Awesome Shut-In Necromancer

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“Um, well, like….”

After the incident, Song Ha Yeon and I were bombarded with questions for the investigation at the hospital.

Most of the time, it was Song Ha Yeon who answered, but without the ring, it was truly an uncomfortable situation for me.

Having returned home utterly exhausted, I lay on my bed with a frown.

‘Hades, huh?’

At the time of the accident, I was uncertain, but it definitely seemed like Jackson was going on about Hades seeking revenge just before he died.

In other words, simply put, I had become the target of that revenge.

‘These guys are serious.’

Thanks to that, I had an incredibly annoying day. The cost of this would surely have to be paid someday.

“Come out.”

Phew.

– What’s the matter?

I conveyed the images of the opponent and the street to Gordon, who appeared in his soul state after the accident.

“Can you find them?”

– It’s not impossible.

“Good.”

As expected, a capable ally. I rolled over on the bed, lost in thought.

‘Surely, they’ll make a move soon enough.’

Seeing them declare war on me like this means they have considerable confidence.

‘They must have some advantage.’

Despite knowing of Jackson, an A Rank Hunter’s death, their audacity warrants caution.

‘Until Helena brings the items….’

It was quite unpleasant, but it seemed better to stay low for now.

The next day, I informed Seo Ha that I was going on a trip for a while and called Song Ha Yeon.

“Do you know any good hotels?”

“…Huh? Where?”

“We’ll be staying separately for a while.”

Looking confused while listening to my explanation, Song Ha Yeon said she understood and went home to pack.

Thus began our open-ended vacation.

#

Somewhere in Texas, U.S.

A tall man with a solid build approached a red-haired woman who seemed strangely agitated.

“Why are you like this since yesterday? This isn’t like you.”

“…I told you. That guy definitely saw me.”

After Jackson’s death not long ago, Hades managed to uncover the perpetrator after investigation.

And Hades never spares enemies. Baek Eun Ha, who killed Jackson, became a natural target for Hades.

Thus, the puppet master, Trione, declared war on Baek Eun Ha just yesterday using her abilities.

She intended to let Baek Eun Ha know she had been marked and to slowly wither away in anxiety.

However, during that process, she had somehow forced mental synchronization for just a moment and discerned her location.

It was a completely new experience for Trione.

“I heard she’s a necromancer?”

“I don’t know what method she used, but it’s clear she’s not an easy opponent. There’s a reason Jackson fell so easily.”

Recalling Baek Eun Ha’s deadly gaze, Trione clicked her tongue and grimaced.

“She must have at least A Rank skills to have done in Jackson.”

“Is there no separate order from the commander?”

“I was told not to call for a while.”

“…Is it because of her?”

Currently, Helena, an S Rank Hunter, could be called Hades’ biggest obstacle. The more she actively began to move, the more Hades’ members found themselves on guard.

“This is troublesome. We can’t let this obstacle grow any larger. We’ll have to handle it ourselves.”

“…I know.”

After considering something for a moment, Trione, with a meaningful smile, said to the burly man.

“Call Wei.”

“That murderer?”

“Since it’s come to this, let’s lay our plans out properly.”

#

“So, how long do we have to stay like this?”

“Until they come or we find them…?”

As I fiddled with my phone, rolling around on the wide bed, Song Ha Yeon leaned in with a frowny face.

“Do you really think they’ll come?”

“…They probably will. They’ve already spilled their names.”

“Ugh, I haven’t even been able to turn on the broadcast for three days.”

“I posted an announcement. And wipe that face. Ugh.”

Both of us had become targets. So, it wasn’t wise to bicker in a situation like this.

“Anyway, if you fight alone, you’ll get wrecked.”

“That’s true, but it’s kind of insulting….”

Regardless, since she was handling all the trivial matters in my stead without the ring, Song Ha Yeon was also a necessary asset. I found it troublesome not to have her.

I complained to Gordon, who was busy tinkering in a corner of the room.

“You said you could find them…”

“Ah, it’s only been three days.”

“Useless brat.”

“…….”

I had hoped a little, but honestly, I didn’t think they’d be found right away. If they were that lazy, they didn’t deserve to be part of a secret society.

“But you’ve been speaking quite well without the ring these days?”

“I’m improving gradually.”

“Then can I mess with your hair now?”

“Do so if you want to get kicked out.”

“Tsk.”

Bored to death just being in the room, Song Ha Yeon started exercising with dumbbells she had bought nearby.

Time passed, and while she was sweating, Song Ha Yeon wiped her sweat with a towel and asked me.

“By the way, wasn’t there another person aside from the Lich?”

“…Chae Hwa In?”

“Yeah. I don’t quite remember their name, but that person.”

Chae Hwa In, much like the previous Gordon, was currently inside the Book of Death. However, the circumstances were a bit complicated.

“The, the command system hasn’t been established properly.”

“So, you can’t get them out?”

“Well, I could, but….”

You never know, right? One moment they could regain their memory and then try to stab me for daring to make them undead.

And aside from that, Chae Hwa In’s current state was a bit strange too.

I didn’t want to summon them if possible.

“They were really pretty and dazzling…”

“If you envy them, then go make one yourself.”

“Ha! You know I can’t yet.”

Although she said that, Song Ha Yeon was steadily growing. If I helped her a bit, she would probably be able to create a high-ranking Undead in no time.

Another day passed, and the next day, we received three pieces of news.

First, I was informed that my Hunter rank had risen to B Rank.

Second, there was news of a new Returner appearing in Korea.

And finally, the third piece of news was.

[H-Help me!]

Gwak Min Ji, who had gone on vacation after clearing a dungeon, was kidnapped by Hades.

#

“W-was it in Chungbuk?”

“…….”

Given the circumstances, it was clear Gwak Min Ji had been taken hostage. Honestly, I had thought they’d target us directly, so this was unexpected.

“What should we do?”

“You’re too far away…”

“Are you really saying that after we got her captured?”

To be honest, I didn’t feel much motivation to save her, but still, if they were laying a trap for us, there was no reason to refuse.

I eventually set off towards Chungbuk, accompanied by Song Ha Yeon and Gordon.

Vroom,

“And it really looks dire….”

The destination we were heading to was clearly enemy territory. The opponent was likely fully prepared.

To be blunt, I was walking into a trap myself.

“No problem. Just a bunch of humans; I can handle this alone.”

Gordon said confidently, but honestly, a bit of anxiety was brewing within me.

‘There’s no way they have an S Rank or anything, right?’

I thought the chances were extremely low, but being a secret society, who knows? Jackson, a member, was also an A Rank Hunter. If there was a leader, they would probably possess even greater power.

“Guess we’ll find out when we get there.”

In case it goes south, I could use Gordon, who could resurrect, as a shield and make a quick escape.

Thus, the place we arrived at was an abandoned factory, devoid of human presence.

“Y-you go first.”

“Yes. Understood.”

Boom.

Creak.

Creeeak.

Gordon, taking the form of a human via magic, led the way into the factory.

Inside, Gwak Min Ji was left alone, tied up in a mess.

Tak tak.

“Ugh! Ughhh!”

“What the… what happened?”

As Song Ha Yeon hurried over to free Gwak Min Ji, I expanded my senses, keeping a watchful eye around. However, strangely, I couldn’t sense anything.

‘What the hell?’

Just as I was lost in thought, I began to faintly feel a familiar aura from a corner of the factory.

It was directed at none other than the bound Gwak Min Ji.

“Song Ha Yeon. Get back.”

“Huh?”

At that exact moment, the focus disappeared from Gwak Min Ji’s eyes, and her body suddenly went into a frenzy.

Tak tak.

Suspicious objects peeked out from between Gwak Min Ji’s clothes as she charged forward. It was a bomb vest straight out of a movie.

“Mommy!”

Song Ha Yeon, startled, backed away, but the situation wasn’t looking good.

I bit my lip and moved towards Gwak Min Ji, casting a spell.

Simultaneously, a tremendous explosion engulfed the factory.

Boom─!

“Master!”

Song Ha Yeon screamed, but naturally, I was unharmed. Gwak Min Ji was in the same boat.

“Such a trifling game….”

Thud.

Drip.

“Ma-master. My arm…”

Her left arm bled as it was burnt from the shoulder down. Checking it, I found the clothes around it in tatters.

However, it wasn’t fatal. I squinted at the rising pain.

“Ugh. Take her away.”

Thud.

Handing Gwak Min Ji, who had fainted, over to Song Ha Yeon, I narrowed my eyes towards the entrance of the factory.

I sensed the presence of numerous individuals rushing in from the sound of the explosion.

Step.

Step.

“…I can’t believe such an outdated hostage scenario would work.”

“Ha ha, I told you they’d come.”

“They’re more foolish than I’d imagined.”

Three people stood before us.

There was the red-haired woman I had seen through the previously connected pass, the burly man, and the hooded man who grinned grotesquely, holding a sword.

‘…This is annoying.’

I had met countless such fools. Those who can’t comprehend even after I explained the difference in power.

I positioned Gordon in front of me to obscure their view and quietly chanted a spell.

“Book of Death.”