Death Beckons in the Shadows
Death always gathers in the darkest corners of a city. From the half-eaten carcasses of wild beasts that have long been picked clean, to the frozen corpses of rats and stray animals. Even the corpses of vagrants who have been hacked down or starved to death. It was only natural, then, that the guild path tied to death—necromancers—would set up shop in Loutown. “I’d like to see the skill book first.” “There are plenty of skill books.”
Job guilds located in the capital are generally operated on a massive scale. The necromancer guild was no different, so the range of goods they had for sale was quite extensive. “Let me take a look.” “Whoever wants to see something first, go ahead.”
– Bone Spear – Fever – Dehydration – Weakness – Terror – Imp Summoning
Fafnir’s eyes stopped on one particular entry. “Beast Summoning…”
That skill was essential if he wanted to activate the effects of the Vampiric Aura. The problem was that mastering just that one skill wasn’t enough. “Learning Beast Summoning alone would only make me a burden. I’d have to master all the buffs and training skills too before it would actually be useful.” Just like how Skeleton Soldiers grow stronger with Skeleton Mastery or Hard Bone skills. Beasts had multiple reinforcement skills as well. If he didn’t fully learn those buffs, the skill itself wouldn’t be as useful as it looked on paper. “Just enough to raise Skeleton Soldiers… but the mana cost would be even higher.”
If he wanted to learn something, he had to learn everything. Otherwise his growth would obviously lag behind. “There’s no help for it. But I can buy these.”
– Fever skill book acquired. – Dehydration skill book acquired. – Weakness skill book acquired.
Fafnir stocked up on basic curses. Although he belonged to the undead summoning specialist school, these basic curses fell under the common skill category. “Is there anything else I can help you with?” “Ah, please pass on a message to the branch manager.” “Yes?” “It’s Fafnir, Guld’s disciple. He has something he wants to discuss with you.”
If the branch manager knew Guld’s level, he was sure to react. Fafnir’s guess was spot on. “Ho ho…”
A moment later, a blond young man tapped his staff on the floor. “Guld’s disciple? The kid took on a disciple? I’m surprised.” “You flatter me.” “I’m the capital branch manager, Noh Tae-uk. Nice to meet you.”
A young man who looked twenty to thirty years old. He was none other than Noh Tae-uk, the capital branch manager and a level 400 necromancer. “Alright, what’s the matter?” “First, let me explain why I’m in the capital.”
Fafnir laid out the situation for Noh Tae-uk. “Orcs and monsters are attacking the entire kingdom alongside black magicians. If they succeed, not only the provinces but the capital itself will be in danger. And if it gets out that black magicians are involved, we’ll all be in trouble.”
Currently, necromancers are still outwardly licensed to operate. If the capital that underpins their foundation fell, they would once again face the persecution they had endured before. “So I want to stop the plot brewing in Aden City.” “If I can’t do it alone, I’m guessing you’re looking for our help.”
Noh Tae-uk continued. “Good. I’ll give you the map of the slums and the sewer map. But it won’t be free.” “Is there anything you need from me?” “Necromancers in the capital are closely tied to the thief guilds and criminal organizations of the capital. It’s a necessary choice if we want to survive.”
The necromancer guild in the capital has become quite secularized. Right now they look more like thugs and crime syndicates than black magicians or cultists. “The organization we’ve been supporting recently is falling apart. If we directly intervene, we’ll get caught up in the mess. That’s why it’s troublesome.” “You want me to handle that for you?” “You’re an outsider, so you won’t be a target. You’re Guld’s disciple and a well-known adventurer, so your skill should be reliable. How about it? Can you do it?”
– Noh Tae-uk has issued a quest: Area Conflict. – Accept the quest? (Y/N)
All necromancers who lead legions are familiar with organization life more than anyone else. Rank and hierarchy, territorial control—everything. This was exactly the kind of story where necromancers settle their area orders. “No harm in it.” “Is there any reward?” “The only thing we can offer is sewer information and maps. The rest you’ll have to figure out on your own.”
Pillage and trade are both welcome—however much you can get! Fafnir smiled. “I’ll accept the quest.”
***
Aden City, Loutown. Two and a half million ordinary citizens lived in this area, but it was riddled with hidden slums everywhere. Inside one of those slums was an old tavern.
When Fafnir pushed open the door, thick smoke billowed out. “Hoo…” “Kuuu…”
The place was packed with cigarette smoke, the smell of alcohol, and drooping men. Fafnir pushed through them and headed for the counter. “The most expensive thing you’ve got.” “Mm.”
The bartender handed over cheap liquor instead of answering. Fafnir downed the glass in one go and slid it back.
A massive man from the corner of the room approached. “Hey, first time seeing your face.”
The brute placed his ugly hand on Fafnir’s shoulder. “Where you from, kid?”
Fafnir didn’t answer. Instead he grabbed the rough hand.
The moment the giant frowned and opened his mouth to swear, Fafnir slammed the massive man straight to the floor. “You bastard! What the hell is this?”
Gang members armed with knives crawled out from all sides. Fafnir shook his hands clean. “Is this the Ignis Clan?”
The gang members didn’t answer.
Instead, a man walked through the crowd. Unlike the dirty gang members, he had a somewhat respectable build. “Who are you?” “Me? I came to help clean up after you.” “What?”
The gang members laughed mockingly.
“Are you from the guild?” “Something like that. A bit different.” Fafnir smiled. “I was sent by the guild. They asked me to deal with the situation for them.” “As expected.”
The man sat beside Fafnir and poured him a drink. “Then I’ll drink to Arman-ssi.” “Now we can get to the main topic.”
Fafnir’s smile deepened.
***
Tavern “Burning Flame,” VIP room. Fafnir was treated to a full-course meal prepared by Ignis. “This is a 10-year-old Valenta wine.” “Mm.”
Rare-grade wine, vodka, and dishes made with similarly rare ingredients. “This is my sincerity…”
– Acquired 2-gold check from the Baran Kingdom Central Bank. Even the service to fill the 2% gap beyond wine and food was excellent. “How do you feel?” “Not bad at all.”
Fafnir leaned back in his chair and spoke. “But now I’d like to hear the main story.”
Why the necromancer guild sent him. And who Ignis Clan was in trouble with. “Right now, what’s going on with this clan, and what I need to do.” “I’ll explain.”
Arman emptied his glass and spoke. “To be honest, this place has its own rules and order. Even in Loutown, it’s not a complete mess.” “But?” “As you know, monsters sometimes appear in the sewers. The capital guard comes to exterminate them regularly, but they keep breeding and roaming anyway.” “This slum gang’s territory is dangerous.”
Aden City was built on ancient ruins that existed before the kingdom was founded. Because the gang members roamed the city, they knew better than anyone the danger of what lay sleeping beneath the ground. “Most of the battlefront is clearing out the monsters there.” “That’s why there weren’t many people around.” “If we pull the battlefront troops out now, the Ignis Clan itself will be in danger of disappearing.” “You’re supposed to be pretty good, right? If you’re getting this much support, you can’t be ordinary gang members.” “That’s… Originally Ignis and Black Thorn Clan split the territory. Most of them were scraps who dropped out of the mafia or mercenary work. But some bastard came along and destroyed the balance.” “Who is it?” “Black Thorn Clan collapsed and a new organization moved in. The leader is no ordinary guy. He doesn’t understand a word of what anyone says… He’s constantly attacking us. If we lose even one more member, it’ll be a disaster. So it would be best if Fafnir-ssi helped us out.” “Who is he?” “Kindorhan. And that’s why we can’t stop him.”
Kindorhan? Somehow, Fafnir already knew the reason without being told. “An adventurer?” “Yes, because he’s an adventurer. He can’t be killed. He keeps coming back alive and attacking us.” An adventurer trying to claim the back alleys with immortality. Unexpected PVP content appeared in an unexpected place, so Fafnir licked his lips.
***
“Hey, shopkeeper. What is this?”
The shop owner, forced over by the gang, only nodded with a terrified face. “Look. Our kids made it themselves. Wipe your hands when customers come in. Oh? We can even give it as a service when you leave. How good is that? And you can wash it and use it again. That’s why we made this wax.”
The man shook the cheap wax tin. “Who’s supposed to do the laundry? Our kids will do it. How good is that? The shop will be clean and customers will be impressed with the small service. Just pay 10% of weekly income for the protection fee once a week and everyone wins, right?”
The shop owner was ready to spit blood. To receive that service, he would have to pay a quarter of his weekly store income. Plus, every nearby store was already receiving the same service, so it was a net loss. In short, pay protection money or else. “If you keep doing this, I’ll really become a gangster, got it?” “Yes, yes.” “Let’s all get along nicely from now on, okay? Won’t that be better?” “…Yes.” “Kahaha, good, good.”
That was when a sharp something stabbed into the head of the laughing thug. “Hah, hah!” “A chopstick! It’s stuck in a chopstick!” “Big brother!”
The gang members beside him jumped in shock. Then a voice rang out. “Who the hell is messing around with my friend again?” “Kid, Kindorhan!” “Are you alright? I’ll save you right now!” “Kindorhan-ssi!”
The shop owner’s face lit up with emotion.
The gang members beside him raised their weapons. “You thought we’d crawl in, huh? Dig in!” “Hah, you pickles think you can dig me in?”
The young man called Kindorhan stepped forward. “You don’t have any weapons. Just come.” “Wooaaah!”
Kindorhan, who had plunged into the swarm of thugs, punched. One by one. Before long, he had knocked out sixteen of them. Kindorhan approached the shop owner. “Are you alright?” “Yes, yes, thank you…” “Sorry, I’ve been busy lately and couldn’t pay attention to this place. I’ll refund the protection money.” “No, no! Just being saved by you like this… I…”
Tears welled up in the shop owner’s eyes. In Loutown’s slums, where gang members ruled and life was constantly in danger. Was there another gentleman like this man? Protection fee was 10% of pure income. Less than half the price of other gangs, and he did everything he could. And whenever trouble arose, he came and suppressed the other gangs. In a street where the power of the state had no reach, Kindorhan was a knight of justice itself. “Then I’ll head back. My kids are staying here. If anything happens, contact me.” “Yes yes! We’ll take care, big brother!”
Kindorhan turned away from the bowing shop owner.
One of his subordinates handed him two hands politely in front of the shop district. “Big brother, here’s the tobacco.” “Mm.”
Kindorhan lit the cigarette and asked. “So, did you take down all the shops there?” “Yes, we also collected the loyalty oath. We seized the land contracts and store ownership first.”
Kindorhan took the documents from the subordinate and showed a satisfied expression. – Territory expanded. – Level increased.
“Oh, the medicine you brought?” “I sold a few to the rich and burned the rest.” “Don’t use the medicine. Anyone who breaks my creed doesn’t have the right to be in the Umigan.” “Understood.” “Good.”
Kindorhan clicked his teeth and immediately relaxed his expression. “What are we doing? Let’s go drink.” “Yes.” “Kahahaha, this feels great! Open all the liquor warehouses today!” “Yes, big brother!”
Kindorhan, laughing, thought to himself. “In reality, I was nothing. I got a hidden class in the game.” Until recently, Kindorhan had just been a normal user playing Horizon. The job he chose was Thief. In childhood PC games, a Thief was usually a flashy melee dealer who dealt burst damage instantly. But in Horizon it was different. A Thief was literally a Thief. They looted treasure chests, set traps, searched for paths, and could do both melee and ranged attacks with related skills. Although it seemed like a versatile class, in reality it was a mediocre class in every aspect. Melee combat was no match for a Warrior or Knight, and ranged combat or pathfinding was no match for a Ranger. It was a job that parties often recruited, but one that couldn’t overcome being a damn good-for-nothing or lower-class citizen. “Hey! The Thief just bandages or whatever! What kind of heal is that?!” “Ah, he pulled aggro, so don’t go too deep! Not much damage either.”
Kindorhan was so disgusted he almost quit playing the game and switched to a new job. But before that, he had planned to go sightseeing in the royal capital, which was said to be beautiful. That plan was what changed his gamer life. Gangsters who wanted to mug the pocket of a tourist who had come to see the kingdom from the bottom up. “In reality I was just some merchant, and in the game I ignored strong guys who spent money. Now even NPCs are ignoring me!”
He was so furious it felt like it was going to burst his head, so before quitting, he decided to wipe out all the gangsters. While he was wiping out the gangsters, a special system window appeared. “Special conditions met.” “Hidden class: Would you like to transmigrate to Gangpae?”
Gangpae. It was the moment when the goddess of fortune in Horizon extended her hand to him. “I knew I grabbed her hand back then, hahaha.”
Kindorhan laughed loudly and looked at his subordinates.
That was when a thug with a rat-like face ran over. “Boss! The Ignis bunch has invaded our territory…” “That bastard ran away with his tail between his legs!”
Kindorhan stood up with a start and shouted. “Perfect timing! We’ll eat at their hideout tonight!” “Wooo!” “Let’s go!”
The gang members cheered together.