Dark Warlock in the Apocalypse

All wizards face a chronic problem: sustainability.

Once their magic is completely depleted, they cannot do anything.

If they are a class that can recover through meditation, it's somewhat bearable.

However, for a Warlock, if there are no sacrifices, there's simply no way to recover.

"And right now is precisely when the issue of magic depletion reaches its peak."

Enemies become too strong to leave alive for sacrifices.

With frequent battles and long campaigns, the depletion of magic feels even faster.

Experiencing both of these disadvantages simultaneously makes one want to abandon the Warlock class immediately.

After reaching level 25 and undergoing the second job change, things would improve a bit, but he was currently in a situation where he had refused that option.

Though it was for the future, he felt he had no choice but to give up for now.

Yet, to suddenly obtain such equipment was like winning the lottery.

This would be incredible gear for any wizard, but for him at this moment, it was the best equipment possible.

Without hesitation, he exchanged the Apprentice's Staff for the Staff of Gluttony.

Since he was the only wizard on the team, there was essentially no need for any distribution.

His companions were surprised to learn the item's rank, even though they accepted that he would claim it.

"Not just rare, but unique? Already?"

"That means the next piece of gear could also be unique..."

"Please, let it be a bow! Or at least some arrows!"

"Hmm, if a sword comes out, it's definitely going to be mine!"

At first, his companions hoped for gear tailored just for them, but now they were dreaming of unique-grade equipment.

Given the significant power difference between rare and unique grades, it was understandable.

As he listened to their conversation, he chuckled and began to scoop up the pile of gold coins.

Clink, clink, clink.

"Is it 20,000 gold again this time?"

As the last coin disappeared into his inventory, the same amount was displayed again.

Although the dungeon difficulty had increased, it seemed there were no additional amounts due to the better gear.

Thanks to acquiring the unique-grade staff, he had no complaints whatsoever.

After collecting all the treasures, he led his companions back to the return point.

"With the additional skills from refusing the second job change, the black dragon egg, and the dungeon reward of a unique-grade staff..."

It was a harvest beyond perfection, and a smile crept onto his face.

The smile stayed on his lips until the moment they returned that day.

The next day, after completing the second dungeon raid, they headed to the opposite territory again.

It was to proceed with the relocation of the settlers as planned.

He gathered everyone and shouted, "From now on, we're moving you to my territory! Gather everything you need and come out! Those hiding will be left behind!"

Surprised, the people came together at his words.

However, since they hadn't heard any explanation about the relocation, an air of anxiety was palpable among them.

After a moment of hesitation, one of the settlers stepped forward and spoke up.

"Lord, may I ask something...?"

"What is it?"

"Do we really have to relocate? Can't we just stay here?"

The man's face was filled with clear anxiety.

While this place wasn't ideal, it was familiar land.

The fear of leaving behind the land they had grown accustomed to and having to adapt to a new place seemed overwhelming.

"If you don't plan to follow, then you can stay here."

"Is that really okay?"

"But if you choose to stay, don't come crying back if it becomes troublesome to manage here. If another pioneer invades and you're taken as slaves, don't blame me."

"...."

The man immediately shrank back, retreating.

Just yesterday, other pioneers had come and laughed as they treated them like slaves.

Although they hadn't become slaves since they had managed to kill the invaders, it had been sheer luck.

There was no guarantee that the same situation wouldn't happen again, so without someone to protect them, it was frightening.

If they were caught again, they would surely be dragged off helplessly.

"Um, Lord? I have a question as well..."

"Speak."

This time, it was a woman with dark circles under her eyes.

Once he gave her permission, she spoke with a look of fear.

"To relocate to another territory, we'll have to pass by those monsters, right?"

"That's correct."

"Is that really okay? Even if you and the others protect us, what if something suddenly jumps out and someone gets hurt?"

In other words, she was worried about the lack of escorting soldiers.

Most of the others seemed to share that concern, so he clicked his tongue as if to say they were worrying unnecessarily.

"If you run away somewhere else while following, that's one thing, but as long as you stick with us, you won't have any problems. Don't worry about unnecessary things."

"But...!"

"I have a skill that drives away monsters. If I use it, all monsters within a certain range will flee. Does that make you feel better?"

Only after hearing his explanation did she look relieved.

To be precise, it was effective against monsters below a certain level, but there was no need to explain that detail.

After all, revealing the existence of [Intimidation] was meant to reassure the settlers.

'Honestly, if they knew a little about the monsters, they wouldn't worry at all.'

Unless they wandered off, they would encounter the monsters ahead of them, and they would deal with them lightly, leading the settlers along a safe path.

Unless it was a unique entity like a field boss, monsters wouldn't ambush them.

"Is everyone gathered now? Then follow us!"

After gathering all the settlers, they left the gloomy village behind.

Though it was a territory registered as his, he wouldn't be returning for a while.

Unless the population grew too large or someone invaded, that is.

'Was this really the right choice?'

Hwang Hyun-cheol, moving with the others, felt a mix of emotions.

Until now, the class system and all its implications hadn't felt very real.

After all, he hadn't had a noble to serve right in front of him.

If he had continued to live in the territory he was used to, it would have likely remained the same.

The lord's residence was on the opposite side, and he probably wouldn't have come by often.

'But now we're going there, to the lord's residence, to a place teeming with pioneers...'

Surely, the opposite territory would have far more pioneers than Choi Seung-hyuk's group.

In other words, it meant there would be many nobles to bow down to.

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The thought of walking into a territory where he'd have to bow his head repeatedly made him feel sick.

'Class, class, that damn class.'

This was different from Choi Seung-hyuk's violent regime.

Back then, he had an excuse: fear of the fists before his eyes.

If he didn't comply, he would get beaten, and he might even die, so rationalizing that fear had been easy.

But now, he could no longer rationalize it.

He had accepted the class system to receive protection.

That reality severely wounded Hwang Hyun-cheol's self-esteem.