Make Dark Fantasy Great Again

It was like a glass of water handed to a thirsty person. Night of Deception Kroyen. News about her encouraged the High Priest of Oblivion who had been cornered. Kroyen's escape meant that even at this very moment, the White Shadow was steadily advancing toward its goal. Even if they kept him trapped in this place. No matter how much they struggled and fought Nothing would change. Yes. High Priest of Oblivion Byud was certainly thinking this way and regaining his lost composure. The boiling atmosphere of the place represented his state of mind. And- The suddenly subdued atmosphere of the place also represented his state of mind. "Ratsil, what did you just say-" Just then. They asked the messenger the same question with the same doubt. "Night of Deception Kroyen. The condition she demanded from Risir... was it that Risir should give up his arcane knowledge?" Byud felt inwardly relieved at their reaction, which was as confused as his own. Certainly. Given the circumstances, it seemed he wasn't in his right mind right now. -The condition she put forward is that someone receive her Arcane Magic! To have heard the messenger's statement that way just now. Night of Deception Kroyen. The arcane knowledge of mental magic she had uniquely achieved was something even High Priests who wielded the authority of Archdemons would covet. In some circles, such stories were even told about Kroyen's abilities. That the only way to overcome Deception's mental magic was for her to make a mistake. If there was anyone who knew better than anyone else the powerful value of such deceptive power- It would surely be Deception herself, the person in question. Her pride goes without saying. But. To give up freedom and return to prison only to demand 'Please take my arcane knowledge.' She even brought a gift to make a good impression. Information about the White Shadow cult. If that was true, then Deception's brief escape with the White Shadow cult's help would also be to secure a gift for them. "Ha!" A bitter laugh burst from Byud's mouth as he was sorting out the situation. Looking back, what an absurd fantasy this was. There was a limit to how unreasonable things could be. Therefore Byud was certain. He had definitely misheard. "No! She's not demanding Risir's arcane knowledge, but requesting that Risir take her arcane knowledge!" "Ratsil! What on earth- do you think such a thing makes any sense!?" "Yes? Isn't it quite possible?" "...Hmm, thinking about it, that's right." "Wait!?" Byud shouted without realizing it. What kind of thoughts did they have for such an answer to come out!? In the first place- 'It wasn't a mishearing!?' Byud, who was merely a naive demon follower, no longer had confidence to keep up with the situation. The demon follower was dumbfounded and- Could only stare at those heinous heroes where common sense didn't apply. *** The pure demon follower tried to protect himself among the heroes who were beings of chaos. By not being swayed by their flow that contaminated others' thoughts, and maintaining rational thinking. 'Maybe Deception is setting a trap and luring them...' When he took a step back like that, the situation looked positive unlike before. Kroyen. Who was she? An avatar of deception bearing the name of Deception. She was someone who had mastered deceptive tactics. Could there be anything more foolish than taking such a person's actions at face value? In other words, this is it. Now was not the time to be surprised by Deception's bizarre behavior of trying to give not only her liver and gall bladder but even her heart. It was time to be amazed at their foolishness in taking Deception's action of offering her heart at face value. High Priest of Oblivion Byud looked at the situation from such a rational perspective, and thanks to that, he was able to reach a rational conclusion. 'Right now. Those guys are being played by Deception. Deception is using their tendencies to lead the situation...' Byud rationally tried to predict the future flow. If those guys followed Deception, what would be waiting at the end? Really, would Deception meekly give up her arcane knowledge, which was like her heart? And would she reveal information about the cult that helped her escape as the so-called 'payment'? No. Rationally, there was no way that would happen. 'She plans to provide false information about the cult and use her arcane knowledge as bait to make them believe that false information...' Byud rationally inferred Deception's psychology and thoughts, and nodded his head satisfactorily. Now it felt like everything was falling into place. Approaching it from a rational perspective made it such a simple matter. Now there was only one thing Byud had to do. Maintain a rational attitude and just watch them being played by Deception's will. First. If contact between them and Deception occurred, the first action Deception would show was already decided. Like giving up her already mentioned arcane knowledge, she would make them anxious while never actually giving it up. -First! Promise me you'll master the magic book I gave to those elves! And promise to meet me soon to receive the transmission of arcane knowledge! Then I'll hand over the information about the White Shadow cult that I obtained! And she would subtly pass along information prepared in advance in coordination with the White Shadow cult. False information that would lead them to ruin. -And here! Information about their base! According to them, the cult plans to gather at that base soon to discuss the final direction of the grand plan! "Deception, have you truly gone mad!?" At Deception's following statement, the High Priest finally couldn't hold back and shouted. Because the information about the cult that Deception spoke was pure information without even a hint of deception mixed in. "What is the reason for this!? I'm asking how you became a lowly beast wagging its tail for the elves!!!" Byud was so flustered that he even forgot that his excited appearance gave credibility to Deception's information. He shouted in frustration toward the crystal rose on the desk - an artifact made by Lunadien. Naturally, no answer came back. Risir calmly continued his conversation with Deception. -...Just now, that voice. Was it a High Priest of the cult? "Yes, that's right. He calls himself High Priest of Oblivion Byud- do you know him by any chance?" -I don't know individual cultists, but I've heard about the Oblivion faction. Authority of Oblivion... they handle quite troublesome powers- you managed to capture him alive. A High Priest level one at that. How did you do it? "He tried to steal my true name to use as blackmail material, but since I have multiple true names, I was able to gain the upper hand!" -...You must absolutely keep your promise with me. The crystal rose lost its light, and with that, the conversation between the two ended. As Lunadien put away the artifact, Risir summarized the conversation's content in one sentence. "Looking at the High Priest's reaction, Deception's information seems to be true." "Ha, haha! Hahahaha!!! Uhahahahahaha!!!" The High Priest, who had been half out of his mind, began laughing madly. "Uhahahaha- ugh, uaaahhhhh!!! Uaaahhhhh!!!" Then his face turned bright red and he screamed at Risir. "..." "..." Everyone except Risir looked at him with a strange expression. Why was it? Even though he was clearly a dangerous element as a demon follower raging at Risir, why did feelings of empathy and pity come first? The frenzied flow of emotions from maniacal laughter to rage. Strangely, they could fully understand that flow of emotions. "You monster- what exactly, exactly what are you doing!!!" "Aren't you the ones doing something?" "I'm asking what you did to Deception!!! What kind of trick did you use to control her and disgrace our cult!!!" "That's right... what kind of change of heart occurred for her to suddenly try to help me-" "Ugh- uhhh...!!! Ughhhhhhhh-" Cough! The High Priest, who had been making sounds as if his insides were boiling, vomited hot blood. Blood flowed from his bloodshot eyes. His completely shattered mental state directly affected his aura, causing mana backflow. "You- Honorary Mage of the Gray Magic Tower Risir- you alone must definitely-...!" Those words could not be finished. The suppression that inhibited mana manipulation. High Priest of Oblivion Byud could not control the backflowing mana in the end and collapsed. "..." Risir, who had been quietly watching the High Priest, spoke to his companions. "For now, shall we try to revive him again?" "..." Pitying gazes were directed toward the fallen High Priest one by one. Then. Risir's gaze turned to Byud's belongings. Crystal of Oblivion. It was an object that contained someone's true name stolen through the Authority of Oblivion. "..." Byud's body twitched. Blood flowing from his body stained the floor. Crack- At the same time, the crystal cracked and the hazy aura trapped inside vanished. "Huh? Ah! Everyone, by any chance- do you remember that I am an Honorary Mage of the Gray Magic Tower?" "What kind of question is that? Of course we remember-" It was the moment they were about to answer without delay. "Remember-..." "Everyone!?" Risir opened his eyes wide and examined his companions' faces. Whoooosh- A hazy mist took the light from their eyes. *** [Title: But thinking about it again, this is ridiculous as fuck] Content: What the fuck, suddenly confiscating true names Really insane instant kill move Don't tell me To catch those Oblivion bastards, do I have to keep enduring this bullshit? -: What lol but would they really do that in a game made to be cleared? -[Author]: This is a game made to be cleared? Can you take responsibility for those words? -: It's definitely a game made to be cleared while feeling like absolute shit though? -: You're also cursing like hell and almost emptying your vessel too ㅇㅇ -[Author]: Ah -[Author]: There are so many beautiful and delicious things in the world, but why am I filling my stomach with this... -: Still, those Oblivion guys aren't completely without conscience ㅇㅇ That Curse of Oblivion is quite a finishing move They tore off one arm to recover the fragment and used it as an instant kill -[Author]: If their conscience doesn't die even when using instant kills, just how tough is it -[Author]: But wait One arm? That sounds like there's still one arm left? Don't tell me another instant kill like this is coming? -: What the fuck, just because they tore off one arm doesn't mean one arm is left Do you think the game is a joke? -[Author]: Ah lol right? -: For real, what one arm is left Two legs, torso, and even the head are left -: Something big is coming... -[Author]: I just want something big to happen What could be bigger than true name sealing anyway For now I changed my representative character ㅇㅇ -: What the fuck, is this guy a pro gamer -: Nobody told him but look at him detecting the killing intent and stubbornly changing it for real; Playing the game like shit -: He's already changed it before telling us Now it's coming to hack that true name -[Author]: What the hell is true name hacking ㅅㅂ -: Base representative character replaced with something called 'Avatar of Oblivion' -[Author]: Don't tell me hacking means My character is going crazy? And I have to kill him? -: Yes -: That Avatar of Oblivion Is basically like an OC daughter character from fanfiction who outshines the original protagonist He pushes out the original memories with perfect memories from illusions And takes over that true name ㅇㅇ -: That's basically the Oblivion cult leader boss fight *** "Everyone!" "Huh...?" It was hazy as if fog had settled in their minds. Risir's companions, who had been dominated by such sensations, came to their senses at a surprisingly beautiful voice. When they turned their gaze toward the direction the voice came from- "What are you all thinking so deeply about?" There stood a person with perfect looks as if drawn in a painting. ...It was Risir. "..." They felt a sense of unease. Had he originally been a person with such perfectly handsome looks? He certainly had decent looks without any flaws, but it wasn't to that extent, was it? "Do you not like me?" "...No-" However. They soon shook their heads. Wouldn't good things be good? Risir. If the man they cherished, cared for, and trusted was actually such a handsome person- That would rather be a desirable thing. A small sense of satisfaction along with superiority arose from within. "No problem at all-..." Like that. They accepted Risir's new appearance. They accepted the existence of the new Risir. At the same time, a thicker fog rolled in and settled densely in their minds. It was memories about Risir. Memories so unrealistically perfect that they made you wish they were real. ─────────────── Risir. At merely twenty-five years old, he was the youngest person in Magic Tower history to reach the position of Master. At thirty, he reached the 7th Rank and was proudly mentioned as the next Tower Master- (E/N: Huh? What is this inferior version.) At forty, he achieved transcendence and proudly ascended as the new Tower Master. His ideal appearance that showed no traces of time added a sense of unreality to his great achievements. Who could even imagine? That he, who appeared to be merely a young man at first glance, would be an Archmage who had reached transcendence- Great Archmage Risir. Having reached the pinnacle of magic, he was not satisfied there. He briefly set aside magic and picked up a sword. It was reckless bravery. Everyone unanimously denied his choice. It didn't take long for that to turn into admiration. Just 3 years. Risir, who was a great Archmage, reached in just 3 years the level that great swordsmen devoted their entire lives to aspire to. The realm of Sword Master. All swordsmen bowed their heads before the sword strikes he unleashed. All sacred swords took notice of him, and eventually three out of seven sacred swords were placed in his hands. All spirits loved him, and his side was always overflowing with spirits. So with a sword in one hand. And in the other hand- He grasped the magic he had set aside once more. Together with the sword. The laws of the world crumbled and announced the birth of a unique existence. The entire continent spoke in unison to praise that name. Dual Master Risir. His fame will last for eternity- ─────────────── "Wait." Risir's companions, who had been accepting the new memories, showed resistance. Risir, who was watching that- The Avatar of Oblivion posing as a man once again created an ideal smile. "Please calm down." And he spoke with an ideal voice. The rejection caused by unrealistic memories is only momentary. They would soon be intoxicated by the fact that their companion, friend, or lover was an ideal person. Enough to willingly abandon the old and accept the new. "There's no reason to be confused. I am Risir, your friend, companion, and lover, am I not? No one knows better than you how special I am-" "This is too ordinary though?" Light returned to the eyes that had been obscured by fog.