Chapter 332
Chapter 332
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Vine
Chapter: 332
Chapter Title: Dmitr's Masterpiece (1)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Returning to Peach Blossom Paradise, I tilted my head back and took a deep breath.
“Huuuuh.”
Ahh, this is nice.
This familiar air and surroundings.
No wonder they say home is the best.
“Feels languid.”
Of course, it wasn’t just any home.
It was my own space, boasting the world’s finest natural environment and breathtaking vistas that opened up the chest.
I felt the muscles and mind tensed from battling the Earth Dragon relax in an instant as I checked the top of my status window.
[Hunter: Joo Dong-hun]
[Title: Skeleton Emperor]
[Vitality: 14,220/14,220]
[Unique Ability: Cursed Necromancer]
[Ranking: 4th]
[Grade: SS]
“Ah.”
Unfortunately, my ranking hadn’t changed.
4th place.
Was it because less than a year had passed?
Or had it judged that I still hadn’t surpassed the Demon King or the Heavenly Demon?
‘Whatever.’
It didn’t matter.
Honestly.
Ever since Yui-sa joined, my confidence had shot straight through the roof.
Demon King? Heavenly Demon?
Let both come at me.
I’d still win.
On top of that, I’d laid the foundation for the Ten Thousand Arts.
‘Four Great Spirit Kings, huh...’
The power of a Spirit King was truly immense.
Even 10% of it had peeled off the shell of that sturdy Earth Dragon.
Of course, there was a penalty to match, but still.
This asymmetric boost, nearly equivalent to an essence, could be a card to overcome future crises.
“Ahh, the world is so bright!”
For some reason.
Gazing at the sun that seemed especially brilliant today.
As I cracked my knuckles, stretched my arms skyward, and savored the fresh mountain air.
Sss!
“Professor!”
Arin popped out of thin air.
At the same time.
Screeeech, boom!
“My lord, welcome back.”
Even the Sun Spear dropping from the sky.
And one by one.
My subordinates, who had been training in Peach Blossom Paradise, began to appear.
Grrr!
My subordinates welcoming their master’s return.
Yes, this is what ‘home’ is.
A space with those who welcome me.
“Everyone do well?”
As I grinned, a message popped up.
[Kim Jin-ah: Guild master?!]
[Kim Jin-ah: Seeing all the skeletons rushing over, looks like you’re back.]
[Kim Jin-ah: What brings you back so soon?]
Heh heh.
This is what you call fast news?
[Skeleton Emperor: Mad I came back quick?]
I typed back casually with my mind.
[Kim Jin-ah: No, not that...]
[Kim Jin-ah: But it’s too quick, that’s the problem.]
Huh?
Oh, it was quick.
Meeting Sylphid, heading to the central sector, fighting the Earth Dragon, and so on—it all progressed smoothly.
[Skeleton Emperor: How long was it?]
[Kim Jin-ah: Pardon...?]
[Kim Jin-ah: How long? You left just two days ago...]
Ehhh?
That’s super quick?
[Skeleton Emperor: Two days...?]
So, right now.
Less than two days had passed since the world ranking announcement.
And the meeting called by Delaila?
Heh heh heh.
Maybe because I’d crossed so many brushes with death, I thought it’d been at least a week.
Or maybe it really had been that long.
Space-time in the universe is mysterious.
[Kim Jin-ah: You know? We got the Dragon Knight Super Dragon yesterday.]
[Skeleton Emperor: For real?]
Whoa, that Brkiar egg or whatever.
It’d been hatching for a year straight.
Finally hatched?
[Kim Jin-ah: Yeah, it was super cute. She’s doting on it so much she hasn’t come down the mountain? It hatched the day after you left, so I was bummed, but go check it out.]
[Skeleton Emperor: I’ll swing by soon.]
Anyway.
[Skeleton Emperor: Well, all good. Better to return quick, right?]
“Yui-sa.”
I called Bonego.
Crack crack!
“You called, Master?”
The bones instantly generated flesh and hair.
Whoa, her Polymorph proficiency is almost Arin-level fast?
I called her for two reasons.
First, to introduce her to the other awakened subordinates!
“This is... Bonego’s true form?”
Taeyang’s eyes widened.
“Nice to meet you. I’m Bonego. Or Yui-sa? I’m Eldrin of the forest folk.”
“Pleased to meet you, I’m Kaden.”
“We’ve met before, right? I’m Dana.”
The gathered subordinates greeted her one by one.
Yui-sa curtsied lightly.
“Yes, I’m Yui-sa. I received grace from Master. I’m a spirit summoner. I vaguely remember you all—good people.”
Awakened ones retain memories from their skeleton days.
That’s why Yui-sa could use Polymorph right away.
Anyway.
Second, I wanted to check how much stronger we’d gotten with Yui-sa joining.
“Yui-sa.”
“Yes, Master.”
“Summon the spirits. Time to show them our world, as promised.”
“As you command.”
Hummm!
Yui-sa smiled and began drawing up her energy.
* * *
Roarrr!
Splashhh!
Rumble rumble...
Whoooosh!
The Four Great Spirit Kings appeared around Yui-sa, front, back, left, and right.
“Wow, so this is... that Peach Blossom Paradise?”
Salion looked around with eyes full of curiosity.
“Oh ho! I’ve lost track of how long it’s been since I went out. Ahh, so beautiful. Oh my?”
Elraim glanced around, then covered her mouth with her hand.
“The ley lines here are great? I was gonna tweak them right away, but they’re already flowing naturally, like someone got to them first. Energy’s abundant too.”
Ahh.
That’s...
Water guy’s a tsundere, huh.
Cursing all the while, but pumping power into Peach Blossom Paradise.
At that moment.
- Grooooar!
Rumble rumble...
The ground shook, and the mountains stirred.
Huh?
This isn’t Noas...
“Yui-sa!”
As I shouted urgently, Yui-sa grasped my intent immediately.
“Yes, I’ll unsummon him right away.”
- Grooo?
Noas’s indignant voice.
I stomped the ground hard!
“Where do you think you’re wrecking Peach Blossom Paradise.”
Noas is a mountain-sized golem.
If he appeared here, the neighboring city Dmitr built with such effort could collapse.
Even at 10% power, the sheer size and weight would be too much for the ground.
- Groooaaarrr!
In the end, Noas had to return to the Spirit Realm without even a proper look around.
The shaking ground settled once more.
“Noas only appears quietly from now on, or not at all.”
“As you command, Master.”
“Good, good.”
Next.
Whoooosh!
Sylphid stepped forward with a wry smile.
“You’re the first to handle a Spirit King like that.”
She didn’t say it outright, but her face screamed [What a lunatic].
Anyway.
At the Spirit Kings’ first appearance, my subordinates looked at me tensely.
Skeletons and I share ‘resonance.’
Meaning they can grasp my will pretty well without me saying a word.
“Professor.”
Arin spoke first.
“Yeah.”
“You want to gauge your full power, right?”
I nodded with a smile.
Right.
That was the point.
I wanted to know how much I’d grown.
But there was a problem.
A very simple one.
‘No one to fight.’
Any dungeon on Earth seemed weak compared to what I’d faced.
And I couldn’t just attack the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult or Demon King’s army.
So.
The first thing my heart and mind sought was Arin.
She’s a repository of knowledge.
“There’s a way.”
“As expected!”
Classic Arin!
“What, what is it?”
“Among the ancient magics I can use, there’s one to summon a dangerous ancient creature.”
“Dangerous ancient creature?”
“But true to ancient magic, it could be pretty dangerous...”
“Tell me first. I’ll judge.”
“It’s called Apophis. Records say it was a lifeform nearly akin to a dragon in ancient times...”
“Dragon?”
I chuckled.
Me, who just skinned a high dragon called Earth Dragon?
Dragon?
And not even stronger than one, just ‘nearly akin’?
“Let’s summon it right now.”
“But, Professor.”
That’s when Arin shook her head firmly.
“Calm down first.”
“Huh?”
“Apophis is a dangerous, massive lifeform. Summon it here, and like the Earth Spirit King earlier... it could smash the city we just built.”
“Eek? Can’t have that, Master!”
Thud!
Dmitr nearby slammed his hammer into the ground.
“Anything but that!”
The dwarf looked at me with desperate eyes.
Seeing that, Arin smiled.
“Instead, summon it far from here. Really far...”
“How far...?”
“The other side of the planet.”
“Ah.”
Got it.
Fight it out in the farthest spot from the city?
I could even call Noas there.
“Then, hold on.”
I nodded and looked at the Spirit Kings.
“You Spirit Kings enjoy yourselves here for a bit.”
Then at my subordinates.
“You all keep training.”
“Yes, my lord!”
“Understood, Master.”
My subordinates slammed their weapons into the ground in response.
And.
Swoosh!
Dmitr lifted the hammer he’d just slammed down, grinning.
“Master.”
Hearing his call, I grinned too.
Whoa.
What to do about this?
I’m already thrilled, for real.
The metallic scent teasing my nose, the heat rising from the anvil.
The crisp sound of the hammer striking amid flowing sweat.
“You got the Deep Core Crystal from the Spirit Realm, right, Master?”
Of course.
“This?”
Crackle!
I held out my hand, and crystals from the Spirit Realm’s depths sprouted atop it.
“Gaaah, Master!”
Dmitr collapsed in joy.
“You really got it? Kuhaha! As expected, Master! Truly worthy of my lifelong service, Dmitr’s master! Kuhahahaha!”
“Right? Hahaha!”
I laughed along.
Dmitr.
You’re not the only happy one—I am too.
Once you become a constellation-level Blacksmith this time... I’ll have two constellations under me, including Yui-sa.
“Then let’s.”
Whoosh!
I swung my hand.
Crack crack!
The crystals fell to the floor.
“For our precious subordinates, shall we craft some weapons?”
Time to forge.
The first masterpiece from Dmitr, future greatest blacksmith of the universe.
Right now!
* * *
[Skeleton Emperor: Vice Guild Master?]
[Kim Jin-ah: Yes, speak, Guild Master!]
Kim Jin-ah replied instantly to my call.
No matter how I think about it, this guide Kapu’s chat window ability is cheat-level.
If ranked by convenience, it’s almost constellation-grade?
[Skeleton Emperor: I’m heading into work with Dmitr. As of today, I don’t exist?]
My meaning was simple.
Super important stuff—no one disturbs me, no matter who.
[Kim Jin-ah: What are you up to now...]
[Kim Jin-ah: Anyway, got it.]
[Kim Jin-ah: Just knowing you’re in Peach Blossom Paradise gives this Vice Guild Master peace of mind.]
Okay.
Prep done.
Top floor of the splendid workshop in the city.
I looked at the ten weapons and accessories lined up.
In order.
Sword, spear, bow, shield, staff, hammer, holy relic, gauntlets and boots, necklace, ring.
“Master.”
“Yeah, Dmitr.”
“I can’t do this alone. You have to help.”
“I know?”
Thump, thump!
Feeling my heartbeat quicken, I spoke.
“I’d have been offended if you said you’d do it alone.”