The Game of a Legendary Genius Dark Mage-Chapter 328
7.
The original plan was not to help Seong, but to head straight for the hidden passage.
However, unease lingered in the minds of the group.
And for good reason.
Demonic nobles operated on an entirely different level than ordinary high-ranking demons.
Could Seong truly escape safely while facing a baron-class demon alone?
That was their greatest concern.
Brishia and Stoneheart worried just like that.
But those who had fought alongside Seong—Babaros and Will—had a different reaction entirely.
“Hurry up, will you?”
“If we don’t get moving, Seong might’ve already gotten there first.”
Brishia and Stoneheart looked at Babaros and Will like they couldn’t quite understand them.
But perhaps realizing that no explanation would be believable—
Neither of the two bothered to explain.
When the four reached the entrance to the escape tunnel—
Brishia and Stoneheart blinked in shock when they saw Seong already standing there, waiting.
He’d arrived ahead of them?
They wanted to say something as they stared, unable to believe he’d taken down a demonic baron faster than they had—
But they couldn't utter a word.
“Let’s go,” Seong said, as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
They had no retort.
With that, they confirmed the sealed demons through the passage and exited the storage chamber as quickly as possible.
Once everyone was out, Brishia and Stoneheart couldn't help but admire Seong internally.
‘We already knew from watching Lord Black Star... but truly, there are beings who defy all standards.’
‘A true powerhouse...’
Both Brishia and Stoneheart found themselves instinctively looking at Seong with reverence.
And perhaps feeling the weight of that gaze, Seong awkwardly scratched his cheek.
Then they returned to the place where they had first met Black Star.
Naturally, Seong’s team had arrived first.
Looking around at the empty area, several of them let out murmurs of astonishment.
“Tch, I didn’t expect us to be first.”
“Same here.”
“Well, we are with Seong.”
“Of course.”
As the two boasted, Seong simply stood there, unsure what to say.
There wasn’t much to add—best to just stay silent.
After everyone gathered and some time had passed—
The conversation naturally turned to various topics.
How long would it take for the other teams?
What would the next mission be?
When the topic of a next mission came up, Brishia, Stoneheart—even Will—assumed there wouldn’t be any.
But Seong and Babaros were of a different mind.
It wasn’t as if they’d used the word "war" for no reason.
Besides—
‘This still doesn’t feel like Almighty-tier scenario difficulty.’
Seong and Babaros were nearly certain.
The infiltration mission had been tough—
But if things ended here, it would still have been within the scope of a Legendary-tier scenario.
That’s why they were both halfway convinced.
Especially Babaros.
‘There’s no way the story ends like this.’
To him, such a conclusion lacked narrative coherence.
If they were truly at war, then greater things had to be on the horizon.
So far, even the Kingdom of Rieskan hadn’t played its full hand.
—Hmm.
At that moment, Helena seemed about to speak—
But Seong shook his head.
Spoilers weren’t really his style.
If something had to be experienced, then better to go through it firsthand.
Just as they were waiting—
Several other teams began arriving.
Some were battered and wounded, while others appeared relatively fine.
But they all had one thing in common.
They stared at Seong’s team with varying degrees of disbelief.
Well, naturally so.
“...They came back from a barony without a scratch...?”
“Must be one hell of a team.”
“I’ve heard that guy’s name before. Will Baghdad, the Wraith Lord.”
“He’s young, but incredibly skilled.”
“But those two next to him seem even stronger.”
“You mean Seong and Babaros?”
It seemed their names had been registered somewhere in the scenario.
The other teams recognized them instantly.
All five teams had arrived.
Judging by their proud expressions, it seemed none had failed.
Not long after they gathered—
Click, click, click.
That familiar sound of footsteps echoed.
Chaos stepped inside once again.
And the moment he assumed human form—
An ambient wave of chaos spread throughout the chamber, instantly healing all wounded.
Then Black Star revealed himself and greeted everyone warmly.
“Well done, everyone.”
It was enough of a surprise that Chaos had healed them—
But hearing such words from Black Star himself—
The crowd practically brimmed with pride.
For someone of his caliber to say such things—
It was impossible not to feel honored.
But it didn’t stop there.
Black Star continued with a tone of praise.
“I'm glad every team succeeded. Now we can launch a direct assault into the demon realm through Lady Helena’s underworld.”
It was, in essence, a declaration of victory—and the crowd roared.
Normally, the hall would have been silenced—
But perhaps thanks to Black Star’s allowance, the uproar was unrestrained.
“That’s right!!!”
“Hell yeah!!!”
“Finally!!!”
“We won!!!”
While everyone celebrated in rapture—
Seong and Babaros remained vigilant.
They were certain—it wasn’t over yet.
And then—something unexpected.
“You may now receive your rewards and return,” said Black Star.
“...?”
“Huh??”
Seong and Babaros tilted their heads in confusion, but the others were fully swept up in the festive mood.
Even Will, who had previously thought there wouldn’t be a follow-up mission, now sensed something odd.
Then Black Star announced:
“We will call your names. Please step forward one by one to receive your reward. Thank you all for your efforts.”
Team members were called forth one by one.
They stepped forward, received their rewards with joy, and exited the hall—
Those watching couldn’t help but wonder what they themselves might receive.
Eventually, Seong’s team members were called.
Stoneheart was first.
“It was truly an honor to fight by your side.”
Then Brishia followed.
“May fate cross our paths again.”
They both exited, cheerfully waving goodbye.
Now only Seong, Will, and Babaros remained.
Of the three, Babaros was called first.
“I’ll be back shortly.”
He stepped into the passage—
But he didn’t appear outside the window.
‘What is this?’
Seong immediately sensed something strange.
He didn’t think this was a trap from Black Star.
And it wasn’t likely anyone other than Black Star could control Chaos in such a way.
So what was going on?
While Seong pondered, Will was called.
“I’ll be back too.”
Will, too, stepped into the hallway.
And once again—no sign of him through the window.
Now Seong was nearly certain.
‘Looks like the three of us have a new mission.’
Just then—
A voice called Seong’s name.
But—
“It is time for the Lord.”
A tone of utmost formality.
And when Seong stepped inside—
He found a private room with Black Star waiting for him.
Upon seeing Seong, Black Star dropped to one knee and bowed his head.
“I greet the future Overlord.”
“...Khm.”
He had expected this, but still—
Having someone of this level bow to him was a bit overwhelming.
Though, by now, he should’ve gotten used to it.
Thinking so, Seong gave a slight nod.
“You’ve come personally to honor Will’s soul.”
“...Not quite. I’ve come to inherit the title of Wraith Lord.”
Still accustomed to using formal speech, Seong nearly slipped—then shifted to a more casual tone.
Somehow, it felt like Black Star smiled brightly at that.
“I expected as much. But I see now—you’re even warmer-hearted than I had thought.”
“...???”
Did I say anything warm?
At this point, it seemed he heard whatever he wanted to hear.
Seong considered saying something but gave up.
Black Star continued.
“With the will of the world at play, I cannot intervene further. But I understand you have plans after inheriting the title of Wraith Lord.”
Seong nodded.
Did he hear this from the present-day Black Star? Or deduce it on his own?
He didn’t know.
But he thought—it’s exactly what a transcendent would do.
And so, he nodded again.
His next destination was Badhia—a city of both the Kingdom of Rieskan and the Balian Empire. A battlefield locked in endless war with Wiron.
He was planning to head there.
“I’ll go to Badhia.”
“An excellent decision. Are you trying to uncover the truth about the Kingdom of Rieskan?”
“That’s right.”
“Also—war always leaves rivers of blood behind. And the future Sword Saint is already plotting something there. If you go immediately after the inheritance, I believe it will lead you down the Path of Blood.”
The Path of Blood?
It didn’t sound ordinary.
Seong pondered.
Then—
“The future you asked me to pass along this message. And...”
Black Star reached out and offered him a single droplet of blood—rich and crimson.
Seong blinked.
Is this really okay to give?
He wondered.
But Black Star laughed kindly and said,
“I’ve given rewards to the others as well. It’s only natural to present a gift of this caliber to the Lord who achieved the greatest merit. This much is still within the world’s will.”
Hearing that, Seong felt relieved, and accepted the rich drop of blood.
The instant he did—
FWOOOOM——!!!
Crimson light burst from his body—
And dyed the entire chamber with Black Star in a sea of red.
It felt like the space itself was drenched in blood.
Before he could even fully grasp what was happening—
System messages flashed before his eyes.
[『Blood Lord』 absorbs the Almighty-tier item, 『Mythic Blood』.]
[『Blood Lord』 gains an opportunity for awakening.]
[New conditions have been created.]
[『Mythic Blood』 absorption (Complete)]
[Personal item 『Book of Blood』: Remaining skills (10/10) (Complete)]
[Acquire 『Massive Blood』 (Incomplete)]
Only one condition left.
And as for "massive blood"—
“I believe you will fulfill that requirement in the battlefield crafted by the future Sword Saint.”
Seong had received yet another tremendous gift.
Chapter 328
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