Became a Mechromancer - Chapter 108

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 108.
He Seems to Be Under Considerable Strain
“…A buyout?”
When Ma Jeong-seok repeated the question, Seo Woo-jin’s lips curled upward.
“That’s right. I want to bring Lim Doo-ho over to my side.”
“…What?”
Ah!
“Of course, I’ll make sure the Hunter Management Bureau doesn’t feel like they’ve suffered a loss from the expenses invested in this Reboot Center.”
“Now listen here, Representative Seo!”
Ma Jeong-seok raised his voice, but Seo Woo-jin had already made his point.
“What’s a measly 150 million won?”
“What do you mean by that…?”
Good grief.
“You didn’t even know Lim Doo-ho’s salary?”
Seo Woo-jin shrugged his shoulders while looking at Lim Doo-ho as he spoke.
His gesture conveyed that these were the kinds of people above him, and he continued.
“If it were me, I would’ve given him an annual salary of 1 billion won with separate incentives.”
Seo Woo-jin’s audacious words.
Only the sound of machinery echoed through the quiet Reboot Center.
80 billion won for the axe purchase.
And now the buyout conditions for Lim Doo-ho on top of that.
Na Manager was left speechless.
‘So it was true—when he wants something, he spends without hesitation.’
But then again.
“Representative Seo. This is clearly a violation of the Personal Information Protection Act….”
“You can be punished for stalking. Is that what you’re trying to say?”
“…!”
“If I can bring Lim Doo-ho over, I’ll pay whatever fine comes my way.”
When Na Manager’s expression turned incredulous, Seo Woo-jin’s eyes narrowed sharply.
But Na Yong-seok, the manager.
“Did the Hunter Management Bureau teach you to butt into conversations between your superiors?”
Boom.
In an instant, Seo Woo-jin released a burst of mana.
Everyone gasped at the absurd power radiating from him.
Ma Jeong-seok clenched his lips tightly.
‘Is he aging in reverse? How has he become even stronger than before?’
Na Manager, who had stepped back, felt cold sweat trickling down his spine.
‘The old man really came prepared.’
Ham Manager and Park Deputy had already collapsed into their seats, trembling uncontrollably.
Seo Representative, the architect of this chaos, smiled with ease.
He had always manipulated situations to his advantage and reaped the benefits, after all.
He naturally expected the same outcome this time.
But.
Protected from Seo Representative’s intimidating pressure by the mana Isto had subtly leaked, I was in conversation with Bom-i in my mind.
My thoughts were occupied with our exchange.
Master.
-Eight billion won—that’s a billion more than I estimated, ribbit.
‘You mentioned earlier that an Eco-Metal grade was on the line, didn’t you?’
-Take it when they offer, ribbit.
I nodded in agreement.
Though there was one small regret.
My first work as an S-rank Mechromancer.
Well….
‘It’s not a true S-rank, though.’
Master!
-There will be plenty more opportunities ahead, ribbit!
True enough.
An axe isn’t exactly a work of art.
So then.
‘I should sell it quickly while they’re offering.’
I looked back at Seo Representative.
‘A buyout, huh.’
I’d heard that Hunter contracts were similar to sports player contracts, but I never expected to hear it discussed so directly.
More money is always better.
But then my mentor Jang Moon-seo’s words to Seo Woo-jin came to mind.
“Being overworked by you lot meant I had no time to spend money. Thanks to that, I’m living quite well off what I saved back then, you bastard!”
Sigh.
And the result was spending New Year’s Day alone in the Workshop listening to my stomach growl.
Just thinking about it made me shake my head involuntarily.
So then.
‘Why would I want to stay at the Hunter Management Bureau?’
It’s simple.
The Hunter Management Bureau is the second-largest organization in South Korea to possess Androids.
The military holds first place, I’ve heard.
Conversely, Hunters are the ones most opposed to robots.
Therefore.
‘As a Mechromancer, there’s no place quite like this Management Bureau.’
Besides, I have no complaints about my current life.
Management Bureau work means clocking out at 6 PM sharp.
‘Well, technically I’m a Hunter by contract, but I’m basically a civil servant.’
And I have such wonderful colleagues.
My boss even looks after my father’s affairs—why would I transfer?
Then Doo-ho approached Ham Manager and helped him to his feet.
“Are you alright?”
“Huh? Oh….”
He then extended his hand to Park Deputy, who stood nearby.
“Th-thank you. Deputy Lim.”
“Not at all.”
When I turned back, Ma Jeong-seok appeared lost in thought.
Huh?!
‘Is he actually deliberating?!’
In truth, Ma Jeong-seok was so taken aback that his mind had momentarily stalled.
Unaware of this, Doo-ho interjected.
Seo Woo-jin.
“I’ll gratefully accept the axe.”
All eyes turned toward him.
Doo-ho then scratched his cheek with a wry smile.
“I’m afraid I spoke out of turn while you were discussing matters.”
At Doo-ho’s pointed remark, Seo stroked his chin.
Hmm….
‘This fellow, I see?’
No one treats carelessly a person they should be courting.
Seo broke into a broad smile and replied.
“I’m grateful to receive such a fine young man.”
“I’m relieved you’re pleased.”
Thus concluded the 8 billion won transaction.
‘I should have a meat party with the family.’
Doo-ho gazed at Seo with a subtle smile.
“However, Director.”
“Oh, yes. Go ahead.”
“I prefer it here.”
Seo blinked.
“Here?”
“Yes, the Hunter Management Bureau.”
Uh….
“Are you under some sort of coercion?”
“No.”
“Then, are you hesitant because of your colleagues there?”
A vigorous shake of the head.
I shook my head.
Seo Representative asked immediately.
No.
“But why?”
“Because work-life balance isn’t guaranteed.”
“Work-life… what?”
“My master said so. The Five Great Houses must work themselves to the bone in proportion to what they receive.”
“….”
Seo Representative’s jaw trembled slightly.
‘That bastard Jang Moon-seo!’
Then he regained his composure and asked me.
My friend’s disciple.
“Don’t you have any drive to improve yourself?”
“I do.”
“Then, come work with us….”
I raised my hand slightly.
“Just a moment.”
“Huh? Y-yes.”
“What evidence do you have that my skills will improve at your family’s workshop?”
“Well, unlike here, you’d be able to handle expensive and diverse weapons. Naturally, your skills would improve proportionally.”
“If you have so many expensive and diverse weapons, why did you buy an axe from me?”
“….”
I posed another question to the speechless Seo Representative.
“Is there anyone at your workshop more skilled than my master?”
“…!”
There couldn’t be.
Otherwise, why would he have come to Jang Moon-seo’s Workshop?
He simply wanted to buy skilled labor with money because he needed people to exploit.
So.
“I’m not merchandise. What kind of buyout is this?”
Puhahahaha….
Seo Woo-jin, struck by facts, burst into loud laughter.
He threw out a comment.
“You certainly speak well, unlike your master Jang Moon-seo.”
“Thank you for the compliment.”
“That’s exactly why I like you even more.”
“Please visit the Hunter Management Bureau occasionally for repairs. I’ll be happy to chat with you.”
A brief silence.
And then.
Seo Representative chuckled softly.
A disciple of an old friend.
“As you say, I’ll come again.”
He turned to face Ma Jeong-seok.
“I’ll drink your coffee next time.”
And with the Appraiser, he left the Reboot Center.
* * *
Moments later.
Ma Jeong-seok, having exited the Reboot Center.
His expression was grim.
So humiliated he could barely lift his head. The only consolation was that Lim Doo-ho had rejected the offer of his own accord.
But….
‘What a disgrace.’
Then Park Soon-kwon spoke first.
“Director, if I may.”
“…?”
“What if I put the 2.5 billion I’ve set aside toward securing Lim Doo-ho’s contract?”
A stark shift in stance from Park Soon-kwon, who moments ago had been spouting talk of performance.
As Ma Jeong-seok stared at him, Park Soon-kwon smiled awkwardly.
“I seem to have been momentarily entranced by something.”
The realization had struck him—he’d been fumbling about uselessly when a treasure lay right before him.
Then Kim Tae-sung, who had stopped walking, tilted his head.
Lim Doo-ho….
“Isn’t he the highest earner among our Hunter Management Bureau staff?”
“Hmm?”
Everyone from the Director down to Na Manager stood still. Then Kim Director spoke again.
“Didn’t he just earn 8 billion?”
“That was just fortunate—a single item fell into his lap.”
Na Manager carefully interjected at Park Soon-kwon’s words.
That….
“Haewon Group gifted a mansion worth 20 billion in market value to Lim Deputy.”
Hiccup.
Park Soon-kwon hiccupped in shock.
In other words, Lim Doo-ho had earned 28 billion in less than ten days since the new year began.
A moment of silence.
Heh….
Kim Director let out a hollow laugh.
They had to compete with a mere 2.5 billion in Bureau budget….
“Why do we seem poorer?”
As Kim Tae-sung, struck by the harsh reality, wiped his face, Na Manager offered hopeful words.
“Lim Deputy rejected not only Haewon Group’s offer, but also Director Seo Woo-jin’s recruitment—twice.”
Ma Director-General spoke in a low voice.
“I never expected such an earnest employee to still exist. We should pay special attention to him, shouldn’t we?”
Kim Director, filled with resolve, looked at Na Manager.
“Since the Reboot Center is on the first floor, we should visit it frequently from now on.”
The moment Na Manager heard those words, a headache seemed to materialize out of nowhere.
He spoke carefully.
“…Wouldn’t that put Lim Doo-ho Deputy under pressure?”
“Oh? Well, that’s true.”
Kim Director came up with a new idea.
“Lim Deputy values work-life balance… what about four days a week?”
“Kim Director!”
When Ma Director-General raised his voice, Kim Director flinched.
“Ah, yes. Even I think that’s going too far….”
“No, it doesn’t sound like a bad idea.”
“Sir?”
“Of course, four days a week is difficult, so let’s adjust it to Friday mornings. We’ll also reschedule the Reboot Center’s work schedule.”
Ma Director-General then gripped Na Manager’s shoulder firmly.
He spoke with determination etched across his face.
“I’ll make an effort to secure a larger budget next year.”
That’s right!
“Make sure to seal the deal on Lim Doo-ho’s contract extension—stake everything on it.”
With the Director-General’s special order issued, Na Manager felt somewhat burdened.
Sigh.
‘I should visit Lim Doo-ho’s father tomorrow.’
* * *
The next morning.
Seoul Outskirts Waste Processing Facility.
Android limbs passed over conveyor belts, while massive crushers and compressors relentlessly devoured chunks of metal.
Lim Tae-sang, Lim Doo-ho’s father, stood before a pile of steel reinforcement bars, mask in place.
The auxiliary device his son had created firmly supported his arms and lower back.
Clang.
As he lifted the steel material, a coworker beside him clicked his tongue in admiration.
“Lim, I envy that thing every time I see it.”
“Right? We all want to try the auxiliary device that Lim’s talented son made for him.”
Lim Tae-sang shrugged his shoulders with a hint of pride.
Whenever his son came up in conversation, a smile naturally graced his lips.
He spoke.
“My son was already thinking about something before the competition even ended.”
“Really?”
“So when exactly is it happening?”
“I’ve been waiting so long my neck’s gotten longer. Look, look. Don’t I look like a giraffe now, hyung?”
At his colleagues’ groans, Lim Tae-sang scratched his head.
“While we’re waiting, maybe we should purchase another auxiliary device….”
One person cut him off immediately.
Whoa!
“You know full well that Lim’s stuff is incomparable to anything else.”
“When I asked Lim about the specs, he told them to bring something like that if they could.”
Lim Tae-sang tapped the auxiliary device with his gloved hand.
“Stop rushing me. Just wait a bit. I’ll personally make sure everyone here gets one.”
At those words, everyone broke into laughter.
They’d all used Lim Tae-sang’s auxiliary devices firsthand.
Then another worker asked a question.
“Shouldn’t you be able to rest now? Your son’s doing so well.”
Lim Tae-sang’s expression hardened immediately.
“That’s nonsense!”
The surroundings fell silent for a moment.
He lifted another pile of rebar and moved it, speaking with force.
“I can’t help my son—how could I have such audacious thoughts?”
And he said nothing more, focusing on his work.
An embarrassed colleague spoke up.
“I was just joking. You know how Lim is. Come on, don’t be mad. Want me to buy you a drink?”
“Never mind. From now on, don’t say things like that even as a joke.”
It was right then.
What’s this?
“Someone’s coming.”
A visitor who had completed access verification walked inside.
A man in a business suit walked forward with warm beverage packs overflowing in both hands.
He approached the site supervisor first and spoke with a smile.
“It’s cold out there, and you’re all working so hard. I felt awkward coming empty-handed.”
“Oh my, what’s this?”
The man naturally moved between people, handing out beverages.
As murmurs spread, the man’s steps stopped in front of Lim Tae-sang.
He bowed respectfully at the waist, then grasped Lim Tae-sang’s hand firmly.
“Father!”
The surrounding workers stirred in an instant.
“What? Lim’s son?”
Wait, wait a minute.
“Doesn’t he look way too old?”
“…They say he makes good money, but he must be working hard.”
“So that’s why Lim felt too embarrassed to rest.”
At the strange sound emanating from behind, Lim Tae-sang’s face crumpled.
“He’s not my son!”
Only then did one of the workers beside him blink.
“Huh? He’s not?”
“Right. Lim’s got presence, but that one over there is… well, something else.”
The man in the suit introduced himself.
“Allow me to introduce myself. I’m Na Yong-seok, Director of the Management Bureau Reboot Center.”
And I looked at Lim Tae-sang’s colleague who had just said I was something else.
Well, well.
‘So that’s who it is?’
I Became a Necromancer
Author |
Gungang E
Published |
February 25, 2026
Publisher |
TalesYX
Website |
https://talesyx.com
Email |
[email protected]
ⓒ Gungang E, 2026
This publication is protected by copyright law and may not be reproduced or transmitted without permission.
UCI |
G720:N+A277-20260210015.0108

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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