Gravity Mage with Level-Up System

Chapter 1072: Part 2: Shadow Skull seeks a chance to strike

Shadow Skull

The old man glanced out the narrow window of his chamber, his thoughts momentarily drifting to the bleak landscape surrounding the black fortress. The Lawless Nation, along with the Forbidden Areas and the neighboring small nations, was considered a backwater region—an afterthought in the grand scheme of global magic politics.

The mana here was weak, a diluted force that paled in comparison to the rich magical energy found in the more prosperous parts of the world. This lack of interest had allowed the Shadow Skull and other dark factions to thrive in the shadows, hidden from the prying eyes of the Mage Union.

The fact that the Mage Union seldom ventured into these parts had been a blessing. It had allowed them to conduct their operations, build their influence, and strengthen their ranks without attracting unwanted attention.

But the old man knew that this fragile peace could shatter in an instant if they made the wrong move. If the Mage Union caught even a whiff of their presence—especially if they discovered the Shadow Skullʼs involvement in an attack on one of their chosen wizard seeds—the consequences would be catastrophic.

His eyes narrowed as the weight of the decision pressed down on him. A calculated risk could yield untold rewards, but failure would likely mean the end of the Shadow Skull as they knew it. The Mage Unionʼs reach was vast, and their resources were limitless. Once they set their sights on a target, it was only a matter of time before that target was eradicated.

He drummed his fingers against the desk, deep in thought. Perhaps they could still capitalize on the chaos in the Sand Rock Country, but they would need to operate with extreme caution, ensuring that no trace of their involvement could be linked back to them.

The idea of slipping into the heart of the conflict, taking what they needed, and vanishing before anyone noticed, was enticing. But there was always the chance that the Mage Union, in their constant quest to hunt down dark forces, would notice even the slightest ripple in the magical currents. And once they turned their gaze towards the Shadow Skull, there would be no escaping their wrath.

The old manʼs eyes gleamed with a mix of ambition and dread. The decision weighed heavily on him, and though he was one of the most powerful wizards in the Shadow Skull, he knew that even his strength was insignificant in the face of the Mage Unionʼs full might. The question now was whether to seize the moment or to pull back into the shadows, biding their time once more.

The hunched-back old man knew that this decision was too crucial to make alone. Only their organizationʼs leader possessed the wisdom and authority to navigate such a delicate situation. He needed to inform the leader immediately—only the leader could weigh the risks and make the best decision on how to proceed.

The hunchbacked old man cautiously made his way deeper into the black castle, where the leader of their organization was conducting experiments. As he ventured further, the castleʼs interior transitioned into an ancient, cavernous expanse. The cold, jagged walls seemed to pulsate with an eerie energy, and the air grew heavier as if the ancient stone itself was alive, watching every movement.

At the heart of the cave, a level-10 Supreme Wizard rested. The shadows clung to him, making his true form impossible to discern. If anyone had been able to see him clearly, they would have been struck with a terror so profound that it would haunt their nightmares forever. In the oppressive darkness, his form melded into the shadows, concealing the depths of his malevolent power.

Suddenly, as the level-8 elder approached the entrance to the cave, the stillness shattered. Two dim, ethereal blue lights flickered to life, glowing like ghostly flames in the void. They were the wizardʼs eyes, and their appearance sent a jolt of dread through the elderʼs body. His spine stiffened as he trembled, knowing the ancient being before him was far beyond anything he could ever comprehend.

Under the faint glow of the blue lights, the wizardʼs skeletal figure slowly came into view. His body resembled that of a decaying corpse, with thin, leathery flesh barely clinging to his bones. But despite his appearance, the oppressive aura radiating from him proved he was still very much alive, a terrifying remnant of untold power.

The figure, his voice a hollow echo in the vast chamber, finally spoke. ”What has happened?” His words sent a chill through the elder, each syllable weighed down by a cold, detached malice.

The elder, his voice shaking, responded, ”Leader, we are facing a grave situation. I donʼt know how to proceed.” He quickly explained the crisis involving Vincent Carey, careful not to omit any detail, knowing the wizardʼs temper could be unforgiving.

For several agonizing moments, the blue flames in the wizardʼs eye sockets flickered ominously. His expression remained cold and lifeless as if pondering Vincentʼs fate was a trivial matter. Eventually, he spoke, his tone dripping with disdain. ”There is no need to fear the Mage Union.”

At the mention of the Mage Union, the wizardʼs aura flared with a surge of hatred, an ancient grudge buried deep in his hollow chest. Whatever memories surfaced in his mind, they clearly carried with them a bitter sting of defeat or betrayal.

”Itʼs just a child,” he sneered, his voice a venomous hiss. ”And yet you all struggle to kill him. Target those close to him. Force him out of the academy, and end his life.”

The blue lights blinked out, and darkness once again swallowed the Supreme Wizard. The elder knew his presence was no longer welcome.

With the leaderʼs command given, the next phase of the plan was clear: assassins would be sent to finish the job. The elder turned and hurriedly left, the weight of the mission bearing down on him like a curse.

As soon as he left the place, the blue lights flared up once more, casting an eerie glow over the surroundings. In the next moment, an overwhelming burst of mana erupted from his body, causing the entire area to tremble violently for a brief instant. The pressure was suffocating, making the atmosphere feel thick and heavy.

Then, as suddenly as it appeared, the mana presence vanished without a trace, leaving only silence behind.

”Mage Union,” the dark figure muttered, his voice dripping with malice. ”I got the chance to eliminate your precious Wizard Seed. Do you really think Iʼd back down now?” His words hung in the air like a sinister promise. With a flick of his wrist, the blue lights winked out of existence, plunging the area into darkness once more.

Meanwhile, far away, a level-8 Wizard had returned to his lair. Seated before a dimly lit desk, he scanned through a list with cold, calculating eyes. His mind raced with thoughts of vengeance and strategy. He wasnʼt about to send amateurs or average killers for this mission—no, theyʼd be too easily exposed and taken out before they could even get close to the target.

This required finesse, skill, and most importantly, experience.

Only a seasoned assassin would do. Someone who had the expertise to evade detection, who knew how to kill without hesitation. Yet, as he pondered, a flicker of doubt crossed his mind. The last time they had sent a veteran, the result had been disastrous. The killer had met his end at the hands of a Magic Lord, a humiliation the organization had yet to recover from.

His fingers tapped rhythmically on the desk as he considered his options. This time, he needed someone different—someone specialized. An expert in stealth and deception. A dark wizard with a mastery of sneak attacks, or perhaps one skilled in bizarre and unpredictable magics. Someone who could strike from a distance, ensuring the target never even saw them coming.

Their organization, after all, was made up of ruthless killers—wizards of every variety, each more dangerous than the last. They thrived in the shadows, waiting for the perfect moment to strike. But this time, the stakes were higher than ever, and a single mistake could cost them everything.

The Shadow Skull, a notorious organization known for its ruthless tactics, boasts a roster of highly skilled assassins. Among them are those who excel in intricate planning and stealthy attacks. Elder, the organizationʼs leader, believes that the magic wielded by the Wizards of this land is the most suitable for their current mission.

Approximately 20 minutes later, Elder has identified over 50 Wizards who possess exceptional abilities in stealthy attacks and long-range magic. Many of their spells align closely with the magic practiced by the White Faction, making them less suspicious to outsiders.

However, their proficiency in escape tactics may be limited. Elderʼs objective is to select the most promising individuals from this group, those who can not only successfully complete the mission but also return safely.