My Catastrophic‑Level Summon Devours Gates - Chapter 271

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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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Episode 271
Predator – Rex was quite a significant Undead.
By restoring a Primordial Species with a severed lineage, a Great Achievement was added to my record.
And I was able to establish the foundational design philosophy for a powerful Undead like Centauro.
“However, the Original’s specs are rather lacking.”
Sir Isra’s observation.
Predator – Rex was A+, while Centauro’s specs were S-Rank.
The ability of the Primordial Species that served as the template should have been higher in Rex.
Yet it seemed to fall short of the man-beast integrated structure created based on the Dullahan’s blueprint.
“Could we not make Rex the same way?”
I hadn’t expected a definitive answer.
Predator – Rex and Centauro.
Both were new Undeads that had never existed before.
Perhaps that’s why even Sir Isra, the so-called Undead specialist, couldn’t provide a certain answer.
In the end.
Finding the answer fell to me.
“Sir.”
“I must decline. I was never on good terms with horses.”
Sharp as ever.
I didn’t want to use an ordinary Death Warrior.
Predator – Rex was an Undead with self-awareness.
Could an ordinary Death Warrior made from a common Soul Stone handle such a ferocious monster?
Not quite a Revived One.
But an Undead with distinct self-awareness seemed capable of managing it.
Wait.
“Sir Isra.”
“Has something occurred to you?”
“Yes.”
“My Lord never rests until he finds an answer.”
Damn it.
I said I wasn’t a workaholic.
“Sigh.”
Leaving my Familiar, who wouldn’t listen to a word I said, to his own devices.
I set about executing the idea that had surfaced in my mind.
“Summon Xiao Zai.”
“Ah. You mean the Death Warrior.”
[Gale Knights]
Summoning one Death Warrior.
A Death Warrior rose up beside Sir Isra.
It was Xiao Zai, the Hunter who had been in charge of the Chinese Secret Base at Cross Gate.
“There’s something I need you to do.”
【Me, sir?】
Xiao Zai lifted his head slightly while remaining prostrate on the ground.
When I first resurrected him as a Death Warrior, he had been defiant.
But after Sir Isra’s devoted instruction instilled Chivalry into him, he had always maintained this attitude.
“Do you desire strength?”
I casually produced an Epic-grade Soul Stone as I spoke.
Excellent.
Yes.
I’d been wanting to try this line at least once.
【If it is the command of my great Liege Lord, I shall fulfill my duty unto death.】
“No. You should say it like this—I would sell this very soul to possess strength.”
【I would sell this very soul!】
“That’s enough. That’s enough.”
The moment had lost its impact.
“Are you intending to have him absorb that Soul Stone, sir?”
“Yes.”
A method of strengthening Death Warriors by feeding them Soul Stones.
In the case of the Soul Stone I’d crafted from Kim Yeon-du’s core, absorbing it had granted the Acceleration ability.
When I absorbed the cores of Hunters as well, their stats would increase slightly or they would gain related skills.
“If the Death Warrior cannot withstand the Soul Stone, would he not be destroyed, sir?”
“Well, that’s true.”
Enhancement isn’t infinite either.
Feeding multiple Soul Stones gradually raises their specs.
But once they exceed their limit, absorption fails or, in the worst case, they’re destroyed.
【D-destroyed?】
Xiao Zai trembled violently.
“Don’t worry. I have grounds for this.”
When I raided the Chinese Secret Base.
This creature had used an incomplete Aura Blade.
It meant he had the capacity to withstand an Epic-grade Soul Stone.
“Though I recall his enlightenment was not yet complete, sir.”
“We can share the burden.”
I’d perform Integration through Resonance with Predator – Rex.
And amplify that power with an Epic-grade Soul Stone.
“Rex. Come here.”
“Kraaaa.”
Predator – Rex, who had just swallowed a monster whole, approached with heavy strides.
Blood dripped from the corners of his mouth.
“Sorry for calling you while you were eating.”
“Kraaaaaaa.”
A tail wagging incessantly.
Back at the Main House, Happy would thrash his tail about whenever he was in a good mood.
“From now on, this is your new partner.”
“Kraa?”
“Try lifting him onto your back.”
“Kraaaa.”
Unlike a Tyrannosaurus, the elongated arms of Predator – Rex gripped Xiao Zai.
Whoosh—swinging Xiao Zai like a basketball before hoisting him onto his own back, Predator – Rex moved with practiced ease.
Well then, shall I get to work?
The Centauro design blueprint was etched vividly in my mind.
I’d spent two months agonizing over the design—how could I possibly forget it?
I connected Xiao Zai and Predator – Rex through a Spirit Power Circuit.
【The form is slightly different, isn’t it?】
“They were created as separate individuals.”
The Centauro that had been resurrected through Corpse Crafting achieved perfect Integration.
But Xiao Zai and Predator – Rex possessed their own consciousness.
I needed to set them up so Integration and Separation could occur freely.
It was a bit tricky, admittedly.
Thanks to the knack I’d developed making three Centauros, I managed to complete the Setup somehow.
“Drink this. Xiao Zai. Seize your destiny in your hands.”
“That’s not something you drink, is it?”
“Don’t nitpick.”
Every time I tried to set the mood, reality came crashing down with a thud.
Ugh.
Xiao Zai grasped the Soul Stone with trembling hands.
[Death Warrior Xiao Zai absorbs an Epic-rank Soul Stone.]
[The aura contained within the Soul Stone is immense.]
[Death Warrior Xiao Zai’s soul cannot fully bear the karmic burden.]
【Gaaaaahhhhh!】
Oh no.
If I left him alone, he’d be done for.
I’d already made all the necessary arrangements for this.
“Kraaaaaaa!”
Predator – Rex, connected through the Spirit Power Circuit, shared and absorbed the aura of the Epic-rank Soul Stone.
It was a slightly different system than the Dullahan.
But it seemed to be functioning properly.
[Death Warrior Xiao Zai and Predator – Rex’s souls absorb the aura of the Epic-rank Soul Stone.]
[The two Undeads transcend their limits.]
[Xiao Zai’s rank rises to S-Rank. Through appropriate Modification, he can be promoted to Death Knight.]
[Predator – Rex’s rank has risen to S-Rank.]
[When Death Warrior Xiao Zai is mounted on Predator – Rex, ability stats rise dramatically.]
[The user’s grade is insufficient. During integration state, the rank is adjusted to S++ Rank.]
The same message as with Hydraigon.
My skill level caused the rank to be downgraded.
“This works.”
An attempt made to draw out Predator – Rex’s latent potential.
Following Xiao Zai’s rank increase, I had created an Undead confirmed to be SS-Rank.
It was an astounding result that far exceeded expectations.
“S++ Rank! As expected, Master, you are truly great!”
“It was just luck.”
【Great inventions don’t happen by chance alone. It was only possible because of the Master’s talent and having me, an exceptional familiar.】
It would have been better if he’d left out that last part.
Facing an unprecedented crisis, my combat strength had unexpectedly been enhanced.
* * *
A tent erected at the Old Village Site.
It was the work of the Rift Bureau Hunters.
“It goes up pretty fast, doesn’t it?”
“When we venture into Cross Gate exploration, there’s often a lot of work to do outside.”
A Hunter answered with a smile.
A tent powered by magical power.
Since it provided both lodging and meals, it felt like we were camping.
“Wow. Warm water comes out too.”
【Hmm. The structure is nothing special. If I didn’t have alchemy restrictions, I could have made it without difficulty.】
Meigers grumbled.
“Master, please bathe first and get some proper rest.”
“What have I done that warrants rest?”
I shook my head side to side.
Merging Xiao Zai and Predator – Rex didn’t take as long as I’d thought.
The Response Department Hunters had only just left for reconnaissance.
While waiting, I should get some side work done.
【Commander! I worked really hard!】
“On what?”
【Death Guard Armaments! I crafted a total of 20 sets!】
“Whoa.”
【I thought we might run out of materials, so I stopped here.】
Unbelievable.
Undead armaments could be duplicated?!
Undeads clad in heavy armor, focused on defense and delivering heavy blows.
Because of that, Death Guards require careful setup of the main body, but even more effort must be invested in armament crafting.
Creating just the body didn’t take long.
“Excellent work! You’re the best, Hael!”
【Thanks to you, Captain, I got to learn new skills and it’s been so much fun.】
My workload had been cut by more than half.
I could handle the remaining processes on my own without any trouble.
[Bone Metallurgy]
[Corpse Processing]
[Spirit Circuit Installation]
“Open your eyes.”
[Corpse Crafting]
[20 Death Guards have been created.]
Monsters with A+ rank specs.
Twenty additional Tank-type Undeads with enhanced defense had been added to my forces.
“So what’s my total combat strength now?”
*Revived Ones and Named Monsters.
―Sir Isra [S-Rank].
└ Death Warriors 9.
―Ingrid [S-Rank].
└ Black Sages 10.
―Roan [S-Rank].
―Zaugg [A-Rank].
―Death Knight Pines [S+ Rank].
―Xiao Zai & Predator – Rex [S++ Rank].
―Hydraigon [S++ Rank].
―Lich Juan Carlos [S+ Rank].
*Undead Soldiers
―Centauro [S-Rank] 3.
―Death Warriors [A-Rank] 31.
―Death Guards [A+ Rank] 22.
―Death Giants [A-Rank] 30.
―Vengeance [A-Rank] 3.
―Black Sages [A-Rank] 17.
―Damned Makers [A-Rank] 5.
―Tigris [B+ Rank] 22.
Total strength: approximately 130 units.
The lowest-ranked among them was Tigris at B+ Rank.
Truly remarkable.
Wasn’t this force stronger than the total strength of most Major Guilds?
“The fruits of your labor, Master, born from blood and sweat.”
“Please leave this battle to me. You’ve worked hard enough, Master—get some proper rest.”
“Hmm. Then it falls to me to support and assist my Liege Lord from the sidelines.”
“Iron Head, aren’t you going to fight?”
I ignored the two growling Familiars and stroked my chin thoughtfully.
All of them were powerful Undeads that deserved to be called elite.
Their numbers exceeded one hundred.
【Tsk tsk. I’ve been steadily crafting Death Giants as well.】
The Giant’s Tomb that Meigers had laid his hands on.
Giants crafted from a combination of large-scale Undeads and golems were versatile Minions capable of both close combat and ranged bombardment.
Now that Death Guard had been added.
I could focus them on ranged attacks.
With the Malnourished One’s ability to conscript corpses during battle, I could afford to expand the scale of my Undead army somewhat.
There was no reason to hold back.
“How long can we hold out?”
Ten million—an astronomical number.
Not all of those monsters would come down this path.
Even if they all did, the Mountain Slope would funnel them, so only a fraction would actually engage in combat.
Could we maintain the line even in a war of attrition?
“No. I shouldn’t think too optimistically.”
I shook my head side to side.
The real battle hadn’t even begun yet.
“Why don’t you rest for a bit?”
Department Head Jeon Hye-yeon approached the base camp along the northern path.
“Is the reconnaissance complete?”
“Yes. In about twelve hours, the first wave of the Monster Wave should sweep over this place.”
When deep night fell.
I slipped out of the tent and summoned Hydraigon.
“Where are you going?”
“Just going to get some fresh air.”
“Haha. I’ll accompany you.”
Tch.
He wouldn’t give me a chance to move alone just because I wanted to see the Monster Wave.
“Were you planning to leave the Girl behind?”
“Fine. Let’s go as three.”
I climbed onto Hydraigon’s back and rose slowly.
We flew toward the mountain path, swallowed by darkness where not even an inch ahead was visible.
The path was quiet, without a single sound.
It felt like the calm before the storm.
Whether you’re incompetent or our defensive line is incompetent—the results will tell.

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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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