Damn Necromancer - Chapter 132

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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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Donzirah Guild’s Necromancer (132)
Guild War
Liang Xiaojun’s attempt to break the record had failed.
Along with the humiliation he’d suffered in the Selection Tournament.
Li Zemin’s mood had grown increasingly foul of late.
So foul, in fact, that he’d begun toying with the idea of wielding export controls.
If that wretch Kim Min-woo didn’t offer a direct apology, he was prepared to strangle Korea’s economy in a single stroke.
But that plan had been blocked just as quickly.
Fierce pressure from the United States and its allies. He could impose controls if he wished, but the damage to China would be far too great.
So he’d managed to hold back—for now.
“A Guild War? Ha. What’s this nonsense….”
He crumpled the newspaper in his fist, his expression darkening.
The Gulong Guild.
The finest elite guild in China, nurtured by the Communist Party as though it were treasured jade.
It was recognized worldwide as belonging to the 1st Tier.
Granted, only middle-ranked within that tier, but that was hardly a modest standing.
‘And yet they dare….’
Troops barely worthy of 2.5th Tier status throwing down a gauntlet?
And essentially Kim Min-woo’s lackeys at that?
Just how insignificant did this country think itself to be, that a mere individual would strut about so shamelessly?
Grind.
The Chairman clenched his teeth and made a call.
Before long, the Gulong Guild Master—little more than his subordinate—appeared at his office.
“You summoned me, Chairman.”
“You’ve heard the news, I take it?”
“Of course.”
“What do you propose?”
“Ordinarily, we wouldn’t accept. Engaging such an inferior opponent would damage our prestige considerably.”
“I agree. But if we simply sit idle, there’s no telling what sort of gossip might spread.”
Li studied the Guild Master carefully.
“If we ignore them, they may just keep barking without restraint.”
“That’s…true enough.”
“The more we refuse, the weaker the argument against fighting becomes.”
“We could always send a 2nd Tier guild, or perhaps another 1st Tier guild in our place.”
“2nd Tier is out of the question. You’re aware of the effects of the Highest-Grade Elixir, aren’t you?”
The Guild Master nodded.
No matter how airtight the security the Americans and their allies maintained, China possessed considerable resources of its own.
Through careful analysis, they had estimated the Elixir’s potency.
Roughly one hundred and fifty additional points across all ability scores.
That was no trivial enhancement.
Sending a 2nd Tier force risked a crushing defeat.
And they had specifically requested a Guild War format.
Ten against ten—each side deploying one member at a time until the opposing side was utterly annihilated.
“……Nam Cheol-min. That fellow does handle a bow quite well.”
The Gulong Guild’s sole weakness.
Despite their high average strength, they lacked true world-class talents—players of genuine international standing.
How many individuals could pass every test—talent, skill, background, loyalty—all at once?
This was precisely why they were rated middle-tier within the 1st Tier.
“Chairman, it hardly matters. This isn’t a one-on-one match—it’s ten against ten. Whoever has the higher average will win, period. And even accounting for the Elixir, my strength is in no way inferior to Nam Cheol-min’s.”
“…Yes, I know your capabilities well enough. Which is precisely why I’m curious. Why are they coming at us with such confidence….”
Why else was the 1st Tier called the 1st Tier?
Average guild member levels, equipment, ability scores—and synchronization.
Countless factors had to exceed certain thresholds to earn that designation.
The Chairman shared this understanding. He had once served as an A-grade Awakener himself.
That was precisely why he knew that one Elixir alone couldn’t change the equation.
So why the provocation?
“…Could it be they’re expecting us to refuse the Guild War?”
“So they figure we won’t accept, and seize the chance to snarl anyway?”
“Exactly. If we ignore them, they bark and gradually retreat. But if we send another 1st Tier guild instead, they paint the Gulong Guild as cowards running away….”
“There’s merit to that argument.”
Ju Seok tapped his fingers on the desk—a habit that emerged whenever he was deep in thought.
A moment later, his eyes flashed as he posed the question.
“Are you confident you can win decisively?”
“Absolutely. Even accounting for the Elixirs, I’d say it’s an 8 to 2 advantage.”
Nam Cheol-min and he would be evenly matched, of course.
Even if he lost, there were the vice-guild master and the other members—and their average strength was simply overwhelming. Victory was assured.
“Then let’s raise the stakes. This is our chance to crush them properly.”
“If that’s what you wish, I’m ready.”
The Gulong Guild master and Ju Seok’s eyes gleamed with anticipation.
* * *
Ilseong: Korea’s top-ranked conglomerate.
Yet their guild’s standing hardly matched the name.
Perennially fifth place.
With the Donzirah Guild climbing fast, rumors swirled that Ilseong was falling behind—
—Wait, they’re challenging the Gulong Guild? Is this real?
—That’s what a Highest-Grade Elixir does?
—Nobody even knows the exact effects.
—Right. Both the users and suppliers keep it under wraps.
—Lol, all we know is it’s way better than the High-Grade version.
—Obviously it is lol. Since they made it, the US has never dropped from first place in the competition.
—Is the effect really strong enough for 2.5th Tier to compete with 1st Tier?
—Nah, even then it’s a stretch; it’s not some legendary Elixir lol
—Why haven’t broadcasters done analysis or anything?
—Everyone who takes it stays off the radar for a month or two. It’s basically impossible to analyze.
—Yeah. During that time they level up, change gear, shuffle their stats around to throw off estimates. So the exact numbers are unknown.
—But why hide it so much?
—Strategic asset? Doesn’t sound like a joke lol
—Right. Military superiority, diplomatic leverage, preventing hostile nations from catching up—plenty of reasons come to mind.
—Exactly. So it’s a bit petty, but that’s how they do it—hide the Elixir’s effects. And since most people aren’t that interested anyway, media doesn’t cover it much.
The Highest-Grade Elixir went only to those already selected.
Either world-class rankers, or talents destined to become world-class rankers.
It was something the already-strong consumed to become stronger still—not something the weak could aspire to.
Honestly, from ordinary people to most Awakeners, few cared about that tier at all.
High-Grade Elixirs were at least something talented and skilled Awakeners could compete with; but Highest-Grade was one of those special Elixirs that even limitless money couldn’t buy.
Only a handful of Awakeners ever benefited from it.
There was vague curiosity, sure, but since it was essentially out of reach, most treated it like a story from another world—
Until Ilseong’s 1st Tier consumed it.
The S-rank Awakeners of the 1st Tier?
Honestly, except for Nam Cheol-min, they’d have been grateful for even a High-Grade Elixir.
And Nam Cheol-min himself—was he really talented enough to warrant a Highest-Grade Elixir? That was debatable.
Yet they’d all gotten one?
No one had any sense of how much stronger they’d become.
—Though Gulong does have weaknesses. Their average is 1st Tier level, but they don’t have many truly standout Awakeners.
—Right lol. They only picked core members. And Liang Xiaojun? He’s SS-rank so he’s got potential, but he’s still way too green lol
—If Nam Cheol-min got stronger on the Elixir, how does Gulong not know that? And it’s a Team Battle format anyway.
—Even so, they’ll probably only take down two at most before getting hammered. From the vice-guild master down, they’re going to get torn apart.
—Right. They already knew they wouldn’t win, so they took the fight anyway? 1st Tier would never accept a match against 2.5th Tier—
Then came the news.
[(Breaking!) China accepts Team Battle Format! Location: Beijing Awakener Stadium! Date: May 1st, tomorrow!]
[(Breaking!) Gulong Guild Master declares he will demonstrate an insurmountable gap!]
The story broke.
—They’re actually accepting it lol
—They sound furious;
—And they picked the biggest venue in Beijing; looks like they want to make a real spectacle—
—I’m not expecting them to win;; but maybe they can at least make it 7 to 3……?
The Team Battle date was set.
* * *
Kim Min-woo let out a quiet laugh when he saw the news.
“They accepted the match.”
“……Is that so?”
“Why not? Don’t you have confidence?”
Nam Cheol-min shook his head at those words.
Over the past two weeks of training, he and the guild members had transformed so drastically that it was like comparing heaven and earth.
Ordinarily, it would have been impossible.
But it happened.
Every piece of advice he offered reflected in their bodies immediately.
It was teaching nothing short of miraculous.
‘It’s an ability that makes no sense.’
Nam Cheol-min and Kim Hwan-yong.
And eight S-rank Awakeners besides.
All of them were stunned.
If you tried to price such instruction, it would easily surpass tens of trillions in value.
The Gulong Guild of China.
An elite Chinese guild that surpassed them in average level, skill, and equipment alike.
Had they fought a Guild War with their original strength, they would have been lucky to end it at 8:2 or 9:1 at best.
But now things were different.
The boost from the Highest-Grade Elixir.
Combined with skills that had grown far sharper, as though they’d undergone a complete metamorphosis.
‘Now it’s possible.’
Nam Cheol-min’s eyes gleamed.
If the Gulong Guild had an overwhelming monster like Isabella, that would be another story.
But that guild was high in breadth, not depth.
“Our confidence might be overflowing.”
“As it should be. Let’s go. To China.”
“Yes.”
Ilseong’s private jet cut through the sky.
When they arrived at the Chinese airport.
Ambassadors from the United States and allied nations were waiting. But it wasn’t only ambassadors who had gathered. Broadcast stations from every country had swarmed in.
It was a kind of safeguard.
If today’s results came out, China could be completely upended.
They might, out of sheer rage, do something reckless.
But if ambassadors from every nation and broadcasters were all present together?
‘They won’t be able to move easily.’
One foolish move meant international disaster. China seemed to have high hopes for this match, as they’d approved the arrangement quite readily.
‘And besides.’
There was a nuclear bomb. That was reassuring.
Unless things went absolutely catastrophic, they wouldn’t actually use it, but there was nothing better as leverage.
When they entered the Beijing Awakener Stadium.
Booooo!
A tremendous roar of jeers erupted.
The stadium was incredibly massive, befitting the size of the landmass.
A stadium that could hold two million people. Its stands were already packed with Chinese spectators.
Korea, which had been a constant thorn lately, gradually climbing and irritating everyone.
A 2.5th Tier guild from that Korea dared to challenge the Gulong Guild?
For any Chinese person, it was maddening news.
Naturally, the stadium sold out within a minute of reservations opening. The Korean side had barely managed to secure tickets, but the number was extremely limited. Their cheering was barely audible.
Tens of thousands of cameras broadcast the stadium, their lenses glinting like eyes.
It seemed the higher-ups, led by Chairman Li, were pushing heavy promotion to humiliate them properly.
‘Thank you.’
Having them tighten their own noose was the best outcome possible.
The Awakeners from the Gulong Guild and Ilseong Guild took the field in the massive stadium.
Ten fighters on each side.
The Chinese announcer posed questions to both teams.
“Let us show you what the power of a great nation looks like.”
The Gulong Guild displayed supreme confidence.
Nam Cheol-min spoke with bold resolve.
“We will properly demonstrate today just how powerful the Highest-Grade Elixir we consumed truly is.”
Booooo!
Like a programmed response, the jeers continued behind them.
The two guilds had thrown down the gauntlet for their Guild War.
[The Guild War between Ilseong Guild and Gulong Guild is about to begin!]
A system message flickered into existence immediately.
The condition was a Protection Barrier match.
The most straightforward ruleset possible.
Nam Cheol-min stepped into the arena first, and moments later, the Gulong Guild Master ascended the platform to meet him.
[The first match will commence in 5 seconds!]
Shink!
The Gulong Guild Master drew his blade.
The Ilseong Guild had stagnated for years now, while Gulong pressed forward ceaselessly, scaling greater heights with each passing season.
That gap wasn’t something one could simply close overnight, no matter how fiercely one wished it.
Not when all ability scores hovered around the 150 mark.
‘Nam Cheol-min. Today I’ll teach you your proper place.’
Just one Highest-Grade Elixir and they came charging over like giddy fools.
These Korean amateurs would learn today what it truly meant to face a difference in caliber.
[Match start!]
The moment the system announcement rang out, the Gulong Guild Master launched forward like a lightning strike. Nam Cheol-min slid backward, his footwork fluid and retreating.
‘As expected—he’s using that footwork technique.’
China’s strategic analysis team had already dissected every aspect of the Ilseong Guild’s capabilities in meticulous detail. That intelligence had, of course, been shared with Gulong.
Minor habits, subtle tells, their corresponding weaknesses and exploitation methods—all transmitted in full.
Ability scores rising a bit didn’t fundamentally reshape how a person moved.
The Gulong Guild Master closed the distance in an instant, his eyes ablaze.
Nam Cheol-min’s hands moved urgently to nock his arrow.
‘Too late.’
By the time that archer pulled his string taut and took aim,
the blade crashing down against his head would shatter the Protection Barrier far faster.
‘It’s over!’
[Hong Tao uses Execution Verdict!]
Execution Verdict—one of the swordsman’s inherent skills. The blade, imbued with its power, thrust straight toward Nam Cheol-min’s skull.
A trajectory that could never be evaded, perfect and merciless in its elegance.
Contact would mean instant death.
And yet.
Nam Cheol-min’s movements accelerated as though he’d caught the wind itself, his speed exploding in an instant.
By the thinnest margin—the blade passing so close it ruffled a single strand of hair—he evaded the strike.
……
Hong Tao’s eyes widened in shock.
That was a trajectory that could not be avoided……
‘……He dodged it?’
His face drained of color immediately. The bowstring was already drawn at point-blank range. This too was a trajectory from which there was no escape.
Before he could even activate a skill,
Thwack!
the arrow loosed from mere inches away buried itself in his heart in a heartbeat.
[Protection Barrier shattered.]
[You have been eliminated.]
Hong Tao was sent tumbling out of the arena in a flash.
Nam Cheol-min was, without question, an archer of considerable skill.
But that didn’t place him above the Gulong Guild Master’s tier.
Seven out of ten observers had expected Hong Tao to claim victory.
Even among those remaining three who thought Nam Cheol-min might pull off an upset, they’d all assumed his barrier would be nearly depleted by the time he won.
And yet……
[Remaining Protection Barrier: 100%]
He’d won at full health.
Everyone’s eyes went wide with disbelief at the result they’d never anticipated. The same shock rippled through international broadcast booths.
‘What?’
‘The Highest-Grade Elixir is that powerful?’
The Chinese observers sat in stunned silence as well.
‘What is this?’
‘Full health?’
‘Is this even real?’
Gulong Guild’s strongest Awakener had just lost without so much as scratching his opponent’s Protection Barrier.
That meant whoever they sent next would face certain defeat!
A Guild War format.
As long as they didn’t get eliminated, the match could continue.
‘This…….’
‘If luck turned sour, couldn’t they get swept entirely?’
His heart began to race—not with anticipation, but with a different sort of dread.
Nam Cheol-min stashed his bow into his inventory and spoke with a grin.
“I forfeit.”
―……?
The Chinese commentator tilted his head in confusion.
A forfeit, out of nowhere?
But only briefly.
‘Wait, hold on. Is this what I think it is……?’
Kim Min-woo sensed what they were about to do.
If Nam Cheol-min swept the entire match, they could simply chalk it up to his strength alone—but this…….
[Current Score 1:1]
[Next Match Beginning.]
The second round.
Each guild’s Vice-Master stepped onto the stadium floor.
The previous match had been 7:3 in Ilseong’s favor; this one was worse.
8:2.
Without a miracle, China had to win this match.
But then…….
Crack!
Forty intense exchanges.
At the end of it, Gulong Guild’s Vice-Master was eliminated.
Ilseong’s Vice-Master, Kim Hwan-yong.
He too swept his gaze across the spectators with a grin and spoke.
“I also forfeit.”
[2:2]
[3:3]
[4:4]
.
.
[9:9]
On the surface, the score was even—but every single one of those nine points had been earned through forfeiture.
[10:9]
[Guild War Concluded.]
[Ilseong Guild is victorious!]
And with that final, clinching match.
A chilling silence fell over the vast stadium, as if a nightmare had come to life.

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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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