Damn Necromancer - Chapter 13

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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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Spendthrift Necromancer (13)
Issue Maker
A NewTube channel with 6 million subscribers: “Today’s Awakener.”
This channel, which introduced the most talked-about Awakener each day, was one of the most popular NewTube channels in Korea.
The peculiar thing was that the NewTuber themselves was an ordinary person.
Instead, they possessed thorough research skills and polished hosting ability.
Seo Yerim, who had been invited here, watched the NewTuber Kkamukmuk.
They nodded to each other, and the live broadcast began shortly after.
“Then we’ll start today’s Kkamukmuk broadcast! This time we have an extraordinarily special guest! Please welcome: A-rank Awakener, known as the Sword Saint! Seo Yerim!”
“Hello. I’m Seo Yerim.”
―Wow, seriously? That’s crazy
―I’m losing it lol
―Wow, the channel really blew up. Even managed to book the Sword Saint lol
The donations came pouring in from the start, and Kkamukmuk’s smile faded just as quickly.
He asked a question.
“Nice to meet you. If I remember correctly, the last time you appeared in media was about a year ago, wasn’t it?”
“Yes.”
I was honestly shocked when you agreed so readily to appear. I really wasn’t sure it would work out.”
Yerim’s hand flinched slightly. As he said, she didn’t particularly enjoy appearing in media.
In that time, she’d rather swing her blade one more time.
Yet the reason she’d agreed to appear was her grandfather’s words.
Kim Minwoo’s declaration to conquer a Gate.
Her grandfather Seo Jinchul had laughed and looked at her with a meaningful gaze.
―Yerim, what do you think about appearing on a broadcast this time?
―Me? Really?
―Yes. It looks like this fellow is trying to make a big splash, so it wouldn’t hurt to lend a hand.
―I’m not sure if I could do well…
―There’s nothing difficult about it. Even if you just show your face, people will naturally flock to you.
Being the devoted granddaughter that she was, she couldn’t refuse those words.
Which was why she’d ended up appearing on this channel that had been sending her appearance requests for so long.
“So then, shall we talk about today’s topic? Kim Minwoo—this guy’s pretty hot right now, isn’t he? And apparently he’s planning to conquer a Gate.”
“Yes. I’ve heard about it too.”
“F-rank Gate, Osiris’s Tomb! I hear the difficulty is quite high. You’ve been there before, haven’t you?”
Yerim nodded.
“Yes. I remember clearing it with a party back around level 40.”
“How difficult was it?”
“Very. If other Gates of the same rank score between 60 and 80 points, this one feels like about 95 points.”
“Ah! There it is—the Sword Saint’s assessment. Look, the World Gate Association’s official difficulty rating matches exactly: Osiris’s Tomb, 95 out of 100 points. It’s uniquely outstanding even among F-rank Gates, isn’t it?”
“Yes.”
“Why is the conquest rating so high?”
She recalled her memories and spoke.
“This Gate is very straightforward.”
“Straightforward. Could you elaborate on what you mean by that?”
“There are almost no puzzle-like gimmicks. The paths are simple. But there’s just… overwhelming numbers. The monsters’ attack patterns are tricky too. Unlike a typical F-rank Gate, they inflict all sorts of Status Ailments.”
―The Sword Saint’s right. Even with a 5-person party it’s brutal lol. Mobs just keep spawning
―I wiped mid-dungeon while clearing it. Seriously almost died lol
“Ah. So that actually makes it even harder in a way. There’s no way around it.”
Yerim nodded.
“Right. All that’s needed to clear this Gate is pure power.”
“Power! Pure power is necessary. We’ve noted your thoughts. But Kim Minwoo supposedly plans to clear this alone, correct? And at level 1, no less?”
Yerim nodded.
“What was your reaction when you heard this news?”
“Is he insane?”
“…Pardon?”
“Didn’t you hear me? I pronounced it clearly.”
Yerim spoke flatly.
Her grandfather had asked her to draw attention, not to praise Kim Minwoo.
So there was no reason not to speak this way.
Besides, this was her genuine opinion.
Clearing Osiris’s Tomb at level 1?
Alone, without even a party?
That’s nothing short of suicide.
―Kkamukmuk in absolute shock lol
―Did anyone else see her eyes roll like that? lol
―She’s insane lol But that’s our swordmaster right? So refreshingly blunt lol
―I came here ’cause I heard there was spicy content streaming lol
“Ah, well… I see. Still, there’s that old saying, isn’t there? You have to be mad to succeed.”
Kkamukmuk said, wiping cold sweat from his brow.
“But the success rate isn’t zero, is it? From what I hear, Kim Minwoo purchased a Skill Book +9 and all sorts of equipment…….”
“Will any of that matter?”
Do you believe there’s no possibility of conquering it, Yerim?”
She nodded firmly.
“Yes. If he were a Swordmaster, I’d say there’s still a chance. His talent with the blade was genuine.”
“Kim Minwoo’s swordsmanship talent is real. I’m curious—exactly how skilled is he?”
“……He wields a sword better than I do.”
―Wait, the swordmaster—who’s all pride—just admitted that? What level is Kim Minwoo’s swordsmanship anyway?? o_o
―This is insane. So it’s true he overpowered a Sword Sage in a duel.
“……Really? Better than you?”
“……Yes. A true prodigy in his generation—even my grandfather acknowledged it.”
“Wow…… The rumors were true then. Breaking news, folks! Kim Minwoo’s swordsmanship talent is CONFIRMED!”
The chat exploded with heat.
Yerim’s expression turned grave.
“But as a Necromancer, it’s different.”
“Isn’t a Necromancer strong? If you equip the summoned minions and enhance their skills…….”
“Skeletons summoned at Level 1. How strong do you think they’d be?”
“Well… comparable to me, maybe?”
“One-on-one? If you kept your composure, you’d win. That’s how weak they are. And stupid, too.”
“True, I’ve never heard of undead that intelligent at that level anyway.”
Yerim nodded and rattled off her assessment.
“Level 1. He’s loaded, so assume his stats are enhanced with Elixir. Add the +9 Skill Book and equipment options—he could probably summon around 150 of them. That’s like sending a hundred fifty ordinary people at Kkamukmuk’s level into a Gate.”
“Right. Plus whatever equipment boost he gets.”
Seo Yerim nodded and continued.
“The Gate’s monsters naturally swarm in groups of at least forty, and given the combat power of Skeletons… I’d say even one encounter would tear them all to shreds.”
“True enough. Skeletons are usually just used as meat shields for summoned units.”
Even hearing herself say it, the logic sounded solid.
“But if it’s only 150 of them, why would Kim Minwoo buy equipment in such huge quantities? I heard he swept the auction house again this time around, and the haul was enormous…….”
“He might’ve bought them in advance because he couldn’t be bothered to visit the auction house later. You know how he is—always had a weakness for excess.”
―Lol, he was the king of luxury. Always in the news lol
―Wait, he can’t be bothered to hit the auction house so he pre-burns hundreds of billions?? What kind of life is Kim Minwoo living……?
―The final boss of money-wasting lol
―(discussion) But I’m jealous;;
“Ah, I suppose that’s possible. But there are variables, aren’t there? Achievement Grade.”
“Of course, if his Achievement Grade is S-rank, he may have obtained powerful skills. But do you know this, Kkamukmuk?”
“What are you referring to……?”
“Among S-rank Achievement Awakeners, no one has ever solo-cleared a Gate rated 95 points or higher at Level 1. Not even once.”
Kkamukmuk already knew this.
He’d researched it beforehand.
Yet his tone was genuinely curious as he pressed further.
“Not just in Korea, but worldwide as well?”
“Yes.”
“That’s remarkable. So Kim Minwoo is currently challenging a world record, then?”
“If he succeeds, yes.”
“Why haven’t other S-rank Achievement Awakeners attempted it? S-rank means they’d get serious backing from organizations, and a world record would be an attractive challenge…….”
Yerim laughed coldly.
“Simple. It’s digging your own grave.”
“Digging your own grave?”
“Right. S-rank skills aren’t invincible, are they? And Mana is a limited resource. You can’t chug Potions indefinitely either.
“True. Drinking Potions too often causes overload or addiction. Solo attempts at Level 1 would be extraordinarily dangerous.”
After a brief pause, Kkamukmuk spoke again.
“But if you progress very slowly, wouldn’t you be able to reach the middle zones? At least then you could escape…….”
“……I hope so.”
She answered quietly.
When it came to Kim Minwoo, her first impression leaned more toward dislike than favor, but that didn’t mean she wished him dead.
She just wanted to gouge out those perverse eyes of his, that was all.
“We heard your thoughts loud and clear, Yerim! The broadcast is doing remarkably well today. We’ve just broken one million concurrent viewers for the first time! Is this the drawing power of Geomboong?”
“……It’s just that Kkamukmuk does the show so well.”
They spent a moment mutual flattery, giving each other a breather.
A moment later.
“Ah, while we’ve been talking, it seems Kim Minwoo is about to enter the Gate soon? Three broadcasting stations will air it live, and we’re planning to watch along. I do hope he returns safely.”
“I hope so too.”
“So, uh, there’s something I wanted to ask.”
“Yes?”
“What if—just hypothetically—Kim Minwoo not only succeeded in clearing the Gate, but also achieved the world record time?”
“……What if he did?”
“Well. I’m curious, aren’t you? Let’s just imagine for a moment.”
“Hmm…….”
It wouldn’t happen, surely.
But if—one in a thousand, one in ten thousand—it actually did…….
Seo Yerim laughed softly and answered.
“Japan would seethe with envy, China would burn with jealousy, and the world would gasp in shock.”
“……Pardon?”
“Patriotic videos would blow up.”
―Geomboong really does check the internet lol lol lol lol
―Spit out my beer ㅅㅂ lol lol What am I even watching lol lol
―But if she actually does it lol for real it’d be crazy lol lol Making world records look like a joke lol lol
―Kia, bravo! Give me a bowl of patriotic juice here!
That was when…….
The TV beside them switched on, and a broadcast began to air.
―This is Seo Jinyoung reporting for SKS News. I’m currently at the F-rank Gate, Osiris’s Tomb. And there’s Kim Minwoo…….
* * *
The checkpoint in front of the Gate, where soldiers and Awakeners were stationed.
It was swarming with reporters.
“That’s Kim Minwoo! There he is!”
“Kim Minwoo! A word before you enter the Gate, please!”
“Kim Minwoo! Last time you shared your status window, you only revealed your Level and Class. Have you any intention of disclosing your Achievement Grade, Titles, or Ability Stats?”
Would you, if you were him?
He had no intention of answering each and every question. He walked past the checkpoint, received clearance from the soldiers, and moved on.
He gazed at the Gate in the distance.
[Gate: Osiris’s Tomb]
[Rank: F]
He turned to face the reporters one last time and opened his mouth.
“I made a promise. To set a world record.”
“As I understand it, the current top record is held by Isabella, an S-rank Awakener from France, who cleared a similar-level Gate solo at Level 49. Even she, with full government backing, took a full two days to clear it. You’re saying you can do better than that?”
Two days to clear a Gate of this level?
Predictable.
She probably downed a potion every few hours and inched her way through.
Kim Minwoo gestured at the reporters’ cameras as he spoke.
“That so? I’ll be back before your cameras go dark.”
He turned away from the reporters and was just about to head for the Gate.
“Kim Minwoo! Geomboong Seo Yerim just stated on air that clearing this Gate is absolutely impossible!”
His feet halted.
He stopped mid-stride.
A reporter whose eyes lit up seized the moment and fired out the question.
“She evaluated your swordsmanship as merely passable, and said the best you could hope for was to survive the middle section! Do you have a response to that?”
“Seo Yerim? Ah, that sword technique is pathetic?”
“……Yes? But she’s known as Geomboong…….”
“Geomboong? Hmm…… Is that so?”
His body was then sucked into the Gate.
[(Breaking!) Kim Minwoo says Seo Yerim’s sword technique is pathetic?]
[(Breaking!) Kim Minwoo speaks on Geomboong! Hmm…… Is that so?]
[(Breaking News!) Geom Bong, who was hosting a live broadcast, spewed such vulgar curses! The real-time broadcast has been suspended…….]

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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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