The Game of the Greatest Black Mage

[Translator - Prøks]

[Proofreader - Prøks]

Chapter 43

Karlak, with his heart pierced, was at the brink of death.

Even so, he couldn't just die.

Despite his trembling body, he swiftly distanced himself from Kaishak and pulled out a potion from his inventory.

It wouldn't heal him instantly, but it would buy him some time.

If he could somehow fend off Kaishak and hold out...

He could gain a little more time.

However, Kaishak didn't pursue him.

"...?"

Karlak looked at Kaishak in confusion.

He felt a heavy pressure in the air above him, weighing down on his surroundings.

An oppressive feeling he had never even imagined.

Karlak immediately tried to move away from the spot.

Or rather, he tried to.

Before his will could reach his feet,

A giant hand gripped his neck.

Grab!

"Gah!"

His throat tightened, and an oppressive force spread throughout his body, rendering him unable to even move a finger.

A chill permeated his body, and he felt an irresistible force that allowed no action other than shivering.

Was he poisoned?

No, Karlak soon realized.

A huge, mole-like maw gaped open.

What he saw next was something filled with wet, sharp teeth.

Crunch! Chomp!

After those sounds reached Karlak's body, the form above his neck vanished without a trace.

[You gain experience!]

[Level Up!]×2

[You have reached level 36.]

[You have slain an opponent with high notoriety.]

[You acquire the opponent's item, 『Giant's Strength Belt』.]

As the system message window and the item appeared before Seonghyun,

The Wraith of Barpur, who had devoured Karlak's head, carelessly tossed the headless corpse to the ground like trash.

It grinned, revealing its ferocious, blood-stained teeth, and glared at Wooz.

She was the only one left.

Wooz felt the hairs on her body stand on end at the Wraith of Barpur's aura.

Even Kim Chegeon, who wasn't the target, was trembling.

What about Wooz, who was the direct target?

She would definitely die.

She would die without even being able to fight back.

'A-a monster has been born in Rapid Guild.'

Echo Willow wasn't a pushover guild, but...

Wasn't this too much of a difference?

Surrendering might hurt her pride, but Wooz didn't even consider such a thing.

Pride?

What was that?

Dying in her current state would put her at a huge disadvantage.

Wooz, well aware of her dire situation, quickly racked her brains.

"W-wait, wait a minute!!"

In her desperation, honorifics slipped out.

However, Seonghyun, instead of stopping the Wraith of Barpur, simply watched with an indifferent expression.

As if he were an unrelated bystander.

Seonghyun's calm and composed demeanor appeared colder and more chilling to Wooz than any other expression could have.

"I-I know the secret of this place!! P-please, will you listen to me?!"

At Wooz's words, Seonghyun remained silent, but Kim Chegeon and the Wraith of Barpur looked at her in surprise.

To think she would go this far to survive...

With that thought, Seonghyun seemed to ponder for a moment and muttered,

"Hmm."

"I-it won't hurt to listen!!"

"Hmm, alright then, let's hear it. As long as it's not about Rox being a Black Mage, or the information about the maze's path, or, oh! About Village Head Xyle's conspiracy, I'll listen to anything."

"Eh?"

Wooz let out a dumbfounded sound at Seonghyun's words.

What she was originally going to say was also about Rox and Village Head Xyle.

But Seonghyun was one step ahead.

How did he know about the maze's path?

Even Wooz didn't know that information.

As Wooz stood there dumbfounded,

Seonghyun asked as if wondering why she was like that, and Wooz, seeing him, couldn't help but tremble.

"Y-you knew everything from the beginning...!!"

"If you have no further information..."

As Seonghyun finished his sentence, the Wraith of Barpur moved.

Wooz also quickly cast her skills.

She couldn't just die like this.

She had to escape somehow.

However, as she tried to struggle, Kim Chegeon appeared before her, wielding a sword, and said,

"Don't forget about me."

"Kyaaaaaaaaaaa!!"

As she tried to cast magic skills, she was hit by Kim Chegeon's sword.

Many of her magic skills were canceled, and the backlash hit Wooz directly.

The so-called mana reflux phenomenon.

It was one of the characteristics of magic-based classes, becoming vulnerable when attacked while casting magic.

As the mana reflux occurred and the damage hit Wooz's body,

"Cough."

Red blood trickled down her lips.

Even amidst the severe damage, Wooz didn't lose consciousness and tried to escape, but...

Behind her, a black shadow, she didn't know when it had arrived, blocked her path.

"Ah."

A sigh of regret.

As that sigh echoed,

The Wraith of Barpur also opened its giant maw and chomped down on Wooz's body.

Its formidable bite force had even torn through the tough warrior Karlak's body in an instant.

Wooz couldn't withstand it and was devoured by the Wraith of Barpur, meeting the same end as her comrade Karlak.

Crunch!

[You gain experience!]

[Level Up!]

[You have reached level 37.]

[You have slain an opponent with high notoriety.]

[You acquire the opponent's item, 『Tome of Flames』.]

Two items, gleaming brilliantly in gold.

From the effects surrounding the items to their names, they were extraordinary.

Seonghyun picked up the items and examined them.

『Giant's Strength Belt』

→《Unique》

→Can only be equipped by Warrior classes.

→A mystical belt containing the formidable power of giants.

→It is said that very few know how it was made and why the giants created it.

→Wearing it allows one to wield the power of giants.n/ô/vel/b//jn dot c//om

→Strength +20% increase.

→Attack Power +5% increase.

『Tome of Flames』

→《Unique》

→Can only be equipped by Mage classes.

→A grimoire inscribed with various techniques that aid fire magic.

→It is a very rare artifact even in the Tower of Flames, and it is an artifact that any fire mage would covet.

→Fire magic casting time 20% reduction.

→Fire magic power +10% increase.

"Wow."

He couldn't help but express his admiration.

Unique items.

Even for notorious users, the probability of dropping the best items wasn't that high.

And yet they dropped these items?

Just how many people did they kill?

Seonghyun, still in awe, held out the Giant's Strength Belt towards Kim Chegeon.

'This is the right thing to do.'

In reality, it was as if Seonghyun had defeated both of them alone, but there was a reason he offered the item.

Neither item was particularly useful to Seonghyun, and he couldn't even use them.

If he had to sell the items anyway,

'It's better to give it to her in advance and take all the Black Mage items that come out of this place.'

That was his calculation.

This worked out well.

He had been planning to offer Kim Chegeon some gold and ask her to give up the Hidden Piece if he found it.

Thanks to these two appearing, it was like getting free money.

However, Kim Chegeon's reaction was different from what he expected.

"No, I don't need it."

"...?"

Was she aiming for the Hidden Piece after all?

As Seonghyun closed his mouth with a look of regret,

Kim Chegeon, seeing his misunderstanding, waved her hands.

What was this?

As Seonghyun grew curious,

"Ahem, I'm well aware of your skills and reputation, Seonghyun. I only played a small part in this, so it feels wrong to accept this."

"Ah, I see."

"And I have no intention of receiving any share of the rewards from this place."

"What?"

She was giving up that too?

Seonghyun looked at Kim Chegeon, wondering what was going on.

As if reacting to their master's curiosity, all the undead present began to swarm around Kim Chegeon.

-Keureuk. Keureuhu. (Protect our Lord.)

-Take the life of the greedy one.

-Greed? K giggle! K giggle!

-How dare you covet Master's belongings?

Goosebumps erupted on Kim Chegeon's skin as she felt her life being threatened.

Was this the pressure one felt when facing Seonghyun as an enemy?

It was a wonder she wasn't paralyzed with fear.

As Kim Chegeon barely managed to endure,

Seonghyun glared at the undead.

Immediately, the undead, who had been ready to kill, retreated and bowed their heads to Seonghyun.

-Ke, Kek! Keureuhu! (W-we apologize!)

-D-do not be angry.

-S-sorry. K giggle.

-We apologize, we were presumptuous towards Master...

The undead, who had been about to obliterate Kim Chegeon with their aura alone, became docile as sheep.

Overwhelming combat power and numbers.

Those two alone had filled Kim Chegeon with fear, but...

With their superior intelligence and absolute obedience added to the mix,

Kim Chegeon vowed never to make an enemy of Seonghyun.

'I don't even want to imagine it.'

As Kim Chegeon shuddered and gulped,

Seonghyun looked at her with concern.

"Are you alright?"

"Ah, I'm fine. Haha, JoseonBestSwordsman shouldn't be so intimidated by this."

"Ah... is that so?"

Seonghyun replied indifferently.

Kim Chegeon quickly changed the subject.

"Ahem, ahem, anyway, I wanted to make you an offer, Seonghyun."

"Hmm, I see."

Seonghyun watched as if to say, "Let's hear it," and Kim Chegeon calmly took off her satgat to speak.

However, when she removed her satgat, what appeared was an undeniable beauty, despite her male attire.

He wasn't particularly surprised by her beauty, as he already knew she was dressed as a man.

Perhaps because he was used to seeing stunning women like his sister, Yoo Mina, he wasn't greatly impressed.

However,

'Wait, she's not even Korean?'

Despite calling herself JoseonBestSwordsman, she was a beauty with a distinctly Western appearance.

Even someone bungee jumping would recognize her as a Westerner.

I didn't expect her to not even be Korean.

Seonghyun couldn't help but be a little dumbfounded.

Since each country had its own designated region,

He knew that the time difference had been adjusted.

In other words, the place where Seonghyun was currently active was the Northeast Asia server, optimized for Korean time.

But to come all the way from the West at this time, be active on Korean time, and create a nickname like JoseonBestSwordsmanKimChegeon...

She was definitely not normal.

As Seonghyun was thinking this,

Kim Chegeon politely took off her satgat, bowed her head, and said,

"I will hand over all byproducts and Hidden Pieces from this place to you, Seonghyun. In return, could you arrange a meeting with Rapid Guild for me?"

"A meeting?"

Seonghyun tilted his head at the unexpected request.

A meeting with Rapid Guild?

It was an incomprehensible request.

She knew he was a rookie, and yet she wanted a meeting?

Perhaps it wasn't anything grand.

And as Seonghyun expected,

"I don't necessarily mean you have to get me into Rapid Guild or anything! Of course, I wouldn't dare ask for that. I'm just asking if you could arrange an opportunity for me to have an interview."

"Hmm."

"I-if that's not possible, I'd like to at least become friends with you, Seonghyun."

It certainly wasn't a burdensome request.

Kim Chegeon might not know, but Seonghyun was practically a parachute candidate for Rapid Guild.

First of all, his sister was the Vice Guild Master, one of the highest-ranking officials.

And the Guild Master of Rapid Guild was his sister's friend.

He could definitely make this kind of request.

Kim Chegeon was undoubtedly skilled.

Well, he didn't know if her class was outstanding, but...

That wasn't for Seonghyun to judge; it was up to Rapid Guild.

As Seonghyun was about to agree,

"Ahem. It's humiliating, but I believe it would be easier for you to arrange a meeting if I reveal my class."

"Hmm."

He was about to say it wasn't necessary, but...

Since he was curious anyway, Seonghyun remained silent.

Kim Chegeon, with a look of extreme frustration and humiliation, squeezed her eyes shut.

Just what kind of class was it that made her react like this?

Was it perhaps a low-rank class?

"My class is Unique rank. It's so shameful that I can't say it out loud, so I'll just share it."

As Kim Chegeon said that and revealed her class,

He saw the golden letters that symbolized a Unique rank class.

However, Seonghyun blinked his eyes as he saw the letters.

『Seonghyun - Lv.37 - (????)』

『JoseonBestSwordsmanKimChegeon - Lv.38 - (Samurai)』

"???????"

Seonghyun looked at Kim Chegeon with a truly bewildered expression.

Her nickname was JoseonBestSwordsmanKimChegeon, she was a Westerner, and her class was Samurai?

What a bizarre combination.

How could everything be so mismatched?

As Seonghyun was speechless in disbelief,

Kim Chegeon, as if she had expected this reaction, lowered her head and said sincerely,

"I know. It's a humiliating class. But keep in mind! As befits the reputation of JoseonBestSwordsman, I will switch classes as soon as I acquire a proper one!"

"...Yes."

Seonghyun couldn't understand what that had to do with him, but...

He felt like he had to say something to end this situation, so he gave a noncommittal reply and moved on.

"Haha! Then... ahem, let's add each other as friends and try to clear the tomb."

He hesitated to actually add her as a friend, but...

Seonghyun had no choice but to accept.

[You have become friends with the user 『JoseonBestSwordsmanKimChegeon』.]

He had never felt so embarrassed about a friend request being accepted.

5.

With the obstacles removed,

Nothing could stop Seonghyun and Kim Chegeon.

Perhaps Wooz and Karlak had taken care of most of the users who were originally there, as they didn't encounter anyone else.

To conserve mana, Seonghyun stored some of the undead who were praising him and swept through the Kaishaks, turning them into undead.

He could increase their numbers by using Add More on the Kaishaks that were floating around as ghosts after being killed by other users and putting them into soulless bodies.

By the time they found the hidden location, he had managed to turn ten Imp Kaishaks into his Death Legion.

The sound of them giggling in a group was a bit annoying, but...

Still, they were quite useful due to their excellent combat abilities.

"Oh! As expected of Seonghyun! To find the path so quickly!"

It was fortunate that the ghosts had shown him the way.

Otherwise, he would never have found it.

Ignoring Kim Chegeon's admiration, Seonghyun tapped the secret door, activating the mechanism to open it.

Inside, he saw the old mage's laboratory.

The laboratory was filled with stale dust and was disorganized.

Countless reagents, unable to withstand the long passage of time, had dried and stuck to the bottom of beakers and flasks, and near the desk, a rotten skeleton was rolling on the floor.

Apparently, that corpse was Rox.

As Seonghyun slowly looked around,

He saw two books and a black, obsidian-like stone placed on the desk where Rox had collapsed. Lastly, there was a handwritten letter placed in front of them.

『I have finally done it.

I have refined Black Magic and created the ultimate stone that can transcend the limits of Black Magic items!

To create this, how many... (omitted)

...Therefore, I shall name this stone the Black Magic Refinement Stone.』

After reading the lengthy inscription, Seonghyun picked up the two books and the stone.

[You have discovered a Hidden Piece in『Event Dungeon - Rox's Tomb』!]

[You have found the Hidden Piece by discovering the hidden door.]

[The title,『Explorer』, evolves into the title,『Treasure Explorer』!]

[You acquire the Hidden Piece, Black Mage exclusive Rare rank skill book,『Skill Book - Corpse Poison』!]

[You acquire the Hidden Piece, Black Mage exclusive Epic rank skill book,『Skill Book - Exploding Poison』!]

[You acquire the Hidden Piece, Epic rank item,『Black Magic Refinement Stone』!]

A bountiful reward message that never got old.

Seonghyun couldn't help but smile as he saw it.

He had gained video footage of defeating Wooz and Karlak in the tomb, their Unique items, and even Hidden Pieces.

'Killing three birds with one stone.'

6.

Late at night, when all the users had disappeared,

Village Head Xyle, along with one of his trusted subordinates who handled his dirty work, headed towards Rox's Tomb.

It had been a long time since the foreigner who received the quest had left.

He had confirmed that the foreigners inside the tomb had come out.

By now, the traps and monsters inside the tomb must have been cleared out.

Even if they weren't, his trusted subordinate here would surely take care of them.

"Kekeke, let's go."

"Yes, Chief."

All of Rox's hidden treasures would be his!

He already knew the way, and since there were no traps or monsters in sight, he was able to reach the secret door in no time.

However,

"N-no way!?!"

Not only was the secret door, which should have been tightly closed, wide open, but the treasures inside were also gone.

There wasn't a single hair left.

All that remained were the stale dust and dried reagents that filled the stone chamber.

There was nothing left to salvage.

Xyle, who had been greedy and tried to get something for nothing by using the foreigners, collapsed on the spot and hung his head.

"Un... believable."

As is often the case with those who are consumed by greed, his end was miserable.

[Translator - Prøks]

[Proofreader - Prøks]