Damn Necromancer - Chapter 138

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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 Spendthrift Necromancer (138)
Isabella
Isabella Renoir.
Born in France twenty-five years ago, a martial prodigy of the century.
Awakened at just ten years old. Since then, she’d set countless records over fifteen years.
A martial artist representing the new generation of Awakeners—the third generation.
Noble in appearance.
And possessing equally remarkable skill to match. Beyond France, the world had fallen into rapture over her.
The queen of the Awakening realm.
A legendary martial genius.
The Awakener with the highest advertising value in the world.
Though she’d become a walking meme in Korea—dismissed as some “baguette martial artist” or goth—it was nothing but petty spite aimed at an unreachable ideal.
Korea?
A minor Awakening nation.
It was the sort of country where a World Ranker like Isabella would have virtually no reason to visit.
And that had been the reality.
The only images Koreans had ever seen of Isabella were from news broadcasts, YouTube videos, or billboard advertisements.
But then…
—Isabella is coming to Korea? Is this real?
—Looking at the direction her private jet’s flying, yeah it’s real lol gonna land at the airport in like 4 hours.
—Why’s she coming though? No reason given?
—Oh wait, news just broke. Something happened at the Heavenly Auction House?
—?
—Looks like Kim Min-woo cleaned her out lol she must be pissed coming all this way lol
—Wait fr fr?
—Two special items went up to 57 trillion and she lost both lol even the last item got cut by just 5 thousand won lol
—But how’d they figure out who she is when she’s wearing a mask?
—Only Awakener with that kind of money lol and apparently her movements when she approached Kim Min-woo were exactly like what you’d expect from her
—She’s carrying 57 trillion in cash?
—Isabella’s the ad queen. You don’t know she gets paid in the trillions by cosmetics and luxury brands? lol She’s a world-class billionaire lol
—Yeah her fanbase is insane, whenever she does an ad it sells out instantly lol
—With that much money she still lost by 5 thousand won? For real?
—Apparently she wanted to get the Seo Pan or whatever and even scraped together her last bit of cash lol
—Looks like Kim Min-woo had way more money left over though what a flex lol
—Nah for real it’s legendary. First half 40 trillion + second half dice roll 60 trillion + Seo Pan 57 trillion. Burned through 157 trillion in a single auction bid wtf lol
—(note) there’s another 2% commission on top. so accounting for that he spent about 160 trillion.
—(horror) the auction manager said he still had a ton of money left over after that.
—Where does that kind of money even come from? Even Il-sung couldn’t pull that off.
—Apparently he had Abdullah backing him lol
—Looks like the next country’s chairman made some donations too?
—So, going to the airport?
—Already here lol
—Yeah pitched tents and camping out lol
—You guys are wild. Usually you trash Isabella like crazy but now look at your attitude lol
—A world star is not something to take lightly? lol
Incheon Airport was already crowded with massive numbers of people waiting for her arrival.
The crowd had easily swelled past five hundred thousand.
And this wasn’t even everyone yet. People who’d heard the news later were still heading toward the airport.
When her private jet finally touched down at the airport.
The moment she emerged from the aircraft, an enormous roar shook the surrounding area.
Isabella surveyed the crowd with an impassive expression.
Broadcasters who’d already caught the scent of a major story were scrambling desperately, trying by any means to snag an interview.
“Isabella! Your reason for visiting Korea…….”
“What are your plans for this visit…….”
Despite the imposing wall of bodyguards, reporters pressed forward relentlessly with their questions.
“I’ve come on personal business, that’s all.”
She answered fluently in English, pushing through the crowd.
Her demeanor—typically described as blunt and mechanical—remained unwaveringly consistent.
‘Damn it.’
‘This won’t do.’
This was her first visit to Korea since birth. If she stood around looking vacant here, she might never get another chance at an interview.
‘I have to show them Korea’s bite.’
Several journalists’ eyes sharpened.
“Isabella! We heard you failed to win the items you wanted at the Heavenly Auction House!”
“Is it true you lost by just five thousand won?”
She stopped dead.
Her feet went rigid.
The way her eyes narrowed suggested the question had struck exactly where it was meant to.
“We also heard that before the auction ended, you pressured Kim Min-woo quite harshly! Could it be you came to Korea bearing a grudge over that incident?”
“……That’s not it. I had no such intention. I’ll be going now.”
* * *
Isabella.
She was the direct type.
Most people would do some sightseeing when they landed in another country, pass some time around.
But she’d arrived in Korea, somehow obtained his phone number, called immediately, and showed up at his family home despite the late hour.
Ding-dong!
Through the doorbell screen, a familiar silhouette.
“……My goodness, she really came.”
“Wow! It’s Isabella!”
Everyone from Mrs. Choi to Na-ye.
Starting with eyes widening at the unexpected arrival of Isabella.
Even Chairman Kim stood anxiously, staring at the doorbell screen.
Isabella.
How famous she was.
And how proud.
An Awakener who commanded headlines as much as—or perhaps more than—her actual abilities warranted. The moment anything featured her in an advertisement, it sold out immediately.
Among the world’s hundred largest corporations, there was likely not a single one that hadn’t extended an offer to her.
Il-sung was no exception.
They reached out through her agency every time. Without fail, rejected one hundred times over.
Money?
It meant nothing to her.
True to her reputation as the world’s finest, she chose only corporations equally renowned as the world’s best.
Unfortunately, Il-sung fell far short of that distinction.
Korea itself was much the same.
For someone who had spent her entire life moving between the United States and France, stepping onto East Asian soil was something she’d never done before.
She had mentioned to her family that she would be visiting.
But it wasn’t until she actually appeared at the house that it all felt real to them—everyone’s eyes were blinking in disbelief.
“She’s impatient.”
To think she’d come rushing over in just one day.
The Seo Pan, once combined, seemed like it would make quite a worthwhile item.
Otherwise, what reason would she have to come running like this?
Chairman Kim asked in bewilderment.
“Did you call her, Min-woo?”
“Yes. There’s something I needed to discuss with her.”
“And it’s true you lost by five thousand won at the auction?”
“Just because you have money doesn’t mean you should waste it. Every won counts. Let me bring her in.”
“W-wait a moment!”
“……?”
“Since she’s already here, ask her to sign something before she leaves, would you? You understand, right?”
“You’re a fan?”
“No, ahem. It’s not just me—our Na-ye likes her, so that’s the thing.”
“That’s right! I want her autograph!”
Na-ye looked up at him with bright, eager eyes.
It was definitely a moment that made Isabella’s fame feel real.
Setting foot in Korea for the first time, and already people were clamoring for her autograph.
Well, he’d have to oblige.
There was nothing difficult about it, so he nodded.
With that, he headed to the front entrance and opened the door.
“What brings you all the way out here so late at night?”
“The Seo Pan. We need to talk.”
“Fine. If you could do me a small favor.”
“……?”
“My family are fans of yours. Shouldn’t be too difficult, right?”
A nod.
I led her inside, her head bobbing in agreement.
Before long, even Choi Yu-na — who’d been living in the basement — had quietly made her way upstairs.
The family’s eyes lit up at the sight of Isabella. Chairman Kim’s especially so.
“That’s my father over there, and my mother beside him. My sister downstairs. And next to her is an alchemist who rents a room here.”
“……?”
Her puzzlement lasted only a moment.
“I, I’m Chairman Kim of Il-sung. I’ve been a fan of yours for some time.”
“Ah, I see.”
“Yes. Particularly when that Gate opened near Marilgo — I was deeply impressed by your performance. If it wouldn’t be too forward, might I trouble you for a handshake……?”
“Of course.”
Isabella extended her hand without hesitation. Chairman Kim seized it, his face breaking into an enormous grin.
“Ahem, ahem! Thank you. And perhaps an autograph as well……?”
“Me too! Me too! Sister, shake my hand!”
“All right.”
This time she bent slightly and offered her hand toward Na-ye.
Na-ye instantly seized it with both hands, her forearm pressed tight against Isabella’s.
“Hehe, you’re so cold.”
“Have you Awakened?”
“No?”
“You’re quite strong.”
“Yep! Na-ye’s strong! My teacher says I’ve got real talent for business! Sister, hug me.”
Na-ye’s characteristic, almost terrifying sociability.
Isabella wasn’t immune to it either.
She lifted Na-ye into her arms, then glanced over at Mrs. Choi and the alchemist.
“Would either of you like an autograph as well?”
“Hehe. I’m fine, thank you. This man here adores Isabella so much. Though I must say, you’re just as charming in person as on screen.”
“Well…… I…… would be terribly grateful if you would…….”
Choi Yu-na quietly offered a piece of alchemical equipment. Isabella, pen in hand, signed it with a flourish.
Chairman Kim received an autograph on his golf club.
Na-ye’s kindergarten backpack received one as well.
“Hehe. I’ve got to show my friends!”
The family beamed with delight.
By any measure, I’d given them adequate fan service.
“Then I’ll step aside and we can talk.”
“Y-yes! Make yourself at home, Isabella. It’s late — feel free to rest here before you go. Treat this place as your own.”
I headed upstairs, leaving Chairman Kim’s fervent voice behind.
Isabella took a seat and fixed me with a steady gaze.
“The Seo Pan. What do you plan to do with it?”
“I bought it, so I need to use it well. The problem is you have one and I have one…… Would you sell yours? I’ll pay handsomely.”
“No. I’m not selling.”
That figured.
I’d suspected as much.
If she meant to sell, she wouldn’t have rushed here like this.
“Then let me make a counterproposal. What if you sold yours to me instead?”
“I have plenty of money too.”
Isabella fixed me with an unwavering stare.
Then she exhaled slowly and spoke.
“I obtained the First Seo Pan from a Hidden Gate. It was a dangerous one.”
“And?”
“When two Seo Pans are combined, the difficulty will likely be far greater. It could become a matter of life and death. It seems we’ll need to cooperate. I’ll be honest — I don’t turn my back on someone I can’t trust.”
“You’re questioning my character? Or……?”
“Your skill.”
Her eyes settled into a calm, impassive expression.
“Character? That means nothing. Kill someone and it’s over. But without skill, all you get is trouble.”
“You’ve seen me in action though…….”
“If that’s all there is, we have a problem.”
He nodded.
Isabella had every right to say so.
Even the netizens who tore her apart online never doubted her skill.
Level?
She’d blown past a thousand long ago.
Talent?
World-class.
Equipment?
Through France’s relentless affection, she wrapped her entire body in ancient-grade gear with high level restrictions.
An Awakener with level, talent, and equipment all maxed out. The title of World Ranker had been granted for good reason.
She was a walking strategic weapon. An Awakener who’d demonstrated far too much to be dismissed merely on the basis of an S-rank Achievement Skill.
Her arrogance was therefore justified by her skill.
Kim Min-woo had to acknowledge as much.
‘She’s the real deal.’
Honestly, if he fought Isabella right now, he’d lose.
The countless Innate Skills and 9-Level Skills he possessed.
Overwhelmingly optimized equipment.
And a talent that the martial world ranked among the greatest monsters.
Taking down a monster of this caliber required time to grow stronger.
But that didn’t mean the gap was so wide they couldn’t even form a party.
“I think you’re under a misunderstanding.”
“…?”
“Verification shouldn’t fall on you alone.”
“Is that so?”
“Of course. Who in this world can say whether your skills are padded with hot air?”
“Then we’ll need to verify each other.”
“In that case, we should test it with a match.”
“Agreed.”
“There’s a Training Ground right in front of the house, actually. A sturdy one too.”
“I saw it. Your place is well-maintained.”
No further words were needed.
Both rose to their feet simultaneously.

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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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