The Game of a Legendary Genius Dark Mage - Chapter 76

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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 76
Episode 76
After a fierce and intense battle, I grasped victory in my hands.
It was truly fierce.
So much so that Yoo Sung-hyun died once.
If I hadn’t gone to such lengths, I might not have won.
Was it because this was my first victory like this?
Yoo Sung-hyun clenched both fists tightly and rejoiced.
‘I really won!’
If I hadn’t fought by ambushing from behind, could I have won?
I don’t know.
I might have lost.
Crescentra was that much of a powerhouse.
Yoo Sung-hyun savored that joy and looked back at the countless messages that were proof of victory.
I had glanced at them earlier, but couldn’t read them properly.
This time, let me read them carefully.
[You have defeated the Hidden Raid Boss, ‘Ancient Kingdom Guardian Golem, Crescentra’.]
[Level Up!]×12
[You have reached Level 77.]
[Upon reaching Level 70, a new skill of ‘Overlord’ has been unlocked.]
[You have acquired the Legendary-grade skill, ‘Flame of the Dead’.]
[Contribution exists for only one person.]
[It is judged as a solo raid.]
[You defeated it solo.]
[Rewards are enhanced.]
[This is the first defeat.]
[Rewards are enhanced.]
[Since it is a solo raid, all rewards are given to user ‘Yoo Sung-hyun’.]
[The Treasure Vault to be given as a reward is currently empty.]
[Rewards have been changed.]
[Calculating rewards.]
[Rewards are given customized for user ‘Yoo Sung-hyun’.]
[As a defeat reward, a new skill of ‘Overlord’ has been unlocked.]
[You have acquired the Almighty-grade skill, ‘Transcendent Death’.]
[As a defeat reward, you have acquired the Legendary-grade skill book, ‘Skill Book – Thousand Blood Swords’.]
[As a defeat reward, you have acquired the Legendary-grade item, ‘Hourglass of Reversal’.]
[You have become the first to defeat the Hidden Raid Boss, ‘Ancient Kingdom Guardian Golem, Crescentra’.]
[You have acquired the title, ‘Crescentra Slayer’.]
[By clearing the Hidden Raid first, you can disclose information.]
[Upon disclosure, you can acquire certain rewards of Level or higher from the dungeon for each clear over 3 months.]
[Information can be disclosed starting from the desired point in time.]
[If another raid party clears the raid before information is disclosed, disclosure becomes impossible.]
‘Insane.’
A parade of lengthy messages that couldn’t be absorbed at a glance.
For a moment, my vision spun and my head throbbed,
but I checked through it methodically.
First, the news that my level had risen.
It had climbed a full twelve levels, reaching 77.
‘Wow.’
My growth rate had always been impressive, but this was extraordinary.
And naturally, having broken through level 70, a new skill had been unlocked.
Phantom Flame.
From the name alone, it seemed like an offensive skill.
First, I opened the skill description.
『Phantom Flame』
→《Legendary》
→[Lv 1][Growth-type]
[Passive Effect][Active]
[Cooldown: 10 minutes]
[Duration: 3 minutes]
The flame that immolates souls in the burning abyss grants blessing to the dead and shall incinerate the world.
→Overload-exclusive skill.
→Summons Phantom Flame by consuming mana.
→Summoned creatures wrapped in Phantom Flame gain +30% to all stats, +20% to all speeds, and +10% to all attack power.
→When summoned creatures wrapped in Phantom Flame engage enemies, they inflict continuous damage.
‘…This is?’
A skill that fills the absence of buffs I’d felt while fighting Crescentra!
I’d obtained an exceptionally timely skill.
It was somewhat disappointing that it could only buff a single entity and couldn’t be applied to myself,
but the performance was undeniable.
Performance worthy of admiration.
Though I couldn’t use it on Baltar, who remained alive despite being a demon, I could use it on Fiora.
‘This is going to be absolutely incredible.’
I’d truly obtained an excellent skill.
Then the next reward was also an Overload-exclusive skill.
Since the Treasure Vault was empty and rewards were being created on the spot, it seemed they’d granted me Overload-exclusive skills.
An enormous gain!
Moreover, it was an Almighty-grade skill.
Transcendent Death.
The name alone was ominous.
Yoo Sung-hyun opened his skill window with eager anticipation.
『Transcendent Death』
→《Almighty》
→[Lv Max][Complete Form]
[Instant Effect][Active]
The Overlord who commands death shall transcend even that death itself.
Blessed are all the departed.
→Exclusive skill for Overlord.
→Can transcend the flesh of undead that have grown to their limit.
→Reduces the Overlord’s level by one upon use.
*Currently Available Undead*
[Entity Name—Anemor]
[Entity Name—Barphor]
[Demon Beast Barphor’s Flesh]
‘Huh.’
I could see a skill that exceeded my expectations.
It was so absurd that I could only let out a hollow laugh.
A skill that transcends the flesh of undead that have grown to their limit.
There was a demerit of lowering my level upon use.
Yet the effect was so powerful that it would be strange if it didn’t cost anything.
If I could strengthen an undead’s flesh with just one level, that was an enormous gain.
There were entities I could use right away.
Anemor and Barphor, and.
‘Barphor’s flesh?’
Now that I thought about it, I had only stored it in the Underworld without using it.
I couldn’t turn it into an undead because my level was insufficient.
But it seemed that deficiency had been filled now.
It was clearly marked in the skill description.
Should I raise it as part of the Death Legion?
As I entertained that thought.
Another message appeared.
[You can merge and transcend the Spirit Barfur appointed as Death Legion Commander and Demon Beast Barphor’s flesh into a single transcendent death.]
[The appointment as Death Legion Commander will be maintained, and the cost of Transcendent Death used in this process is a 2-level decrease.]
‘Huh?’
What is this now?
A fusion evolution?
Slightly bewildered, I read it again.
It wasn’t bad at all.
It merges the body and spirit into one and transcends them.
My level would drop by 2.
It was actually a relief.
It could do this too!
Yoo Sung-hyun didn’t hesitate to use it.
Why waste time deliberating?
I immediately opened the gateway to the Underworld and retrieved the physical bodies of Spirit Barfur and Demon Beast Barfur.
Spirit Barfur tumbled out, his expression etched with considerable worry since he’d been pulled into combat.
The moment he materialized, he rushed to check on my wellbeing first.
-M-Master! Are you alright!?
“Yeah, I’m fine. Just stay there for a moment.”
-Pardon? What do you mean—wait? This… this is my body, isn’t it?
Spirit Barfur’s expression turned bewildered, clearly confused about what was happening.
I gestured reassuringly and activated Transcendent Death.
It was different from skills that consumed mana or stamina.
It felt like my very strength was being completely drained from my body.
[Your level has decreased by 2. You are now level 75.]
[The 10 additional stat points you gained have been lost.]
I could always raise my level again.
It didn’t matter.
As I activated Transcendent Death, a teal-colored aura erupted from me.
It blazed forth like an explosion of light.
Then it settled into the physical bodies of Spirit Barfur and Demon Beast Barfur.
The teal aura became a gossamer thread connecting the two bodies together.
As the two that were once one became bound together by threads of teal light, they merged into unity.
With overwhelming power flooding through him, Spirit Barfur could feel it.
He was returning.
The wandering spirit, lost and adrift, was reclaiming his original body.
The mysterious teal aura embraced them both and wove them into one.
-Ah, ahhhhh! Ahhhhhhh!
He wept with joy, as if blessed with immeasurable grace.
Like a lost child finally finding their way home.
Hundreds, thousands, tens of thousands of teal threads gradually drew the two closer together.
Like stitching them into one, the threads slowly contracted, inscribing Spirit Barfur into Demon Beast Barfur’s body.
As the spirit was embroidered into Barfur’s flesh like a sacred pattern.
Thus Barfur—no longer merely a spirit, but a soul reunited—reclaimed his body.
Barfur’s form, resembling a mole, began to tremble.
His limbs twitched and gradually started to move.
Soon the teal aura began flowing through his entire body like blood.
A heartbeat echoed.
Thump—!
Thump——!
Thump———!
A heart began to beat with violent force.
The teal-green aura gradually spread across Barphor’s entire body, and as darkness inscribed his skeletal frame, the blazing teal-green energy consumed his form.
The bones of flesh became darkness, and the burning teal-green flames became muscle and bone and skin, resurrecting Demon Beast Barphor.
As an eternal, immortal undead.
Flash——!
Eyes ignited with the gleam of teal-green, flickering flames awakened.
The massive mole-like form vanished.
It became a humanoid demon beast standing on two legs, bearing the claws of a mole.
Though it retained the mole’s features, at first glance it resembled a mole-human hybrid.
Its size was a towering frame of 3 meters in height, making even Baltar seem insignificant, and the teal-green flames rippling around it radiated nothing but majesty.
Truly, the title of Legion Commander suited this being perfectly.
“Wow….”
Yoo Sung-hyun gasped in admiration.
A message appeared, confirming everything was complete.
[Death Legion Commander—Demon Beast Barphor has awakened, transcending death.]
[The existing Spirit Barfur dwells within the flesh.]
[The Overlord’s authority dwells within Demon Beast Barphor.]
[Demon Beast Barphor receives the blessing of immortality.]
[Demon Beast Barphor obtains new power, transcending its former strength.]
[The undead that transcends death grows infinitely in response to its master’s growth.]
[The Death Legion Commander cannot be additionally summoned via Anemor.]
‘This is no joke.’
Until now, only Fiora and Baltar had fought at the forefront, while Spirit Barfur could not.
Since he originally possessed a physical body as a demon beast, he had struggled to adapt to his spectral form, resulting in diminished combat power.
This was why Fiora appeared so much stronger despite inhabiting the same body.
But now, judging by the body alone, he seemed nearly as formidable as Baltar.
Though additional summons via Anemor were no longer possible, I felt no regret.
His body had transcended limitations.
-Whoosh! Barphor, reborn as a Demon Beast of Death! I offer my respects to my master!!!
Barphor knelt on one knee with a thunderous voice, bowing his head.
A reliable ally had been gained.
“You’ve grown stronger. It’s good to see.”
-I am grateful! Hehehehe!!! I am overjoyed to display my enhanced form to you henceforth, master!!!
Everything was fine, but he was getting a bit loud.
Yoo Sung-hyun nodded in acknowledgment and sent him into the Underworld.
Next would be Anemor.
‘Is Anemor really suited for evolution?’
For now, evolving Anemor could be beneficial.
Transcending death consumed levels, but in return created a vessel capable of infinite growth.
It’s quite excellent, though.
The body housing Anemor’s soul belongs to Kalisha.
It would be far more efficient to wait until I can resurrect Anemor’s original body, swap the souls then, and place Anemor there instead.
‘I’ll evolve Anemor later.’
It’s not as though the skill has a cooldown anyway.
After transcending only Barphor, I examined the next reward.
What I obtained next was a skill book.
And it was a Legendary-grade skill at that!
I wondered what kind of skill it could be when suddenly—
‘Is this my first Legendary-grade Dark Mage skill?’
Now that I thought about it, that was true.
Add More had been a summoning-class job.
It was ambiguous to call it a Necromancer-exclusive skill.
In the end, this was my first Legendary-grade skill exclusive to the Dark Mage class.
I wondered what kind of skill it would be.
Just from the name alone, I couldn’t quite deduce it.
There was no reason to hesitate, so I used the skill book immediately.
[Using Legendary-grade Skill Book, 『Skill Book – Thousand Blood Blades』!]
[Acquiring Legendary-grade Skill, 『Thousand Blood Blades』!]
『Thousand Blood Blades』
→《Legendary》
→[Lv Max][Complete Form]
[Instant Effect][Active]
[Cooldown: 30 minutes]
→Dark Mage class exclusive skill.
→Consumes mana to create and manipulate a thousand blood blades from the caster’s blood.
→Upon striking an enemy, the thousand blood blades inflict slashing or piercing damage, then explode to deal explosion damage to the target.
→The number of blood blades created is determined by the caster’s level and advancement tier.
*Currently creatable blood blades – 150. (75×2)
The skill description appeared immediately.
And seeing it, I let out a dumbfounded sound.
‘Huh???’
A blood-type dark magic skill that summons a thousand blood blades.
Not only does it deal damage from blade strikes upon impact, but it also explodes.
And I create and manipulate blood blades.
The versatility is considerable.
Seeing all this, I scratched my cheek.
Moreover, manipulating them doesn’t even consume mana.
‘This seems like a broken skill?’
As long as the blood blades don’t miss their targets, I can manipulate that many of them, right?
The count isn’t all thousand—my level and second advancement class only allow me to control 150 of them.
At level 75 with second advancement, that’s 150 blades I can manage.
Even so, it’s absurd.
With flying blood swords, I should be able to pull off various utility techniques.
Should I test it out right now?
Normally I’d test skills while hunting.
But testing utility applications right now wouldn’t hurt.
Yoo Sung-hyun extended his hand with his palm open and activated the skill.
A single drop of blood rose from his palm.
The deep crimson droplet hovered in the air, then began to multiply, one after another.
Gradually, countless blood droplets filled the empty space around me.
The droplets bubbled and churned, swelling in size before transforming into the shape of sharp blades.
Crimson blood swords, vivid and scarlet.
From hilt to blade, everything was red.
150 blood swords materialized in the air before me.
As all the floating blades hung motionless, I imagined one flying toward me.
A single sword obediently answered my will and glided toward me.
As expected, no mana was consumed.
“Wow.”
Holding the blade, I couldn’t help but marvel.
Just from grasping it, I could feel how incredibly durable the sword was.
I swung it lightly.
Whoosh!
The way it cut through the air was remarkably smooth.
“Oh?!”
It was the very definition of a perfectly honed blade.
And I had 150 of these?
Without thinking, I imagined the swords laying flat to form a staircase.
Clack clack clack clack clack!
The blades immediately flew into position, creating a crimson staircase of blood swords before me.
I climbed onto it, and even with my weight, the stairs didn’t crumble or waver.
I imagined them rising further.
As I stood on the swords, the blood staircase lifted into the air.
Flying on the blades themselves.
‘Was it sword flight technique?’
Having read martial arts novels often, I recalled such a technique and chuckled.
Controlling 150 blood swords like this.
The applications seemed limitless.
Then for the final test.
‘Ten blades—attack that crystal pillar.’
I pointed at the crystal pillars visible outside the Raid Field with my finger.
Exactly ten blood swords flew toward the crystal pillars I indicated and embedded themselves.
Thunk! Thunk! Thunk!
The sound of them piercing echoed almost simultaneously.
I watched and thought to myself.
‘I wonder what the explosive force will be like?’
I waited with eager curiosity.
No explosion occurred.
“…?”
Wasn’t it supposed to explode after the slashing damage?
Even after checking the description again, it remained the same.
Yet the ten blood swords remained quietly embedded, still not exploding.
The moment I thought something was strange.
A suspicion crossed my mind.
‘Does terrain not count as a successful hit?’
Indeed, the skill description specifically stated “upon hitting an enemy.”
In other words.
‘It only applies to targets recognized as enemies?’
If no explosion occurs, the blood swords don’t disappear.
In other words.
At my gesture and imagination, the blood swords moved in perfect unison, transforming into shields, scattering in all directions to surround a single point, then reforming into a dome-like barrier.
As long as the attack doesn’t hit an enemy, I could use this infinitely.
‘…Isn’t this completely broken?’
I had obtained an absurdly overpowered skill.
Even if it gets nerfed later, I’d have nothing to complain about.
‘Will it really get nerfed?’
It seems like it should.
But if it doesn’t, that would be amazing.
Let me check the other rewards first.
As I moved on to examine the other rewards.
There was an item called the Hourglass of Reversal.
I couldn’t tell from the name alone.
So I immediately took it out from my inventory to check.
My head tilted in confusion.
『Hourglass of Reversal』
→《Legendary》
→Said to have been created by some being that transcends time, though what that being is or from what era it comes remains unknown throughout all of history.
→All flows of time can be altered and are always subject to disruption.
→By consuming sand, the cooldown of any skill can be reduced to 0.
→The hourglass contains a maximum of ten grains of sand, and five grains are generated every day at midnight.
→If all the sand is depleted, there is a random chance that the Hourglass of Reversal can be destroyed.
In other words, it means I can ignore the cooldown at least five times a day.
To be safe, a maximum of nine times per day.
An absolutely extraordinary item.
This alone is ridiculously overpowered.
But what if they’re combined like this?
[By consuming the sand of the 『Hourglass of Reversal』, the cooldown of 『Thousand Blood Swords』 is nullified.]
Yoo Sung-hyun extended his palm again and activated the Thousand Blood Swords.
The original 150 blood swords that had been maintained and the new 150 blood swords were intertwining in the air.
‘…The blood swords have doubled?’
What am I supposed to do about this?

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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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