The Game of the Greatest Black Mage

[Translator - Prøks]

[Proofreader - Prøks]

Chapter 68

A phrase suddenly surfaced in Seonghyun's mind.

Reflecting on that phrase, he could deduce, at the very least, that this NPC who could easily be mistaken for a ghost, was an important character within the game's world.

'A potential clue to a hidden quest?'

It wasn't a hidden quest yet.

However, the possibility existed that he could unlock a hidden quest by fulfilling this NPC's request.

He was currently occupied with another quest, which did present a slight dilemma.

However, the River Troll's webbed feet quest, requiring him to collect twenty of them, was one he could afford to tackle at a leisurely pace.

Therefore, seizing the opportunity to potentially acquire a new hidden quest seemed like a worthwhile endeavor.

As Seonghyun reached this decision, the NPC spoke.

"Naturally, I'll compensate you for your assistance! Let me see... you appear to be a black mage, so I shall reward you with a black magic skill book!"

She attempted to entice him with what seemed like a casual offer of compensation.

However, Seonghyun was not so easily swayed.

He narrowed his eyes, sensing something amiss.

"......?"

Seonghyun's current attire was undeniably that of a swordsman.

He carried a long sword at his hip, and a dagger, his secondary weapon, was also fastened at his waist.

Furthermore, he had replaced Young Helena’s Staff with the Giant's Strength Belt, which he now wore.

Therefore, there was absolutely no way he could be mistaken for a mage.

And yet, this NPC had seen through his disguise and identified him as a black mage in a single glance?

This was no ordinary NPC.

He briefly considered simply moving on, but his curiosity ultimately proved too strong to resist.

Seonghyun found himself compelled to ask,

"How did you discern that I am a black mage?"

"Oh? Well... it's quite obvious, isn't it?"

"......???"

"Ah! You see, I possess a special skill that allows me to perceive the mana residing within others! With such an immense and potent reservoir of mana as you possess, you could only be a mage, and this mana, so powerful and domineering, could only be black mana. Therefore, it was only logical for me to conclude that you are a black mage!"

"Oh ho."

Seonghyun offered a brief exclamation of surprise.

He had never even conceived of the existence of such a skill.

He wondered if it was, perhaps, a common ability.

If so, then his efforts at concealing his true identity would be entirely futile, he realized.

"Ah, this particular skill is, as far as I am aware, unique to me. I don't believe you have any cause for concern."

"I see."

"Hehe, ah! In any case, if you would be so kind as to assist me, I will gladly reward you with a black magic skill book!"

The offered compensation seemed quite generous indeed.

While the skill book's rank was undoubtedly a factor, skill books themselves were inherently valuable items, so accepting the offer could only be advantageous.

"Very well. I will assist you."

From the moment he found she had the possibility of a clue to a hidden quest, he had already resolved to offer his aid.

Upon hearing Seonghyun's ready agreement, the NPC beamed and removed the hood that had obscured her features.

Long, luxurious hair then cascaded down, spilling forth in abundance.

Was it a girl?

No, that wasn't right.

He almost panicked, but upon closer inspection, that wasn't the case.

While the boy still had an androgynous appearance due to his youth, he was, without a doubt, a boy.

Oblivious to Seonghyun's near moment of confusion, the boy smiled brightly and spoke.

"I'm Flingky. It's nice to meet you!"

"Ah, I'm Seonghyun."

"Hehe, so, what I need help with is, well, I need some River Troll blood. Quite a bit, actually. Would you be able to help me with that?"

[You have fulfilled the conditions for a hidden quest.]

[The hidden quest, 『A Somewhat Peculiar Boy』 has been generated.]

『A Somewhat Peculiar Boy』

→《Hidden - Rare》

→Linked Quest.

→You encountered a boy named Flingky, who was dozing off in the grasslands. The boy has asked you, whom he happened to meet, for assistance, and he seems quite grateful for your ready agreement.

Assist the boy in obtaining River Troll blood.

→Restriction: Users who have encountered the peculiar boy, Flingky.

→Reward: Skill book exclusive to Black Mages, Increased Favor with the peculiar boy, Flingky.

→Failure: Decreased Favor with the peculiar boy, Flingky.

*The rank of the reward will vary depending on the quest's outcome.

Seonghyun hadn't even given an affirmative response, but the quest window had already appeared.

It seemed the game had preemptively assumed he wouldn't refuse, given how far he'd already come.

Seonghyun glanced at the quest window and nodded.

"Coincidentally, I was just on my way to hunt River Trolls myself, so this works out perfectly."

"Oh!? That's great!!!"

Flingky, visibly delighted, grinned widely.

Observing Flingky's reaction, Seonghyun once again turned his attention to the quest window.

The reward's rank will vary depending on the outcome

In other words, if he performed well, he might even obtain a skill book rarer than "Rare."

Seonghyun was pleased with this unexpected gain.

However, the sun was already beginning to set.

He needed to hurry.

'It's not that I absolutely can't play the game late.'

But he had an appointment tomorrow.

So, if he wanted to log in before his appointment, he needed to get to sleep a little earlier.

Furthermore, he was also a little concerned about Flingky.

'He's still quite young, after all.'

If it got too late, wouldn't his parents start to worry?

Since he was an NPC, though...

Considering even that, it would probably be best to wrap things up quickly.

He had originally intended to enjoy the scenery a bit more as he traveled.

However, it seemed time would be a bit tight.

He'd have to use a different method.

With this decision made,

Soon after, the thoughts of the Ash Crows were transmitted to Anemor and Karisha.

The distance wasn't as far as one might have thought.

They traversed the distance in an instant.

As the scenery, viewed from high above, blurred past like a fleeting image, Flingky expressed a hint of regret.

Even so, he didn't resort to whining or complaining.

From their first encounter, Seonghyun had sensed that he was quite mature for his age.

'Though he does have moments where he seems like a child,'

Even as they flew at high speed, Seonghyun could see their intended destination.

Where the Ash Crows were gathered, there were monsters with enormous builds.

Should they be called merfolk?

Or perhaps fish-people?

In any case, there were giants covered in fish scales, possessing webbed feet and fins.

There seemed to be quite a number of them, and it looked as though the Ash Crows had driven them to this location.

Observing these creatures, Seonghyun's eyes lit up, and he activated a skill.

He happened to have acquired a new skill recently, after all.

Kwaaaaaaaaaaaaa!

A fierce, blood-colored storm raged forth, and the fish-people giants.

No.

The River Trolls gathered there, were all swept away by the blood-colored tempest.

[Critical Hit!] x23

[The effect of 『One Strike!』 has been activated!] x23

Perhaps it was because they possessed tenacious regenerative abilities and vitality?

They weren't completely annihilated by the storm of blood.

However, that was perfectly fine.

The Ash Crows, emitting a greenish mist and scattering gray powder, were already on the scene.

"Uwoooooooock!"

"Uwooooguhhhh!"

"Kuhhhhhhgeong!"

The Ash Crows' ash slowed down the trolls' regeneration, and the venomous poison exploited this opening, corroding their bodies.

Their bodies melted away from the potent corrosive poison.

The River Trolls instantly had half their bodies melted away and collapsed.

Thump! Thud! Splash!

As they fell one by one, numerous experience notifications appeared before Seonghyun.

[You have gained experience!] x23

[Level Up!]

[You have reached Level 65.]

"Oh."

His level had conveniently increased as well.

A satisfying hunt.

However...

"Hmm, I wonder if I can extract their blood?"

A sudden worry arose in his mind.

He hadn't used an explosive attack, primarily to ensure that he could collect their blood and webbed feet.

However, the River Trolls had been quite thoroughly ravaged.

While he had deactivated the poison, they were still in a tattered state.

As Seonghyun looked at Flingky with a slightly troubled expression,

Flingky, on the contrary, looked at Seonghyun with sparkling eyes and said,

"Wow! W-was that poison just now?! It looked like you finished them off with that and the unique effect of the undead, and that blood storm, oh, it was amazing!!!"

"Yes? Ah, t-thank you."

He had been worried that he wouldn't be able to collect the blood, but Flingky was just expressing admiration.

Feeling a bit embarrassed, Seonghyun watched as Flingky gaped at the scene.

Anyway, that wasn't the important thing.

"In that state, will it still be possible to collect their blood?"

Seonghyun asked, just in case.

Fortunately,

Flingky nodded and replied,

"Yes! River Trolls are still a type of troll, so their blood wouldn't have all dried up even after taking that much damage. There should be more than enough to extract!!! More than that, to take on so many trolls of that size all at once……!!!"

He seemed genuinely impressed, shivering with delight.

It seemed things were going well.

Seonghyun felt a bit relieved.

"Then I'll extract the blood! Is there anything you need, Seonghyun? I can butcher them as well!!!"

"I'll take care of the butchering."

"Come on! You took care of catching them all, Seonghyun, I'd get criticized if I didn't even do the butchering!"

"Hmm."

He was worried that entrusting everything to the seemingly young Flingky would make him the one who was criticized instead,

But since Flingky insisted,

Seonghyun didn't refuse a second time.

"Then I'll leave it in your capable hands."

"Hehehe, an excellent choice! Then let me show you my skills!"

Flingky, acting a bit playful, landed on the ground from Karisha and then took something out of his subspace bag.@@novelbin@@

Tools that looked even better than the butchering tool set Seonghyun possessed.

Wasn't he just pretending to be capable?

And observing his butchering technique,

It was no ordinary skill.

The hand movements were like those of a master butcher who had been doing it for decades.

Even recalling the memories of the hunter Apic, there were few who possessed such skill.

Just what is this kid?

As this question arose in his mind,

Flingky had already mostly finished butchering and was extracting the blood.

To have finished already.

Seonghyun was briefly amazed.

Flingky, having finished extracting the blood in no time, wiped his forehead as if wiping away non-existent sweat.

"Whew! All done!!! I'll give you all the other byproducts besides the blood!!!"

So saying, Flingky handed over all the fins, bones, meat, webbed feet, and so on that came from the River Trolls.

To not covet such a large amount,

Instead, Flingky, looking at Seonghyun with a bright smile, took out a book from his subspace bag and handed it to Seonghyun.

"Here's your payment!!!"

[You have received the reward for the hidden quest, 『A Somewhat Peculiar Boy』.]

[Flingky is extremely satisfied!!!]

[The existing reward has been greatly enhanced.]

[You have acquired the Unique-rank skill book, 『Skill Book - The Self in Darkness』.]

A Unique-rank skill book as a reward?

As soon as he received it, Seonghyun began to seriously ponder.

'Just who is this kid, really?'

[Translator - Prøks]

[Proofreader - Prøks]