After finishing work, Harvey didn’t head home, nor did he head to the underground world where the others were for his meeting. Instead, he made a stop in a different place.
He found himself walking through a rougher area of the city. It was nothing like the world below. Instead, this was a place filled with guilds that took on all sorts of jobs.
Not all guilds were good, and not all guilds were public. If one wanted their hands on illegal enchanted items, medical-grade items, or other things, they needed a place.
No matter how good the world seemed to be, as long as there was a demand for something, someone out there would supply it, and this was true in Alterian as well.
The streets were littered with rubbish and filled with potholes. Even the sidewalk hadn’t been repaired for what looked like years. However, there were certain entertainment establishments that looked more upmarket.
For one, there were some thriving restaurants in the area—after all, everyone had to eat. There were also nice gambling establishments with fancy lights on the outside and holographic displays.
Standing outside these doors were mages hired from other guilds to stop the rowdiest of customers.
Harvey continued to walk in the open until it looked like someone was about to bump into him. Lifting his hand, he used magic to push the person forcefully, sending them into the air and landing on the ground.
“What did you do that for? You just used magic on me for no reason!” the man shouted.
“You chose the wrong target today. I’m telling you now, leave and turn around. That enchanted knife in your pocket isn’t going to do anything against me,” Harvey said.
The man stood up from the ground.
“You can’t just attack people with magic like that—you know you can get in some serious trouble.”
Harvey continued walking forward, and toward the man, who then pulled out a glowing green blade. He sliced, trying to attack Harvey, but instead, Harvey avoided the hit and then grabbed his hand. With the knife, he forcefully pushed, with the help of Wind magic, making the man stab himself in the stomach.
Letting go, Harvey walked past the man who had stabbed himself with his own blade and fell to his knees.
“Don’t bother calling the police—they don’t show up in this area. I should know,” Harvey said, leaving without knowing whether the man would live or die. There was a part of him that thought about going back, not to check if the man was okay, but whether to bring him with him or not.
Finally, after walking down one of the most dangerous streets in the city, Harvey stopped outside an old, abandoned restaurant. It had been boarded up, and only three letters were left in odd places: A, S, S.
Harvey was sure someone had stolen the other letters on purpose to spell the establishment, but he didn’t mind—it was always easy for him to spot because all he had to do was look for “Ass.”
As for the establishment itself, it had been shut down when several murders took place. A guild war had erupted in the restaurant itself. Several mages were killed as well as civilians.
Not even the people who lived in the area wanted to eat there anymore, so it had no choice but to shut down and try to find another buyer. It was hard, and no one was looking to buy it until someone eventually rented it out but kept it as it was, not fixing it, and keeping the signage on the outside as well as the boarding.
Going around the side of the building, there was a thick steel door in place. Placing his hand on it, a barrier could be seen. It was a magical one, so the door was reinforced with magic to stop even mages from coming in here.
A high-level one as well that would have cost quite the penny unless someone had access to some confiscated items that might have gone missing. Placing a special key, the door opened, and Harvey entered the establishment.
Entering the restaurant, Harvey was in the main area—it was still destroyed from the fight. Tables were broken, flooring destroyed, and more. Moving on from there, Harvey went into the kitchen and then started to head down the stairs into the cellar.
As he continued to walk, the sounds of moans, cries, and more were heard echoing into the place, and finally, Harvey reached the bottom. A cellar that was used to store drinks and other such items for the restaurant had completely been converted.
Now there were a large number of cells with iron bars blocking the way. These, too, were enchanted by magic, making it nearly impossible for people to escape.
“Please let us out!” a person cried as they grabbed onto the bars.
The room itself had around ten cells, each that could fit around five people. Most of them were full, but there were a couple that still had some space in them.
“Have you done as I asked?” Harvey said, looking at the man.
“How can we? How can we do what you ask?” the man shouted. “If we learn what you gave us, if we learn that, then we’re as good as dead.”
That’s when Harvey started to clap.
“Right, right, so you’re starting to get the picture, right? I’ve told you all several times: if you can learn the Dark magic spells I’ve given you, then you will be free to be let out. However, of course, if you learn Dark Magic, everyone knows the rules above.”
Harvey then lifted his hand toward the man, and out of the palm of his hand, a Dark Pulse shot right through the man’s head, killing him on the spot and causing him to fall.
A series of screams from the others were heard, while some of the people inside the cells covered the others’ mouths to stop the screams.
“If you learn Dark Mlmagic, then you will be chased by the mages forever, which means those of you who have learned Dark magic will only have one place that can protect you all—the Dark Guild!”
“So all of you, get to learning Dark magic, and help the guild grow! I’ve got a meeting to go to now. I hope to see some progress when I get back.”
Dark Magus Returns
797 A Wish to The People of Alterian
In the world of the Underground, Harvey had already arrived at the usual spot. He stood there, staring at the place where the Dark Spirit had first appeared. When he heard the sound of approaching footsteps, he quickly recognized who it was and ran over, dropping to one knee in front of the Dark Spirit, bowing his head.
“I greet the great Dark Spirit. I had been waiting for your return, but it seems you’ve already appeared. I apologize for not being there when you needed me,” Harvey said, glancing up at Kelly, wondering why the Dark Spirit was walking with her.
“You can stand. I have heard of what you did and your great deeds. I am thankful that you are continuing the pursuit of the Grand Magus and keeping track of their activities. Their crimes never cease to amaze me, and as time goes on, it seems they are becoming more brazen in their acts,” Raze stated.
“I agree,” Harvey said, standing up. “The more things go on, if they don’t get punished, then things will soon be out of hand. The Grand Magus must be stopped.”
Kelly felt a strange discomfort listening to the conversation. It was always odd for her to see Harvey act this way. When directing others, he was in charge, but as soon as the Dark Spirit arrived, he became an obsessed, loyal servant.
“May I also say, sir, each time you return, I can feel your powers increasing at a rapid rate. I wish you the fastest recovery.”
Raze found the last sentence a little strange, and he figured that perhaps Harvey had caught on to the truth as well.
“I guess it’s time I reveal the truth to you all,” Raze said, as he stood in the center of the spot where he usually stood. Meanwhile, the other three members were spread apart, all staring at Raze.
“The truth is that I am not a Dark Spirit created by the Dark Magus. I am a reincarnation of the Dark Magus himself,” Raze said. Although it technically wasn’t true, it was the easiest way to explain his situation.
“In one of the dimensions, I obtained a rare artifact. I knew the Grand Magus were on my tail. When all five of them arrived to deal with me, I used the artifact as a last resort. I then reincarnated into something similar to what you see right now.”
Harvey listened intently, but the sound of his heartbeat was intensifying. Like Kelly, he had guessed that the Dark Spirit was the Dark Magus, but now it had been confirmed. To think he was talking to the Dark Magus right now—he could fall over at any moment.
“This is still a projection of myself, and part of my power. Right now, my real body is in hiding, trying to regain my power to what it used to be, so I can fight against the Grand Magus again. But I assure you, I am the real Dark Magus,” Raze claimed.
Harvey quickly got down on one knee once again after the speech had finished, and this time Kelly did the same along with Sophie.
“I knew the news was fake when they reported your death. The fact that the Grand Magus had burned everything and there was no body to be found in the report—I figured you would return one day, and here you appeared in the circle we created. I believe it is fate for all of us to come together on that day!” Harvey stated.
Raze was quite surprised; there was no doubt like the first time when he had arrived, and they were questioning who he was. Things were much easier now, and perhaps it had something to do with the quick regain of his power and the knowledge he had shared so far.
“There is a reason why I have revealed this to all of you,” Raze continued. “I wish for the Dark Guild to push forward. Continue to expand and grow, finding new members and bringing them in.”
“You can spread the name of the Dark Guild using that of the Dark Magus to try to find new recruits, and try to find those who harbor a deep hatred toward the Grand Magus.”
“I’m sure there are plenty more who have been hurt by them and their guilds, hiding in the shadows, wishing that someone would act. I want you to go out there and tell them that they will need to act, and they shouldn’t worry, for the Dark Magus Returns!”
Harvey stood up and looked at Raze with admiration, and so did the rest. Things were moving along; they felt hope for a day when they wouldn’t have to meet underground like they were doing now. Things certainly seemed like they would change.
“In the meantime, I will continue to grow my power and forces, but to go up against the several guilds and the people who run them, we need a stronger force. In the meantime, I want all of you to dig up information about an item known as the Golden Globe.”
“There is a chance that there is information about the item spread somewhere in Alterian. If we find the Golden Globe, then I can return with full power to take the others down.”
Harvey’s heart skipped a beat as he imagined seeing the Dark Magus fighting in front of him. Then he imagined him by his side, using his magic to help, while ordering an army of those who knew Dark Magic, all for the sake of helping the Dark Magus!
“Our meeting times will be the same, but I don’t know when I will return, as I will be very busy.” Raze started to break off the astral projection technique, and his body began to fade.
“I wish for people to say ‘The Dark Magus has Returned’ on my next visit. Now, it’s time for the Dark Magus to claim the leadership of the Dark Faction,” Raze said with a smile.
Dark Magus Returns
798 Head To The Surface
The Bonum Society members were running around the base, a bit confused about what exactly was going on. Not too long ago, many thought they were being attacked. There was destruction all over the place, and injured members walking around proved it. What was strange though, was that none of it was getting repaired.
They were told what had occurred was a misunderstanding, and now, lastly, they were informed that they should get ready to move out. Perhaps they would no longer have to use the underground base.
Amir had decided that the base had served its purpose, originally built away from the eyes of others to protect the god-tier item, the Golden Globe. Now, above and with control of the entire Dark Faction, they could move around with more ease and set up communication above.
Things would be easier if there was less hiding for them to do. While the Bonum Society members were getting ready, there was still one more thing they needed to wait for, that they were all waiting for.
Raze’s allies had headed down to the canteen, a large food hall with rectangular tables that could seat around twenty or so people. They would take their wooden trays and grab pieces of food.
Due to the impending move, there was plenty of food to go around, and that meant the warriors were free to dig in as they wished.
Although, the higher stage warriors didn’t need as much food as they already consumed a lot of energy from cultivating. They could survive an extremely long time without food or water.
Still, it didn’t mean it wasn’t a pastime that many of them enjoyed.
“So, what are we doing now? We’re just waiting for Raze, right, and then we’re going to head to the academy?” Liam asked.
“That’s why I was out before,” Amir answered. “I’ve made preparations above. When Raze enters the academy, along with all your help, it will be easy for him to take the position, and we’ll make it clear that Murkel is no longer.”
“So, what is Raze exactly doing now? He holed himself up in that room and said no one was to enter, no matter what,” Froma asked. “Doesn’t anyone think it’s weird that he’s been in that room for hours, and we’re all just accepting it and waiting?”
“He’s actually done this before,” Alba said.
“Right, in Flendon,” Anna added. “He was holed up in that room, and then we had to fight off the Behemoth Clan. Even with all the fighting happening outside, he didn’t leave that room once.
08:36
“Maybe this is the secret to his strength building, a cultivation technique only he knows.”
That didn’t surprise anyone. Although a lot of Raze’s powers with magic could be explained, what couldn’t be explained was how skilled and strong he was in terms of using Pagna skills.
“There’s another question that has been on my mind as well,” Rayna said as she finished her food, surprisingly before anyone else. “We have been accepting of the people here, and we can somewhat understand everyone’s relationship to Raze.”
“Amir is part of the Bonum Society, which saw Raze as an otherorlder that could change the flow of the Academy. Ricktor and Mada were also saved by Raze while at the academy.”
“Safa and Liam were both part of the orphanage where Raze was. We then have all of the Crimson Crane, who he met first, asking for help. That was when they went up against the Light Faction Elder and saved me.”
“I am, of course, his wife now as well. Then we have the three Dark Faction members working with Cronker from the Crimson Crane; they are in debt to Raze because of the tough assessment they went through.”
“Mantis seems to have been forced into the situation because of the Bonum Society. It will be tough for him to head back to his clan now. We also have Dame, who started the business of the Dark Magus, selling his special pills on the market.”
“Finally, we have Anna, a member of this group called Alter, which Raze was also recruited to be a part of, including Simyon and Liam. Due to a situation, Raze was caught using magic.”
“So, all of that is cleared up, and we know how everyone came to gather around Raze—all but you,” Rayna said, staring at Zon. “You seem to be from the same world as Anna but also have an interest in Raze, to the point you haven’t left yet. Why are you here, and where did you even come from in the arena?”
Everyone was curious about the mysterious warrior whose strength they didn’t even know much about.
“My answer is not as complex as you might think,” Zon said. “There are two reasons, just like the others: I am an otherworlder trying to find my way back home.”
“There was something the Bonum Society didn’t mention in their briefing, and it’s the fact that mages—those from Alterian’s power—seem to have the ability to open portals. At times, when a mass amount of magic is used, portals end up opening.”
“In fact, the way I open up portals is quite similar, although we can save that for another time. However, the reason I need Raze is more than just to find a way home; there was a reason why I picked him and not just anyone from Alterian.”
“Besides, I wanted to get a powerful mage before they were tainted by Alter or the Bonum Society, and he seems perfect, making his own path. Even if we never get the Golden Globe, I believe someday Raze will be able to travel freely.”
“Besides, someone has to be strong enough to make these artifacts—even the Golden Globe at one point—and the weapons he has made, particularly from the Crimson Crane, have been immensely powerful. That’s why I’m with Raze.”
Everyone was stunned to silence, and then the door slid open.
“I’m ready; let’s go to the surface,” Raze said.
Dark Magus Returns
Chapter 799: A Dark Faction Meeting
Since the Dark Faction used to be comprised of just clans, there wasn’t really a base of operations for all the Dark Clans to gather. At the same time, there wasn’t even an official leader of the faction itself.
What those who lived on the Dark Faction’s continent did know was which were the top five clans that had far more power over the others and who they chose as their leader.
The system was believed to be set up in such a way that the five top clans could always have one of them representing the top, always in control.
With Murkel taking the position of principal of the academy, the meeting place for the five main clans, as well as all the clan’s merchants and kingdoms that operated within the
territory, would often be at the academy.
Today was another day when all from far and wide had gathered at the academy. The students were told to stay in their respective dorms for the day, while the courtyard had been cleared.
In the courtyard itself, there were around a hundred important figures from across the territory. Some of them were standing with several heads next to them.
Others were sitting down in seats they had brought with them, along with tables allowing their servants to do their bidding.
It wasn’t just Pagna martial artists, but also the top merchants and representatives from the kingdoms.
“Why have so many people been asked to gather in the courtyard?”
“I heard a big announcement was to take place today; it was an emergency meeting.”
“Did you also see the report? That could be the reason for all of this happening. So much stuff occurred at the Martial Arts Tournament.”
“Right, and the results of what happened are unclear. We’ve been asking for word from the top clans, from the Erupting Fist Clan maybe since the report came out, but we’ve heard nothing.”
Due to a certain individual present during the whole affair, a report had come out.
The report didn’t put the blame on a single individual or name anyone for what had occurred, but explained that a powerful artifact had been used to clear everyone out of the area.
It was the only way things could be explained to the people that understood, and with so many having experienced what happened firsthand, they had to believe it.
Going on, it was stated that a few people were left behind, including most of the Dark Faction. Two groups had battled it out. In the report, Bubble did, however, use the name of the Dark Magus.
A man who was currently known to the world as being from the Demonic Faction.
The report claimed that he and his allies defeated most of the Dark Faction warriors that were there, and the state of Murkel was unknown.
There were some things that were kept quiet in the report. For one, the fact that Murkel was a Hybrid.
Bubble didn’t know how that would affect the state of the people, and although his job was to report, he knew that his information had strong power.
Which was why, on top of that, he made it clear to mention that the Demonic Faction leaders were also teleported out, and that it was only the Dark Magus who took part in it all.
The issue was, this was just one such report. There weren’t several reports, and unlike everyone disappearing from the arena, no one had seen what had occurred.
For a single person and a few allies to get rid of the strongest in the Dark Faction, it sounded like a fantasy.
The fact that they hadn’t been attacked by the Demonic Faction or the Light Faction yet made it seem even more untrue.
An exaggeration to get more sales was most of their thoughts. However, the people started to worry when there was no news spread by the Dark Faction.
None of the clans were responding to the reports, and no one had seen Murkel. It was because of this that when Amir sent the message far and wide to everyone using the members of the Bonum Society and more, everyone came to gather, because they needed to know the future of the territory they were in.
Looking around though, those in the courtyard started to notice something.
“Are those people from the Flowing Force Clan?” One asked.
“Yeah, but where’s the Clan Head and the Vice Clan Head?”
“Not just that, look at them; they seem almost exhausted, tired, and hurt, don’t you think?”
Those that had arrived, none of them were the top warriors of the Flowing Force Clan-at least not the names everyone knew of.
When thinking about more details, they remembered the head of the Flowing Force Clan, as well as Samantha, an incredibly strong individual for the Flowing Force Clan, had both gone to the Martial Arts Tournament.
The fact that they weren’t here caused fright.
“But why are the others injured? At the Martial Arts Tournament, I thought they were only allowed to bring a few with them. So why are the others injured as well?”
It certainly had the others talking, and that’s when they could see something else strange-it wasn’t just the Flowing Force Clan that was like this.
All five of the main clans that had arrived had injured members. Gavin Rocksbored, the head of the Moon Shield Clan, was nowhere to be seen either-another one who had gone to the Martial Arts Tournament.
With what had happened to the Lethal Bite Clan, everyone felt like they were already
witnessing the demise of the five big clans in the Dark Faction.
Now though, even the people from within the clans were hurt.
Several raised eyebrows were occurring, but the main bulk of the confusion was when they
saw the state of the Erupting Fist Clan.
There was no Murkel, only an elder with quite a few injured warriors in particular, but that wasn’t the worry.
“Why are they down here with us… just who called this meeting then?”
Dark Magus Returns
Chapter 800: Whole Clan Annihilated
Just like all the other top clans in the Dark Faction, those that had arrived from the Erupting Fist Clan were also covered in wounds and didn’t look to be in the best shape.
When looking around further, they could see it wasn’t just the top clans, though. They could also see the lower Pagna warrior clans.
Those that were powerful, not quite considered the top five, but still had considerable strength.
They too had been greatly injured. One of the merchants, named Boom, was sitting in his sedan chair, pleasantly eating grapes over his large belly, but he stopped as he realized what was happening around him.
Then he saw the Ferocious Beetle Clan appear by his side, the leader badly hurt, with a bandage around his head.
He was a middle-stage warrior and one of the strongest clan leaders outside of the top five in the faction.
“Herbee, can you explain what’s happening?” Boom asked. “Was there some type of war or battle that occurred that I wasn’t aware of?”
Herbee, the leader of the Ferocious Beetle Clan, looked over his shoulder, surveying all the other clans.
“You could say that… you could say that in a week, there was a war going on in the Dark Faction that no one else had a clue about.” Herbee then touched the wound on his head.
“All of them were so strong. Some of them were Hybrids, others… I don’t even know how to describe it… and before we knew it, it was happening to every single significant clan in the Dark Faction.”
“What do you mean? How could there be so many fights, a war right under our noses, and the public was unaware of it?” Boom asked.
Herbee shuddered to think of the scale of the invasion. He had been attacked by what looked like a sweet, innocent girl.
The whole clan went up against her, but she used a strange sword that ignited her power. Any scratch made on her body, any mark or damage of significance, all of it disappeared.
Not only that, but the girl they fought never seemed to tire. There was an endless amount of Qi building up more and more.
“If such a war happened, then why are you all still alive?” Boom asked.
“That’s what I don’t understand either. They essentially claimed to take over the clan. They told us to listen to what they wanted, or they would attack again.”
“They took the clan’s artifacts, they’re in control of the clans, but they’ve allowed us to continue operating as we have before.”
“Then I got a message from them, saying to come here. I wouldn’t have dared to deny it, which is why I’m here now.”
There was more to Herbee’s story. Originally, after the girl had let him live, he tried to contact the other clans, to warn them or to plan an attack against the invaders.
Little did he know, the forces were spread wide. They had more than just one powerful warrior, and all the clans were being taken out.
Some of the clans he contacted had already gone through what he had and refused to even try going against the enemy attacking them.
It was well-coordinated, and there were even those from within the clans fighting against them.
“Then who did all of this? Was it the Light Faction, the Demonic Faction, or maybe even the Dark Magus?”
A lot of people in the courtyard were starting to think the same things. They were noticing the same things and having the same conversation that Herbee and Boom were having right now. After learning that the Dark Magus was responsible for attacking the Dark Faction, they had to assume it was him.
“No one claimed to be the Dark Magus; we never saw such a person,” Herbee stated. “I asked the other clans; we even had a meeting before coming here.”
“All the attackers were different, and some of them… we recognized… they were from the Dark Faction.”
“You recognized the attackers? Then you should know who called this meeting, right? Who was it? Who was it?” Boom asked.
There was silence from Herbee. How could he say who the attackers were? He couldn’t say it out loud, or they might think he was mad.
It was impossible to say that it was them.
“Hey, look, more people are here. Who invited them?” one of the merchants said, pointing his finger at the group.
As for the group of people that had entered the courtyard, it was the students of the Dark Faction, followed by the Crimson Crane and more.
All of Raze’s built-up allies had arrived, causing more confusion. Some recognized the Crimson Crane, making them think their suspicions were correct, that it had to be the Dark
Magus.
However, why were there students-students they had seen during the Dark Faction’s own event that had played out?
“This is an important meeting; we can’t have students here,” the merchant continued.
That was until one of the clan heads pulled out a sword and pressed it right up against the man’s neck.
“You shut up, you keep your mouth shut right now! And don’t say another damn word.” The man was frightened. What would cause the clan member to act like this?
Amir then jumped out to the forefront of the group and continued to walk, leading the others behind him.
Eventually, they got to the platform at the front, and those who traveled with him spread out to look at all the others. The representatives from the kingdoms, the merchants were looking at each other, wondering why the Crimson Crane, members from the Demonic Faction and others were all standing on the platform that was meant for the principal to make announcements, and why Amir was by their side.
However, none of the Clans said anything.
“You wanted an answer, right?” Herbee said. “As for who attacked us, well, your answer is all
of them on the platform right now.
“How could I say it… that our whole clan was annihilated… by a student?” Herbee said,
looking right at Safa.