Chapter 162
Chapter 162
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 162
Chapter Title: Mastering the Shadows
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Srrrr-.
Darkness bloomed faintly from my fingertips.
I swung my hand while maintaining it.
Shwaaa!
The darkness scattered in a beautiful arc.
It felt just like sprinkling shiny, glossy coal dust.
Thud thud thud!
Then, as I clenched my fist, the scattered darkness particles gathered back into a single mass.
A control I was inwardly quite satisfied with.
Clap clap clap!
"Excellent. My contractor."
Erebos applauded and cheered at my little trick that wasn't so little.
Finally, I'd earned his recognition.
Now I could wield darkness freely.
I turned my gaze, and my eyes fell on the '正' character I'd been carving one stroke at a time each day.
Three completed characters in total.
'About two weeks, then...'
It had been two weeks since I'd separated from my companions to begin training.
The result was a success, but I wasn't thrilled.
I'd devoted every moment of those two weeks—minus time for eating and sleeping—to mastering this darkness.
'It's no different from when I first learned light magic. My skill has improved so much since then, though...'
It seemed the 'Prodigy of Magic' trait wasn't applying fully.
'Well, Erebos's darkness is a different kind of power from magic, so that's to be expected...'
Still, I regretted not adapting to the darkness faster.
Of course, that was just my personal feeling.
"To handle my darkness at this level already... Your growth is incredibly swift, contractor. You're the most talented human I've ever seen!"
Erebos seemed pleased.
By his account, I had the best aptitude of any human he'd encountered...
A chuckle escaped me.
"Yeah? How many humans have you even met?"
"I haven't lingered in the human realm like this before, but I've seen plenty. There were always things threatening this one's seat of power. Plenty who coveted my power, just like you."
"Is that so?"
We were exchanging such idle chatter when...
"One human in particular stands out. A truly tenacious bastard—the first of his kind I'd ever met..."
I felt an odd sense of déjà vu from Erebos's mutter.
"...A human? Even you have a memorable one?"
Curiosity struck me, so I asked about it.
"Yes, he nearly erased this one's existence entirely... How could I forget? Just thinking about it still fills me with shame!"
"What kind of guy was he?"
"Like a ghoul, I suppose? No matter how much I attacked, he absolutely refused to stay down. Flesh torn, bones shattered! And yet he rose again like a ghoul."
Erebos shuddered as if the memory still chilled him.
"In the end, he rose once more and pointed that massive sword at my throat. For whatever reason, he didn't press the attack—otherwise, I wouldn't be here now."
The more I heard his answer, the stiffer my neck grew.
'...No way.'
Nah, it couldn't be.
I swallowed dryly, trying to deny it.
Gulp.
"...When did this happen?"
"Hmm, about a hundred years ago now?"
"...A hundred years?"
Damn, no denying it now.
The circumstances, the timing—everything matched perfectly.
'Is this really about me?'
My heart said no, but my head had already accepted it.
A human wielding a greatsword a hundred years ago, with relentless survivability, who battled Erebos to the brink of victory.
There couldn't be two such beings.
'...Zombie Swordsman.'
This was unmistakably the tale of my former number-one ranking character, the Zombie Swordsman.
'He really existed in this world.'
I'd suspected as much, but the shock still hit hard.
I'd even wondered if this was some alternate world separate from the game I played.
There were plenty of differences from what I knew, after all.
But now, Erebos's words had erased that doubt completely.
This was the exact same world as the game, and the discrepancies were simply due to the hundred years that had passed.
That raised another question...
"What happened to that... er, human?"
The Zombie Swordsman's fate.
Erebos might know the answer.
He'd have kept tabs on a character who'd driven him to the edge of death.
As expected, Erebos knew.
"He vanished into thin air."
"What do you mean?"
"Exactly that. I was watching for his return when he suddenly disappeared. Turned to gray ash."
"..."
I couldn't find words.
'So that's how it ended.'
I'd expected as much.
I'd deleted the character myself.
'...In the end, everything I did really happened.'
A bitter taste filled my mouth.
I'd erased his existence with my own hands, and committed plenty of other atrocities besides.
I felt a sudden pang of guilt toward him.
Then.
Hop!
Erebos suddenly leaped onto my shoulder and thrust his face close.
His large, sparkling eyes scanned me intently.
Finally, he tilted his head.
"...Strange."
"W-What is?"
"You look kinda like that ghoul human."
Thump! My heart dropped.
I quickly shook him off and started walking.
"Quit talking nonsense. Let's go. Time to meet the others."
"...Mm, fine."
Phew, that was close.
***
"Oh! If it isn't the top ranker!"
As I arrived at the meeting spot, Thompson waved from afar in greeting.
Kayla and Barundel stood beside him.
"Long time no see, everyone."
"Heh heh heh, yeah. First time we've split up for personal training like this."
"Any progress?"
As I glanced at him inquiringly, Thompson nodded as if it were obvious.
"Of course! The top ranker here will be shocked at my results!"
A confident tone.
It looked like he'd advanced to the next stage of flesh transformation magic.
"And you two?"
I turned to Kayla and Barundel, who also nodded with self-assured expressions.
"I've fully mastered the Ash Pendant this time."
"...I've improved a bit too. Thanks for the introduction, dwarf guy."
"Glad it helped."
"Good to hear."
Everything seemed to have gone well.
I'd worried one of us might lag behind.
Now we could proceed with the original plan.
"Off to Alvheim, then?"
"Yes, Lord Bagran."
I reported the plan to Bagran first.
The reason for Alvheim was simple.
'Erebos held me back, so I didn't grind much EXP.'
My current level was early twenties.
Still a long way to go.
For the time being, I'd have to focus solely on leveling up.
Kazandur's hunting grounds weren't bad, but nothing beat Alvheim.
"...It's a truce, but I'm still worried."
Bagran spoke with genuine concern.
Understandable.
We weren't visiting as ordinary guests.
Having directly interfered in their war and caused trouble, Alvheim wouldn't welcome us.
But.
"It'll be fine. They won't dare try anything with this guy around."
We had Erebos now.
No matter what tricks the elves pulled, they couldn't kill him.
A double-edged sword, sure—but handled carefully, he was the sturdiest ally imaginable.
"Hmm, true enough."
Bagran nodded in agreement.
Then.
"Still, just in case—take some helpful items with you."
"Helpful items?"
"You'll see."
He suddenly led us somewhere.
The destination was a space opposite the Kazandur refugee camp...
'A vault here, huh.'
A massive dwarf-made vault stood there.
So meticulously crafted, no ordinary force could breach it.
As I stared in wonder, Barundel approached and whispered cautiously.
"It's where we store Kazandur's famed treasures. Looks like Uncle's going all out for us."
"...Treasures?"
"Probably handing us artifacts from inside."
Artifacts!
I swallowed hard, and soon the vault groaned open with a metallic screech.
We waited silently—all but Barundel gaping in awe.
"...Whoa, what's all this?"
"Kazandur's loaded, huh?"
The vault brimmed with artifacts.
All dwarf-made, judging by the exceptional quality.
Pleased by our reactions, Bagran chuckled.
"Pick whatever you think you need. One per person."
"One each?"
That meant four in total.
Handing out four top-quality artifacts for free? No small feat.
"Don't feel burdened. It's repayment for aiding us dwarves. Without you, Kazandur would have suffered greatly."
"Hmm..."
In short, reward for stopping the war and plague...
"Thank you. This will be a huge help."
No reason to refuse.
A valuable prize, but our deeds were no small matter.
We'd more than earned it.
"Go on, choose freely!"
"Yes, sir!"
Shopping time began.
I dove in first, eyes blazing brighter than anyone's.
'Gotta get the priciest, best ones...'
Might as well pull every last drop of value.
***
"Hmm..."
Bagran scanned the items his guests had selected, letting out an inscrutable groan.
He hid his emotions, but inside, he was seething.
And for good reason—their picks were all priceless.
'...How much is this worth?!'
Bagran bitterly regretted his "choose freely" words.
Who could've guessed they'd snatch only the most expensive?
Even worse.
'How did they know to pick that?'
Among them was Kazandur's national treasure.
Bagran himself had forgotten it was there—yet they'd zeroed in like ghosts...
The funny part? It all traced back to one culprit.
That mysterious black-haired mage.
He'd chosen first, then meddled in the others' selections, swapping items.
The result: three legendary artifacts and Kazandur's crown jewel.
"..."
Bagran wrestled deeply.
Swallow his pride and make them reselect? Or honor his word?
After agonizing, he chose the latter.
"...Fine. Take them."
He was the face of all dwarves.
No matter how precious the loss, he couldn't lose face.
Grind!
Though he couldn't stop his gritted teeth from screeching...