The Game of a Legendary Genius Dark Mage-Chapter 318

4.

A pillar of black light erupted inside the mine as if it were exploding from the ground.

At the same moment, every demon within the mine felt it.

Demons were inherently sensitive to darkness.

Especially the stronger ones—they had no choice but to be.

A high-ranking demon, one who was just a step away from ascending to nobility, muttered languidly,

“...Hmph. So the Lord chooses now to awaken.”

To awaken as a Lord in their own territory—what terrible timing.

Black mana and demonic energy were similar, yet fundamentally different.

He must have gained insight through that distinction.

The high-ranking demon nodded knowingly.

Then, three mid-ranking demons rose and bowed their heads deeply to the superior.

“...We will take care of it.”

“Lord Serumagra need not trouble yourself.”

“We shall lead the low-ranking demons and eliminate them.”

Having said that, the three mid-ranking demons leapt out.

Leading their subordinate low-ranking demons.

How much time had passed?

The suffocating miasma of demonic energy began to noticeably recede.

Which could only mean one thing.

“They're all dead.”

Serumagra, the high-ranking demon who had spoken idly, stood from his seat.

He judged it too much to leave in the hands of the mid and low-ranking demons now.

More importantly—

“There’s an annoying presence.”

“...You mean that rampaging black mana?”

“No. I sense the energy of the galaxy. And... an overwhelming aura of darkness as well.”

“...?”

Galaxy energy, which could be called light, and an aura of darkness together?

It was a strange mix, but then again—weren’t humans always like that?

Worms that flailed around, trying to survive by clinging to one another.

Which was why the mid-ranking demons once again bowed deeply to Serumagra.

“I’m going as well.”

Though it sounded like he was saying they weren’t enough—

None dared take it as an insult.

Serumagra was known to possess power comparable to that of a noble.

No one dared to object.

And so, with mid and low-ranking demons in tow, he moved toward the source of the rampaging black mana.

Then—

Serumagra tilted his head slightly and muttered,

“Hmph, so you're trying to lure me.”

A low, amused chuckle escaped Serumagra’s lips.

He then spoke to his subordinates,

“You lot go to the source of the black mana and eliminate them.”

If that one became a Lord, they would become a threat.

Better to eliminate them before that happened.

Even a weak Lord was not something a mid-rank demon could handle.

Eliminating them preemptively was the efficient choice.

So Serumagra said, and then turned to head in a different direction.

“I’ll go deal with the one trying to lure me.”

It was likely the one with the most powerful aura.

The one who also exuded the energy of a Lord.

As Serumagra spoke, the mid and low-ranking demons shouted their acknowledgment and raced off, while he walked calmly in the opposite direction.

Then—

CRAAACK!!!

A sound like glass shattering rang through the air as space fractured and split.

Through the crack, he stepped.

In an instant, his view changed—

And he appeared before the pitiful creature that had dared to lure him.

That creature, standing before the newly arrived Serumagra, let out a bitter chuckle and muttered,

“Stronger than I expected.”

Quite arrogant words for a human.

But Serumagra shared a similar thought, and responded to Seong,

“You're quite to my liking.”

A baleful aura surged around him as Serumagra drew forth his demonic energy.

And in response, Seong, too, gathered his full power.

His awakened strength—

The combined forces of the Lord of Darkness, the Lord of Abyssal Terror, and the Inferno Lord—rose up around him like a storm.

Within it, he gripped a galaxy-wreathed sword, eyes locked on Serumagra.

And upon seeing this, Serumagra murmured, intrigued,

“Three Lords’ power... No, is there a fourth? Astounding.”

Having discerned it so precisely, Seong gave an awkward laugh.

Maybe—

‘I might actually die here. Should’ve brought backup.’

He thought, wondering if he’d been foolish to come alone—

But his fighting spirit flared as he charged at Serumagra.

5.

BOOOOOOM——!!!

The ground trembled, the entire mine shaking like it might collapse.

Amid the quake, the pillar of black light rose unwavering, piercing the sky.

Demons swarmed around it.

Shadows cloaked the area thanks to the demons shaped like silhouettes—

But amidst them, spells and skills rained down, thinning their numbers steadily.

Still, there was a problem.

RUMBLE.

A mid-ranking demon flew at them like a locust—only to be struck by twin sword strikes from Valtar and Leonic.

The impact forced him to retreat far back.

SSSSSSSSHHHHH.

Two deep trenches carved across the ground.

They’d been pushed so far that their figures blurred into the distance.

How absurdly powerful was that slash?

The mid-ranking demon, shaped like a chimera of various insectoid forms, scowled.

Where the hell had these things come from?

His nerves were frayed to the brink.

‘No wonder the others all died.’

There was a reason the other mid-rankers had been wiped out.

But the bigger issue was—

Even the subordinates now fighting the mid-rankers were too skilled.

Especially—

‘That redhead... she’s dangerous.’

The red-haired woman gave off a chillingly lethal aura.

The mid-ranking demon felt a creeping sense of death.

An oppressive force akin to facing a high-ranking demon.

But the insect-like demon knew very well—

RUMBLE——!!!

That tremor meant his superior, a high-ranking demon on the verge of nobility, was currently engaged in combat.

Where the hell had these beings come from?

And why had their contractors said nothing?

At that moment, the thought that they were in a trap struck him.

But he had no time to think.

Though armored in carapace and outfitted with wings and insect legs—

CLACKCLACKCLACK.

SHHK!

A deep gash appeared across his torso in an instant.

Black, ichor-like blood burst from the wound.

The skeletal knight muttered in disappointment.

—Too shallow.

—Kuhahaha! I told you I should do it. Your swordplay’s too damn weak.

—...Heh. Coming from a devil who only knows black and red? You’re all talk.

Though bickering, the two swordsmen moved in flawless coordination.

The insect demon grit his teeth at the sight.

Infuriating, but—

He couldn’t run from them.

Even if he fought with all he had, could he survive?

With a sense of dread, he clenched his jaw hard enough to crack his teeth and thought:

‘I have to report this to the Demon Realm... We’ve fallen into a trap...!’

Determined, he tried every trick he could to send word.

But—

—Not so fast!

—We won’t give you a moment! Kuhahahaha!!

The skeleton {N•o•v•e•l•i•g•h•t} knight and that red-black demon knight charged like madmen, as if sensing his plan.

He couldn’t even get a second to signal the Demon Realm.

Maybe others could?

Looking around, the insect demon realized—

‘Ah.’

All the low-ranking demons were already dead.

And the other mid-rankers were as overwhelmed as he was.

In that case—

‘Then I’ll give it everything I’ve got!’

He had to break through somehow, just to get a message out.

Unleashing monstrous strength, the insectoid demon roared and charged toward Leonic and Valtar like it was his sacred mission.

“KYAAAAOOOO!!!”

6.

Seong had lured out the high-ranking demon, Serumagra.

But the moment he laid eyes on his opponent, he realized—this was no ordinary fight.

The despairing black aura surrounding his name made it clear this was a foe far above his level.

Still, just as he was about to charge—

Serumagra raised a hand and spoke,

“Even a Lord ought to give his name before battle, no?”

“...Hm. Fair point.”

“I am the high-ranking demon, Serumagra.”

“I’m Seong.”

“Excellent.”

As he spoke, Serumagra closed his eyes and nodded slowly, as if savoring the name.

He truly had the air of a mighty warrior.

He might be called a high-ranking demon—

But he seemed more powerful than the ones Helena had spoken of.

Noticing this, Seong asked casually,

“You don’t seem like a regular high-ranking demon.”

“Oh? You’re surprisingly knowledgeable about demons.”

Which meant—Seong was right.

He nodded. It made sense—this guy was stronger than expected.

Even shattering space to come here felt like no small feat.

Well, nothing to be done now.

They were going to fight.

“All right then.”

“Let’s.”

With those short exchanges, the mood shifted.

A vicious wave of demonic energy spread through the air.

Was he about to use a demonic skill?

Seong braced himself—but what followed surprised him.

[Due to the skill 『Willpower』, high-ranking demon Serumagra’s demonic energy and physical stats are enhanced.]

[Due to the skill 『Distortion』, high-ranking demon Serumagra’s unique traits are enhanced.]

[Due to the skill 『Domain』, high-ranking demon Serumagra’s presence is elevated.]

Serumagra had instantly activated three demonic skills—

All buffs to himself, not curses or attacks.

Seeing this, Seong stared at him, dumbfounded.

The surrounding space warped, shimmering like a heat haze.

A clear display of Serumagra’s overwhelming might.

Seong responded by unleashing darkness, terror, and violet flames in full force.

He had to go all-out here.

There was no other option.

As his instincts screamed preparation, Serumagra looked at him with admiration.

“A Lord indeed.”

With that short praise—

Space warped.

The world twisted like a crumpled painting, and through the distortion, Serumagra’s fist came flying.

Seeing that fist of distortion that shattered reality—

Seong responded by fusing darkness, flame, and terror, then firing them all at once.

Darkness devoured the warped space.

Violet flame scorched across it, blazing brightly.

And in that flame, fear crept, revealing its fangs.

Serumagra’s fist trembled slightly.

“Oh-ho?”