The sound of hooves echoed sharply against the polished stone roads of the city.
Clip-clop! Clip-clop! Clip-clop!
A chorus of powerful snorts followed, punctuating the rhythm of eight galloping horses. Their muscles rippled with strength, their glossy coats gleaming in the faint light. These were no ordinary horses—they were purebred war steeds, bred for battle yet harnessed to pull a sleek black carriage. The carriage itself, understated in its elegance, was adorned with subtle, muted silver details, exuding an aura of power rather than ostentation.
However, as the onlookers’ gazes fell on the crest fluttering proudly on the flag above the carriage, any sense of incongruity dissipated.
『Overpalace』
A carriage drawn by eight horses was typically a privilege reserved for nobility or royalty. In any other city, such a display might have provoked ire or jealousy from local rulers. Here, however, the city guards stepped aside without hesitation, even going so far as to redirect traffic to ensure the carriage’s unobstructed path. Some citizens turned away out of fear, while others bowed in reverence, whispering words of respect. Overpalace inspired awe and submission in equal measure.
Inside the luxurious carriage, a user named Seong sat in silence, visibly uncomfortable.
“Hmmm...”
He let out a soft hum, his masked face betraying no emotions, but inwardly he felt utterly exposed. Riding into the city in such a grand fashion wasn’t what he had in mind. The carriage, the horses, the banners—it all felt like too much. Despite his outward composure, Seong’s mind raced with thoughts of embarrassment.
“Allow me to formally introduce myself once again! I am Belmor Arcadius, branch manager of the Overpalace Pentragrid Division!” The man seated across from him bowed deeply, his voice brimming with reverence.
“Understood, Arcadius,” Seong replied politely.
“H-Huh?!”
Belmor practically yelped, his eyes wide in disbelief. In an instant, he leapt to his feet, performing an exaggerated bow so low it seemed he might tumble out of the carriage.
“P-Please, do not address someone as insignificant as me with such honorifics! I am unworthy of your respect, Great Successor!”
“...I see. Very well, Belmor,” Seong relented, his voice tinged with resignation.
“Th-Thank you for your gracious concern, even for someone as lowly as me,” Belmor whimpered, his voice cracking as tears streamed down his face.
Seong stared at him, bewildered. Was this for real? Did Overpalace members come with some kind of passive trait for melodrama? Their over-the-top behavior was beginning to feel like a prerequisite.
Before Seong could dwell further, Belmor straightened up and spoke cautiously. “Is there anything you require, my lord?”
“Hmm...” Seong considered for a moment. Overpalace was renowned for its facilities and resources. Like the black magic training center in the first village, this city had establishments catering to a variety of professions, including mages. Overpalace itself functioned as a central hub for many such activities, offering unparalleled access to training, equipment, and rare materials.
Still, the lavish treatment was making Seong uneasy.
Sensing his discomfort, Belmor quickly added, “My deepest apologies for the inconvenience earlier. Rest assured, we will escort you directly into the Overpalace branch’s private grounds, away from the prying eyes of outsiders.”
“That’s a relief,” Seong admitted, his tone lightening.
Belmor beamed with pride, his satisfaction palpable. For him, serving Seong wasn’t just a duty—it was the pinnacle of his career. If only the constraints of the world’s will didn’t limit their hospitality, Belmor thought wistfully. Still, he resolved to provide Seong with the utmost care within those limits.
Snort!
The carriage finally came to a halt in front of an imposing structure. Seong disembarked, his gaze sweeping over the massive estate before him.
‘...It’s bigger than the lord’s castle.’
The Overpalace branch headquarters resembled a fortress more than an estate. It towered over the city, its sprawling grounds rivaling the size of the castle itself. For a moment, Seong wondered how a single city could house two structures of such scale. He shook his head in disbelief, marveling at the audacity of it all.
As he stepped forward, rows of Overpalace-affiliated black mages lined the path, bowing their heads in unison. Their synchronized movements were eerily reminiscent of a scene from a gangster film, complete with an unspoken “Welcome, boss!” vibe. The atmosphere was so heavy it bordered on oppressive.
‘This is... a lot.’
Even Seong, who prided himself on staying calm and composed, couldn’t help but feel overwhelmed by the display. Still, he maintained his stoic demeanor and walked forward without hesitation.
“Great and noble heir! We humbly welcome you!” Belmor’s voice boomed, followed by a thunderous chorus from the gathered mages.
“Welcome, true heir!”
Seong winced internally. So much for keeping a low profile.
Determined to finish his business quickly, Seong turned to Belmor. “Lead the way.”
“May I have the honor of guiding you myself?!” Belmor asked, practically glowing with excitement.
Seong nodded, reasoning that it would be faster than wandering alone. “Sure, go ahead.”
“Ha-ha-ha! Thank you!” Belmor exclaimed, nearly bouncing on his feet. He eagerly took the lead, with a throng of black mages trailing behind him. The group’s sheer size—at least thirty strong—made Seong pause.
‘Are they all following us?’ he wondered, feeling a sinking sense of dread. A few steps later, he confirmed his suspicions: the entire group was indeed tagging along.
Even Seong had his limits. “Belmor, could you... leave the others behind?”
The older mages looked heartbroken, bowing their heads in silent disappointment. For a brief moment, their crestfallen expressions tugged at Seong’s conscience. But he stood firm—this was non-negotiable. Walking through the estate with an entourage this large would only draw more attention.
Belmor, however, misinterpreted Seong’s request entirely. Tears welled up in his eyes as he stammered, “Th-Thank you for granting me such an honor. I... I am unworthy!”
“That’s not what I meant...” Seong began but stopped himself. If Belmor wanted to see it that way, so be it.
“Would you prefer to use an invisibility spell for your tour?” Belmor asked hesitantly.
“That sounds... reasonable,” Seong replied, too weary to argue.
With the spell in place, Seong followed Belmor through the sprawling Overpalace grounds. Belmor eagerly pointed out every notable feature, from the reception area to the black magic training rooms, materials shop, magical workshop, and the advanced skill academy. Despite the overwhelming hospitality, Seong couldn’t deny that Overpalace’s resources were second to none.
The Overpalace branch truly had everything—it was practically self-contained.
The facilities, especially the training rooms, stood out with their advanced features, including private training rooms offering top-notch security. Everything about the infrastructure screamed luxury and efficiency.
‘This is incredible,’ Seong thought to himself, impressed by the sheer scale of the operation. However, he also noticed that there were surprisingly few users present in the branch. Given the notoriously difficult entrance tests and the rarity of black magic users, it wasn’t too surprising.
As Seong continued his tour, Belmor, ever the attentive guide, gestured toward another grand structure.
“This here is the library. It contains everything from historical records to books on magical principles and theories.”
“Interesting,” Seong murmured, his attention caught.
The library wasn’t just a place to find skill books—it was a massive, mystical repository. It occupied an entire spire, its towering shelves stretching endlessly toward the heavens. Magical ladders floated between the shelves, gliding gracefully through the air. The sight was enchanting, reminiscent of a scene straight out of a wizard’s tale.
For a moment, Seong’s gaze lingered, drawn in by the serene, almost otherworldly atmosphere of the library. But his thoughts were interrupted by a sudden commotion nearby.
“What do you mean I can’t borrow this book!?” a voice protested.
Turning his head, Seong spotted a user arguing with one of the librarians. The man, wearing glasses and of slight build, appeared young—likely in his early twenties, not much older or younger than Seong. His features marked him as a fellow East Asian, unsurprising given the server region.
‘A user? In the library?’ Seong thought, intrigued. It was rare to see players spending time here, especially since books weren’t typically known to provide significant in-game benefits.
The librarian bowed slightly, apologetic yet firm. “I’m sorry, Mr. Barbaros, but you’ve exceeded your borrowing limit. I cannot allow you to check out any more books.”
“Ah, I see... But can’t you make an exception? Just this once?” Barbaros pleaded, his voice laced with desperation.
“You’ve also used up all your allotted reading hours, so I’m afraid it’s not possible.”
This content is taken from fгee𝑤ebɳoveɭ.cøm.
With a defeated sigh, Barbaros slumped his shoulders and returned the book to its place before trudging away. His dejected figure looked oddly pitiful.
‘He really must love books,’ Seong mused, shaking his head. To exceed both the borrowing limit and reading time? It was almost laughable. Did he join this game just to read?
Before he could dwell on it further, Belmor stepped forward. “Shall I look into the matter, my lord?”
“No need,” Seong replied quickly, motioning for him to stand down.
Their tour soon resumed, with Belmor announcing, “We’ve now covered all the facilities within Overpalace. Is there anything else you wish to know?”
Seong shook his head, about to decline, when a recent memory of his sister’s words surfaced—the story about a murder case in the city. Curious, he decided to ask.
“There was a murder in this city recently, wasn’t there? Do you know where it happened?”
“Ah, yes, I believe I know the case you’re referring to,” Belmor replied, nodding. “If you wish, I can mark the location on a map for you.”
“That would be helpful,” Seong admitted.
Belmor quickly began chanting under his breath, his hands moving in intricate patterns before handing Seong an item.
“This is the finest map we have, complete with the marked location of the incident. It should serve you well in your future explorations.”
[You have obtained the 『Premium Labyrinth Map』.]
[The Pentagrid City Map and Pentagrid Labyrinth have been added to your map system.]
The system message popped up as soon as Seong accepted the map. Glancing at it, he noticed a red dot marking the alley in question.
“Thanks,” he said, genuinely appreciative.
“It is an honor to be of service,” Belmor replied, his voice thick with emotion. Tears brimmed in his eyes once more, and Seong resisted the urge to roll his own.
“Alright, I’ll check it out,” Seong said, turning to leave.
Belmor, of course, saw him off with more dramatic gratitude. “Your words are a blessing, my lord! I wish you safe travels!”
Seong hastened his steps, eager to escape the Overpalace branch and its overly zealous staff. Following the map’s directions, he soon arrived at a bloodstained alleyway.
The sight before him confirmed that Belmor had indeed done his job well. Blood splatters marked the walls and ground, creating an eerie atmosphere. As Seong stepped into the alley, a system notification appeared.
[You have triggered the rare chain quest, 『Bloodstains in the Alley』.]
[This quest can be abandoned at any time with no penalty.]
And then...
“Ah! You... You can see me?! A noble soul has appeared!”
A pitiful female ghost hovered at the far end of the alley, her translucent figure trembling with fear and desperation.
A faint smile tugged at Seong’s lips. This quest was shaping up to be more interesting than he expected.