Chapter 3
Chapter 3
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 3
Chapter Title: Necromancer
-----------------------------------------------------------------
[System Message]
[Congratulations to player ‘Kim Cheonjae’ on changing jobs to ▶Necromancer◀!]
The immense pain had knocked me out for a moment, but one thing was crystal clear in my mind.
I had become a Necromancer.
[You have received the ability scores for the ‘Necromancer’ job.]
[Skill usage is now possible.]
[You can now equip job-exclusive items.]
“……Hoo.”
When I came to, I had already beaten down all the zombies in front of me.
Five of them had rushed me at once, but they were no match.
Zombies, the lowest-tier Undead monsters, were far too easy for a player who had completed their job change.
I took them down as effortlessly as a full-grown adult subduing a child.
The foul stench piercing my nose brought the thought back.
’Am I really inside the game?‘
It was all too vivid to believe. If this were a game, shouldn’t it just be surprising, without any pain?
On top of that, the rotting smell from the zombies’ corpses was overwhelmingly thick.
“Hoo….”
I glanced around the room before pulling out a cigarette and lighting up.
This was the only way to calm my racing heart.
Chit.
I lit the cigarette.
Sssup.
Took a deep drag.
Phew—
Exhaled long and slow.
The white smoke veiled my view. As the scent of burning tobacco filled the room, my mind cleared somewhat.
“First… status.”
_____________________________
● Status Window
Name: Kim Cheonjae
Job: Necromancer
Level: 2
Health: 160/160
Mana: 24/30
Stamina: 9 Attack: 10
Defense: 10 Speed: 9
_____________________________
It matched exactly the initial job change status for a Necromancer in Land of Ruin.
Not a single point off.
Stamina and speed at 9 meant slightly better than an average person who doesn’t exercise.
Attack and defense at 10 put me on par with a mid-level martial artist physically.
Overall, it was solid base stamina with some training.
My physical stats looked sorely lacking compared to a warrior, but better than a mage’s.
Though my mana would lag behind a mage’s, of course.
“……Skills.”
_____________________________
▶Revive (Mana cost: 3)
-Resurrects a number of dead equal to the caster’s level, turning them into Undead.
▶Skeleton Summon (Mana cost: 2)
-Summons a number of skeleton warriors equal to the caster’s level, using bones as a medium.
______________________________
These were the standard starter skills.
While smoking, I pondered deeply. First off, all five of my senses were fully alive.
Even in a VR game with pain simulation, the max pain setting from the program was just a sting.
The pain from that zombie bite earlier was beyond that—no! It was the worst agony I’d ever felt in my life. Unimaginable in any game.
Even when I stabbed my heart with the kitchen knife, I’d moved in fury, but if asked to do it again, I absolutely couldn’t. That shock was on another level.
Sssup.
Phew—
‘Am I really inside the game?’
I approached the two fallen zombies and cautiously chanted the spell.
“Revive.”
▶Revive (Mana cost: 3)
-Resurrects a number of dead equal to the caster’s level, turning them into Undead.
The two zombies in ordinary office worker clothes jerked up like marionettes.
Their unfocused eyes and the green drool spilling from their mouths were revolting.
“……List.”
[Summon List]
-Zombie (Normal) 2/2: Awaiting orders
Exactly the same.
This had to be inside the ‘Land of Ruin’ game. Forget looking identical to the described office worker zombies—their detailed movements matched perfectly.
“Get down.”
At my command, the two zombies slammed their heads to the floor and prostrated. Like kids bowing for New Year’s money.
“……Okay.”
After confirming commands worked, I left the room and walked the hallway. First, I needed to grasp the situation.
-Kieeeek!
A zombie cry echoed from below. They didn’t make noise unless starving, so that volume meant they were highly agitated.
I headed downstairs with my two summoned zombies.
At the stairwell, I spotted zombies slowly climbing up.
They all had similar faces and builds.
Which were stronger—my summoned zombies or those guys?
“……”
Whoosh—
Crack!
The zombie struck by my swung baseball bat tumbled backward, knocking over the ones behind like dominoes.
“Attack.”
My minions charged at my order. They bit and tore into the fallen zombies. It was clear at a glance who was stronger.
I didn’t know about other stats, but in raw strength, mine had the edge.
Two body slams pushing back five said it all.
While the zombies tangled in combat, I opened the nearest door.
Creak.
Bat first, I entered cautiously. No zombies here. Meaning not every room had one.
“……Good.”
With my minions blocking the stairs, I dragged out desks and wardrobes from inside the house. Impossible with my pre-job change strength, but doable now that my stats were up.
I could easily muster mover-level power.
I piled the furniture at the stairs, leaving just enough gap for one person.
Then called in my zombies.
“Block this place. Don’t let anyone come up.”
* * * * *
What happened to the neighbor lady who went upstairs to get Jeongwoo?
She should’ve been back by now, but I was still alone on this floor.
Did zombies appear upstairs too?
Every wild thought crossed my mind.
If this was the Land of Ruin I knew, early game wouldn’t spawn strong monsters—just regular zombies at worst.
A group of people could handle one or two easily.
Unless an athlete turned zombie, then it might differ….
Thud!
I entered the bathroom and dumped toothpaste into the toilet water. Scooped it with a plastic bowl and poured it out the window.
Splash!
The zombies hit by the toothpaste water wailed in agony.
-Kraaaak!
Some melted down on the spot.
“……Setting confirmed.”
I closed the window, turned off the light, and headed to the bathroom. Started making as much toothpaste water as possible and splashing it down the hallway.
No telling how long it’d last, but until it dried, zombies couldn’t walk through.
Splash!
Gathered toothpaste from every room. Half-used tubes, so not much volume.
’Was the hallway always this long?‘
Midway through filling it, I realized it was impossible to cover the whole thing.
Changed plans—poured it heavily at the base of the stairs blocked by the wardrobe.
Zombies trying to climb had their feet sizzle ’chi-ji-ji-jik!‘ and burn.
My zombie slashed nails from above, knocking them off.
-Kieek!
Perfect.
Zombies from outside wouldn’t get in here for a while.
* * * * *
Wondered if zombies could use items if given one—tried handing a stick.
Too low-level apparently; couldn’t grip it.
Their punches showed no lack of strength, so the system must be restricting it.
“……Too bad.”
Left the zombies as is and returned to my room.
Decided not to move until hearing from other floors.
Didn’t know what was happening upstairs, and I hadn’t fully explored my own floor yet.
Click.
Tried the kitchen faucet—no water. Bathroom worked, so issue with this line probably.
Creeeak.
Fridge had leftover tofu and stir-fried kimchi from yesterday.
Meaning items from before I slept were intact.
But the tofu and kimchi looked way more spoiled than expected. Funky even in the fridge. Kimchi fine last night shouldn’t spoil this fast—how long had passed?
“…Can’t eat this for now.”
Closed the fridge and checked the closet. Couldn’t move in blood-soaked pajamas, so changed to high-mobility training wear.
Added light sneakers—full combat ready.
[‘Training Set’ equipped]
[Defense +1, Agility +1, Flexibility +1]
“Good.”
Only +1 each seemed low, but early game, nothing more efficient.
Zombies’ attack under 4—+1 defense cuts player damage by at least 25%.
“Let’s go.”
Tucked kitchen knife at waist, gripped bat.
Stepping out, cold air enveloped me. Chilly wind from outside mixed with rot, filling the hall.
Creak— creak—
An open apartment door swung slowly. Tense, I checked the neighbor lady’s room. Typical 20s woman’s space.
Colorful vanity, neatly made bed. No clue her income, but a luxury bag on the floor.
Creeak.
Her fridge: empty. Shelves packed with instant coffee only.
Knew she ordered delivery daily, but expected bottled water at least….
‘Huh?’
Spotted a chicken box.
‘……Bones?’
Empty box. Probably stashed to avoid smells before trash day—handy now.
“Skeleton Summon.”
Cracklerattle! A skeleton soldier began forming.
Different from what I imagined. Thought bones would assemble like a toy model.
Instead, the bones ballooned like inflated balloons into one skeleton soldier.
[Skeleton Soldier 1 summoned.]
Slender, middle-schooler build.
Still, way better than the game’s Land of Ruin depiction.
‘……Let’s test.’
Whoosh—
My punch sliced air.
Crack!
Smashed the skeleton soldier’s head. Gave it my all, but didn’t expect such shattering fragility.
‘Weak.’
Felt like hitting thin plywood—hole punched through skull.
[‘Skeleton Soldier’ 1 dies.]
“……Two more times.”
Summoned another, smashed its head.
Crack! Crack!
[‘Skeleton Soldier’ 1 dies.]
[‘Skeleton Soldier’ 1 dies.]
After downing three total:
[System Message]
[Acquired title ‘Craftsman Spirit: Keep Making Until It’s Right!’]
[Summon level +1!]
[Summon level ‘2’ achieved]
[Subordinates’ attack, defense, and health slightly increased.]
“Good.”
Summoned again post-level up—came out bulkier than before.
No weapon earlier, but now clutched a small bone dagger.
Fruit-peeling knife size, but better than nothing….
“Hoo.”
Thudthudthudthud!
Sudden sound of someone running down the hall.
I tensed, hiding in the room. Knew it wasn’t a zombie, but prepared for anything.
“Kim Cheonjae!”
“Huh?”