Chapter 80
Chapter 80
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>Translator: penny
>Chapter: 80
>Chapter Title: Zeke or Volk
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Chapter 80
Jihad, sweating bullets, loosened his fists and drew up his mana.
Black energy crept through his body.
The mana that started in his heart circulated through his entire body, flowing from his shoulders down his arms and bursting from his fingertips.
[Guardian 'Jihad Black' summons undead.]
The one skill in Jihad's arsenal activated.
[2 Forest Red Goblin Undead summoned.]
[1 Forest Blue Goblin Undead summoned.]
Grraaah— Grraaaah—.
Three undead goblins burst from the ground amid an ominous black aura.
Do-hyun and Eliza had no choice but to stop talking and stare at the bizarre sight.
"What the hell?"
-Ahem, just felt like my mana had increased a bit, so I summoned them on a whim.
"...Fine, whatever. But what's with that look in your eyes?"
-Me? What about me?
Jihad tilted his head with an innocent expression.
But his eyes betrayed an unmistakable glint of anticipation.
Like a child finishing homework assigned by his parents, hoping for praise.
-I just summoned them to loosen up. Now I can call out three without even feeling it in my heart. Wish I had a few more, though.
When Do-hyun showed no reaction, Jihad glanced over slyly, dropping hints.
His intentions were obvious to anyone, but sadly, they didn't reach Do-hyun.
*What's gotten into him?*
Whether Jihad summoned three or not made no difference to Do-hyun.
Shaking his head in confusion, Do-hyun's gaze froze on a message floating in the air.
[Summoning undead made from monsters of the previous city reduces mana cost by 50%.]
*So it's not just talk.*
Jihad might exaggerate, but compared to Raven, which had been forcibly unsummoned after seconds, this was a massive improvement.
Leveling up and expanding his mana pool helped, but the biggest factor was that 50% reduction.
*So that's the system? Mana costs were insane before.*
It seemed the proper route was turning monsters from the previous city into undead for hunting.
Makes sense—leading an orc legion to hunt orcs was basically free EXP.
He hadn't realized because necromancers handling skeleton soldiers differed slightly from Jihad's corpse arts, but now the direction was clear.
*Goblins as the mainstay, mix in a few orcs. That should be optimal.*
Do-hyun made his judgment and spoke up.
"Jihad, can you undead those too?"
-Of course, Master! Piece of cake.
Was he thrilled at the chance to prove himself?
Jihad's face visibly brightened. Do-hyun, however, was somewhat indifferent. He already knew the undead count was maxed out.
*Still, you never know.*
Maybe one would stick?
Since he was asking just in case, failure wouldn't disappoint him.
That was the extent of Do-hyun's expectations.
Shooo—.
Groooaaar....
But the black mana's momentum was unusual.
Jihad extended his hand toward the orc corpses, and the eerie black energy writhed before their dead eyes snapped open.
[Guardian 'Jihad Black' undeads the orcs.]
[Undead conversion successful.]
[Undead List]
-Forest Red Goblin Undead × 2
-Forest Blue Goblin Undead × 1
-Orc Undead × 3
Groooaaar—.
The orcs rose, ignoring their twisted, creaking bodies. Their eerie eyes fixed on Jihad, and they dropped to one knee.
The other two followed a beat later.
Thud, thump.
Grraaah— Grraaah—.
With their massive builds, fierce looks, and thick black aura, they had real presence.
Instinctively sensing the hierarchy?
Grooo....
The earlier goblin undead shrank back.
Naturally, the orcs took the front line, goblins the rear—perfect formation.
Pleased with his legion-like lineup, Jihad raised both arms and let out a vile cackle.
-Kehheheh. Yes, yes—I am your lord.
"......Huh?"
Do-hyun stared, dumbfounded.
He had no choice.
*It actually worked?*
He hadn't expected undead conversion to succeed.
And not just one—three of them.
A level 9 guardian handling six undead? Unheard of.
*...Divine Beasts have different standards?*
Did the number increase per level?
Or limits per monster type?
Either way, it was broken. A question naturally arose.
"No, why'd you do that?"
-Kehheheh...? Do what?
"Why take the Volk tree with skills like this? You took the trash tree, dude?"
As everyone knew, necromancers had two tech trees.
Commander necromancers and explosion necromancers.
Zeke dominated not just for safety, but mainly another reason.
*Volk is garbage.*
Massive one-trick pony.
Insanely strong with explosions, but without them? Utter trash job.
Its only perks: thrilling one-shots and no need for high-tier undead—just fodder.
Cheaper than Zeke, it was called the commoner's class.
"Level 9 and already handling six? Later it'll be way more."
-...Right?
"Aren't you a battle maniac? Is that clan like this? Why not Zeke?"
It was utterly incomprehensible.
As a forest lord, he'd have endless undead fodder, and these skills would dominate even among noble Zeke users.
A true one-man army prospect!
And he threw it away for the commoner Volk tree?
Why? How?
-Men love explosions.
"Huh?"
Jihad answered excitedly to Do-hyun's frustrated confusion.
-The popcorn crackle when you Corpse Explosion? So thrilling.
"......What?"
"And every undead pops different—snaps right into your ears...."
"No, hold up. That's seriously your only reason?"
-Obviously? Master hasn't tried explosions. Corpse Explosion's fun, but mass explosion? That thrill washes away all your pent-up stress. It was my life's joy.
"Dear God...."
Do-hyun covered his face, unable to listen further.
His guardian was a romance junkie.
Do-hyun appreciated romance too, but not to stake his life on it.
Some might say it's just a game, don't bet your life—but to Jihad, this world was reality.
*Like a ballad prodigy insisting on rap.*
He was certain.
In the secret dungeon, if he'd gone Zeke instead of Volk, it wouldn't have been so easy.
That blood factor or whatever might've triggered, failing the clear.
Jihad was throwing away his talent for romance.
What an idiot—what an—
*...Hold on.*
A sudden chill made Do-hyun look up.
"You're not still thinking Volk, are you?"
-Of course Volk—
"No. You've been reborn this life. Your path is Zeke. You were born for Zeke."
-B-But explosions are art—
"Stop. Right there. Any further is dangerous."
Do-hyun pressed a finger to Jihad's lips and sighed in relief.
Close call on that risky line.
"You've never tried Zeke?"
-Of course not. Men love explosions!
"Just try Zeke once. If you hate it, we'll switch—no complaints."
-Hmm... alright then. Got it, Master.
Was it because he proposed a compromise instead of forcing?
Jihad looked a bit sulky but relented without more argument.
He was curious about Zeke anyway and figured he'd humor his master this once.
Grraaah— Grraaaah.
Jihad waved at his loyal undead awaiting orders.
-Bring me orcs.
Grraaah!
Led by the orc undead, his minions charged into the mist.
Soon, a healthy orc was tossed back.
Thud— Squeak!?
The orc, relaxing one moment, was suddenly hurled—the shock plain on its face.
Undead swarm in, chuck it here, and humans plus a goblin? How not to panic.
Grraaah! Grraaah!
Before the shock faded, more undead swarmed.
Squeak!
The startled orc leaped up.
But it changed nothing.
Boom!
The orc undead barreled in en masse.
One-on-one weaker than the orc, but three slamming together sent it sprawling.
Then the trailing goblin undead beat the downed orc.
...Straight-up beat it.
Thwack! Boom! Puke—.
Squeak, squeeeeak!
Like a kid dragged to a back alley, the orc curled like a pillbug while six undead gleefully pummeled it.
If that wasn't a beatdown, what was? Do-hyun couldn't think of another word.
[Orc defeated.]
[Guardian Jihad Black levels up.]
Grraaah—!
-Kehheheh!
The undead roared after instantly finishing the orc, and Jihad cackled watching them.
-Not bad at all, Master? Only used undead for chores or booms—never like this. But it's got a nice spectacle.
"......Yeah, sure."
He understood the parent's heartache seeing a child's twisted path, but it wasn't bad for Do-hyun.
Jihad seemed to view Zeke positively now.
Makes sense—first real hunt after just loot pickup, everything's fun.
-Now, my children. Bring two this time!
No need to go himself.
They fetched monsters—how convenient.
Grraaah—!
Obedient despite his cocky tone, but alas, reality struck.
Grraa...?
-......Huh?
Their bodies faded to dust.
And the messages:
[Jihad Black's mana depleted.]
[Undead summon canceled.]
....
[Undead summon canceled.]
-......Ah.
"Uh-huh."
Even with growth, the chronic mana shortage persisted.
Stick to previous city's monsters for the reduction, or limit to one orc...
Still, better than before—decent progress?
Jihad's lost-puppy face said otherwise.
Do-hyun hesitated, then spoke.
"Uh."
-Don't say anything, Master. Need to be alone.
"......Got it."
And closed his mouth again.