Awesome Shut-In Necromancer

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After obtaining the soul from the national cemetery, I conducted extensive research on a hunter named Chae Hwa In.

‘…They were quite famous.’

Among the first-generation hunters, they were known as a frontrunner and were the pride of Korea as the world’s first confirmed S Rank title holder.

Indeed, to prove that, Chae Hwa In was establishing their existence even as a soul, without reaching the further stages of decay.

The soul contained an immensely powerful aura and will, as well as special traits. Because of that, I originally planned to wait until regaining some strength before attempting to interact with it.

‘……’

However, the situation is urgent. I had to utilize every possible means at my disposal right now.

Goo ohh.

With a soul this outstanding, I could now create a powerful undead by giving it a physical form.

And coincidentally, a suitably constructed body was right here.

It was none other than the Death Knight, Caliburn, summoned by the Lich.

“Are the others not coming?”

For the eleven hunters who did not accept the Lich’s proposal, the Lich eventually pronounced their death sentence.

“Then die.”

Grrr!
Kiiyyaaak!
Heeheehee!

With the Death Knight’s roar, the undead in the room began to howl.

The hunters shrank back nervously, trembling at the sight.

Soon, the final battle began.

“Ugh, damn it. Undead Call!”

First, Song Ha Yeon stepped back and summoned all the undead she possessed.

Two Skeleton Mashers, one Phantom Wolf, and two Dullahans that she had just taken ownership of, along with the Doom Warrior Hans.

To be honest, she seemed to be pouring all her strength into this, which would normally seem unstable.

“Oh? Not bad.”

Thud.

Ziiing.

The Lich complimented Song Ha Yeon and planted their staff on the ground, casting an amplification spell on their undead.

The incantation was quick and precise, flowing like water. With all the years of experience they’ve gained, they were indeed seasoned.

[Grarrr!]
[Grrr!]

Crackle!

Kwaach!

Woosh!

The two sides of undead clashed, and the hunters, either facing death or fainting, attacked the enemy to support Song Ha Yeon’s undead.

“Cover me!”

“Die, you bastard!”

“Fire Wall!”

Kwaang!
Piiing!

Woosh!

Considerably tighter than expected, thanks to the Dullahans and Doom Warrior holding the frontline, they were somehow managing to hold their ground.

However, that state lasted only briefly.

Kuwung!

“Ring of Erosion.”

Swoosh!

As the Lich chanted a spell while striking the ground with their staff, the tides of battle began to crumble in an instant.

From what I could observe, it seemed to drain the life force of enemies within a certain radius and transfer it to its undead.

It was truly a typical necromancer tactic, properly utilizing their strengths.

It was simple but powerful.

However, precisely because of that, it was easy to predict.

Kwaatch!

Activating the ring’s mental stabilization magic, I borrowed one of my ally’s swords and dashed straight into the enemy ranks.

My target was the Death Knight, who was single-handedly obliterating Dullahans and Doom Warriors.

Seeing me, the Death Knight violently swung their sword at me while shaking off the surrounding undead.

Whoosh─!

However, I avoided it just in time and barely defended myself. The Death Knight was a being I had researched and crafted countless times. Just by observing the skeletal movements and the flow of energy, I could precisely predict what action it would take next.

Kwaagak─!
Slash!

Due to the gap in strength, my arm creaked, and blood flowed from the grazed area, but it didn’t matter.

[Grarrr!]
[Heeheehee!]

Watching my movements, Song Ha Yeon seized the perfect moment and ordered the Dullahans and Doom Warrior to pin down the Death Knight.

‘…Now.’

Indeed, after all this, our coordination was quite good. I gathered my energy and dashed directly into the Death Knight’s face.

“Book of Death.”

Whoosh!

The moment the Lich noticed, their demeanor changed. They sensed something wasn’t right.

But it was already too late. There was no time for them to intervene.

Grrr!

I gripped the ring with my blood-stained hand and crushed the gem in the center,

And simultaneously, I opened a wound with my knife, letting blood spill onto the Death Knight.

Slash!

“What are you doing?”

The Lich probably couldn’t comprehend what I was about to do at all.

“Undead Call.”

The soul of Chae Hwa In, contained within the gem of the ring, was released, and I unleashed necromancy through the connection between that soul and the Death Knight’s body.

At that moment, an immense energy scattered, causing the magical power in the air to ripple.

Whoosh!
Whoooosh.

‘…This is going to be close.’

Using the energy flowing into the Death Knight from the Lich’s spell, I barely managed to stabilize the crumbling ritual with the functionalities of the Book of Death, which was also a top-tier catalyst.

Zzzrr.
Crackle.

The Lich observed this scene without taking any action. No, it was more accurate to say they were unable to act.

‘They must be flustered.’

Anyone somewhat knowledgeable in necromancy would surely have confidence that the ritual I was performing could not possibly succeed.

Without proper sequencing, I was making countless basic mistakes and errors in this hodgepodge of a spell.

For me to steal the command structure of their established undead, it was indeed surprising to the opponent.

That was not wrong, either. If I had been able to regain more strength, I wouldn’t have taken such a risky route.

The Lich, looking flabbergasted, turned to Song Ha Yeon.

“…This is a mess. It’s hard to watch. Given the similarities, are you a disciple of hers? Seems like your training is lacking. Tsk tsk.”

Then, they immediately raised their staff, pointing it towards me and the Death Knight, ready to deliver a fatal blow.

“Caliburn. Kill that fool and bring me the book.”

But it was already too late. If they truly wanted to stop my consciousness, they should have acted much faster and more accurately.

“Caliburn. Can’t you hear me?”

Only then did the Lich notice something was off, frowning and looking back at me. I offered them a grin.

“It’s indeed a mess.”

“What?”

But if they had a bit more insight, the Lich would have realized something.

“Still, it’s not entirely impossible.”

That haphazard ritual was forcibly infiltrating the Death Knight, eating away at its essence.

I looked at the now empty vessel of the Death Knight, raised my energy once more.

And straightaway, I infused Chae Hwa In’s soul into that vacant body.

“You really managed to create a body like this with such poor skill. You must’ve worked a bit harder?”

“What, what!”

Crack.
Crack.

I felt it come together. This was a success.

Without needing to take additional measures, Chae Hwa In found a resting place for their soul and took control of the body in an instant with their tremendous will. It was truly impressive adaptability.

“I’ll take it.”

Woosh.
Woosh─!

The form of the Death Knight had changed to the point of being unrecognizable from before.

The massive frame condensed and shrank, and pale skin covered it like a human form.

At the moment, a blue mask made of energy was about to be placed over their face, a strange resonance ripped through the air.

Wuuuuuuuh!

It was the echo of the soul announcing the birth of a high-ranking undead. It had been a long time since I had truly heard it.

“Who… am I?”

Of course, their identity hadn’t fully formed yet. So, I softly called out their name to awaken their essence.

“Chae Hwa In.”

At that moment, Chae Hwa In froze as if turned to stone.

And then, a tremendous magical energy and aura spilled from her whole being.

“Chae, Hwa In…”

The birth of the former S Rank Hunter, the high-ranking undead, Death Knight Chae Hwa In.

The Lich, witnessing this, stammered out in a quivering voice as if in shock.

“It can’t be.”

“……”

“It can’t be. This doesn’t make sense.”

Shaking their head, the Lich turned their vacant eyes toward me, reopening their mouth.

“What on earth are you?”

“Why does it matter?”

They wouldn’t understand if I told them anyway. The Lich spoke, having reached their own conclusions as they made sense of it all.

“No, I can feel it now. The scent of your kind, hidden beneath a human facade.”

Kuwung!

As the Lich slammed their staff down, a formidable aura erupted from them as they began chanting a spell.

“Rise.”

Whoosh!
Woosh! Woosh!

Swoosh.
Clatter!

At least four Dullahans and six Living Armors, with countless undead following right behind them.

At this point, it wouldn’t be strange to call this a small army.

I commanded Chae Hwa In, who stood there blankly.

“Clear them all out.”

“…Why?”

“Hmm?”

At those words, both I and the hunters observing the situation in the back all froze.

Did I make a mistake?

It seemed the complex completion of the ritual meant I didn’t quite establish command authority properly.

‘…The path is certainly connected, though?’

Perhaps it was due to my diminishing power or Chae Hwa In’s overwhelming will. In any case, it was a troublesome situation.

It seemed like the Lich sensed an opportunity for this predicament, as they swiftly sent four Dullahans to charge at me, the one standing at the forefront.

Heeheehee!

Kuwung.
Thud.
Clatter!

I clicked my tongue at the sight and raised my sword just as a fierce storm surged in front of me.

Kuwaaahh!
Kwaakaak!

“Ugh!”

Finally, as I managed to reopen my dust-filled eyes, what I saw were the remnants of two Dullahans, shredded beyond recognition.

Step.
Step.

Clatter.

As I gazed blankly at the scene, Chae Hwa In softly spoke to me as they passed by.

“…That way, enemy?”

I noticed the effects of the completely broken ring fading away, feeling a peculiar urge to nod my head while looking down at the ground.