Chapter 115: Boom Incoming?
The Emergence of SS-rank Achievements.
The world was in an uproar.
It was like a dam bursting, with water overflowing everywhere. One by one, SS-rank Achievement Awakeners began appearing among the Awakener powerhouses of various nations.
[US, SS-rank Achievement Appears!]
[Germany and France as well!]
[Official Announcement from the Japanese Government!]
The numbers weren't huge, but the mere fact that they were increasing was incredibly encouraging.
[World Awakener Association Agrees to Use 'Super Rookie' Title for SS-rank Achievement Achievers…]
[New Standards After 50 Years? High Likelihood of 'SS-rank' Classification System Being Established.]
[Leading Theory: Classify Awakeners Level 1,000+ as SS-rank…]
Until now, all Awakeners Level 500 and above had been lumped together as S-rank. But with Achievement ranks now reaching SS, there was a clear need to raise the level threshold by one step.
Level 1,000.
A realm reached by only the tiniest fraction of Awakeners.
At that point, even without an SS-rank Achievement, it didn't matter.
Their accumulated levels alone were enough to command respect.
Reaching that level meant they'd naturally excelled in potential and countless other factors from the start.
Moreover.
Nations around the world were holding serious discussions about the potential of Necromancers.
Kkamuk, Korea's 6 million—no, now 7 million—subscriber NewTube creator, was riding the wave with a live broadcast.
[Kkamuk Live] ―Is the Age of the Necromancer Really Here?
“Hello, viewers. This is Kkamuk, hosting today's Awakener segment. We've got an incredibly, truly special guest today. In Korea, if you don't know this person, you're basically a spy, right? The man with 100 million NewTube subscribers! The one called the world's top Super Rookie! Please welcome Kim Minwoo!”
“Hello. I'm Kim Minwoo.”
In that instant.
Live viewers started flooding in like crazy.
1 million.
2 million.
In a flash, viewer count hit 5 million.
―Whoa!!
―His entrance!!
―Damn, this channel's blown up lol. Even snagged Kim Minwoo lol
“We sent out a love call, but I never dreamed you'd actually appear. With the preliminary matches coming up soon…”
“Well, I'm preparing properly for that. Plus, I've always enjoyed watching your broadcasts, Kkamuk.”
“Haha, what an honor. Thank you so much for making time in your busy schedule. Shall we dive into the main topic?”
Kkamuk looked at Kim Minwoo and said,
“The world's been pretty noisy lately. Talk of an SS-rank era dawning. And you're in that rank too, right, Mr. Kim?”
“Correct.”
“As an Awakener, what are your thoughts on this trend?”
“There's no such thing as a free lunch.”
“You're saying that for every high-rank Awakener that emerges, even greater dangers lie ahead?”
“If Awakeners can hit SS-rank, there's no reason Gates can't either.”
“That's a valid point. The world is debating that very topic. And Necromancers are getting especially heated discussion because of it.”
Kim Minwoo nodded.
High-rank Awakeners had appeared.
No law saying stronger Gates wouldn't follow. Naturally, the job choices of those who'd achieved SS-rank feats became a hot topic.
Their picks could shape the future, after all. Kkamuk glanced at Kim Minwoo and tossed out the question.
“Necromancer. Just four months ago, when noobs asked if they could go for this class, we'd first ask about their parents' health. Famous for burning through cash, right?”
“Right.”
“It was the ultimate fringe class among fringes, but lately, Necromancers are getting major attention. No need to mention you, Mr. Kim, but even that guy next door, Liang Xiaojun, brought decent scores. Bootleg Minwoo or whatever, but 47 hours is solid…”
“It's a usable clear time.”
―Lol for real
―Bootleg Minwoo's fallout was rough lol
―Even fake, he cuts above baguette martial artists? lol
“It's a divisive topic. Was it possible because of the SS-rank Achievement, or because he's a Necromancer? What's your take, Mr. Kim, the number one Necromancer instructor?”
“That Liang Xiaojun guy? He sucks with a sword.”
“If he was good, he'd have gone Swordsman, right?”
“That too. You can tell noobs just by how they walk—sharp angles and all.”
“Ah, you can spot a scrub just by their gait. Something like that?”
“Good example. But Kkamuk, you okay? Gonna be tough pulling Chinese viewers from now on.”
“Haha, too busy loving the live chat here. Plus, I love kimchi.”
Kkamuk fired back cheerfully and looked at Kim Minwoo.
“So, in your view, Bootleg Minwoo is a sword noob. That's the vibe?”
“Yeah, pretty much.”
“Oh, can't skip this question. How does he stack up against Seo Yerim?”
“You're underrating the Divine Archer. I went easy on her back then, but at Yerim's sword level, Bootleg gets cut in 70 exchanges.”
“Assuming equal physical stats?”
“Yep.”
―Still, 70 exchanges against Divine Archer eyes? That's decent swordplay, no?
―Sounds legit? Back in Sword Sage days, barely anyone in Korea took 50 exchanges lol
―Not called Sword Sage for nothing lol
“That sword skill with a 47-hour clear? Hmm… Probably would've taken longer as a Swordsman.”
“So you're saying Necromancer allowed the quick clear?”
“Exactly.”
Of course, there was a premise.
Liang Xiaojun probably dumped serious cash starting at Level 1 too.
As a Swordsman, that investment would've been a third of a third of a third.
47 hours was a Necromancer + spendthrift record.
No need to emphasize that, though.
‘The nations will just look at clear times anyway.’
Money?
Before Level 100, it'd barely hit trillions at most.
No Awakener powerhouse nation couldn't handle that.
Only past Level 200, with investments in tens of trillions, would they start sweating.
But Level 100 or 200.
‘Takes months to reach either way.’
Fairly distant future.
Meanwhile, challenging records or flashy performances could happen now.
For politicians needing achievements ASAP, better to slap a Necro on it, burn 300 billion…
‘Snag Isabella, get that national pride boost?’
And China had just served up their report card.
Huh?
Even without Kim Minwoo, the reaction's…
Not bad?
China was firing off celebrations, claiming it was just the start.
Makes sense—they'd beaten France's Isabella.
And only within 8 hours of the leader.
Big gap, but not an uncrossable fourth-dimensional wall.
Awakeners get more variables as levels rise.
Other nations had seen China's example. Targeting just Isabella was plenty feasible.
Just fanning those desires a bit.
“In your view, Mr. Kim, what's the biggest advantage of Necromancer?”
“Highest potential.”
“Highest potential.”
“At the same level with similar talent, no other class beats a well-invested Necro.”
“True. On the flip side, no money…”
“Then pick something else, obviously.”
“Any benchmarks? Like, need this much wealth…”
“Trillions make it comfy. Example: Blew 1 trillion making a +9 D-rank skillbook.”
“One curse skill cost that?”
“Exploded at +8.”
―Wtf lol D-rank's Level 101, trillions?
―(Info) Kim Minwoo dumped 300B at Level 1.
―Whoa… Isabella's elixirs trillions?
―Upper mid-grade total under 1T. Top-grade via secret deal, price unknown lol
―Kim Minwoo took up to upper mid, similar cost.
―How much has this guy spent total?
―Usually 3x per section.
―F: 300B. E: <1T. D: <3T. C: 8-9T?
―Yup. Unless skillbook exploded, around there. B… Dullahan book alone 10T lol
―Yeah lol Bones still pending lol Ilsung buying bones nonstop lol
―Reason he gets chairman funding nonstop lol Can't handle spending lol
―(Eerie) Nearly 20T so far?
―(Terror) Hasn't taken top-grade elixir yet 😨
―(Nightmare) Even after all that, 45T left…
―Ah, 65T investment? Fml lol
―Still, one good Gate recovers it all? lol
Kkamuk blinked at the chat, then stared at Kim Minwoo.
‘…45 trillion?’
A moment to re-realize just how loaded he was.
Meanwhile, Kim Minwoo kept going.
“Plus skeletons need gear, elixirs, bound skills mean bone buys like mine, etc. Spending piles up.”
“No compromises?”
“Quit before starting if you're compromising at low levels. Maybe from B-rank on, ease up.”
“Ah, Dullahan summon?”
“Yeah. From there, no big spending and it pulls its weight.”
In other words.
If it felt off, ditch at Level 251.
Dullahan carries at least one person's share from then. Add SS-rank skills?
No 'picked Necro and ruined' scenario.
Sweet option for nations.
Give it a shot.
Even if it sucks, ways around it.
That vibe.
Then.
Breaking news popped up.
[US Draws Sword First!]
[US SS-rank Achievement Awakener John Harrison Goes Swordsman!]
[Challenging Gate Record Like Liang Xiaojun…]
“Whoa. Mid-interview, second Awakener to job-change after Liang Xiaojun! Swordsman. The safest pick.”
Most SS-rank Achievement Awakeners in nations hadn't job-changed yet.
“Seems they were all watching each other till now?”
“Looks like. Couldn't be sure Necro was best.”
“America drew first blood. Swordsman challenge means comparing clear times.”
Kim Minwoo nodded.
Someone had to test it.
Need another sample to prove if Necro's good or just SS-rank strong.
US, top dog with two SS-Rankers, stepped up as example.
Kkamuk played a clip on TV. John Harrison fielding questions amid reporters.
“John Harrison aiming for 90-hour Gate too. Your take, Mr. Kim?”
“In my opinion…”
* * *
[(Breaking) Kim Minwoo: Harrison's Doomed from His Walk? Says US Gate Will Take Over 60 Hours…]
[John Harrison Fires Back Sharply, Enters Gate…]
[60 Hours, 2 Minutes, 3 Seconds! Harrison Emerges Battered!]
[France Holds Last Pride!]
As expected.
Kim Minwoo smirked at the articles.
John Harrison.
Slightly better with a sword than Liang Xiaojun.
‘But same old slop.’
Think that skill sets records?
Against early-game cash-loaded Necro?
“Yeah, cuts at baguette level.”
Not just Chinese Necro—clean schooling by baguette martial artist line. Warm, fuzzy ending.
12-hour gap to Isabella.
US, self-proclaimed Awakener superpower, nose smashed flat. Ripples didn't stop.
Precious SS-rank Awakeners.
Nations yet to assign jobs started moving.
[(Breaking) 'Necro Boom' Incoming? Most SS-rank Awakeners Pick Necromancer!]
[Japan, India, Russia, Canada—Necromancers Pouring Out!]
Bonus: Achievement scores getting copied en masse.