My Catastrophic‑Level Summon Devours Gates - Chapter 44

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Episode 44

 

Special Ability Extraction.

 

A phrase I’ve never seen once in 5 years.

 

It seems like they’re saying D-rank is where things really begin.

 

“Phew.”

 

Let’s think of it as good things being good.

 

Still, thanks to struggling while stuck at E-rank, I built up my Dexterity Stat tremendously.

 

Also.

 

I’m seeing the benefits of all the experiments I did trying to improve undead reaction speed.

 

[Do you wish to extract this ability?]

 

[Success of extraction depends on the user’s Corpse Processing proficiency.]

 

So it’s not guaranteed success.

 

“Extract it.”

 

Who do they think will be scared?

 

If I had to choose between ending it as a one-time use or making it a probability-based repeatable ability.

 

Obviously the latter.

 

[Attempting to extract Predation ability.]

 

[Please inject mana according to the pattern.]

 

A blue pattern appeared on the drooping protrusion.

 

I need to draw the exact same shape using the mana I input through Corpse Processing.

 

“Making me solve puzzles.”

 

【It’s similar to a Mana Cipher Pattern. Shall I help you?】

 

“It’s fine.”

 

It looks doable.

 

I don’t know if it’s thanks to Master of Magic.

 

But I felt confident I could accurately match the intricately twisted pattern.

 

Ding! Ding!

 

【A-amazing.】

 

【Mage. Aren’t you reacting a bit too dramatically?】

 

【Iron Head wouldn’t know. Just how amazing what he did is.】

 

Solving Mana Cipher Patterns is difficult even for talented witches.

 

I don’t know if it’s because I have Ingrid’s talent.

 

But piecing together the mana structure didn’t feel difficult at all.

 

【How dare you insult chivalry! Come at me!】

 

【Don’t interfere with Master and stay quiet.】

 

Don’t worry.

 

I can barely hear what you’re babbling about anyway.

 

Concentrating to the extreme to control my mana.

 

Click— Click—

 

I completed the pattern.

 

[Extraction successful.]

 

[You can now grant Predation ability during Corpse Processing.]

 

[Special abilities can be granted proportional to the individual’s grade.]

 

[E-grade – 0]

 

[D-grade – 1]

 

[C-grade – 2]

 

······.

 

Special ability granting.

 

Another application method for Corpse Processing has been added.

 

【Since there’s only one special ability, there’s no need to worry about choosing.】

 

“When I gain more abilities in the future, I’ll have to pick and choose.”

 

I summoned two additional Armed Zombie Warriors.

 

I granted them the [Predation] trait through Corpse Processing.

 

Next time I clear a Gate, I’ll be able to see how effective the predation stacks are.

 

That’s enough analysis of the Evolved Predatory Ghoul.

 

I also projected the internal structure of the remaining Ghouls through Corpse Processing.

 

[Analyzing undead monster.]

 

[Individual – Discovered crafting method for Ghoul.]

 

[Perfectly understood the structure of Ghouls.]

 

[Corpse Crafting proficiency increases significantly.]

 

“Oh.”

 

After growing to D-grade, my skill proficiency that had barely increased went up by 20%.

 

It’s a number that makes the penalty of growth-type skills seem meaningless.

 

【Can you make Ghouls now too?】

 

“There’s a bit of a penalty though.”

 

When using parts of a higher grade than the skill level during Corpse Crafting, efficiency decreases.

 

Same goes for Ghouls.

 

Corpse Crafting is D-grade.

 

Since Ghouls are C-grade, there’s a penalty when completed.

 

“About a 40% decrease.”

 

【The numbers are ambiguous.】

 

“It has higher mobility than the Armed Zombie Warrior, but its specs are slightly lower.”

 

Both could be considered D+ rank.

 

The Ghoul with mobility and three-dimensional movement capability.

 

The tank-style Armed Zombie Warrior.

 

I should make a few Ghouls too and use them depending on the situation.

 

“Phew.”

 

Right.

 

I need to work more.

 

Looking at Master Han Yo-han’s bloodshot eyes, I had thought I shouldn’t work all night.

 

That resolution was already starting to waver.

 

【When your thoughts are complicated, swinging a sword is the best solution.】

 

【Hmph. Magic training will clear your mind.】

 

No.

 

You demons.

 

You’re the ones creating my worries!

 

“Sigh. Let’s go buy materials.”

 

After the Break incident was concluded.

 

Sir Isra and Ingrid unanimously pushed strongly for additional undead creation.

 

Their reason was that it would be difficult to protect me in a chaotic battle situation.

 

Tsk.

 

I had learned Imperial Swordsmanship too.

 

I had gained confidence that I could handle most enemies.

 

But if I said that, it was obvious the two familiars would pour out nagging, so I swallowed it.

 

Buzz! Buzz!

 

Continuous vibrations.

 

Who is it?

 

[Chilseong High-Ranking Official]

 

He calls quite often.

 

He must be busy because of yesterday’s incident.

 

“This is Park Min-ho.”

 

―Good morning, Hunter Park.

 

“Yes. Um, are you alright?”

 

The topic that’s heating up various media and internet communities.

 

He’s an executive of the guild at the center of it all.

 

Wouldn’t he be racking his brains trying to handle the situation right now?

 

Even in this situation, I found it impressive that he was making an effort to recruit me.

 

―The proposal you made last time. Is it still valid?

 

“Ah. 10 billion won.”

 

―That’s the proposal I made to you.

 

Huh?

 

I don’t quite understand what you mean.

 

―I’m talking about Hunter Park’s personal agency.

 

Oh my.

 

You still remember that slip of the tongue.

 

Wasn’t that supposed to be taken as a joke?

 

―If it’s still valid, please accept me.

 

“What?”

 

What are you talking about, Director of Chilsung Guild?

 

* * *

 

Turning back time to last night.

 

Right after Jung Shin-ho made his bombshell declaration, Chilsung Guild was completely turned upside down.

 

Emergency board meeting called.

 

Baek Seong-hyeon also responded to the summons and hurriedly came out.

 

Chilsung Guild Headquarters in Seocho-dong.

 

The atmosphere in the Executive Conference Room was as cold as midwinter.

 

‘To think that person would come in person.’

 

Chilsung Guild’s parent company.

 

Shin Hyeong-sik, the chairman of Chilseong Group, one of South Korea’s leading conglomerates, was waiting for the executives in the conference room.

 

Even though he was non-Awakened.

 

It felt like he was emanating an intangible aura like an S-rank Hunter.

 

Shin Jun-yeong, Shin Hyeong-sik’s son and A-rank Hunter guild master, was also overwhelmed by that presence and could only read the room.

 

When a few more executives entered, Chairman Shin Hyeong-sik opened his closed eyes.

 

“Is everyone here?”

 

“Yes. Father.”

 

“This is a formal occasion. Son.”

 

“······I apologize. Chairman.”

 

“Good. President Shin. At times like this, we must distinguish between public and private matters.”

 

The temperature in the room seemed to drop another 5 degrees.

 

“I won’t speak at length. Who will take responsibility?”

 

Take responsibility.

 

Understanding the meaning implied in those short words wasn’t difficult.

 

It was about Jung Shin-ho’s transfer.

 

‘Even though there’s someone responsible for this incident?’

 

Baek Seong-hyeon and several executives’ minds became complicated.

 

According to the guild management system.

 

The person ultimately responsible for this incident was Executive Director Shin Ju-seong, who managed the raid teams.

 

As his name suggested.

 

Executive Director Shin Ju-seong was one of the members of the owner family.

 

‘They want me to offer someone to take responsibility instead.’

 

No one answered.

 

They had to take responsibility for something that wasn’t even under their jurisdiction.

 

And it wasn’t just any ordinary matter.

 

If handled poorly, it could escalate into a diplomatic issue between Korea and China.

 

It was a situation where Chilseong Guild had to acknowledge responsibility first and boost the government’s standing.

 

The Chairman intended to choose one of the executives as that sacrifice.

 

“That Jung Shin-ho fellow. Who was it that recruited him into our guild?”

 

Damn it.

 

Baek Seong-hyeon bit his lips tightly.

 

He slowly looked around the conference room.

 

The assembled executives quickly averted their eyes the moment they made eye contact.

 

‘They had me targeted from the beginning.’

 

Why hadn’t he noticed right away when the emergency meeting was called?

 

The only person on Chilseong Guild’s Board of Directors who came from being a regular employee.

 

On top of that, he was non-awakened.

 

And he had no connections at Chilseong Group Headquarters either.

 

The legend of a regular employee?

 

In other words, it meant he had no connections.

 

Someone who could be discarded at any time.

 

Since he was also the one who had recruited Jung Shin-ho, the root cause of this incident, into the guild, it was a perfect excuse.

 

‘If I had noticed, I would have prepared somehow.’

 

No.

 

What good would preparation have done?

 

The head of Chilseong Group had come personally to declare that he would make him a scapegoat.

 

Even if Baek Seong-hyeon mobilized all his capabilities and power.

 

There was no way to escape this situation.

 

Since becoming an adult.

 

The company he had poured his entire life into after joining had decided to abandon him.

 

At that moment.

 

‘No. I’ll be the one to abandon them.’

 

Baek Seong-hyeon’s eyes turned sharp.

 

The company was firing him?

 

No.

 

He was leaving on his own feet to achieve greater ambitions.

 

“Chairman. If I take responsibility and step down, what can you do for me?”

 

“Well, well, well.”

 

“How dare you talk back to the Chairman.”

 

Several executives openly criticized him.

 

Even those who remained silent couldn’t hide their shocked expressions.

 

“Do you think this is material for negotiation?”

 

“You probably don’t think so.”

 

“I’m curious why you’re doing this when you know how I’ll judge it.”

 

“If you send me away empty-handed, I’ll damage Chilseong’s reputation even if it makes me a national bastard.”

 

Baek Seong-hyeon had quite a lot of material.

 

He was the one who recruited Jung Shin-ho, the recent hot topic.

 

After Jung was promoted to D-rank, he was assigned to the Gate Strategy Department.

 

Though he didn’t manage him directly, he occasionally received reports on his growth process.

 

“The Rift Management Agency would be quite pleased if I reported to them.”

 

“But you’d die in return?”

 

“Dying this way or that way is all the same.”

 

He had no parents or children, no spouse either.

 

He had climbed this far with his bare hands.

 

The only thing he had to lose was his own life.

 

Even so, even if he threw everything away, he probably couldn’t deal a major blow to Chilseong Guild’s image.

 

“The time you’ve devoted to Chilseong Guild. I’ll buy it for 5 billion.”

 

However.

 

Even without making that effort, the result wouldn’t be different.

 

All problems related to Jung Shin-ho would become Baek Seong-hyeon’s responsibility.

 

Being fired from Chilseong Guild was the basic consequence.

 

Since it would also negatively affect his career, finding new employment would be difficult.

 

What they were giving him in return was 5 billion.

 

If.

 

He had stayed quiet, he wouldn’t have been able to get even that money.

 

Baek Seong-hyeon barely suppressed the rage rising within him and answered.

 

“Thank you, Chairman.”

 

That day.

 

Baek Seong-hyeon exchanged the workplace where he had burned his youth for 5 billion in equivalent trade.

 

On the way home.

 

Amidst all kinds of emotions swirling like a storm.

 

Baek Seong-hyeon coldly thought about what came next.

 

‘Transferring to another of the Domestic Big Five is impossible.’

 

Since Chilseong had marked him as a scapegoat.

 

Prestigious guilds would definitely be wary of him.

 

If he turned his attention to provincial areas, there would be places that would accept him.

 

However.

 

Having been a director at Chilseong Guild, there would be position problems.

 

They can’t make an executive-level staff member a department head.

 

‘Should I wait until things quiet down and then contact the Domestic Big Five?’

 

No.

 

I can’t do that.

 

Just because I got 5 billion won.

 

I didn’t want to live like a buoy drifting in the vast ocean.

 

Then suddenly.

 

‘Ah. There was that proposal, wasn’t there?’

 

The Guui-dong Necromancer.

 

The first S-rank promotion in 5 years.

 

The promising talent who brought upheaval to the Hunter industry.

 

Park Min-ho came to mind.

 

‘I thought it was a joke back then.’

 

His request for one-on-one management through an agency.

 

I had laughed it off lightly.

 

Now that I’m in this situation, Min-ho’s proposal had become the only way to survive.

 

And so.

 

Baek Seong-hyeon let go of everything.

 

As soon as he confirmed the 5 billion won deposit, he called Min-ho.

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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