The Game of a Legendary Genius Dark Mage-Chapter 236

1.

At the center of the continent where all lands were connected, there lay a desolate landscape, devoid of any sensation.

A vast expanse stretched out, where not even a single plant or living creature was allowed to thrive.

This place was known as the "Void Zone," the most secretive and serene place in the world, where nothing could survive.

In the center of this area, stood a single, solitary structure. Its origins, era, and design were unknown, but it loomed magnificently in the heart of the Void Zone.

And now, within that very building, a few beings were beginning to gather.

If one were to witness these beings radiating unusual energy, they might describe them as beings that transcended life itself.

Beings beyond the rulers.

Beings beyond reason.

Beings who had reached a level that could only be attained by surpassing everything else.

The nine heroes were beginning to assemble, one by one.

As each hero took their place around the round table, they glanced toward the one remaining empty seat.

【Is he still not here?】

A voice, half-transparent and brimming with the energies of nature, spoke. It was not a voice that seemed like it belonged in this world.

Mysterious and perhaps even frightening, yet none of those gathered here felt fear.

They were all transcendental beings.

[As expected, the one who is rarely seen...]

Another voice, like a resonance or echo, responded. This one sounded ethereal, as though it were made of mana.

“...”

As the two heroes spoke, the third hero, holding a sword, scowled.

Despite the call bringing everyone here, the one who had summoned them was late.

He wanted to say something, but he could not bring himself to.

The empty seat was reserved for someone whose power was so immense that even the heroes present dared not challenge it.

They all sat in silence, waiting.

Before long, chaos began to swirl in the air.

The confusion that gathered was something even the assembled heroes struggled to handle alone.

It coalesced into a form.

A being who appeared both childlike and elderly, neither distinctly male nor female, embodying pure chaos itself. It surveyed the room arrogantly.

It was none other than Black Star, the leader of Overpalace and the highest of the nine heroes. freewebnøvel.com

He had arrived.

He casually seated himself in the empty spot and spoke.

“Everyone has arrived.”

Despite being the last to arrive, his presence immediately commanded awe.

Though many Hero Assemblies had been held before, the positions of the heroes had changed frequently over the years.

Some had perished due to the passage of time, while others had exhausted their strength or fallen in battle.

Yet there was one seat that had never been filled by another.

Since the birth of the nine heroes, Black Star’s seat had never been replaced.

Even after hundreds of years, no one had dared challenge his position.

None wanted to become enemies of Overpalace.

And so, they all waited quietly.

“The reason I’ve called you here is simple. I plan to awaken Apophis, the legendary being, and create a festival for the outsiders.”

【.......】

[Hmm.]

“...”

Everyone fell silent as Black Star’s words hung in the air.

Apophis.

Wasn't that the demon god sealed away by the gods long ago?

And now, Black Star was proposing to awaken it and bring about a festival for the outsiders?

One might have shouted that it was the ramblings of a madman, but no one dared say a word.

No one could question Black Star’s words.

But one hero spoke up.

“...Are you really opening Apophis to the outsiders?”

The hero holding a sword spoke, his tone filled with disbelief.

This hero, known as the Sword Saint, was one of the most famous warriors—Rochein Delgard Rieskan.

At his words, the other heroes glanced at him, as if wondering if he was out of his mind.

He was the youngest among the heroes, having recently ascended to their ranks. Perhaps his confidence had led him to speak up recklessly.

The others looked at him with expressions of disbelief.

This wasn’t something they had to stop, nor did it have anything to do with them. So why speak out?

But Rochein, sensing their disdain, responded with irritation.

“Apophis, the legendary black serpent sealed by the gods, was unable to unleash its original power. Now you want to give it to the outsiders? Won’t that benefit them?”

His words seemed to scold the heroes, as if questioning why they would hand over something so significant to the outsiders.

Some of the other heroes, though wary of Black Star’s gaze, couldn’t help but agree with Rochein.

It wasn’t a bad point.

The outsiders, after all, were nothing more than insignificant beings at the moment.

Sure, there was potential, but even those who had gained the power of a ruler could only use a fraction of that power. Why give such a thing to them?

Rochein’s objection was valid.

And even some of the heroes seemed to silently agree, glancing at Black Star.

However, Black Star simply turned his gaze toward Rochein.

That was all.

He merely looked at him.

But that was enough.

“...!!!”

The moment their eyes met, Rochein felt the space around him twist and compress as though it were closing in on him.

It wasn’t physically happening, but the overwhelming pressure made him feel like he might explode at any moment.

He immediately drew his sword, a weapon capable of cutting through space itself.

Yet even as he held it, the suffocating pressure didn’t relent.

“—!?”

With the sword in his hand, the Sword Saint was perplexed by the ever-increasing pressure, unable to reduce it.

Looking at the Sword Saint, Black Star spoke.

Everything—vision, thoughts—felt chaotic, and despite the overwhelming sensation of not being able to speak, Black Star's voice rang out chillingly clear.

"I am not asking for permission."

"..."

Was this a declaration?

From one hero to another?

As he observed the reaction to such an arrogant statement, the other heroes remained still, as if this were expected.

The Sword Saint, unable to fathom that this was the first time such an assembly had gathered, turned his gaze toward Black Star, unable to stop himself from looking.

And then he saw it.

"..."

Before him stood an endless chaos, something he dared not even approach.

He could never oppose it alone.

That was a monster.

Three heroes? No, even that wouldn't suffice.

At least five would be necessary to contend with it.

And all of them would need to risk their lives to stand a chance against such a creature.

Realizing its true nature, the Sword Saint's strength left him, and Black Star turned his gaze away.

"I believe you will ❀ Nоvеlігht ❀ (Don’t copy, read here) all understand why I am opening Apophis to the outsiders instead of using it for my own selfish purposes."

At these words, each hero nodded.

【Indeed, my disciple will be pleased.】

[Among my disciples, there is an outsider as well.]

"Who here does not have an outsider among their disciples?"

The Sword Saint bit his lip at the words of the other three heroes.

There were no outsiders among his disciples.

Why had these transcendent heroes, who had reached such a level, taken outsiders as their disciples?

He didn’t even want to understand.

The Sword Saint only wanted to escape the humiliation of this situation.

As all the heroes silently accepted, Black Star spoke again.

This translation is the intellectual property of Novelight.

"I will awaken Apophis."

All the heroes nodded, but only the Sword Saint bit his lip and lowered his head, shivering in place.

As he looked at the Sword Saint, Black Star thought, “He still plans to do something foolish with the heroes.”

For a moment, Black Star considered eliminating the foolish hero, but shook his head internally.

It doesn’t matter.

The successor has already begun to make their move.

A mere being like himself should never interfere with the plans of such a great figure.

After no further topics were raised, the Hero Assembly ended, and the heroes who had gathered from across the continents slowly began to leave.

Naturally, the Sword Saint was the first to depart.

As he watched the other heroes leave, Black Star whispered with amusement.

"I wonder how far the other disciples can reach the successor. It will be interesting to see."

With that, Black Star stood, and the two heroes who remained by his side bowed their heads.

【Finally, we will be able to present the successor with a grand gift.】

[With all the heroes cooperating, the will of the world will be unstoppable.]

One was a being who embodied the energies of nature, resembling a fairy, and the other was a being formed from the convergence of mana, known as the King of Mages.

Both of them, known as the King of Spirits and the King of Mages, bowed before Black Star.

Although Black Star was their superior, such devotion was possible only because they were members of Overpalace.

Looking at the two, Black Star nodded.

"Apophis will take several days to awaken. Until then, gather your disciples."

【We will do so.】

[Of course.]

With their words, Black Star nodded again.

There was still one remaining, but he thought that person would manage well on their own.

Soon, Black Star moved to another place, as things would get busier once Apophis was awakened.

As he turned and left, Black Star found himself within Overpalace, smiling as he felt the dormant power of Apophis.

"I will offer this up."

Only for their new master.

2.

The Hero Assembly.

Although it was more of a formal notification than an actual meeting, when it ended, Seong emerged from his capsule, deep in thought.

Apophis.

According to what Kalina had explained to him, the Hero Assembly had been held to awaken Apophis for Seong’s benefit.

The scale of this had truly surprised him.

Nonetheless, it seemed like it would help him.

So, this is an event that people of all levels will be able to participate in.

And now, Seong was supposed to be given special rewards...

But to get them, he needed to reach level 200.

Fortunately, Overpalace had prepared a hunting ground, so it didn’t seem like it would be that difficult.

However.

I suppose I’ll need to inform others about this.

Since he had already gathered the information, it seemed best to share it with the guild.

By sharing the information, Seong wouldn’t lose anything.

After all, it seemed like Seong was stepping onto a stage prepared by Overpalace.

It didn’t matter.

Even if Seong searched the Eternal World homepage or communities, there was no mention of Apophis.

But, since it was the same guild, wouldn’t this be the right time to help each other out?

Seong was thinking about contacting Rapid and An Yujin when, just then, Yujin emerged from her capsule and asked as she saw Seong.

"Seong, aren’t you going to eat? What are you doing?"

Hearing this, Seong briefly glanced at Yujin before considering her words.

Once he reached the necessary level, Yujin would participate too.

Since the event would be divided by levels...

Will there be battles between solo rankers?

That thought was quite appealing to him.