Chapter 40
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 40
Chapter Title: The Astonishing Rumor (2)
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Kang Sa-hu, who hadn't been able to stop by home for a while due to traveling across the country hunting Gates, finally opened the front door and returned after a long time.
Upon entering the house, he looked for Kang Ji-ye first, but the place was pitch dark with all the lights off, as if she'd gone out.
Confirming she wasn't there, Kang Sa-hu put the three pounds of A++ grade meat he'd bought on the way home to eat with her into the fridge and sat down on the living room sofa.
It was 3:30 in the afternoon.
Even though it was broad daylight here, he checked that it would be morning where his parents were and opened his phone to call his mother.
As expected, unlike his father who slept in late, his mother had already gotten up and started her day, picking up the phone right away.
"Son."
"Yes, Mom."
"It's been a while since we talked."
"It has."
The words seemed dry on paper, but Kang Sa-hu could feel the deep love in her voice.
"I got a call from Ji-ye a few weeks ago, actually. She said she made a big mistake with you."
"...No, that's not true. She was just saying it for my sake, but I wasn't ready to respond properly yet."
Recalling how the mood had soured briefly before he left for hunting—over whether to hold a memorial for the hunters' spirits or carry them as energy sources—Kang Sa-hu answered calmly.
"Honestly, when I heard the story, even I was tempted by Ji-ye's idea at first. But son, if you think it's wrong, then that's what matters."
She continued as he listened quietly without responding.
"Still, I'm worried you might be putting yourself in danger by choosing the harder, right path over the easier, wrong one."
"I've prepared thoroughly for that. I won't let anything happen to worry you about."
"Good. I trust your choices and sense of responsibility."
He fell silent at her warm words.
After a brief silence, she changed the subject to lighten the mood.
"I should have come back to Korea ages ago, but some issues have kept me from going."
"Is something wrong?"
"It's about the awakened Necromancer."
Kang Sa-hu nodded, immediately understanding from her short reply.
There had to be Awakeners among the people in the Necromancer Society, creating plenty of room for conflicts between their awakened powers and their original Necromancer identity.
He was just special.
For most Necromancers, the path was hard to learn and offered no visible power, so it was natural they'd be drawn to an Awakener's strength.
"Actually, I was planning to stop by the Necromancer Society soon."
"Here? Why?"
"For materials and spells. I want to create a large number of Draugr and one Death Knight."
Her words halted at the mention of Death Knight and Draugr.
Even worldwide, Necromancers were overwhelmingly rare.
And among them, only the tiniest fraction of top-tier ones could create those two beings—fewer than could be counted on one hand across the globe.
Plus, the materials and work required were mountainous, so pride seeped into her voice over the phone.
"...That'll require an enormous amount of materials and magic."
"Yes, I've got the money ready."
Necromancers didn't trade with spirits or barter.
Money was universal currency in the modern world, and the Necromancer Society was no exception.
Her words paused again at the mention of money.
"...Hmm, son. You making good money these days?"
"I think I'm earning quite a bit."
Hunting Gates solo meant he monopolized the clear rewards.
For example, in a Gate with a 1 million won per person reward and a 50-person entry limit, he'd normally get just 1 million even clearing it alone. But thanks to the terms arranged through Han Si-yeon, he got 50 million for solo clears.
And now, with so many Gates cleared that even he had lost count, his account was flush with tens of billions.
"...I'm so proud of you."
After hearing the full explanation, she praised him.
Especially since Necromancers had lived lives of poverty and disdain their whole lives.
Her son earning big money legitimately with national recognition melted away her lifelong grudges.
"Then call me when you come next time. I'll prepare and wait with everything needed for the Draugr and Death Knight creation."
"Yes, take care of your health."
Her warm voice, joyful from the rare call and good news, cut off with the end tone.
As Kang Sa-hu basked in nostalgia from her voice after so long...
The front door password beeped, and the door swung open.
"Ughhh, I'm exhausted... Huh?"
Kang Ji-ye, groaning tiredly in a drawn-out whine, shut her mouth upon spotting Kang Sa-hu's shoes at the entrance.
She quietly closed the door and tiptoed inside, peeking into his room first, then the living room—where her eyes met his on the sofa.
"You're back?"
"...Y-yeah."
She averted her gaze awkwardly at his greeting.
"O-oh, long time no see. You must be tired. Rest up. I'll head to the cafe for a bit."
"Before that, can we talk for a minute?"
She halted, about to slink back out to let him rest comfortably.
Hesitating, she approached and sat at the sofa's edge. He slowly spoke.
"First off, I'm sorry for reacting so stiffly about the hunters' spirits last time."
His apology made her jump and shake her head vigorously.
"N-no! I was the one wrong. Why are you apologizing, oppa? I was too reckless."
As if the guilt resurfaced, she twirled her long hair with her fingers and glanced away.
"Like you said, those spirits probably had families too, and they risked their lives hunting to prevent Gate Breaks from killing people. Saying we should just use their souls as energy sources without a care was wrong on my part. I'm sorry for speaking so carelessly, oppa."
His eyes softened warmly at her honest acknowledgment and sincere apology.
After an awkward silence, he glanced at the fridge.
"By the way, I bought meat. A++ grade beef."
"...What?! Really?!"
She cheered at the A++ mention and bolted to the fridge.
He smirked softly at her deliberately brighter voice.
'I can't hold back!' she declared inwardly, grilling and devouring the meat. Clutching her full belly, she rolled happily on the sofa.
Kang Sa-hu looked dismayed as the three pounds—bought generously—vanished in moments.
"So, that's why you skipped hunting to prepare the memorial ritual?"
"Yeah! It takes a long time to prepare a proper one. Especially for hunters who died together with us in Gates. I made sure the scale and format were right."
He smiled at her commendable effort.
"Good job."
"Oh! But oppa..."
She rolled over to face him.
"Ho-myeong and Yu-rim unnie were brainstorming with me, and we had an idea. What do you think about uploading the memorial ritual footage to NewTube?"
"NewTube?"
He looked puzzled at the out-of-left-field suggestion, and she nodded enthusiastically.
"We're not doing anything bad—we're doing something good! It could comfort the bereaved families too. And personally..."
She grinned mischievously.
"It's a chance to show the world what Necromancers are really like."
It was already widely known through the media that Kang Sa-hu was a Necromancer-class Awakener.
But Gates blocked modern devices, so no videos or audio existed, leading to wild speculations.
Like some creepy being forcing souls into servitude for power, like in movies or novels.
Or a disgusting summoner of zombies that gnashed bones and neither lived nor died.
There was some truth, but mostly negative perceptions, which Kim Ho-myeong, Lee Yu-rim, and Kang Ji-ye quietly resented.
"Uncle Bae Deok-ho just brushed it off like, 'The leader's the leader, no matter what they say,' but I think this is important."
He stroked his chin, intrigued by her view.
She was right—negative views on Necromancers benefited no one.
Plus, spreading awareness of Necromancers aligned with his own goals.
His eyes gleamed seriously as he gazed at her.
"Ji-ye."
"Y-yeah?"
She looked nervous, wondering if he'd taken offense.
But he nodded readily.
"That's a brilliant idea."
"...Yes!"
Thrilled by his approval, she pumped both fists in victory.
In a world fixated on Gates and Awakeners, with all media zeroed in on them...
Early on, sensational superpowers and monster-slaying hunters racked up views easily.
But now, chronic issues were emerging for the outlets.
'It's all too samey.'
Filming hunters meant capturing variety shows or them showing off powers—not actual Gate filming or real Gate Break monster hunts.
Such destructive, dangerous fights happened inside Gates, so media coverage was limited to talk shows recounting stories or ability demos.
They'd considered documentaries to vividly explain Gate dangers, highlight hunter struggles, and warn about monsters.
But trivializing a grave issue where Gate Breaks could kill anytime wasn't feasible.
Repeating similar hunter tales failed to hold interest.
Moreover, with the 'C-rank Gate rating fluctuation incident,' hunters prioritized media appearances over hunting.
Amid this frustration, their info networks caught a massive rumor.
'EX-rank Hunter Kang Sa-hu is preparing a memorial ritual to comfort hunters' souls.'
Unlike the usual Gates, monsters, or powers—this was entirely different.
And from the enigmatic 'EX-rank Hunter' shrouded in rumors, it spread not just domestically but globally.
Reporters and NewTubers chasing scoops, organizations seeking intel—they wouldn't miss this.
For the exclusive story.
Curiosity about Necromancer powers.
And sheer intrigue over a hunter bearing the unofficially used EX-rank.
Countless people flocked to Namhansanseong, chasing the wondrous rumor of the 'EX-rank Necromancer Hunter's memorial ritual.'