The Game of a Legendary Genius Dark Mage-Chapter 380

“A-ahaha.”

“Hm.”

Watching the ghost laugh awkwardly, Seong fell into thought for a moment.

All ghosts were favorable toward him.

Any ghost at all.

By now, it felt like a kind of law.

Looking at this ghost, he shuddered and trembled slightly.

There was clearly something uncomfortable.

'Maybe this is why Geon-dong hasn’t been sleeping well.'

Without recklessly absorbing his memories or linking to him, Seong transmitted his intent to the ghost.

'What were you doing here?'

—“W-well, this is where I originally lived... I just stayed around here, but then that esteemed one’s friend moved in, so...”

'Ah.'

In short, he’d lived here while alive, so he had remained in the area, and now Lee Geon-dong had moved in.

Judging from this, he ❖ Nоvеl𝚒ght ❖ (Exclusive on Nоvеl𝚒ght) wasn’t a bound spirit, just lingering nearby because of memories from life.

Seong nodded, understanding.

He had always believed the very concept of “evil ghosts” didn’t really exist, but thought maybe elsewhere it might be different.

Judging from this ghost’s appearance—

As expected, he wasn’t malicious.

It was simply that Geon-dong was sensitive enough to notice him.

Especially when sleeping, sensitivity was heightened, so he’d sensed it more clearly.

It was a trivial incident after all.

'Then from now on, could you keep your distance at night?'

—“Of course. I didn’t realize I was troubling your friend... Usually people can’t sense us at all.”

'Usually, no.'

—“This is where I used to live, but since I’m not bound here, I’ll wander elsewhere. And now that I know he’s a friend of yours, no one will come near this place again.”

'Hm.'

Indeed, Seong’s influence among ghosts was overwhelming.

From now on, Geon-dong would likely be able to sleep soundly.

After resolving this small matter, Geon-dong came out from washing and said to him,

“Whew, I feel a bit more sober now.”

“You should’ve paced yourself.”

“Guess I should have. Go wash up too.”

“Alright.”

When Seong came out after showering, the living room was cramped with the old capsule taking up space, yet Geon-dong was sprawled on the bed watching TV without concern.

“Let’s order delivery for dinner later.”

“Sounds good.”

After going out and showering, it was a hassle to head out again anyway.

So the two of them just laughed and joked in front of the TV like any guys their age, ordered dinner, ate, cleaned up, and then went to bed.

0.

The first day passed, and the next morning came.

As always, Seong woke before dawn, brushing his messy hair down and rising from bed.

It wasn’t particularly comfortable to sleep in the same space as someone else after so long.

It felt almost like a school trip from his student days.

Though for a moment it reminded him of the army, it was still far more comfortable than that.

After washing, Seong changed into his running clothes.

Even while staying at Geon-dong’s place, he wouldn’t give up his morning routine.

'Hm, he’s still asleep.'

It was still early morning, really still night.

Naturally, he thought, and began a light run.

Soon the humid dawn air had him sweating. Returning to Geon-dong’s place, he realized—

Without food prepared, he couldn’t eat breakfast.

'Ahh.'

He scratched his head, suddenly appreciating his mother’s greatness.

Luckily, he had brought his phone, so he could at least pay.

Stopping at a convenience store, he picked up some simple food.

It was a bachelor’s apartment, but at least there was a microwave.

Carrying sausages and convenience-store lunchboxes, he returned.

Finding Geon-dong still sprawled out asleep, Seong chuckled.

He put the lunchboxes in the fridge, took out one for himself along with the sausages, and microwaved them.

'People say living alone is rough, huh.'

Thinking about it, he realized that if he ever lived on his own, this would be one of the inconveniences.

He could cook if he bought ingredients, but it would just be more hassle.

Once again, he decided it was better not to leave his parents’ house.

After finishing his meal and cleaning up, he glanced at Geon-dong still asleep.

'Shouldn’t he be waking up by now?'

Not that Geon-dong had work or an appointment, but still—morning was morning.

Just as he thought to wake him—

“Ugh... you’re already up???”

Having felt Seong moving around, Geon-dong stirred awake.

Seong smirked.

“It’s routine.”

“Man, you really live like a saint...”

“I bought you something too. It’s in the fridge.”

“Yaaawn. Thanks.”

As Geon-dong answered with a long yawn, Seong added,

“Then I’ll log in. Use that one for now—the one you were already using is good enough for me.”

Since Geon-dong’s capsule wasn’t lacking in performance, Seong intended to use it.

But Geon-dong looked at him, confused.

“Huh? You should be using the new one. You bought it.”

“I brought it as a housewarming gift. How could I be the first to use it?”

“Oh, right?”

“Yeah. If I use it during my stay, then you get it secondhand.”

“Tsk, even secondhand, it’d still be amazing...”

It wasn’t that Geon-dong didn’t understand, but—

Wouldn’t anyone be thrilled to get a capsule worth three hundred million won, even used, for free?

Still, Seong wanted his friend to have it new, so he went into Geon-dong’s capsule.

The performance difference was only about 10%.

It wouldn’t matter much.

Seeing Seong enter his capsule, Geon-dong scratched his head.

'He’s oddly strict about this stuff.'

Careful, in his own way.

Watching him, Geon-dong chuckled.

'Still, I appreciate it.'

He hadn’t planned on working that morning, but this changed things.

'Guess I’ll check out the top model capsule then.'

Since he wasn’t much of a breakfast eater, he figured he’d save the lunchbox for later and eagerly entered his room.

Thanks to Seong, Geon-dong started work in high spirits.

1.

[Welcome to another world, the Eternal World.]

[May fortune be with you, Player 『Seong』.]

Logging in, Seong stretched a little awkwardly.

It was known that the difference between a standard capsule and a top-spec capsule was over 30%.

Geon-dong’s capsule was high-end, but still about 10% short of the absolute top model.

Feeling the difference, Seong couldn’t help but frown slightly. 𝗳𝐫𝚎𝗲𝚠𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝘃𝚎𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝗺

'It really does feel noticeably different.'

A bit better than the high-end PC café capsules, but still—quite a gap.

Still, it wasn’t enough to prevent him from fighting at full strength.

He just needed to adjust his reactions by about 10%.

Ranker-class experts could adjust like this, but none as quickly and smoothly as Seong.

After all, he carried the memories and experiences of countless ghosts.

It was simple for him.

With his preparations done, Seong prepared to leave the eighth region and move on to the ninth.

But first, something remained.

[Scenario Quest reward: “The Masked Lord’s Hidden Tomb” can be claimed from Nocturne.]

It was the quest Nocturne had given him before he obtained the Faceless Lord.

After killing Belzarach, things had been too hectic for him to go back.

'I wonder how much they’ll give this time.'

Heading for the city of Nocturne, the gates opened as if expecting him, and he slipped inside quickly, making sure no one saw.

Fortunately, his concealment kept other players from noticing.

Once inside the castle, he was soon greeted by Nocturne and Nina, both bowing their heads to him.

“We have awaited you, my Lord.”

“...”

Nina bowed even deeper, looking embarrassed.

Seong accepted it naturally and spoke.

“I was late because I had to deal with Belzarach.”

“Ah, I already sensed it. Do not worry, and thank you for granting my request. Thus I have waited, to give this to you.”

With those words, Nocturne handed him a map.

Was this the reward? Seong checked it.

The map burst into radiant light.

“...This is?”

[You have obtained a reward.]

[You have acquired 『Underground Map of Belhadan』.]

[Hidden areas of Belhadan are recorded.]

[The location of the Lord of the Abyss is marked.]

[The location of the Lord of Destruction is marked.]

[The location of the Lord of Despair is marked.]

“...?!”

Swallowing hard, Seong looked at Nocturne.

The Abyss, Destruction, and Despair.

He didn’t know about Despair, but the Abyss and Destruction corresponded to the levels of Helena’s strongest sword techniques.

The Lord of Destruction—Seong was imitating its power by substituting Helena’s sword art with the Faceless Lord’s abilities. But to think all of them were beneath Belhadan?

And then, the Lord of Despair.

At once, Seong understood instinctively.

'That’s the fourth form of Helena’s ultimate swordsmanship.'

Beneath where the Lord of the Abyss was sealed lay the Lord of Destruction, and deeper still, the Lord of Despair.

Without this map, he might never have known of the latter two.

Grateful, he looked at Nocturne, who smiled gently.

“The Black Star will be pleased.”

“...Tell her I’m thankful.”

“As you wish.”

Leaving Nocturne, who bowed even more sincerely in return, Seong grinned at the map—more precious than any treasure.

To fight not one but three Lords—Abyss, Destruction, and Despair.

It was an opportunity like no other.

And if he gained them all—

'I’ll be able to complete Death Lord a little more.'

His vision of the Death Lord would grow clearer.

As he was about to leave with his reward, Nocturne called after him.