Chapter 13

Chapter 13

Spendthrift Necromancer (13)

Issue MakerNewTube channel ‘Today's Awakened,’ with six million subscribers.This channel, which introduced the day's hottest Awakened every single day, was one of the most popular NewTube channels in Korea.

The unusual thing was that the NewTuber himself was actually an ordinary person.

Instead, he possessed meticulous research skills and a polished talent for hosting.

Seo Yerim, who had been invited here, looked at the NewTuber KkamMuk.

They nodded to each other, and the livestream began shortly afterward.

“Then let's begin today's broadcast with KkamMuk! We have a very special guest with us this time! Allow me to introduce her! An A-rank Awakened known as the Sword Phoenix! Ms. Seo Yerim!”

“Hello. I'm Seo Yerim.”―Whoa, noona ㄷㄷㄷㄷ―I'm losing it ㄷㄷㄷ―Damn, this channel got huge lol They can even book the Sword Phoenix now lolKkamMuk smiled as donations immediately poured in from the start.

Then he asked.

“Nice to meet you. If I remember correctly, the last time you appeared in the media was almost a year ago, wasn't it?”

“Yes.”

“Even while reaching out, I wondered if this would actually happen, so I was genuinely surprised when you accepted so readily.”

Yerim's hand twitched slightly. Just as he said, she wasn't particularly fond of appearing in the media.

She'd rather swing her sword one more time with that time.

The reason she'd appeared anyway was because of what her grandfather had said.

Kim Minwoo's declaration that he would clear a Gate.

Seo Jincheol had laughed heartily upon seeing it, then looked at her meaningfully.―Yerim, why don't you go on a broadcast this time?―What? Me?―Yes. From the look of things, that brat seems to be trying to make a big spectacle out of this. It wouldn't hurt to help him along while you're at it.―I don't know if I'd do well…….―There's nothing difficult about it. Just showing your face will be enough to draw attention on its own.

As a devoted granddaughter who adored her grandfather, she couldn't refuse him.

That was why she'd agreed to appear on this channel, which had regularly sent her booking emails.

“Now then, shall we talk about today's topic? Kim Minwoo. This man's been very hot lately, hasn't he! And apparently he's going to clear a Gate this time.”

“Yes. I heard as well.”

“The F-rank Gate, Tomb of Osiris! I've heard this one is quite difficult. You've been there before too, haven't you, Ms. Yerim?”

Yerim nodded.

“Yes. I remember clearing it with a party when I was around Level 40.”

“How difficult was it?”

“Hard. If other Gates of the same rank fall somewhere between 60 and 80 points, I'd say this one is around 95.”

“Ah! As expected of the Sword Phoenix. That's exactly the same as the difficulty rating published by the World Gate Association. Tomb of Osiris, 95 points out of 100. It's unusually outstanding even among F-rank Gates, isn't it?”

“Yes.”

“Why is its clear rating so high?”

Recalling her memories, she answered.

“This Gate is very honest.”

“Honest. Could you explain what you mean by that?”

“There are almost no puzzle-like gimmicks. The path is simple too. But there are just a lot of monsters. Their patterns are difficult as well. Despite being an F-rank Gate, they inflict all sorts of status ailments.”―Sword Phoenix is right. Even with a 5-man party it's fucking brutal to break through. Mobs just keep pouring out lol―We ran for our lives from the midway zone while clearing it. Seriously almost died lol“Ah. That could actually make it feel even harder. Since there aren't any shortcuts.”

Yerim nodded.

“Yes. The only thing you need to clear that Gate is power.”

“Power! You need power. Thank you for your opinion. But Kim Minwoo says he's going to clear it alone, doesn't he? And while still at Level 1, no less.”

Yerim nodded.

“Ms. Yerim, what did you think when you heard the news?”

“Is he insane?”

“……

Pardon?”

“Didn't you hear me? I pronounced it clearly.”

Yerim spoke calmly.

Her grandfather had asked her to draw attention, not praise Kim Minwoo.

So it should be fine to say this much.

And this was her genuine opinion too.

Clear the Tomb of Osiris at Level 1?

Alone, without a party?

That was nothing short of suicide.―KkamMuk panicking so hard lololol―Am I the only one who saw his eyes dart sideways just now? lolol―He is insane lol As expected of Sword Phoenix noona, coming in with the straight facts lol―I heard this was a spicy broadcast so I came lol“Ah, ahhh…… I see. Still, there's that saying, isn't there! You have to be crazy to succeed.”

KkamMuk wiped away his cold sweat as he spoke.

“But surely the chance of success isn't zero? From what I've heard, Kim Minwoo bought all sorts of equipment, including a +9 Skill Book…….”

“Would that even matter?”

“You believe there's no possibility of him clearing it?”

She firmly nodded.

“Yes. If he were a Swordsman, I would've thought there was at least some possibility. His talent for swordsmanship was genuine.”

“Kim Minwoo's swordsmanship talent is genuine. I'm curious exactly how talented we're talking.”

“……

He's better with a sword than I am.”―The Sword Phoenix, who's dead without her pride, is saying that? Just how good is Kim Minwoo with a sword? ㄷㄷ―Holy shit. Guess the rumors that he pushed the Sword Immortal back in their duel were real.

“……

Wow. Better than you?”

“……

Yes. Among people my age, he's a genuine genius acknowledged by Grandfather.”

“Damn…… Looks like the rumors were true. Confirmed! We have official confirmation, everyone! Kim Minwoo's swordsmanship talent is real!”

The chat heated up.

Then Yerim spoke seriously.

“But it's different if he's a Necromancer.”

“Aren't Necromancers strong too? If you equip their summons and enhance their skills…….”

“A Skeleton summoned at Level 1. How strong do you think it is?”

“Uh…… I don't know? Around as strong as me?”

“In a one-on-one fight, if you don't panic, you'd probably win, Mr. KkamMuk. They're that weak. And stupid.”

“Come to think of it, I've never heard of undead at that level being smart.”

Yerim nodded, then rattled off her opinion like a machine gun.

“Level 1. Let's assume he's rich enough to reinforce his stats with elixirs. Add a +9 Skill Book and equipment options, and he can probably summon around 150. That's basically the same as sending 150 ordinary people around your level into the Gate.”

“Right. And with equipment added on top.”

Seo Yerim nodded.

“Because of the Gate's characteristics, monsters come in groups of at least forty at a time. Considering a Skeleton's combat power…… they'd probably all get destroyed the moment they encountered even one group.”

“True. Skeletons are usually summons used as little more than meat shields.”

Even to her own ears, it sounded quite convincing.

“But if it's around 150, that doesn't explain why Kim Minwoo bought equipment in such massive quantities, does it? I heard he swept the auction house for equipment again after last time…… and that the amount was enormous.”

“Maybe he bought it in advance because going to the auction house is annoying. You know how he is. He's always had a serious spending habit.”―For real lol. He was the king of luxury. Always on the news lol―Fuck. He burns tens of billions in advance because he's too lazy to go to the auction house? What kind of life does Kim Minwoo even live……?―Final boss of money-burning ㄷㄷ―(Problem) I'm jealous though;;“Ah, I suppose that could be possible. Still, there's another variable, isn't there? His Achievement Rank.”

“Of course, if his Achievement Rank is something like S, he might've obtained a good skill. But Mr. KkamMuk, do you know this?”

“What are you referring to……?”

“Even among S-rank Achievement Awakened, no one has ever solo-cleared a Gate rated 95 or higher at Level 1. Not even one person so far.”

KkamMuk knew that fact as well.

Because he'd researched it beforehand.

Yet his expression was as though he were genuinely curious when he asked back.

“Not just in Korea, but worldwide?”

“Yes.”

“That's surprising. So right now, Kim Minwoo is attempting a world record?”

“That's right. Assuming he succeeds.”

“Why haven't other S-rank Achievement Awakened attempted it? Surely they receive massive support from organizations, and a world record would be an attractive challenge…….”

Yerim gave a cold laugh.

“Simple. Because it's digging your own grave.”

“Digging your own grave?”

“Yes. An S-rank skill doesn't make you invincible, does it? And mana is a limited resource. You can't drink potions endlessly either.

“True. Drinking potions too often causes overload or addiction. Attempting it alone at Level 1 does sound extremely dangerous.”

KkamMuk paused briefly before continuing.

“Still, if he progresses very slowly, couldn't he at least reach the midway zone? Once there, he'd be able to escape…….”

“……

We can only hope so.”

She answered quietly.

Her impression of Kim Minwoo leaned more toward dislike than favor, but that didn't mean she wished him dead.

She had merely wanted to gouge out those perverted-looking eyes of his.

“Thank you very much for your thoughts, Ms. Yerim! The broadcast is really taking off today. Our live viewer count has passed one million for the first time! Ah, is this the ticket power of the Sword Phoenix?”

“……

You're just good at broadcasting, Mr. KkamMuk.”

They took a short break while flattering each other appropriately.

A little while later.

“Ah, while we were talking, it seems the time for Kim Minwoo to enter the Gate is approaching? Three broadcasting stations are providing live coverage, and we'll be watching together as well. I truly hope he comes back alive.”

“I hope so too.”

“Uh, but.”

“Yes?”

“If, and I mean really if. What would happen if Kim Minwoo not only succeeded in clearing it, but also fulfilled his promise to set the fastest clear time?”

“……

If he did?”

“Yes. Aren't you curious? Let's imagine what would happen.”

“Hmm…….”

There was no chance of that happening, but.

If by some one-in-a-thousand, no, one-in-ten-thousand chance it really did happen…….

Seo Yerim snorted and answered.

“Japan would get jealous, China would envy us, and the world would be shocked.”

“……

Pardon?”

“Patriotism-bait channels would flourish.”―Sword Phoenix noona lurks online, huh lolololol―I spit my beer out, fuck lolol This is ridiculous lolol―But if he actually pulls it off, that's honestly true lol World records aren't a joke lolol―Kiaaa, innkeeper! Pour me a bowl full of patriotism!

Then…….

The TV beside them turned on and a broadcast began playing.―This is reporter Seo Jinyoung from SKS News. I'm currently at the F-rank Gate ‘Tomb of Osiris.’ Over there, Mr. Kim Minwoo…….* * *The checkpoint in front of the Gate, staffed by soldiers and Awakened.

It was absolutely packed with reporters.

“Kim Minwoo! There, that's Kim Minwoo!”

“Mr. Kim Minwoo! Please give us a few words before you enter the Gate!”

“Mr. Kim Minwoo! Last time, when you shared your Status Window, you only revealed your level and class! Do you have any intention of revealing your Achievement Rank, titles, or stats?”

Would you?

He had no intention of answering every single question. He entered the checkpoint and received clearance from the soldiers.

He looked toward the Gate in the distance.[Gate: Tomb of Osiris][Rank: F]

Finally, he turned toward the reporters and spoke.

“I made a promise, didn't I? That I'd set a world record.”

“As far as I know, the current first-place record belongs to France's S-rank Awakened, Isabella, who solo-cleared a Gate of similar difficulty at Level 49! Even with full national support, it still took her two full days! Are you saying you're confident you can finish faster than that?!”

Two whole days to clear a Gate like this?

Obvious.

She must've drunk one potion every few hours and crawled forward little by little.

Kim Minwoo pointed at the reporters' cameras.

“Really? Then I'll be back before those cameras of yours get cold.”

He turned away from the reporters and was about to head toward the Gate.

“Mr. Kim Minwoo! Sword Phoenix Seo Yerim declared on a broadcast just moments ago that clearing the Gate would be absolutely impossible!”

Stop.

His footsteps halted.

The reporter's eyes gleamed, and he fired off the question like lightning.

“She evaluated your swordsmanship as decent, but said you'd be lucky just to return alive from the midway zone! Do you have any thoughts on that?”

“Seo Yerim? Ah, that lousy swordswoman?”

“……

Pardon? But she's called the Sword Phoenix…….”

“Sword Phoenix? Hmm…… Is she really that good?”

Then his body was sucked straight into the Gate.[Breaking News! Kim Minwoo: Seo Yerim is a lousy swordswoman?][Breaking News! Kim Minwoo discusses the Sword Phoenix! Hmm…… Is she really that good?][Breaking News! Sword Phoenix on livestream: You fucking bastard! Broadcast suspended after harsh profanity…….]