Chapter 114: Necromancer (2)
The candidates for the Super Rookie Selection had been chosen, and the finals were approaching.
Yet, all eyes in Korea were fixed not on their own country's selection tournament, but on China's challenge for a new world record.
And for good reason. After all, they were just A-rank Awakeners picked as candidates.
Three of them taking on the Lavish Guild that had utterly wrecked the Ilsung first team?
The outcome was obvious.
China's world record attempt, on the other hand, was something else entirely.
Korea's supernova, Kim Minwoo.
It was a direct shot at him. With the two nations already butting heads, throwing out such provocative content made it no surprise that all attention had shifted there.
The finals ended in predictably overwhelming displays of skill disparity.
“Wow, they really weren't even in the same league.”
Awakeners shook their heads with awkward smiles and held out something.
“Um, could the three of you sign this for us?”
“Of course.”
A-rank Awakeners closing in on level 499. After signing everything from their clothes to the backs of their phones.
The Lavish Guild stepped up for the press conference.
“As expected by the public, you've been selected as the final candidates for the Super Rookie Selection! Any words on how that feels?”
“I'll save my thoughts for after we win this whole thing.”
The reporters nodded.
The same words could land differently depending on who's saying them.
These three had earned the right to be arrogant.
It wasn't some high-stakes gate conquest with top-tier Awakeners—just a rookie tournament, after all.
Aiming for the win was only natural.
‘Got the soundbite.’
The reporters' eyes gleamed.
The real highlight was just beginning.
“Guild Master Kim Minwoo! This is SKS's Han Chae-rin! An SS-rank achievement has emerged from China—does that mean you've also achieved an SS-rank feat?”
Even when only S-rank was known, people had suspected something higher. Now with a whole new SS rank in play.
It was no wonder questions like this rained down on Kim Minwoo.
“That's right.”
“…!”
The reporters' eyes widened.
They'd half-expected it, but speculation and confirmation were worlds apart.
[Breaking News] Kim Minwoo Officially Confirms SS-rank Achievement!
[Breaking News] Korea Is the First Nation to Achieve SS-rank Feat!
[Breaking News] That Standout Performance Had a Reason!
—As expected lol, knew it wasn't just S-rank lol
—Cedric was one thing, but adding Merhen and the eyenaz? Overkill lol
—For real, what S-rank skill summons all that lol
—Still, he owned up to it cleaner than expected lol
—Yup. Now that there's precedent, coming clean on the rank feels less risky.
—Yeah. If he'd done that at low level, assassins would've swarmed him. Especially from the North lol
—But isn't his level still low? He just bought that Dullahan skillbook.
—That's for average Awakeners. At Kim Minwoo's level, pushing past 251? Assassins would get hunted instead lol
—Then why'd China spill it? Isn't Liang Xiaojun a lowbie too, putting him at risk?
—Nine Dragon Guild's got his back, teeth gritted.
—Yup. Nine Dragons are world-tier first string. Mid-tier overall, sure, but leagues above Korean guilds.
—So he's got insane backing?
—Pretty much. Kim Minwoo at lowbie stage? Nobody major to protect him. At best Ilsung Guild or bodyguards… hmm…
—If assassins went all-in, would've been rough lol
—Korea sorry again 😭 Korea sorry again 😭 Korea sorry again 😭
Articles flooded in.
The reporters' fervor boiled over.
SS-rank Awakeners emerging simultaneously in China and Korea.
Same class, even challenging level 1 gates of similar difficulty.
Liang Xiaojun must've gotten massive backing from the Chinese government—9-strong skillbooks, elixirs, gear, the works.
And that wasn't all.
Rumors had swirled for ages that Liang Xiaojun was skilled with the sword.
Sure, he was mocked as a Kim Minwoo copycat now, but if he broke the record?
The mood would sour in a heartbeat. This was a clash of national prides. They had to ask.
“Liang Xiaojun is about to tackle the gate! Do you think he'll break the world record, Guild Master?”
“You joking?”
“So you think it's impossible?”
“Why do you think Super Rookies party up at level 1?”
“Because… they lack real combat experience?”
“Exactly. China should be grateful if he even beats Isabella. Honestly, not sure he will.”
“…But you solo-cleared a level 1 gate.”
“You think that guy's on my level?”
—Kya lol
—That's Korean swagger for ya lolol
—Speaks his mind! Kim K-Cola!
—Honestly, not all Super Rookies are equal lol
—Aight. Hitting S-rank doesn't make you a world ranker lolol
—Yup. Don't forget—Kim Minwoo's the guy who made the Sword Sage kneel at level 1 😨
—No cap, it was just a valiant struggle lol
—You get how insane bare-handed resistance against the Sword Sage is? lolol
—Strip the nationalism, still impressive af lol
—Kim Minwoo's got the edge, imo. No cap, cold take.
—Why?
—China's first SS-rank, they've analyzed him to death. If his swordplay was killer, they'd make him a Swordsman, not Necro? lol
—Nah, just copying Kim Minwoo?
—No, there's limits. Sword skills were meh, so Necro it was.
—Fair. If he could scrap Sword Sage as a civvie, they'd def make him Swordsman lol
—But why'd Kim Minwoo go…?
—(Horror) World’s Top 8 Mysteries 😨
—(Eerie) Nobody knows the answer.
—Grown man’s got his reasons lol
—So it seems lol
—Pulled Merhen and eyenaz in the end? Cheers~
* * *
It wasn't just Korea fired up by Kim Minwoo's bold declaration.
China was blazing too.
The heated public fervor was plain to see from the swarm of reporters gathered at the F-rank gate, Ratmen's Sewer.
Amid the barrage of questions.
“Liang Xiaojun! Kim Minwoo's live comments just came in…”
Liang Xiaojun's face flushed red at the reporter's words.
Especially at “You think that guy's on my level?”—red turning purple.
“Hah, what arrogance from that small nation's Awakener. Stuck in a narrow well, he can't see the vast world.”
“Confident in breaking the record this time?”
“Of course!”
Liang Xiaojun nodded.
SS-rank Awakener.
This whole thing was a gift from the heavens he never saw coming.
Not only did he leap straight into the famed Nine Dragon Guild, but he'd gotten endless support.
And that wasn't all.
His family was swimming in those perks too.
‘I have to nail this.’
Fail?
As China's first SS-rank, they wouldn't straight-up execute him or anything.
But…
His future would turn plenty bleak.
Maybe branded eternal runner-up, forever compared to Kim Minwoo.
That insane unit-scale investment plan? Could go poof.
The thought alone sent chills down his spine. Necromancers were one job that crumbled without cash.
No investment?
Why pick Necro?
Just go safe Swordsman.
His face beaded with cold sweat at the idea.
‘It's fine. Kim Minwoo's same rank as me, in the end.’
Liang Xiaojun steeled himself.
Necromancer was the hand dealt—no choice.
How do you refuse a direct order from the Chairman?
Might as well make the best of it.
‘Swordplay? He might use it better.’
But he had an SS-rank skill. A damn impressive one!
He'd already shared it with Nine Dragon Guild, of course.
From the Chairman on down, top brass everywhere were dying to know.
—Hoho, we're counting on you.
The Guild Master had clapped his shoulder with a pleased smile the second he saw it. The skill was that good.
[Follower of the Death Lord]
[Rank: SS]
[Type: Passive]
[Effect 1: All stats of summoned undead rise by 20%.]
[Effect 2: Mana cost for undead summons drops by 20%.]
[Effect 3: Summon powerful commanders at certain level intervals.]
‘Huhu. Looks filling just reading it.’
Pure gold passive.
A wide-area buff for the whole legion, no less.
Death Lord—who knew exactly what—but sounded epic.
Hence the “Follower” tag still packing such punch.
‘Kim Minwoo probably had something similar.’
Even factoring 9-strong skillbooks, elixirs, gear—his skeleton count was nuts.
Must've had mana reduction.
That Bone Knight whatever? Commander summon effect.
All stats up too!
‘Our foundations are even, his and mine.’
Pure skill showdown.
‘But… I crush on commander summons.’
Powerful commander summon.
Tested ages ago.
At level 1, he could summon.
‘Dragon Knight's minion, Barrian.’
Dragon Knight? No clue, but badass name.
Minion of such a being.
Summon results? Chef's kiss.
Massive skeleton summoner brimming with power.
Like a novel barbarian, but skeletal.
‘ speech is pretty garbled…’
Didn't matter.
Barrian traded eloquence for pure combat stats.
‘Satisfying, this.’
Talk in battle? Nah.
Crush skulls with bone fists. That's the way.
“Today, I shall show the world the might of our continent!”
Liang Xiaojun pumped his fist skyward, brimming with confidence.
“Wooo!”
“Liang Xiaojun!”
“Death God!”
“Flatten that small country's nose while you're at it!”
Reporters to onlookers—everyone roared.
Shoulders squared, Liang Xiaojun strode into the gate.
[Entered F-rank Gate: Ratmen's Sewer!]
“Come forth, Barrian!”
The hulking skeletal commander burst out.
Nearly two hundred skeletons followed.
Liang Xiaojun geared up meticulously.
“Let's go! The world record belongs to Zhonghua!”
The undead marched forth proudly…
* * *
[Breaking News] China Fails World Record Attempt!
[Breaking News] Saved Some Pride? 47 Hours 59 Minutes 30 Seconds Clears, Beating Isabella's Record…
[Breaking News] Liang Xiaojun Blames Spoiled Food from Day Before? Spent Half a Day Sick in Gate from Stomach Issues…
[Breaking News] Chairman Li Praises Liang Xiaojun! Notes Heavy Pre-Entry Sweats, Welcomes with Warm Encouragement…
[Breaking News] Chinese Gov't Official Statement! Beat France Even in Worst Conditions! Zhonghua Spirit Lives On…
—Lmao stomachache is wild lol
—For real lol, but decent time for such an excuse lol
—Yup. 47 hours at lvl 1 would've flipped the world… if not for lol
—(Kim Minwoo clear pic / Liang Xiaojun clear pic)
One's a neighborhood stroll, other's warzone lol
—Mr. Liang's two-day power diet 😨
—Ratmen are kinda bullshit monsters lol
—Baguette martial artist cut again? Real? lolol
—30 secs short lolol
—Chinese yanking French hair to drag 'em down right away lolol
—Gotta grab something lol
—For real lol