Mana possesses its own nature.
Depending on the user's temperament, personality, and the type of magic they primarily use, the nature of their mana changes.
For example, if someone primarily uses elemental magic, especially fire-based spells, their mana gradually takes on properties similar to fire.
On the other hand, if someone with no talent in a particular magic type tries to use it, their mana will conform to the established framework and become a subpar imitation.
Because of this, the term "specialized magic" emerged, and even investigators wanted to learn swordsmanship that matched their own temperament.
Of course, others couldn't discern it, only the individual themselves could sense their own mana's nature.
And the reason why this story came to mind now was...
"My mana is resonating."
Lately, due to consistently summoning Nickel, my mana's color had been gradually fading.
However, as we approached this village, my faded mana began to surge.
Although I had no prior experience in learning dark magic, similar occurrences had happened a few times.
It had occurred when playing both a swordsman character and a mage character, each time near powerful A-rank items.
I wondered if this phenomenon was related to an item associated with dark magic.
If an item could produce such effects, it definitely wouldn't be an ordinary object.
What surprised me was that I didn't know the material used for such items, despite having knowledge of most renowned items and their whereabouts.
"I thought this would be a simple task, but it's not your everyday occurrence."
"Is it a curse?"
Once again, everyone's gaze fell upon me.
They expected answers from me, being a mage, but like before, I couldn't immediately figure out what was happening.
"I still don't know."
Rather than casually bringing up dark magic and arousing suspicion, I took a step back.
Without concrete evidence, it would be unwise to speak prematurely, so I couldn't leave behind even the smallest hint.
Everyone's expressions soured, seemingly disappointed with my response.
Christopher, in particular, grumbled in frustration, saying that my help was of no use.
"For now, let's try to stop someone and see if we can get them to cease."
"But what if it's contagious? What do we do then?"
"We can't just stand by and watch."
In the end, Hazel's suggestion seemed reasonable, and we entered the village.
As soon as we entered, I started feeling oddly bothered.
"Mind manipulation magic?"
As I muttered, everyone stopped in their tracks.
"Is it magic?"
"If you have some control over mana, there's no need to worry excessively. However, I'm not sure if it's magic."
"Not sure?"
"Casting mental manipulation magic powerful enough to affect an entire village is something an ordinary mage can't do. Even without the aid of magic circles or artifacts, even those referred to as Archmages would require days, if not longer, to achieve such widespread effects."
Christopher interjected with a question.
"How do you know it lasted for days?"
"I could tell by observing their condition."
In response to my words, Christopher grabbed a passing person.
Despite being caught, the man's eyes were bloodshot as he forced a painful smile, unable to remain still.
"Their condition... It's serious."
His words were accurate. The man's state was far from normal.
Due to vigorous dancing, his feet were covered in blood, and his body seemed both emaciated and parched.
"This has been happening for a month since the incident. It's hard to believe that this state has persisted for an entire month. If it had, he would have starved to death long ago."
"Someone must be managing to keep them from dying..."
I made the judgment that my statement could serve as clear evidence of dark magic.
Why go to the trouble of managing them and keeping them in this state without allowing them to die?
I had a vague sense of the other party's intention.
None other than because I am a dark mage, I could make an educated guess.
"Adrias, my fellow?"
"We might not be able to solve this on our own."
"What do you mean?"
"It seems like dark magic."
"Dark magic?"
When the words "dark magic" came out of my mouth, not only Vivian, who had been quiet, but even Ivy, who had been watching with a serious expression, were surprised.
"Although this situation is bizarre, is there a reason behind it?"
"It's just my conjecture, but it seems like they are forcibly collecting the emotions of the village people. If they can't make use of it, they will take their lives."
It wasn't simply an issue with an item related to dark magic.
Since it was not a dungeon-like place but a previously ordinary village, it was clear that there was someone behind it.
I pondered.
This was undoubtedly an event that Adrias had already experienced in the game.
But both Adrias and my team members had freely roamed the game's starting time.
Moreover, there was no mention of experiencing such a major event.
If it had been the real Adrias and not me, it would have been a case buried in silence.
Somewhere, the butterfly effect had occurred.
As I slowly recalled the events of the day, I suddenly reached a conclusion.
"Perhaps this incident is connected to Viscount Boloric."
Since entering Viscount Boloric's territory, I had rarely expressed my opinions.
There was only one occasion where I had voiced my opinion, and that was when I immediately suggested heading to the village.
If it hadn't been for my suggestion, we would have been resting in the baronial city by now.
'In the game, Adrias probably rested at the barony city just like that. Then he visited the village the next day and solved the incident smoothly.'
Of course, the resolved incident was a fabricated fake, unrelated to the events currently unfolding.
If I were to assume, Viscount Boloric had probably concealed the incident overnight.
Thinking about it that way, it made sense why the steward had tried to detain us.
'Perhaps the reason they wanted to hire mercenaries was to use them for dark magic? And then, unexpectedly, we accepted the request?'
I wasn't sure of the exact circumstances, but now that I had seen the true nature of this village, it seemed clear that we were also in danger.
"In that case, we just need to catch the dark mage."
"Assistant Professor Ivy. As this is related to a dark mage, it seems we could use your assistance."
"Sigh, why did I get caught up in such a shitty situation?"
That's what I wanted to say.
While Hazel complained, Ivy expressed her willingness to help, which relieved me somewhat.
At least, as long as she stepped forward, her life wouldn't be in immediate danger.
'The best course of action would be to abandon the request and call for reinforcements.'
Sensing that they probably wouldn't listen to me, we decided to search together.
"Let's start by going to the lord's mansion."
Ignoring the people dancing around us, we headed towards the mansion that appeared to be the lord's house.
As expected, the mansion looked quite expensive, even in this rural area, and gave off the impression of being detached from the surrounding scenery.
Although the entrance was locked, Christopher effortlessly sliced through it with his sword and entered.
At the end of the spacious garden, there was a mansion that seemed to be the lord's residence. The garden appeared neglected, with overgrown weeds indicating the passage of time.
"We're entering."
With Hazel's signal, we opened the mansion's door.
"Ah..."
Christopher let out a quiet expression of sorrow.
There were bodies scattered throughout, looking like twisted dolls, that seemed to be servants of the mansion.
"This confirms it. It's the work of dark magic."
As Hazel spoke, the rest of us nodded in agreement.
Meanwhile, I tried my best to hide my unease.
No matter how I thought about it, it was clear that there was an A-rank dark magic item nearby. If a dark mage were to personally use it, the destructive power would be terrifying to even imagine.
I couldn't be sure of the dark mage's level, but I could estimate that it would be at least as powerful as Charon Deplen, who had reached the mid-game stage. Even if it weren't for Ivy, they would have all likely abandoned me and fled.
'I trust you, Ivy Claire.'
After thoroughly searching the mansion, we ultimately couldn't find the body of the lord.
Aside from the bodies scattered around, we also couldn't find any other traces of dark magic.
"Is there anything else in this mansion? Should we search elsewhere?"
"Hazel."
"Yeah? Vivian, why?"
"Outside."
In the study on the second floor of the mansion, we followed Vivian's gesture and looked out the window.
"What's that?"
"Ah, damn it. This is insane."
Underneath the mansion, numerous villagers had gathered and were looking up at us.
What a horror movie scene. They're acting as if someone is the dark mage, completely going insane.
'Come to think of it, I'm a dark mage too.'
Regardless, we couldn't utter a word as we were surrounded by the villagers from all sides.
"People are coming in!"
"I'll go out first."
Hazel took the lead and stepped out of the study.
However, there were already dancing villagers waiting outside.
"Damn it."
It felt as if the people were being controlled, and they began to attack Hajal.
That's when Christopher leaped forward and pushed the people aside.
"Vivian! Protect the mage!"
Suddenly...
Boom! Boom! Boom!
"Ugh!"
The bodies of the people started exploding like bombs.
Christopher, who had been using his body to shield against the people, was covered in blood and collapsed.
"Christopher!"
Caught off guard, the attack caused significant damage.
Hazel hurriedly rushed over and lifted Christopher, who was injured all over his body.
And without any time to spare, Ivy lifted me up.
"Follow me! We need to escape for now."
Ivy re-entered the study and shattered the window before jumping out.
Even while carrying me, she effortlessly landed on the ground and swiftly moved, avoiding the villagers.
Following her, Hazel carried Vivian and Christopher out.
We fled, unable to retaliate against the villagers chasing us.
"Hey, Seaweed mage."
"What?"
"Can you locate the dark mage?"
"Just give me a moment."
Recalling Adrias' memories, I visualized the basic mana arrangement in my mind.
Mana Detect was a basic technique for mages, and I focused on spreading my mana like a net, trying to entwine it.
"It's so exhausting."
In such a desperate situation, it was challenging, but I had performed missions in even worse conditions in my past life.
Regaining my composure, I slowly constructed the net of mana.
And soon, it seemed like something got caught in the net, making it tremble.
It seemed that my lackluster mana instantly attracted the aura of the item, most likely an A-rank dark magic item.
The net of captured mana detected intense mana interference in the villagers' minds, allowing me to pinpoint a specific location.
"It's in the 9 o'clock direction! Approximately 600 meters from here!"
"Great! Well done, Seaweed mage!"
Ivy, still carrying me, immediately started running at an explosive speed as soon as she heard the location.
She was so fast that the distance between us and the rest of the team pursuing us widened significantly.
In no time, Ivy and I arrived in front of a random house.
"Where is it?"
"It seems to be this house."
"For now, put me down."
Ivy let go of me and drew her sword from her waist.
Without hesitation, she broke down the door and entered.
And in that moment...
"...!"
I saw Ivy, who had entered, suddenly freeze in place.
'How pitiful, how pitiful, how pitiful, how pitiful, how pitiful.'
'Just like a moth diving into the flames, same, same, same, same.'
And with a sudden resonating sound, the surroundings of the house started turning pitch black like an abyss.
"It's a trap...!"
Caught off guard, but it was too late.
The black barrier swallowed both Ivy and the house whole, completing a perfect semicircular shape.
'Where is it? If this was a trap, where is the sorcerer?'
I was a bit worried about Ivy, but I trusted her.
She would probably escape unscathed.
Now, I had to worry about myself.
Looking around anxiously, I attempted to use Mana Detect again, but another resonating sound echoed out.
'Do not be impatient. Everything is the will of the gods, will of the gods, will of the gods.'
'Soon, all creatures shall kneel before the name of "Sloth," same, same, same.'
'Sloth.'
Hearing the words from the empty air, I speculated about the item my opponent possessed and suppressed my astonishment.
Although I had thought that it wouldn't be an ordinary item, to think that it would be related to 'Great Sin'...
This game's name was 'Peccata.'
Thus, it meant the appearance of a high-level item related to the main story.