Report
------------------
HELHEIM SCANS
[Translator - Hestia]
[Proofreader - Kaya]
------------------
Chapter 49: The Victor's Right
The battlefield, swallowed by the thick fog, was utterly devastated.
The ground was riddled with craters.
Some of the trees were still burning.
Fragments of monsters, undead, and what were once humans were scattered everywhere.
"It's a shame. There's less to salvage than I thought."
【Master, aren't you being a bit too heartless?】
"They were the ones who bared their fangs at me. They should be prepared to die."
How many times had he used Corpse Explosion remotely?
The bodies of the Red Spider Hunters, caught in the explosions and turned to mush, couldn't even be resurrected as undead.
Most of the relatively intact ones had been turned into plague zombies.
"Well, I'll be satisfied with two 5 Star corpses."
Their souls could be collected as wraiths and even merged.
It was just that at his current level, he couldn't learn spells that could draw out the full potential of a 5 Star.
'I'll have to keep them for now until I reach 3 Star soon.'
He had built the Unholy Graveyard in anticipation of this kind of situation.
Originally, it was a structure with low priority, but it was worth building it in advance.
"Still, there are quite a few items that are intact."
【It seems like it will take quite a while to collect them one by one.】
"I can just increase the number of hands."
[Using Raise Undead.]
Although few in number, there were corpses scattered around that he could raise.
Yoojin used the hastily made zombies to gather the items from the Red Spider Hunters.
- Unique rank: 2
- Rare rank: 32
- Magic rank: 17
【Huh. There are more rares than magics.】
"It's no wonder, considering how much money they raked in from their red camouflage."
【It makes me feel the passage of time.】
In the early days of the Cataclysm, they had no choice but to take and use the items that monsters used.
It was much later that item-specialized companies like Magus and Graybase were launched.
"It hasn't even been that many years since magic engineering research began in earnest."
【In any case, it's a welcome change that we can easily obtain good items these days.】
"It's still expensive though, so I can't say it's easy."
【In my time, even rare items cost at least a billion won.】
Yes, yes.
That's how it was back then.
"I've collected a lot, but there's nothing useful."
Most of the items that had miraculously survived the explosions were weapons.
Why weren't there many intact pieces of armor, which should have been more durable?
"They must have been shattered protecting their owners."
【I see. That's a reasonable answer.】
"Fafnir, are there any weapons you like?"
【Isn't this body the ultimate weapon? Why do you ask?】
"I'm going to sell it if it's useless."
【You can arm other undead with it besides me.】
At Fafnir's remark, Yoojin shrugged.
"It's like casting pearls before swine."
Even if he gave a Rare weapon to an Armored Skeleton, it wouldn't be able to handle it properly.
To properly utilize the power of a Rare rank weapon, it needed to be at least an intermediate-level undead.
"It's important to help you grow, too."
【Is a Rare item related to me?】
"I need to buy mana stones for you to consume."
It wasn't necessary to feed Fafnir only mana stones obtained through hunting to grow his heart.
Unless it was an essential item, catalyst, or corpse, it was better to invest in Fafnir.
【Ah, I didn't think of that.】
"Sigh."
Yoojin sighed.
What was he going to do with this mana stone-eating hippopotamus?
Most of the Rare rank items weren't suitable for Yoojin, but there were some usable items among them.
[Mana Ring]
Rank: Rare
Category: Ring
Durability: 30/30
A ring that replenishes the wearer's mana.
* Mana + 15
* Total Mana + 5%
Two rings.
He didn't have to worry about the additional mana option as it would automatically be converted to spirit power.
Similar options to the Mana Earrings he had obtained before.
'The stats are low, but it's not bad since it increases the total mana.'
Necromancer-exclusive magic was cost-effective, but it still consumed a lot of mana in consecutive battles.
Before his return, when his holy power was low, he had struggled with managing his spirit power.
'This kind of equipment is always beneficial.'
He had Life Drain, but he also had to consider situations where he used up all his potions.
The moment he wore the simple-looking earrings on both ears, his mind felt clearer.
This was a phenomenon caused by the increase in spirit power.
Heh heh.
These were useful.
【Why did you leave out the staff?】
"Ah, this is for Jo Seungchul."
[GB (Graybase) - R5 Type]
Rank: Rare
Category: Staff
Durability: 51/70
This is the fifth staff in Graybase's R series.
It increases mana concentration rate and the power of projectiles.
* Mana + 50
* Rearrangement speed reduced by 15%.
* Increases the power of projection-type magic by 15%.
A product of Graybase, the master of magic weapons.
Although it's what they call a mass-produced equipment, its stability is excellent, making it a desired item for any magic-user Hunter.
"Now, shall we see the highlight?"
The greatest reward from the spider hunt.
It was time to check the performance of the Unique items.
[Zelkova Staff Imbued with Lightning]
Rank: Unique
Category: Staff
Durability: 87/150
A staff made from a tree that was struck by lightning, giving its exterior and interior different colors. A magic amplification catalyst can be inserted into the socket to increase the destructive power of the desired attribute.
* Mana + 150
* Rearrangement speed reduced by 30%.
* Increases fire magic power by 74%.
* Socket - [1/1]
Flame Orb equipped
The first Unique item was Lee Seungyeon's staff.
Its specs were incomparable to the Rare rank GB - R5 Type.
"Reduced recovery speed and increased mana. I like it."
【Isn't fire magic amplification unnecessary?】
"I can change the socket."
Socket options were a unique feature that only appeared in some equipment.
A gem containing only a specific attribute.
For example, if something like the Flame Orb attached to the staff was inserted into the equipment, an additional option would be attached.
"But for this staff, the socket option is practically the main feature."
Its purpose was to maximize the power of the catalyst combined with the staff.
Perhaps the person who made this staff intended to change the socket to respond to various situations?
【So you're saying that Master needs a catalyst to properly use that staff?】
"Uh, that's right."
【Then for now, it's all bark and no bite.】
"You always have to put it that way."
Yoojin couldn't find anything to say to Fafnir's blunt truth.
"Stop talking nonsense and look at this."
[Ogre Gauntlets Soaked in Blood]
Rank: Unique
Category: Gloves
Durability: 500/500
Made with leather tanned in ogre blood. It is elastic and instills courage in the user.
* Strength + 100
* Agility + 100
[Unarmed Combat Lv 65]
[Strike Lv 48]
Like the Blood Axe obtained from the Orc chieftain...
A lot of blood-related items were appearing.
【It's the equipment Choi Hyungtae used.】
"You recognize it right away."
【How could I not recognize the gauntlets that tempered my body?】
Fafnir grumbled.
"Here, you use this."
【You're a good joker. As if it would even fit my hands.】
"It's elastic. It'll probably fit well."
The moment Fafnir, with a dubious glint in his eyes, put his finger into the gauntlet...
【Oh ho.】
The gauntlet stretched without resistance to fit the size of his hand.
【Did you know this would happen, Master?】
"If it has a description about being elastic or adjusting to the user, then yes."
The victor takes everything.
The loser is robbed of even their life and the peace of the afterlife.
This was the fight of a necromancer.
【What will you do with the farm?】
"For now, I'll leave it alone."
【Wouldn't it be better to burn it down to deal a blow to the Red Spiders?】
"Why would I burn down something that makes money?"
At Yoojin's rebuke, Fafnir looked displeased.
【I thought that would be the most effective way to strike at the Red Spiders.】
"I doubt they'll have the time to worry about that."
He had cut off half their legs as requested.
He wasn't sure if he had precisely removed four, but they must have suffered damage equivalent to that.
Would they be able to manage a farm located within the territory of monsters after suffering such tremendous losses?
【Hmm. Still, drugs...】
"I told you it's also used for meditation. There are also elixirs that utilize its properties."
【Huh. Did you anticipate even that?】
"It was a matter of course."
Black Herb would become a key ingredient in the elixir [Heavenly Elixir], which would be developed several years later.
He would have to subtly leak this knowledge to the great alchemists of the future, timing it appropriately.
"It would be interesting to let Madam know about the situation with the farm."
Yoojin chuckled.
＊ ＊ ＊
The three organizations that held sway over Ground Zero—
Eumsa.
Milky Way Pub.
Red Spiders.
The balance maintained for nearly a decade crumbled in a mere month.
- The closure of the bloodstone supply, their main source of income.
- The annihilation in the border region, where half of their Hunter forces were wiped out.
While the Red Spiders' authority was being questioned due to these consecutive incidents, Madam, who had been waiting for an opportunity, immediately drew her blade.
[Lunar Sorcery]
[Phantom Night Demonic Mirror]
A dark stain spread across the night sky, enveloping the Red Spiders' headquarters.
This was Madam Oh Hyunjeong's unique trait, Lunar Sorcery.
"Now, kill each other."
The Red Spider members gathered around the building suddenly turned on each other.
"You son of a bitch! When did you side with Madam?!"
"Bullshit, that's you!"
Crack—Thud—Bang!
They swung their weapons at each other.
"This is Madam's power."
"They say she's unmatched at night..."
Gulp—
The Hunters hired by Madam gulped.
* Red Spider Extermination
* Client: Milky Way Pub Madam
* Request Type: Assassination
* Difficulty: B
* Special Notes:
A separate Hunter will be assigned to handle Red Spider boss Kim Jaewoo.
Half a day after the Red Spider Hunters were annihilated in the border region, Madam hired outlaws from Ground Zero who had dealings with the Milky Way Pub and Hunters who frequented the border region.
200 Hunters gathered in a few hours.
This demonstrated her ability to mobilize forces.
"We weren't needed, were we?"
"Well, it's a profit if we get paid without working."
The mercenaries rejoiced.
The Red Spider members were in disarray due to Madam's sorcery.
What could be more enjoyable than earning money without lifting a finger?
However...
"Are you alright, Miss?"
"Hmm, I don't have a good feeling about this."
Madam twirled her hair as she answered Old Man Jeon's question.
"There are a lot of ordinary people."
"80% are non-Awakened. The level of Hunters isn't high either."
Although Lunar Sorcery was powerful, it didn't have the power to transcend holy power levels.
Essentially, mental strength increased with higher holy power.
Those below Madam's 4 Star level would find it difficult to resist the sorcery, but even those of the same level wouldn't instantly lose their minds.
"They've withdrawn the Red Spiders' main force."
"They're giving up faster than I thought."
"Excuse me? Do you mean..."
"Kim Jaewoo has decided to abandon the Red Spiders."
"We've been outmaneuvered."
Madam muttered under her breath.
Old Man Jeon tilted his head, seemingly unable to comprehend.
"I can't believe it. How could that greedy man make such a choice?"
"It's probably thanks to Mr. Yoojin carrying out the request so diligently."
"Was the damage he witnessed in the border region that significant?"
"Two of the executives died, and countless Hunters were killed."
Madam saw through Kim Jaewoo's true nature.
He acted boldly as the boss of the Red Spiders, but he was actually a coward who prioritized his own safety above all else.
He had gathered the elite members of the organization and fled before she could make her move.
"His judgment itself was correct. If he had stayed, he would have been reduced to picking up scraps."
Old Man Jeon and Kim Jaewoo had the same holy power level.
However, considering their proficiency, mana control, and other factors, Old Man Jeon had a higher chance of winning.
"I even recruited people to take care of the executives."
Madam murmured with a hint of regret.
"Then we should chase after him."
"No. He would have escaped to the West Sea by now."
"The West Sea... Ah!"
A sigh escaped Old Man Jeon's lips.
He belatedly remembered that the Red Spiders had made contact with the Nine Dragons' Hall.
"Did Kim Jaewoo anticipate this situation?"
"Ho ho. He was just lucky."
The Nine Dragons' Hall aimed to establish a criminal network encompassing East Asia.
If the Red Spiders collapsed, Kim Jaewoo would lose his value.
That's why he must have taken only the elite Hunters and escaped from Ground Zero.
"What a cunning man."
"And sly, too."
"Miss, it would be best to eliminate any future trouble."
"That's impossible. We need to eradicate the remaining Red Spider members first."
It was a shame that Kim Jaewoo had escaped, but since he had joined the Nine Dragons' Hall, it was difficult to pursue him.
Instead, it would be better to completely remove the Red Spiders and eliminate any place for him to return to, thus preventing future trouble.
"Understood."
Madam nonchalantly watched the Red Spider members collapsing in pools of blood.
This victory was possible thanks to Yoojin.
'I hope you can handle the void left by the Spiders.'
Madam smiled as she recalled the reward Yoojin had requested for the commission.
------------------
HELHEIM SCANS
[Translator - Hestia
[Proofreader - Kaya]
Join our Discord for release updates!
https://discord.com/invite/dbdMDhzWa2
------------------
