Shadows of the Black Mage
As soon as they arrived in the Hemil Empire, Sung Min-woo logged out.
"I'm beat. Heading out..."
"Yeah, get some rest."
Once Sung Min-woo was gone, Yerin asked,
"What about you, oppa?"
"Yeah, gotta sell that ancient dungeon."
"Ancient dungeon?"
"Yeah, Min-woo found it, but he asked me to handle the sale."
"Ah, got it. Then I'll go clear that quest I couldn't finish."
"Sounds good?"
"Yeah!"
"Alright. And I'll swing by this weekend."
"Okay, hehe."
After Yerin left, Mu-hyuk headed straight for the gate that led into the castle.
The line was pretty long, but he didn't need to wait anymore.
He walked past them and approached the guards, who thrust their spears out to block him.
"You need to get in line."
He pulled his ID plaque from his pocket and showed it to them. The guards' eyes widened.
"Ah, sorry about that."
"No problem."
"Hey, rookie!"
"Yes, sir!"
The rookie guard hurried over.
"Hold the line here. I'll be right back."
"Understood."
"Let's go."
"Yes, sir."
He entered the castle with the senior guard.
"By the way... where are you headed?"
"To Duke Amur's residence."
"Ah, Duke Amur?"
"Yes."
"Got it."
Duke Amur.
He was the sole pinnacle of power in the Hemil Empire, second only to the emperor.
Hearing that Mu-hyuk was off to meet such a figure made the guard see him in a new light.
The guard couldn't hide his tension, maintaining a cautious demeanor.
After passing a few buildings, they were deep inside.
"We're here."
"Ah, this must be it."
It was an impressively massive estate.
He approached the knight standing guard out front.
"A guest here to see Duke Amur."
"A guest?"
"Yes. Uh, your name...?"
The guard turned and asked.
Mu-hyuk smiled and replied,
"Just say Mu-hyuk. He'll know."
"Ah, Lord Mu-hyuk."
The knight was the one who reacted.
"The duke is waiting for you."
"Really?"
"Yes. He's given strict instructions from before—never to make a mistake if you showed up."
"Now I feel burdened."
It wasn't necessary to go that far.
What could he want?
Duke Amur had treated Mu-hyuk well after his tournament victory. Naturally, that meant he wanted something in return, but Mu-hyuk still had no idea what.
"Thanks for the escort."
"Ah, yes! Take care!"
"Will do."
Mu-hyuk followed the knight into the estate.
*
Duke Amur welcomed Mu-hyuk warmly.
"I'm pleased you've come to see me first thing."
"Thank you."
"So, do you have a favor to ask?"
"Guess it was that obvious."
"Haha, of course. You wouldn't visit without reason. But that's fine. I'm not fond of you without reason either."
"Can I know what that reason is?"
"In time."
Meaning, not yet.
"For now, let's hear what you have to say. Is there trouble?"
"I have a request."
"A request? What kind?"
"Actually, I discovered a dungeon recently."
"Oh? A dungeon. Excellent."
"It's quite high-grade."
"I've excavated my share of dungeons over the years, so I know a thing or two. What grade?"
Mu-hyuk smiled softly.
"Ancient."
Duke Amur's brow twitched for a split second.
"Ancient...?"
"Yes."
"A genuine ancient-grade dungeon?"
"That's right."
"Hah."
It was hard to believe on the spot.
"Ancient-grade, you say. Truth be told, I can't take your word at face value. I've only seen a few in my lifetime."
"I figured as much."
"And to just share that information so freely..."
The duke looked baffled.
Truthfully, Mu-hyuk had agonized over it at first.
Should he say anything?
What if the duke refused?
What if he tried to claim the dungeon?
He quickly shook his head.
This was a duke, after all.
He wouldn't obsess over a single dungeon.
A man at the top of the nobility had to be even more mindful of his reputation. Any blemish, and the vultures would swarm.
Mu-hyuk trusted that much.
"I trust only you, Your Grace."
"Even if it's flattery, it warms the heart. So, what exactly do you want regarding this ancient dungeon?"
"I'm planning to sell the location information."
"And asking me means a private auction, I presume."
"Correct."
"Hmm."
The duke nodded in understanding, then furrowed his brow.
"Wait. You don't mean... you've already cleared it?"
Sharp as ever.
"Yes."
"With how many?"
"Three, including me."
The duke's eyes wavered.
"Three? Truly?"
"Yes."
"Hah... ha..."
He let out a hollow chuckle before continuing.
"You must have talents beyond even my expectations."
"Not at all."
"Or perhaps an otherworlder's gifts surpass what I imagined."
He pondered for a moment, then spoke gravely.
"Hmm, it's a bit premature, but clearing an ancient dungeon with just three... I'll make one request. No, not a request—a fitting reward for a commission. Of course, I'll pull strings for your private auction too."
"Thank you. A commission, you say?"
"Indeed."
There was no reason to refuse a commission.
Especially when it came with the dungeon favor and extra rewards.
"Very well."
"Deal struck. Now, about that commission..."
Duke Amur took a sip of tea.
"Otherworlders can learn many spells, but there's one they absolutely cannot. Do you know what?"
"Black magic."
"Why do you think that?"
"Hm... no related guilds?"
"Close. Precisely, anyone who learns black magic becomes an enemy of the entire continent, no exceptions. Long ago, black mages summoned a demon king, ravaging the land."
The story took a dark turn.
What the hell is this situation...?
Mu-hyuk frowned.
"That incident drove all black mages into oblivion. Even those who fled were hunted down. No one could escape the eyes of the continent's people."
He knew this storyline.
This is Episode 1!
Of course, he couldn't show that in front of the duke. Instead, he recalled the timeline. About four months off.
A little early, but not by much?
No, that gap might be significant. For now, he had to listen to the duke.
"That's what we believed until recently."
"Believed...?"
"They're not gone. Black mages still lurk in the shadows, deep in the darkness."
"Ah...!"
He feigned awe.
"We've even found traces."
Duke Amur pulled out a map.
"A research lab was here."
Mu-hyuk knew the place.
The first outbreak site.
"They were experimenting with chimeras, using the power of darkness no less. That power makes even ordinary monsters terrifyingly strong. He's creating hordes of chimeras with it to conquer the continent."
He then showed a weathered book.
"It's a logbook."
"I am the last black mage. With the power granted by the Demon God, I shall create my own minions. And destroy everything on this continent. For that purpose alone..."
Mu-hyuk flipped through the pages.
"The power of darkness works on existing monsters too. When applied, they grew far stronger than before..."
Mu-hyuk's gaze halted.
Wait, this is...
Quest 'Gathering Darkness' has been updated.
He checked it quickly.
Gathering Darkness
From ancient times, necromancers toiled in the shadows, enduring the scorn and ridicule of white mages. The founder of the Gangster Necromancer class, unable to bear it, stormed out and stumbled upon darkness lurking among the white mages...
📍 [1. Polluted Dungeon] Confirmed that the variant lizardman knights there are tainted by darkness.
📍 [2. Polluted Unique Dungeon] Confirmed that the dark knights there are tainted by darkness.
📍 [3. Beneath the Papang Tribe's building] Discovered traces of darkness experimentation in a suspicious location.
📍 [4. Discovered that the black mage is connected to the darkness.]
🎁 Success: ?
🎁 Failure: Loss of class
[Failure determined later]
A chuckle escaped him.
It connects like this?
He knew most of it, but there were new details too.
Like right now—those black-skinned monsters he'd dismissed as variants were tied to the black mage.
"It's bewildering, isn't it?"
"Yes, a bit..."
"He's dangerous. Not just for crafting chimeras with dark power or mutating monsters. If he summons a high demon..."
The duke shuddered at the mere thought.
"What if the masses learned of this?"
"Chaos."
"That's why I'm asking you alone. It must come out eventually, but the leaders of the empires and kingdoms agree it's too soon. I wonder if even telling you was wise. Keep it secret, please."
"Of course."
"Good. Just find any clue to his location—a tiny hint will do. Here's the map and items from the site."
Now the quest appeared.
Black Mage's Location
Duke Amur fears the black mage will drown the continent in blood. If the incident erupts before otherworlders grow strong enough, it may be uncontainable. Find clues to his location in advance.
[Accept quest?]
Mu-hyuk selected Yes.
"Understood."
"Thank you. Don't worry about the ancient dungeon at all."
"My gratitude."
Afterward, Mu-hyuk examined the items from the first lab.
There were hints to the second lab, but deciphering them properly would take time.
Better to head straight to the final lab.
"Now, about the dungeon auction?"
"Yes."
The duke was more decisive than expected.
"First, we verify the location and grade. Assuming it's real, we'll proceed. By sunset today, the private auction should start."
"Today?"
"Why the surprise?"
"Didn't expect it so soon."
"Haha, it's simple. One document under my name, and it's done. Meet at the castle gate later."
"Got it."
With the talk concluded, Mu-hyuk left the estate.