Became a Mechromancer - Chapter 98

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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 98.
Congratulations
People murmured as they gazed at the number 2070 carved into the bedrock.
Insane.
“How much strength does it take to shatter bedrock like tofu?”
“Who would even think to carve such a massive number into a stone in the first place?”
Wait a minute.
“So if we go to Chiko Island, that means the Righteous One and Ghost are different people?”
It seemed impossible for someone to slip away from Chiko Island last night and leave such a colossal mark on Floor 4 of the Yeouido Abyss.
Unlike the others, Susan’s mind drifted to Go Gyeong-taek’s personal locker.
That damned Ghost!
‘I can’t believe he managed to slip away with just the core and return to Yeouido in all that chaos!’
But then the crowd’s attention shifted in a new direction.
“So Korea has two of these monsters?”
Damn.
“What exactly is South Korea?!”
Ghost and the Righteous One both.
At those words, a certain article surfaced. Yuk Ji-ho, the conqueror of the deepest layer of the San Francisco Abyss.
That’s right!
“Isn’t he Korean-American?”
And.
The narrow-eyed nobody Go Gyeong-taek, who defeated Zhang Wei, the strongest Bruiser ever awakened at age twenty-two!
When you see wise people, you want to become like them.
Seeing these powerhouses, what came to mind was.
“Doesn’t mana affinity have something to do with kimchi?”
“No, no. As far as I know, it’s ginseng.”
What are you talking about!
“Red ginseng is the best.”
Eventually.
“Actually, I already applied for immigration to South Korea.”
“Huh? Me too.”
“Damn it, if too many people flock there, won’t we fall below the cutoff line?”
People desperate to go to South Korea began to panic.
Susan watched them with disdain.
Yet she too had already submitted her immigration application long ago.
* * *
Dawn.
Doo-ho submerged himself in the open-air seawater bath.
The bath was empty.
No tourists would venture to this place at this hour.
After last night’s commotion, it was only natural.
‘…Looks like I’ve rented the place out entirely.’
Wisps of steam rose gently across the water’s surface.
Beyond the bath, the horizon of the West Sea stretched in magnificent splendor.
Master.
-This place is like paradise, ribbit.
Bom-i, having finished resource farming and returned, floated about near me.
‘This little guy really does act like an old man.’
But then.
“Did you harvest the resources well?”
Bom-i wiggled his webbed toes and answered evasively.
-Explosions really do taste better when they carry meaning, ribbit.
“….”
In a way, a remark befitting a bomber.
I gazed out at the horizon, accepting it as it was.
Only a faint golden shimmer spread faintly across the distant sea.
‘I never thought I’d have the luxury of sitting in a bath like this, watching the sunrise in such leisure.’
Bom-i, who had been splashing about, spoke.
-Master, I’ll bring you lots of good fortune for the new year, ribbit.
I smiled broadly.
‘Just hearing that is thanks enough.’
That was when it happened.
Splash.
Water rippled from beside me.
Ahhh~ ahhhh….
“Now I can finally breathe.”
At the familiar voice, I turned my head.
Na Manager had submerged himself in the bath, his face sunk up to his neck, exhaustion etched plainly across his features.
“Pulling an all-nighter from New Year’s Day itself—truly an unforgettable memory.”
Sting.
I, having rested thoroughly in the Garage, scratched my cheek.
‘I’m sorry for resting alone.’
However, I hadn’t merely been resting in the Garage.
‘I’d discovered a green stone shielding that could replace the mana circuit.’
Na Manager opened his mouth, gazing at the dimming horizon.
“Lim Doo-ho.”
“Yes, sir.”
“Let’s each handle our own fortune for the new year.”
“…Understood, sir.”
A moment of silence.
Pssh.
When his joke fell flat, Na Manager formed his hands into a gun shape and pretended to fire at the empty air.
“By the way, Lim Doo-ho.”
“Yes?”
“How did you shield the Android?”
Doo-ho’s expression suggested he’d been expecting this question.
‘I knew this was coming.’
That’s why I’d spent considerable time on this problem back at the Garage.
Bom-i couldn’t even go resource farming until my shielding issue was resolved.
The interesting part was this:
“The answer was there from the beginning, sir.”
“…Huh?”
“When I was inside the box, the green stone’s interference was blocked.”
What?
Na Manager’s eyes widened as he stared at Doo-ho.
‘This guy’s way of thinking is truly different.’
Doo-ho continued his explanation.
Well, you see…
“I carved pieces from the box and tried covering the chip with them, but sometimes it worked and sometimes it didn’t.”
“So… what then?”
“I compared the pieces that worked with those that didn’t. That’s when I noticed something sticky on the successful ones—a common trait.”
“Sticky? Could it be… sap?”
Doo-ho nodded.
“I suspected as much, so I thinly coated the chip’s surface with it and let it harden, then tested it. Only then did the interference disappear.”
Na Manager felt genuine admiration at those words.
‘He ran all those tests in such a short time.’
This guy really is something special.
Na Manager collected himself and spoke.
“So, the tree used for the box… where did it come from?”
“The Ancient Tree from Abyss Layer 2.”
“How did you know that?”
“The merchant who brought the green stone to the island testified to Hyun Se-hee.”
He said it was quite difficult when they logged and transported the Ancient Tree. The Qingdao Abyss has binding flowers on Floor 4, after all.
Doo-ho continued.
“I’m thinking of filing a patent application.”
“Absolutely, you should file a patent.”
“Since coating the sap thinly provides reliable shielding and I’ve developed my own method for it.”
Doo-ho’s explanation was quite detailed.
Na Manager smiled, then posed an unexpected question.
“How is your father doing these days?”
“Pardon?”
I blinked at the sudden question before answering.
“He’s still doing what he’s always done.”
Na Manager nodded and offered his opinion.
“What if we commercialize this and entrust it to your father?”
“…To my father?”
“You create the essence extraction machine and coating equipment, and your father manages the process.”
My eyes widened slightly.
“Would that be viable as a business?”
“What do you mean? You said you’d patent it.”
“Well, I was just being cautious…”
Na Manager raised his hand and tapped one side of the hologram in mid-air, causing documents to unfold.
“Actually, I looked into it while coming to Chiko Island, and there have been occasional incidents involving green stones lately.”
“…!”
“Now that this Chiko Island incident has erupted, copycat incidents will follow. Since those green stones likely exist in other Abysses too, shielding issues are bound to arise.”
Na Manager looked directly at me.
“So here’s what I’m thinking—if you’re willing, how about the Hunter Management Bureau becomes your first client?”
“The Hunter Management Bureau?”
“Yes. If your father opens a Workshop or Company under his name, we’ll submit requests directly to him.”
Na Manager continued.
“Think about it. Artificial eyes, smart glasses, all sorts of visual devices. There are countless places in this industry that need them. The market is absolutely massive.”
I hesitated for a moment before asking carefully.
“Um, Manager…”
“Yes, what is it?”
“Why are you being so kind to me?”
Na Manager stirred the hot water with his hand, smiling.
“Because I’m impressed by a subordinate who runs around helping people.”
Those words stirred something deep within my chest.
I gazed at the rising sun.
Truth be told.
I had long wondered if my father could establish a foundation with something else before venturing into the auxiliary device business.
According to Na Manager, shielding materials could be the starting point.
‘I’m glad I joined the Hunter Management Bureau…’
“Manager.”
“Ah, what now?”
“I look forward to your continued support.”
“…!”
Ahem, ahem.
Na Manager cleared his throat at my embarrassingly earnest words.
Then he casually broached the subject.
“Well then, how about extending the contract period a bit?”
“…I’m sorry?”
“Just ten years—or even five years would do! If you extend it by that much, I’ll grab the Director—no, the President—by the collar and demand that we convert Assistant Manager Lim Doo-ho’s apartment to owner-occupied! How’s that sound?”
Doo-ho couldn’t help but laugh.
Then he looked at Na Manager and replied.
Come on, Manager.
“If I’ve made up my mind to leave, what good is a contract anyway?”
Doo-ho’s way of saying he’d stay at the Hunter Management Bureau regardless of the contract.
But.
Damn it!
‘Is this bastard planning to start a business in ten months?’
Na Manager, who felt every single day slipping away like sand through his fingers!
Doo-ho spoke.
“I’ll mention it to Father when I return to Seoul.”
No, don’t do that.
“What if I met your father myself?”
“You, Manager?”
“Surely someone with my experience would be more persuasive than a son’s suggestion.”
‘I must win over Assistant Manager Lim’s father. I absolutely must!’
* * *
The moment they emerged from the open-air seawater bath, hunger washed over both of them.
Doo-ho stopped in his tracks.
“There are roasted sweet potatoes at the convenience store?”
Roasted sweet potatoes in the middle of Chiko Island, and at this hour of the morning no less.
Na Manager’s mouth watered.
“One each should do nicely.”
Then he peered inside the convenience store and murmured.
“Do they have kimchi too?”
After leaving that remark, Na Manager stepped into the store and returned moments later with a vacuum-sealed package of kimchi.
“You know, roasted sweet potatoes and kimchi are actually a pretty good combination.”
“I’ll pay for it.”
“Ah, that’s what a superior does.”
Just as Na Manager was about to pay.
“I’ll get it.”
At the familiar voice, both men turned their heads simultaneously.
It was Hyun Se-hee.
Despite the early hour, she was impeccably dressed.
There was not a trace of dishevelment about her—nothing suggesting she’d been running around all night.
After completing the transaction, she handed the bag of roasted sweet potatoes and the kimchi to the two men.
“I should treat you both for all your hard work.”
.
.
.
A moment later.
The three of them moved to the lounge beside the convenience store.
As soon as Lim Doo-ho sat down, he pushed a roasted sweet potato toward Na Manager.
“Manager, here you go.”
“Oh, thanks.”
While the two ate their roasted sweet potatoes, Hyun Se-hee returned from the convenience store and set three takeout cups on the table.
When Na Manager saw the milk sikhye in the cups, he gave Hyun Se-hee a thumbs up.
It was as if he approved of her taste.
A moment later.
Hyun Se-hee set down her cup and opened her mouth.
“Manager Na.”
“Yes.”
“I’d like to ask for your understanding first.”
“Hmm? What do you mean…?”
As Na Manager tilted his head in confusion, Hyun Se-hee continued.
“The proposal I’m about to make to Lim Doo-ho will be structured so as not to interfere with Hunter Management Bureau duties.”
Caught off guard by Hyun Se-hee’s unexpected words, Na Manager let out a sharp breath.
‘What? She’s openly poaching him right in front of his superior?’
Hyun Se-hee turned her gaze directly to Lim Doo-ho.
“If you’re willing to accept, would you be able to take on Android and Power Generation Room inspections about three times a month?”
“Yes. …Yes?”
Lim Doo-ho’s expression was bewildered.
But what came next was even more shocking.
“We’ll provide you with a private villa as your residence. And while it’s not quite a salary, how would 200 million Coins sound?”
Thump-thump.
Lim Doo-ho’s heart raced.
Na Manager beside him shook his head vigorously before gulping down his sikhye.
Lim Doo-ho’s salary at the Hunter Management Bureau was 150 million Coins. This offer far exceeded that—and for only three days of work per month!
Wait…
‘We live in a rental apartment…!’
Unlike the dumbfounded Na Manager, Lim Doo-ho’s mind suddenly bloomed into a garden of possibilities.
‘If I set up a save point there…’
I could practically come every day!
He pictured his family grilling meat in the private villa’s garden.
‘Fishing with my parents while enjoying the sea view would be nice too.’
Duna would probably wander around the island taking pretty photos, and athletic Dubin would want to go swimming.
My thoughts were beginning to wander when Doo-ho caught himself, pulling his mind back to the present.
I regard Na Manager for a moment.
But here’s the thing.
‘A stranger’s two hundred million won means nothing compared to Na Manager, who looks after me and my family.’
I bow my head respectfully to Hyun Se-hee.
I’m sorry.
“I’m with the Hunter Management Bureau.”
It was, in essence, a rejection.
Gulp.
Na Manager, startled, nearly spilled the sikhye he’d been sipping.
Without realizing it, his face brightens considerably.
Lim!
‘I knew I could trust you!’
Hyun Se-hee smiles faintly, looking disappointed.
Actually….
“I’d already decided to give you the private villa.”
“…Pardon?”
“Father and I settled it as a reward for saving Chiko Island.”
For a moment, Doo-ho is left speechless.
Na Manager beside him also opens his mouth slightly.
Hyun Se-hee continues calmly.
“I was being a bit greedy. I thought it would be wonderful to have someone like you around.”
And she continues, looking toward Na Manager.
“I envy the Hunter Management Bureau.”
“…!”
Na Manager quickly responds.
Ha ha ha.
“Lim is the pillar of our Hunter Management Bureau! And always will be!”
She smiles brightly and addresses Doo-ho.
Well….
“If you’d visit occasionally when you come to rest, we’d be so grateful.”
Na Manager thinks to himself.
‘A private villa on Chiko Island.’
He’d heard that money alone couldn’t buy one.
One needed the appropriate social standing and status to match.
Which meant.
This was the finest reward the Haewon Group could offer Lim Doo-ho.
Of course.
‘In my opinion, Lim’s contributions far exceed the value of a villa.’
Na Manager speaks with a broad smile.
“Congratulations, Lim Doo-ho.”
“Na Manager….”
“You deserve it more than enough. No, you absolutely must accept this!”
Only then did Doo-ho bow his head toward Hyun Se-hee.
“…I’m grateful to receive it.”
And.
Na Manager drank the remaining sikhye and thought to himself.
Before meeting Lim Doo-ho’s father.
‘I need to have a serious talk with the Director!’
I Became a Necromancer
Author |
Keongang E
Published |
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 transmitted without authorization.
UCI |
G720:N+A277-20260210015.0098

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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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