Chapter 22

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Translator: Ace

Chapter: 22

Chapter Title: Black Magic Breakthrough

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If the system counts zombies wiped out by black magic the same as ones I've killed directly, that would be a total game-changer.

Unlike others, I've been splitting my efforts—half direct kills, half for mana drain absorption—and the efficiency has been absolute garbage. But if I can do both at once, my growth speed will skyrocket to insane levels.

I want to rush out and test it right now. I'm dying to know if the system will tally up the mana drain absorptions.

Alright, that's today's top priority... I've still got a ton of details from the major patch notes to check out.

Next up: additional points?

Until now, leveling up didn't give any real rewards, but this patch says we can get extra points? Wonder what they're for.

Yejin's still level 1, so no points for her yet, but I'm level 8 with 7 extra points banked. And there's an explanation on how to use them.

So, on top of coins, we've got this new currency called points? It's basically an upgraded version of coins. Anything you can buy with points has gotta be premium stuff. Unlike coins, which are easy to farm from zombies, points are rarer, so the rewards should match that.

Probably designed for non-Combat Specialists—like when other traits level up, they can convert points to coins and upgrade skills.

The key is the exchange rate: how many coins per point? Gotta check the shop for that.

But no using points to boost stats? The system window looks so game-like, I figured extra points meant stat ups. Guess not.

Still, this gives me even ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠more reason to grind levels like a madman.

And... next is the shop I just mentioned?

I knew it existed before, but it's only opening now.

The shop isn't open whenever I want? Only once a week... So no matter how many coins or points I hoard, if it's not Saturday, tough luck.

Main Quest 1 mentioned the Zombie Wave hitting this Sunday, and the shop opening Saturday? Sounds like a nudge to spend everything prepping for the wave.

I'll have to skip zombie hunting that day and hit the shop for sure.

Whoa, hold up... just had a killer idea. On that day, I can rake in coins without killing a single zombie. No guarantees, but it feels solid. Gotta remember this one.

Okay, last thing: dungeons are now open?

Dungeons are straight-up dungeons, huh. But no locations given. Treating them like hidden secrets?

Solo clear for max profit? Sharing rewards with others sounds like a rip-off. I'm the strongest anyway—better to hog it all myself.

Dungeons can wait; check 'em out later. Shop on Saturday.

Priority one: does black magic zombie kills count? Gotta test now.

I sat up, itching to verify it ASAP.

"Huh? Oppa, no session today?"

She stared at me wide-eyed as I got up without touching her. Kinda cute.

"Passing today. Got a mountain of stuff to check right now. You guard the house... well, you suck at that. Just keep those holes ready for me anytime."

"Y-Yes! Got it~"

I geared up quick, waved bye to Yejin promising to be back, and headed out.

Time to visit Bait Trap #1.

Same zombie count as yesterday, huddled around the guy inside staring blankly at the sky.

Maybe he snapped, realizing he can't escape. Plausible, with zombies clawing at the walls to devour him.

Experiment time. I'll head down, thin the herd with mana drain, and see if it counts. Absorb 'em all and check the achievement tally—that'll confirm it.

Oh yeah, this one's already done. Claim the reward—next one pops up.

Kill requirements jumping hard? It's bonus fluff, but rewards feel stingy compared to the grind. Whatever—gotta keep slaying zombies anyway.

Prepped and ready. Let's hunt.

"Come on, come here."

Some zombies peeled off the guy in the trap, spotted me, and charged. I shoved them aside casually, mana draining with both hands. Mummified husks flew, and I drained the rest one by one. When about 10 were left, I slipped through, dismantled the transparent wall of the bait trap, and hopped onto a nearby roof.

Can't kill 'em all—need some to turn the guy.

"H-Hey, wait! Where you going? Take me wi— Aaaargh!"

They ditched me for the rooftop and swarmed the crawling man, tearing into him. Ten biters? He'll turn zombie quick.

While they feast, check the kill count.

"Alrighty, let's see~ La la la, dum da dum! Tap tap! Huh?"

The achievement updated. Clear as day.

"Heh, heheheh, hahahahahaha!"

It's working properly now! Pure mana drain and black magic kills, and the count went up. From today, black magic zombie kills count officially?

Whoever runs this system, they fixed it fast.

If they'd done this from the start, my demonic energy reserves... Positively, better late than never.

"Hyah! Hey, you bastards—stop stuffing your faces and come at me!"

I dropped down, yelling at the zombies mauling the guy. Don't want them overeating and killing him outright.

Ooh, side experiment: how much biting before he dies instead of turning? Suddenly curious.

While I pondered, the ten zombies went berserk on me. I mana drained them effortlessly.

These things are straight-up demonic energy honey pots plus a coin each now. Double dip perfection.

"Grr... grraaah..."

Weird groan from the bitten man. Turned to see his skin reddening, claws sprouting—just like yesterday. Awakeners infected turn Lacer with high odds.

I'd shattered his legs before, but transformation was realigning his bones. Self-healing to attack-ready? Valuable intel.

Fully transformed Lacer spots me, lunges with those long, razor claws—same as last time.

Yesterday, I'd draw my sword. Not anymore.

Before his claws hit, black spikes erupted from the shadows in bundles, skewering him mid-air. First time channeling demonic energy into magic besides subspace—smooth as hell.

Hanging impaled, he thrashed to attack but couldn't budge.

"Dig in~"

Grabbed his helpless head and mana drained him dry.

Oho, mutants pack way more demonic energy—about triple a regular zombie. Burned 40 on the spell, net loss, but proved I can cast as a Black Magician, right?

Fact: Black magic is broken AF~