Chapter 11

[Translator – Prøks]

[Proofreader – Prøks]

Chapter 11: Title Master

It didn’t take long for him to return.

Minwoo looked down at his body.

Just a moment ago, he had been struggling to move his limbs.

Now, it was as good as new.

There was no sign of potion addiction either.

A virtual body is the best.

‘Even though I spent some money, I got a good deal.’

He had gained a lot.

First, The combat experience of the skeletons.

He had personally experienced a massive war that even money couldn’t buy. This experience would be a great help to the skeletons as they grew in the future.

Second.

Titles.

He had acquired a large number of titles.

Since it was a new stage, there were many that even Minwoo didn’t know the details of.

‘I should take a look at them now.’

[New Title List]

[1. How Far Will You Go, You?]

[You directly participated in a special battlefield.]

[Effect: Mana +3]

[2. Orc Slayer]

[You hunted 500 orcs, much higher level than you.]

[Effect: Attack power against orcs increased by 10%.]

[3. He Who Lives Only Today]

[You became addicted to potions by drinking them like water.]

[Effect: Chance to resist potion addiction slightly increased.]

[4. Hunter of the Strong]

[You defeated a monster with an overwhelming gap in strength.]

[Effect: Attack power increased by 10% against monsters with a level difference of 200 or more.]

[5. Baby Commander]

[You commanded over 500 subordinates.]

[Effect: Morale of the led army increases by 3%.]

‘That’s just the average.’

These were titles with decent effects.

And from now on…

‘These are the real top titles.’

These are the titles he had earned by performing feats that would take ten lives.

[6. Indomitable Soul]

[A soul that does not bend. It is a fragment of brilliant possibility.]

[Effect 1. The soul survives the death of the body.]

[Effect 2. All abilities increased by 10% (also applies to additional abilities)]

[Effect 3. Unopened]

[Effect 4. Unopened]

First, the Indomitable Soul.

‘Isn’t the effect crazy?’

Only two of the effects were unlocked, but those two were insane.

The first one was the ability to survive the death of the body.

‘I would have died without this.’

It had saved his life.

That says it all.

And the second effect.

A 10% increase in all abilities.

‘This is crazy.’

It was a percentage increase, no less.

Titles with such effects were extremely rare.

Even Minwoo, who had been playing this game for 15 years, had only seen it three times.

‘And even then, it was only around 5%. And it was for individual abilities, not all abilities.’

But 10% for all abilities!

And it even applied to the additional abilities that increased with titles and equipment!

“Hehehe.”

His mouth hung open.

Right.

He had worked so hard for this, so it was only right that he be rewarded this much.

And there were still three more main titles to go.

[7. Master of the Dragon Knight]

[You have become the master of the Dragon Knight Cedric.]

[Effect 1. The learning ability of all Skeleton-type summons is greatly increased.]

[Effect 2. Skeletons can now reach the rank of Dragon Soldier.]

[Effect 3. Exudes a strong sense of oppression to Dragon-type monsters.]

[Effect 4. Unopened]

[Effect 5. Unopened.]

‘Wow.’

This was also amazing. The learning ability of the Skeleton summons would be ‘greatly’ increased.

Abilities are definitely important.

And just as much as that.

‘Fighting well is also important.’

Orc Guard.

He had defeated an enemy with an overwhelming difference in ability.

It was because he fought well.

This would also overlap with the learning effect of Death Lord, so there was a possibility that the Skeletons would be able to do the same.

‘I don’t expect them to be as good as me.’

Kim Minwoo still has a conscience.

It would be greedy to expect ordinary Skeletons to move as well as he did, a former world No. 1 gamer.

‘But what if they were half as good?’

No, even if they were only half as good, that would be fine.

Even then, they would be able to slap the faces of some of the Awakened. If they could just move like that, their combat power would be completely different.

The second effect was also great.

‘Dragon Soldier.’

Kim Minwoo had hunted dragons a few times before.

Dragon Soldiers were one of the undead soldiers that high-ranking dragons used as servants. They were mainly servants who guarded the dragons’ lair.

However, it was not a summon that a Necromancer could utilize.

‘I’ve never seen the skill book for it.’

As far as he knew, the Dragon Soldier skill book had never dropped in Gate Hunter.

He had thought that the drop rate was just ridiculously low.

‘Was it something that I could only use after taking Cedric as my subordinate?’

The Dragon Soldier was arguably the strongest among the Skeleton-type summons.

The fact that that route had been opened up was a huge boon in itself.

There would be a day when he would be able to summon a group of Dragon Soldiers.

The third effect was also good.

There were quite a few Dragon-type monsters.

And the rewards were also great compared to monsters of the same level.

‘There will be many uses for this.’

[7. One who has received the recognition of Mutakta]

[Orc Hero Mutakta. He recognized you as a warrior.]

[Effect 1. Strength, Agility +30]

[Effect 2. Orcs feel a strong affinity for you. There is a chance that a special route will be opened when encountering Orcs.]

“Wow, this Mutakta bastard… .”

Just how strong of a monster was he?

‘Does my ability go up by 60 just with his recognition?’

That was the equivalent of a pure ability increase of 15 levels.

He had already had a rough idea of it when he defeated Cedric.

It seemed that he was truly a monster.

[8. One who has stopped the eternity]

[You broke through the impossible and ended the repetition of the Eternal Battlefield – Hrungnir Battle.]

[Effect 1. Mana +20]

[Effect 2. You smell delicious. A Divine Beast is watching you.]

“……?”

Let’s say that the 20 mana is fine.

‘But what’s this about smelling delicious? And what’s a Divine Beast?’

Minwoo looked around at the words that said he was being watched.

He didn’t feel anything unusual.

“……Nothing will happen, right?”

The Chairman’s main house.

This was one of the most heavily guarded places in Korea.

There were detection systems similar to those of the Blue House all over the place.

Even for a swordsman, it would be difficult to sneak in here.

He didn’t know what this Divine Beast was, but if it was something that even these detection systems couldn’t find.

‘It’s useless to prepare for it anyway.’

What could he do to find something that couldn’t be found even here?

The solution was simple then.

Just think of it positively.

There’s a reason why they say that if you can’t avoid it, enjoy it.

‘It will work out somehow.’

Anyway.

He had received an amazing reward through this summoning.

‘Status window.’

[Name: Kim Minwoo (23)]

[Occupation: Necromancer]

[Level: 1]

[Owned Skills (3/8): Death Lord (EX), Cedric Summon (SSS), Skeleton Summon (F) +9]

[Mana: 820/820]

[Titles: 12]

[Stats]

[Strength: 81 (+8)] [Agility: 81 (+8)] [Stamina: 52 (+5)] [Mana: 75 (+7)]

‘Wow….’

His equipment was completely destroyed by Mutakta’s kicks. The abilities he saw now were his pure physical abilities.

And these were his abilities at level 1.

His chest swelled with pride.

‘Just the additional abilities are 83 in total.’

He had gained an increase equivalent to over level 20.

And he had also gained a 10% increase in all abilities.

‘And I got Cedric too.’

What did he lose?

Minwoo looked at his body.

The rare items that were so badly damaged by Mutakta’s kicks that they couldn’t even be repaired.

The Black Heart Set worth 50 billion that he had given to the Skeletons.

Consumables, including potions worth close to 10 billion.

Spare equipment worth close to 20 billion.

And finally, the Intermediate Spatial Ring worth 50 billion (destroyed).

In total, it was about 130 billion.

To think that he would get such an effect for just 130 billion.

“Isn’t this a huge profit?”

He had really hit the jackpot.

Ilsung, the number 1 conglomerate.

As expected, the main house was spacious and had all kinds of facilities inside.

The same was true for the training ground.

A large yard divided into dozens of sections. Minwoo arrived there and checked his skills.

[Cedric Summon (SSS)]

[Type: Active]

[Mana Cost: 100]

[Summons Dragon Knight Cedric. Cedric’s level follows the master’s. The ability is unlocked as the level increases.]

The explanation was very simple.

‘It follows my level….’

Then, that meant a level 1 Cedric would be summoned.

‘That’s good.’

A level 1 Cedric would be easier to take care of, wouldn’t he?

“Come here.”

[Cedric is being summoned!]

[50 mana is consumed!]

Half mana reduction due to Death Lord.

Clang!

Then Cedric appeared.

In the eternal battlefield, he used to ride a bone dragon, shining with a magnificent golden body. But now, he looked different.

Although he appeared slightly more impressive than an ordinary skeleton, there wasn’t a dramatic difference.

The color of his bones was white, and his size was only about half a span larger than an ordinary skeleton.

The only notable feature was that he held a dark spear.

Minwoo assessed Cedric’s stats.

[Cedric]

[Occupation: Dragon Knight]

[Level: 1]

[Owned Skills: Master of the Spear (S)]

[Loyalty: 60]

[Special Notes: Most of the skills and abilities are sealed.]

[Strength: 34 (+17)] [Agility: 32 (+16)] [Stamina: 34 (+17)] [Mana: 36 (+18)]

“Hmm. Still SSS, huh?”

Even without the boost from Death Lord, he was undoubtedly a formidable summon.

For a level 1 summon, his abilities surpassed those of several awakened F-rank individuals.

Considering that a typical skeleton summoned at first would have average stats of 10 with no skills, this was an overwhelming difference.

However, instead of warm encouragement, Minwoo unleashed a sharp reprimand.

“What’s this? Why are you so pathetic? Were you always like this?”

Clatter! Clack!

Cedric seemed to clench his teeth in frustration.

Then he spoke.

“Master… Am I really at level 1?”

“Yep.”

“…I see. Most of my powers are sealed it seems. It’s the first time I’ve had such a difficult time speaking with this inferior body.”

“So, it’s all because of your superior master?”

“Not necessarily, but…”

“You!”

Minwoo gave him a smack on the head.

Thud!

Cedric, gripping his head, looked at Minwoo with a sense of injustice.

“Why did you hit me?”

“Do you understand what tough love is?”

“…What’s that?”

“I’m hitting you because I love you.”

“Master, are you insane?”

“Does a summoned creature dare to talk back?”

Minwoo picked up the sword laid in the training ground.

“From the very beginning, I need to instill good habits in you.”

It wasn’t just because of summoning that he went through all this trouble.

“I’m not that lenient.”

Kim Minwoo had a clear purpose.

Lower-level undead, who had almost no intelligence, would dedicate themselves infinitely to their master. If told to jump into a pit of fire, they would do so without hesitation. Why? Because they didn’t think.

But higher-level undead were different.

They had intelligence, they could think, and they could make judgments.

That collective intelligence was the Loyalty system.

Loyalty was one of the essential metrics to manage.

If it was too low, undead would leave their master or, in extreme cases, even kill them.

Handling high-level undead required caution.

“Well, being a necromancer doesn’t absorb all that risk.”

The same applied to other summoning occupations.

Failure to manage loyalty would lead to the path of destruction.

Loyalty 60.

Not low, but not high either.

Roughly interpreted…

They recognized him as their master to some extent, but not completely.

“I’ll wait and see.”

“Well, roughly, it probably means that.”

Of course.

Would a brat like that enthusiastically devote himself just because he was rescued once?

Usually, in these situations, there were two ways to handle it.

First.

The doting method.

Nurturing the undead with care and affection, gradually increasing their loyalty little by little.

“And the second…”

Brandishing the rod of tough love, displaying overwhelming power, gaining recognition as the master in one fell swoop.

Kim Minwoo was a gamer.

And gamers loved shortcuts.

“Cedric. Let’s spar today. I need to discipline you a bit with this sword.”

[Cedric rebels!]

“…Master, are you joking about with a knight? Stop it.”

A blue flame flickered in Cedric’s pupils as he held the spear.

Ffft.

Minwoo chuckled.

He roughly understood why Cedric was so arrogant.

He was a necromancer, not a combatant. So it must have been quite humiliating for him to be ordered around with a sword.

And as a proud knight, he probably didn’t want to be hit.

“But what should I do?”

Even if his stats were lagging behind, he was confident he could win. And moreover, his stats were much higher.

“In Korea, there’s a saying. When in Rome, do as the Romans do. I’ll teach you some manners today, big brother.”

“…I warned you, master. And age-wise, I’m your senior.”

Yeah, the strong guy’s the big brother.

It was time to instill manners in the arrogant summon.

[TL/N: I corrected the names in the last section of the Chapter 10 so as to clear the confusion. I would advise you guys read chapter 10 again for fluent reading experience and clear any confusions you had last chap.]

[Translator – Prøks]

[Proofreader – Prøks]