Chapter 7: Spendthrift Necromancer (7)
GateNet, the largest share of the Awakener community.
Lately, one hot topic had been rising here.
—Who the hell is sweeping up all the shaman totem summon skillbooks? Shamans are supposed to be a total dead-end job, right? Who even wants those?
—Even the brawlers are flipping out lol. No listings for Toughen up, so they're shedding bloody tears while getting pummeled by mobs lmao.
—Just do direct trades. Buy from folks near the gates, you'll find some quick.
—You haven't heard? Low-level skills are getting bulk-bought right at the gates lol.
—Yeah. Black-suit guys are snapping up every skillbook in front of the gates? Even buying up all the trash skills at 400 each.
—400? Can't you hear the non-meta classes crying? Lol.
—Some idiot sold a non-meta skill at the auction house for 200. The guys in black suits outside were paying double, lmao.
—And no commission fee lol.
—This is why you gotta ride the meta wave. Skillbooks are pricey, no one's going to auction lol.
—Meta ones start at 700 now? Prices are skyrocketing;
—… Huh?
—Guys, big trouble. Need Elemental Mastery but no listings fml.
—Just awaken magic at the Academy and learn it there. Perfect time for some wall-gazing training lol.
—You joking? I'd rather just buy a skillbook lol.
—Breaking news! Sword bros, you're screwed too… Swordsmanship Mastery listings: 0!
F-rank skillbook listings were gone.
It didn't spare any class. Users who started by mocking each other gradually realized the gravity.
—This is insane. The guys in black suits are still out there today;;
—Ah; Was gonna buy a skillbook but shoulder dude next to me kept bidding higher. Watched it slip away right in front of me; unreal…
—I’m an assassin. They snatched my skill, so I stealthed and tailed the guys in black suits. Looks like they’re tied to Ilsung?
—Talk about pulling up the ladder 😨
—Buying up every class… this can't be that, right? Nine Great Guilds.
—Wait… King talent… incoming?
—Nine Great Guilds for real? Did the chairman get pressured by the president? To stimulate the economy?
—Trickle-down effect fml lol
—But does Ilsung even have someone worth backing for Nine Great Guilds?
—Nah? They're buying low-level skills, must be for rookies… no news on any big recruits.
—Heard something. Sword Sage sparred with Kim Minwoo.
—??? What bullshit?
—Summary: Sword Sage vs Kim Minwoo. Minwoo fought like a beast. Pushed Sword Sage back. Then awakened. Light was blinding. Achievement at least A+.
—Saw it live. It was insane. Anyone who missed it is kicking themselves, lol.
—…?
—For real?
—Testimonies popping up everywhere? Something big went down for sure?
“How's it going? Taking off nicely?”
“Yes, Team Leader. It's about to catch fire.”
“Young Master's debut soon, so keep the flames going steady. Got it? Has to look natural.”
“Psh. We're pros at this. But that… real deal?”
“Huh, the spar?”
“Yeah, that one.”
“No idea.”
Still, Ilsung's intel team leader was convinced deep down.
Ninety percent chance it's legit.
Only then did the group's aggressive moves lately make sense.
Blinding light, they said. At least A+, then… maybe…
High-achievement Awakeners existed.
Rich folks too.
But one with both? Finger-countable worldwide.
Super rookie might just be born…
The team leader felt excitement after ages.
* * *
[Skeleton Summon (F)+9 completed!]
[Acquired title: Budding Sapling!]
“Phew, done?”
Minwoo wiped sweat from his brow at the auction house.
Shipping skillbooks nationwide took two full days.
Several 7+ reinforces had failed.
But the poured gold yielded sweet fruit.
[Skeleton Summon (F)+9]
[Skill reinforced to limit.]
[Consumes 10 mana to summon 2 level 1 skeletons (1+1).]
“Sweet.”
Original: 10 mana for one.
Now two.
Double efficiency.
Overwhelming gap.
And snagged a title too.
[Title List]
[1. Promising Prospect]
[Reached growth limit at level 1.]
[Effect: All stats +1]
[2. Elixir Slayer]
[Consumed over 1,000 elixirs at level 1.]
[Vitality +1, Mana +1]
[3. Budding Sapling]
[Crafted a +9 skill at level 1.]
[Skill slots +1]
Titles usually came at monumental moments: tough feats or firsts.
Permanent stat boosts, monster damage ups, extra skill slots—varied effects.
Gotta collect as many as possible for top tier.
Especially stat gains. Titles were key to breaking growth limits beyond levels.
Great start. Status window.
[Name: Kim Minwoo (23)]
[Class: Necromancer]
[Level: 1]
[Held Skills (1/6): Death Lord (EX)]
[Mana: 520/520]
[Titles: 3]
[Stats]
[Strength: 51] [Agility: 51] [Vitality: 52] [Mana: 52]
Unbelievable for level 1!
Growth was ferocious.
Summonable undead now…
2 per 10 mana: originally 104 max.
Add Death Lord's 50% mana cut?
208 max.
Insane horde.
And these 208 skeletons weren't basic.
Stats boosted 50%!
While average Necros handled one or two, he surged ahead.
Hell yeah.
Not the end.
Death Lord's revive once.
Plus gear?
Skeletons weaker than adult males early on?
No one blocks this phase.
He was certain.
No level 1 Awakener stronger than him.
Now left is…
Minwoo recalled the last message.
Death Lord's Call.
Dunno what it'll do…
Not tea party time.
Death Lord.
Name screamed evil.
Equipped potions, consumables thoroughly prepped, naturally.
Key is: level up first or not?
Could hunt gates sans Skeleton Summon.
High stats.
Swordplay decent enough to tangle with Sword Sage.
F-rank gates? Sweep sans skills.
Leveling easy. Stats soar. Titles the issue…
Easy title methods.
Self-imposed hard mode best.
Common feats? Tiny effects or none.
Death Lord's Call probably drops a few titles?
EX skill effect.
Could be title party.
Entering at lowest level 1? Odds skyrocket.
Knew the risks.
No risk, no reward.
Need more titles for outer god hunts.
Physically talentless Minwoo especially.
Each title stat precious eventually.
Order set.
Take Death Lord's Call at level 1. Gates after.
[Searching equipment.]
[Condition: Wear level 1+.]
Right after resolve.
Lowbie gear listings at auction dried up.
* * *
Common - Magic - Rare - Unique - Legend - Ancient - Mythic.
Seven equipment grades.
What do newbie melee classes chase?
Nine of ten say 'Black Heart Set.'
Nicknamed national rule magic set.
Biggest perk: wear level.
Level 1 wear.
Fresh Awakeners equip instantly.
Low wear level, solid performance.
Individual pieces meh.
But set bonuses kick in assembled?
Luxury tier.
Viable to 40 clean.
Bang for buck.
Full set ~2 billion. Awakeners earn more than norms.
Loan it, doable.
Trades brisk naturally.
Countless melee grinding for it now.
[Purchase all Black Heart Set items?]
“Everything 5k or under.”
[Withdrawn 50.72 billion…]
[10% commission extra withdrawn…]
Gulp.
Sorry, newbies.
Your gear, my skeletons claim.
Skeletons newbies too, cut slack.
[Items to inventory…]
[Too heavy!]
“Yeah, sub-space ring here.”
[Items transferred to Subspace Ring (Mid)!]
Prepped for this.
Not bought.
Chairman loaned free.
Saved 50 bil thanks.
Inventory limited.
Expands with level, but not generous.
Subspace rings hot demand.
Low gates? Porters fine.
High gates? Too risky.
Porters need mid-rank then: daily thousands.
Buy ring, save hire fees.
Why so popular.
No listings saddened him.
Family hooked him up easy.
200 sets quick.
Skeletal gear all set, extras too.
Top potions, consumables stocked.
This prep and fail?
Then fail it is.
Minwoo equipped piece by piece.
Not cost-sets like Black Heart: individual rares. Body rainbowed, but worth it.
Each screamed billions: true luxury.
Only level junkies skip these spendthrifts.
[Equipping Raven's Eerie Head!]
[Vitality +5, Mana +5]
[Eye of Terror (F) activated!]
[Equipping Orc King's Elastic Armor!]
[Vitality +10]
[Elastic Skin (F) activated!]
[Equipping Purple Goblin Leather Pants!]
[Agility +5, Mana +5]
[Curse of Sorrow (F) activated!]
[Equipping Stuttering Necklace!]
[Mana +8]
[Shield (F) activated!]
[Equipping Pathetic Witch's Mana Gloves!]
[Mana +10]
[Ice Ball (F) activated!]
[Equipping Nimble Thief Shoes!]
[Agility +10]
[Haste (F) activated!]
Gulp.
Individual items with set-like skill effects.
4 stats per level 1: 2-3 level ups per skill worth.
Performance not billions insane.
Wear level killer.
Usable from 1.
Merit huge.
Resale issue tho.
Individuals skip.
Rent demand from big orgs occasional.
Loss risk: even they wary.
Gates: accidents anytime.
Rent gear lost often.
Demand meh.
Won't sell? Warehouse it.
Plus.
[Equipping Excavator Knight Captain's Sword!]
[Strength +7, Agility +3]
[Bleed (F) activated!]
Sword over staff.
Might fight too.
[Acquire Skeleton Summon (F)+9?]
Prep done.
Let's play.
[Acquiring skill!]
[Met all conditions for Death Lord's first trial!]
[Death Lord begins to call you.]
Scenery flipped before his eyes.