The Forbidden Altar of Black Magic
Black magic was powerful enough to demand an equally immense price.
The most representative cost was lifespan. As Yenika had said, those who wielded black magic rarely survived more than a decade, save for a tiny handful of great black mages.
But that also meant I could wield its power freely for the first five years without any real penalty.
What happened after ten years? None of my business.
I just needed to hold out for five, return to my original world, collect my reward, and live happily ever after.
Surviving those five years came first.
Back at the mansion, I immediately began plotting how to get my hands on black magic.
Black magic was something passed down in secrecy, so it wasn't like I could just say I wanted to learn it and pick it up right away. I had to make contact with a black mage, get my aptitude evaluated, pass trials—the works.
If I followed the orthodox path, even at best, it'd take months before I could cast the most basic spells.
But I didn't need to bother with that.
I'd already seen it all in the game.
If you poked around certain areas of Shadows Choice, you could find a sealed ancient altar. Hidden so well that most players overlooked it entirely, that altar was the secret shrine of the black mages.
The protagonist who discovered the black mages' altar could claim black magic there—or destroy it outright. Since I knew its location, I could head straight there and seize the black magic for myself.
Once preparations were complete, I summoned Yenika without delay.
"Yenika, prepare a spatial transfer scroll and mana stones. We're heading to Emperor Denevius's Ruins right now."
Yenika's presence, practically my personal secretary, was incredibly convenient. Whether managing the Slave Warehouse and my assets or arranging travel like this, I could entrust her with anything.
Moreover, having been saved by me and sworn to give her life for mine, she always carried out my orders faithfully. She never refused, never questioned, never betrayed.
Yet Yenika looked worried as she asked,
"May I ask what business calls at such a late hour?"
"You just need to obey."
"Is this related to the black magic you mentioned earlier?"
I stared at her silently.
Though short in stature, Yenika always projected a calm, cool image—but now she gazed up at me with clear concern. She gripped the stack of documents in her arms tighter, her fingers fidgeting restlessly.
Don't you know your master is a villain?
We just came back from the slave warehouse—why the anxiety?
"Master Vermin, allow me to say it once more... Those who touch black magic don't live long. You might even die in the process of obtaining it."
"You think I'll die during the trials?"
"That's not what I meant at all. Merely..."
"No need. Prepare the travel means at once."
I turned my back to her, heading to my room as if there was nothing more to discuss.
Before I could take another step, her voice came from behind—trembling, unlike her usual crisp, composed tone.
"Master Vermin, I... I..."
Yenika seemed to wrestle with whether to voice what was rising in her chest.
But as I turned back with a cold glare, she bowed her head and said,
"Understood. I'll prepare immediately. Please wait just a moment."
Hearing her response, I returned to my room. I hung the black overcoat—similar to the suit she'd tailored for me—on the rack and lay on the bed for a brief rest. Soon, her voice called from outside.
"The travel means are ready."
Less than ten minutes? Yenika truly was a capable secretary.
I shrugged back into the black overcoat I'd just removed and opened the door. Yenika, waiting outside, promptly offered a spatial transfer scroll and mana stones.
"Scrolls to the vicinity of Denevius's Ruins and back to the mansion. Use the scroll first, then the mana stone, and you'll reach the ruins swiftly."
"Good. Thanks."
I took the scroll and stones from her.
But she still held one scroll she hadn't handed over.
"What's that?"
"My scroll."
"What?"
"I want to go with you, Master Vermin."
"Nonsense."
My firm tone shut down her request instantly.
Black magic wasn't child's play. A normal girl like you couldn't handle it.
Normally, Yenika would have nodded and seen me off.
But surprisingly, she didn't back down.
"I swore to serve you at your side always. No matter how dangerous, it's only natural I go with you."
"You'd just get in the way."
"If a sacrifice is needed, I'll be the sacrifice."
"If I needed one, I'd have dragged a few from the slave warehouse. I pulled you from the pyre, and now you want to die so easily?"
I rejected her as coldly as possible.
The black mages' altar was a strict solo dungeon—no party members allowed. There was zero reason to bring Yenika, and I had no desire to put her in danger needlessly.
"I..."
"Enough. I won't hear more. Guard the mansion while I'm gone."
I turned from her and unfurled the scroll.
Any longer, and my resolve might waver.
As the scroll opened, ancient runes etched upon it began to glow, reacting to my mana. Watching the emanating light, my senses warped. My body lost its weight, touch dulled, a ringing filled my ears, and my vision blurred like a dream.
Just as spatial transfer began,
"Master Vermin..."
Yenika, now right behind me, grabbed my coat hem.
"Don't go... please..."
I couldn't confirm if it was really her saying it while clutching my coat.
My body was already alone in a barren clearing. Distorted senses normalized quickly, but her voice echoed firmly in my mind.
Did Yenika really say that?
Or was it a hallucination from the scroll's side effects?
The Yenika I knew wasn't the type.
Dismissing it as my first time with a scroll, I touched the mana stone she'd given me. A subtler sensation passed, different from the scroll, and I opened my eyes at the entrance to Emperor Denevius's Ruins.
Confirming the terrain, I headed straight for the black mages' altar. Well-hidden, but my steps held no hesitation.
I'd been here once or twice before.
The ruin's dwelling monsters en route were no match for me. I arrived at my destination in under ten minutes.
A small door concealed in one corner of the massive ruins, amid columns and arches. Barely passable by hunching low. As I stood before it, an eerie voice echoed in my mind.
"What is the greatest grace of life?"
Normally, you'd scour the ruins for clues to piece together the answer.
But I already knew it.
"The ability to die."
The small door creaked open with an ominous groan. I hunched and stepped cautiously inside.
Descending the narrow, dark passage, a message appeared before my eyes.
[!] The first black mage Necros detects your intrusion.
[!] The first black mage Necros feels curiosity toward you.
Perfect. Right place.
Deeper in, a vast cavern opened before me. Lit by flickering purple torches, an altar stood at the center, surrounded by statues of demons with monster heads.
Before approaching, I checked the statues. No cracks or collapses—proof I'd beaten the protagonist here. Main story hadn't even started, so obvious.
Confirmed as the first visitor, I approached the altar.
Atop it lay a sinister leather-bound tome and two flickering blue candles.
As I neared the book, the voice resounded in my mind again.
"How did you make it here?"
A natural question. I wasn't supposed to be here.
But I answered with utter confidence, as if it were obvious.
"Fate guided me."
Thankfully, my reply pleased it. The voice continued.
"If black magic is your fate, we shall not refuse. Your power is satisfactorily strong. But remember: black magic demands a price."
"Lifespan not enough for you?"
"Ah, the life of one as sturdy as you is always welcome. But remember: after ten years, you will..."
"Ten years is too long. I'll offer my soul in six. Give me the maximum power you can."
The voice paused.
Silence passed, then chilling laughter erupted from the statues and cavern alike.
"Is that boldness confidence or arrogance? If you desire it so, then take it. Touch the book."
The leather tome opened on its own.
Its crudely stitched, bloodstained pages drew in light from unknown runes, turning black. The darkness deepened, forming a hole to another space.
"Thrust your arm in. The last test for your power."
I rolled up my sleeve before the book and took a deep breath.
From the description, this wouldn't be ordinary pain.
But failing to endure meant death anyway.
Clenching my teeth, I shoved my right arm halfway into the black hole.
It felt like thrusting into a blender. The pain from my arm was beyond human endurance.
"Grrraaah!!!"
Agony clouded my mind briefly, then time slowed, pain halting.
A familiar choice window appeared.
The pain in your arm is beyond human endurance. Terror surges that you'll die if you don't pull out now.
[1] Pull out your arm.
[2] Stay still.
[3] Push your arm deeper in.
The answer was set. Problem was, it was option 3.
Pulling out now meant losing the arm and black magic forever.
Grinding my teeth, I selected 3. Against my will, my arm plunged deeper into the hole.
Go, my hand. Deeper.
Until you rip out the demon's throat trying to swallow my arm.
As I boldly pushed through the searing pain, the statues ceased laughing and cried out.
"Behold the birth of a great black mage!"
"Even demons shall be his slaves!"
Pain finally stopped, statues falling silent. A new message appeared.
[!] The first black mage Necros admires your boldness and resolve. Necros will watch you from now on.
Necros's Favor: +20 (Sufficient Favor unlocked)
You may now use Necros's Myth Shop!
Necros's Grace: +100
[!] The knight of punishment Jurgen senses something amiss.