Episode 41
[You have obtained ‘Forbidden Tome – Volume 2 (Epic)’.]
[You have obtained ‘Corrupted Black Armor (Heroic)’.]
But that wasn’t the end.
[You have received 35,000P in place of the ‘First Achievement Reward’.]
[You have received 2,500P in place of the ‘Streak Bonus’.]
[You have received 478,700P as compensation for ‘Unnecessary Point Consumption’.]
[Current Points: 1,489,044P]
Still, it didn’t end there.
[The ‘Crimson Oath’ has been established.]
[Player Hyun Do-yoon’s obligations are as follows:]
Do not use the ability ‘Repair’ on the Dark Baron.
Do not, under any circumstances, re-enter The Trial of the Dark Hall.
Do not reveal any details experienced in The Trial of the Dark Hall by any means.
In return, the reward is as follows:
[‘7th Pillar of the Demon Legion, Yolakdang’ honors the Crimson Oath.]
[You have received a scroll: ‘Abyss Strike (Heroic)’.]
[You have received a scroll: ‘Phantom Mist (Heroic)’.]
Do-yoon’s lips curled into a grin.
An unexpected harvest.
See? You should’ve just ended it peacefully with points. Instead, you resisted and got completely screwed.
But even this wasn’t the end!
[You have acquired a new Skill.]
[Demonic Energy Conversion (AAA)]: Compress and refine Dark Mana into its purest form, elevating it into Demonic Energy.
Demonic Energy: A superior form of Dark Mana. Far more powerful and lethal.
Using this skill consumes Mental Strength and Stamina.
Causes accumulated damage to both soul and body.
[You have awakened a new Trait.]
[Elemental Affinity – Black Flame (AA)]: The condensed power of Black Flame merges with you.
Increases Dark Mana Resistance and Fire Resistance.
Dark Mana consumption reduced by 10%.
Increases the potency of Fire-type abilities.
[Elemental Resonance – Black Flame (AA)]: Dark Mana and Fire harmonize and resonate.
Dark Mana gains an incineration effect. Fire gains an infusion of dark energy.
Can generate Black Flame through the fusion of Dark Mana and Fire.
Black Flame: An unquenchable cursed flame.
The Dark Baron’s heart, the Dark Essence,
was merely a source capable of producing Demonic Energy.
But the tool Do-yoon had drawn out hinted at a chilling possibility in Yolakdang’s mind.
An analytical edge sharp enough to pierce the core of Demonic Energy itself.
The risk of exposing the very origin of all demonic beings!
For Yolakdang, this was a state of emergency that could never be tolerated.
Thanks to that, even more bonus rewards rolled in.
An AAA-tier skill and two AA-tier traits? Not bad at all.
But this result went beyond mere grades.
These were keys that could unlock new potential in Dark Mana, a force previously held only by demons.
[The Demon of Gluttony has grown hostile toward you.]
[The Demon of Sloth has grown hostile toward you.]
[The Demon of Masochism has grown hostile toward you.]
[The Demon of Delusion has grown hostile toward you.]
……
……
Although this drew scorching attention, Do-yoon didn’t care.
I’m not going to cower just because they’re called Constellations.
By the time they start exerting influence on the surface, he would no longer be the same person he was now.
Of course, he had already secured his safety nets.
[The obligations of ‘7th Pillar of the Demon Legion, Yolakdang’ are as follows:]
Do not harm Player Hyun Do-yoon or anyone close to him in any way.
Do not leak any information regarding Player Hyun Do-yoon outside of Yolakdang.
Swoooosh…
As the message faded, the Dark Hall began to scatter into grains of sand, dissolving into the air.
It seemed to carry the bitter regret of failing to plunge the guests into darkness and the lingering ache of losing an Apostle.
The twisted, sinister stage of trials gradually disappeared.
Thud.
Do-yoon’s feet touched the stone floor of the abandoned cathedral once more.
Dust-filled air.
Sunlight filtering through shattered stained glass.
Reality, huh.
Though overwhelming events had just swept through, barely any time had passed outside.
Walter’s anxious gaze from where he leaned against the cathedral wall proved this.
“You… cleared it?”
Walter’s voice was a mixture of doubt and expectation.
“You can see for yourself.”
Do-yoon jerked his chin toward the altar.
Walter hesitated briefly, then almost rushed to the mural behind the altar and placed his hand on it.
[This is a land imbued with trials.]
The same challenge message appeared as before.
“Ah…!”
Walter’s eyes widened briefly, then an awkward smile touched his lips.
“Forgive me. I revealed too much of myself.”
“If I were in your shoes, I’d have danced for joy too.”
Do-yoon shrugged.
“Make sure you clear the third stage.”
“What a vicious structure this is. To present such absurd choices…”
“Trials aren’t called trials for nothing.”
“What will you do now? Thinking of retrying?”
“I’m done here.”
Do-yoon kept his words to himself.
He wanted to drop at least one hint, but the Crimson Oath sealed his lips tight.
“I’ll be going now.”
“Wait.”
Walter called after him.
“I meant it when I said I’d repay you through action instead of apologies. If you need anything, tell me anytime. I’ll help however I can.”
Hmmm?
An unexpected offer.
No reason to refuse.
“I’ll remember that.”
Do-yoon gave a brief reply and turned away without hesitation.
The ticking of a clock seemed to echo in his ears.
His steps were already moving toward his next goal.
Walter watched his back with a complicated expression.
He had no way of knowing—
that the enigmatic young man had swept every unimaginable extra reward from the trial.
Nor that, from this moment onward, Do-yoon had begun a battle against time where not a single second could be wasted.
On the return flight.
Victor sat beside Do-yoon.
I’m dying of curiosity.
He still didn’t know what deal had passed between Walter and Do-yoon.
But he didn’t dare ask.
Do-yoon’s aura had become far deeper, darker, and heavier than before.
So much that even Victor, an AA-tier awakened, felt chills run down his spine.
Why the hell do I have to stick next to this terrifying guy?
Victor heaved deep sighs, brooding over the reason for this uncomfortable companionship.
“Looks like we need to learn more about Hyun Do-yoon. Stay close to him.”
Victor tilted his head.
“Uh… I thought we already secured almost all the wanted-grade equipment. What else is there to see?”
Walter’s eyes sank into thought.
“You know as well as I do. Even when I changed the terms to include ritual gear, he didn’t bat an eye.”
“Ah, that… Well, since it was you saying it, I trusted him. If it had been someone else, I’d have laughed in their face.”
He pulled those items out as if he had them prepared all along.
Victor couldn’t understand it either.
“Gear that even national governments struggle to secure… and a mere awakened pulls it out in seconds?”
No matter how famous he was as a monster-hunting specialist, that was impossible.
Victor swallowed dryly.
“Does he have some insane network? He’d have to be a serious player…”
“There is one possibility.”
Walter’s eyes gleamed sharply.
“Someone whose status as an awakened is uncertain… yet beyond comprehension.”
The same name flashed through both their minds.
The one who had shaken the Earth Channel like a comet.
A giant shrouded in absolute secrecy.
‘The Global Merchant—D!’
Victor asked, suspicion heavy in his voice:
“They operate in completely different spheres and in totally different ways. Could there really be any link between them?”
“We can’t be certain yet. But I have a strangely strong feeling—they’re connected somehow.”
A faint, meaningful smile curved Walter’s lips.
“Hyun Do-yoon… Perhaps he holds secrets far greater and deeper than we imagined.”
Victor drew in a sharp breath.
Walter’s words were never to be taken lightly.
But even so…
“Why do I have to take on that mission?”
“Simple, Victor. You’re the only one who speaks Korean.”
“That excuse again…!”
Setting aside the mountain of rewards for now,
Do-yoon checked the most important item first.
[Forbidden Tome – Volume 1 (Epic)]
The first volume of the forbidden knowledge passed down by the ancient Tenebris Order. Contains the methods for forming and refining the Dark Core, as well as the foundational principles of necromancy.
The memory of Erast Walter’s undead beast legion was still vivid.
That overwhelming tide blanketing the campus.
And that was just basic necromancy.
[Forbidden Tome – Volume 2 (Epic)]
The second volume of forbidden knowledge. Holds advanced dark refinement techniques and the arcane secrets of high necromancy. The final chapter to complete the power of darkness.
[Both volumes of the Forbidden Tome have been assembled.]
[Would you like to merge the two into one? Y/N]
Merge.
Responding to Do-yoon’s will,
the two tomes appeared in his vision and began to vibrate violently.
Flash!
Light burst from every gap between their pages.
Dense mist of darkness seeped from Volume 1.
From Volume 2, thick, blood-red energy erupted.
Rumble!
The two opposing forces whirled and intertwined.
Soon, the light and sound subsided, revealing—
a thick, leather-bound book exuding an eerie chill.
Its pitch-black cover bore bizarre runes engraved in relief.
[Necrcodex (Legendary)]
A necromantic grimoire governing death and souls. From the basics of creating and refining the Dark Core to the profound secrets for reigning as a lord of the dead. A complete compendium of necromancy and forbidden wisdom.
A legendary dark grimoire.
He had finally secured his second foundation.
One that could stand shoulder-to-shoulder with martial arts!
[You have unlearned dark magic. Would you like to learn it? Y/N]
Learn.
The moment Do-yoon chose Y without hesitation—
Bzzzzzt!
The pages flipped open on their own, and the vast ocean of dark knowledge poured into him.
[You possess Dark Mana 1 (+1).]
[Commencing formation of the Dark Core.]
[You have achieved Condensed Demon Foundation (凝魔築基).]
[Dark Mana has increased: 1 → 3.]
Two days later, deep in a mountain with not a single light.
Do-yoon sat cross-legged on a broad rock.
Hissss—
Around him, gray-black mana surged like rising flames.
The Demon Foundation stage is already at perfection.
His training in dark magic, begun on the plane, had continued unbroken throughout his return and into this secluded mountain.
He had forgotten sleep and food.
Even now, every ounce of his focus was on his Dark Core.
Thump—!
Deep within his chest, the Dark Core pulsed.
The foundation of demon cultivation.
The first step of Dark Refinement.
The Dark Core had sprouted like a tiny sapling breaking through soil.
But his face still brimmed with thirst.
This is nowhere near enough. I need to reach the next stage.
[Dark Mana: 3 → 10]
[Cost: 5,550P. Would you like to enhance this stat? Y/N]
Enhance.
The Dark Core in his chest blazed hot, spewing darkness through his entire being.
Dark energy tried to circulate along his meridians like blood…
but that was as far as it went.
It fell short by 2%.
It surged to the brink of explosion, then—snap!—hit an invisible wall and stopped.
To achieve true demonic circulation…
Do-yoon lowered his head, razor-focused.
[Dark Mana: 10 → 15]
[Cost: 27,500P. Would you like to enhance this stat? Y/N]
The moment he paid the points—
Whoooosh!
Like a dam bursting—
a surge of darkness unlike anything before roared through him.
The Dark Core was no longer a sapling.
It had become a towering tree.
Its black roots sprawled into his limbs.
Dense Dark Mana seeped into every cell.
His body brimmed with the power of darkness.
“…!”
The old order shattered.
A new law etched itself across his being.
A transcendent sensation.
A new realm of Dark Refinement.
[You have achieved Total Body Demonic Flow (全身行魔).]
[Achievement unlocked! Elite Dark Sorcerer.]
[Achievement Reward granted.]
A new Trait has awakened.
[Dark Circulation (B)]: Having reached the realm of Total Body Demonic Flow, your dark mana flow becomes more refined and stable.
Dark Mana side effects: -15%
Dark magic casting speed: +10%
[Achievement unlocked! Black Dual Blades?!]
[Achievement Reward granted.]
You have obtained a new Title.
[Dark Swordmaster (AA)]: Two blades—Inner Energy and Dark Mana—no longer clash, their edges honed razor-sharp.
As your realm rises, interference between the two forces decreases.
When perfectly balanced, interference decreases even further.
Current Inner Energy Efficiency: 100% | Dark Mana Efficiency: 88%
“Phew…”
Do-yoon exhaled.
The dark energy swirling around him slid back into his body.
Two streams flowed through him—Inner Energy and Dark Mana.
Finally…
He opened his eyes, a cold gleam flickering in them.
…It’s time to tame it.
His entire journey to Germany had been for this very moment.
And beyond that, to ensure complete cooperation for his next plan.
That measure was—
Do-yoon traced a gesture in the air with his fingertips.
[Summon – ‘Seed of the Phantom Spirit’]
