Chapter 32
Chapter 32
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: penny
Chapter: 32
Chapter Title: Necromancer (2)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
1.
After learning magic and taking a shower.
Ceres and I dove into a strategy meeting to stop Project Z.
“From now on, we should keep our contact to a minimum.”
“Why?”
“I’m planning to start digging into Shian Eiming of the Phantom Ghost Clan, and he’s the suspicious type. I’ll prepare your new identity.”
“Can’t you just wipe them all out, Lady Ceres?”
“Of course. That’s where the war begins.”
“What about poking at the other Overnus guys about Project Z?”
“Then I’d be openly branded a traitor to Twilight Resource Development?”
“Oh, right.”
A fusion of the future knowledge I possessed and Ceres’s expertise in this scene.
We sketched out the big picture to thwart the nefarious plan to turn 250,000 Necropolis slum dwellers into zombies.
After a marathon meeting lasting over eight hours.
“You... from the start... approached me... for this...?”
“Hey, misunderstanding.”
“No, that’s... wait... stop... you’re talking right now!”
What.
That’s how it happened.
I’d said we should minimize contact...
But we ended up in a wildly intimate relationship.
No, I was genuinely flustered too.
I hadn’t planned for this in this round.
Ceres the witch’s allure drew me in as a man, but I’d already secured a hefty sum under the guise of operating funds.
Oh~ Lady Ceres President! Generously donating 1 million BIOS!
Enough to cover Arbel’s medical bills and a deposit for my new bachelor pad!
And she promised ongoing support if needed. Plus, I’d learned magic this round, so no augmentation required.
Sedric was no longer a cheap host!
So what was this?
‘I’ll be going now.’
Rewinding to the moment right after the meeting, as I was about to leave.
‘It’s late. There’s an empty room, so you can crash here.’
“Really?! Is someone like me worthy of your kindness, Lady Ceres?”
“Don’t fuss.’
Ceres grabbed me as I headed for the elevator.
Up to here, it was a favor befitting allies in the same boat.
The rowhouse had one main bedroom, plus another smaller room with a bed.
But my instincts screamed ‘What?’ from this point.
It was weird, right?
Aside from the day Project Z went down last round, Ceres had never once invited anyone to stay over.
Even when we were close as driver and boss, she always slept at home.
She was stingy about letting anyone into her space.
Especially on day one.
Suspicious vibes detected.
Thinking ‘Could it be?’, I tested the waters.
Slipping into Ceres’s bedroom, where she was diligently reading documents even in bed.
“What? Can’t sleep alone?”
“Yeah, seeing death up close scared me a bit, so having someone beside me would put me at ease...”
“Sigh... Should’ve sent you off earlier.”
“Hng.”
“Do whatever. Go home if you want.”
Just as I thought I’d misread it.
“...Or maybe drink a bit more with me.”
With this insane witch move, she threw out the most aggressive advance ever.
From there, things flowed into the promised script...
But the question lingered.
Why?
Ceres Kasian was fundamentally distrustful.
It made sense, recalling the rounds where a moment’s carelessness got her killed.
Necropolis, rife with schemes and plots.
The careless didn’t survive.
Yet today, she was flaunting her witch powers unusually.
Because I was a genius necromancer? Because we’d formed a united front against Project Z?
Or because I promised to release her from her precepts?
And the weird points didn’t end there.
When I first met her, I pegged Ceres as a fiery widow from the Neotan New City suburbs, the type playing hot games.
The kind who’d bring men to her bedroom when bored.
But looking back over the rounds.
I’d never seen her sleep with another man.
As her ever-present driver, I knew for sure.
Top-shelf smokes and a rack of fine wines.
And aside from brunch at Le Zahdang, her life was utterly ascetic.
Meaning I was the only one granted access to her bedroom under my watch.
What the hell? Seriously, what?
Was my first impression off?
Even in round one, was Sedric’s looks just her type, rare as that was?
Back to the present.
“Haa... haa... haa...”
“Water?”
Replenishing her fluids as she could barely hold herself up.
I chewed over the final oddity.
“Sedric.”
“Yes.”
“My waist... has no strength...?”
Tsk.
No matter how you slice it, this was pathetic.
Pondering alone was pointless.
Recalling pro tips from my days as a top host hustling young Gangnam housewives...
A satisfying romp was like a truth serum.
It even pulled the truth from tight-lipped marks like stretched noodles.
No wonder spy agencies used honey traps.
I’d once extracted prime intel from a housing corp wife and nailed a killer real estate flip to build my seed money.
Point is, now was the golden window to ask what I wanted.
After tidying up.
I massaged her shoulders.
Had some fruit sliced nearby too.
“Lady Ceres, why are you so good to me?”
Her body froze mid-relaxation.
“Don’t get the wrong idea.”
“It’s not just an idea when you teach me magic and...”
“Overinflated ego much? While we’re at it, let me clear something up.”
Ceres wrinkled her nose.
“Don’t read too much into today. It’s better for you that way.”
Her cool gaze stabbed down at me.
“You don’t think you’re my only toy, do you?”
A cold sneer, like telling a mangy stray not to mistake charity for affection.
“Pathetic.”
“......”
Understanding of Ceres Kasian slightly increased.
Our Ceres the witch...
Body’s honest.
But a damn good liar too.
2.
Thus began an unprecedentedly smooth fifth round.
First order: relocate my digs.
I knew exactly when Arbel would rocket-deliver to the bachelor pad, so prepping the love nest early.
Location: Unlucky Chinatown C-22 Sector, shop house second floor, as eyed before.
Deposit 400k / Monthly 70k / Fees extra.
A penniless underclassman scoring this meant selling what couldn’t be sold at the steam baths.
Side note: prime spot with mantou steam wafting up all day from downstairs.
Free heating, sweet.
Price-wise, condition’s iffy though.
Cramped inside, wallpaper warped from damp, mushrooms—not just mold—sprouting in corners.
Still, a goddess compared to E Sector crash pads.
At least it had a toilet-shower combo and no frostbite worries.
Gazing at the hazy, bustling night view through the steam.
“Humans really are adaptable creatures.”
Who’d have thought Sedric would be content with a Chinatown-view second floor.
Anyway.
Fifth round, started from scratch, already day three.
Quick recap of events...
‘I’ll cooperate, but on my terms. I lead, always.’
Ceres the witch took the control tower role in the grand plan against Project Z.
Logically, yes.
I’d spilled nearly all my future intel.
The rest was for the stronger, higher-status, more seasoned Ceres to orchestrate.
“But why so uneasy...”
Ceres didn’t seem the type, but she had these subtle sloppy spots.
‘Here’s your new ID and card. You’re now 7th Rank Fixer Rowen. Memorize it.’
“Wait! Can’t I pick my own name?”
‘A fresh 7th Rank is suspicious. Better with history. Cover story: injured in a Rift, out a year. Dead in reality.’
‘I hate lame names like that.’
My photo on the forged ID was indelibly stamped with Rowen.
Infuriating!!! I’d mastered cool magic too, wanted Arkham or something!!!
‘Enough nonsense. Your first task is simple.’
“Urk... Understood.”
‘...Dig into Phantom Ghost Clan’s Xiangzhu, Shian Eiming.’
Overnus Pharma ruled by Crimson Dragon, Phantom Ghost, Golden Carp clans—I’ve mentioned it plenty.
Sharp folks might’ve guessed...
They’re not blood families.
Phantom Ghost ‘Clan’s’ Clan is more mafia ‘family.’
I.e., Overnus is a triads-like mashup of three mob orgs.
Among them, repeat betrayer Shian Eiming: Phantom Ghost high-rank, 2nd Rank Mage.
Xiangzhu overseeing poisons and drugs.
‘He’s got a half-bro as errand boy. Quietly take him out, assume his spot.’
‘Killing the half-bro won’t make Eiming turn Sedric into fish sauce?’
‘Quietly. No brotherly bonds. Just a convenient fixer.’
Classic Ceres witch.
Had a plan.
‘I’ll give you the intel. Infiltrate, off the fixer. I’ll set up Eiming contact meanwhile.’
Today, off to handle Eiming’s ass-wiper.
Reviewing my honed 0th Rank spell ‘Death Verdict’ mentally, heading to Ceres’s spot.
-Thud thud
Past noisy Hongshen Market, steps reached a quiet place.
Coincidentally, the underpassage where Kisara gutted me last time.
Cracked unrepaired tiles, squelching mud floor, half-broken mercury lamps—all same.
Cig in mouth, leaning on wall, checking mana.
-Hummm
Death mana bloomed fluffy over my hand.
“Nice night.”
Ah, I can feel it.
Today’s Sedric in peak form, perfect condition.
I know this sensation well.
Mercury lamp’s high-pitched whine swelled like a light plane’s engine pre-jump.
-Thud thud
Breaking the silent hush.
Like a gladiator entering the coliseum, my opponent for mortal combat appeared opposite.
Blue changpao, massive rocket hammer slung over shoulder.
His mere stride warped the air with savage presence—even Overlord Xiang Yu couldn’t match.
-Flick
He spotted me tossing my butt.
“Hey.”
No questions, fired up the rocket hammer.
“Ha, dreamed of stepping in shit today. Now this fly sticks.”
-Hiss
Baring teeth in beastly grin, steam-like smoke puffed from his gaps.
“Long time.”
“What, you know me?”
“Obviously.”
Yeah.
Tonight’s target, Eiming’s half-bro, was my ultimate rival.
“Strongest 7th Rank Fixer, Sunming.”
Facing Sunming wreathed in steam, I formed seals.
“Just a mortal born in an era without me.”
Tonight, I kill him.
And prove Sedric Montraven the true strongest 7th Rank.