The Cursed Blacksmith Who Regressed - Chapter 109

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

Episode 109

Choi Hyun began his explanation.

“It’s true. The undead you see in media might look strong, but actual undead have considerably lower stats than you’d think, except for a few rare species. They have many weaknesses too.”

“What kind of weaknesses?”

“First, being vulnerable to holy power and magic attacks is the biggest problem. Second, while theoretically undead can be continuously resummoned and used, in practice this has quite a few issues. That’s because undead are heavily affected by their materials – if you resummon them when their corpses or bones are damaged during battle, they won’t have the same stats as when first summoned.”

“Ah?”

“So ultimately what becomes the main force is demon contracts, but there are weaknesses here too. Demon contracts are limited to two demons at most.”

“Why is that?”

“It’s a pride issue. Demons have strong pride, so unless their contractor has special circumstances, they don’t really like them playing both sides. That’s because demons lend power to their contractors in exchange for taking a portion of the byproducts from the contractor’s activities as payment – if there’s another contracted demon, their share gets reduced. Which demon would like that?”

“Ah, there was that issue too. But what do demons usually take as payment? Don’t tell me souls?”

“It varies by demon, but basically they take a portion of the experience points and mana that Players gain from hunting. And depending on the demon, they take blood, flesh, souls, etc., but again, not from the contractor but from targets the contractor kills.”

“Then the Blood Demon would take blood?”

“It takes its share automatically from Blood Ball.”

“Ooh.”

Oh Taek-su stroked his chin with interest.

“Then from a demon’s perspective, the more contractors the better?”

“Right. From a boss’s perspective, the more workers the better.”

He didn’t bother mentioning that demons saw their contractors as subordinates rather than partners.

‘When you think about it, they do see them like servants.’

Then when their rank rises, they sometimes become apostles.

“So when the group contract started, that’s why the Blood Demon sought out the leader of this contract. From the demon’s perspective, I must have looked like a supplier who brought them all these customers. Well, that’s actually correct.”

“You even negotiated well. Got tons of bonuses too. But then from the demon’s perspective, President, you’re like a big client – isn’t there anything special you get?”

“No matter how big a client I am, there’s nothing special I can receive from a demon. I’m neither a Summoner nor a Necromancer. Instead, thanks to the Blood Demon, I gained a powerful group of Necromancers, and that’s enough for me.”

There might be something if he looked for it, but he didn’t want anything right now.

Not every demon could give whatever you wanted like the Gray Scale Demon.

“Later on, they’ll also build up their strength and rebrand their image like you all did, then hold a showcase. Then seeing that, even more Necromancers will gather.”

“That seems like a good strategy. If this method becomes popular worldwide, the end of the Great Cataclysm that you desire will be achieved much faster.”

“That’s what I’m hoping for too. Nothing else matters.”

“As expected of you, President. You are humanity’s savior.”

Whatever happened, he needed to set a good precedent.

That way everyone would follow Paragon’s growth and management methods like a trend.

Then Oh Taek-su asked in a subtle tone.

“President, are you planning to have those guys wear uniforms like us? You mentioned rebranding their image earlier.”

“I’m planning to classify them as the 3rd Battalion for now… Do you think that would be good, Taek-su?”

“Oh my, we benefited so much from our uniforms. If you’re asking for a recommendation, I’d totally recommend it. This might not seem like much, but the sense of belonging that uniforms give is no joke.”

“I see. It definitely doesn’t seem bad. If we do make uniforms, the Necromancer 3rd Battalion should be in black or red.”

“That would look totally cool.”

“As their senior, please take good care of the 3rd Battalion. Later on, you’ll need to work together in the field.”

“Of course, I’ll prepare everything so we can move as one body later.”

As expected of Oh Taek-su.

Maybe because he was ex-military, he was really good at handling relationships.

Choi Hyun liked people like this.

Of course, they had to be good at their work, not just good at relationships.

Much later, the blue effect disappeared.

It meant the Dungeon Core had been destroyed.

Soon after, countless footsteps could be heard from the Dungeon Entrance, and the first to appear from the darkness was none other than a Skeleton Soldier.

Clank clank clank!

The Skeleton Soldiers came out in formation.

Behind them, the Necromancers appeared, and when all the Necromancers had come outside, Choi Hyun saw their pristine condition and applauded.

Then starting with Oh Taek-su, all the other employees followed suit and applauded.

Choi Hyun said.

“Everyone, you’ve worked hard. With this, I will hire all of you here as regular employees of Paragon starting today. Congratulations to everyone.”

“Congratulations!”

Clap clap clap clap-

Pouring applause.

At the same time, smiles finally began to bloom on the Necromancers’ faces.

Because this was the moment when the long darkness that had shrouded their lives finally ended.

It was also the moment when Paragon’s third battalion was born.

* * *

An article came out.

About the confirmation of regular employment for all Necromancers.

People once again widened their eyes in amazement.

– Wow, another confirmation of full-time employment for everyone?

– Shit, at this point shouldn’t we grab the opportunity when it comes?

– What will the next class be?

– Ah, God Choi, please make the next class Chefs. I’m dying after switching to Chef for no reason!

– Hahaha, damn, but why did you pick chef of all things? Did you think you could summon a Pukamon or something?

But while they were amazed, distrust of the Necromancers was still high.

– But we still don’t know, right?

– Is he going for a Suicide Squad meta?

– Could be a Silmido meta lol picking out criminals to send them on some kamikaze mission

– At least Manggu had ability. Necromancers are trash tier even with the best care… But at least the kids are nice? Oh wait, they were ex-cons? Then there’s no hope?!

– If they’re bone-beaten corpse beaters, I agree

People mocking them.

He didn’t care.

When the time came, they would be recognized by everyone just like the Tamers had been.

Choi Hyun taught the Necromancers for a while.

After hiring them, he had them live in dormitories starting the next day and educated them. He spent time with them for a while, teaching them overall knowledge starting with how to efficiently handle blood magic, then projection, curses, undead summoning, etc.

Everyone’s eyes were sparkling.

They had received the huge gift of the Blood Demon, along with regular employment at a major guild, and were being very kindly spoon-fed novel knowledge through personalized education that they had never seen on the internet or YouTube.

And most importantly.

“T-training allowance?”

“This much?”

“Wow…”

These were Necromancers who had been branded as ex-convicts and couldn’t find a single proper job.

When he showered them with generous training allowances, they all changed overnight.

Was that all?

“T-this is the dormitory where we’ll be staying?”

“Wow, this is on a completely different level from the gosiwon I lived in?”

“What? One person per room?”

“Gym, swimming pool, golf course, karaoke, PC room, capsule room, library… A-all of these are community facilities?”

“Is it okay for someone like me to live in a place like this…?”

They were amazed by the luxury of the dormitory and community facilities provided during the residential training.

“Wow…”

“The taste of the food…”

“How is there a meat side dish with every meal?”

“Even the quality of the snacks…!”

“It’s buffet style, even.”

“Sashimi? They serve sashimi?”

They were especially amazed by the quality of the cafeteria that he had paid special attention to.

“The, the store is free too?!”

“They provide laundry service like a hotel?!”

“Health checkups?”

“They let family members get them too?!”

“Pet care?!”

“Puppy daycare?!”

With free stores, laundry service, health checkups for direct family members, and even pet care, people’s attitudes couldn’t help but change.

And most importantly, what decisively ignited their company loyalty was none other than.

“What? You mean we can keep living here even after the training ends if we want?”

“They provide dormitories to employees who want them?”

“Wow?”

It was the fact that they provided dormitories even after the training period.

Naturally, all the benefits they enjoyed during the training period would be maintained as well.

This was a welfare benefit they absolutely didn’t want to lose.

That made sense since outside, everything cost money just to breathe.

Moreover, wasn’t this the safest zone among safe zones in Yongsan, which could be called the center of Seoul, where they didn’t have to worry about dungeons or gates suddenly appearing?

Oh Taek-su, who was conducting the training, smiled and said.

“These are benefits that only Paragon employee Players can enjoy. So should we be loyal to the President, or shouldn’t we?”

“We, we should!”

“We should! We absolutely should!”

“Then since we’re on the topic, how about the 3rd Division does some image making with uniforms like our 2nd Division?”

“Uniforms?”

“The President said if most of you want them, he’ll provide uniforms too. Of course, they’ll be products hand-designed by a designer with no personal cost.”

Oh Taek-su showed off the 2nd Division uniform he had proposed, bragging openly.

It was cool.

The design was much cooler than any other profession’s uniform.

And the affiliation was Paragon.

Could there be any better logo play than this?

The Necromancers trembled with excitement.

“We’ll do it!”

“We’ll get them made!”

“We’ll bury our bones here!”

“I am the President’s dog!”

“I am Paragon’s walking dead!”

By the time the training period ended, the Necromancers had become perfect Paragon members… no, Paragon itself, no less than the 2nd Division Tamers.

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