Chapter 22. Horompel's Secret
“Necromancy… you say?”
“Yes.”
There was a certainty in Katrine Omez's pretty face that brooked no argument. Kang Ji-hyuk let out a small sigh.
This was trouble.
“Can you prove it?”
“…Not yet.”
Of course. If she could prove it, she wouldn't have come to him. She'd have stormed straight to the count. In short, she was asking for help from a fellow hero to expose the continent's banned black magic for personal gain.
In truth, the deepest underground levels of Horompel were worked by ghouls raised through necromancy. Sure, they couldn't swing pickaxes properly, so hammers were tightly bound to their arms, and they were made to smash at the walls like that. They could work tirelessly until their energy ran dry, needed no food or water, and were far more economical than slaves, even if a bit less efficient. And when slaves died from overwork, they could be turned into ghouls for reuse—supply was endless.
If the count was doing all this in secret on his own, it could spell big trouble. But in reality, the imperial family turned a blind eye. That was all Ji-hyuk knew. He could only guess at some shady deal between them. Without that, the palace wouldn't ignore it.
Ji-hyuk didn't like necromancy much himself, but this issue tied into the imperial family. Touching it wouldn't end well. It was worlds apart from when he'd dug into a necromancer's ties to a count back in Chronostan.
...To make excuses, at least it doesn't harm civilians. The palace bending rules for their own convenience was bullshit, but what could he do? Even for him, clashing with the imperial family now was absolutely off-limits.
But Katrine, oblivious to these complications, had flipped out like the righteous hero she was at the mere mention of necromancy.
He couldn't just tell her to look the other way because of circumstances. That would make him an accomplice.
If word got out across the continent, the palace would feign ignorance, of course. Then Ji-hyuk, who'd tried to talk sense, would be the one screwed—accused of ignoring necromancy.
Best to play dumb and dodge. ...For now, at least.
Ji-hyuk spoke clearly to Katrine. “You're free to have suspicions, but isn't it a problem to dump them on me without evidence?”
Her mouth snapped shut at the sharp point.
“It could sour things between me and the count. No one likes being suspected of something they didn't do.”
“It's definitely happening. I have a witness.”
“Is that witness as reliable as the count? Would their word alone convict him?”
Apparently not—her voice dropped.
“That's why… I want your help finding proof.”
“Sorry. I'm swamped with my own mission. …And I don't want to doubt the count who's done me favors. Think it over calmly again, Katrine.”
Hero Katrine clenched her teeth; her jaw muscle twitched subtly.
“Fine. Thanks for your time. I'll go.”
Katrine opened the door, her displeasure obvious. Ji-hyuk caught it just before it shut.
She glanced back.
“If you really need help… come find me.”
She gave the tiniest nod, no words. He let go, and the door clicked shut.
Hmm—.
Ji-hyuk exhaled through his nose. His conscience wasn't clear either. Blaming her was unfair. Suspecting necromancy and investigating was a hero's duty. In that sense, she was doing her job excellently—far better than heroes who just ignored it.
...No big deal, probably? From experience, her becoming an S-rank hero unscathed meant this wouldn't blow up.
A count wouldn't touch a hero lightly; he'd smooth it over.
Ji-hyuk sat back down. His gaze drifted to the city outside, but his mind lingered on Katrine.
...Does she even have a guild?
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
“Buy whatever you want—! I'll cover it all—!”
Ludvine Martinez, fresh off a huge win at the casino, yelled that at her chain-smoking big sis and Grendal.
Grace Mendeva, who'd lost every coin, shot her a dirty look, clearly unimpressed.
This couldn't be real. Grace couldn't believe Ludvine's ghostly luck. Her win rate hovered near 70-80%. Beginner’s luck might explain a few early hands, but sustaining it? Impossible.
Grace had suspected the casino rigging it—letting her win small at first, then sweeping her clean later. But the dealers' faces said otherwise. Even they, trained to stay stone-faced, looked stunned at the absurd streak.
Anyway, Ludvine felt like the world's richest girl. Five pouches of gold now weighed her down. One was already gone on snacks and trinkets; Grendal, her escort, had become a pack mule.
Two for the boss—!
She pictured him thrilled at the gift.
- Really? You did great, Ludvine.
- Just doing what I had to, boss.
- I knew you could pull it off. Good girl.
...I love you, Ludvine.
- Me too, boss.
Then a loving kiss, and off to bed for slow, sweet—
Smack! Her back burned.
Ow—.
The redheaded freckled girl flinched and glared at her chain-smoking sis.
“Hey, you bitch, eyes front and follow.”
“Fuck…”
“What? Fu-uuck?”
“N-no, I mean, got it. …Hitting people like crazy.”
“Zone out here and you're done for. …Ugh, you hopeless slut.”
Grace grabbed Ludvine's arm—she'd been drifting off—and yanked her toward the castle passage.
Up was always harder than down. No suspicious folks allowed inside.
After thorough checks, they finally returned.
Ludvine stashed two pouches under her bed, grabbed the other two, and headed to the boss's room.
Knock knock—.
His sweet voice answered. God, even his voice is hot.
“It's Ludvine.”
- Come in.
The redhead entered demurely, flashing her prettiest smile—pure innocence men went crazy for.
Ji-hyuk, at the window chair, smiled faintly. “What's up?”
“Um, here, take these…”
She offered the two heavy pouches. He took them, checked the gold inside, and looked up questioningly.
“I won them. …Did good, right?”
“Won them? …Grace took you gambling?”
“Yeah. I only bet a little, but luck was on my side—won big.”
A hefty sum—matching what he had on hand.
“I had barely half this before. Guess I've got a knack—!”
Ji-hyuk stared at her face a moment.
...Witch blood probably sharpens her instincts.
She gazed at him expectantly. He knew that look: praise me.
“Yeah, good job. …But you didn't have to give it all.”
“No, use it for the team. Hehe.”
“Got it, thanks. I'll put it to good use. …Don't get hooked on gambling, though. Just for fun, okay? You get me?”
“Yes, boss! No worries—!”
“And keep up magic training. …Your role's crucial. One slip, and we're all fucked. Don't forget.”
“I'll train hard. Every night.”
True story. Outwardly sloppy, but top of her alchemy class every time—diligent model student. Daily practice was habit.
That's why he trusted her. Wouldn't have recruited a slacker.
He glanced outside. Sunset already.
“Eaten?”
“Not yet. Just got back.”
“Alright, let's go together. Grab the others.”
“Yay—!”
Ludvine beamed. Keep this up, and a kiss from boss was inevitable.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
Three fun days in intriguing Horompel. After dinner, Ji-hyuk's team prepped for dawn departure.
He double-checked supplies, dividing by weight among members.
A few villages more, then the Catacomb—demon den. Rumors of a lingering demon cult, unconfirmed.
Didn't matter. Demons were the real threat, not cultists.
He'd picked a target with known location—no extras.
Yesterday, he'd bought a pricey Catacomb map copy. Expanded by cult, but better than nothing.
Spreading it on the table, he scanned it when urgent knocks hit the door.
- Hero! Kang Ji-hyuk hero—!
Katrine's voice—not her usual calm reserve.
...Dug too deep into the count, stirred shit.
...Should've stopped her yesterday.
Too late now.
He folded the map small, stashed it, and cracked the door.
Katrine barged in without permission—manners out the window.
Hah hah—.
Panting lightly, she stared, then straightened—but urgency lingered.
“Sorry for the late visit.”
“What happened? You look desperate.”
First time seeing cool-headed Katrine so expressive.
...Maybe this mess changed her.
“Hero Kang Ji-hyuk, help me.”
Necromancy again?
“Necromancy?”
But she shook her head vigorously. No.
“My subordinate—my subordinate's gone. No idea where. Just vanished. No one knows. No leads.”
Tears welling, she stepped closer, clutching his clothes.
“Please, help. Help find her. Like a little sister to me. Please.”
...Ji-hyuk got it. The count's warning: don't meddle.