I Became a Dark Fantasy Villain Chapter 122

Novel: I Became a Dark Fantasy Villain Author: 서홍 Updated: Jun 02, 2026

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Now reading: Chapter 122 from I Became a Dark Fantasy Villain, a Action novel by 서홍.

"Unexpected. I thought you wouldn’t choose this one."

Archeas tilted its head slightly as it spoke. A bitter smile flickered across Ian’s lips. It was surprising to see such a reaction from Archeas, who knew Ian was a mage.

Well, looking at now, a warrior or knight might seem more fitting.

However, he could never give up magic. After all, magic was the basis for the skills he had learned so far and those he would learn in the future. Especially now that he had beco an even more ruined character, he had to accept any external help without discrimination.

"But I respect your choice."

Archeas added leisurely, reaching deep into its sleeve and pulling out a hand. Archeas held an empty glass bottle in its grasp.

Does Archeas also have a pocket dinsion as well?

While Ian was contemplating this, Archeas placed the bottle on the table and picked up the broken Sword of Judgnt. Archeas glanced at Ian and then drew the remaining blade across the palm of his left hand. No blood flowed from the cut, only revealing crimson flesh. Archeas opened the bottle’s cap, brought its left hand over it, and smiled slightly.

"You don’t even pretend to be surprised. That’s also upsetting."

With a frivolous joke, Archeas clenched its fist tightly.

Whoosh—

Golden light shimred between its fingers. A golden liquid flowed down from its palm into the bottle. As it flowed into the bottle, the liquid vaporized and condensed at the bottom, creating a swirling mist filled with brilliant golden light. Archeas closed the bottle after witnessing the inside fill with radiant gold.

It placed the Sword of Judgnt back on the table and pushed the bottle toward Ian. As Ian took the bottle, Archeas’s voice reached his ears.

"This is the purest dragon magic filtered from my heart. It’s practically an elixir for a mage. I can’t say for sure what kind of synergistic effect it will produce..."

"... Whatever the effect, it would have a permanent impact," Ian responded softly.

Even as Archeas nodded, Ian’s gaze remained fixed on the golden light within the bottle—precisely on the information window titled [Source of the Dragon.]

Maximum Mana, Mana Affinity, Mana Recovery, Casting Speed, Cooldown Reduction, among others—the Source of the Dragon was an elixir that would permanently grant two random enhancents from a list of nine effects. The increase wasn’t dramatically high, but that was significant enough.

The higher the base stats, the greater the additional effects.... Hopefully, it would increase my Mana.

While thinking, Ian glanced at Archeas.

"Can I consu it right away?"

"By all ans. Take your ti. I won’t snatch it away."

Archeas motioned with its hand as if brushing away concern, its wound already healed.

Treating like a child again.

Ian smirked, opened the cap, and downed the contents in one gulp. It was tasteless, with only a sensation of heat entering through his mouth.

"...?" Ian’s brows furrowed as the heat spread rapidly through his body. It felt as if his insides were burning. Soon, his body began to exude a foul-slling yellow sweat.

"Ah... Hmm… So it affects you like this." Archeas smiled as Ian took a deep breath, grimacing unpleasantly.

Ian couldn’t see any changes in the status window. It seed that the stats, which could only be checked through the detailed settings in the ga, must have increased. At any rate, ‌his Maximum Mana hadn’t increased. It was also disgustingly uncomfortable.

"Has... the impurity in my body... been expelled?"

"Possibly. Your veins have likely beco cleaner and stronger. Maybe they’ve even widened. Ultimately, you would know better than I."

"Hmm..." Ian murmured, flexing his hand. The magic felt more distinct. As he tried to test it, he noticed that the speed at which the magic circulated within his body had also increased.

The Casting Speed has increased. The other one might be Mana Affinity or Mana Recovery. Maybe Cooldown Reduction?

Whichever it was, it wasn’t the worst outco. Among the options were things like Elental Resistance. This was a result that could be considered second-best. The actual effects would beco clearer during a magic-using battle.

"Excellent..."

"I’m glad you’re satisfied. With this, we can say there are no debts left between us."

"That’s right. For now," Ian spoke with a faint smile.

Archeas also chuckled briefly. It was clearly a forced laugh.

"So, future dealings are separate, I see. But yes, it’s not you who’s at a disadvantage. After all, in any deal, the one that is more desperate usually has to take on a bit more risk."

"You’re very easy to talk to. One might expect you to play tough."

"If there was sothing to gain from it, I would have. But such tactics wouldn’t work on you, do they? What use is a threat to soone who causally walks into a battle between dragons?"

Archeas stared at Ian for a mont before adding, "So, will you listen to my proposal now?"

"I will," said Ian.

Archeas smiled at his response.

As the quest completion window appeared, his smooth voice continued. "There are those who intentionally wish to destroy the continent. They believe it’s better to destroy everything and start anew rather than trying to restore the already crumbling balance."

"... Are you speaking of the Round Table Parliant?"

"That’s one na for them."

Archeas didn’t seem surprised that Ian knew the na. Rather, it was Ian who was internally shocked. He had never expected such a topic to co from the Platinum Dragon.

"They are a group with diverse objectives, yet they share a common goal, which is quite interesting."

"So, you need an agent to deal with them?"

"I can’t ask for sothing that grand. That would an I’m interfering too much. I can only intervene in small parts."

"Well... usually, pulling on one thread in these matters tends to unravel more, like the stem of sweet potatoes."

"Each of them would probably be at the very bottom of that string. So if soone gets pulled out, they would cut the string before they all co to light."

Archeas then gently t Ian’s gaze."I don’t expect you to stay in the North much longer. You’re likely to leave this place. Staying here would bring too many annoyances. Wherever you go, I won’t interfere. I shouldn’t. However..."

Archeas raised its long, white index finger.

"During that ti, reduce their number by just one. Just one of those seated at the Round Table. It doesn’t have to be imdiate, and it doesn’t have to be at my request. Just ensure it’s done before everything becos irreversibly broken."

A small but significant request.

Ian muttered internally and then asked, "Do you think that alone would influence the entire group?"

Pleased that its intention was quickly understood, Archeas smiled. "A delicate balance can be disrupted by the removal of just one small weight. Even if it leads to further chaos, that’s preferable to total destruction."

Ian stroked his chin.

Archeas accepted his gaze gracefully.

Soon Ian let out a quiet chuckle. "It seems to that this is sothing the gods should be dealing with, not you."

"That’s their cunning nature. They never disrupt the balance abruptly. They make the world gradually worse, letting all laws eventually fall apart, making it seem like a natural course. Just creating minor fractures here and there."

Archeas’s expression grew somber. "So, during that process, the gods won’t intervene. They might even help a few. At first, it might seem like helping to maintain balance. Of course, a divine agent could coincidentally stand in their way... But if the gods step in, it will probably be at the very last mont, when it’s too late."

"... So you’re choosing to respond in the sa way they do."

Archeas neither confird nor denied. It just smiled.

The quest window finally appeared.

[Agent of the Dragon.]

The task was simple: eliminate a mber of the Round Table.

Ian looked at the quest window silently for a mont. In truth, he had practically made up his mind. He hadn’t had much conflict with the Round Table in the ga, but this ti was different.

There’s no need to kick away an opportunity that has co rolling to my feet.

Contrary to his inner thoughts, Ian spoke in a dry voice.

"Why choose ? There must be many others willing to risk their lives for your cause."

"That’s precisely why they can’t do it. Most powerful individuals have their souls tainted in so way. They inevitably co with external constraints. And that becos their weakness."

Archeas tapped the table slowly with its fingers. It was clear it was enjoying this conversation.

"And those at the Round Table would exploit that very easily. They would kill, persuade, or corrupt. But you don’t have those constraints. You wield the power of gods without serving them, carry chaos without succumbing to it, and you even have the courage to throw yourself at a dragon. Perhaps that inexplicable part of you is simply because of an extraordinarily powerful soul, almost akin to that of an immortal."

Archeas smiled gently. "So right now, you are the only one capable of standing against them. I have no other comparable options."

"Hmm..." Ian’s eyes narrowed slightly. Archeas had just revealed that there were no other options.

Is it because dragons are exceptionally noble? Or is it just Archeas?

Either way, it was impressive. If it had been him, he would have imposed a sense of duty or threatened as necessary.

Yet, even now, Archeas had made no threats or demands. Despite being an irritant to the gods, it was clear it loved the continent. If not, it wouldn’t have been planned within the many constraints that bound him.

"Let’s say I kill one of them." Ian finally spoke. "What would you give as a reward?"

"Interesting. A bargain feels more trustworthy than any oath."

Archeas, with a voice tinged with amusent, spread its hands.

"I’ll give you a fair reward, up to the point that it won’t anger the gods. You know I don’t make empty promises, don’t you?"

It ant Archeas would give sothing quite good, even if it wasn’t the best. Ian didn’t press further and simply nodded. It was clear that Archeas wouldn’t provide more details, anyway.

"How should I report completion?"

"You should do so under the watchful eyes of the Radiant Goddess."

Archeas pulled a small talisman from his robes. "Burn this at Lu Solar’s temple. It doesn’t matter where. Then you’ll be able to et shortly after."

"In that case..."

Ian extended his hand.

"This request is established."

"Thank you for accepting, Ian."

Archeas didn’t just place the talisman in Ian’s hand; it also firmly clasped Ian’s hand with both of its hands. Golden lights flickered in Archeas’s eyes as its voice, as warm as the touch of its hands, continued.

"From this mont, you are officially and uniquely my agent. However, unlike the gods, I regret I cannot lend you power. But I always wholeheartedly wish for your safety and health."

"Let be clear upfront. This agency role is only valid for this task." Ian smirked as he spoke.

Archeas nodded. "Of course. Afterward, we can return to being old comrades."

"Can you also have a al in that form?"

"I can, though it’s not necessary."

"Then next ti, let’s have a drink."

Archeas’s smile deepened, looking happier than at any other point in their conversation.

"Very well. I’ll prepare my finest drink and wait."

After releasing Ian’s hand, Archeas stood up.

"Rest well. Make full use of the priests."

"One more question."

"Ask away."

"Does the Archduke know of your existence?"

"Of course. I knew that boy when he was just a sprout with potential."

"Before you leave, could you stop by and visit him? To ensure he doesn’t bother ."

"My agent’s first request is sothing as simple as that... But I can’t refuse. I’ll do so." Archeas turned to leave with a smile, suggesting it enjoyed even the last monts of their conversation. Once again veiling its face, Archeas exited.

Ian let out a quiet chuckle. After all this, now he was a dragon’s agent. He shook his head in disbelief as he stored the dragon’s talisman in his pocket dinsion.

"Sir Ian...!"

The door burst open. Lucas stood there with a gaze full of awe, and behind him, Priest Fermat looked worn out.

Yes, they had been here all along.

"It’s been a while."

"It’s truly a miracle that you are unhard... It must be the grace of the Radiant Goddess—"

"I have a lot to hear from you," Ian cut him off indifferently.

Lucas smiled. "Of course. I’ll tell you everything you want to know, Sir Ian."

Ian nodded in acknowledgnt.

Seems he’ll do anything for .

Ian then turned to Fermat.

"I’ll need a bath first. Could you prepare the bathwater, Priest?"

"Yes... of course, Sir Ian."