Chapter 161
Chapter 161
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 161
Chapter Title: New Business
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I spoke in a voice no one else could hear.
Very quietly and secretly.
To the pieces of bone from the roast bird on the plate.
“…Rise…”
Crunch, crrrunch—.
The bones began to twist grotesquely.
What had been mere food scraps transformed into a bizarre object with clumsily assembled joints and bones, now moving.
Clack.
A headless skeletal bird. Looking at it, my heart sank.
Something that shouldn’t move was moving.
It even flapped its bare bone wings, mimicking the actions it had in life, without feathers or thin membranes.
Clatter, clack.
If there had been any flesh left on that body, it would have been truly grotesque, but luckily I’d picked it clean.
Clack, clack!
As the bird spun in circles on the plate, I covered it with both arms. If anyone saw this, there’d be chaos.
Neither Luna nor I would come out of it looking good.
“…Hey, stop moving and stay still.”
……
Whether it heard me or not, the bird bones froze on the plate. A corpse obeying my words. It was eerie yet fascinating.
It felt like a child holding something they shouldn’t, fiddling with it. And in truth, it wasn’t far off.
This was undoubtedly a wicked sorcery that could be called necromancy or death spirit arts.
As for why I could do this, I didn’t have a good explanation. I didn’t know myself.
The day after fighting the thieves’ guilds underground. While resting at home, it suddenly hit me.
I’d seized control of a super zombie. Maybe, just as Paranoya said, I could try necromancy or something?
Honestly, it was pure curiosity.
So I tried it on the rat bones that spider Kungkung had eaten and discarded from its nest in the jar. And damn, it actually worked.
I was so shocked back then that I smashed them in a panic. But trying again now, I was certain.
I could perform necromancy.
But why?
What was the reason?
Was it because of the necklace I wore, infused with the magic of Pluto, king of the underworld? I thought it was just a weird-shaped necklace. Who knew it had this power?
As I touched the sharp shell-shaped necklace around my neck, text appeared before my eyes.
『Pluto's pupil』
『Protects the wearer from mind-corruption magic and blessings.』
『Consume 100 Karma Value to upgrade Pluto's pupil to Pluto's pupil +1.』
『Upgrade success rate +80%』
Text I’d glanced at and dismissed before now felt important.
Upgrading by consuming Karma Value. If I upgraded it further, maybe I could raise not just small bones like rats or birds, but bigger ones too.
The necromancer Koma who wielded this necklace commanded a bone dragon.
Of course, it was just a guess.
Lately, though, my guesses had been scarily accurate.
Ssshh.
Then a chill tickled my nape. Glancing over, I saw Hippolyte walking toward me from afar.
Startled, I yanked the club from my belt and smashed it down hard onto the glass plate.
Crash—. Shatter.
With the plate, the skeletal bird crumbled back into bone fragments.
Necromancy was a wicked art outlawed in this world. If caught, I’d be executed without a chance to explain.
I’d keep this secret a bit longer.
“Damn…”
“What’s that? Smashing a plate with a club.”
Hippolyte eyed the broken plate and my club alternately with a puzzled look. Good, she hadn’t noticed.
“No, there was a spider—”
“A spider? It’s a tavern, spiders happen. But swinging a club?”
“I’m, uh, really scared of spiders.”
“Hmm, fair enough. Everyone has a weakness. Anyway, have you thought about it?”
“Thought about what?”
“Learning aura from me.”
Ah, she’d talked about aura before she left.
Learning aura would add +10 to my level evaluation. That’d make me effectively level 33, enough for Silver Tier promotion.
No need to hesitate.
I was about to say yes when Hippolyte spoke first.
“But I’ll warn you upfront: it’ll take a while. Even I took over three years to master it. No talent? You might never manifest it.”
“Three years…?”
Three years? That’s over a thousand days. It suddenly seemed long. No aura manifestation? Three years wasted.
As I pondered, Hippolyte slyly added,
“For reference, tuition is 1 gold per month.”
“Wait, tuition too?”
1 gold was staggering. My vision spun. 1 gold a month?
Damn. My entire savings were about 2 gold. Memories of earning it flashed by.
“Too expensive.”
“Expensive? This is cheap. Knight orders or sword schools charge monthly fees plus gear and extras for aura training.”
“So it's cheaper than public lessons, and they're from you, Hippolyte?”
“Cheap price and I've got proven skill. Even if you have no aura, I’ll drill solid basics into you so you won’t lose to your average foes.”
Sounded decent. Better than some unknown academy. Under proven Hippolyte, I’d gain something.
Her underground takedown of Silver Tier adventurers lingered vividly. Damn strong.
Still, 1 gold monthly was huge for me.
Could I earn 1 gold a month now? No guarantee. I was still trembling over copper expenses. No land or house in my name.
“Others pay for this chance and can’t get it. What’s to think about?”
“I don’t have the money.”
“Take a loan. Master aura, and you’ll earn pouches of gold.”
Plausible. Post-guild completion, my board slot:
‘Hassan - Titanium Gauntlets & Powerful Club Wielder. Aura User.’
Requests would pour in. Gold piling up, maybe.
Thinking of gold cheered me. Grinning inwardly, Hippolyte murmured slyly, like revealing a hidden thought.
“No money…? Then buy Mars Guild stock. It’s 5 silver per share now… Your exploits raise guild stock too.”
“No thanks.”
Hippolyte was aura user yet poor. Not everyone struck gold with aura.
* * *
The Mars Guild building, revisited after ages, was nearly complete.
Stopped by for renewal or whatever, spotted ridiculous pink hair swaying.
Luna struggling with a huge jar into the building.
“Luna, what’re you doing?”
“Hassan! Perfect timing! Help with this!”
I helped lug six massive jars into the guild warehouse.
Heavy, explaining her grunts. But my boosted strength lifted them easily.
“Whew, saved by Hassan. Thought I’d die. Cart guy said deliver inside ourselves.”
Luna wiped sweat from her brow.
I asked,
“We planned lunch. Why not the tavern?”
“Too busy! Five stamina potion jars ordered. 50 silver for five! 30 profit after materials? Amazing!”
Luna puffed proudly.
Earning 30 silver was huge, making her shine.
Better earner than me?
“Seven more for Alchemist Guild commission. Didn’t expect business booming right after opening.”
Her workshop, Sun and Moon, opened yesterday.
The tiny hut’s first floor reeked of crushed materials and Paranoya’s yells.
“Keep this up, 1 gold monthly. After taxes and stuff, maybe 10 gold yearly. Shit…! I’m rich!”
“1 gold a month?”
“Amazing, right!”
10 gold yearly was elite here.
Like 100 million won salary on Earth.
Picture of success.
Luna a successful merchant.
The Luna who goblin-hunted and voodoo’d with sticks? Glad we met.
Her riches meant scraps for me.
Maybe she earns outside, I homemake. I was better at chores anyway.
Househusband to a high-earning wife.
Most men’s dream.
“Luna, glad I met you.”
“…Wh-what? Sudden sweet talk’s embarrassing.”
My offhand words flustered her, head whipping side to side. I cringed too.
But she liked it, good.
Anyway, we sat at Daphne’s for ages.
“Too hot. Hope guild finishes soon.”
Tent guild counter. Daphne fanning nonstop.
Summer tent sauna hell.
“Hassan, Luna. Your rises lighten my shoulders as handler! Heard Calcuta adventurers fled underground?”
Daphne knew hydra subjugation. Elfriede’s crew abandoning and fleeing spread.
“Mars Guild prestige spreads. Renewal after a month? Comprehensive up 2-3 maybe!”
Luna renewed first.
Last time whined about pricking finger. Today, bravely stabbed with quill tip.
Her inner growth in short time.
Scratch, scratch—.
Luna grew inside and out. Taller maybe.
“Wow, Luna. Karma Value jumped!”
Last measure 7 or 8. Now:
『Name: Luna Noxdoty
Strength: 4
Agility: 10
Vitality: 3』
“Hassan, look! Numbers soared! Total…?”
Luna quivered, baffled, counting fingers. Daphne’s abacus faster.
“Comprehensive 17. Exactly 10 up.”
“Shit! My Karma Value’s 17! I’m super strong!”
Slap, slap.
Luna smacked my arm rapid-fire. Girls hit arms when excited. Her too.
But it hurt.
Level 17 palm stings.
“Hassan, what if I pass Gold Tier first…? Am I secretly strong…? God’s daughter maybe? Like this!”
“Short bursts happen. But plateaus hit early, so careful!”
Daphne advised sincerely.
Easy to 20, then stalls common.
Most adventurers flop at Silver threshold.
“Luna, Agility’s double digits! Superhuman realm. Special training? Share for juniors.”
“Dunno! Why so high!? Felt light lately! Wildling meat?”
“R-right… Wildling…”
Luna’s done. My turn. Thumb prick, tense.
I’d leveled plenty too. Daphne’s reaction? Excited, worried.
No new job: Necromancer? Disaster.
Tensing, Luna said,
“Hassan weaker than me? What if I’m stronger?”
Unlikely. I knew my level. She didn’t, hence worry.
Scratch, scratch—.
『Name: Hassan Zigres
Strength: 12
Agility: 4
Vitality: 6
Blessing: Shining Hand』
Thud, rollll.
Daphne dropped her fountain pen.
“Did I write wrong…?”