Report
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HELHEIM SCANS
[Translator - Hestia]
[Proofreader - Kaya]
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Chapter 15: A New Undead Is Always Welcome
Yoojin's eyes wavered.
'To think the Martial Mage trait would be inherited...'
In his past life, he hadn't seen this trait when he had Park Haneul possess the Skeleton Knight.
◎ Unique Trait
- Martial Mage
Possesses aptitude for both martial arts and magic. Increasing physical stats also increases mana (spirit power), and increasing mana (spirit power) randomly increases one physical stat.
There are no penalties for using or learning both skills simultaneously.
An incredible unique trait.
Even if he searched the entire world, there wouldn't be many traits this powerful.
'With mana increasing automatically, there's no need to worry about messing up stat allocation.'
By entering certain Gates, one could change to special classes not offered by the system.
Like Shin Joonseok's [Alchemist].
The Magic Swordsman, a special combat class discovered a few years ago, was one of them.
'It was a position that allowed for simultaneous learning of swordsmanship and magic.'
Initially, Hunters lined up to become Magic Swordsmen, even paying fees to enter Gates.
The problem was that the hype died down in less than half a year.
- A half-baked class that's neither good at close combat nor ranged combat.
- Stat allocation is a nightmare.
- A class where you're likely to tear your crotch trying to do two things at once.
Swordsmanship and magic.
Mastering even one of them was difficult.
To fully utilize the abilities of a Magic Swordsman, one needed talent in both physical senses and mana manipulation.
Even if one mastered both fields, they had to allocate limited bonus stats, inevitably becoming a jack-of-all-trades, master of none.
'But with the Martial Mage trait, things are different.'
Mana increased regardless of which stat was invested in.
This solved the chronic weakness of Magic Swordsmen: the lack of stats.
'It would be a meaningless trait for ordinary undead, though.'
Necromancy, the art of raising the dead.
What potential for growth could the deceased have?
Perhaps it would be different for high-ranking undead like liches, Death Knights, or banshees.
But those were all powerful monsters that Yoojin couldn't even dream of creating at his current level.
'Or so it was.'
The growth option added to the unconventionally created Eldritch Dragon.
Combined with the Martial Mage trait, it would grant an incredible stat bonus.
'I intended for the growth option, but... to think the Martial Mage trait would be inherited as well...'
It meant that the synchronization between Park Haneul and the Draconian corpse was that good.
After all, the Martial Mage trait hadn't been added when he had him possess the Skeleton Knight in his past life.
'He must have inherited Kenex Combat Arts from the Draconian.'
An A-rank martial arts skill.
Although it wasn't his own skill, so the proficiency was 0, with his talent, wouldn't he master it quickly?
【What's the matter?】
Had he been silent for too long, lost in thought?
Park Haneul urged Yoojin, who was deep in contemplation.
"The results are different from what I expected."
【What? Is there something wrong with me?】
"The Martial Mage trait was inherited by that body. It seems to be a good match."
【Then that's great!】
"Yeah."
【Whew, I was worried something serious had happened.】
Huu—
The 3-meter-tall dragonkin giant let out a sigh of relief.
He was already dead, his internal organs no longer functioning, yet he was making breathing sounds with his thoughts.
'Does he want to feel alive?'
There were quite a few undead who mimicked their living selves.
This was a side of Park Haneul he hadn't seen in his past life.
Well, it made sense.
When Park Haneul was inhabiting the body of a Skeleton Knight, it was difficult for him to even properly express his thoughts.
"How's the body?"
【It's usable. Though not as good as when I was alive.】
Park Haneul had reached 6 Stars when he was alive.
The difference between ranks was greater than one might think.
1-Star - 5 bonus stats per level.
2-Star - 10 bonus stats per level.
3-Star - 15 bonus stats per level.
... and so on.
The additional stats increased in multiples of 5.
There was a significant difference in stats, and there was one more factor.
'You can only level up by hunting monsters until 3-Stars.'
To reach 4-Stars or higher, one needed to gain enlightenment in their respective field.
Martial artists had to imbue their mana with their will and awaken their aura.
Magic Hunters had to succeed in multi-casting.
And Priests?
'That can be solved with money.'
They had to offer tributes that satisfied the constellation they worshipped.
The dirty principle of money being everything.
That was why the Priest class was called the nobility.
〔Khahaha! Tributes are always welcome, Contractor.〕
'You're leeching off of me.'
〔How dare you mock the King of the Titans!〕
'I'm just stating facts.'
Kronos was incomplete as a constellation.
He had succeeded in becoming a half-baked constellation by exploiting various loopholes and gaps in the 'domain’, but he was far from being a proper constellation.
When he hit a wall, he had no idea what conditions needed to be met to overcome it.
'Well, there's no need to worry about that now.'
Compared to his past life, his starting point was already different.
Even without the blessing of regression, Yoojin had reached the pinnacle of Hunters, surpassing even the 7 Stars, the world's top rankers.
He had already attained enlightenment.
He was confident he could meet any conditions.
"Let's go, my minion."
【I don't like being called a minion.】
"Then should I call you by your name?"
【A body that has long since rotted away, leaving not even a single bone. I want to bury that name with the decayed flesh.】
"How fussy."
Yoojin stroked his chin.
Park Haneul had been taciturn in his past life.
Was this a result of meeting him years earlier, or was there another reason?
'Either way, it's not a bad change.'
It was better for him to express his opinions freely than to be tight-lipped.
【Hmm. It would be nice to have an intimidating name that strikes fear into the hearts of those who hear it. But I can't think of anything.】
...Well, maybe being a little taciturn wouldn't be so bad.
Suddenly, a name flashed through his mind.
"Fafnir."
【Is that a foreign name? It rolls off the tongue quite nicely!】
"It's a dragon from Norse mythology."
The evil dragon slain by the hero Siegfried.
Fortunately, Park Haneul didn't seem to know the myth and was pleased with the dragon's name.
【Good. From now on, call me Fafnir. Heh heh heh!】
Amusement resonated from his thoughts.
What a cheerful undead. It was almost unsettling.
"Ah, I should take this too."
Yoojin approached the orc chieftain, who lay in a gruesome state.
[Storing the corpse in the Ring of Darkness.]
[Storage limit: 1/1]
The space had become available when he released the Draconian corpse.
The orc chieftain's body was at the peak of 2 Stars, so if processed, it could be turned into a useful undead.
He didn't leave the orc corpses from which he had collected mana stones alone either.
[Using Flesh Control.]
The flesh and bones were separated, significantly reducing the weight of the corpses.
"You guys collect the bodies."
— Groar.
The Armored Zombies picked up the orc corpses, now reduced to skeletons.
"Let's go back."
"Yes, Boss."
【Wait. Isn't it a bit too bare to be walking around like this?】
At Fafnir's words, Yoojin tilted his head, his expression showing his lack of understanding.
"What's bare?"
【This body. I'm naked. Give me something to cover myself.】
"..."
Yoojin stared blankly for a moment, seemingly unfamiliar with this kind of request, then pointed at the tent where the orcs had stayed.
"If it bothers you that much, wrap yourself in that."
Rip—!
The tent was torn apart by Fafnir's rough hands.
Fafnir wrapped the tattered cloth around his waist.
'Was he always this kind of character?'
Yoojin pressed his temples with both hands.
＊ ＊ ＊
Yoojin and his party entered the border region checkpoint.
"Is that a summon?"
"I've never seen a summon like that."
"More importantly, (sniff sniff)— doesn't something smell strange?"
Hunters lingering near the checkpoint stared at the group with curious eyes.
Some of them even pinched their noses at the smell of rotting corpses.
"This is why you can't control zombies for long."
Kang Minho, his brows furrowed at the pungent odor that stung his nose, forced a smile.
Standing next to the horde of Armored Zombies, blocking his nose wasn't enough.
"You'll have to do laundry several times. The smell doesn't come off easily."
"We might have to wash them with Clean magic."
"I don't know if such services are available near the workshop."
[Clean] was a common magic spell that cleaned clothes with mana. Naturally, they would need the help of a magic-type Hunter.
"Sigh. We'll have to look for one."
"Or, since I have to go to Seoul anyway, you guys can rest while I'm gone."
"Really?"
"I'm not a heartless employer. I'll give you some time off."
【Then, I too...】
"Would you please be quiet, minion?"
【Ahem. I have a splendid name, Fafnir.】
"You'll get reported if you wander around as an undead."
【Hmm. That would be a bit problematic.】
"If there's anyone you absolutely need to see, I'll accompany you."
【Heh. I have no acquaintances to greet, and when I swore to cling to this dead body, I buried my past along with it.】
Park Haneul.
No, Fafnir and Yoojin had one thing in common.
They were both orphans.
Fafnir had lost his parents during the Great Cataclysm, while Yoojin was abandoned as soon as he was born into this world.
'We both have nowhere to belong.'
He had heard the story in his past life.
There was no need to pretend he knew, so Yoojin kept his thoughts to himself.
Yoojin, accompanied by the Armored Zombies, went to the alchemy workshop.
"What is that smell?"
Shin Joonseok, who came out grumbling, was startled at the sight of the Armored Zombies.
"Zombies wearing armor!"
【To be surprised by such monsters... You lack courage, my friend.】
Shin Joonseok turned his head at Fafnir's rebuke.
He stared for a moment, then exclaimed in a mixture of surprise and admiration.
"Isn't that the corpse you soaked in the Melting solution?!"
"Yeah, I found a suitable soul for the body in the border region."
"I went through a lot of trouble melting those mana stones. It's amazing to see it completed."
Shin Joonseok approached Fafnir with sparkling eyes.
【Who is this pervert?】
"He's my business partner. Don't kill him, even if he's unpleasant."
"Mr. Yoojin, would it be alright if I touch it? This is worth researching..."
【No, I've decided. I have to kill him.】
"Dying is one thing, but I'll give you an arm if you let me study it!"
"Partner, if you die pointlessly, I'll be at a loss too, so calm down."
Shin Joonseok reluctantly backed down.
"Boss, we'll go to Seoul to sell the loot."
"Come back within two days."
"Yes, sir."
The Little Runts team dispersed.
Yoojin had the Armored Zombies pile the orc bones in a corner of the warehouse and then withdrew his spirit power.
Thud—!
The Armored Zombies collapsed to the ground.
【I can't help but feel a sense of camaraderie.】
"You don't have to worry about that since I can't withdraw spirit power from high-ranking undead like you."
【Really?】
"Try using the spirit power dwelling within your body."
Fafnir observed his inner self with a dubious expression, then spoke after a moment.
【You're right.】
"I can't arbitrarily withdraw energy from high-ranking undead that have established a mindscape."
【Then how can you control the undead?】
"Don't underestimate my control."
Yoojin raised his index finger.
【Huh?】
Fafnir's leg lifted into the air, then— Crash! — slammed into the ground.
The impact created a crater in the earth.
"Don't worry, I can make you work without resorting to threats."
【You haven't put a leash on me, but I might as well be a slave.】
Leaving Fafnir to grumble, Yoojin examined the orc bones scattered in the yard.
"Partner."
"What is it, oh partner who doesn't contribute to the advancement of alchemy?"
Shin Joonseok approached obediently despite his complaints.
"Disassemble these bones. And bring me 500ml of the distilled Blue Herb."
"I'm not an alchemy slave or a machine. You come to the workshop and immediately try to exploit and order me around?"
He was indeed a slave.
Unable to bring himself to say those words, Yoojin slowly coaxed Shin Joonseok.
"I'll show you something amazing."
"Research doesn't progress just by seeing something amazing."
"Come on, you can do whatever you want with this one."
"...Really?"
"Have I ever gone back on my word?"
"Alright."
Shin Joonseok sighed but followed Yoojin's instructions, grinding each orc bone into powder.
Yoojin also used [Flesh Control] to separate the flesh and bones of the orc chieftain's corpse.
"Fafnir, gather the powder and massage the chieftain's body with it."
【Oh? Are you going to create an undead?】
"The more troops, the better."
[Using Raise Undead.]
[One skeleton has been created with high completion.]
[All stats increased by 100%.]
At the moment when spirit power was imbued into the skeleton—
This further strengthened the bones, maximizing the skeleton's combat capabilities.
"But it doesn't end here."
The property of the Blue Herb was magic stabilization.
He poured the distilled extract onto the piled bone powder, and then—
[Using Bone Armor.]
He made it adhere to the skeleton's body.
The chieftain's corpse grew in size as it absorbed the powdered bones.
It stopped growing only after reaching a size similar to Fafnir's.
[The stabilized energy has influenced the skeleton's creation.]
[The skeleton's traits have been converted to defense.]
The orc chieftain's arms widened abnormally.
It was a strange form, like shields attached to both arms.
[Skeleton Guard]
Race: Undead
Rank: ★★
◎ Stats
Strength: 275 / Agility: 150 / Health: 291 / Toughness: 332 / Mana: 84
◎ Traits
▷ Undying Existence [D+] / Gaze Fixation [E+]
◎ Skills
▷ Attack Absorption [D+] / Iron Wall [D]
"I'll be in your care for a while."
Click—!
A strange sound echoed as the skeleton's jaws clacked together.
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HELHEIM SCANS
[Translator - Hestia
[Proofreader - Kaya]
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