Sister's Surprise Treat and the Necromancer's Hunt
Oh Hanbyul's daily routine was simple.>
She would wake up at dawn at six sharp, head to the swimming pool for practice, then commute to Seoul National University.>
“Hanbyeol, hello!”>
“Hello~.”>
After morning lectures, she grabbed lunch at the school cafeteria, handled afternoon schedules, worked, did evening exercise, and finally headed to bed.>
But today was a little different.>
“I’ll treat you to lunch today! Come out to the main gate instead of the cafeteria.”>
“What’s with this sudden change?”>
Oh Hanbyul tilted her head while staring at her smartphone.>
At that exact moment, a voice called out from afar.>
“Hanbyeol!”>
The sound of quick footsteps. A slender woman with long black hair approached and took Oh Hanbyul’s hand in her own.>
A beauty with a goddess-like appearance paired with the delicate charm of a doe, she was Seoul National University’s top queen—Ryu Sihyun.>
“You’re here.”>
“Yeah, I’ve got everything ready. Let’s go.”>
Ryu Sihyun led Oh Hanbyul to a nearby steakhouse—a real hidden gem served by the chef of a Michelin three-star hotel.>
“The special steak you ordered has been served.”> >.>
“Thank you.”>
The piece of meat weighing over a million won melted smoothly on the tongue.>
“Huu…… I’m stuffed.”>
After devouring the meal without thinking, Oh Hanbyul asked.>
“But are you okay?”>
“What do you mean?”>
“Look, this place. The minimum price is over three hundred thousand won. Where did the money come from?”>
When Ryu Sihyun had first suggested buying the meat, Oh Hanbyul had been shocked.>
Her own family situation wasn’t exactly stable, and Ryu Sihyun’s was even worse.>
“I tried to refuse the refund, but you insisted. Explain properly. How did you earn that?”>
Oh Hanbyul worried she might have stepped into some dark path.>
Ryu Sihyun shook her head.>
“You probably imagine all sorts of things, but it has nothing to do with that. Don’t worry.”>
“Then…?”>
“Games. If I tell anyone else, I’ll be in trouble.”>
Ryu Sihyun slid her smartphone screen closer.>
“Horizon. It feels so real.”>
“Ah……”>
Thinking back, the game had been the hot topic in university group chats and communities recently.>
Oh Hanbyul let out a soft chuckle and answered.>
“There’s no one worth telling anyway.”>
“Fuhah!”>
“What’s ‘fuhah’? That’s not it.”>
A tug. Oh Hanbyul grabbed Ryu Sihyun’s cheek and pulled it hard.>
“Ehehehehe.”>
“So, how much did you earn? This level of spending suggests it wasn’t pocket change.”>
“Uh…… around ten billion won?”>
“You’re joking. Ten billion? That’s not your name.”>
“It’s real! Hanbyeol, come with me. I’ll throw a red carpet and raise you!”>
“No thanks.”>
As they chatted, a thought flashed through Oh Hanbyul’s mind.>
“Speaking of which, oppa said he earns money from games too.”>
The image of a gaming BJ throwing a tantrum had vanished, leaving Oh Jinhwan—who seemed to be living steadily and well.>
Oh Hanbyul’s eyes, gazing at the sky, carried a complex and subtle emotion.>
‘Wait, is he slipping into some weird place again?’>
For some reason, an ominous feeling brushed across her mind.>
***
The Kingdom Revival Army, following Fafnir’s suggestion, marched southward.>
“There are Bapomarts ahead on the supply route. I’d love to handle them myself, but I’m old and I need to protect the princess. So, could you take care of their leader, the three-eyed Bapomart?”>
“New quest ‘Slay the Three-Eyed Bapomart (Magic)’ received.”>
A quest from the veteran knight guarding Princess Elizabeth, Noin.>
“I will gladly fulfill it.”>
**[Title: Slay the Three-Eyed Bapomart]**>
-Grade: Magic>
[Objective]**>
-Slay the leader of the Bapomart horde, the three-eyed Bapomart (0/1)>
-Description: Near the Revival Army’s supply route lies the habitat of carnivorous Bapomarts that devour humans. You must defeat the ferocious monster lord, the three-eyed Bapomart.>
-Reward: Experience points, Contribution>
Fafnir accepted the quest and headed forward.>
Meee!>
Me—.>
The Bapomart had a goat-like head on a human body. A level 140 monster.>
In the past, when he was only level 100, it would have been a tough opponent. But now, with his levels raised, things were different.>
“Where do you think you’re going?”>
Using his skeleton soldiers to block normal monsters, Fafnir went straight for the three-eyed Bapomart.>
As the boss, it had wiped its tracks meticulously. But Fafnir’s tracking skills, honed through countless games, missed even the slightest trace.>
“I know you’re here. Come out.”>
Fafnir entered the forest cave and said.>
From the darkness, hooves thudded. The three-eyed Bapomart emerged.>
“Mee, the prey has come to me.”>
“……”>
“Uhu, looks like you can’t speak once you see my body.”>
The three-eyed Bapomart was female.>
“That’s understandable. Then, quietly become my prey!”>
Whoosh! The three-eyed Bapomart’s glaive swung in.>
Fafnir deflected the blade with his sword and closed the distance.>
“Mee!”>
The two exchanged deadly close-range combat.>
Even though he was a necromancer, Fafnir displayed combat prowess rivaling any skilled inspector user.>
He had invested in skeleton soldiers and curses, but he had actually built his character around his own skills, elite skeleton troops, and golems.>
‘His martial skills are quite impressive.’>
Both sides aimed at fatal weak points like the neck and heart.>
Originally, Fafnir’s fighting style was calculated long-term, focusing on weaknesses.>
But after becoming a necromancer, he preferred simple, straightforward, and quick battles.>
Because skeleton soldiers wouldn’t last long, he avoided situations where enemies could call in reinforcements and put him in danger.>
“Mee! One-eyed goat!”>
The three-eyed Bapomart’s eyes flashed wickedly.>
A curse that could drive viewers into ecstasy. Fafnir quickly ducked.>
“Preparation!”>
The Bapomart’s leg swung down. In a life-or-death moment.>
Fafnir stabbed both sides of the approaching leg with his spear and sword.>
“Meeeeee!”>
Elite skeleton soldiers who had driven off the normal monsters arrived.>
The three-eyed Bapomart screamed in agony from its severed leg.>
In an instant, Fafnir drew his sword again and thrust. This time it pierced the heart perfectly.>
“Th-this duel…… wasn’t it……?”>
“If you’re angry, just call in your subordinates.”>
To be safe, Fafnir stepped back. The skeleton soldiers finished off the Bapomart.>
Surrounded from all sides, they stabbed and smashed. Just as it was over, the Bapomart’s hand rose and slowly fell.>
“Slayed the three-eyed Bapomart.”>
“Gained experience points.”>
“Gained 2 silver.”>
“Obtained Shadow Moon Glaive (Rare).”>
“Completed the quest objective.”>
“Summoned skeleton soldiers to defeat the enemy in one-on-one combat.”>
“Demonstrated a sample play of an evil necromancer.”>
“Reputation increased by +1.”>
‘Winning is winning, but does this earn reputation?’>
Discrimination against necromancers had reached a new level.>
Fafnir’s eyes widened at the item.>
‘Rare item? Let’s check the status window!’>
**[Shadow Moon Glaive]**>
-Type: Weapon (Glaive)>
-Grade: Rare>
-Level requirement: 145>
-Attack: 653~889>
-Durability: 74/180>
-Strength +43>
-Constitution +27>
-Additional dark attribute attack power +35>
-Armor penetration +70>
-Shadow blade extends general attack range by 15cm>
-Description: A glaive forged under the shadow of the moon. It is infused with dark shadows.>
‘Extended range? This weapon is seriously strong.’>
In close combat, the difference in range is a huge advantage.>
No matter how powerful the attack, within the same tier, it can dominate the opponent.>
It wasn’t highlighted much in PvE, but in PvP it would have massive demand.>
‘If I sell it to PvP users, I’ll earn eighty thousand won.’>
But that wasn’t the end.>
Fafnir rummaged through the remaining bodies.>
“Obtained the third eye of the Bapomart (Unique).”>
“Obtained the thigh fur of the three-eyed Bapomart (Magic).”>
**[Bapomart’s Third Eye]**>
-Grade: Unique>
-Type: Material>
-Effect: None>
-Description: The third eye of a three-eyed Bapomart that appears only once every hundred years. In the world, it is considered a medium that brings misfortune.>
‘This has a ton of materials.’>
Bapomarts are rare black magic monsters.>
Especially the three-eyed one. The top materials from such monsters were like rain in a drought for black magic users.>
‘I’ll definitely report this to the master. He’ll like it.’>
A reward necessary for using curse-related skills.>
Unfortunately, Fafnir’s level was too low to use it, but Guld could make excellent use of it.>
‘Master always gives me a lot, so I should reward him when the chance comes.’>
Even though Guld’s face was a bit ugly, he wasn’t for romance anyway. What was the point?>
If you treat someone well and give good rewards, they’re a good person.>
“Alright, collecting is done. Then now……”>
Fafnir returned to headquarters to report the quest.>
“Oh, you defeated it. It’s truly fortunate to have an adventurer like you by the princess’s side. Please continue to help us.”>
“Quest completed.”>
“Gained experience points.”>
“Gained 3 silver 13 copper.”>
“Noin’s favorability increased by +3.”>
After reporting, Noin stroked his white beard, smiled, and clicked his tongue.>
“That’s a waste.”>
“What?”>
“If you were an inspector, I would have taught you my skills.”>
“A skill can be obtained by taking the inspector job—Basic of Grandmaster’s Swordsmanship.”>
An opportunity to receive the veteran knight Noin’s swordsmanship skill.>
“Well, don’t mind it. My old man’s swordsmanship isn’t that great.”>
“Noin’s favorability increased by +2.”>
“That’s really unfortunate. My job is what it is……”>
Fafnir bowed his head.>
It wasn’t empty words. It really was a shame.>
**[Noin]**>
-Level: 535>
-Due to injuries, strength is greatly weakened.>
-Due to old age, strength is severely weakened.>
Noin was a true sword master with a domain rivaling the Sword Master class.>
A super high-level player over level 500.>
His actual combat power was around levels 200 to 300, but his swordsmanship was on the level of a sword master.>
However, he was weak in group battles because his command ability, tactics, and situational judgment were almost the worst.>
A build that always loses in strategy games!>
‘Still, Noin is better than most.’>
Fafnir looked around.>
‘Everyone else is acting like they’re one step ahead.’>
Whenever time allowed, Fafnir scouted every part of the camp.>
The three high-ranking officers of the resistance he had confirmed included Noin.>
“Don’t neglect sending scouts. We don’t know when the enemy will come.”>
“Lord Sharpier Count, the soldiers’ stamina might run out. It’s already tough……”>
“Hmm…… is that so?”>
“No, my lord. Stamina is still sufficient. More importantly, we need to increase scouting squads to prevent desertions and keep watch on each other.”>
“What? Desertions! Ah, yes, you’re right.”>
“My lord, stamina is……”>
A powerful soldier with high loyalty and decent command ability, but Extreme Lycanthrope Count Sharpier.>
“Lord Blackheart Count, the scouting order and…… ‘that’ are complete.”>
“Understood. Do not share the recent orders elsewhere. Keep them secret to yourself.”>
“Yes.”>
A commander with exceptional leadership but a dark mind, Lord Blackheart Count.>
In reality, there was not a single reliable high-ranking officer in the Revival Army now.>
‘Were all the reliable super high-level players killed in the setting?’>
Originally, the Kingdom of Baran had five active Sword Masters. They failed in an assassination attempt on the Orc Emperor.>
The remaining Sword Masters were all under the Duke of Gwin’s control.>
With the military, estates, and people all lagging behind, the best choice now was to slowly build up power.>
‘I need to handle the Blackheart Count quickly.’>
Leaving behind someone who only plans backstabs was ridiculous.>
‘Just like plucking a horn out of a thorn, it’s time to start.’>
Fafnir’s eyes gleamed.