I’m Telling You, I’m Not a Boss Monster!

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The darkness loomed, obscuring the view beyond the scenery.

I couldn’t see anything, even as an Undead myself, due to some magical interference.

The interior boasted a high, arched ceiling with spacious halls filled to the brim with libraries.

Just the dust on the magical tomes could hint at the age they bore.

Everywhere I looked, it resembled a grand library more than a tomb.

“Hmm…”

Charlotte nonchalantly let out a hum.

There are many libraries managing tomes of this magnitude.

I guessed her unease stemmed from the magic circles present.

The ceiling and various spots in the library were engraved with large and small magic circles.

There were so many that it was impossible to count them.

Each engraved magic circle had numerous roles such as buffs, seals, and traps.

Fortunately, these magic circles were dormant and not active.

‘They’re all Anti-Magic Circles.’

The activation conditions for anti-magic circles rely on corresponding magical power.

In other words, as long as we don’t use magic, they won’t activate.

Charlotte looked around with an unusual expression of anxiety.

To her, who was unaware of the anti-magic circles, they might seem threatening.

Cecilia was also observing the magic circles with her signature half-open eyes.

Does she sense any unusual energy as well?

“It seems to work with magic.”

…Of course, it works with magic—wait, let’s not say that.

It was foolish of me to expect a barely knowledgeable hero to understand this.

“The configuration of the spell is intricate to the point of being unprecedented. I’ve never seen a magic circle in this form before.”

Even I could tell that this was different from the usual magic circles.

Typically, magic circles are a combination of geometric patterns and a balanced arrangement of regular characters.

In contrast, anti-magic circles bore metaphysical patterns and seemed to have irregular combinations of characters.

There were three types of anti-magic circles here.

The Defining Anti-Magic Circle.

The Anti-Anti-Magic Circle.

The Conjunct Magic Circle.

Since anti-magic is fundamentally about opposition, it’s no surprise that the magic circles would be like that.

“I’m not sure, but it looks like an ancient magic circle. Its level is… beyond my reckoning. It seems to be the resting place of a great mage who graced an era.”

Charlotte shot me a sidelong glance and subtly mentioned.

Her look suggested she might know who led us here.

I shrugged, maintaining my silence.

“Anyway, it’s best not to touch the magic circles.”

“Yes.”

Even after that, Charlotte continued to walk, keenly observing the configurations of the magic circles.

I didn’t bother to stop her; her enthusiasm for learning was commendable.

‘I want to steal a couple of them.’

Apart from the Mana Eater, there are many hidden magical devices worth acquiring here.

However, to take anything other than the Mana Eater, I’d need to eliminate Benedict.

Taking on that risk just didn’t add up.

The original goal was the Mana Eater.

If I could negotiate it well and get only the Mana Eater, I’d leave without any regrets.

‘…Still, it is a bit disappointing.’

Among the ceremonial items enshrined, there exists his staff.

A loot that could only be acquired by defeating the spirit of Benedict, and its grade was an impressive EX.

A weapon on par with my Holy Sword. If it fell into Charlotte’s hands, she could easily challenge a 9th Circle spell.

Currently, Charlotte’s level had dramatically grown past 87.

Yet, she still remained at the 8th Circle.

If she added just the staff, reaching level 90 was a given, and even level 92 could be in her sights.

‘That would mean surpassing her original peak.’

Originally, Charlotte’s peak as a sentinel of the 10th Circle of the Abyss was level 90.

Now, less than a year since we met, the possibility of surpassing that peak had opened up.

At first, I wondered if it was even okay to grow this fast, but upon reflection, it made sense.

Before her potential, she had evolved into a demon, received an S+ grade Necronomicon, and now an EX-grade staff too?

At this point, one could describe it as overwhelming support.

If I were in her shoes, I’d have gone and brought back Calandas’ head just for the sake of gratitude.

‘…But maybe that would be pushing it.’

Setting aside her combat power, Charlotte was fulfilling her role as an aide.

Expecting anything more from her would be greedy.

While lost in such frivolous thoughts, we arrived in front of the sarcophagus.

The size was so massive that it could hardly be considered a simple coffin.

I’d estimate it could easily hold twenty adult men.

This grand sarcophagus was, in fact, an illusion.

The true coffin containing Benedict lay elsewhere, but this one acted as the trigger for the dungeon boss, the spirit of Benedict.

Simply put, getting close would initiate the boss battle.

The spirit was level 94.

If I aimed to tackle it head-on, preparations were essential beforehand.

Otherwise, there was an 80% chance of failing, leading to death or flight—one or the other.

‘But that’s not the goal, anyway.’

If I prepared for a fight now, I would only fan animosity.

Since I had no intention of engaging in combat, I took a deep breath and moved closer.

Whoooom!

In response, the magic circle engraved on top of the sarcophagus glimmered lightly.

Then, in an instant, something shot up.

The robed spirit of Benedict floated above the magic circle like a hologram.

[Lv. 94]

The spirit of Benedict was of boss-level caliber in the Seven Lairs.

Merely having animosity was enough to jeopardize life, but for now, it was still white in color.

-Huh…

As if savoring existence, the spirit took deep breaths repeatedly.

Finally, it turned its attention to us.

-It’s been ages since I’ve had an intruder. Has it been several hundred years? Well, it doesn’t matter. Have you come to desecrate my tomb? Or have you been drawn here by some unfathomable energy?

Cecilia raised her Moonlight Sword, taking a defensive stance.

Charlotte also had various magic circles floating around her in defense.

I gestured for them to stop and stepped forward.

Benedict was a choice-based boss.

If the player could fulfill a request, he’d graciously hand over the Mana Eater.

In other words, if you lacked the ability to do so, you’d have no choice but to fight.

I recited the lines I had prepared in my heart.

“You are bound by that magic circle.”

Instantly, the spirit’s eyes glinted.

Its gaze fixated solely on me.

-Hoho, a Death Knight. It’s rare to see one who’s not a lich being this observant.

According to Benedict’s backstory, he had an extreme aversion to becoming a lich.

He was so fearful of death that he sought eternal life.

Ultimately, this was the decision he made.

To embed his soul within the magic circle, living an eternal life.

That magic circle was both a catalyst for his immortality and a prison with spatial constraints.

Yet, he still made this choice because he believed that someday, perhaps due to serendipity, he would break free.

Perhaps a chance like mine.

“I understand very well what that magic circle is for. You’re enjoying immortality but are bound by the magic circle, am I right?”

-…Yes.

The spirit’s eyes narrowed.

“We harbor no animosity towards you, merely curiosity. A mage of your caliber must have left behind many artifacts as your legacy.”

-That is indeed true.

“Then let’s negotiate. If you release me from the bonds of the magic circle, could you provide me with artifacts in return?”

-You mean to say, you came here with that intention from the start?

Did I convey my intentions too clearly?

My words came spilling out in a rush due to impatience.

Without hesitation, I shook my head.

“Of course not. I didn’t even know this was a spirit’s resting place. Like you said, I just happen to be particularly observant.”

-Whatever the case, I wouldn’t care as long as you can set me free from this cursed place.

Now, Benedict would offer the Mana Eater as a bargaining chip.

He obviously had some reluctance, as the Mana Eater was a culmination of his past life’s efforts and a masterpiece.

It was precisely because of this that he offered it as a bargaining chip.

In this regard, Benedict was quite principled.

“Charlotte, do exactly as I instruct from here on.”

Though my words sounded eloquent, freeing him from the bindings of immortality could only be done by another mage.

In the game, the condition was for players to advance their class to a mage and master the 8th circle.

However, even if I lacked the capability, I still knew how.

I’d leave the bomb disposal to Charlotte while I directed her on how to do it.

-But you, Death Knight…

With an observing gaze, the spirit intently watched me.

It let out a thoughtful hum as it regarded me.

-You are truly strange. The more I look, the stranger you are. A Death Knight, yet your soul seems to transcend—no, should I say it’s alien?

“….”

-What could have caused such a dissonance between body and soul? How intriguing. Your soul piques my interest. No, it stirs something akin to desire within me.

A sense of dread washed over me.

It wasn’t just me; Cecilia was poised to leap in at any moment.

Even Charlotte’s magic circles had all turned to target him.

-You seem to wish to feast upon my soul.

“…What?”

-You cannot possess a living soul. That’s why you have remained bound here until now. But you… your body and soul are different. Ignoring the fact that you’re Undead, this body and soul are quite enticing. Unknown Death Knight, surrender your body and soul to me.

What the hell?

Instinctively, I took a step back. The more I did, the closer the spirit came.

-I, the seeker of truth, Benedict, will make good use of you. With that, I can break free from this magic circle’s constraints. Hehehe… And on top of that, I can even obtain a soul alien to this body. The mere thought shakes me with excitement. Death Knight, this is a blessing for you too.

─!

Cecilia unleashed a slicing sound as she charged at Benedict.

Simultaneously, Charlotte’s magic was fired off in unison, but the spirit effortlessly dismissed all the attacks with a gesture.

-You little wretches, step aside.

What a hellish situation this is.

If I had planned a strategy from the beginning, it might have been different, but I never anticipated a continuous barrage of unforeseen setbacks.

What went wrong? Was it being a vessel in this world?

Did I end up in a deadly situation just because I didn’t foresee that one thing?

“Lord!”

“Master!”

There wasn’t even a moment to regret as the spirit lunged towards me.

Before I could react, he was already upon me.

Swish—

It wasn’t a delusion; the spirit infiltrated my body.

A surge of sensation rose within my chest, and the sound of its laughter echoed in my mind.

‘Kuhahaha!’

A jolt of pain struck me, and unconsciously, my hands rose over my head.

‘Great! So great! I will swallow your soul and take your body… Huh?’

Just as confusion began to dawn, a thunderous shout pierced my consciousness.

‘W-what!? How… How is an Undead’s soul alive? It must be an Undead! Could it be…? You too are a vessel!? Ah, no! If that’s the case, I’ll lose control…! No, no, no! How did I get this far!? I can’t let this happen—’

Thump, then his voice was cut off.

The sensation swirling inside also vanished like a melting snowflake.

…What just happened?

[MAX LEVEL UP!!]

It was then that a notification window obscured my vision.

[Lv: 80]

The max level for an Undead is 80.

Without any understanding, I had unexpectedly exceeded the max level as the notification window popped up.

Even now, clearly seeing it, I couldn’t comprehend. It felt as if my brain had stopped.

What on earth happened? Why did things change so suddenly?

Is it that a vessel is misled when possessing another vessel?

Or was it that my soul being alive was the problem?

What exactly happened to that bastard that my level jumped to max?

Amidst the swirling whirlpool of questions, one self-answer filled my dazed consciousness.

‘…Did he die? For real?’

The discomfort in my chest vanished with the voice of the vessel.

But to think that he met his end so effortlessly?

Could it be that a boss-level great mage from the Seven Lairs died that easily?

It was favorable for me, but the absurdity of it all left me bewildered.

Then again, that was the only thing that made sense, so it left me feeling perplexed.

“Lord! Please respond!”

“Master? Are you okay…?”

A beat later, their faces came into my view.

Normally, they maintained blank expressions, but now they were distinctly worried.

I steadied my dizzy mind and reached out.

“I’m fine.”

I waved my hands in assurance.

Yet, seeing their worried expressions made me add a brief clarification.

“Don’t worry. He has perished.”