Chapter 75: Second Arrangement (1)
Shadow was one of the trickiest organizations to hunt down.
They had committed brutal crimes like human sacrifices, but a group this size wouldn't leave evidence lying around easily.
Just charging in and attacking wasn't the answer. They'd turn around and paint us as the criminals instead.
‘And they're pretty damn strong.’
Their key members were all at least A-rank Awakeners.
What if they ganged up?
Victory wasn't guaranteed.
The current Shadow might even be far stronger than before.
‘If that EXP copy event is real…’
If it was, their average levels would be way higher than last time they were played. Backed by gear, skillbooks, and stats.
Hunting them solo was tough.
Of course, I wasn't without cheats of my own.
‘Sword Sage.’
Plus Fist King, Divine Spear, and Poison Demon.
I'd built rapport with Korea's top experts from our last encounter. With their help, smashing Shadow to bits wouldn't be hard.
No matter how elite Shadow was, they'd be powerless against those guys.
The problem was this.
‘Would I get the full achievement points?’
That was it.
Did the system require me to rack up 100% of the contributions myself for full points?
Or did partial contributions count fully? It was still unknown. If getting help from the experts slashed my points?
‘I'd be pretty bummed.’
Especially now, with the achievement vending machine doubling points.
Of course, in a real emergency, I'd use them without hesitation. But for now, time was on my side.
‘If they're targeting me, it'll be an ambush inside a gate.’
In reality?
Targeting the eldest son of Ilsung Group, practically Korea's prince?
Korea might not lead in everything, but public safety was world-class.
Seoul especially.
I might not win, but holding out and buying time was doable even now. Five minutes, and Awakeners would swarm in.
Even Shadow beefed up by the EXP event couldn't handle a horde. So if they wanted me, it'd be gate infiltration.
‘The good news is…’
Han Baekgil not recognizing me.
Three possibilities.
The entity he served wasn't an outer god, or had no ties to Kim Minwoo from the start. Or he served an outer god but without a specific target.
‘Or else.’
He could just be an outer god lackey with a different goal entirely.
‘Doesn't matter either way.’
I'd learned from capturing Lee Seoyoon. Those guys were achievement point copiers.
Shadow had to be hunted.
‘Plus, there might be a bonus.’
I recalled Han Baekgil's talk of baptism. The EXP copy event.
If I snagged that orb, maybe I could use it too.
‘One month.’
For growth, nothing beat onboarding a new legion commander.
Another Cedric would make things feel solid.
Time to answer the call.
* * *
[Acquired Specter Summon (C)+9!]
[Specter Summon (C)+9]
[This skill has been maxed out.]
[Consumes 100 mana to summon 2 (1+1) level 1 Specters.]
Investment execution would take time, so I sold gear, got paid upfront, and used the skillbook.
Crafting tools sold well.
Magic+ grade over common? Ten times profit was common.
‘Not that it pops often.’
Ten crafts for one?
Didn't matter.
The number of skeletons attempting crafts had exploded.
Over three thousand skeletons churning out magic nonstop.
A few days of crafting, and the C+9 skillbook was copied.
Straight successes on enhancements too.
‘Finally learned it.’
Specters.
Solid mid-tier undead.
Biggest perk: ghost-type, so physical damage barely lands.
‘30% constant physical damage reduction.’
Not the only upside.
‘They shove in damage well.’
Skeletons had numbers but poor attack efficiency.
The reason was simple.
They overlapped.
Once surrounded, only a few could swing weapons. Specters, though? Floating flyers.
They could deal damage even when skeletons packed tight around a target.
Dive from above, smack the head.
Of course, Specters had weaknesses.
Regular undead take double from their counters; Specters up to triple.
Ghost counter stacked on undead counter.
Silver or mithril slices them easy.
No gear equipping either.
Well, technically…
‘They can wear some…’
Special gear.
Ghost-compatible finish.
Demand and supply? Near zero.
Soul mages might snag some, but that's a super niche class. Basically nonexistent.
‘But I can craft it myself.’
Got production skills.
Special finish, done.
Gear weakness? Gone.
‘And immune to light too.’
Death Lord: EX light or bust.
Light-immune Specters?
Chest swells with pride.
Plus, gold-plated weapons inside gates? Rare.
‘Mix 'em in.’
Three thousand skeletons only?
Unless pure swarm fight, inefficient as hell.
Normal Necromancers mixed summons.
Kim Minwoo planned the same.
New summon skill acquired.
‘About a hundred mixed in.’
Death Lord effect: 50 mana for two.
Hundred Specters.
Other Necros would choke on mana cost, but not me.
Totally manageable.
Mana left over even after.
‘Prep done.’
Specter gear crafted and equipped ahead.
Consumables stocked plenty.
‘Let's go.’
Time to run the arrangement.
[Participate in Death Lord's Second Trial?]
“Of course.”
[Death Lord begins calling you.]
Familiar message, scenery warping.
* * *
Familiar space appeared.
Pitch-black void.
Same as first call.
―Grooo.
Hayangi scanning around at the sudden shift.
Same for Kim Minwoo.
‘Different from last time.’
Last was just a recorded voice.
Now, some black shape undulating.
―… It's you.
“… Death Lord?”
―Yes. First time the prepared spirit body awakened. Got Cedric?
“Yes.”
―Good work. I pray you pass the second arrangement.
“Got a question?”
―Possible, but time is short.
Damn.
Short duration.
Makes sense. Spirit body, not main.
‘Main body's probably gone.’
Attacked by weirdos, done for, right?
Short time? Skip fluff, hit core.
“Someone's deliberately gathering Hero Party relics around me. Thoughts?”
―… Gathering Hero Party relics?
“Yeah. All four, seems like. What happens then?”
―You're my successor. Doesn't mean full power inheritance. I'm gone, so only incomplete authority.”
Incomplete?
Cedric summon alone is SSS.
This guy's tier? Unfathomable.
“… So?”
―Think it's to help you?”
“Assuming that for now…”
―Maybe fodder to boost your tier.”
Eyes narrowed.
Fodder?
“Heard Hero relics are indestructible.”
―Were then.
Not now?
The Death Lord shape stared, then spoke.
―Second arrangement begins…
“Wait, hold on…
Scenery warped again.
Everything blurred.
[Frail Empire Academy participation!]
[Participating in ancient learning space!]
[Acquired title, 'Fossil Student ID'!]
* * *
Eyes opened.
Time-frozen space, bizarre scene.
Training grounds inside.
Students seated on floor, front: knight mid-swing, frozen.
Sword lesson vibe.
[This is a fragment of the past, based on Banshee Queen Merhen's human regrets!]
[Player participates.]
“Hayangi. Hide for now.”
―Kyu.
Hayangi nodded.
Smart kid, will hide well.
Time resumed.
“The most important part of Imperial Swordsmanship First Form is twisting the wrist when thrusting from overhead like th…
Imperial Academy, huh?
Fitting outfits, pure fantasy.
‘Her human days.’
Unlike undead Cedric.
‘No virtual body either.’
Virtual wiped talents, lightened body. Bit of a bummer. But EXP gainable, so not pure loss.
‘Who's Merhen?’
Sounds female.
Looking around.
“Kern!”
Middle-aged knight glared fiercely.
“Last exam, dead last, now not focusing? Swordsmanship department that easy?”
… Swordsmanship department?
I'm a Necromancer, why enrolled there?
Magic department, at least understandable.
Thinking that.
“Arrogant punk! Ignoring the professor? Front and center!”
Knight raging.
Murmurs!
Nearby students whispering.
Mostly same: Prof Charles hates on Kern, big trouble.
Dead last, now attitude sucks too.
Body wrecked, etc.
‘Annoying.’
Need to find Merhen first.
Stepped forward.
“Kern! Draw sword!”
“Professor. If I win, skip class?”
“…?”
What lunatic?
That vibe incoming.
Not my problem.
No time for pointless sword lessons.
Useless to me anyway.
Better spend hunting Merhen's regret. Hundred times better.
Charles, silent then eyes bloodshot, raging.
“Arrogant scum! Dead last dares provoke prof? Fine! Beat me, skip all! Full marks!”
Jackpot.
Charles charged.
Clang!
Swords clashed.
Speed said level 400-ish.
‘Skilled royal guard level.’
Decent.
No issue.
Stats way up.
Toy with this knight bare sword.
Ten exchanges, Charles pale, pushed back.
Twenty, wounds all over. Pathetic, using skills on student.
Useless.
Thirty.
Sword at Charles's throat.
“Then, study hard.”
“…”
Left stunned students, exited grounds.
Time to find Merhen.