The Game of the Greatest Black Mage
Chapter 139

[Translator - Prøks]

[Proofreader - Prøks]

Chapter 139

2.

Straight to the next region!

……Is not what he was doing.

It happened to be lunchtime.

And a moderate amount of rest was necessary.

Killing two birds with one stone, so to speak.

[What??? Is that for real???]

“Yeah, have you only ever been deceived in life?”

[Uh…… mostly, yeah……]

“No, I mean, have I ever deceived you?”

[That, no.]

Seonghyun chuckled slightly as he talked on the phone with Lee Geondong.

He had told Geondong that if he edited the video file he sent, he’d send it to Rapid’s side, and this was his reaction.

His reactions were always so enthusiastic.

He wondered if it was something to be that happy about.

But in a way, it could be an incredible opportunity.

So, he thought it was understandable.

Wasn't it a good chance for his friend to build his career?

[Deadline?]

“Nothing specific.”

[Okay, so the faster the better, right?]

“Isn’t quality the priority?”

[Dude! Quality is a mandatory option!]

Well, it’s obvious that the better the quality and the faster it’s done, the better.

Anyway, as Seonghyun was talking, he recalled Ahn Yoojin’s warning.

“Well, you probably know this, but if the guild doesn’t like the video, it might get rejected, okay?”

[Man! That’s obvious! Anyway, thanks a lot, seriously. For Rapid Guild, you can’t even easily get an interview.]

“It’s no big deal.”

[What do you mean, no big deal? From your perspective too, that’s something you have to ask a favor for. And you’re usually not one to like doing such things.]

That was true.

Seonghyun himself wasn't accustomed to asking anyone for favors.

But since it was for a friend…

He could make an exception for this much.

[Seriously, thanks. If this works out, I’ll buy you soju—no, wait, Western liquor.]

“Oho? Western liquor? Nice.”

[I’ll do it as fast as possible and send it to you!!!]

After the call with Lee Geondong ended like that…

Seonghyun shook his head as if his friend was incorrigible.

To think that cheapskate would offer to buy Western liquor.

He must be incredibly grateful.

As Seonghyun ended the call and was about to head out…

His older sister, Yoo Mina, who seemed to have just come out of her capsule, peeked in from Seonghyun’s doorway and spoke to him.

“What are you doing?”

“A friend of mine is going to do some editing. I’m planning to introduce him to Yoojin-noona.”

“Ahn Yoojin, to her?”

At Seonghyun’s words, Yoo Mina’s expression hardened considerably.

However, Seonghyun’s reaction wasn’t much different.

Both Yoo Mina and Seonghyun knew Ahn Yoojin’s personality well.

She was particularly strict in these kinds of matters.

“Seriously, Ahn Yoojin… she’s only being this kind to us because it’s us; if someone lacked skill, she’d show absolutely no mercy…”

“I know. Still, it’s a good opportunity, isn’t it?”

“……That’s true.”

His older sister, Yoo Mina, acknowledged that.

Both Seonghyun and Yoo Mina had gotten in easily because they had connections.

But the Rapid Guild was undeniably rank 3 in the Eternal World guild rankings.

There were even rumors that it might soon rise to rank 2; it was a world-class guild of that caliber.

If you had to compare, it was a workplace with much better treatment than even a large corporation.

There was no way one could get into such a workplace without due effort or merit.

Ahn Yoojin, the head of the Rapid Guild, was also quite meticulous about its management.

In any case.

Since Seonghyun said he knew…

Yoo Mina didn’t say anything more.

“Kids~ If you’re out, come eat~”

Hearing the two of them talking…

Their mother, Lee Nakyeong’s voice came from the kitchen.

Since both of them had come out to eat…

Without another word, they both quickly washed their hands and sat at the dining table.

It seemed like a simple meal, but this time too, it was a sumptuous feast, so neither of them started eating with any complaints.

“Mom has a quick errand to run out front, so I’ll be back~”

“Okay, see you later.”

“Yeah~ See you~”

As Seonghyun and Yoo Mina said that, they began to eat, as if vying not to be outdone by the other.

In the middle of the meal.

Yoo Mina suddenly asked, as if curious.

“What do you have to do in the Dune Wild Trail to get the Knight rank? I was going to ask yesterday, but you went out to guzzle alcohol.”

“Ah? I just went out because a friend got discharged from the military.”

“Anyway, how did you get the Knight rank? Without knowing a specific Knight NPC, that would be really tough, wouldn't it?”

Yoo Mina, who seemed to have tried for it quite a bit herself, asked out of curiosity.

Seonghyun answered vaguely.

“There’s a Hidden Field called the Hall of Knights. They gave it to me when I cleared a mission there.”

“Wow, I’m a bit jealous of that. So that’s why you were quiet for five days, huh?”

“Well, something like that.”

“Hmph, why don’t I ever get things like that? Was it ghosts again this time?”

At his sister’s words, delivered with an unnecessary cute act, Seonghyun frowned but then obediently nodded.

Because if he didn't, she might do it even more.

At Seonghyun’s answer, Yoo Mina shook her head as if disappointed.

“Hah, I’m telling you, it’s a totally OP ability.”

“If you’re jealous, Noona, you go see some ghosts too.”

“……I really wish I could.”

After some idle talk.

Yoo Mina suddenly asked.

“So, is it time for you to go to the next region now?”

“Yeah, I was just about to head out when I came for food.”

“Ooh? Where are you headed? There are a ton of cities.”

At the question of whether he had a place in mind, Seonghyun shook his head.

How could he?

He was just planning to go to a city that had carriages.

Perhaps she would suggest a good place?

As Seonghyun showed a slightly expectant expression…

“Hehehe, it’s lovely to see our Seonghyun relying on his noona. Hmph hmph hmph!”

“If you don’t want to tell me, then don’t.”

“Hey, why are you being like that? It’s been a while since Noona got to act like a proper noona.”

“……”

“Oh, alright, alright.”

As Seonghyun glared at her really fiercely…

His older sister, Yoo Mina, raised both her hands and spoke.

“You know the concept for the fifth region, right?”

“Yeah, a labyrinth, was it?”

“Oooh, looks like you’ve done some searching?”

“Well, it’s my job.”

Subtly praising Seonghyun…

Yoo Mina continued.

“Then this will be quick. Pentagrid. Its labyrinth is an underground one, so it’s relatively more comfortable. And well, it has some peculiar NPCs, so it should be good for doing quests.”

“Quests?”

She hadn’t mentioned quests at all until now, so why quests all of a sudden?

As Seonghyun asked back with that meaning in his tone…

Yoo Mina waved her hand as if a bit annoyed and said.

“Yeah, if you don’t do quests, you’ll probably have to stay in the labyrinth city for quite a long time, you know?”

“Hmm, quests are pretty efficient, that’s true.”

“That they are. And labyrinth cities all have their own fun in clearing such quests. Should I say the quest occurrence rate is higher there compared to other villages and towns?”

“Are you sure about that?”

“No, it’s not like that exactly, but in terms of big data, the frequency and such things definitely have a higher distribution there compared to other places. It’s not a massive difference, but it’s definitely on the higher side.”

Seonghyun nodded at Yoo Mina’s words.

A city where quests are the main focus.

Coincidentally, hadn't he just done an interesting quest a little while ago?

He had also obtained the "Master of Illusions" keyword.

And some pretty decent items too.

As Seonghyun was briefly pondering that…

“Oh, right, there was some interesting news from Pentagrid recently too.”

“Interesting news?”

“Yeah, apparently there was an NPC murder case recently. It even popped up as a Rare rank linked quest.”

“Hmm.”

“Many users were poking around, suspecting it might be some kind of hidden quest, but they all ended up empty-handed, or so I heard?”

At those words, Seonghyun’s interest was definitely piqued.

A murder case.

If there was a victim…

“Since I can see ghosts, couldn’t I solve it easily?”

His older sister, Yoo Mina, looked at Seonghyun with eyes that asked if he wasn’t interested.

And Seonghyun, too, smirked and nodded his head.

This was certainly tempting.

If no one else had solved it…

Wouldn't the reward also be worth looking forward to?

As Seonghyun showed his approval…

“Hehehe, I was helpful, right?”

“Yeah, you were really helpful this time.”

“Huhu, this Noona is just that good.”

Well then, since he had gathered various pieces of information and also eaten…

Shall he get going?

As Seonghyun started to get up from his seat…

“You’re going right away?”

“Yeah, but I’m going to do the dishes before I go.”

“Oh? Okay. I’ll be in your debt today then~”

Yoo Mina said thankfully and placed her dishes in the sink.

Seonghyun washed the rest.

After putting away the leftover side dishes too, he entered his room and looked at the capsule.

‘Shall I go and finish what I was doing?’

The next town.

No, from the fifth region onwards, they were cities.

It was time to head to the next city.

‘Pentagrid, was it?’

What kind of place would it be this time?

With a heart full of anticipation, Seonghyun entered the capsule.

3.

The fifth region.

The first city.

On the caravan cargo wagon heading there, quite a few users were riding like packed luggage.

Because it was a cargo wagon that could be called an essential route when heading from the Dune Wild Trail to the next region, the number of users was substantial.

It was a similar sight to when he had first left the beginner village for the first village.

But the atmosphere was completely different from back then.

The feeling of having shed their rookie-ness.

Well, it couldn't be helped.

They had suffered harshly at the hands of villains in the Dune Wild Trail.

There was no way they’d give off a naive or greenhorn impression.

Now that they were over level 120…

They couldn't be called intermediate.

But they had definitely shed their rookie status.

As proof of that, most were now seated with their respective team members or party members.

Users who were alone were extremely rare.

To put it another way…

To move past being a rookie, it was common to have a team you were with.

And in that cargo hold, a suspicious user wearing a black robe sat alone and forlornly.

‘Hmm, should I have just ridden with them after all?’

It was none other than Seonghyun.

He had ridden alone, thinking he'd stand out too much if he rode with his retainers.

But riding alone actually made him stand out even more.

Clearly dressed as a Black Mage at a glance, and riding alone?

It was certainly enough to make him look suspicious.

The other users warily glanced up at the space above Seonghyun’s head.

They were probably trying to check if the icon indicating a user was red.

In the tense atmosphere…

Perhaps unable to bear the mood, someone from one of the teams asked a teammate next to them.

“Hmm, the place we’re going to is Pentagrid, right?”

“That’s right. Pentagrid.”

“I’m kind of looking forward to the fifth region having a labyrinth concept.”

“Be careful. A lot of people die in that labyrinth by accidentally wandering into high-level zones.”

“Well, it’s fine. I heard that as long as you look at the map carefully, there’s nothing to worry about.”

The essential item in a labyrinth city.

They were talking about the Magic Tower's map.

Seonghyun’s ears perked up, showing his interest.

He hadn’t heard about the map from his sister, Yoo Mina.

As Seonghyun listened intently…

“Ah, the map they give out at the Magic Tower?”

“Yeah, with that, it shows your current location and even keeps a record of where you’ve been.”

That certainly seems useful, doesn't it?

With that thought, Seonghyun considered whether he should go to a Magic Tower.

“Man, cities really are different, huh? They even have Magic Towers. So, can you just enter any Magic Tower?”

“Nope, you have to go according to your attribute.”

“Ah? Really? That’s tricky. And I heard non-mage classes can’t even enter Magic Towers at all.”

“Right, and even if you are a mage, not everyone can enter. Since NPCs manage them, they test your skills, and users below a certain level can’t get in, apparently.”

“Wow, that’s too harsh, isn’t it?”

They spouted useful information, seeming to have researched quite a bit.

Anyway, so if you’re not a mage class, you can’t even get a map.

And it was even more surprising that you had to pass a test just to enter.

It certainly had strong aspects designed with teamwork in mind.

Since teamwork was also much more efficient for gaining experience…

Unless one was an overwhelmingly strong individual, there was no one who traveled alone.

That’s why Seonghyun couldn't help but seem out of place.

Because there was no way an overwhelmingly strong player would be at his current level.

Although Seonghyun had recently made a name for himself as the Demon King…

There was no way anyone would associate the Seonghyun sitting alone in this cargo hold with the Demon King.

Even if an overwhelmingly strong player traveled alone, that was usually only a story for hunting grounds.

They typically moved around with a backup team.

It was a structure that didn't allow for such a connection.

Anyway, as Seonghyun was taking note of these things and wondering if he should go to the Black Magic Tower…

It suddenly occurred to him.

‘Wait, if it’s the Black Magic Tower……’

At the same time Seonghyun had that thought…

“Then, since you’re a Black Mage, are you planning to go to the ‘Over Palace’ side?”

Flinch!

As Seonghyun flinched at the word ‘Over Palace’…

It seemed the two who were chatting had also noticed.

The team member who looked like a Black Mage smirked.

And muttered.

“As for me, of course it's Over Palace. Black Mages, regardless of their specialty, go to Over Palace. But do you know this?”

“What?”

“I heard Over Palace has stricter standards than other Magic Towers, so more than half get rejected.”

“Wow, that’s tough.”

“Well, there are many Black Mages who can’t get in. So even if you get rejected, you shouldn’t be disappointed. As for me, of course I’ll get in. Oops, were we talking too loudly?”

He said so openly, looking towards where Seonghyun was.

As if to say, "I'll pass, but you'll fail."

Well, it could have been Seonghyun’s misinterpretation.

But it clearly seemed that way.

Perhaps because it was a bit too blatant, the teammate who had been chatting next to him subtly nudged his side, giving him a look.

Just then.

Neigh!

Snort!

Neigh!

The sound of considerable commotion came from outside.

Seeing the city walls right before their eyes, it seemed they had arrived.

But why was it so noisy?

As the users looked puzzled by the incomprehensible situation…

A loud voice boomed from outside as someone shouted.

“This is the Branch Manager of Over Palace Pentagrid. Halt the cargo wagon.”

A voice full of dignity and power.

At those words, the calm atmosphere from just moments ago vanished without a trace.

The Over Palace Branch Manager, why was he here???

That was the only thought on everyone’s mind.

Could there be a user involved in some crime here?

Seonghyun’s eyes, in particular, trembled violently.

‘No way…… it can’t be, right?’

With that thought, he turned his head.

Since there was no ceiling, he could see the Over Palace Black Mages walking majestically from within the city walls.

An intimidating aura that would seem extraordinary even to an unknowing user.

Everyone trembled finely at the renowned prestige of the name Over Palace.

Among general users, Over Palace was strongly perceived as one of the most powerful factions.

It couldn't be helped.

Especially since it was renowned enough to be called the holy land of Black Mage NPCs.

Various eerie tales were also circulating about it.

As everyone on the cargo wagon trembled…

“Hey, hey. Y-You, you said you were g-going to join Over Palace, q-quickly do something.”

One of the teammates who had been chatting earlier continuously poked the side of the teammate who had boasted about joining Over Palace.

However.

“Wh-What am I s-supposed to d-do, stepping forward!?”

Seeing his pathetic state, trembling as he spoke…

It seemed he couldn't do anything at all.

As the Over Palace Black Mages, marching in two columns, reached the caravan with the cargo wagon…

They bowed their heads low to the Black Mage wearing a black robe sitting at the very end and exclaimed.

“We are in the presence of the Esteemed One!!! As the Branch Manager of Over Palace Pentagrid, it is an honor to serve the Esteemed One!!! We have prepared a carriage, so please transfer here.”

“Th-The Esteemed One?!”

“S-Such a person was riding in our wagon!?”

“Wh-Who is it!?”

While everyone who had boarded the cargo wagon was uniformly shocked…

Seonghyun let out a deep sigh, realizing his "no way" thought had been correct.

“……Haaaaah.”

As he let out that deep sigh…

The gazes of all the users who had been looking around the cargo wagon, wondering who it could be, fixated on Seonghyun.

Could it be?

That person who was alone?

Though he received such stares…

Seonghyun received them nonchalantly and thought.

‘No, but how on earth did they know?’

As he rose from his seat…

The Branch Manager of Over Palace Pentagrid bowed his head to Seonghyun and exclaimed once more.

“We are truly grateful for your visit to our Pentagrid branch!!! I am called Branch Manager Belmore Arcadius!!! We shall serve you with utmost devotion so as not to tarnish the reputation of Over Palace!!!”

It was a display of extreme deference, clear for anyone to see.

The face of the teammate who had been chatting and boasting until just moments ago turned deathly pale.

Similarly, the teammate next to him, his complexion turning ashen, asked.

“Y-You, who on earth were you posturing to?”

“……”

That teammate, his face ashen, couldn't say a word.

He was merely trembling like an aspen leaf.

[Translator - Prøks]

[Proofreader - Prøks]