Awesome Shut-In Necromancer

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A week has passed since the Double Dungeon incident.

Most of the hunters from the strategy team returned to their daily lives, and I too came back home after being discharged from the hospital.

The first thing to welcome me back was, unfortunately, my account’s score, which had dropped due to dormancy.

【Diamond I】

“…sigh.”

I expected it, but it was a truly merciless penalty. The thought of raising my score again made the road ahead seem bleak.

I let out a sigh and called up my status window in the air.

Ding.

【Baek Eun Ha】

▶ Title:

▶ Level: 35

Thanks to taking down monsters from Large Dungeons and the Double Dungeon, my level had seen a significant rise. That was about the only fortunate thing amidst the misfortunes.

With my morale slightly lifted, I nodded in satisfaction.

“Now I’m finally somewhat useful.”

Thanks to that, I felt confident that I could summon one of Jack or Hans’s caliber without causing overload, even using the Book of Death.

I was finally breaking free from the days of being weak and helpless.

‘The B Rank Promotion Evaluation is also ongoing…’

Things were slowly progressing.

However, a few new worries had cropped up.

One was about Chae Hwa In, the former S Rank Hunter, and Lich Gordon.

‘First, I need to restore both of their memories.’

Ironically, just like Gordon, Chae Hwa In couldn’t recall most of her memories either.

It was probably because she had been in a long dormancy in the state of a soul and had turned undead through a hastily assembled ritual.

– She is likely to regain her memories as time goes on.

“Who doesn’t know that?”

Since the connection was established, Gordon could converse with me even while inside the Book of Death.

“The one who can’t recall anything alone—tch.”

– ……

Perhaps because he was already bound to me through a soul contract, Gordon was somewhat aware of his circumstances and had been completely submissive.

– If you could just prepare the vessel that will contain my life, I am ready to serve you with all my heart…

“When did you become a third-rate quack?”

– Ahem.

It felt annoying that he was now treating me like a master, but it was clear that what I needed to do right now was to create a body for Gordon, so I clicked my tongue and thought.

‘Since the ring is broken, I need to find a replacement anyway…’

Helena mentioned she would find something with a similar effect as quickly as possible, but since it was originally a high-grade artifact, it wouldn’t be easy.

Because of this, I intended to utilize the spare time to proceed with my long-delayed research while also crafting Gordon’s Life Vessel.

‘Though I don’t like it, this guy is the key.’

From being flung to Thebes from Earth, coming back with side effects, and the unexplained Dungeon incident.

Surely, if I could revive Gordon’s memories, I would be able to find some clues related to it.

“…useless guy.”

– Ha, I will dedicate myself to recovering my memories as soon as possible.

And so, a month passed.

#

Clack.
Clack.
Tick, tick.

– The two guys in the back have no spells.

“When will they be ready?”

– About 24 seconds and 17 seconds.

Clack.
Clack clack!

【You have defeated the enemy!】

It seemed that Gordon was not just a Lich out of form; he had completely adjusted to modern society within just a month.

He was not only mastering basic living skills, but he was also acquiring diverse knowledge from the present; there was no need for more words.

Boom!

【Victory!】

– It was a perfect victory. Utilizing even the incompetent to lead the war is the virtue of a lord. Truly commendable.

“…flattery.”

As a result of spending a month together, we had bonded quite well.

Because of this, I had already come to acknowledge Gordon as my third disciple.

– I want to form a body as soon as possible; there’s so much interesting knowledge here.

“Don’t rush me. It’s almost done.”

I wouldn’t repeat the past mistakes. Of course, I hadn’t just been idly resting during that time. By now, Gordon’s new Life Vessel was nearly completed.

‘Smooth sailing.’

Although I hadn’t participated in the dungeon exploration during this time, the value of Gordon’s Life Vessel exceeded that.

Just thinking about it, he would be stronger than an ordinary A Rank Hunter.

In fact, if completed properly, Gordon could be summoned and commanded without much strain. Naturally, I was greedy about that.

Whew.

I poured my heart into the finishing touches.

The medium I used was a necklace imbued with powerful durability-enhancing magic; since its enhancement effect only applied to the necklace itself, I was able to buy it at a bargain considering its level.

After all, a sturdy Life Vessel was the best case scenario.

– How does it look?

“…don’t talk to me.”

Thus, by the time the sun had set and late into the night, the work was complete.

– Now, I’ll leave it to you.

With Gordon’s cooperation, I transferred his soul, which had been stored in the Book of Death, into the new Life Vessel.

Not long after, Gordon manifested himself in the state of a soul.

“Success.”

“How’s the condition?”

“Excellent.”

Right now, he was just a soul, but if he wished, he could resurrect his previous body at will.

It was truly the birth of a versatile slave capable of multi-purpose exploitation.

“What about your memories?”

At my question, Gordon shook his head immediately. Even though I had taken various measures while crafting the new Life Vessel, it seemed they weren’t effective.

‘…that means it’s impossible at the current level.’

However, there was no rush. After all, he was already in the process of regaining his power. The tasks at hand did not change.

I gazed blankly at the starry night sky.

#

“So, this is that… Lich?”

“Yeah. His name is Gordon.”

The next day, I introduced Gordon to Seo Ha, who had woken from her sleep.

I had already mentioned it beforehand, but it seemed she still couldn’t quite believe it as Seo Ha greeted Gordon with a reluctant expression.

“…Take care,”

“Though I currently serve my Master, it is clear in your heart that I am not someone a mere human can treat lightly…”

Thwack!

Hitting him on the back of his head infused with morale for saying unnecessary things, Gordon shot me a disgruntled look and replied.

“…I owe you one.”

Next were the party members. They had just returned from the dungeon without me, and their reactions upon seeing Gordon were truly varied.

“You really brought him back…”

“…Can we use him at full power?”

“Y-you’re not planning to betray us or anything, right?”

After finishing the introduction like that, before I knew it, it was evening.

On the ride back home with Song Ha Yeon, I pondered deeply.

‘Now I could easily handle two or three people.’

Surely, riding with Song Ha Yeon, which previously felt like an arduous task, was now much easier. By the time I surpassed level 50, I might be able to achieve a somewhat normal life.

This annoying side effect would eventually fade away. And if possible, I would return to my original body as well.

‘…this side is feeling more familiar by now.’

Feeling somewhat bitter, I tilted my head and closed my eyes.

I didn’t know how much time had passed, but for some reason, feeling a peculiar aura, I opened my eyes wide and woke up.

“Stop the car.”

“What?”

“Ugh. It’s late.”

Screech!

Before I knew it, a cargo truck that had crossed the centerline sped right towards us.

“Huh? What?!”

In a panic, Song Ha Yeon swerved the wheel, but it was too late. A tremendous impact shook our bodies along with a loud crashing sound.

Craaack!
Boom─!

Song Ha Yeon’s compact car rolled over twice and crashed into the mountainside, and we barely managed to tear ourselves free from the crumpled door.

Thud!

“Ugh. Ah.”

“Are you okay?”

“My reaction was a bit slow, so my leg…”

“That’s why I told you to work on your reflexes.”

I turned to see Song Ha Yeon with a sad expression gazing at the wrecked car, while I made my way towards the cargo truck we had collided with to check on the driver.

A man in his mid-forties was bleeding profusely, already lifeless.

‘…I definitely felt something over here.’

Bam!

Upon opening the door and lifting the driver’s head resting on the steering wheel, I noticed characters inscribed in magic on his forehead.

“Hades?”

The energy I felt earlier was faintly lingering around the man’s head. It seemed like he had fallen victim to a mental manipulation ability.

In other words, someone had intentionally attacked me.

‘…how irritating.’

Rather than an attack, it was more akin to a malicious greeting. Seeing how they left a message like that was revealing enough.

And I found it exceedingly ridiculous.

Whew.

This kind of magic was also within my capabilities. I briefly traced the lingering magical essence within the head of the manipulated man.

A woman with red hair and a sharp expression. Surrounding her was a bustling area that was definitely not Korea.

Perhaps sensing me as well, she stared at the air with a shocked expression.

Meeting her gaze, I quietly took in her appearance.

“…….”

Since I began to be referred to as the Lord of Death, I have never turned down this kind of arrogant challenge.

And the price I always paid was the death of my opponent.