The Search for the Disciple

A smile naturally crept across his face at the sight.

Still the same as ever.

There was no time to indulge in sentiment. Valsian's gruff voice suddenly pierced his ears.

"So, what brings you here when you're busy as hell?"

"Nothing much."

"Nothing much? You little shit!"

With that, he casually swung his hand, unleashing a powerful surge of energy straight at Mu-hyuk's head.

Thanks to his prior experiences, Mu-hyuk instinctively dodged by tilting his head. Valsian's eyes narrowed.

"Ho, would you look at that."

The atmosphere wasn't casual anymore.

Something told him a serious blow was coming. Pain wasn't much of an issue, but no one liked getting hit.

He needed to change the mood.

"Master."

"Uh, yeah?"

Was it because this was the first time Mu-hyuk had called him that? Valsian's eyes widened.

"I have something to say."

"Ahem, right. What is it?"

Valsian straightened his posture as well.

"Why are there so many people here now?"

"……."

A brief silence fell.

"That's it?"

"Yes."

"You called me master just to ask that?"

"I just felt like calling you that."

"You tricked me."

"No, I didn't."

"Hah, you distracted me by calling me master."

"I would never."

"Hahaha."

The old man's ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠hand swung again.

Thwack.

A lighter force than expected struck Mu-hyuk's forehead.

"Ahem, I'll let it slide this time."

"Thank you."

Mu-hyuk smiled, and Valsian followed suit.

"Anyway, good timing. I had something to ask you too."

"Ask me?"

"Yeah. You been going around promoting Gangster Necromancer or something?"

"Promoting...?"

"Some guy came by before, knew about Gangster Necromancer. I chased him off at first, but he kept coming back with his sob story."

Valsian frowned, recalling the memory.

"Said he heard about it from promotion, so I taught him the skill. Just checking with you now."

"No, I've never promoted it."

"Really?"

"Yes."

"Hmm, got it. Anyway, you've grown quite a bit."

"Quite a lot, yeah."

"Impressive speed. I'll acknowledge it."

"Thank you."

"But you're still short for the next skill. Need a bit more growth."

"Yes, I'll work hard."

They exchanged some everyday chatter after that.

Knock knock.

Knocks interrupted them constantly.

"Damn these guys. Can't wait a minute without pounding on the door."

"They're bored, I guess. And I've taken up too much of your time."

"Taken up? Nonsense."

"I'll come back after growing more."

"Do that."

Mu-hyuk stood up.

Before opening the door, he turned back for one last word.

"Looks good on you."

"Ahem."

Taking the cough as his reply, Mu-hyuk slipped out of Valsian's house. Only then did the waiting users file in one by one.

"Who's that guy?"

"Yeah, he was in there forever."

"Such a nuisance."

Mu-hyuk glanced at them as they chatted.

Hmm, noted your faces.

Once the number of Gangster Necromancers reached a certain level, a group quest would trigger.

It was only natural for the direct disciple to hold a high position among them.

He vowed to remember them when that time came, then left the alley.

At the same time.

Kalion, a Gangster Necromancer on a mercenary guild commission, tilted his head at the sudden message.

He quickly checked it.

It had a time limit.

"What's this?"

His friends nearby asked.

"What's up?"

"No, just a sudden quest popped up."

"Quest?"

"Yeah, emergency one."

"Ooh, real? First time hearing of that type."

"Me too."

"Isn't that a jackpot quest?"

Their words piqued his interest.

"Jackpot?"

"Yeah, feels special."

"Finish the commission first, then go."

Solid advice.

Emergency quest. It felt special.

"Rewards must be insane, right?"

"Obviously! Share if it pays big!"

"Deal!"

Kalion grinned widely.

Nice!

How desperate had he been to become a Gangster Necromancer?

He'd swallowed his pride, even knelt.

Now, hunting as one, he realized its power. It felt worth ditching his ego.

And now a special quest. This had to be heaven's call to ranker status.

"Alright, let's wrap this commission quick!"

"Yeah."

"Hurry up!"

"You're going nuts over this."

"Yeah, nuts. Move it!"

He rushed the commission with his friends, then bolted to Hemil Empire without goodbyes.

A long line of users snaked into the alley.

No cutting, so he took the end.

After about two hours, he finally met Valsian alone.

"You're here."

"Yes, you called for me...?"

"Yes."

The quest ended right then.

A linked quest.

Ooh, as expected!

But persuade?

"I called you because I have a question."

"What about...?"

He checked the quest details while chatting.

The content didn't make sense.

Suspects? Anger?

Then Valsian asked in a heavy tone.

"So that story you told before was a lie."

"Pardon...?"

"I asked my direct disciple myself. He said he never promoted it."

"N-not at all...?"

"Yes."

Valsian's eyes narrowed.

"Be honest."

"Th-that can't be."

He could lose his class if he slipped up.

No way.

This hidden class was too hard-won!

Regular Necromancer was pure hell.

Only as Gangster Necromancer could he pull his weight—one person's, even two.

His party contributions were top lately; he'd been smug about it.

Lose that? Impossible.

"I definitely heard about it and came!"

"Hmm, if you're set on lying..."

Dark energy gathered in Valsian's hand.

It grew stronger, oppressive just to look at.

Even in VR, the pressure was vivid. Fear too.

"I'll have to kill you. So speak the truth!"

He couldn't back down.

Better to die!

Gritting his teeth, he replied.

"I really heard the promotion and came!"

"……."

"Kill me if you must!"

‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠

The energy in Valsian's hand faded.

"Fine. If you're that insistent, I'll believe you a little. But you must pass a test."

"A test...?"

At least that was something.

Did it work?

Luckily, a message appeared.

It was escalating.

Crazy, the disciple?

Valsian's voice came late.

"Find my disciple and bring him to me."

"……."

"If you do, I'll acknowledge you—and as compensation for my mistake, give you a special gift others won't get."

At least there was a reward.

"One month deadline."

"Pardon?"

"We're done. Go."

"M-Master!"

"You're not my disciple yet."

With his firm stance, Kalion had no choice but to leave.

Damn it!

He stared blankly at the quest for a while.

"Haa..."

A sigh escaped.

"How am I supposed to know who the disciple is?!"

He knew a likely suspect.

Top ranker, Mu-hyuk.

He'd heard rumors but never seen hunting footage, so no confirmation on Gangster Necromancer—or direct disciple.

Headache either way.

Right, need info first.

Start with Mu-hyuk.

Log out.

Out of Illusion, he hit the homepage, scouring Mu-hyuk-related posts meticulously.

*

His ear itched for no reason.

Someone talking about me?

Mu-hyuk scratched it and warped to a Weibra Empire general store.

"Welcome!"

"110 Sense Flowers, 80 Paralyzing Breaths, 70 Black Eyeballs, please."

"O-one moment!"

The owner hurried to pack.

"Here you go. 70 gold."

More than expected.

Still.

He bought without hesitation, then scanned the auction system.

Found it.

10 Mithril Threads.

50 gold.

His hand trembled, but he hit yes.

Investment was key to success.

He soothed himself and searched more materials.

30 Giant Troll Essences.

20 gold.

All materials ready. Straight to the alchemy guild.

"Welcome."

"Rent a room with a Magic Cauldron."

"What kind?"

"Pardon?"

Thinking the attendant misheard, he repeated.

"One with a Magic Cauldron."

"Ah, sorry. I didn't explain. There are types. New large-capacity for mass production, or standard."

"Oh..."

Didn't expect large-capacity already.

He wasn't into this side.

Mu-hyuk asked quickly.

"How much?"

"Large: 200 gold for 12 hours. Half the time per batch for mass production."

"Ho."

Pricey.

Insane.

But he had to. Mass production, half time—irresistible.

"Back soon."

"Understood."

Gotta max it out.

He checked auction again, bought all Mithril Threads and Troll Essences. Small quantities, no issue.

Then general store for bulk Sense Flowers, Paralyzing Breaths, Black Eyeballs.

"Thanks!"

Rented large room at alchemy guild, confirmed.

First: 11 Sense Flowers, 8 Paralyzing Breaths, 1 Mithril Thread into Magic Cauldron.

Faster than thought, synthesis done.

He checked the potion.

Satisfied smile. Next: 7 Black Eyeballs, 3 Troll Essences. Quick completion.

Matched his memory perfectly.

Good.

Now mass production.

Dumped materials in bulk by ratio.

Now, wait.