The Game of a Legendary Genius Dark Mage-Chapter 346
6.
The Eighth Region: Nocturne.
Among players, it was known as a fairly popular location.
Entry was restricted to those above level 250, so the player population wasn’t exactly massive.
However, it was known for having far more NPCs than any other city.
It was also famous as a place where one could obtain various items and a wide range of skill books, so it was no surprise that players flocked there.
Given its status as a Free Trade City, it was only natural that people would gather.
Even knowing it was under Overpalace's rule, people still flooded in—and that, too, had its reasons.
In any case, the fact that so many gathered there—
Also meant that schemes and intrigue flourished just as much.
Every city had its underbelly.
The current infiltration by the Intelligence Knights, the only intelligence unit in the Rieskan Kingdom, could be seen as part of that very underbelly.
As they slipped in little by little—
Naturally, some teams were already out searching for the successor of the Galaxy Sword Dance.
And as they say: “There’s always a higher flyer.”
This was one of those times.
—They're searching diligently, aren't they?
“Haha, they don’t even realize they’re being used.”
At Veladrina’s comment, Helena burst into laughter as they watched the situation unfold, and Seong looked on with amusement as well.
They were also observing as the agents began turning their temporary hideout into a full-scale base of operations.
In the meantime, Veladrina’s familiars continued to siphon information piece by piece.
It would take some time, but—
They had no idea they were being played.
Although the main reason for relocating the base was due to Badia being exposed—
There was clearly a plan to extract intel from Overpalace too.
And yet—
Watching Nocturne’s inner fortress, Seong tilted his head in curiosity.
‘No response?’
Strangely enough, Nocturne’s castle had shown no reaction.
Granted, Seong and his vassals had completely concealed their presence and energy.
But could someone in charge of a region under Overpalace really fail to notice?
No way.
That would mean—
‘They must already know Rieskan has infiltrated.’
The thought sent a chill down his spine.
Still—
The immediate priority was finding the successor of the Galaxy Sword Dance.
Since Seong himself was a successor, naturally, he was curious.
‘Is it a player?’
What was found in Rieskan wasn’t the actual successor—just a trace.
They had been investigating other locations based on sword traces Seong had previously left, and discovered something in a hunting ground near Nocturne.
It could be an NPC—or a player.
Seong was open to the possibility that the successor might be a player.
After all, stories had those kinds of clichés.
‘Even in wuxia, there are guys like Zhang Wuji who stumble into inheritance.’
So it wouldn’t be strange for a player to be a successor by some coincidence.
And since it was Hyneld’s swordsmanship, which was treated as important in the worldbuilding, it might still end up being an NPC.
Regardless, now that they were in Nocturne, it was worth investigating.
Besides using Veladrina’s familiars to infiltrate the spy corps, they also deployed rats and birds to scour the area.
If Seong or the other vassals went poking around, it would only draw suspicion and risk discovery by the spy corps.
Just as Seong resolved to stay put—
Veladrina bowed her head and spoke.
—This mission, I shall manage personally. Perhaps Your Majesty should take a leisurely tour?
“Hm?”
At her suggestion, Seong tilted his head.
The other vassals nodded in agreement.
—Y-Yes, L-Lord, I-I think y-you should t-take some time to relax...
—We’ll handle things here. It may be a good time to explore.
“We’ll stay behind, yes~.”
With all of them insisting—
Seong reluctantly nodded.
He would only be bored staying here anyway.
Once he gave in—
Helena clapped her hands excitedly.
“Oooh? Then I’ll go with Seonghyun.”
Naturally, someone had to act as his escort.
None of the vassals objected.
This was Helena, after all.
Among the vassals, there was no one who would oppose her.
Once Seong and Helena had left—
Veladrina turned to the remaining vassals.
—Looks like we’ve already been spotted, doesn’t it?
At her words, Fiora nodded.
—S-Someone was definitely watching us quietly.
—Mmm. I sensed it too.
—The gaze was directed only at us.
“Probably the owner of this city, I’d say?”
All of the vassals had felt it.
The overwhelming energy stung their pride a little, judging by their expressions.
However—
That energy wasn’t hostile.
To be precise, it simply conveyed: We’ll allow it. Do as you will. We’re just watching.
Now, even that gaze had vanished.
—They must be a loyal subordinate of His Majesty.
“I think so too.”
Serpina, the witch highly sensitive to mana, responded to Veladrina’s observation.
No one was worried about letting Seong go off alone.
They expected that something would surely be given in return.
Especially since—
—H-Helena went with him~.
—Kahaha! Then no worries at all.
—Indeed. The former king protects the current one.
With everyone saying so—
Veladrina nodded as well.
To think the current emperor had revived the former emperor...
No one could have imagined such a thing.
But perhaps this emperor might actually achieve what the previous generation could not.
With that thought—
Veladrina turned her focus back to intelligence.
Just what would happen here?
And what exactly was the Sword Saint of the Rieskan Kingdom planning?
To find out everything—
Her eyes gleamed.
7.
The bustling street—
It felt like something straight out of a fantasy movie or comic.
Street vendors were spread out in all directions, hawking their wares.
Despite being ruled by the dark mage tower Overpalace, the city was full of life.
Seong and Helena strolled through the crowd together.
It was refreshing to see such liveliness.
However—
Seong couldn’t help but feel a bit conflicted.
“With this many people, finding them won’t be easy.”
“Mmm. True. But if they’re near us, we’ll definitely feel it.”
“Right.”
After all, Seong carried the Token of the Galaxy.
With it, finding another successor of the Galaxy Sword Dance would be much easier.
The spy corps couldn’t exactly go around tearing up the city either.
Which made Seong’s side more advantageous.
Especially with Veladrina.
The spy corps were currently focusing on likely candidates, such as mercenaries and others who frequented hunting grounds.
Being a Free Trade City, Nocturne was overflowing with mercenaries.
Players and NPCs alike.
Seong was even considering registering as one.
“Wouldn’t hurt to hunt a bit and level up.”
Helena agreed with the idea, and Seong nodded as well.
Besides, since they were here—
It wasn’t a bad idea to explore the market streets.
You never knew when a rare item might show up.
Seong looked around with mild hope.
‘Nothing particularly good.’
There were decent items—
Unique grade showed up fairly often.
But none were quite good enough for him.
Since he was already equipped with Legendary gear, most of this stuff felt underwhelming.
With sightseeing done—
Maybe it was time to hit the hunting grounds?
‘Might as well test out the Blood Lord form.’
He hadn’t used it since evolving.
And thanks to his permit, he could now hunt monsters above his level.
It was the perfect chance.
As Seong made up his mind—
Helena gave a soft smile and nodded.
“Going to test out Blood Lord?”
“Yeah.”
“Nice opportunity.”
Her sly smile reminded Seong of their past training, and a chill ran down his spine—
Still, it was a good opportunity.
Satisfied, Seong headed to the hunting zone.
Of course, there was nothing special needed to get in, so they arrived quickly.
As befitted the name Nocturne, the hunting zones had a dark, night-like atmosphere.
Likely due to the dense forest—
The area resembled a nighttime setting, and the monsters were nocturnal.
Werewolves, owls, and other night creatures.
Among them: Lycanthropes—werewolves.
Grrrrrr.
A werewolf whose fangs stood out even more than its claws.
Its appearance was far too savage to be considered beastkin, and as Seong smiled—
Blood droplets began forming around him.
As the drops clustered and floated—
The werewolf lunged forward, eyes gleaming.
It was fast, no doubt—
But that was all.
With a snarl, it snapped at the air—
As it did, silver fang-shaped trails formed in midair where Seong had stood.
They seemed to bite through space itself—
But without so much as a gesture, Seong let the blood droplets expand, slicing right through those silver trails.
KWA-GAGAGAGANG—!!!
The crimson surge cleaved through the silver trajectory and—
Also tore through the werewolf’s chest.
A single strike.
Even though the monster was several levels higher, it was cut down in one blow.
“Hm.”
Honestly, it felt a little too easy.
But they were only ◈ Nоvеlіgһт ◈ (Continue reading) at the entrance.
Pushing his disappointment aside, Seong prepared to go deeper and maybe find a boss.
As he guided the blood drops forward—
He suddenly felt something strange.
Turning his head—
He saw something darting quickly through the brush.
Not a native—something headed toward the hunting zone.
And at that moment—
The Token of the Galaxy on Seong’s chest began to glow.
“...?”
A reaction he had never seen before.
But Seong immediately knew what it meant.
Startled, he peered closer at the fast-moving figure.
A girl—expressionless, but with eyes like galaxies—
And just as she was about to pass Seong—
Their eyes met.
The woman with galaxy-like eyes suddenly halted and muttered in a blank voice as she stared at him.
“...Galaxy Sword Dance?”
Just as Seong recognized her Galaxy Sword Dance—
She, too, recognized his.
