Chapter 62

Chapter 62

Spendthrift Necromancer (62)

Aftermath (1)Back when it was still a B-rank Gate, everyone had thought escaping through the midway zone would be the best possible outcome. Once it became A-rank, that went without saying.

Plenty of people waited for news, but even Sword Phoenix was expected to eventually die without making it out.

That expectation was overturned.

First clear of an A-rank Gate.

Only two participants.

Korea completely lost its mind.[How the hell did they clear this???]

It was a first clear, so A+ difficulty, and the raid was one A-rank and one E-rank. Am I the only one who doesn't understand this?―Nobody in the entire fucking world understands it right now~―All those washed-up S-ranks who said the clear would fail just sank lolololol―Sword Phoenix didn't even do an interview and ran straight to the treatment center lolol Nobody has any idea how they cleared it yet lolol[Greatest Guild in Joseon](Photo of Dorim Guild Master Lee Minjun bowing his head)

We will atone for your sacrifice by clearing the Gate.―Daaaamn lolol―Dorim really is legendary lolol―‘Joseon's Greatest Guild Master’―Looking at this, you can really feel how bleak Joseon must have been lololol―He can atone perfectly by just going to prison lolol[Most Notable Martial Artist in History](Photo of Isabella looking sorrowful)

Possibility of a clear? None. I offer my condolences in advance.―It's baguette girl again? lololol―Simply the GOAT lolololol―They give attention even to tiny nobodies like her these days? The world's really gotten generous lololol[???: Did you enjoy yourselves?](Photo of Kim Minwoo and Seo Yerim)

These have been Korea's Awakened.―‘Hope of Korea’―Sword Sea Pavilion applications exploding, holy shit―The Necro boom is coming, holy shit―Damn; that lineup is actually insane lololol―Yeah, A+ suddenly looks clearable lololol―For real lol They literally cleared it lololol[???: Kim Minwoo? One trillion should do, right?](List of famous overseas guilds that offered one trillion won to recruit him)―Looking at this now, it's basically a list of blind idiots lololol―One trillion? You couldn't buy him for 100 trillion now, you bastards lololololol[Seeing Kim Minwoo come out after clearing this really makes me realize how incredible he is;](Old news photo of Kim Minwoo's extravagant spending before Awakening)

He could've lived life on easy mode as a titanium spoon just collecting allowance, but instead Kim Minwoo Awakened and started a second golden age for himself. Kinda incredible lolololol―For real lol You can tell from Sword Phoenix running straight after him. If he just got carried, would she sprint off like that to nurse him? lolol―Guy has everything and still risks his life fighting, holy shit―Watching today made it click. Kim Minwoo is just genuinely obsessed with clearing Gates lolololol―Yeah. He came out with his body completely fucking destroyed lol You don't end up like that after fighting for only a day or two lol―Honestly Sword Phoenix's reaction today was a little shocking. Fine, say she went in to save him because of Sword Immortal, but she didn't need to act like that even after coming out.―Did he save her life or something? Can't imagine Sword Phoenix acting like that otherwise.―That's going too far even for this. No way lololol―You guys praise him a little and immediately lose your minds. He saved Sword Phoenix's life? Come on lol Let's not go crazy lol―Anyway isn't it confirmed he contributed inside an A+ Gate? Just how high is Kim Minwoo's potential?―If he actually played a major role, he's not just the number-one Necromancer super rookie lol He's the world's greatest king-god-super-rookie lolol―I'm curious what level he is. What do you guys think? Let's reason it out.―He had to be at least 70 before entering. If he killed lots of monsters inside, I'd say he definitely passed 100.―D-rank in two months after Awakening? That speed is insane;―Yeah. Baguette martial artist took four months, so his pace is crazy lololol.―But how the hell does some Level 100 guy contribute inside an A-rank Gate? Even the weakest monsters there should be way over Level 200.―That's why we're calling him the world's greatest king-god-super-rookie, dumbass lolololol―I just Awakened, total newbie here. Can I go Necro?―Uh…… I was about to curse you out, but thinking about it, maybe you can.―Yeah. Not my life anyway lol―Seriously, if you're rich, it might actually be worth trying? But if you're only regular-new-money rich…….* * *Kim Minwoo opened his eyes after losing consciousness.

The hospital room was filled with top-of-the-line furniture.

A familiar sight.‘Ilseong Treatment Center.’Treatment center.

It was slightly different from a normal hospital. Here, Awakened handled the healing.

He looked at his body.‘Completely healed.’Despite injuries severe enough to kill him instantly, everything had recovered.

Indomitable Soul.

Without that, the Heavenly Demon's palm strike would've killed him.

It really was a fucking amazing title.

He checked the titles he'd acquired this time.[New Title List][1. One Who Took the First Step][First to enter a newly formed Gate.][Effect: Stamina +5][2. One Who Keeps Digging at the Same Spot][Inflicted tremendous damage by repeatedly striking the exact same location.][Effect: Gain additional damage from consecutive attacks against the same point.][3. Insane Gambler.][Won consecutive gambles after staking everything.][Effect: When everything must be wagered, your chances of winning the bet increase.][4. Strong One Slayer -〉 Law of Victory][Repeated impossible victories have forged a law of their own.][Effect 1. For every 100 levels of difference between you and a monster, all stats increase by 10%.][Effect 2. For every 100 levels of difference between you and a monster, all damage increases by 10%.][5. Beginning of a Legend

– Part One][An Awakened writing a legend. His journey begins to be recorded.][Effect 1. Part One, recording your biography, is created.][Effect 2. Fill every entry in Part One to obtain a very special effect.][Effect 3. Fill every entry in Part One to unlock Part Two.]〈Part One List 7/10〉〈Successor of the Death Lord〉〈One Who Ended Eternity〉〈Warrior Whose Name Mutakta Remembered〉〈Hero of Northern Caesar Continent〉〈One Who Became Master of a Divine Beast〉〈Winner of the Dragon-Phoenix Gathering〉〈Slayer of the Unorthodox Alliance Leader〉First, the titles.

There was the one he'd received for entering the new Gate first, then another for breaking through the Human-Faced Spider's shell.‘……

Starting with the fourth, these effects are insane.’The first three were just titles that were nice enough to have.

Starting from number four was different.

First, Law of Victory.

Originally, Strong One Slayer had only given 20% increased damage against enemies 200 levels higher.

Now it boosted both stats and damage for every 100 levels of difference.

It would be tremendously effective against high-level monsters.

And Beginning of a Legend

- Part One.‘Whoa.’He swallowed.

The reason was simple.‘It stacks?’Look at the entries in Part One.

Most of them were achievements that had already generated titles.

Meaning there normally wasn't much more he could squeeze out of them.

But Part One made that possible.‘Once I collect ten…….’It didn't say merely special.

It said he would gain a very special effect.‘Right. It's the age of recycling.’Why not squeeze another reward out of achievements he'd already been rewarded for?

The list would fill naturally as he progressed, so he'd find out eventually.

And judging by the existence of Part Two.‘There'll probably be a Part Three too.’Three rounds of recycling.

His chest swelled with excitement.

Now that he'd checked the title rewards.‘Time for the item.’Clue to Ascension.

The item that had caused all that hell.

He'd seen it grow into a ring as part of the clear reward.

He rummaged through his inventory.

A ring soon popped out.[Ring of Ascension][Rank: Ancient][A ring created from the growth of the Clue to Ascension. A special aura dwells within it.][Requirement: Level 100 or higher][Effect 1. While in possession, you gain the qualification to challenge the ‘Ascension Ritual.’][Effect 2. All stats +100][Effect 3. Power of all curses increases by 50%.][Effect 4. You may use Necromantic Sword Art(S)

.]

“Ancient?”

Kim Minwoo's eyes widened.

Among the seven item grades, this belonged to the sixth.

Even during all his years playing the game, he had only obtained Ancient-grade equipment five times.

The Dorim Guild Master had once revealed part of the abilities on his Legendary ring.

Compared to this one…….‘I almost feel sorry for our little Ascension Ring.’The effects were that ridiculous.

It practically had endgame options.

All stats +100.

An absolute staple of an effect.

And 50% increased curse power was just…….‘I can barely believe it even while looking at it.’Curse of Aging.

It reduced Defense and Movement Speed by 20% each.

Now it would be 30%.

And that wasn't all.

For a Necromancer, curses were one of the fundamental skill systems alongside summoning.

He would keep acquiring more curses in the future.

And this applied to all of them.

It thoroughly proved why the item deserved Ancient rank.

As for the final effect, Necromantic Sword Art.‘Finally got a Swordsman-side skill.’For Kim Minwoo, it was like finding an oasis in a desert.

No matter how much he swung a sword, he could never create a skill.

Until now, all he could demonstrate with a sword was an honest, skill-less swing.‘Not anymore.’Now he could use a sword skill too.

He'd already seen what Necromantic Sword Art did while fighting Baek Hakseong.

A sword art that unleashed dozens of streams of sinister sword energy.

It worked beautifully as both an area attack and a concentrated single-target strike.

There would be plenty of ways to use it.

He slipped the ring onto his finger.[Equipping Ring of Ascension!][You have gained the qualification to challenge the ‘Ascension Ritual’!][* The 1,321st Ritual is currently underway.][* You may apply when recruitment opens for the 1,322nd Ritual!]‘Huh? The 1,321st?’Was this some kind of periodically recurring event?

Apparently he couldn't do it right now.‘Not like I planned to jump straight in anyway.’He had only just finished clearing a Gate.

No matter how obsessed with clearing he was, Minwoo was still human.

He needed rest, and he needed time to inspect and organize everything he'd gained.‘Perfect time for an overhaul.’He was Level 151 now.

He'd already secured the elixirs, but there was still plenty to do, starting with making a +9 C-rank Skill Book, Bone Replacement, and setting up new equipment.‘And once the overhaul is finished…….’Kim Minwoo recalled the message he'd seen inside the Gate.

Death Lord's second Call had activated.

This time, unlike the first, it hadn't dragged him away by force.‘Need to handle the second Call.’Hadn't there been four Legion Commanders in total?

He'd probably obtain another Legion Commander this time too.

Cedric alone had been incredibly satisfying to use.

He was already looking forward to seeing what the second Legion Commander would be like.‘Need to make a lot of money.’He'd bought elixirs before entering and become instantly broke.

A few hundred billion won couldn't accomplish anything anymore.

He'd reached the stage where he needed truly enormous amounts of money.

Run production for a while.

Secure another massive round of investment.

Looks like he'd have to hustle.

Remembering the last thing he'd seen before leaving the Gate, Minwoo smacked his lips.

After killing the Unorthodox Alliance Leader, a sword and other byproducts had dropped.

But he hadn't had any time to pick them up.

Even if he wanted to put them in his inventory, he had to physically touch them first.

It wasn't a system where he could vacuum up distant items with telekinesis.

So he'd lost them.

Loot from some ordinary Gate boss wouldn't have bothered him much, but an A+-rank Gate boss was different.‘The Unorthodox Alliance Leader was basically a boss.’He must have dropped an incredible sword.

If Minwoo could equip it, great.

Even if he couldn't, it might sell for trillions.

Missing something like that stung.

“Snowy.”―Coo.

A cry came from inside the hospital room.

Fortunately, Snowy seemed to have followed him out properly.

Then.

Flap!

Snowy flew over.

But there was something large clenched in its beak.―Coo.

Snowy dropped it into his hand.

“……?”

It was a sword.

And not just any sword.

It was the sword the Unorthodox Alliance Leader had used.[Necromantic Sword][Rank: Legendary][A sword passed down through generations of Unorthodox Alliance Leaders. It is said to grow stronger the more blood it absorbs. Anyone other than the Alliance Leader must possess the proper qualification to wield it.][Requirement: Unorthodox Alliance Leader, or one who killed the Alliance Leader.][Effect 1. When the user kills an enemy of equal or higher level, the sword absorbs their blood. The more blood it absorbs, the more the sword grows. (0/10,000)][Effect 2. ????][Effect 3. ????]

It…… brought the sword back?

Minwoo immediately scooped Snowy into his arms.

“Aww, my baby! Who did you take after to be so damn adorable!”

He gently stroked Snowy's head.

The bird cooed happily.‘This is insane.’The Unique-grade Ghost Sword?

Only the Magic +40 had really mattered.

Hallucinations, summoning specters, and so on.

Those options couldn't do shit against high-level monsters anyway.

Compared to this Necromantic Sword.‘Legendary.’And it was a growth-type item with no level requirement.

Comparing it to the Ghost Sword almost felt disrespectful.‘Finally got a sword worth using.’A masterpiece he could keep in his hand for a very long time.