1.
The uppermost floor of a luxurious mansion.
Inside the grandest room, a single, obese man trembled, his face deathly pale with fear.
“They were all former A-rank knights! And the mercenaries? They were all top-tier B-rank!”
The flustered man struggling to adorn himself with the finest artifacts was none other than Duke Louis Gafelt.
He was a viscount of the Babylonia Empire, a capable merchant, and an affable noble… or so it seemed.
No, rather—
“Was the rat brat killed and this the consequence?! Damn it! Who is it? Who dared storm in?! Could it be that the ones we captured have banded together with their families and hired one of the Top 10 Mercenary Groups of the continent?!”
In reality, he was one of the key figures of a corrupt noble syndicate that pretended to be benevolent.
Crunch!
His greedy, short but thick fingers rummaged through the opulent safe.
The transcendental-class Regeneration Necklace,
The myth-class Magic Nullification Ring,
The myth-class Aura Absorption Necklace, and more.
These were the spoils of war he had amassed in return for supporting the “Hero’s Party.”
For others, these artifacts were a lifetime’s dream, yet they flowed as freely as water, wrapping his body in their brilliance.
“It’ll do…!”
Duke Gafelt was an A–rank Mage.
This ranking wasn’t due to rigorous training but rather his extravagant spending to attain such levels. Nonetheless, as long as the title stood, his rank remained A–.
Yet, in this dire emergency, he now adorned himself with five myth-class artifacts or greater. This feat led Gafelt to believe he had reached S-rank.
Timely, as he finished his preparations.
“Shall I start cooking beforehand? You’ll get the answer right away anyway.”
“The hell kind of cooking does menace go with? A simple question will suffice.”
“Hmm…?”
“Enough, why don’t you just open the door?”
Beyond the door, coated with countless protective spells and barriers, came the intruders’ voices.
Grind!
Gafelt, who’d just consumed the elixir with a sinister smile, stared menacingly at the door.
“…I’ll do you a favor… and kill you.”
Should he face a man, he’d rip the limbs off and use them as underground adornments. And should it be a woman, he’d coat her body in honey and throw her down to the ravenous captives in the dungeon’s depths.
After all, even if the Top Ten Mercenaries were to come after him, he was now confident of being able to overcome them.
“Neee! I await your orders!”
They’re coming.
Gafelt, the viscount, braced himself, his fists clenched awkwardly, ready to cast a 7th-tier spell as the protective magic shattered, when—
Creak!
“…Wha?”
His S-rank barrier fortified with extravagant magicalscrolls, and the 8th-tier barrier commissioned from the Sage of the “Hero’s Party,” vanished without giving him a single second to act.
They shattered explosively, scattering white mana fragments across the room.
‘No, stay calm.’
Though bulky in body, Gafelt’s mind was agile. As he abandoned thoughts of confrontation and quickly formulated words to placate the intruder—
“Hello, are you Gafelt?”
—
【<Black Curtain (Ex)> has been activated.】
◆ Effect
: <Intimidation>: If the target feels even an instant of fear towards <you>, from that moment onward, they will perceive <you> as death incarnate. The status ailment <fear> of <you> will haunt them until the very moment of their death.
—
A shroud of death enveloped the room.
“Gggh, nghhh…! My… my breath…! Arrgh! Don’t come…! Hah… hah… My Breath…!!”
Thousand of blades seemed to carve him from head to toe as cold, dead hands gripped his heart.
The source of the terror? The monsters before him.
“Did you not prefer gentle words? Leader.”
The blood curdling scent emitted from their bodies.
A white robe stained crimson red.
Madness surging from their eyes.
Behind the woman stood grotesque dolls crafted seemingly from crushed corpses, each twitching as though ready to pounce.
Yet, it was not the woman emanating this overwhelming dread.
“Seems like we’ve spoken gently enough.”
A chilling baritone reverberated in his ears.
Unpredictable hair swaying unnaturally.
Eyes as deep and dark as an abyss.
‘It’s him…’
Rather than simply disappearing into nothingness, this monster pushed Gafelt to the brink of extreme fear.
“Aaa… Ahhh…!!”
As the overwhelming darkness consumed his entire body, Gafelt flailed pathetically, trying to stay alive.
Dilated pupils,
Flailing legs like a drowning man,
His pants damp with urine.
<Why did I ever think I could confront such a monster face to face without fleeing or daring to attack him and even attempting to recruit him? I knew from the very beginning that one cannot escape from this fundamental death.>
“Grrk, nghh…!!”
Even simply facing this man crushed Gafelt’s will, leaving him sobbing and clawing at himself in pure terror.
How long did it feel like?
Seconds,
Hours,
Days?
As Gafelt retched in terror, he suddenly tilted his head upward.
‘Better to die.’
To escape this monster, the only option was to take his own life.
And perhaps, this way,
‘It would be much happier.’
Chirp.
As Gafelt unknowingly smiled and prepared to rip out his own heart—
Whack!
It felt like someone had yanked him out of a swamp, the oppressive dread gripping his entire body suddenly dissipated.
And immediately after,
“Reveal everything you know about the emperor.”
The chilling whisper of the black monster.
As mentioned before, Gafelt, despite his corpulent physique, possessed a keen intellect.
—Should there be those who do not address our emperor with respect, keep your guard up and watch them more closely.
—Why?
—The most dangerous force obstructing us is <Black Wolf>. They support the emperor, but unlike us, they do not use honorifics.
—Ha! Are the emperor and that monstrous woman friends then?
—Do not question it. Do not even dare to know. The moment you become curious about them, they will already be after your neck.
The cardinal bishop of the Aria Sect who had once warned him while collaborating with the rats.
—In any case, if you ever encounter them, leave without hesitation.
—Leave? You’re telling me to run away?
—…You will understand when the time comes.
As these words came to mind, Gafelt unconsciously opened his mouth.
“Of course… cough… Of course, it’s you!! The emperor’s hound, the Black Wolf!!”
Startled, the man’s brow furrowed as Gafelt cried out.
Observing the man’s reaction confirmed Gafelt’s hypothesis.
‘So it really <Black Wolf> after all.’
But even if correct, how would it change anything?
“…Do you plan to ask twice?”
The eerie voice and abyssal eyes remained unchanged.
“S…s-speak!! I’ll tell you everything about our plans and all the groundwork we’ve laid out!!”
Regaining his thoughts amidst the terror, Gafelt’s mind raced furiously.
‘Though I may be the lowest-ranked elder in <that place>, I still possess some knowledge of information. Therefore, if I offer them information on the <emperor> and the <hero>, can I not ask for <Black Wolf>’s protection in return?’
… Perhaps,
I could survive this.
Sssss!
The overwhelming greed in his bloated face was now filled with a fervent desire to live.
‘Survival is possible!’
The fleeting hope, born from the limits of terror, caused Gafelt’s mouth to widen,
“Our group, <Eclipse>, aimed to undermine the emperor!!”
BOOM!
And that was the last thing he managed to say.
Only then did Gafelt truly realize.
—You will understand when the time comes.
The words spoken by the cardinal bishop were not a warning of <Black Wolf> but rather a forewarning of the punishment for betrayal.
“…What is this?”
Suddenly confused by the unforeseen situation, Nahan stared at the thing that remained of what once was Gafelt while Ruby burst into excitement.
“Kwahh! They’ve suddenly become adorable! Thank you so much for the gift, Leader! Was this done by you!?”
… Not me, you dumb girl.
—『Sub Quest Completed!』—
◆ Bloodstained Gold. (Completed!)
: Assassinate the <Golden Merchant - Duke Gafelt> and secure the emperor’s slush fund!
◆ Requirements met. (Completed!)
: Bring one member of the <Black Wolf> along, rescue the nun trapped in the underground chamber before her corruption (completed!), complete all conditions before the break of dawn.
◆ Reward. (…still calculating.)
: Grant <Babylonia>‘s full rights to the Savior – <Nahan>!
◆ Fail & Reject. (…erasing.)
: Bad Ending <4. Black Wolf> will occur, the presence of the Savior – <Nahan> will be erased.
…
—Not me, you insane one.
Before being summoned, I had a conversation with my only friend.
—What if the cow climbs the stairs? Goosebumps.
—Ohhhh, stop it!
—What happens if the skull cap dies? A skull cap.
—Omigosh! I feel like I’m going to explode laughing!
Then, back to now.
“Our group, <Eclipse>, aimed to undermine the emperor!!”
BOOM!
It really happened; someone exploded from laughing too much.
“…What is this?”
Confused by the absurdity, I stood frozen while Ruby, standing in front of me, shielded herself from the debris with her body and then turned red.
“Kwaaa! It’s suddenly become adorable! Thanks, leader! Did you do this!?”
… Not me, you dumb one.
As I swallowed back my urge to retort in frustration and began to assess the situation—
Ding!
A cheerful alarm rang, and before my eyes, a pale blue system window appeared.
【<Bloodstained Gold> Completed!】
【As a reward, the full rights to <Babylonia> are granted to the savior <Nahan>!】
【Due to over 6 hours remaining until dawn, an <Additional Reward> will be provided!】
【Additional Reward: <Author Approved Setting Collection - Unreleased Collectible>】
【Do you wish to acquire the reward – <Babylonia> complete rights + <Setting Collection>?】
【Required time: 1h.】
【Accept / Defer / Decline.】
Damn subsystem quest, <Bloodstained Gold>, was cleared, and they were calculating an <Additional Reward>.
“Defer.”
As I muttered softly, the system window disappeared, and the moonlight returned.
‘…I’m alive.’
The sensation was like a blade finally being lifted from my neck, and the tension eased.
‘…Strangely, I don’t feel affected.’
Even after having killed hundreds on my way up and watching someone explode right before my eyes, there was no disturbance in my mind.
My sanity, <Nahan>‘s sanity, remained as calm as if I were living a normal day.
‘Well, I am a mercenary leader though, even if just a C-rank one.’
The scenery of blood and gore must have been as mundane to mercenaries, whose lives are always on the line, as daily life is to normal people.
“Wow!? Moving! It’s still moving!! What is this? Adorableeeee!!”
… Look at that.
If anything, A-rank mercenaries seem more accustomed than I am.
‘Regardless, it’s beneficial for now.’
With no guarantee that another sub-quest wouldn’t pop up, it’s better to stay calm until all bad endings are averted.
Eventually, I resolved to fully adapt to the life of Mercenary Leader <Nahan>.
‘<Eclipse>, <emperor>, Ex-tier skills… I’ll organize what I obtained at the hideout and clean up the aftermath for now.’
In this world, where magic exists in place of scientific technology, it’s said that crime scenes and even past events can be reconstructed by capable mages.
‘What should I do?’
Never having left the hideout and relying solely on my men, I had no clue how to clean up such a massive massacre.
“…Sigh.”
Should I just turn myself in and wait in jail?
‘This is the fourth bad ending I’ve averted… though why were we called the Black Wolf again?’
In any case, at this rate, all bad endings will be prevented within a year.
‘Unless I get executed before then?’
No answers came despite deep contemplation, so I ended up just staring at the gruesome scene.
Click!
As Ruby put something in her pocket and looked up at me with a bright smile, she asked cheerfully.
“Leader! Shall we do ‘that’ now?”
“This…?”
“Yes! We need to clean up before we leave!”
Cleaning?
Though an A-rank mercenary, I questioned skeptically.
“Can we make it as if nothing happened?”
“Naturally! Though I haven’t personally followed the leader for some time after infiltrating the Mercenary Union, cleaning up has always been my responsibility!”
Well, being an A-rank mercenary, there probably is some way. With Ruby speaking confidently, my tense heart unconsciously relaxed.
“Then, I’ll leave it to you.”
“Okay! It should take about an hour, so Leader can take a break! And from here to there! You guys guard the Leader!”
“…Okay, although…”
“Nay! No buts! Although my guys might be weaker than a single scrap of Leader’s body, appearances matter!”
After they’re all dead, so who’s watching?
Regardless, I simply wanted to go home quickly, so I nodded.
“Alright!”
Snap!
As Ruby clapped her hands, a hundred or so flesh golems began cleaning.
“Everyone, use the cleansing magic well! Since we’ll be burning anyway, focus on removing the larger debris!”
The golems sprayed red mana like mist into every corner and tore off blood-soaked parts, swallowing them with mouths that stretched to accommodate.
“…Ugh.”
Though mentally intact, my stomach still churned, so I turned my head away.
“Anyway, in about an hour…”
I summoned the system window, which detailed the reward, at the perfect time.
【Do you wish to acquire the reward – <Babylonia> complete rights + <Setting Collection>?】
【Required time: 1 hour.】
【Accept / Defer / Decline.】
Gafelt was the type always to have the mansion gates locked after 10 p.m. for his own pleasure.
Since Ruby had already secured the perimeter with barriers and golems guarding—
‘Time to check now.’
Knowing the original story could make an immense difference in survival.
Squeak.
As I sat on a sofa with less blood, I pressed the accept button, and my eyes gently closed.
【Bestowing the reward!】
【<Babylonia> complete rights + <Setting Collection> inherited to <Savior - Naham>.】
Let’s see.
Just how well-written is this piece that it lures people in to make them go through such trouble?
2.
One hour later.
“…What the fuck.”
After obtaining all the contents of <Babylonia> and the <Setting Collection>, I hastily stood up from my seat.
I needed to escape.
‘This is no time to dream of a slow life…!’
Even if I end up living here forever without returning to my original world, I need to abandon everything and run as far away as possible.
“Is a D-rank mercenary group supposed to be messed with? This is just telling us to die…!”
As I muttered out of frustration, a sound came from behind the closed door.
Knock,
Knockknock.
“Leader? Are you awake?”
“Gulp!”
I quickly covered my mouth, pretending not to be there, but obviously, it wouldn’t work.
“I’m done cleaning. Can I come in?”
creak.
As the door was about to open immediately, I hastily removed my hand.
“Just a moment…no, wait. Absolutely do not enter, Ruby!!”
“Huh? Oh, okay. Yes, Leader!”
Even if she wonders why I’m suddenly acting peculiar, there’s nothing to be done about it.
After all,
【Congratulations!】
【You are the leader of <Babylonia>‘s worst villainous organization, <Black Wolf (Black Curtain)!】
I realized that I wasn’t simply a C-rank mercenary but rather the leader of the villainous organization in this cursed dark fantasy novel.
And most importantly,
—『Sub-Quest Activated!』—
◆ Puppet Play.
: <black Curtain's> sixth member—Ruby Red (S–) is suspicious of you. Choose: deceive her completely, kill her, or become her perfect puppet friend.◆ Requirements: Kill or completely deceive <Ruby Red>.
◆ Reward:
If Ruby Red dies – <None>;
If Ruby Red survives – <Black Curtain Memory>.
◆ Fail & Decline: Special Ending – will occur.
“…Leader?”
I just learned that this insane woman is suspicious of me.
3.
So, an hour later.
“…Damn.”
After fully acquiring the content of <Babylonia> and the <Setting Collection>, I hurriedly stood up.
I needed to run!
‘This is no time to dream of a slow life…!’
Even if it means living in this world forever without returning to my original one, I must give up everything and escape to the farthest corner.
“Is a D-rank mercenary group even supposed to deal with this? This is basically a death sentence…!”
As I unconsciously grumbled in rage, a sound came from outside the closed door.
Knock,
KnockKnock.
“Leader? Have you woken up?”
I hastily covered my mouth and pretended to be absent, yet obviously, it wouldn’t work.
“I’m done cleaning. Can I come in?”
creak.
As the door was about to open instantly, I hastily removed my hand.
“Just a moment… no, wait. Don’t come in, Ruby. Absolutely stay out!!”
“Huh? Oh, okay. Yes, Leader!”
Even if Ruby wondered why I acted strange all of a sudden, there was nothing to be done about it.
After all,
【Congratulations】
【You are <Black Wolf (Black Curtain)>‘s leader in the worst villainous organization of <Babylonia>!】
I realized that I’m not merely a C-rank mercenary, but the villainous organization’s leader from this damned dark fantasy novel.
And most importantly,
—『Sub-Quest Activated』—
◆ Puppet Play.
: <Black Curtain>‘s sixth member – Ruby Red (S–) suspects your existence. Choose one—fully deceive her, kill her, or become her perfect puppet friend permanently.
◆ Requirements: Kill Ruby Red or fully deceive her.
◆ Rewards:
If Ruby Red dies – < None >
If Ruby Red survives – < Black Curtain's Memory >
◆ Fail & Decline: Special Ending – < ?. Puppet Friend > Occurs.
“…Leader?”
At this moment, I learned that this insane woman was indeed suspicious of me.
