Necrophilia: Villains Analyzed, Doomsday Looming

【Analysis of the Villain 'Necrophilia' and Future Trends】

I'd received new classified documents on Necrophilia from the Hunter Management Bureau.

Also, there were no field drops from Cartibes. It seemed everything had gone straight to me via the System.

I cross-referenced and reread them alongside the classified docs from the 【Cartibes War】 I'd gotten last time.

—Rustle. Rustle.

I read the materials more seriously than ever. My gut told me I might find a clue about the Power Fragment in these classified files.

Necrophilia.

They weren't just some run-of-the-mill villain group pulling off sporadic terror attacks. They were like a religious cult worshiping something called a "constellation"—an entity named Anubis. According to the docs, it was a real existing constellation.

Beyond that, they were preparing some "plan" to attack humanity, with the goal of harvesting all human souls.

'Killing people... what's that got to do with anything?'

No way to know. For now, their additional plans were under investigation. The rest was just dense history-book stuff, so I skimmed it and moved on.

'No data on the [Fate's Power Fragment]. But at least it's confirmed: another Necrophilia attack is coming soon.'

Time to do what I do best.

First up, titles.

What caught my eye was the effect of Dragon Slayer.

Dragon Slayer's Spirit.

I didn't know about the ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠rest yet, but generating killing intent around me sounded like a non-lethal 'warning' that could protect me.

Next, Shelter [Function Upgrades].

■ LV 55 = Alarm

■ LV 60 = Health Management

The moment I opened it, something pretty amazing happened. ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠Even though I hadn't activated the function myself, an analysis of my living patterns and constitution popped up.

It even recommended foods and bedtime. But the foods were all items available from the [Supply Depot].

Next, Shelter [Additional Facilities].

■ LV 60 = CBRN Protection Facility

■ LV 70 = Agent Quarters

"!!!"

Obviously, the LV 70 facility jumped out first.

The moment I'd been waiting for—the second 'agent hire'—was right around the corner. Just 10 more levels, and I'd recruit another agent to help with my survival.

Even if they couldn't help directly in combat, having one more pair of hands was a definite win. Jenny was already pulling her weight in so many ways.

On the flip side, the CBRN facility didn't feel urgently needed.

It cost 100 million gold, so I'd install it later.

That wrapped up the Shelter review.

What I liked most was the 'Agent Quarters' at LV 70—no giving up now. With renewed resolve, I moved to the next phase: [Skills].

Not exactly survival skills, but I was pretty satisfied.

This was a skill I needed. Given my job, sniping one by one from afar made dealing with groups a huge hassle. A clear weakness.

Even in the Cartibes fight, I got pinned down because I couldn't punch through the undead horde. Without the high-rankers' help, I couldn't have sniped the hatchling.

With Chain at least, it'd help a ton.

"Good. This'll do."

"Great job, Captain!"

Jenny had been cheering me on the whole time I was deep in review.

"I'll introduce you to a junior soon, Jenny."

"!!!"

Jenny suddenly put her hands on her hips and lifted her chin proudly.

Finally, item review.

A good item. I'd hold onto it for now—give it to Jenny or find another use. Next.

【Legendary】 【Immortal's Crystal】 was a material consumed when crafting legendary-or-higher gear. I'd use it someday.

It looked valuable, so I picked it up to move it from inventory to the Supply Depot. That's when—

"!!!"

My mind went hazy in an instant, vision turning black.

It felt like my soul was being pulled somewhere.

.

.

.

What the hell?

The location had shifted in a blink.

I didn't know how, but this was a crisis. Hide quick and get back to the Shelter.

But Jenny was gone too. Big trouble. I scanned the surroundings to set up an ambush or secure safety—

'A church.'

I ducked behind a pillar in a hurry and noticed: my body was translucent. The people in the church didn't seem to see me.

I swung my arm— it passed right through.

"!!!"

One of the congregants walked straight through me. He came from behind; I hadn't seen him. But he didn't notice me at all.

Like only my soul had come here.

"Mass is concluded."

A warm, refined voice rang out. A priest. I stayed hidden and observed.

Snow-white skin, tall and handsome.

"Thank you, Father."

The congregants bowed, and the priest responded gently.

Mass seemed over. He stayed in place until everyone left.

'Why the hell am I here?'

No clue how to get back to the Shelter. I held my breath, watching—

—Whoosh,

"······."

"······."

The empty church after the congregants left. Suddenly, men in priestly robes appeared like teleporting from all directions.

They all prostrated themselves, bowing to the priest.

'What the—'

Then the priest's refined face twisted into demonic rage, clenching his fist.

—Crunch.

The robed men's bodies crumpled like paper in unison.

"!"

Crack. Crunch. Bones shattering, blood pouring from every orifice—but none of the executives screamed.

"Hoo."

The priest opened his hand, and their wrecked bodies healed in seconds. No one protested; they stayed prostrated.

His face back to benevolent warmth, the priest smiled and addressed them all.

"Our sublime plan to ascend to supremacy... has merely been accelerated. Don't blame yourselves, everyone."

"······."

"Anubis is watching. Always remember that."

My gut screamed it: these guys... Necrophilia.

I didn't know how, but I was eavesdropping on them somehow.

The priest seemed like Necrophilia's leader or a top exec.

—Swoosh······

The priest waved his hand dismissively like shooing bugs, and the villains dissolved into black smoke. Now only the priest remained in the church.

—Rumble···

Suddenly, all four interior walls transformed into bizarre "murals."

The priest scanned the murals covering the shrine's walls. Four in total.

He approached one, caressing it tenderly. His hand trembled.

'······.'

Even I could grasp the mural's meaning.

A beautiful dragon born into the world, painting heaven and earth in flames of grace. Unbelievers melted, awakening to their sins.

"······."

The priest's expression darkened. He bit his quivering lip and moved to the next mural.

Pressing his lips to the second, eyes closed long, he murmured slowly.

"It's fine. Still fine. It's only the beginning."

The second mural depicted a "Hell Gate."

From it, hundreds, thousands, tens of thousands of wraiths surged like a tsunami, dragging living adults, children, women, elders indiscriminately into hell.

Inside the Hell Gate, a naked boy slumbered.

"Only the beginning. Soon, I'll summon the myriad legions to this world."

"!!!"

The priest muttered more. He'd said "myriad legions."

'Gotta check closely.'

Instinct said this was huge intel. I crept closer ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠cautiously. Sure enough, first mural: Cartibes. Second: their "next plan."

That's when I spotted it.

A necklace on the priest's chest.

Two shards of crystal glowed.

[Fate's Power Fragment].

.

.

.

"Gasp. Heugh."

I'd witnessed something crucial.

Seemed touching the 【Immortal's Crystal】—described merely as top-tier material—triggered it. I steeled myself and touched it again: no effect. One-use, maybe.

"What happened, Captain! You froze solid, blinking blankly, then snapped out of it. Scared me!"

According to Jenny, I'd stood rigid, eyes fluttering, then recovered moments later. Like my soul really went somewhere—or spied memories.

No way to know, but two things were certain.

1. Necrophilia's prep was a "myriad legions."

2. That priest had two [Fate's Power Fragment]s.

—Clench.

My fist balled unconsciously. These bastards were mine to crush. In every way.

Then an alarm blared from the [Operations Room].

Checking: nationwide, 4~5 mid-rank or higher Gates expected soon. Maybe tied to that plan.

Details showed the Gates wouldn't fully open for a bit.

'Perfect time to wrap prep. One last thing.'

I got serious for the final phase.

I had money now. About 5 billion gold.

Hunter Management Bureau funds plus nationwide donations. How much in won? Whatever.

I'd spend it all as a hunter for the foreseeable future.

Decision from Cartibes: no mercy or hesitation in my growth. So what if I had cash? Dead was dead.

Necrophilia. Planning something trickier and more infuriating than the hatchling.

Let's see. I'd become an even trickier, nastier sniper. 700 million gold? Worth every penny.

'This is the stuff. lifeline secured.'

The semi-auto sniper I picked: [Massacre]. Compared to Steady Shooter, precision and range were nearly identical—top performance.

Kept bolt-action perks (range, precision) while adding semi-auto fire rate. Damage even stronger. 12x the price? Totally worth it.

Left Jenny researching extra dispel rounds and entered solo.

'Position adjustment': flat plain. Weather: clear.

Spawned 20 aerial bots at decent spread.

Design fit the name: faint blood-red tint. Stock and barrel cover plain black, overall iron with a bloody sheen.

Weight felt similar. Pure luck—I hadn't factored it in. Focused on lethality.

MMM and air rounds applied as usual. Mounted 16x scope, set to 4x. Bots were close-spawned.

Target: center one at [4]. What I wanted to test: Massacre's fire rate, new skill Chain's application and versatility. Fixing the weakness I'd felt.

Massacre vibrated lightly. Just like applying penetration.

Fire.

—Pew!

—Pew-bubububang!

'Hoo.'

Air round hit dead-on.

Chain's effect was insane.

Besides the target, 3 nearby aerial bots died too. Damage jumped so fast, it was like they exploded simultaneously. Splash damage vibe.

Next: new gun's fire rate.

Semi-auto meant one initial bolt cycle, then just pull trigger.

—Pew!

—Pew! Pew!

"······."

—Pew-bubububang!

Three shots in a flash. 12 aerial bots vaporized mid-air.

No reload hassle—feeling it now, it was night-and-day.

Wonder if I'd ever go back to Steady Shooter. Precision/range similar anyway. Time to switch.

Bolt-actions later: buy an ultra-precise one for special needs.

'Good. Very satisfied.'

If I re-entered Cartibes now, I'd blast through the undead horde with quick snipes before they closed in.

'One more test.'

This was a tiny idea. Might not work.

20 aerial bots deployed.

Just one shot.

—Pew.

—Kwaaaaaang!

"!!!"

···One snipe, 4 kills via Chain.

Plus 3 layers of Penetration in that bullet.

Had a hunch, tested it—

'Perfect.'

Total 12 gone in one shot.

Speed amped up insanely; 12 simultaneous blasts sounded like one explosion.

Add semi-auto Massacre fire rate?

···Yeah, it'd live up to the name.