The Game of a Legendary Genius Dark Mage-Chapter 221

They had crossed over without using perception interference, hoping to blend in like an ordinary party.

And yet, chaos erupted in an instant.

Perhaps they had underestimated how desperate players were for hidden pieces.

Realizing that it might be best to reapply the interference, Seong requested Fiora to cast it once more.

Only then, when the players could no longer recognize them, did they move more freely.

But more importantly...

So this is what a High Elf feels like.

He had always known they were rare.

But to have such an overwhelming presence?

He would need to be even more cautious moving forward.

"High Elves usually only appear near the World Tree or in very specific locations," Silvanor explained.

"Ah, I see."

Hearing that made it easier to understand the players' reaction.

In other words, unless one was a high-ranking player, they wouldn’t have encountered a High Elf before.

And yet, here one had appeared in the Sixth Region.

Their reaction made perfect sense.

With that lesson in mind, Seong focused on his goal—his reason for being here.

He had come to infiltrate the knight order, using what little remained of Hindel’s memories.

So heading in that direction would be the logical next step.

Just as he was about to move—

A faint presence emerged from the alleyway.

No, not just any presence...

A ghost?

His abilities had grown stronger, allowing him to detect spirits across a much wider range.

Now, he could sense even the faintest traces of ghosts.

Normally, that wouldn’t be concerning.

Ghosts existed everywhere, after all.

But this one felt... different.

Not because it was an unusual ghost.

But because multiple ghosts were gathering and cautiously approaching him.

What is this?

This has never happened before.

A group of ghosts moving toward him like this?

And without hostility?

Every ghost he had encountered so far had been friendly toward him.

So what was going on?

Seong waited patiently.

Soon enough, a voice rang out.

—O, great one... Will you help us?

"Hmm?"

Ghosts suddenly appearing to ask for help?

That was new.

Ghosts had always wanted to give Seong something, not ask him for assistance.

Which could only mean one thing:

Whatever this was, it was serious.

As he studied the ghosts, their expressions conveyed something beyond desperation.

They were knights.

All five of them were clad in knightly armor.

But judging from the agony on their faces—

They were victims of something.

Situations like this often led to hidden quests.

There was no reason to refuse.

More than that—

—W-we heard from other spirits who wandered from city to city... That you have helped others like us before.

—It is only right that we offer you something in return, and yet, we have nothing to give. Forgive us for such disgrace.

—But if you aid us, we will give you everything we know!

Their desperate plea was filled with sincerity.

Seeing spirits so eager to help in return only made Seong more inclined to assist them.

Stretching out his hand, he absorbed their memories and experiences.

Their faces brightened with pure joy.

They knew he was willing to help.

[‘Unknown Power’ has allowed you to exceed your current stat limitations.] ×5

[Strength +2, Agility +2, Stamina +2 have permanently increased.] ×5

A total increase of 10 points in Strength, Agility, and Stamina.

Judging by their combined stats, they had been excellent knights in life.

And their experiences were equally remarkable.

After reading through their memories, Seong could immediately name the group they had belonged to.

"Equinox Knights..."

The words left his lips in a murmur.

If this was about the Equinox Knights—

With Hindel’s memories as well, I might be able to take care of everything in one go.

A perfect opportunity had presented itself.

And Seong smiled in satisfaction.

Seeing this, Helena turned to him.

"What’s the plan?" she asked.

"First, let’s find Leon Vanzar."

0.

On the outskirts of Sisvald, among rows of rundown buildings—

A man, who once seemed strong, stumbled out of a shabby house, grimacing as he stepped forward.

Not that he had anywhere to go.

"Damn it."

Even walking had become a struggle.

And the fact that he had to leave the house just to buy food was a humiliation in itself.

But hunger could not be ignored.

Lowering his hood, he limped toward a nearby shop, buying a few simple ingredients before turning back home.

"Do I really need to go on living like this?"

His existence felt meaningless.

Yet he could not afford to die—not yet.

If he perished, everything he knew would be buried with him.

So he endured.

Waiting.

Preparing.

Honing the blade of vengeance for the day he would finally strike.

"...But will that day ever come?"

Would his desire for revenge grow dull over time?

Or was it merely despair weighing him down?

These thoughts swirled in his mind as he continued his slow, painful walk home.

Once, his body had been firm, powerful.

Now, every step revealed his deteriorated state.

If not for that accident, he wouldn’t have ended up like this.

And worse—

His subordinates had been dragged down with him.

That was the most painful part of all.

He wanted revenge, no matter what.

But in this miserable state?

How could he possibly achieve it?

To be honest—

"...Even if I were at full strength, my enemy wouldn’t be easy to defeat."

He needed to find someone who could take care of that bastard for him.

But with his broken body, could he even find someone willing to help?

Despair circled around him like a noose, tightening with each passing thought.

Was it time to end everything?

A deep sigh escaped his lips as he lifted his head to the sky.

The weight of his situation crushed him. He wanted to be done with it all, to finally rest. But the need for revenge and the frustration of his useless body left him trapped in an endless cycle of hesitation.

An ironic, miserable state of existence.

And then—

As he walked toward his home, four figures in black robes appeared before him, their hoods pulled deep over their faces.

Though his body was in ruins, his instincts were still sharp.

He could feel it.

The sheer power radiating from these strangers.

Each one was strong.

Stronger than he was now.

Together, they could easily surpass even his former self.

Where had such people come from?

It was a reasonable question—one that he should have asked.

But he didn’t.

"So, they’ve finally come."

They were still after him.

Even after all this time, after he had been reduced to this miserable state, they still wanted him dead.

A storm of emotions surged within him, his frustration turning into a fierce aura that spread through the air.

Even if he was a shadow of his former self, he had once ruled over this city as one of its greatest warriors.

And no one would look down on him so easily.

Even in his weakened state, he would make sure of that.

Tapping into every last ounce of his strength, he let his presence flare—

And then, with a scowl, he threw back his hood and barked,

"Did Ragna send you?"

His voice was rough, filled with undisguised hostility.

But instead of answering immediately, one of the robed figures stepped forward.

With a slow, deliberate motion, he pulled back his hood.

Then, he removed the black mask underneath.

And he said,

"No. He did not."

"......"

The answer was firm.

But Leon Vanzar didn’t believe it.

Of course he didn’t.

Why should he?

This had all the makings of a trap.

Yet, the man took another step closer and continued,

"We’ve come to fulfill the last request of Wehad before his death."

"We... Wehad?"

Leon’s eyes widened at the name.

"Yes. We are here to stop Ragna Eckrion. Former Commander of the Equinox Knights—Leon Vanzar."

"......!!!"

Leon’s entire body went rigid.

They had found him.

They had spoken Wehad’s name.

But this could still be a trick.

An elaborate ploy to lure him into a false sense of security.

Even so—

Leon found himself staring at the young man before him, his mind racing.

If this was a trap, if they were using Wehad’s name to deceive him...

Then perhaps...

Perhaps it wouldn’t be so bad to fall into it.

"If it’s a lie, then I’ll die. And that’s fine."

And so, after a long pause, he finally spoke.

"Fine. Follow me."

The moment the words left his mouth, the young man nodded.

"My name is Seong. I look forward to working with you."

1.

Leon’s house was small, crumbling, and wretchedly unkempt.

Seong stepped inside, his expression unreadable as he took in the sight.

For a moment, he simply studied Leon.

This was the man who had once led the Equinox Knights, one of the top three knight orders in the city.

And now... he lived like this.

Leon must have noticed his gaze because he let out a dry laugh and gestured vaguely around the room.

"Just... sit wherever."

There were only two chairs at the worn-out table.

Seong took the one across from Leon, while Helena, Fiora, and Silvanor stood behind him.

Leon eyed them briefly before exhaling through his nose and nodding.

"So. Wehad asked you for revenge?"

"Yes."

"...Wehad survived that day?"

It was hard to believe.

Given the circumstances, he had thought survival impossible.

Yet here they were, discussing the matter as if it were fact.

Leon studied Seong closely, suspicion creeping into his gaze.

But before he could voice his doubts, Seong reached into his coat—

And pulled out a small, weathered notebook.

The moment Leon saw it, his eyes widened in shock.

"This... This is Wehad’s journal."

"Yes. Check the last page."

Leon’s /N_o_v_e_l_i_g_h_t/ fingers trembled slightly as he flipped to the final entry.

There, written in Wehad’s familiar handwriting, was his last wish.

A desperate plea:

"Leon Vanzar, if you are reading this, please stop Ragna Eckrion. Do not let him defile the Equinox Knights any further."

The moment he finished reading, Leon’s breath hitched.

It was real.

It was all real.

Slowly, he looked back up at Seong.

Seong met his gaze evenly and spoke.

"I found it while hunting near the cliffside."

It was the truth.

After reading Wehad’s memories as a spirit, he had gone to the cliff himself and recovered the journal.

It had been the first step in triggering this quest.

But in the end, whether or not Leon believed him had always been a gamble.

Seong waited.

And after a long, tense silence—

Leon closed his eyes, then nodded.

"...Alright. I’ll trust you."

"But be warned—Ragna Eckrion is not someone you can take lightly."

"I understand," Seong replied. "Which is why I need a letter of recommendation to infiltrate the Equinox Knights."

Leon’s expression darkened immediately.

He frowned deeply.

A recommendation?

For this foreigner?

The very idea was absurd.

Even if he wrote one, only a knight would be allowed to use it.

This young man was strong—he could tell as much.

But he was no knight.

"Even if I gave you a recommendation, only an official knight could use it. You don’t have—"

"I have a knighthood," Seong interrupted smoothly.

"......?"

Leon froze.

A foreigner? With a knighthood?

His confusion was plain on his face.

Seong only grinned.