I Became a Dark Fantasy Villain

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This creature turned out to be the best loot obtainable from Dullahan.

A unique-grade ring,’ Resentment of the Swamp’.

There was a restriction on characters falling into a daze state unless they possessed a certain level of mental power and intelligence. In the beginning chapter, the item was unusable.

Who would have thought that the restriction worked in this manner?

And to think it was a real snake.

“Just now, what was that? I sensed an ominous magic.”

At that moment, Meave’s voice resounded from behind.

She approached, lowering her mask and raising her veil.

Ian raised his right hand.

“The magic emanated from this ring.”

Meave’s eyes widened in surprise.

“Putting it on so casually. Though everything is your spoils, is it really alright?”

“As you can see, I’m unharmed.”

Ian shrugged his shoulders.

After examining him closely, Meave met his gaze with a look of astonishment.

“…You really have a talent for surprising people, Ian. To defeat a specter and send it away. I wouldn’t have believed it if I hadn’t seen it.”

“I’ve never actually done it before.”

Ian smirked and dropped the bone fragments in his hand.

“As long as the spoils are mine…”

Then, at the tip of his finger, a familiar black bead appeared.

Another essence of corrupted magic.

“I’ll take this too.”

Meave nodded her head.

As Ian placed the essence into his pocket, she added,

“Will you give me those skulls as well? They seem valuable as evidence.”

“Of course.”

Ian extended the skulls toward her.

Carefully accepting them so they wouldn’t break, Meave gazed at the eye sockets of the large skulls.

“Even bestowing power upon ancient spirits. I wonder what purpose lies behind these actions.”

“Who can truly understand the intentions of a dark mage? Perhaps there are no grand plans.”

Ian stood up nonchalantly.

After all, he didn’t know the true objectives of the person who wanted him dead.

Now, he was more interested in examining the new ring in detail.

“…”

Meave fell into contemplation.

Her gaze was too deep, focused solely on worrying about the future of the kingdom.

Likewise, Ian had little interest in her story.

“When we meet, we’ll learn everything. You were quite the talkative one.”

Ian turned and started walking downhill.

“Let’s confirm if Philip is alive now.”

***

Thud. Thud.

The campfire illuminated the darkness.

As Philip prepared a meal, the scent of dried meat and ham filled the air.

Sitting on one side, Ian didn’t even spare a glance in that direction, fixated on the black ring on his finger.

More accurately, he was studying the information window that only he could see.

Resentment of the Swamp. This was the unique-grade accessory he had acquired since arriving in this world.

Its performance was exceptional, befitting its rarity.

Not just the increase in various attributes.

The curse that induced a daze state, which could be used in exchange for a bit of health, was particularly intriguing.

This option had also existed when this world was still a game.

‘I used this to great effect back then.’

He had used it against close-range enemies, creating opportunities to distance himself or complete spells.

It had been useful even in battles against multiple foes.

When he fell into a daze, the distinction between friend and foe vanished.

Now that reality had merged, he could utilize it in even more situations.

‘I should test how the curse manifests. As long as I don’t get caught using it…’

While Ian’s thoughts continued, a voice interrupted with annoyance.

“Damn it…”

From the darkness, a man with a grim appearance emerged.

It was Miguel.

Covered in blood and dirt, he slumped beside the campfire without a trace of energy.

Dust rose from his surroundings.

“…”

But Philip, who was preparing food, merely gave him a disapproving glance and didn’t offer a single word.

He had become like this after digging the graves of his subordinates.

He caught Philip’s eye as he turned the dried meat, then cautiously began speaking.

“Wow… .”

His expression as he stared at the bonfire was devastated.

It was natural.

It wasn’t enough that the request was taken away, it was because he lost all of his subordinates.

He was even more hopeless since it was a tragedy that occurred after faithfully carrying out the request.

Philip, who had fought alongside him, was well aware of how hard he was trying to save his men.

Philip, whose eyes had become pitiful, finally opened his mouth cautiously.

“You are very loyal to your colleagues. Miguel.”

Miguel snorted softly.

“Is that loyalty? I’m the only one alive, It’s bad luck”

“Are there superstitions like that?”

“Imagine I died in the guesthouse, but wouldn’t it be unfair if my colleague lived or died? And do not become evil spirits or ghosts. The Dark Mage, it takes a lot of hands until the end… .

His words gradually shifted from complaint to self-pity.

Perhaps he wasn’t even aware of it himself.

Annoyed, Philip lifted his brows and picked up a piece of ham.

Seeing his intent, Meave gestured to Miguel.

Philip slyly altered the direction of his hand.

“Have some of this.”

“Thanks.”

Gratefully accepting the ham offered to him, Miguel began speaking with a mouthful.

“What’s troublesome now is what comes next. Losing another group… Coping with dead comrades three times… Do you believe it? Surviving while everyone else dies, for the third time.”

“Must be your luck…”

“Could be bad luck. If this story spreads, who would want to join me? Everyone dies while I’m left standing. If this continues, I’ll start looking like a ghost.”

Miguel’s voice grew more and more melancholic.

Perhaps he was unaware of the transition.

Philip, who had a tired expression, shifted his gaze away.

After handing the skewer to Meave and Ian in turn, he opened his mouth while letting Miguel lament.

“The journey is going much later than expected, sir.”

“Hmm.”

Meave nodded.

It was something she was worried about too.

Since Ian joined, she’s been fighting almost every day.

She even lost two horses. It meant that starting tomorrow, the party’s march would be slower.

“We still have a week to go to the Grave Forest. No, it will take longer since we have to go back. We may not have time to search elsewhere.”contemporary romance

“… I can’t help it. I can only hope it’s not bullshit.

Meave gave a sigh.

“Your destination was Grave Forest?”

Miguel burst in.

The moment Philip nodded, Miguel burst out laughing.

“Then it won’t take up to a week. Even if you stop by the village, five days at the most will be enough.”

Philip raised an eyebrow.

“No way. It will take longer since we have to go back to the village.”

“I, I’d like to guide you. There’s a path known only to those like me who have been wandering mercenaries for a long time. It might be a bit dangerous, though…”

“Can you vouch for its safety?”

Noticing the interruption, Ian, who had been lost in thought, spoke up.

When he looked at Miguel, Miguel swallowed and fumbled for words.

“Um, well, yeah. I’ve been there myself, so I know. As I said, it might be a bit dangerous.”

“That’s not a problem. Is it?”

Ian looked at Meave, who nodded in agreement.

“…”

The group’s attention shifted naturally to Miguel.

Cold sweat dotted his forehead.

“What, what do you want from me?”

“Guidance. To the cursed forest.”

Pretending not to understand, Miguel stuttered.

A stifled chuckle came from Ian’s direction, and he flicked a coin from his pocket toward Miguel.

“I’ll hire you as a guide.”

Trying to catch the coin, Miguel stumbled over his words as he continued.

“Why do you want me for that? You need to know why you want to go to that cursed forest…”

The moment he finished speaking, his voice grew fainter.

His gaze was caught by a golden shimmer radiating from Ian’s palm.

Miguel’s mouth hung open, stupefied.

“…Is this an Imperial coin?”

Translator; ippo

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