Became a Mechromancer - Chapter 12

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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 12
Upgrade (2)
Ding!
Lim Doo-ho’s mother paused mid-stir of her ladle as a notification chimed distinctly from the smartwatch on her wrist.
『Sender: Hunter Management Bureau Welfare Department
Korea General Hospital Ophthalmology Appointment Request Form
Please select your preferred appointment date』
Her vision had never been sharp, so she listened to the message through her earbuds, and her face immediately hardened.
At that moment, notifications chimed simultaneously from the smartwatches of the other family members.
“Honey! Something strange just popped up on my watch!”
Father emerged from the master bedroom, and soon the twins rushed out of their room in a flurry.
“Doo-bin! It says Abyss Rift insurance is free? They’re asking me to accept enrollment!”
“No way, that’s a scam! Abyss Rift insurance costs a fortune every month—there’s no way it’s free!”
A moment later.
The family gathered in the master bedroom, taking turns examining the holographic messages displayed on each of their smartwatches.
It was too peculiar to dismiss as a simple scam.
“Mom, the sender is the Hunter Management Bureau.”
At Doo-na’s words, Mother responded uneasily.
“Honey, why would they send something like this?”
“That’s what I’m wondering.”
“Dad, I’m telling you this is a new type of scam. They lure out personal information and steal your data.”
Just as Father nodded in agreement with Lim Doo-bin’s words—
Oh no!
“What do I do!”
At Doo-na’s cry, everyone turned their heads toward her. Her face was twisted in distress.
“I… I already accepted it!”
“You airhead! Why did you touch it! Turn off your smartwatch! Turn it off!”
Just as Doo-na fumbled to turn off her smartwatch—
“I’m home.”
Lim Doo-ho’s voice came from the entrance.
Tap-tap-tap.
Lim Doo-bin rushed out.
“Hyung, we’ve got a problem! That airhead Doo-na fell for a scam and—”
“A scam?”
Just as I looked up in surprise, Doo-na burst out from the master bedroom and smacked the back of Lim Doo-bin’s head.
“Hey! Lim Doo-bin. Calling your older sister an airhead? You’re asking for it!”
“Idiot, that’s not the issue right now! Hyung, look at this.”
I narrowed my eyes and examined Lim Doo-bin’s smartwatch.
Hmm….
“She actually accepted this?”
“I’m telling you, she did!”
“Yeah, good job.”
“????”
As I laughed casually, Lim Doo-bin’s eyes widened in disbelief.
Just then, my parents emerged from the master bedroom.
“Son! Hurry and contact the Cyber Investigation Unit….”
Amid the chaos of everyone gathering in the entryway, I scratched my head and spoke matter-of-factly.
“It’s not a scam.”
Everyone froze, and I explained.
“Our department expanded employee family benefits, so I applied for it in advance. It looks like the text notification just went out today.”
Father asked with a puzzled expression.
“Family benefits? All of a sudden?”
“The Hunter Management Bureau’s budget increased significantly this time. So they’re greatly expanding employee benefits as well.”
I continued naturally while removing my shoes.
“Since I’m in my sixth year, I qualified for family benefits. I knew Mother’s eyesight wasn’t great, and since the benefits included ophthalmology services, I went ahead and applied.”
Mother’s face brightened.
“My goodness! So this is real?”
“Yes. Father’s health checkups and my siblings’ Abyss Rift insurance can now be covered almost free for employee families.”
Lim Doo-bin asked with an expression of disbelief.
“Abyss Rift insurance for free? That doesn’t make sense.”
“Son, it’s not completely free—the Hunter Management Bureau covers 90 percent. You only need to pay about 50,000 coins per month.”
My family’s eyes went wide.
It made sense.
The Abyss Rift insurance that used to cost 500,000 coins monthly was now 50,000 coins.
She grabbed my arm and asked.
“Brother, this is really safe, right? I only accepted it by accident.”
“Yeah. You did the right thing.”
Then I added in a slightly lower voice.
“And don’t tell anyone else about this. There’s a limited number of slots, so it could cause problems if word gets out.”
Lim Doo-bin gave me a thumbs up.
“…Brother. You’re seriously amazing.”
“Yeah, thanks.”
I ruffled Lim Doo-bin’s hair.
Then Mother came over and squeezed my hand tightly.
“My eldest son… I’ve always known how hard you work, and I’m grateful, so grateful….”
As Mother’s eyes glistened with tears, my chest tightened. In the moment I faltered for words, Lim Doo-bin playfully interjected.
Come on now.
“Why cry on such a good day?”
Meanwhile, Father gazed at me silently for a moment, then turned away.
His broad shoulders trembled ever so slightly.
“Does Father cry too?”
“Cry? Cough… it’s just a cough.”
Father turned back after forcing his voice steady, but his eyes were already glistening with tears.
“…I should have taken care of this long ago. I have no face to show you.”
Those words made my chest ache with a bittersweet pang.
Isto asked.
-Lim Doo-ho, why did you lie?
‘What do you think would happen if I said it was my money?’
-They would thank you, wouldn’t they?
‘Wrong.’
-Huh?! Huh!
‘The moment they heard that, my parents would refuse and demand I cancel immediately. Then my siblings would follow suit and say it’s fine.’
So this was the right way.
But….
-I am regretful. That you hide your accomplishment through such hardship, Lim Doo-ho….
‘Isto, family doesn’t keep score like that. Besides, you’re the one who did the hard work.’
-No! That’s not it! I merely did what I had to do!
‘I did what I had to do as well, Isto.’
-Is that so…?
‘Watch and see as we live together from now on. Then you’ll understand something too.’
-Mm…
Isto seemed to ponder for a moment.
-Since you are Lim Doo-ho’s blood relative, it seems you will be helpful for world conquest in the future. Ehehehe~.
* * *
A month later, late at night.

Lying in bed, I flicked my fingers.
Silver dust immediately flowed from my fingertips toward a bag of snacks on the chair.
Crackle.
A single snack floated into the air and stopped before my mouth.

The moment I took a bite.
The air rippled, and Isto emerged from the Garage holding a laptop.

Oh! Oh!

-As expected of you, Lim Doo-ho! Even during breaks, you’re training. I’m truly impressed!
“Training?”
-Nanobot manipulation, of course! You’re trying to use them like your own limbs, aren’t you!

Well…
I was just lying around eating snacks.

‘The interpretation is better than the dream itself.’
Truth be told.
Over the past month, I’d seized every spare moment to incorporate nanobots into my daily life.
My proficiency had grown noticeably, and by now they functioned as a third limb without any shortcomings.
I chuckled softly and activated my smartwatch.

『2069 Government-Sponsored Skills Competition
Eligibility Requirements
Related academic fields, equivalent professions (credential holders)
Evaluation Criteria: Practicality 30%, Creativity 30%
Creation Period: 1 month
Exhibition Venue: Comprehensive Skills Training Center
Prize Money: 1st Place 100 Million Coins
Date: 2069.1×.××
※Gold and Grand Prize winners advance to Global Competition』
I paid no attention to the global competition listed at the bottom.
‘That’s a story from another world.’
Still.
“I should register.”
-Ooh, what’s this?
Isto’s LED eyes suddenly widened.
Oh!
-You’re going to win 100 million coins!
My lips twisted as I continued filling out the application. I looked down at Isto with a wry expression.
‘Sometimes I envy that infinite confidence of yours.’

“The higher-ups at the Hunter Management Bureau told Park Deputy Manager to go, but he was worried his incompetence would be exposed, so he dumped it on me.”
Lim Doo-ho continued with a shrug.
“I told them I couldn’t go because I’m a contract worker with only a high school diploma, but they said anyone with all the certifications and six years of practical experience could participate, and they basically threatened me to go no matter what.”
Now that you mention it!!
-I thought my circuits would completely fry trying to hold back after hearing that!
At Isto’s indignation, Lim Doo-ho chuckled.
“But honestly, I’m fine with it.”
-Huh??
“Most of the participants will probably have master’s or doctoral degrees, so if I place well there, I’ll get bonus points for full-time employment.”
Oh! Oh!
-Then you should win first place!
“Geez, most of the participants there have master’s and doctoral degrees.”
-Why does that matter?
Sigh….
“Let’s not talk about it.”
Isto interjected again.
-Anyway. That guy Park Deputy Manager was starting to look down on you.
“Call him Park Deputy Manager, will you.”
-Right. That guy was definitely starting to underestimate you.
“I was actually thinking of giving him a little lesson after I get back from the Abyss.”
-That’s wise! People like that need to be regularly stepped on, crushed, and destroyed!
I recalled Isto slapping Ratkin’s cheek.
His head had spun around from just one blow.
“Isto.”
-Yes.
“Don’t you dare interfere.”
-Huh? …Understood.
Shortly after finishing registration, Isto’s LED dimmed in front of me.
-I’m getting hungry from using my head earlier.
Isto pulled out a magic stone from his pocket and crunched it like candy.
Suddenly, the half-empty magic stone pouch caught my eye.
“We’ve used quite a lot of magic stones.”
-That’s true. But how much have you saved from selling magic stones?
“I’ve been selling the Ratkin magic stones little by little, and I put only one of the King Ratkin stones up for auction. It sold for quite a high price.”
-How much in total?
“Just over 200 million won.”
Fireworks exploded in Isto’s LED eyes.
Oh! Oh! Oh!
-Then you won’t have to worry about your parents’ medical bills!
“At least for a while.”
Then Isto asked with concern.
-Now you won’t have to enter the Abyss anymore, right?
“What are you talking about? I still need mana stones for you, and I have to save up for moving expenses.”
With those words, I got up from my seat and began changing clothes.
-Where are you going at this hour?
“Tonight, I’m heading into the Abyss like we planned.”
Oh my!
-I’m so sorry! I completely forgot.
“It’s fine. Your little oversights are endearing, actually.”
-Wait, I feel like I just got backhanded!
Isto looked up at me intently.
“What’s wrong?”
-I’m saying, what about work tomorrow? Won’t you be exhausted?
“Don’t worry. You always say time moves slowly when we’re together in the Garage, right? So we can rest there plenty before I head to work.”
A lightbulb icon suddenly illuminated on Isto’s LED display. He immediately gave a thumbs up.

As expected of you, Doo-ho!!!
-Your tricks are becoming increasingly artistic!
“That’s a compliment, right?”
-It’s a compliment! Absolutely not a backhand! Never! No way. Ehehe
“….”
Strong denial is strong affirmation.
So then.
Yeah, it was a backhand.
Well….
‘That just means we’ve gotten closer.’
I let out a small chuckle and opened my status window.
“Isto, how do I use this Dimensional Access?”
-It’s simple. Just think about entering the Abyss.
In other words.
Thanks to this, I don’t even need to go all the way to Yeouido.
Furthermore.
-I don’t understand why they check entries and exits.
“Isn’t it to protect hunters who spend long periods in the Abyss?”
-From my perspective, it seems like they’re trying to control it.
“Control?”
-The Five Major Hunter Families created the system, and based on entry records, they can know the number of hunters, which hunters frequent which guilds, and so on. Also, guilds trying to expand their influence….
I decided to change the subject.
I didn’t really want to hear conspiracy theories.
“What’s the name of the main monster in the place I’m entering this time?”
-I already told you that.
“It just slipped my mind.”
Hmm…
-Cobalt Scale and Drake Runner.
“Drake Runner is the humanoid lizard, right?”
-That’s correct. Actually, both are bipedal. For reference, there are also Sandworms. They’re hard to spot since they live underground.
“Thanks.”
-Oh! No, I mean…
Isto seemed embarrassed and headed into the Garage.
Well then, shall we go in?
I closed my eyes gently.
Then I recalled the Abyss.
Here goes.
[Dimensional access is activated]

[Only Layer 1 is accessible]
Do you wish to enter?
Accept / Decline
A status window floated before me as I opened my eyes.
I took a deep breath and answered.
“Accept.”
[Moving to South Korea Abyss Layer 1]
The air shimmered in an instant.
The void rippled like water, and a circular blue portal materialized.
I pushed my body through the portal.
Where the portal had been.
Faint mana particles sparkled before fading like melting snow.
* * *
-Lim Doo-ho.
“Hmm?”
Isto looked up at me and asked.
-Why did you enter the Abyss so late at night?
“Because there won’t be any Hunters around.”
Ah, I see.
-So you didn’t want to be disturbed.
That’s part of it.
“I didn’t want you to be discovered.”
-Huh??
While Isto was taken aback, I surveyed my surroundings.
A scorching desert.
‘I expected it, but… it’s beyond my imagination.’
Endless sand stretched in all directions.
Dunes undulated like waves, and scattered cacti stood proudly displaying their spines.
Became a Necromancer
Author |
Keongang E
Publication Date |
February 25, 2026
Publisher |
TalesYX
Website |
https://talesyx.com
Email |
[email protected]
ⓒ Keongang E, 2026
This publication is protected by copyright law and may not be reproduced or duplicated without authorization.
UCI |
G720:N+A277-20260210015.0012

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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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