Chapter 5

[Translator – Prøks]

[Proofreader – Prøks]

Chapter 5: EX-rank Skill

[Necromancer Skill, Death Lord (EX) acquired.]

[Death Lord]

[Rank: EX]

[Type: Passive]

[Effect 1. Summoned undead revive once more upon death (limited once per day).]

[Effect 2. All summoned undead have their stats increased by 50%.]

[Effect 3. Mana cost for summoning undead is reduced by 50%.]

[Effect 4. All undead under command gain the ability to learn.]

[Effect 5. Upon meeting certain conditions, the Trial of Death Lord will be granted. Overcoming it will yield special rewards.]

“Oh my god.”

Kim Minwoo’s mouth dropped open after seeing the skill’s effects.

He had seen quite a few S-rank skills up until now.

That’s why he could tell at a glance.

That EX-rank skills were on a whole different level than S-rank!

“Is this insane?”

Just think about it in terms of efficiency. Let’s say there’s another necromancer just like him.

“When the other necromancer summons ten skeletons.

“I can summon twenty.”

Since the mana cost for summoning is halved. And what if their stats are increased by 50%?

In terms of pure numbers, it’s like they have the power of thirty skeletons.

And on top of that, they revive once more after dying.

Taking that into account, it’s like they have sixty skeletons.

This snowball would start rolling like crazy as time went on.

The effects didn’t end there.

“The ability to learn, huh.”

Undead did have the ability to learn. However, it only applied to high-ranking undead.

“It was only from the Dullahan and above, I think.”

The Dullahan, a middle-to-high-ranking undead and headless knight.

They had to be at least that level to be able to learn anything.

But with that effect…

“Does that mean even ordinary skeletons will gain the ability to learn?”

It had an incredible effect.

Of course, he wouldn’t know how efficient it would be until he actually summoned them and tried it out.

“But it’s an EX-rank skill’s effect.”

It’s bound to show an efficiency that doesn’t fall short of the other effects. His chest was already pounding with excitement.

He didn’t know the conditions for the Trial mentioned in Effect 5, so for now, he had no choice but to do what he had to do.

“Status window.”

[Name: Kim Minwoo (23)]

[Occupation: Necromancer]

[Level: 1]

[Possessed Skills (1/1): Death Lord (EX)]

[Mana: 100/100]

[Title: None]

[Strength: 8 Agility: 8 Vitality: 7 Magic: 10]

The average human stat was 10. Considering that, Kim Minwoo’s physical stats were below average.

‘Well, at least my magic is about average.’

Each point in magic increased his skill slots by 1 and gave him 10 mana.

‘I need to raise my magic stat first.’

He had a skill to strengthen undead, but he didn’t have a skill to summon them yet.

He needed to raise his magic stat to increase his skill slots.

He rummaged through his pocket and took out a pill.

[Sword Shadow Pill]

Rank: A

Pill made by the Sword Sect. Increases all stats by 10 upon consumption (cannot be stacked)

As expected.

The best is always different.

10 in all stats was like adding the strength of one more person.

‘It’s a waste to eat it now.’

Just like studying, the higher the stat, the harder it becomes to raise it.

It would be better to use such a pill later.

‘I need to find other pills.’

Low-rank items could be easily obtained with money, so he decided to solve the stat problem that way.

Just then…

His phone rang.

[Father]

“Hello?”

―Minwoo, I heard you awakened. Is it true?

He could sense urgency in Chairman Kim’s voice from the other end of the line.

It seemed that the bodyguards had delivered the news.

“Yes, it is.”

―Come home right away. Don’t go anywhere else.

“Yes.”

He had a lot to spend money on: potions, equipment, and even donations.

It was perfect timing.

***

Chairman Kim Kangchul.

He paced around his study.

It was still hard to believe the contents of the phone call he had just received.

No wonder he felt that way. The content was too shocking.

Even a lie needs to be believable!

Not only was his good-for-nothing eldest son sparring fiercely with the Sword Saint, but he was also being praised as a great swordsman?

If this was a novel or a movie, it would have been criticized as trash even before it was released.

―Hehehe. You seem to be flustered. But I swear on my sword, what I just said is the truth.

―Oh, right. If you need the power of the Sword Sect in the future, please let me know. I will come and help you myself if necessary.

Even Chairman Kim, who had experienced all sorts of ups and downs in life, had no choice but to say yes, yes to the Sword Saint’s words.

No wonder he felt that way. What was he supposed to say if he didn’t know anything?

So after talking to the Sword Saint, he immediately called the bodyguards and…

―Yes. I don’t know much about swords, but I’m sure the young master didn’t lose to the Sword Saint.

―To me, it seemed like the first young master was actually pushing the Sword Saint back. Although he eventually collapsed due to lack of stamina…

‘This is ridiculous.’

This is really ridiculous.

But that was the reality.

As he was pacing anxiously, the door to the study opened.

“I’m here, Father.”

“Here, come and sit down. What the hell happened?”

“I sparred with the Sword Saint. I lost because I ran out of stamina.”

“……No! That’s too simple! Explain it in more detail!”

Minwoo scratched his head at the sight of Chairman Kim, who was fidgeting.

“Well, that’s…”

As the explanation continued, Chairman Kim laughed, frowned, and slapped his knees.

Chairman Kim had been very worried about his eldest son, who had not been able to do anything like a human being until he was over twenty-three.

But what about now!

The audacity to apply for a duel with the Sword Saint while staking a billion won.

Even the Sword Saint was amazed by his terrifying talent.

Was his eldest son this good?

A smile slowly crept up on Chairman Kim’s lips.

“Haha! You are my son after all! You are my son! Well then! There is no law that says a tiger can’t have two cubs!”

“Yes? Father, are you going to…?”

“Oh! When I was young, I was also known as an Awakener! I didn’t have to inherit the company, or I would be an S-rank by now…Ahem!”

Chairman Kim coughed as if he realized he had gone too far.

“Anyway, I’m worried.”

“Worried? About what?”

“I just said I’d pay one hundred billion won, but as you know, I’m penniless. All my money has been confiscated…”

“Haha! What’s one hundred billion won! You don’t have to worry about anything! I’ll take care of it, so don’t worry about it.”

“Really?”

“Of course!”

[Translator – Prøks]

[Proofreader – Prøks]

Chairman Kim replied heartily..

It’s not like he was paying a hundred billion won to clean up a mess.

This was a sum of money that would improve his relationship with the Sword Sect.

The Sword Saint’s side said they didn’t need it, but Chairman Kim had no intention of letting this opportunity pass him by.

‘I’ve always wanted to give them money but never had the chance. This is perfect!’

After all, money was a medium that could strengthen relationships. It seemed like a perfect excuse to give them some.

He felt full even though he hadn’t eaten.

Is this what it feels like to see your child grow up?

Chairman Kim asked with anticipation.

“So, how did you do on your achievement? I heard the light was amazing when you awakened. B-rank? No, that’s too low. At least A, maybe even S…”

“Father, is that all the ambition you have for the Ministry of Defense? Be more ambitious.”

“Huh?”

What is he talking about?

Chairman Kim tilted his head.

Is he saying to aim for higher than A-rank?

But didn’t he already have S-rank in mind?

For a moment, he couldn’t understand his son’s words.

Then, Kim Minwoo’s finger pointed to the sky.

“It’s higher than S.”

“…Higher than S?!”

Chairman Kim’s hair stood on end. He felt goosebumps all over his body.

“What is that…! Isn’t S the end of achievements?!”

It’s common sense.

No Awakener in the world had ever received an S-rank or higher on their achievement.

But higher than that?

Is this even possible?

“It exists, above that. I am the proof.”

[Awakener Kim Minwoo shares his status window!]

[Would you like to confirm?]

Gulp.

Chairman Kim swallowed his saliva and accepted his son’s status window.

“……!”

His eyes widened.

[Possessed Skills (1/1): Death Lord (EX)]

“EX? What the hell is this…!”

He was surprised once by the unprecedented rank and its effect, and…

[Occupation: Necromancer]

“No, wait! What, what is this! Necromancer?”

He was surprised again by the occupation.

“Yes, I changed my job to Necromancer.”

At the sight of his son speaking so proudly, Chairman Kim’s mind was momentarily confused.

The Sword Saint had clearly praised him as a great swordsman, so why?

Why on earth…?

Just then…

Kim Minwoo’s face became serious, as if he had made a decision.

“Father.”

“Y-yes.”

“Our family is rich, right?”

“Well… that’s right.”

“If I buy them really good equipment and give it to the skeletons, wouldn’t that be invincible?”

“Well, you’re not completely wrong, but… why?”

“Because that’s the romance of it. And necromancers can also wield swords. If you’re really disappointed, I can be a genius swordsman necromancer, you know.”

At those words, Chairman Kim was speechless.

* * *

‘I somehow managed to convince him.’

Minwoo sighed as he entered the room.

He had managed to convince the Sword Saint with a plausible excuse, but that wouldn’t fly with Chairman Kim, a C-rank Awakener.

He had to be careful not to be treated as a cult.

Fortunately, he was only slightly disappointed and seemed to have accepted the reason for himself.

He relied on his family’s reputation.

The EX-rank skill was amazing.

If he raised it, it would be worth the money.

What’s the point of having a family.

So please give me some money.

With the 5-step flawless logic, the chairman’s purse was opened, and…

―Now that you’ve awakened, work hard. The only Awakener who will bring glory to our Ilsung name is you, Minwoo.

[100,000,000,000 won has been deposited into Kim Minwoo’s account.]

He was able to receive 100 billion won in initial support.

‘It’s going according to plan so far.’

The reason he revealed his rank to Chairman Kim was simple.

He had seen it for 6 years of playing.

Chairman Kim was a good father.

At least he wouldn’t get hit in the back of the head.

And more importantly…

‘I’m going to need a lot of money in the future.’

He could have just vaguely said that his achievement was something like A or S rank.

But then, he would only be able to get a moderate amount of support.

‘I wouldn’t be able to get it all.’

The treatment of the world’s only and just another promising prospect is different.

He might have received a much smaller amount instead of 100 billion won in the first round of support.

The second and third round of funding would also be reduced.

He was in a situation where he had to hunt foreign powers within 7 years.

Every day was precious.

He had to act boldly if he wanted to get ahead.

‘Well, this much should be enough…’

At least he should be able to buy some bones for our skeletons.

It wasn’t just money and support that he received from the chairman.

[Lowest Rank Mana Pill]

[Rank: E]

[Required Level: 1 or above]

[Slightly increases mana when consumed. (Applicable up to Ability 50)]

[Lowest Rank Stamina Pill]

[Lowest Rank Strength Pill]

[Lowest Rank Agility Pill]

He received a lot of mass-produced potions that cost from tens of millions to hundreds of millions of won each.

“Will this be enough to get all of them to 50…? Of course it will, right?”

Let’s see the effect of the potion.

It ‘slightly’ increases the ability.

The extent of this ‘slight’ increase varied depending on the individual’s physique and talent.

If you have a genius talent and physique, you can increase your ability by 1 point per pill.

But what about Kim Minwoo?

‘This guy is a bit of a worry.’

He had almost emptied the low-rank potion warehouse, but…

These potions were like a lottery for Kim Minwoo.

They were the kind that he had to pray would go up and eat reluctantly.

It’s not for nothing that stuff like Sword Shadow Pills are so expensive.

That’s because it always raises the fixed value by ’10’.

There were only a few of those in Ilsung.

‘It’s going to be a bit difficult to get my hands on those.’

Ilsung also has Awakened people.

Considering that the potions should also go to them, it was something that even the chairman couldn’t easily touch.

‘Well, I can get them later.’

If he proves his skills, good potions will come to him on their own.

And so he consumed nearly hundreds of potions…

“Ah.”

[Strength: 32] [Agility: 33] [Vitality: 34] [Magic: 35]

“I’m sorry, Mr. Chairman.”

Kim Minwoo’s talent exploded.

In the negative direction.

‘But at least the skill slots are open now…’

I need to get some more potions.

[Translator – Prøks]

[Proofreader – Prøks]