The Legendary Necromancer Takes on the Towers

That evening.

When I told my brother “I have business abroad, so I’ll be going away,” he worried, just as I’d expected. 

However, convincing him wasn’t difficult. All I had to do was make him realize I wasn’t someone he needed to worry about.

“Who bought that?”

“You did…”

“And this?”

“That too…”

“And that over there?”

“Th-that too…”

The money I earned from the magic stones I’d collected over the past three weeks far exceeded what my brother could save in an entire year. 

With it, I bought the latest TV model, an expensive VR gaming console, and two new cars. I was even thinking about buying a new house. 

Everything my brother wore, from his clothes to his watch, were all things I’d recently bought for him. He couldn’t deny this fact.

“In the past three weeks, I’ve collected magic stones much larger and higher grade than what you’ve gathered.”

“That’s true…”

“I’ve already completely cleared over twenty hunting grounds solo.”

“Yes, I know… I know but! Still, you’re only seventeen, still a minor—”

“Does a 25 year-old who’s worse off than this 17 year-old have any right to talk? Shouldn’t you worry about yourself before worrying about me?”

“…I have nothing to say.”

My brother’s shoulders slumped as he finally admitted defeat. He looked like a dog with its tail between its legs after trying to win with words and failing miserably.

After reassuring(?) my brother like that, the next day.

When I arrived at Yang Gyu-hyeok’s family home, I was stunned by the size of this ‘house.’

“So you’re telling me everything from here to there is Yang Gyu-hyeok’s house, including the front and back yards?”

The front yard alone was the size of a hunting ground, and the mansion visible in the distance made me forget for a moment that this was Korea. 

To think all this land belonged to Yang Gyu-hyeok. And he even had a separate apartment in Seoul. 

I knew he came from a wealthy family, wealthy enough to own a private jet and individual airport with runways, but…

“I didn’t expect this level of connections…”

[⌒（⌒_⌒）⌒] [You succeeded in the connections business, huh.]

When I rang the bell, the gate opened shortly after.

-Creeak

As I entered the yard, the gate closed automatically. They seemed to operate it manually from inside the mansion. I looked around as I walked up. 

Just then, I saw Yang Gyu-hyeok coming out to greet me from the opposite direction. He greeted me warmly with his usual good-natured face.

“Thank you for coming. Everything’s prepared, shall we go?”

He seemed to be walking rather quickly, so I followed behind without a word. Soon after boarding the plane, we began rolling down the runway. 

Looking down from the sky, the size of the private property was truly impressive. With this much, you could live without working for the rest of your life. 

No, wait. 

Managing facilities and a mansion of this scale might actually require the opposite.

“If anything makes you uncomfortable, please let me know anytime.”

Yang Gyu-hyeok, who had briefly stepped away, returned and sat across from me. I watched his rather cheerful face for a moment before asking what I’d been curious about.

“Why did you make the subjugation proposal to someone you barely know like me?”

It might have been an abrupt question. However, Yang Gyu-hyeok’s eyes lit up as if he had been expecting it, and he smiled broadly. Those eyes held a certain ambition.

“I highly value Song Gi-hyeon-ssi’s potential. Ah, please don’t take this the wrong way. I just want someone who shows ‘promise,’ that’s all.”

Promise, huh.

…Come to think of it.

The Yang Gyu-hyeok I gradually got to know in previous cycles seemed to harbor strong ambitions too. 

He would take promising hunters to hunting grounds and ‘carry’ them after all. That was… similar to what I had been doing in every cycle. 

Teaching how to raise achievements quickly—though no one ever succeeded—explaining how to use mana accumulation. 

Passing on decent ability cards to companions when found…

But Yang Gyu-hyeok was someone who never revealed his true thoughts. And since we weren’t closely connected, it was something I couldn’t pay attention to.

“…Do you also have that far-fetched goal of clearing all towers, Yang Gyu-hyeok-ssi?”

So I asked this time. Rather than being put off by my self-deprecating tone, he smiled with what seemed like joy. 

Hmm. 

Looks like I hit the mark.

“I saw your interview. Were you serious?”

He must have been referring to that interview where I said clearing all towers was my ultimate goal.

“You don’t think I was just showing off, do you?”

“Hmm… well, you don’t seem like that type of person. Song Gi-hyeon-ssi. Come to think of it, I believe you’re not even twenty yet.”

“I’m 17.”

That’s my apparent age, at least.

Yang Gyu-hyeok observed me silently for a while, as if harboring various thoughts, before smiling wordlessly.

“You’re like an old soul in a young body, Song Gi-hyeon-ssi.”

“How well do you really know me to say that?”

“Isn’t this much enough? I’m quite good at judging people, you know.”

Maybe he’s right. I can’t really argue with being called ‘an old soul in a young body.’ But what can I do? 

The vigor of youth, that sparkling motivation—those were worn away long ago. Living because I can’t die. Just struggling to survive.

‘…If I had somehow managed to get Yang Gyu-hyeok to join the attack team in the previous cycle, could we have cleared more towers?’

I don’t know.

I know there’s no point in looking back at what’s already passed. Still, I couldn’t help feeling regretful. 

While clearing everything might have been impossible, there’s a world of difference between never trying and trying at least once.

If I somehow manage to climb all the towers in this cycle… there are three towers I’ll have to climb without any prior knowledge. 

All of them triples. Hell-level difficulty, just like the Tower of Wrath…

Is this what they mean by everything going dark before your eyes?

“Song Gi-hyeon-ssi? What’s wrong?”

“…”

I wonder what expression I was making. Probably something really unpleasant, if I had to guess.

“It’s nothing.”

I shook my head. Yang Gyu-hyeok seemed concerned and watched my reaction, but didn’t press further.

[ (ง`0´)ง ] [You can do it well. Just like you always have.]

A message that somehow felt caring. 

Getting lost too deep in the abyss here could definitely be dangerous. 

Let it go. 

There’s no use worrying about matters I can’t do anything about right now. 

I cleared all the worries from my mind. Seemed like I should get some sleep until we reached America.

* * *

When I opened my eyes to someone waking me, early morning sunlight was streaming through the window. I could feel the shaking sensation through my body. Looks like we were attempting to land.

“You still seem half-asleep, are you okay?”

“Yes. I’m fine.”

Actually, I’m not fine. No matter how comfortable the VIP seat was, sleeping on a plane was too uncomfortable. I must have tossed and turned countless times while sleeping.

-Thud!

Getting off the completely landed plane, I was greeted by an empty airport. 

This airport is close to Blue Marine, and currently isn’t open to the general public—only hunters can use it, apparently. 

I took out two skeletons in advance. Just then, a voice called out from somewhere.

“Hey!”

When I turned around, I saw a group approaching. Exactly three people. They seemed to be the existing members pushing for this subjugation.

“Ugh! Hey, kid! Are you trying to kill me with those monsters’ overwhelming stench? If so, you’re halfway there!”

One of the group who had come close exclaimed dramatically in English while holding his nose. 

A man with a tanned face and completely bleached yellow hair that stood out. 

I already knew well who he was. 

He’s as famous as Yang Gyu-hyeok, after all.

His name is Lucas Bolamir. 

That guy will soon rise to A-class from B-class.

 And the nickname people gave him was this: 

Mad Dog. 

Hmm. 

A very fitting nickname. 

Because when his switch flips, he truly becomes an unleashed maniac.

“Seems less offensive than the smell coming from your scalp. Why don’t you try bathing once in a while?”

When I returned his provocation with fluent English, the Westerners’ eyes went wide. Well. Is it their first time seeing an Asian who’s good at English?

-Click click

The orc skeletons clicked their teeth. It felt like they were showing solidarity. 

Yang Gyu-hyeok, watching the situation from a step back, also hid his rising smile.

Lucas Bolamir let out a haughty snort.

“Hmph! You really know nothing, kid. Find me someone who bathes as well as I do. I wash my hair at least three times a week!”

And no one backed him up.

“Mr. Gyu. I wasn’t informed about a necromancer coming. Is he reliable? And quite young-looking too.”

The guy with glasses sized me up disapprovingly. 

Necromancer and young—his eyes were already full of prejudice. 

And 

Being not the type to quietly take such treatment, I kindly returned his provocation with provocation.

“Have you heard the saying that the weaker they are, the more they bark? From what I can see, you seem to bark quite well.”

My talking back must have really gotten on his nerves, as the glasses-wearing man’s eyes crumpled like paper. 

Those eyes now filled with disgust. 

Faced with that disgust, I rather felt thrilled. 

It was even cute, like a Pomeranian puffing up its fur thinking it’s a lion while growling at my feet.

Did I unconsciously smile? The glasses-wearing man’s eyes now bulged as if they might pop out. 

His face turned red as if he might roar like a lion at any moment.

“Stop! Wait. Let’s not fight, okay? For now, um. How about we take time to introduce ourselves?”

A man who seemed intent on preventing this from escalating into a bigger fight cut in with a friendly smile. But when the glasses-wearing man continued glaring at me, he quickly added:

“My name is Anderson Hercel. I’m C-class, but I’ve been appointed leader this time because I know the hunting ground’s internal geography well. Would you like to tell us about yourself?”

Anderson Hercel prompted me. Without avoiding the glaring glasses-wearer’s gaze, I responded while maintaining eye contact.

“Song Gi-hyeon. E-class. Necromancer.”

The glasses-wearer pulled up one corner of his mouth and returned with a sneer.

“David Fortzen. C-class. Restrainer.”

Restrainer. 

Like “Necromancer,” it’s a term used to refer to hunters who have and primarily use the「Restrainer」 ability. 

Hmm, it’s quite a good ability if used well.

“It’s a good ability, but… Seems it found the wrong master.”

“And you seem perfect for your role. A necromancer hiding behind weak skeletons while sucking up.”

Anderson Hercel held his forehead. Yang Gyu-hyeok, who let out a laugh, continued the introductions.

“I’m Yang Gyu-hyeok. B-class.”

“And! Drum roll please! I am the famous Lucas Bolamir himself! Now, now. If we’re done with the pleasantries, let’s get going. The great Lucas will lead the way.”

“Y-yes! If we want to settle this within a week, we need to move quickly. Let’s all move out.”

Anderson Hercel nodded, taking the bait Lucas Bolamir thoughtlessly threw out. Yang Gyu-hyeok moved too. 

And David Fortzen… before moving, he glared at me, so I gave him my middle finger from my pocket. 

That seemed to excite him, as he stormed off cursing about asses, sons, and beaches.

(T/N: y’know it’s not beaches)

I’m looking forward to what kind of subjugation journey this will be. 

I’m especially curious about the future of Anderson Hercel and David Fortzen, since they’re originally characters who die during this subjugation march.

[ ∠( ᐛ 」∠)＿ ] [By the way, your brother will probably worry a lot. Is it okay that you didn’t tell him it’s a week-long schedule?]

Why bother? 

It would only make him oppose it more strongly. 

He’ll find out through the news later anyway. 

Well, if I take an active role, I could probably cut it down much shorter than a week. 

But this isn’t a solo subjugation, so there’s no need to do that. 

Honestly, I’d prefer to let them handle the small fry if possible and just focus on the prime targets myself. 

I silently watched the group walking ahead before following behind.