo Sung-hyun spoke in a detached tone.
Kim Che-gun quickly changed the subject.
“Ahem, in any case, what I wanted to say was that I wished to make a proposal to you, sir.”
“Hmm, it seems that way.”
Yoo Sung-hyun watched as if to say let’s hear what it is, and Kim Che-gun calmly began to speak while removing her hat.
But when she removed the hat, what emerged was unmistakably a beautiful woman, despite the masculine disguise.
Since I already knew she was in male disguise, I wasn’t particularly surprised by her beauty.
My older sister Yoo Mi-na was such a stunning beauty that I had become somewhat desensitized, and I felt little excitement.
However.
‘Wait, she’s not even Joseon?’
Despite being called the Joseon First Blade, she was unmistakably a beautiful woman with distinctly Western features.
Even when bungee jumping, she had the appearance of a Westerner.
I never expected the Joseon First Blade wouldn’t even be Joseon.
I couldn’t help but find it absurd.
Each country had its own region set up,
and I understood that time zones had been adjusted accordingly.
In other words, the place where I’m currently active is the Northeast Asia server, optimized for Korean time.
Yet someone from the West would deliberately log in during this time slot, operate on Korean time, and create a nickname like Joseon First Blade Kim Che-gun.
That’s definitely not normal.
As I was thinking such thoughts.
Kim Che-gun politely removed her hat, bowed her head, and spoke.
“I will transfer all byproducts and hidden pieces that come from this place to you, sir. In exchange, could you arrange a position for the Rapid Guild?”
“A position?”
At the unexpected request, I tilted my head in confusion.
A position with the Rapid Guild.
It was an incomprehensible request.
She surely knew well that I was a rookie, yet she was asking for a position?
Perhaps it wasn’t anything grandiose.
And just as I had anticipated.
“I’m not insisting you force me into the Rapid Guild or anything! Of course I have no shame to make such a demand—I’m merely asking if there’s any possibility of at least getting an interview.”
“Hmm.”
“If that’s not possible, I would at least like to send a friend request to you, Yoo Sung-hyun.”
It wasn’t particularly burdensome, to be honest.
Kim Che-gun might not realize it, but I was practically the poster child for nepotism in the Rapid Guild.
My sister was the Vice Guild Master, the highest executive position in the guild.
And the Guild Master of the Rapid Guild was my sister’s friend.
A favor of this magnitude was well within reason.
Kim Che-gun certainly had the skills to back it up.
Though I couldn’t say whether his class was exceptional.
That wasn’t my judgment to make—it was Rapid’s.
I was about to tell him I understood.
“Ahem. Shameful as it is, I believe it would be easier for you to put in a good word if I disclosed my class, Yoo Sung-hyun.”
“Mm.”
I was about to say there was no need for that.
But I was curious anyway, so I stayed quiet.
Kim Che-gun squeezed his eyes shut, looking genuinely distressed and humiliated.
What kind of class could make him react like that?
Was the rank perhaps low?
“My class is Unique rank. I’m too ashamed to speak it aloud, so I’ll simply share it with you.”
With that, Kim Che-gun toggled his class to public view.
The golden letters characteristic of a Unique-rank class certainly glowed before me.
But as I read those letters, my eyes blinked in confusion.
『Yoo Sung-hyun-Lv.37-(????)』
『Joseon First Blade Kim Che-gun-Lv.38-(Samurai)』
“??????”
I stared at Kim Che-gun with an expression of utter bewilderment.
His nickname was Joseon First Blade Kim Che-gun, he looked like a Westerner, and his class was Samurai?
There was no more horrific mishmash than this.
How could everything about him be so utterly incompatible?
I was so dumbfounded I couldn’t even open my mouth to respond.
Kim Che-gun, as if he’d expected this, hung his head low and spoke with genuine sincerity.
“I know it myself. That it’s a shameful class. But mark my words! The moment I obtain a class befitting the name Joseon First Blade, I shall switch immediately!”
“…Yes.”
I had no idea what any of this had to do with me.
But since I needed to say something to end this situation, I gave an appropriate response and moved on.
“Haha! Then… ahem, let me add you as a friend and attempt to conquer the tomb.”
I hesitated about whether I really needed to add him as a friend.
But I had no choice but to add Kim Che-gun to my friends list.
[You have become friends with Joseon First Blade Kim Che-gun.]
I never realized a friendship notification could be this embarrassing.
5.
Once the obstruction vanished.
Nothing could stand in the way of Yoo Sung-hyun and Kim Che-gun.
Most of the original users had likely been dealt with by Uz and Kallak, so I never encountered them.
To conserve mana, Yoo Sung-hyun incorporated some of the undead that praised him and swept through the lesser demons Kaisak, transforming them into undead.
The Kaisak spirits that users had hunted and left drifting as ghosts were converted into Ed Moore, allowing me to place them into soulless bodies and increase their numbers.
By the time I found the path and discovered the hidden place, I had managed to turn no fewer than ten lesser demons Kaisak into my death legion.
Their collective giggling laughter was somewhat irritating.
Still, they possessed considerable combat power, making them quite useful.
“Ooh! As expected of you, Yoo Sung-hyun! Finding the path so quickly!”
It was a blessing that the spirits had shown me the way.
Without them, I never would have found it.
Leaving Kim Che-gun’s amazement behind, Yoo Sung-hyun tapped the secret door, activated the mechanism, and pushed it open to enter.
The interior of an ancient mage’s laboratory came into view.
Thick dust and a disorganized research chamber.
Various reagents had withered and cracked at the bottoms of beakers and flasks over the long years, and near the desk lay a single skeletal corpse, decayed and crumbling across the floor.
This must be Rocks.
As Yoo Sung-hyun surveyed the space carefully.
On the desk where Rocks lay, there were two books placed intact, one stone gleaming black like obsidian, and finally, a handwritten letter of sorts placed before it.
『I have finally completed it.
The ultimate stone that transcends the limits of dark magic items by refining dark magic itself!
To create this, how many…(omitted)
…And thus, I shall name this stone the Dark Magic Refining Stone.』
After reading the rather lengthy passage, Yoo Sung-hyun grasped the two books and the single stone.
[You have discovered a Hidden Piece in the Event Dungeon – Rocks’ Tomb!]
[You found the Hidden Piece by locating the secret door!]
[The title ‘Explorer’ has evolved into the title ‘Treasure Explorer’!]
[Hidden Piece, Dark Mage exclusive Rare-grade Skill Book, ‘Skill Book – Corpse Poison’ acquired!]
[Hidden Piece, Dark Mage exclusive Epic-grade Skill Book, ‘Skill Book – Explosive Toxin’ acquired!]
[Hidden Piece, Epic-grade Item, ‘Dark Magic Refining Stone’ acquired!]
A reward message that never grew tiresome no matter how many times I saw it.
I couldn’t help but smile at the sight.
Coming to the tomb, gaining footage of dealing with Uz and Kallak, obtaining their unique items, and even finding Hidden Pieces.
‘Three birds with one stone.’
6.
On the quiet night after the users had vanished.
Village Chief Zail headed to Rocks’ Tomb with one reliable subordinate who handled all his dirty work.
By now, even the foreigners who had accepted the Quest had long since withdrawn.
I confirmed that the foreigners inside that tomb have emerged.
By now, all the traps and monsters within the tomb must have been thoroughly cleared out.
Even if that weren’t the case, all my trustworthy subordinates here would surely handle it.
“Kekeke, let’s go.”
“Yes, Village Chief.”
All of Rocks’ hidden treasures would become mine!
Since I already knew the path and saw neither traps nor monsters, I reached the secret door in no time.
But then.
“Ah, how could this be!??!”
The secret door that should have been firmly sealed was not only open, but the treasures inside were completely gone.
There wasn’t even a hair left behind.
All that remained in the Stone Chamber was ancient dust and withered medicinal herbs.
There was nothing whatsoever to salvage.
Zail, who had greedily planned to let the foreigners do the work without lifting a finger, collapsed on the spot and hung his head in despair.
“This… is unbearable.”
Such was the pathetic fate of one consumed by greed.

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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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