Chapter 64
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 64
Chapter Title: Necromancer Society (3)
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Ella entered her laboratory on the outskirts, bringing black tea along with a variety of pastries stacked in three tiers.
A faint smile graced Kang Sa-hu's lips as he sipped the black tea his mother had brewed for the first time in ages.
"Your black tea is truly exceptional, Mother."
"Of course it is."
Having attended countless lessons on brewing the perfect cup, Ella took pride in her skills. She smiled quietly alongside him and took a sip of her own tea.
"D-Dear... I..."
The lab was meant for just the two of them in the Necromancer Society, so there were only two cups. Seeing Kang Seung-hwan's dejected expression at being left without one,
Ella let out a small sigh and handed him the cup she was holding.
"We'll share it."
"I-Is that okay?!"
"We can't share a cup with Sa-hu, can we?"
As Ella spoke with a resigned tone, Kang Seung-hwan accepted the cup with a touched look and gulped down the black tea like it was coffee.
"......"
Ella's brow furrowed at the sight of him downing it like water without savoring it, but mindful of Kang Sa-hu watching them warmly, she quickly composed her expression.
"How's Ji-ye doing?"
"She's doing great. More lively and cheerful than when she was buried in her studies."
As Kang Sa-hu answered Ella's question, Kang Seung-hwan suddenly clapped his palm as if remembering something.
"Right, our Ji-ye! We should call her!"
"You'd have to go all the way to the entrance for that. Hold off."
Kang Seung-hwan reacted as if he might dash out right then, but Ella calmly scolded him.
Once he sat down looking crestfallen, Ella spoke again.
"Sa-hu, I get the Draugr, but what do you mean by trying to create a Death Knight?"
True to form, her question cut straight to the heart. Kang Sa-hu calmly summarized recent events for her.
The two already knew about major incidents like the 'C-rank Gate Fluctuation Event' and the 'Necromancer's Memorial Rite' from the news, so they followed his explanation without issue.
Having heard everything, Kang Seung-hwan let out a small groan.
"I see... In that case, yeah, you'll need a Death Knight."
Unlike moments ago, his face grew serious as he nodded gravely.
"So, you'll be going to see Lord Myeongwang."
"Yes. He's the only Necromancer who's ever realized a Death Knight, so I plan to learn the incantation and method from him."
"We've prepared the materials and spells you mentioned, along with your father. No worries about Draugr at least—even if Death Knights are beyond us."
Among Necromancer summons, these two were considered the most difficult to create. While they didn't know the surefire way for Death Knights, they did know how to make Draugr, and everything was ready.
Kang Sa-hu bowed politely at her reliable assurance.
"Thank you so much, Mother. Father."
"What thanks? Our son's up to something big! Of course we'll help!"
Kang Seung-hwan laughed heartily and thumped his chest.
Ella quietly took a savoring sip from the cup she'd reclaimed from him and set it down.
"Sa-hu, why did you perform the memorial rite?"
Her calm, subdued voice made Kang Sa-hu's hand pause mid-sip as he followed her lead.
Their eyes met in the air.
"Ji-ye was helping from the side, but from the footage, you were the one leading the rite and bearing all the qi needed for the spirits. Why take such a dangerous risk?"
"D-Dear..."
Kang Seung-hwan tried to intervene as the mood stiffened, but Ella firmly raised her palm to silence him.
Kang Sa-hu pondered his response for a moment before speaking.
"It's the reason I'm becoming a Hunter—and my personal goal."
"What goal is that, Sa-hu?"
He met her gaze with serious eyes.
"For Necromancers to step proudly into the light."
"......!"
Hearing his goal straight from his mouth for the first time stunned not just Ella but Kang Seung-hwan too. They turned to him in shock.
"S-Sa-hu, that's a bit..."
As Kang Seung-hwan voiced his concern in surprise,
Ella gripped his arm firmly, silencing him again.
She looked at Kang Sa-hu expectantly, urging him on. He continued.
"Since Lord Myeongwang founded the Necromancer Society here in the 16th century, we've always had to hide in the shadows, never revealing ourselves. We couldn't use our powers freely and spent our lives dodging persecution."
Suddenly recalling his own past—studying lifelong only to abandon his dreams for a funeral director job amid oppression—a fierce light flickered in Kang Sa-hu's eyes.
"At first, I accepted that the changed world left no place for Necromancers. I convinced myself it wasn't the only path. But."
The smoky flicker in his eyes grew stronger, steadily rising.
The two stared in surprise at the horn-like haze forming from his gaze but didn't interrupt.
"Seven years ago, watching Vatican Paladins come to this underworld to persecute us. And seeing the Round Table Knights proudly assert their existence to this day, unlike us Necromancers."
Kang Sa-hu fixed them with eyes full of resolute will.
"Not to their extent, maybe. Even if it's just a tiny niche like Sorceresses or Druids. My goal is for us Necromancers to emerge from this sunless underworld into the light."
Sharing his goal with his parents for the first time, his emotions surged unusually.
"Then the Great Cataclysm hit, Awakeners appeared, and the world began to change."
Whoosh!
His eyes now blazed with a clear, horn-shaped glow—no longer flickering.
Kang Sa-hu concluded.
"A world where my dream doesn't end as fantasy, but becomes reality."
"......"
Though unintentional, his natural intensity overwhelmed them into silence.
It was unrealistic, the path arduous beyond doubt—too daunting to voice.
Yet they harbored the same feelings as their son, making the weight even heavier.
'Son.'
Tears welled in Kang Seung-hwan's eyes as he gazed at him earnestly.
'Even all Necromancers united might fail. No, we might not even unite. And that's your goal?'
He turned to his wife, Ella.
To his astonishment, faint tears glistened in her eyes too.
"......"
"......"
A heavy silence blanketed the lab.
The pleasant yet heavy tea time came to an end.
Despite their protests, Kang Sa-hu finished cleaning up himself and led them to the center of the lab.
For a space meant for just two, it was vast—like an elementary school playground, one story tall.
Kang Sa-hu nodded upon seeing the magic circle meticulously drawn with blood and bone across the expanse.
"You've prepared so thoroughly. Thank you, Mother, Father."
"Hahaha, you bet! Your mom and I did it together!"
Kang Seung-hwan beamed at the praise, but Ella, standing beside him, frowned slightly as if something was off.
"You really don't need spirits? I can get some if you do."
"No, spirits aren't necessary. And if I need any..."
"You'll get them yourself. Stubborn as ever—you take after me."
Ella snorted, and Kang Sa-hu smiled faintly.
Kang Seung-hwan knew his son's lifelong principle: 'Handling spirits means handling a person's death. I don't want to treat some stranger's spirit as mere energy.' He just smiled without pressing.
From rare mandrake roots and alraune leaves to reagents taking at least a month to prepare, Kang Sa-hu verified everything and stood.
"Just as you said—no shortages. Must've been tough gathering them. Thank you for your hard work."
"Yes, but there's one issue."
Ella spoke cautiously, uncharacteristically. Kang Sa-hu tilted his head.
"What kind of problem? Serious?"
"Doesn't seem too serious... Or maybe it is...?"
As Kang Seung-hwan trailed off,
Ella explained bluntly and concisely.
"To get items unavailable here, we sourced from Sorceresses, Druids, Round Table Knights, and others—on credit."
"Ah, that."
Kang Sa-hu nodded in understanding.
"With interest accruing, better to repay quickly."
"Yeah... true."
Kang Seung-hwan replied weakly.
With fellow Necromancers, he might've joked it off to delay, but Druids and Sorceresses? Messing up could sour friendly ties over money. Repaying ASAP was best.
"Could you step outside for a moment?"
At Kang Sa-hu's sudden request, they blinked in confusion but followed, assuming a reason.
Outside, Necromancers who'd been loitering to sneak peeks at him cleared their throats and pretended to be busy.
Ella gave an exasperated look at their obviousness but let it slide, knowing Kang Sa-hu was idolized as 'the strongest Necromancer endorsed by Lord Myeongwang.'
Kang Sa-hu pulled out his soul core pouch, summoned one, and a familiar roar echoed.
Kuueh-!
"Gasp?!"
"W-What's that?!"
A King Forest Lizard—elephant-sized, bigger than the lab—appeared, drawing shocked cries around them.
Ignoring the murmurs, Kang Sa-hu ordered it.
"Lift your tongue."
Kuueh.
It obediently raised its tongue, exposing the root. Kang Sa-hu retrieved the box stashed there and returned it to soul core form.
"This should cover it."
"W-What's this?"
Kang Seung-hwan asked in bewilderment. Kang Sa-hu chuckled softly.
"Payment for materials—and a gift for you both. Parents' Day's past, but I kept it ready."
"Parents' Day gift?"
With winter approaching, the belated event puzzled Kang Seung-hwan.
Ella calmly opened the laptop-sized box.
Gold bars filled it, widening eyes—not just theirs, but the curious Necromancers watching too.
"H-Huh?!"
"G-Gold!"
"...Sa-hu?"
Ella's voice mixed joy, fluster, burden, and excitement. Kang Sa-hu smiled.
"Please accept it. I must head to Lord Myeongwang now due to our promise."
He summoned a Giant Hound.
"I'll be off then."
"Uh, uh, uhhh..."
Leaving the speechless pair,
the Giant Hound carrying Kang Sa-hu bolted toward Necro Castle at the heart of the Necromancer Society.