The Game of a Legendary Genius Dark Mage

Chapter 19

0.

Seonghyeon was the type to save the best for last.

This applied to rewards as well.

Let’s check the titles first.

He had obtained two new titles: Master Brawler, which evolved from Brawler, and Adventurer of Justice.

『Master Brawler』
→ 《Epic》
→ A title granted to users who own the title Brawler and have defeated opponents with significantly higher levels.
→ Increases attack power by 5% when facing humanoid monsters, users, or NPCs.

『Adventurer of Justice』
→ 《Rare》
→ A title granted to users who defeat notorious players or NPCs.
→ Increases rewards from defeating notorious entities by 10%.

“Oh.”

While Adventurer of Justice wasn’t immediately useful, Master Brawler was incredibly practical.

The title applied to all humanoid enemies, offering great versatility and a substantial effect.

Even skeletons, categorized as humanoid monsters, fell under its scope, significantly broadening its utility.

Adventurer of Justice also looked promising for the future.

Next, let’s see…

He shifted his attention to the upgraded Aura of Death.

『Aura of Death』

→ 《Legendary》

→ [Lv 5] [Growth-type]

[Passive] [Active]

[Cooldown: 25 minutes] ↓

[Duration: 4 minutes] ↑

“All the dead shall offer their flesh and bones to the Sovereign.
The Sovereign shall absorb them and achieve immortality.”

→ Exclusive to Overlord class.
→ Devours the souls and bodies of the dead within a 50-meter radius. ↑
→ Absorbs the devoured dead as nutrients.
→ Living beings caught within the aura experience immense pain.
→ Absorbed undead can be assimilated into the Legion of the Dead. (NEW!)

“Wow.”

The new effect, which allowed him to convert absorbed undead into his legion, was something he already knew about from Helena’s memories.

But seeing the improved cooldown, increased duration, and expanded range laid out in numbers made the changes feel even more impressive.

This is amazing.

The skill had become far more effective than simply dealing damage over time.

Now, he didn’t even need to personally kill enemies to bolster his Legion of the Dead.

It was a must-have skill, as demonstrated in his battle with Bezron.

Seizing Bezron’s undead had rattled his opponent, creating critical openings.

It’s practically a counter-skill for Necromancers.

Feeling satisfied with his progression as a Dark Mage, Seonghyeon moved on to his newly acquired items.

『Sturdy Beginner Dark Mage’s Robe』
→ 《Rare》
→ A durable robe made for beginner Dark Mages.
→ Surprisingly sturdy, offering excellent defense despite being a robe.
→ Increases defense by +2%.
→ Slightly enhances the power of Dark Magic skills.

“As expected, a robe for a Dark Mage.”

The robe’s effects were decent and practical.

Bezron had left behind quite a bounty. With this robe, Seonghyeon’s defense saw a notable increase.

Even beginners like him knew that robes with defensive properties were rare.

Now, it’s time for the main course.

[You retrieve the Unique Skillbook 『Skillbook—Proliferating Undead』.]
[The conditions for using this skillbook are met.]
[Would you like to use it?]
[Yes / No]

The answer was obvious.

[You have used the Unique Skillbook 『Skillbook—Proliferating Undead』!]
[You have acquired the Unique Skill 『Proliferating Undead』!]

『Proliferating Undead』
→ 《Unique》
→ [Lv 1] [Growth-type]
[Passive]
→ Exclusive to Necromancer-type classes.
→ Reduces mana consumption for undead summoning and creation skills by 10%.
→ The reduction rate increases as the skill level rises.

“Wow.”

For the first time while reviewing his rewards, Seonghyeon audibly expressed his amazement.

A passive skill that reduced mana consumption for summoning and creating undead by 10%, with further reductions as the skill leveled up?

It’s practically a skill to increase the number of summons.

Now he understood why Bezron had resorted to attacking him.

Though Bezron had been in the wrong, this was undeniably a skill that would make any Necromancer drool.

Seonghyeon shivered slightly as he imagined the skill’s potential if it reduced mana costs by up to 50%.

Doubling his undead army would be an extraordinary boost to his power.

Even without factoring in this skill’s synergy with others, the sheer increase in numbers was thrilling.

And then, there was the final reward.

『Elite Dark Mage Training Recommendation Letter』
→ 《Unique》
→ Requirements: Dark Mage-type class, Level 10 or above.
→ Grants entry to an elite Dark Mage training center.
→ Special events may occur upon presenting this letter.

“Even the dessert is perfect.”

Another unique hidden piece.

The recommendation letter for the elite training center gave Seonghyeon his next objective: reaching level 10.

As his goal became clear, Garik, who had been observing, chuckled and said,

“Ah, it’s such a relief. Well, I’ll be on my way now. I hope you achieve great success!”

“Thank you so much.”

“Oh, it’s nothing! I was just fulfilling a favor for Lord Palm by guarding this place. Don’t stray too far, now!”

With Garik’s cheerful parting words, Seonghyeon smiled and waved goodbye.

Ghosts like Garik, who were always a source of support, had a purity unmatched by anything else.

Though he wanted to help them in return, the ghosts consistently refused.

Their only wish was for him to make good use of the help they provided.

If that’s what they want, I’ll make sure to honor it.

“Time for some hunting.”

With only two levels to go before reaching 10, and with increased experience gain, leveling up wouldn’t take too long.

With Aura of Death and the Legion of the Dead, mob hunting should be much more efficient.

As the cooldown timer for Aura of Death ticked down, Seonghyeon set off to hunt.

He soon arrived at the cemetery, where a multitude of skeletons roamed.

Let’s test the effects of these titles.

While his level had increased, he hadn’t yet allocated his additional stat points.

This would allow him to clearly gauge the titles’ impact.

A lone skeleton appeared nearby, clattering as it moved.

Seonghyeon charged forward, swinging the shovel he had picked up earlier at the skeleton’s head.

Thwack!

A solid, satisfying impact.

[Critical Hit!]
[The effect of 『One Strike!』 has been activated!]
[Experience gained.]

With a single blow, the skeleton’s skull shattered, its body crumbling into dust.

“Oh.”

Seonghyeon couldn’t help but marvel.

Previously, it had taken three or four hits to bring down a skeleton.

Now, thanks to his title, he could defeat one in a single strike.

This changes everything.

With the cooldown for Aura of Death still ticking, Seonghyeon decided to continue hunting.

He stretched lightly, preparing himself while tapping into Garik’s experience and the memories of the Drill Instructor’s Ghost.

Just as he had focused with Helena’s help earlier, he delved into those memories again.

“Phew…”

The hunt was about to begin.

Seonghyeon exhaled a long, thin breath, his eyes sinking into a deep focus.

The memories of two lives—no, two histories—flowed through his mind like a panorama.

They belonged to Garik and the Drill Instructor’s Ghost, yet Seonghyeon could clearly distinguish himself within them.

It was as natural as watching a movie; no one mistakes themselves for the protagonist on the screen.

Thus, Seonghyeon observed their histories as if watching two films: the name of the unnamed Drill Instructor, Eddie, and the fact that Garik had a wife who passed away in her youth, came into view.

As his concentration deepened, Seonghyeon’s pupils glowed faintly with turquoise light.

The gentle radiance of the turquoise hue spread around him, casting an enchanting aura that captivated the eye with its mysterious allure.

“Hey! That’s the guy from earlier!”

“Let’s approach him now and make an offer!”

“No way, I’ll go first!”

The scouts, initially bickering as they tried to approach Seonghyeon, froze when they felt the sheer intensity of his aura.

‘W-what is this atmosphere?!’
‘I-I can’t bring myself to interrupt…!’
‘Such overwhelming concentration…’

It was as if an invisible silence had settled over the area.

Even in the loudest surroundings, a single person’s intense focus can create an almost tangible stillness.

The scouts stopped instinctively, mesmerized by the palpable energy radiating from Seonghyeon.

Someone gulped audibly, breaking the silence momentarily.

Seonghyeon, undistracted, finally began to move.

Thud-thud-thud-thud-thud!

Dashing across the cemetery with swift, precise steps, Seonghyeon swung the shovel upward in a fluid motion that barely grazed the ground.

With a loud crack, sparks flew as the shovel struck the earth, carving a fiery red arc through the air.

The skeleton’s head at the end of the arc shattered with a resounding crash.

[Critical Hit!]
[The effect of 『One Strike!』 has been activated!]
[Experience gained.]

Without sparing a glance at the system message, Seonghyeon adjusted his stance, shifting his weight to his other leg and swinging the shovel back in the opposite direction.

Thwack!

[Critical Hit!]
[The effect of 『One Strike!』 has been activated!]
[Experience gained.]

Messages continued to pop up, but Seonghyeon ignored them, focusing on the next skeleton in his path.

Thud!
Crack!

Skeletons turned to dust as he moved, the sound of breaking bones and shattering remains mingling in the air.

“What the… What’s that?!”

“W-wait, that’s a shovel?!”

“A shovel?! I thought it was a sword!!!”

“Me too!”

The scouts watched in utter disbelief.

The way Seonghyeon wielded the shovel looked more like swordsmanship—or perhaps shovel-ship.

It reminded them of martial arts movements from wuxia novels or movies.

These scouts had seen master swordsmen before, but never anything like this.

‘Even the rankers’ early gameplay videos weren’t this impressive…’
‘Would someone like him even consider joining our guild?’
‘Forget recruitment… This is just insane.’

Their focus had shifted entirely to watching Seonghyeon’s incredible performance.

And the scouts weren’t alone.

“What the…?!”

“What is that?!”

“He’s mowing them down with a shovel!?”

“Is that even possible?!”

Nearby players, initially hunting skeletons themselves, had stopped to gawk.

They were entranced—not only by Seonghyeon’s skill but also by the sheer elegance and magnetism of his movements.

Before long, Seonghyeon activated a skill.

Behind him, the shape of a glowing turquoise heart appeared, its pulse echoing loudly:

Thump!

As the sound resonated, a mist of turquoise light spread out in a 50-meter radius, enveloping the area.

The scouts and other players caught in the mist were unharmed; the skill wasn’t hostile to non-aggressive targets.

Though Seonghyeon himself wasn’t aware of this detail, it came as a relief to those observing.

“What is this?!”

“A… mist?”

“Is this a skill?!”

The players quickly realized the source of the anomaly—it was Seonghyeon’s skill.

The glowing turquoise mist emanated from the heart-shaped aura behind him.

And then, something bizarre happened.

The skeletons caught in the mist began to writhe, their jaws opening wide as if to vomit.

“Saaaahhhhhh!”
“Saaaaaaakkk!”
“Saaahhhh!”

As they exhaled the misty turquoise energy, their pale bones darkened as if shadows had seeped into them.

The skeletons’ forms grew more sinister as turquoise energy radiated from within.

Seonghyeon’s eyes glowed brightly as he activated Legion of the Dead.

The once white skeletons were now veiled in black shadows, exuding a chilling turquoise aura.

“He’s not a warrior?!”

“Wait, he’s not a swordsman either?!”

“I thought he was a knight or something!”

“What the heck?! How is a Necromancer this good in combat?!”

“Forget that! He’s not even wearing a bracelet! He’s not level 10 yet!!”

The revelation that Seonghyeon was a Necromancer left everyone stunned.

And it didn’t end there.

At his command, the transformed skeletons began to rampage, decimating everything in their path.

Clatter-clatter!
Crack!
Thud-thud!

The once-white skeletons couldn’t withstand the overwhelming might of the Legion of the Dead, now cloaked in black and glowing with turquoise energy.

“This… This is unreal.”

“What kind of skeletons are these?!”

“Even I would have trouble dealing with those…”

“A beginner can use skills like that?!”

“This is headline material!!!”

The scouts and players were in an uproar.

Seonghyeon, not yet level 10, was using abilities that clearly indicated a higher-grade class.

“Minimum Epic grade, right?!”

Someone gulped loudly again, the sound punctuating the silence as they watched Seonghyeon in awe.

Unbothered by their stares, Seonghyeon glanced at the system messages flashing before him.

[Experience gained.]
[Experience gained.]
[Experience gained.]
…
[Level up!]
[You have reached Level 10.]

“Hunting goes well.”

Seonghyeon chuckled softly, noting the effectiveness of his Necromancer class.

Satisfied, he looked at the next set of messages.

[You have reached Level 10. The Job Training Center is now accessible.]
[You can now use 『Elite Dark Mage Training Recommendation Letter』.]

“Now I can go.”

It was time to use the hidden piece and take the next step in his journey.