Chapter 112: Revenant Cocktail
Revenant Cocktail.
It was one of the items I'd been eyeing for a while.
‘Perfect timing.’
With the Legion Commanders' seals released, their stats had skyrocketed. The stat boost from the Revenant Cocktail would likely be even more dramatic now.
On top of that, sensory amplification.
‘That's a huge perk.’
I'd experienced it myself.
In the game, sensory implementation was only at 50%.
But now, it was a full 100%, indistinguishable from reality.
The performance difference was massive.
Merhen and Cedric would definitely benefit too.
‘As for skills…’
The low probability meant I wasn't expecting much.
If they got one, great. If not, no big deal.
The stat increase and sensory boost alone made it worth every point.
‘If it guaranteed a skill…’
They wouldn't sell it for a measly 100 achievement points.
It'd be at least 300.
I summoned Merhen and Cedric.
“You two want something good to eat?”
―… What is it?
―Sure.
Cedric immediately questioning me, while Merhen nodded right away.
“Cedric. Look at Merhen. Feel anything?”
―She's an airhead. How does she know what you're giving?
―Dummy. He said it's something good.
―… Every time I see you, I'm amazed anew. It's like you live in a flower garden. Were you always this type?
―Cedric, you don't trust Minwoo?
Merhen blinked up at him innocently, leaving Cedric speechless. Humans and animals just don't communicate sometimes.
That was the vibe.
I sighed.
“Sorry, Cedric.”
―… About what?
“Realized I'm still way short. On the mental training.”
―Wait…
Smack!
Resistance was futile.
Cedric was unsummoned in an instant and dragged back out.
“You two want something good to eat?”
―Sure.
―… I'd like that.
[Purchasing 2 Revenant Cocktails!]
I pulled the cocktails from my inventory.
Dark liquid in glass cups.
Bubbles popped in the boiling black sludge, rising up.
Those bubbles looked eerily like human faces. Like Munch's The Scream.
‘Whatever. Not drinking it myself.’
Probably nectar to the undead.
But still.
Merhen looked human enough to handle it.
‘Cedric, though? Can he even eat?’
He was all bones.
No muscles or flesh.
It'd probably just pour right through onto the floor.
‘… Nah.’
Achievement item, so it had to have some miracle effect.
Maybe the liquid would stick to his bones and absorb.
I handed each a glass of Revenant Cocktail.
“Give it a try.”
―… Creepy.
―Hm…
Even good-girl Merhen hesitated this time.
Cedric, arms crossed and humming, was a given.
It was pretty gross-looking, honestly.
But what could I do?
They had to drink.
“Sip. It's good for you. Chug it down. Might taste great.”
Merhen scrunched her eyes a bit, took the glass, and downed the cocktail first.
Gulp.
[Merhen consumes Revenant Cocktail!]
[Senses amplified!]
[All stats increased by 10%!]
Merhen's eyes went wide.
―Huh? The taste feels so much clearer!
“Tasty?”
―No. Still tastes bad.
―… Really?
―Yeah. But my senses feel super sharp now. It's amazing.
Merhen stared at the empty glass, eyes still round.
―Minwoo. Got any food?
“Hold on.”
I pulled an energy bar from my inventory. Awakened folks always kept snacks stored.
Merhen crunched into the bar.
Then.
―… I can taste it.
“How is it?”
―Nutty and sweet. Faint, but…
She turned to Cedric.
―You try it too, Cedric. Hurry.
Cedric dumped the cocktail into his mouth.
Normally it'd spill everywhere, but the cocktail flowed smoothly.
Down past his neck bones, naturally sliding lower.
‘What the?’
It was like he had invisible guts.
Soon, the liquid pooled in his abdomen and began evaporating.
[Cedric consumes Revenant Cocktail!]
[Senses amplified!]
[All stats increased by 10%!]
―… So this is it. Master. Got any food to spare?
“Here.”
Cedric bit into the energy bar with his teeth.
His eyes lit up fiercely.
―… Incredible.
“You can taste it?”
―… Yes. It's been so long.
He stared at the half-eaten bar like it was alien.
Weirdly, as he swallowed, it vanished like mist going down his throat.
―Very… unique. Normally, food just falls out onto the ground.
“You've tried before?”
―… A few times? Eating was a decent memory. But always failed…
“Yeah. You're just bones.”
Merhen was humanoid enough to eat normally.
But Cedric was pure skeleton.
Teeth for chewing, sure.
No tongue for taste, and swallowing? Impossible structure.
Cedric nodded.
―True. Anyway… thank you, Master. Feels like I've rediscovered a long-lost sensation.
He polished off the energy bar in no time.
Ever since the cocktail, food slid down and evaporated smoothly.
“Feel full or anything?”
―No. No such sensation. Just taste partially restored.
“Jackpot, right?”
―What?
“Taste without getting full.”
―True.
“And it evaporates midway, so no waste.”
―… That's jackpot?
“Totally. Merhen, you feel full?”
―Probably same as Cedric.
“The evaporating food?”
―Yeah. No filling-up sensation.
“How strong is the taste?”
―Hm…
Merhen furrowed her brow, like dredging up ancient memory.
―About 10%?
10% was still a win—just tasting at all.
‘For them, it's huge.’
They hadn't tasted in ages.
Plus other senses restored too, so combat power up nicely.
Worth the 100 points.
Then.
Knock knock.
A knock at the door.
Soon.
“Big Brother, can I come in?”
Familiar voice.
I opened the door, and Naye slipped inside.
“You knocked and everything. Our Naye's all grown up.”
“Heehee. Kindergarten taught me yesterday.”
“Really?”
“Yeah!”
Originally, Hyung-seok, Naye, and Madam Choi lived in the US.
But not anymore.
College kid Hyung-seok went back, but Naye and Madam Choi stayed in Korea.
‘Because of that heads-up last time.’
After telling Chairman Kim about the Shadow. Hyung-seok was old enough and awakened, so he returned to the US. But Madam Choi and Naye stayed.
Smart move, in my book. Bodyguards could focus on one person now.
Even a global group like Shadow wouldn't easily reach Korea.
This was Ilsung's home base. Their Korean branch wiped out too.
Anyway.
Naye was staying at the main house instead of going back to the US. Naturally, top kindergarten in Korea.
Naye looked around and said.
“Hayangi!”
―Kuu.
Hayangi appeared and perched on her shoulder.
“Hehe. Hayangi's so cute.”
―Kuu.
“Big Brother, can I play with Hayangi?”
“Sure.”
Her face lit up as she hugged Hayangi.
“Oh right. Dad wants you.”
“Dad?”
“Yeah. Something to say.”
I nodded and left the room.
“You're here.”
“What is it?”
“Something.”
Chairman Kim rubbed his temple like it was a headache, then stared at me.
“Minwoo.”
“Yes.”
“… Ilsung Guild. Planning to keep it?”
“What came up?”
“Nam, the Guild Master, wants to meet you.”
“I'll see him.”
Chairman Kim nodded. Soon, I met Nam Cheolmin.
“Nice to meet you. Heard from the Chairman.”
“Yes. After the guild war, members are restless. I'm here as representative to ask.”
I nodded.
Made sense—they were anxious.
Lavish Guild was clearly surging ahead.
“… Can Ilsung Guild keep existing?”
“Of course. You know better than anyone there's still use for guilds, Nam Guild Master.”
Small elite guilds and large ones have different roles.
Elites focus on high-rank gates.
Large ones, with 1st, 2nd, 3rd squads, etc.
‘For farming.’
Run gates repeatedly for materials, magic stones, and items.
Essential for corps.
If Lavish Guild keeps leveling up, why farm low gates?
Better hit high ones again.
“… That's the thing.”
“What?”
“Honestly, yes. Farming utility exists. But who wants that?”
“Ah, don't wanna go from lead to side character? That vibe?”
“… Frankly, yes.”
“Then you should've done better.”
“… True. So I'm begging.”
“What?”
“Train us? Please?”
“… Train?”
“Me, Vice Guild Master too. Shocked by results. Realized we're lacking. Got complacent.”
Nam Cheolmin stared at the floor, head bowed.
“Guild Master Kim Minwoo. Help us. Have Lavish Guild guide us.”
“Other members agree?”
“… Yes. Some still clueless, but doesn't matter. I'll boot them.”
He looked up, eyes resolute.
“If you help, we'll never forget the grace.”
I nodded.
Nam was 40.
Members had experience too. Bowing for training from a hot guild? Tough.
Especially Lavish—two-thirds newbie awakeners.
But they did it.
Defeat hit hard.
Maybe this is Ilsung's leap point.
If Ilsung grew stronger, there was no downside for him.
Helps Ilsung ultimately. Benefits trickle to Lavish indirectly.
“Alright.”
“Really?”
“Yes. I'll ask the members too.”
“… Thank you.”
Nam Cheolmin bowed deeply.
He'd already acknowledged our trio's strength.
As Korea's top archer, few could teach him. Only top overseas rankers.
But getting their know-how? Rare.
Seo Yerim was different.
Her archery overwhelming.
Stick close, learn something.
Fuel for growth.
“I'll ask now.”
I opened my smartphone. Typed in the group chat.
[Park Siwoo]
―Everyone see this? China got an SS-rank?
(Link attached)
I tilted my head and clicked.
[Breaking News] Chinese Government Official Announcement: World's First SS-rank Achievement Awakener Appears! Job Likely Necromancer!
“Huh?”
SS-rank wasn't shocking.
Saw the potential boost mention.
What surprised me.
‘Necromancer?’
Choosing a weird job over safe ones.
Did they decide to go Dungmancer too?