Dark Magus Returns

Chapter 1528: A New Dark Guild (Part 1)

They had yet to reach the abandoned church that once served as the Dark Guild’s meeting place, a ruined shell of worship that Harvey had frequently used to gather his members. The structure had always been large enough to handle hundreds at a time, its echoing halls filled with whispers of dark plans and promises.

It had seemed practical for Raze to continue using the same site. After all, the Dark Guild had always operated less like a traditional organization and more like a vast, shadowy network. Only key members needed to receive the message, once the order was passed down, the lower-ranked members followed without ever needing to attend meetings themselves.

But what stood before Raze now was nothing like what he remembered.

The place no longer resembled the quiet, half-ruined landmark hidden in the Underside. Instead, it looked like a fortress, an entire settlement that had sprouted around the church, spreading outward until it felt less like a hideout and more like the foundation of a city.

The group stopped on one side of a flowing underground river. To reach the church, they would need to cross a wide bridge, and even that bridge bore signs of deliberate construction. Specially enhanced crystals lined the edges, casting pale blue light across the stone, their glow mirrored in the black water below.

On the lower levels beneath the bridge, metallic containers had been stacked into makeshift platforms. Some were built atop one another, others connected with iron pathways that allowed people to move freely between areas. From this distance, the group could see robed figures ferrying goods across planks, their hushed voices carrying faintly over the water.

Beast crystals, dozens of them, were being transported in carts and bags, glowing faintly in the shadows. The workers moved with precision, as if this operation had been running smoothly for months.

And beyond all of it, further into the leveled-out expanse, rose the church itself.

Only, it no longer resembled a church at all.

The façade had been rebuilt and expanded until it looked more like a palace. Its enormous double doors gleamed with reinforced steel, each side inscribed with glowing enchantments that pulsed faintly, a warning to any who dared approach without permission. The spire-like roof had been repaired and reinforced, while dark banners bearing the guild’s symbol fluttered faintly in the still underground air.

Even from here, Raze could sense it. Dark Magic. It pulsed in waves, bleeding out from the building’s heart. Somewhere within, or just beyond, an outdoor arena had been established, where rituals and training were taking place.

"It’s like an entire society has been built for those who practice Dark Magic," Varkos murmured, his eyes narrowing. "This is nearly as big as some of the top guild compounds in Alterian."

Mordain gave a small, reluctant nod. "I suppose when people share the same belief and pool their resources without hesitation, this is the result. With no restrictions, no moral boundaries, they’ll use whatever they can find. And this is what they’ve managed to accomplish."

Kelly stepped forward, her expression unreadable. "That’s exactly how it is. The Dark Guild pulls from every corner of society. Some contribute money, others materials, others knowledge. Each person adds what they can. This place was built not by wealth but by will. With every hesitant supporter swayed, with every fence-sitter convinced, the guild grew. And when numbers grew, so did confidence. They decided to make this stronghold a reality."

The soldiers exchanged uneasy glances as they listened. For some, it was the first time seeing how deep the roots of the Dark Guild had spread. They whispered quietly among themselves, but none moved forward until Raze did. Every eye turned toward him, waiting.

Because they all knew, the Guild might treat them as intruders. The only reason they hadn’t already been attacked was because the Dark Magus himself stood with them.

"This isn’t an ideal situation," Raze said finally. His eyes remained fixed on the sprawling fortress. "Something this large can’t stay hidden for long. The Underside isn’t entirely cut off. There are always people traveling between here and above. Word spreads. And once the Grand Magus get wind of this, once they know the truth... this place will be the first target."

His words sank into the group like cold steel.

"That’s exactly what I was thinking," Alen said. He crossed his arms, his tone grim. "If I were in the Grand Magus’ position, I’d strike here first. The destruction caused by such a battle... it wouldn’t just wipe out the Dark Guild. It would devastate the entire Underside. And let’s be honest, if the Grand Magus wanted an excuse to erase this place, this fortress hands it to them on a silver plate."

Raze nodded. "Exactly. No one above cares about the Underside. Not really. If they decide to eliminate it completely, the world won’t protest. To them, this place is already forgotten. The only question is whether they have the excuse they need, and now, they might."

He paused, his gaze sharp as he scanned the settlement. "And I have another question. Around the old church, there used to be homes. Families lived here. Where are those people now?"

Kelly’s expression faltered. This was a subject she herself disliked, one she had argued against when Harvey first suggested it.

"Harvey gave the locals a choice," she said at last. "They could join the Dark Guild, try to learn Dark Magic, and if that failed, support in other ways, manual labor, transport, construction. But if they refused... then they had to leave."

Raze’s jaw tightened. He said nothing for a long moment, though his silence carried more weight than anger. He didn’t need to speak to make his thoughts clear.

Not everyone could fight. Not everyone could build. And those who couldn’t contribute were cast aside. No one above cared about the Underside, but it was becoming clear that even the Dark Guild treated it only as a convenient base.

Finally, he exhaled slowly. "Let’s go speak to Harvey."

His words drew the conversation to an end. The soldiers and mages adjusted their stances, falling in behind him. Ahead, the glowing fortress loomed larger with each step, its shadow stretching across the bridge like a reminder of the path they were choosing.

For better or worse, they were about to walk into the heart of the Dark Guild.

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