Chapter 101
Chapter 101
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 101
Chapter Title: But It's Only Temporary
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But it was only temporary.
‘If the Necronomicon replica just disappears, it'll be gone.’
He had heard that the person coming to pick up this book had set off toward Silaremit.
‘Beauty Art, was it?’
A member of Capricious, just as willful, and a Necromancer.
‘Not a name that suits a Necromancer.’
Even with Yuseong's limited English knowledge, the meaning of those words wasn't hard to grasp. And thanks to the strategy guide's explanation, he also knew the characteristics of the Necromancer class.
Combining both pieces of knowledge, the first thing Yuseong thought was this.
‘They don't match at all.’
But what did it matter what name someone else gave their character? When that person arrived, he just had to hand over the Necronomicon replica and collect the payment.
‘I wonder what they'll give.’
He still didn't know what the payment would be. But since Cooking Day said Beauty Art wouldn't lowball the price, he planned to trust that.
‘It won't be something like black bread to fill up a whole house in that world, right?’
That was Yuseong's idea of the happiest gift. Just thinking about it made his mouth water. Of course, others might click their tongues at such a grand yet humble wish.
That was when Yuseong was crossing the swamp.
Splash!
As he walked along the water's edge, Yuseong's eyes slowly drifted downward. His steps halted.
[What's up?]
[Something wrong?]
The viewers were puzzled. But Yuseong stared at the swamp's murky surface—more precisely, beneath it.
Before he knew it, Yuseong had drawn both of his guns.
Perhaps sensing his tension, the chat updates slowed to a trickle.
A moment later.
Splash!
Something burst through the surface. It wasn't just one or two. Eight in total rose from the water.
Grotesque armor covered their entire bodies. In their hands, they gripped massive greatswords, rusted and chipped, but large enough to turn a person into mincemeat without effort.
But compared to that one other feature, even those weren't strange.
They had no heads. Or more precisely, their heads weren't attached where they should be.
Their heads were held in their left hands, the ones not wielding swords.
[Dullahan!]
[The Necromancer?]
The sudden appearance of the undead caused an uproar in the chat. Yuseong slowly scanned his surroundings.
“What's your business?”
He spoke.
“Heh heh heh, quite composed. As expected of the most famous low-level player right now.”
At the center of the Dullahan, in a small patch of reeds directly opposite Yuseong, a figure slowly emerged.
A man in a robe etched with skulls, holding a staff topped with a skull.
A Necromancer.
“So, what's your business?”
Yuseong asked the Necromancer again.
“Is there any reason to ask?”
“The Necronomicon replica?”
“Why else would I be here?”
It was just as he'd feared.
“Could you hand it over nicely as a favor? Not asking for it free. I'll pay generously.”
“No can do. It's already spoken for.”
“Beauty Art from Capricious, that pervert, right?”
The Necromancer seemed to know about Beauty Art.
‘Pervert?’
Definitely not a flattering term. Was this Necromancer hostile to Capricious or Beauty Art?
But the chat messages suggested otherwise.
[LOL pervert]
[Beauty Art's got that vibe]
[Same guild as Yuseong but can't deny it]
Whether because Yuseong had joined or due to Capricious's public reputation, the viewers had generally been positive about the guild.
Yet they didn't refute the unflattering remark about Beauty Art. In fact, they seemed to agree.
So, was Beauty Art problematic?
‘But they don't seem to dislike her either.’
Doubts piled up. But now wasn't the time to satisfy his curiosity.
“I wouldn't know about pervert, but yeah.”
“Well, it's not strange to prioritize a guildmate with a valuable item. But I really, really need it.”
“I'll say it again: can't give it to anyone else.”
“Come on, think it over one more time.”
Clank!
The Dullahan all aimed their swords at Yuseong in unison.
“Or you won't know what I might do.”
“Try me.”
Yuseong wasn't one to flinch at mere words. Perhaps feeling insulted, or frustrated at things not going his way, displeasure crept into the Necromancer's voice for the first time.
“You're not getting cocky just because you've been doing well lately, are you? Who were those named foes you've taken down? The Hers guys? Bonus bosses? That snake kid from the baby crib brothers' side? If you're looking down on me because you beat those, it rubs me the wrong way.”
“Never crossed my mind.”
Anyone could see this Necromancer was different from the ones who'd been yapping about snatching the Necronomicon replica so far.
Not the type looking to make a quick buck selling it, but someone who genuinely needed it.
And that meant he was on the verge of a class upgrade. No matter Yuseong's impressive physical prowess, the pure gap in levels and stats would be insurmountable.
“Even if I die once, I don't lose much. And even if I do, you won't get what you want. I already stashed the Necronomicon replica in the bank.”
“Ah, damn. The one scenario I didn't want to think about.”
“So, what's it gonna be? Still wanna fight even though there's nothing to gain?”
“Logically, no.”
The Necromancer let out a deep sigh.
“But I can't just turn back after coming this far. I really need that Necronomicon replica. One last time: no intention of selling it to me?”
“Yeah.”
“Then no choice.”
Was he giving up? But Yuseong doubted it.
He knew high-level players sacrificed a lot to come to low-level zones. Would they really back off at one word from him?
‘If it were me, I wouldn't leave empty-handed either.’
As expected.
“I'll have to bet on the slim chance you're lying about having the Necronomicon replica.”
“Add in the chance I'll drop it when I die.”
“Heh heh, you're right.”
The Dullahan raised their swords in unison.
“Oh, one thing before we fight.”
“What?”
“How'd you know my Dullahan were hiding in the water?”
The water was so murky that even at knee-deep depth, the bottom was invisible—a feature of this swamp. Piercing that to detect the Dullahan.
“I figured you'd raise them if I was in the middle of the pack.”
“Correct.”
“Shifted them slightly out of my path in case I tripped over a hidden one while walking.”
“That too.”
“There were ripples on the surface then. Spotted it.”
“Grr! Rumors say you'll be terrifying once you level up.”
But not now.
The Necromancer lightly shook his staff and muttered.
“Kill him.”
Splash! Splash!
The Dullahan began crossing the swamp toward Yuseong.
“Hmm, this is a crisis.”
Yuseong murmured at the sight.
[Real crisis]
[That's him, White Skull]
[Famous guy?]
[Famous in a niche way. Doesn't stream, so only some know him. Think top-tier just below rankers]
[Not looking good this time]
Even his viewers, who usually praised Yuseong's physicality and rated him highly, analyzed this fight pessimistically.
Yuseong thought victory was unlikely too. But he had no intention of dying easily.
‘Gotta escape as best I can.’
No need to charge head-on and take them down. Just dodge well and get back to Silaremit.
But even escape wasn't easy.
Yuseong retreated slowly as the Dullahan approached. They then picked up speed.
Splash! Splash! Splash! Splash! Splash! Splash!
Water sprayed violently. Unbelievable for swamp terrain where water hindered movement and mud grabbed ankles—the Dullahan were fast.
Yuseong aimed his guns.
Bang bang bang bang bang!
He fired at the lead Dullahan. Different from others, but weak point was still the head. His bullets slammed precisely into it.
Of course, he spared no special ammo. A combo of Reinforced bullets and Reinforced rounds—twelve shots—embedded in the Dullahan's head.
Yet unlike previous monsters, the Dullahan wasn't stunned.
“Hmm.”
Yuseong grunted.
[Didn't even flinch?]
[Stat gap too big]
Yuseong hurriedly drew a new gun. He kept leaping back. But the Dullahan were too fast. Two in front closed in rapidly.
‘The others?’
Looking around, the remaining six Dullahan were grouped in threes, flanking both sides. Intent was obvious.
‘Aiming to surround me.’
Had they read his intent to flee?
‘Doesn't matter.’
Whether they had or not, with numbers, encircling was best. Seal escape and exploit openings.
‘In times like this…’
Yuseong aimed at the White Skull standing before the reeds.
Bang bang bang!
Bullets flew. But his intent failed again.
‘Not eight, but ten.’
From beneath the surface beside White Skull, two more Dullahan emerged. Unlike the others charging, these bore massive shields covering their full bodies. Yuseong's shots were all blocked.
‘Those two are guards.’
They wouldn't join the fight.
But that offered no comfort. Attacks on White Skull were now impossible.
‘Dodge first.’
Yuseong focused on the two frontal Dullahan. The foremost swung its greatsword widely.
‘Fast!’
He barely tracked it with his eyes. Yuseong twisted his body as much as possible.
Boom!
The sword strike on the water erupted like an explosion, spraying water.
‘Visibility…!’
Water obscured the front. And the spray hitting his body threw off his balance slightly.
Then, piercing the spray, something appeared.
The second Dullahan's sword. Yuseong twisted his ankle to the limit, contorting again. But he couldn't fully evade the second blade.
Crunch!
A chilling sound echoed from Yuseong's arm.