Chapter 139: Practical Combat 8
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 139: Practical Combat 8
Title: Necromancers ← Why do these bastards even carry lackeys around?
I’m the guy who posted about catching Baechujeon the other day. I mean, I admit the Black Mana is annoying as hell. But does a Necromancer really need human subordinates? They can just snap their fingers, and boom, the Skeleton-bros rise up to fill the ranks.
In fact, these lackeys are so dim-witted that they only end up helping us find the Necromancer’s location. Isn't it better for the Necromancer not to have them at all? It only benefits us.
Snap and boom, my ass.
Are the Skeleton-bros the Necromancer’s buddies or something? You think they just rise up whenever you feel like it?
Does your grandfather provide the mana needed to summon skeletons?
Actually, the Necromancer’s subordinates were all planted there by the Emperor. That’s why they act stupid and leak info to us. The Emperor knows exactly where the Necromancer is. He’s just pretending not to know to protect his own position.
OP) For real? Wow. I never knew. I thought he was a good guy.
"For real?" he says. You think that’s actually true?
Holy shit, he wrote it with so much detail I almost got fooled too lol.
It’s actually true. I asked the Emperor while having drinks with him at a hunting bar yesterday.
Looking at this post, I’m curious now too. So why do Necromancers carry lackeys around?
Isn't it just because having them is better than not having them?
But it looks like all those lackeys use Black Mana. That’s not something you get for free. Isn't that a total scam?
From the Necromancer’s perspective, they probably do get it for free.
No, wait, then isn't that way too broken?
But why don't those Necromancer bastards use Black Mana themselves?
It’s because Black Mana burns through the user’s life force.
Then those lackeys stay under the Necromancer even though they know they’re fighting with their own lives on the line?
If you follow the story, it seems like some know and some don't.
Are the ones who use it knowing the cost just total meatheads? What’s the point of getting stronger if you’re gonna die early, you idiots lol.
If you had to choose between getting 5 billion won and dying at age 50 vs. just living normally, what would you pick?
Obviously the former, duh lol.
Looking at you, I can see why they do it lol.
Found a candidate for a Necromancer’s lackey right here lol.
But where do they dispose of the lackeys when they die? In the story, these Necromancer bastards kill their subordinates like they’re clipping fingernails. How do they handle the bodies? Do they hold a mass funeral or something?
Funeral, my ass. Don't you know a Necromancer’s abilities? Even in death, they’re still lackeys.
Ah...
I see. Until now, I thought they sold the organs of the dead ones to make money and used that to recruit new humans.
Whoa...
You should just become a Necromancer. They’d probably scout you through special recruitment.
* * *
Idiots. They sure know how to have fun among themselves.
After I gave the order to "Kill each other until only ten are left" while in the guise of Betzdo, these guys fought with terrifying ferocity. It would have been annoying if even one of them had asked, "But do you have proof you're actually Betzdo?"
They saw me transform into an old vegetable peddler just to toy with them, so why does no one suspect that I might be disguised as Betzdo now? Do they suspect it but lack the courage to speak up?
Crunch, thud! Bang!
"Aaaargh!"
"How many! How many are left?!"
"That guy! He’s out of strength! Get him first!"
Well, thanks to their stupidity, I’m quite comfortable.
While Betzdo’s lackeys were engaged in a bloodbath, staining the floor crimson, I was pondering a very important matter while maintaining my disguise.
Where should I have tea with Sepia later? Having it outdoors like last time wasn't bad, but a quiet cafe wouldn't be bad either. If we want to drink comfortably, maybe that hill I saw earlier would be better? I have all the snacks and drinks in my Pocket Dimension anyway.
I should probably contact the Emperor to thank him before having tea.
Honestly, from the Emperor’s perspective, I might be hard to understand. From his point of view, the problem could be solved in an instant just by sending either Duke Freya or Duke Adelian with a single command.
Of course, they wouldn't have been able to find the Necromancer’s location without me, but I suppose I was given permission because I’ve earned a certain level of trust.
Come to think of it, the club experience period is almost over.
Which means... it’s time for the Clown Union Club to make its appearance.
I feel like I could easily coax the other Special Class kids if I just smooth-talk them and hand out a few artifacts. The problem is Clara.
To be honest, Clara is the biggest reason I’m forming this club.
If Clara, Joden, and Duke Adelian talk it out and resolve things before then, that’s fine. But if it’s still not settled by then, I’ll get her to join the Clown Union Club even if I have to trick her.
If there’s one thing I’ll miss when the club experience period ends, it’s that my morning patrols around the Academy with Johanna will also come to an end...
Wait, can't I just go on patrol anyway? Is there a law saying only the Disciplinary Committee can patrol?
Maybe inviting Johanna to join the Clown Union Club wouldn't be a bad idea? No. If I do that, the other Disciplinary Committee members might beat me to death.
"Lord Betzdo, it is finished."
Pulled from my thoughts by that disgusting voice, I opened my eyes to see ten men looking at me, drenched in blood. Man, that ended faster than I thought.
But with the amount of Black Mana they used, they won't live long even if they survive this, will they?
I was feeling happy thinking about Johanna, but hearing their voices suddenly soured my mood. Because of these guys, I couldn't even hang out with Johanna...
"Why the hell did it take so long to narrow it down to ten? This won't do. I’ll only let five—no, three of you live."
It would be a lie to say there were no emotional reasons involved, but even thinking coldly, this was the right call. I have to face the Necromancer soon, so it’s better to save as much stamina and mana as possible.
But look at these guys. How dare they just stand there after a Necromancer gave an order?
"Hey, what are you doing? Did you grow fond of each other while fighting? If so, do you want to just die happily together instead of picking three?"
At my words, the terrified lackeys began to eye each other again, about to resume the slaughter, when—
"What do you think you are doing?"
A low voice drifted in from much closer than expected. Looking toward the source, I frowned behind my illusion. Ah, this ruins the plan.
"L-Lord Katsudo."
The five remaining subordinates, who had been eyeing each other's throats just a moment ago, flinched and trembled. The newcomer wore a robe emblazoned with the skull symbol—the mark of a Necromancer.
Because of his similar appearance to Betzdo, at a glance, one might think they were twins...
Wait, they actually are twins.
Betzdo’s twin. Rank 9 of Death Heaven, Katsudo.
If the game were played normally, after Sepia dies and the player succeeds in killing Betzdo, Katsudo would come seeking revenge against the player character.
Of course, since I fought both of them simultaneously to save Sepia in this timeline, Katsudo never got his revenge. How can a dead man seek revenge?
The original plan was for Sepia to kill Betzdo while I cleaned up the lackeys, saving as much strength as possible to deal with Katsudo later. But he showed up earlier than expected.
Sepia must be doing better than I thought.
First, let’s try some trash talk.
"Katsudo, what brings you here? Don't tell me you came because you thought I’d be taken down by that old man Mordor..."
I couldn't finish the sentence.
Katsudo reached out and fired a bone shard as sharp as an awl. The "Betzdo" who was speaking vanished like a mirage.
It would have been dangerous if I hadn't moved and stayed in Betzdo’s form without creating a new illusion the moment I identified him.
"Huh? What is this..."
While the lackeys were bewildered by the sudden turn of events, I hid myself with an illusion, moved quietly, and threw a dagger accurately toward Katsudo’s vitals.
Clang!
However, the dagger failed to pierce a skeleton shield that rose from the ground, clattering uselessly to the floor.
"......Who are you?"
He looked like Betzdo, but he possessed a coldness his brother lacked.
Honestly, I know all of his attack patterns, but it’s not a guaranteed win. Besides, Sepia is currently fighting Betzdo, and I want to be prepared for any unforeseen circumstances.
If Katsudo joins Betzdo’s side, it’ll be impossible to win even if I help Sepia. Escaping is possible, but since I promised Sepia I’d help her fight comfortably, I should try to buy some time.
"Do you intend not to answer?"
"Hello. I am the operator of Loki TV, a YouTube channel specializing in gourmet tours. I heard there was a place here that makes incredible bone marrow soup, but it seems I was mistaken. My apologies for the intrusion."
With that, I turned to leave.
"............"
"............"
There stood Katsudo’s numerous lackeys and skeletons, emitting an ominous aura as they stared me down.
Ah, that didn't work.
As expected, he’s sharper than Betzdo. To think he wouldn't fall for that.