The Game of the Greatest Black Mage

[Translator - Prøks]

[Proofreader - Prøks]

Chapter 116

Elves.

In the fantasy setting of Eternal World, they naturally make an appearance.

However, he had never even heard of elves being in the Dune Wild Trail.

Of course, actual NPC elves hadn't appeared.

Even so, it was quite surprising.

After all, it was known that elves originally didn't exist in this region.

'Feels like I've uncovered some history.'

A long time ago, elves lived in the Dune Wild Trail.

And it was none other than Leonik who brought about their destruction.

As Seonghyun turned to look at Leonik with this thought,

Despite being a skeleton, Leonik wore a proud expression as he bowed his head to Seonghyun.

It wasn't something to be praised for, though.

Anyway.

'Elven ghosts, huh.'

Perhaps the existence of ghosts means that actual elven NPCs might also exist.

Leonik did say they were all dead, but…

Maybe there are survivors somewhere?

A long time has passed, but…

Since elves are a long-lived race,

If they survived, there's a high possibility they're still alive.

Looking for them while he was here could be a bit of fun.

By the way.

'Not being able to know if my skill window and skill levels have gone up isn't easy.'

This is literally a field where you can only train.

He couldn't even know how much his skill levels had increased.

It could be frustrating in its own way, but…

Seonghyun didn't particularly care.

Either way, it seemed he would have to stay here for a while.

More than that…

-Ahem! Didn't you lose to me 83 times?!

-What!? Even if my record against you is worse, I have 30 more disciples than you!

-Hah!!! Both of you are worse than me, yet you talk so much!!!

-How about we decide who gets to teach first based on their age?!

-Is that an old man bragging about his age!? We're all dead anyway!!!

The elven knight ghosts had quite the sharp tongues.

It seemed like he needed to deal with these elven knight ghosts first.

As Seonghyun looked troubled,

-How dare you!!! Behave so recklessly in the presence of our lord!!! Are you so eager to be destroyed by me again!!!

Leonik's roar exploded.

Since Leonik was the one who had attacked this place before,

All of them could recognize Leonik's appearance.

However, instead of being scared, they merely snorted.

-Hmph! You're just a skeletal knight. If you weren't clinging to a noble, you'd be in the same predicament as us.

-You think we'd be afraid?

-Even if you possess powerful swordsmanship and strength, we will not yield!!!

Leonik and Fiora, already being ghosts themselves, glared at them as if to reprimand them.

Nocturnium, who wasn't a ghost, wore a bewildered expression.

Seonghyun had heard about handling ghosts and absorbing their power, but this was the first time experiencing it so directly.

It was only natural to be taken aback.

Dozens of ghosts, undeterred by Leonik's roar, were trying to rush forward.

And Leonik and Fiora also looked ready to charge in without backing down.

-Kuhahaha!!! You dare to challenge me, the loyal knight and Second Legion Commander of our lord!! You are far from worthy!!!

-Heeeh??? I-I think so tooooo……. I'll-I'll fight with you tooooo.

As an eerie aura emanated from Leonik and Fiora,

The ghosts flinched slightly.

They couldn't help but be surprised by the two's unusual intensity.

A hair-trigger situation.

Seonghyun first tried to calm them down.

"You guys calm down a bit, and you two over there, please calm down as well. I will decide the order."

-My apologies.

-Heeh……. S, sorry.

Leonik and Fiora immediately calmed down and bowed their heads.

-Ahem ahem. If that is what our lord desires…….

-Hmm, if the visitor says so, then that must be the case, right?

-That's a very fair method.

Everyone nodded in agreement with Seonghyun's words, albeit with somewhat reluctant expressions.

Being ghosts, they couldn't disobey Seonghyun's words.

It was only natural.

The same went for Leonik and Fiora.

Of course, both of them genuinely seemed to be repenting.

Leonik was anxiously wondering if his presumptuous behavior had displeased his master, and Fiora looked quite tearful.

'Feels like I'm taking care of children.'

Seonghyun shook his head with that thought.

He patted Fiora's head and told Leonik it was alright.

Anyway, the situation was settled for now.

As everyone listened to his words,

Seonghyun left them for the moment and began to look around the place where they would have to stay for a while.

The general structure that could be seen was a cluster of several spires forming a fortress-like area.

Some spires had collapsed, and about five looked intact.

Seeing that, having played Eternal World, he couldn't help but recognize it.

'Looks like that's some kind of gate.'

Just in case, he approached a spire.

[To attempt the Knight's Third Trial, you must first pass the previous trials.]

And just in case, he approached the first one.

A similar message appeared.

[You have not yet met the requirements to attempt the Knight's First Trial.]

'Not possible yet, huh.'

It seemed to be a structure that opened only after achieving certain conditions.

However, nothing specific was written.

Seeing that there wasn't even a small clue, he had a general idea.

These were probably conditions that would be gradually met while training.

Besides the spires, he looked around various other places.

A vast training ground, like a parade square, and several golems lying dormant there.

And even places where one could take various rests.

It was a more pleasant environment than expected.

'This place is quite good?'

Without telling the others, it would be quite useful to keep it for the guild.

Because skill proficiency wasn't increasing as easily as he thought.

Especially for Seonghyun.

Most of his skill levels were Legendary or Almighty rank.

The only skill Seonghyun had leveled up so far was the Death Aura, which had increased with Helena's help.

This was a very good opportunity.

Even though only swordsmanship skills could be improved.

'It could become quite a main skill?'

With that thought, Seonghyun looked around the various places and eventually found the training ground where he could practice.

It was late because of the time it took to clear the large-scale event, the Legion of Calamity, and the journey here.

But he would be able to train a little.

He had recently obtained Leonik's memories, so he could train based on that, but…

Was there really a need to do that?

The old saying "the more, the better" wasn't around for no reason.

As Seonghyun arrived at the training ground, he saw the excited faces of the ghosts.

There were quite a few, but Seonghyun looked at one ghost who seemed the most upright among them.

Unusually muscular for an elf.

It was clear that his swordsmanship had also developed in that direction.

Interestingly, despite that, he was quite handsome.

-Ooh!? Will you choose my swordsmanship!?

"Yes, I intend to."

As Seonghyun replied,

The burly elven ghost, overjoyed, danced around and approached Seonghyun.

As if making a bold promise, he thumped his chest and said,

-Kuhahaha! Well done! Well done! My swordsmanship is on a different level from those skinny weaklings.

"Skinny weaklings?"

-Right. Huh? Ah, aah.

The burly elven ghost momentarily looked at Seonghyun's body.

Only then did he realize that Seonghyun was a skinny figure who looked similar to the other elves.

He awkwardly scratched the back of his head and then…

He cleared his throat and corrected himself.

-Ahem, for someone of your stature, you have quite well-developed muscles compared to, uh, the less… robust.

He even added honorifics.

Well, anyway, that wasn't important.

What kind of swordsmanship did this ghost possess?

Seonghyun, with a face full of curiosity, reached out his hand towards the burly elven ghost.

Then.

Whoooooosh—!

A teal aura swirled and gathered from the burly elven ghost's body.

It flowed into Seonghyun's grasp.

Memories and experience.

He drew out and absorbed all of it.

The memories of the burly elven knight flooded into Seonghyun like a panorama.

"Ah!"

Countless swordsmanship techniques and the hall of knights in their prime.

He came to know all of it.

Even what the conditions for the trials were.

Having understood everything, Seonghyun recalled the burly elven knight's swordsmanship based on the memories that had flowed into him.

Then.

[You have accomplished something impossible at your current level with 'Unknown Power'.]

[Strength +8, Agility +2 have permanently increased.]

The same stat increase as the powerful royal knight ghost he had absorbed in the Crystal Palace.

This burly elven knight was also a knight of that caliber.

However, based on those memories, Seonghyun could tell.

That most of the dozens of knight spirits currently surrounding Seonghyun were no less skilled than this one.

Skill experience?

Of course, it was a tremendous opportunity.

But considering the stat points Seonghyun could gain here…

'This is amazing!'

This place was literally a goldmine.

As Seonghyun showed such interest,

The burly elven knight ghost laughed heartily and asked,

-Kuhahaha! How is it, noble one! Haven't you seen such magnanimous swordsmanship before? Kuhahaha!!! Although you are a mage, uh, ahem, no, since you are a mage, this kind of swordsmanship must be new to you, but what do you think? Won't you try it out?

The burly elven knight exclaimed with confidence.

He wasn't wrong.

Excluding Leonik, he indeed possessed the best swordsmanship skills.

Seonghyun certainly felt a desire to try it out quickly.

Naturally, Seonghyun drew his sword and immediately headed towards the golems that filled one side of the training ground.

However.

-Hmph? Noble one, I understand that you've gained a competitive spirit after acquiring such magnanimous swordsmanship, but wouldn't it be too much for a mage like you to face golems?

"Huh?"

-Wouldn't it be better to gradually increase your skill by practicing on those scarecrows over there before challenging the golems?

"???"

What was he talking about?

Seonghyun tilted his head slightly, looking puzzled.

Practice with scarecrows because he was a mage?

Well, since the burly elven ghost didn't know Seonghyun well,

It was possible.

Since it had come to this, he would have to show them directly.

-Hehehe.

Then, the burly elven ghost chuckled and looked at Seonghyun with an awkward expression.

Shouldn't they stop him now?

No, more than that.

-Hey, bonehead. Why aren't you stopping him? The noble could get hurt or suffer a great blow to his pride if he keeps doing that.

-Ahem ahem. Perhaps being a bonehead has made his eyesight deteriorate?

-And it's not like we can stop him either.

Not only the burly elven ghost but also the other ghosts were worried.

To them, Seonghyun, being a mage, inevitably seemed inexperienced.

Even though Seonghyun hadn't shown anything particularly impressive yet,

They couldn't help but worry based on their assumptions.

What if he lost interest in swordsmanship after this?

Their hearts were filled with such anxiety.

Just as everyone was worried like that,

Thud thud thud—!

A golem that had been inactive for a long time stood up, gripped its sword, and charged at Seonghyun, who had taken a stance.

Towards the charging wooden golem, Seonghyun unleashed the burly elven ghost's swordsmanship.

The charging wooden golem tried to block Seonghyun's downward slash by raising both arms as Seonghyun stepped forward.

However, wind pressure swirled around Seonghyun's sword like a storm, and Seonghyun immediately swung his sword fiercely.

The second strike landed much faster than the first, destroying the wooden golem's arms and leaving a long gash across its chest.

Clang clang clang clang——!

Truly dominant swordsmanship!

Just as the burly elven ghost had said, it was magnanimous swordsmanship.

"Hmm, it's certainly not bad?"

As Seonghyun expressed his satisfaction,

The elven knight ghosts stared at Seonghyun with their mouths wide open.

-Whaaaaaat!?!

-H-he got the memories and, and, just like that, in an instant!?!

-No, no way, such talent!?!?

-With such talent, why become a mage!?

Seeing everyone's astonishment, Leonik sneered and said,

-Don't you dare think that you pathetic lot can fathom the limits of our lord.

Feeling a refreshing sensation after a long time, Leonik shrugged his shoulders and thought to himself.

'He can even do that? Our lord is truly amazing.'

[Translator - Prøks]

[Proofreader - Prøks]