Chapter 113: Necromancer (1)
China's Politburo Standing Committee.
It was China's highest authority and decision-making body. Seven standing committee members had gathered there.
The world's first SS-rank Achievement Awakener had appeared. They were meeting to discuss the matter.
“Background?”
“We can accept him as one of our Communist Party family without issue.”
Chairman Li Zemin nodded in satisfaction at the words.
“That's fortunate. Put him in the Nine Dragon Guild.”
In the Awakener era,
Superhumans were entities that shook the existing power structures.
Especially in a one-party dictatorship like China, they were no different from dangerous poison.
That said, they couldn't go against the global flow.
Thus, while nurturing private guilds, the Chinese government was also raising its own guilds separately.
Guilds that were essentially secretive state-owned enterprises.
Lavishing them with patriotic support and showering benefits was par for the course. The Nine Dragon Guild, China's top guild, was a prime example.
Composed entirely of high-ranking Communist Party offspring, it only accepted those whose loyalty and ideology had been thoroughly vetted.
An SS-rank Awakener qualified for the Nine Dragon Guild.
“So, has our friend Liang Xiaojun decided on a class?”
“No such thing. He's awaiting only your command, Chairman.”
“Hmm.”
Chairman Li Zemin nodded in satisfaction.
A survival instinct that knew to bow deeply despite being an SS-rank Awakener.
Of course, they needed to watch him more, but he seemed worth investing in.
He reviewed the document detailing Liang Xiaojun's information.
A notable point was his swordsmanship skill.
‘But nothing exceptional.’
―It should work well against top-tier opponents, but limits will show against the absolute elite.
This was the conclusion from China's Awakener analysts, so it was reliable.
‘Then making him a swordsman might be awkward.’
Achievements could cover some lack of skill.
But even with an SS-rank Achievement, it didn't seem like he could take down monsters like Korea's Sword Sage.
“Class, class…”
The Chairman pondered seriously.
Soon, he spoke in a grave tone.
“Korea has been getting on my nerves lately. Kim Minwoo, Ilsung— their growth is anything but ordinary. Don't you all think so?”
“Yes… You're right.”
“Suddenly, it hits me. What if Kim Minwoo was actually an SS-rank Achievement Awakener?”
The standing committee members nodded.
They'd previously thought he was just an exceptional S-rank. But his recent actions couldn't be explained by that alone.
“As you say, Chairman, it's highly suspicious.”
“If he's SS-rank, all his feats make perfect sense.”
The gap between A-rank and S-rank skills was already huge.
S to SS would be even wider.
His terrifyingly strong summons and overwhelming numbers all fit.
“What if we make our friend Liang Xiaojun a Necromancer?”
“A Necromancer, sir?”
The standing committee members mulled it over at the Chairman's suggestion.
Necromancer nurturing had been attempted by many countries in the past.
A one-man army commanding hordes of undead.
Nurture it right, and you had a powerful gate-assault weapon.
China had tried it too, of course.
And realized countless issues.
When other Awakeners spent 10 billion to grow strong, Necromancers needed 100 billion for the same.
Even then, it didn't overwhelmingly surpass a 10-billion Awakener.
Summons?
One attack from a 10-billion Awakener wiped them out.
Even if they were liches or death knights, the problem persisted.
You were lucky to summon even one or two with heavy investment.
In the end, a high-level 10-billion Awakener broke through.
Was the Necromancer themselves strong?
Without summons, they were just support.
Investing trillions to compensate was a burden even for a nation.
That money could raise a hundred talented Awakeners. Why bother?
And did trillions really make them that strong?
Doubts abounded.
Growth wasn't proportionally quantitative to the money poured in.
So many countries tried and spat it out.
China was the same.
Normally, this wouldn't even be considered.
But Kim Minwoo's performance was too shocking.
It made them suspect Necromancers had untapped potential they didn't know about.
Seeing the silent committee, the Chairman spoke.
“Think about it. Even our Chinese think tanks analyzed it. Higher achievements make Necromancers far more advantageous.”
The members nodded.
After Kim Minwoo and Seo Yerim cleared the A+ gate, China hadn't just watched idly.
The era's top think tanks had dissected Necromancers.
The core summary was simple.
―A class that grows stronger with money investment.
―Kim Minwoo is estimated to have invested tens of trillions so far. Other Necromancers maxed at hundreds of billions…
―Higher achievement ranks could yield unimaginable synergy. Skills encompassing all summons might emerge.
―But whether this truly manifests at S-rank is questionable… Higher achievements can't be ruled out…
Why was Kim Minwoo strong?
A mere individual investing insane amounts no nation would.
Plus, what if he was S-rank or higher?
That was the think tank's analysis.
Back then, even the Chairman and committee doubted its veracity.
Achievements above S-rank?
They questioned if such things existed.
Not zero chance, but not high probability.
Now it was different.
SS-rank truly existed.
What if Kim Minwoo had achieved SS-rank first?
His feats wouldn't be surprising.
The Chairman's eyes grew serious.
“SS-rank Achievements are precious, yes. But we must experiment at least once. Right?”
“Uh… You're right, Chairman. We can't disregard Necromancer potential.”
Kim Minwoo was just one individual anyway.
They were China itself.
Resolved, they'd spend tens of trillions easily.
If Liang Xiaojun, grown that way, crushed Kim Minwoo?
‘Despairing Korea.’
‘What a beautiful picture.’
‘And he wields a sword too.’
Similar concept.
Same achievement rank.
With even more investment, Liang Xiaojun had no reason to lose.
Swordsmanship was the only variable, but so what.
‘Kim Minwoo isn't some Sword Sage.’
He rampaged at low levels, but high levels demanded sticking to your core to survive.
As time passed, he'd flicker out like a candle before Liang's pursuit.
Plus, China was a populous giant.
Confidence that SS-rank Achievements wouldn't end with this one eased burdens.
“Necromancer is perfect. Swordsman or mage lacks impact. Your foresight impresses me again, Chairman.”
“Haha, you flatter me. Then Liang Xiaojun becomes a Necromancer. Let's set a new record for China while we're at it.”
Shattering Kim Minwoo's records one by one would be beautiful.
The Chairman and committee's eyes gleamed.
* * *
Ilsung Guild training.
Seo Yerim and Park Siwoo readily agreed. Naturally, a relieved smile graced Nam Cheolmin's lips.
“Thank you so much.”
“We help each other to survive. When you need Ilsung Guild's aid later…”
“Of course, we'll step up then.”
After the heartwarming exchange, Nam Cheolmin glanced at his buzzing phone and tilted his head.
“Have you seen the news? An SS-rank Awakener appeared in China…”
“I saw it just now. Interesting. They're picking Necromancer.”
“You're… okay with that? It's an official government announcement, so it seems real…”
Worry clouded Nam Cheolmin's face.
China's first SS-rank Awakener. And they pick a fringe class like Necro?
This screamed a shot at Kim Minwoo. With such fanfare, full government backing was likely.
“If they make him a Necromancer, that's great for me.”
Kim Minwoo grinned.
SS-rank emergence.
He'd half-expected it.
If humanity's potential rose, higher achievement ranks would too.
‘Hope they invest heavily now that they've committed.’
Korea, China, Japan.
The three nations were in cutthroat competition.
One falls, the other grins.
As he grew, other nations would stir. Plots and schemes everywhere.
In that scenario, China—one of the most annoying—doing something this stupid?
‘Thanks.’
Wasting money.
Wasting talent.
Weakening China.
No downside.
‘Even better if their Necro shines.’
China shouldered the burden first.
If their Necromancer succeeds, would other nations sit still?
Neighbor Japan would squirm first.
Korean Necro, Chinese Necro booming—Japan holds back?
‘No way.’
Necromancer was Pandora's box.
China couldn't resist and opened it first. Now many nations would fiddle with the lid.
‘The more that happens, my value skyrockets.’
That moment.
● You are humanity's 'Horizon Opener'!
● You recognize the world's change!
● You made a superpower choose an option they originally wouldn't!
● The story begins to diverge partially!
● Achievement Points +50!
● You possess the Achievement Vending Machine! Points doubled…
“Huh?”
“What's up?”
“Something good just happened.”
“Uh… Congratulations?”
“Thanks.”
“Then I'll head out.”
Nam Cheolmin awkwardly congratulated and left.
That instant.
An uncontrollable smile spread across Kim Minwoo's lips.
Earning points like this? Unimaginable.
What a windfall!
Breaking news flooded the feed.
[(Breaking) World's First SS-rank Achievement Awakener Officially Debuts in China! Class Confirmed: Necromancer!]
[Copying Kim Minwoo? SS-rank Necro Liang Xiaojun Declares F-rank Gate 'Ratman's Sewer' Clear in 3 Days!]
['Ratman's Sewer' clear score is 93 points…]
‘They really picked Necro.’
They chose what they originally wouldn't.
He got the meaning instantly.
China transmogrified into dung sommeliers.
Achievement points rolled in for free.
Kim Minwoo eyed the article seriously.
‘Hope he doesn't die there?’
He'd rooted for him before, but now it was desperate.
If the Liang Xiaojun ship capsized before sailing?
‘No. Other nations will flee.’
China becomes history's fool, neighbors run from the box.
That can't happen.
Superpowers must all pick Necromancer for points to multiply.
‘Elixir, skill +9, full gear… viable.’
He cleared in 2 hours, spent 38 on hidden pieces.
But demanding a newbie SS-rank do 2 hours was too harsh.
‘Isabella took two days.’
Best to beat Isabella. Then others eye Necromancer.
‘Bit tight, but…’
In Korea, memed as baguette martial artist, goat, bubble.
But Isabella wasn't easy.
‘She's the real deal.’
Fights like a beast.
Kim Minwoo sparred and was impressed.
A monster even when achievements capped at S-rank.
She got memed because he was more monstrous.
Liang Xiaojun, though…
‘Heard the name.’
One of China's S-rank swordsmen?
Swordsmanship slightly below Seo Yerim.
Still, top 40 in China, known.
But forced into Necro for this 6th stage.
From sword to SS-rank Necro skills, copying him.
‘Beating Isabella? Tough.’
World ranker Isabella at level 49 record VS level 1 Chinese scrub + SS Necro skills.
Epic matchup.
Even with SS skills, maybe slightly faster or slower than Isabella.
Roughly.
“Fight on, Liang Xiaojun.”
He cheered him mentally.
Hope he at least beats Isabella.
‘If he makes a breakthrough.’
Plus, if he takes 1st in Super Rookie tournament, Necromancer fever might sweep.
Trends spread like wildfire.
‘Time to hype it up.’
Make the world Necro-high. Time to move seriously.