Damn Necromancer - Chapter 131

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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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The Donzirah Guild Necromancer (131)
“Um, so… I can’t go outside at all… is that what you’re saying?”
“No, no. I’m not that unreasonable. People need sunlight.”
“Right… right?”
“Don’t worry. Even though it’s underground, the light comes in quite well.”
……Underground?
“We designed everything from scratch, so the facilities are quite good, and the security is extremely thorough. You’d be able to go outside once every three months or so.”
“……What?! Once every three months?”
That was when.
“Choi Yu-na.”
“Yes, yes!”
At the sudden shift to a serious tone in Kim Min-woo’s voice, she straightened her posture at once.
“You know roughly how valuable a Crafting Method is, don’t you?”
“I do.”
“If word gets out that you’ve learned this, people will be sent from China immediately. Do you have the strength to protect yourself?”
“I… wouldn’t.”
Even if her father is a Guild Master, that doesn’t change much. She isn’t exceptionally powerful.
If a true Awakener decided to harm her, she’d be helpless against them.
“The best option is to stay quietly, in a safe place, where no one knows about you. Somewhere like a very secure underground facility.”
“Exactly where is that place?”
“Come with me. I’ll show you.”
“But I haven’t contacted my family yet……”
“I’m not saying you have to move there right now, so don’t worry. We’re just taking a look.”
She boarded the vehicle with Choi Yu-na.
It wasn’t long before they arrived at their destination.
“That’s… isn’t that your house, Kim Min-woo?”
“It is.”
An enormous, sprawling main house.
So vast that the grounds were divided into separate zones and facilities, and the interior of the house was much the same.
As they entered, Mrs. Choi came to greet them.
“Welcome. Min-woo’s told me so much about you. Such an accomplished alchemist, he said.”
“Ah, hello.”
Choi Yu-na exchanged greetings with an uneasy expression. Having just heard the ominous talk of being “canned” in the basement, arriving at his main house felt confusing.
After exchanging the usual pleasantries,
they moved toward the underground section within.
“Wow……”
Basement Level 1.
Basement Level 2.
And Basement Level 3.
After passing through a section packed with all manner of facilities, Choi Yu-na let out a gasp of amazement as they arrived at Basement Level 4.
A vast, open space filled with alchemical equipment and manufacturing facilities. Large enough that thousands of people could wander through without crowding.
“How did you build something like this underground……”
“Money can accomplish anything.”
If it couldn’t?
Then you simply hadn’t spent enough.
With Gates now pouring forth all manner of materials,
building a facility like this underground wasn’t especially difficult.
Since manufacturing elsewhere had always been a tedious hassle, we’d taken the opportunity to expand the space considerably.
Adding all these production facilities had been an afterthought.
Of course, the Chairman covered all the costs. He supplies equipment at honest prices with no markup—this much was only right to ask.
As the basement of the Ilseong Main House, security was naturally top-tier. There was no better place for discreet manufacturing.
“But who uses this place? Are you planning to bring in other people besides me?”
“No. It’ll be just you and me using it. So… what’s your answer?”
“……If I accept, do I have to stay only here in Basement Level 4?”
“If you get bored, come upstairs and we’ll have a meal together. Na-ye would like that too.”
“……Na-ye?”
“My younger sister. She’s quite clever and kind.”
“Ah……”
The terms were less restrictive than she’d feared.
Hearing the full details, it seemed she’d even be allowed to take walks in the sprawling grounds of the Ilseong estate.
“However, as I mentioned, trips outside the Main House are limited to once every three months. And you’ll have security personnel accompanying you.”
“Y-yes, I will!”
Choi Yu-na answered with her eyes squeezed shut. Seven years of confinement loomed ahead, but the compensation was far too sweet to refuse.
Besides, would Kim Min-woo’s efforts to procure recipes stop at just this one?
Once he obtained them, who would he think of first?
‘It’d be me, the alchemist!’
She would be the first to taste the honeyed fruit. Weighing that against her sacrifice, seven years was an investment she could easily justify.
“Will you be starting today?”
“Yes! I’ll be living here! So what should I do first?”
That was the moment.
A rumbling sound filled the air.
Mountains of materials piled up beside Kim Min-woo.
Her shock at the sheer volume lasted only a moment.
Choi Yu-na’s eyes widened as she took the paper he handed her.
[Highest-Grade Elixir Crafting Method]
[Material List]
[1. Colossus Spinal Fluid 10mg]
[2. Demon Heart Half Teaspoon (3mg)]
[3. Medusa Hair 2.5 Strands]
.
.
[Crafting Instructions]
[First pour 5mg of the spinal fluid, add one strand of Medusa hair (8cm), then after 2.73 seconds insert the King Chameleon Salivary Gland……]
‘This isn’t a recipe, is it?’
When you received a recipe, a registration message always appeared.
Once registered that way, your body would move automatically to craft the item thereafter.
Like a Skill Book, in other words.
This, by contrast, was just a simple memo scrawled in ballpoint pen on paper.
“Uh, about the recipe……”
“You’ll need to find and register that yourself, won’t you? I’ve already written out the entire crafting method for you.”
“B-but that would take an enormous amount of time……”
Simply following written instructions didn’t automatically register a recipe.
A single minor mistake in the process, even the slightest timing error, could cause registration to fail.
All the more so with the Highest-Grade Elixir—the most difficult to craft among all elixirs.
Without a recipe, she might spend lifetimes in trial and error alone.
Of course, that was a hundred million times better than knowing nothing at all……
‘Is that why he said he’d give me the crafting method instead of a recipe?’
She’d assumed he was simply mixing terminology because he wasn’t familiar with the alchemist trade.
‘……But that wasn’t it?’
Right then.
Kim Min-woo shrugged as he spoke.
“There are more than enough materials over there, so use as many as you need. It’s fine if registration fails. I’ll keep supplying them indefinitely.”
“Ah……”
“And one more thing—if you can’t register, no walks outside. Your meals will be brought by our mother on schedule, so don’t skip them. You can get sunlight in that room over there. Well then.”
“W-wait, just a moment……”
Kim Min-woo vanished up the elevator in an instant.
Choi Yu-na stood alone, staring blankly at the empty space.
‘W-what?’
No walks outside meant……
I’m trapped here, aren’t I?
* * *
Choi Yu-na.
An alchemist with talent that ranked among Korea’s elite. Her one weakness was recipes.
In other words, if she simply possessed enough decent recipes……
‘She’d be no worse than the Witch.’
The reason the Witch’s reputation was so formidable.
She possessed Highest-Grade Elixir recipes.
Additionally, she received powerful support from the United States, the world’s strongest Awakener nation.
For instance, whenever a decent recipe surfaced, they’d feed it straight to the Witch.
‘So her reputation isn’t entirely undeserved.’
With Choi Yu-na properly developed, she’d likely clear away the Witch’s mess just as elegantly.
Raising the skeletons’ alchemy to higher grades would require considerable time.
For now, mass-producing through skeletons and outsourcing premium goods to Choi Yu-na seemed ideal.
‘I’ve got them canned, so to speak.’
Given her speed and craftsmanship, she’d probably have results within two days. If she wanted to go for a walk, she’d work hard enough to earn it.
‘Now then.’
Time to orchestrate something properly grand.
Kim Min-woo’s eyes gleamed.
Selling Highest-Grade Elixirs at ten times the cost.
No properly functioning nation would ever purchase elixirs at this price, no matter how good they were.
‘But China works a little differently.’
Cash flow?
The upper echelon decides however they please.
So the conclusion was simple.
‘Make it so the bosses have no choice but to buy.’
Time to set the wheels in motion.
The Training Grounds of the Ilseong Main House.
Seo Ye-rim and Park Si-woo were already gathered there.
It wasn’t just these two.
The entire First-Rank of the Ilseong Guild had assembled as well.
The training Nam Cheol-min had requested last time.
It was being carried out today.
With Merchen and Cedric summoned, he approached them.
“Everyone, pleased to make your acquaintance.”
The Ilseong Guild members bowed respectfully at his words—a gesture affirming they would treat him with proper courtesy in exchange for the education they’d receive.
‘Their resolve seems intact.’
Perhaps it was the shock of their previous defeat.
Every one of them had a sharp glint in their eyes, eager to walk away with something more.
That made teaching easier.
Kim Min-woo spoke shortly after.
“Though the Donzirah Guild has grown, Ilseong has no intention of abandoning you all. We plan to execute far greater investments.”
“……Investments as well?”
“Truly?”
The Awakeners asked eagerly.
Kim Min-woo.
An Awakener positioned to represent Ilseong itself. His word was as good as the organization’s official response.
They had every reason to be delighted.
He smiled broadly before answering.
“Of course. Those who show exceptional performance in training will receive supplies of Highest-Grade Elixir.”
“The Highest-Grade Elixir, you mean?”
“Yes. Enough to completely max out your ability scores.”
Gulp.
The Awakeners swallowed hard.
Highest-Grade Elixir.
It was a rare treasure, spoken of only in rumors of its tremendous potency, with its true nature known to mere handful.
That was because distribution was entirely controlled; precious few Awakeners had ever laid eyes on the actual substance.
And those who had absorbed it seemed bound by some unspoken oath, keeping their lips sealed.
They’d only hint that the effects were extraordinarily good.
But that was something everyone already knew.
Ever since the Witch obtained the recipe, hadn’t the United States dominated nearly every tournament?
According to Kim Min-woo, each dose cost eight billion won to manufacture.
Consumed like ordinary elixirs at an average of two hundred doses, that came to 1.6 trillion.
1.6 trillion invested per person?
He didn’t know exactly how many would benefit, but one thing was certain.
The promise of greater investment was no exaggeration.
For Kim Min-woo, the burden was minimal.
‘It’s not even my money, after all.’
Highest-Grade Elixir?
Unlike most, Kim Min-woo knew its detailed effects intimately.
The total ability score it granted was six hundred.
Consume six hundred of them, and you reach maximum strength.
The cost per Awakener comes out to roughly 4.8 trillion won.
‘The United States will be covering all the materials.’
That was one of the prices for not selling Highest-Grade Elixirs to other nations.
Of course, it didn’t mean unlimited supply.
Roughly two hundred people per year.
We’d aligned our agreement with them to provide materials at that rate.
‘They should do it, naturally.’
From the American perspective, losing the trust of an ally entirely and entering a costly competition with us was worse than preventing leaks and supplying materials instead.
In monetary terms, that came to around 960 trillion won.
For the price of not losing hegemony, that was remarkably cheap.
Of course, the detailed conditions went beyond just that.
This was only the first term.
There were several others.
Regardless.
Since we’d be receiving substantial materials, I intended to pass those benefits along to the Ilseong Guild as well.
‘That investment will pay for itself.’
Ten times over, no less.
“Then, let’s begin the lesson.”
The format was identical to the secondary examination.
As we were dividing people into groups.
I spoke to Nam Cheol-min, who was approaching Seo Ye-rim.
“Guild Master Nam.”
“Yes?”
“Come over here instead.”
“Pardon?”
“There’s plenty you can learn from me.”
Nam Cheol-min tilted his head in confusion.
It lasted only a moment before he approached.
“Vice Guild Master, you come this way too.”
Kim Min-woo had assembled a total of ten people—the highest tier of S-Class from the First-Rank.
Drawing his blade, he spoke.
“Let’s begin the lesson. All of you, come at me.”
“……You won’t summon the Undead?”
“No.”
Park Si-woo had made short work of the vice guild master’s ten men.
This one wielded a sword better than that one, with ability scores far higher as well.
Even without the Undead, he’d win.
Still, with Nam Cheol-min being quite skilled, it might take around five minutes.
It was only briefly that pride seemed wounded, hesitation flickering across their faces.
“……Here we go!”
All of Ilseong’s First-Rank charged at once.
The result came in less than five minutes.
All of Ilseong’s people lay collapsed, the flat of the blade against their temples.
Nam Cheol-min had managed to hold out somewhat, which stretched it to five minutes—otherwise, it would have ended in less than two.
He called the guild members to gather.
“First, Guild Master Nam.”
“……Yes.”
Nam Cheol-min answered weakly, seeming surprised by the anticlimatic result.
“You’re mixing your movements while evading with Phantom Guard, but like this instead.”
“……You know Phantom Guard?”
“I do.”
I’d been mining this game for fifteen years.
There were virtually no skills Kim Min-woo didn’t know.
“When you mix it that way, it’s inefficient. Try doing it like this instead—like riding the wind.”
Kim Min-woo moved his body fluidly, demonstrating the example.
The confusion lasted only a moment.
Nam Cheol-min activated the skill and began following the previous movement.
That instant.
[The Title, ‘Greatest Teacher,’ activates!]
[Imparting instruction!]
[The target’s learning effect increases significantly!]
With the message came a visible improvement in Nam Cheol-min’s movements.
A title earned thanks to Geom-seon.
‘It really does work well.’
Every time he sparred casually with Park Si-woo, it would activate.
This time was no exception.
“……Huh?”
“Much better now, isn’t it?”
“Wait, why is……?”
Nam Cheol-min stared at him with eyes wide as saucers.
A Necromancer giving archery advice—he could hardly blame the man’s confusion.
Kim Min-woo shrugged.
How many times had he faced world-class archers while playing this game?
With experience battling Awakeners who deployed every technique imaginable, offering guidance to an archer of Nam Cheol-min’s caliber was hardly difficult.
“And when you’re shooting, there are a few bad habits worth correcting…….”
The advice began flowing almost instantly.
* * *
The uproar over China’s export restrictions faded quickly enough.
Two weeks passed, and the situation began to settle.
China, which had been snarling and snapping at Korea with foam at its mouth, had suddenly gone quiet. Just when it seemed April might end without incident…….
[Breaking News! Ilseong Guild Issues Challenge to Guryong Guild!]
[Breaking News! Confidence with Reason? Ilseong Guild Administered Highest-Grade Elixir to Every First-Rank S-Class Awakener!]
[Breaking News! Guild Master Nam Cheol-min Shows Off His Transformed Self Through Large-Scale Competition, Declares Intent to Crush Guryong Guild and Earn Recognition as World First-Rank…….]
The bombshell announcement ignited communities on both sides of the China-Korea border.

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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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