Chapter 113

[Translator – Prøks]

[Proofreader – Prøks]

Chapter 113: Necromancer(1)

The Politburo Standing Committee.

The highest organ of power and decision-making in China. A total of seven standing committee members gathered there.

To discuss the world’s first SS-rank Achievement Awakener.

“What about his background?”

“There seems to be no problem in accepting him as a member of our Communist Party.”

At those words, President Li Zemin nodded in satisfaction.

“That’s fortunate. We can put him in the Nine Dragons Guild.”

The era of Awakeners.

Superhumans were a force that shook the existing power base.

Especially in a one-party dictatorship like China, they were no different from dangerous poison.

But it was impossible to go against the flow of the world.

Therefore, China was fostering private guilds, and the government was also fostering guilds separately.

Guilds that were no different from secret government-owned enterprises.

They were generously showering all kinds of benefits on patriotic guilds. China’s No. 1 guild, the Nine Dragons Guild, was a typical example of this.

All of them were made up of the children of high-ranking officials of the Chinese Communist Party, and only those whose loyalty and ideology had been thoroughly verified were accepted into the guild.

If you were an SS-rank Awakener, you had the qualifications to enter the Dragon Guild.

“So, as for Liang Xiaojun, has he decided on his occupation?”

“How could that be? He is solely waiting for your command, President.”

“Hmm.”

President Li nodded as if satisfied.

Despite being an SS-rank Awakener, he knew how to be humble.

Of course, he would need to observe a bit more, but he seemed worth the investment.

He examined the information on Liang Xiaojun in the document.

There was a note attached stating that he was skilled with a sword.

‘But he doesn’t seem exceptionally outstanding.’

—It seems like it could work well in the upper ranks, but it seems like there will be limitations in the highest ranks.

It was a result gathered by analysts of awakened forces within China, so there was no doubt about it.

‘Then it would be a bit vague to make him a swordsman, wouldn’t it?’

He could cover his skills to some extent with his achievements.

But no matter how much of an SS-rank achievement it was, it didn’t seem like he would be able to catch a monster like Korea’s Sword Saint.

“Occupation, occupation…”

The President pondered seriously.

Then he spoke with a solemn voice.

“I’m very concerned about Korea these days. Both Kim Minwoo and Ilsung. Their growth rate is very unusual. Don’t you all think so?”

“Yes, that’s correct.”

“Suddenly, I have this thought. What if that Kim Minwoo guy was actually an SS-rank Achievement Awakener?”

The committee members nodded.

Previously, they thought he was just a somewhat exceptional S-rank But the consecutive behaviors he showed couldn’t be explained solely by that.

“As the President says, I certainly have my doubts.”

“If he’s SS-rank, then all the actions he has shown so far can be explained.”

The difference between A-rank and S-rank skills was enormous.

Not to mention S and SS, the difference would be even greater.

Two incredibly strong summons and overwhelming numbers could all be explained.

“What if we made this Liang Xiaojun a Necromancer?”

“A Necromancer, you say?”

The committee members pondered the President’s words carefully.

Necromancer development was one of the things that many countries had tried in the past.

A one-man army that summons and controls countless undead.

If properly nurtured, it would become a powerful weapon for conquering Gates.

Naturally, China had also attempted it.

And, they realized numerous problems.

While other Awakeners could become stronger with 10 billion, Necromancers needed 100 billion to become powerful.

And even then, their strength didn’t necessarily surpass that of a 10 billion Awakener.

Summons?

One attack from a 10 billion Awakener would kill them all.

Even if the summons were Liches and Death Knights, the problem remained.

Even if they poured money into setting them up, they would be lucky to summon one or two.

In the end, they would be defeated by a high-level 10 billion Awakener.

Then was the Necromancer himself strong?

Without summons, they were merely relegated to a supporting role.

And if they invested trillions, would they really become that strong?

There were many questions about this as well.

Growth did not occur quantitatively in proportion to the money poured in.

That’s why many countries tried it and then spat it out.

China was the same.

Originally, this shouldn’t even be a matter for consideration.

But Kim Minwoo’s performance was too shocking.

So much so that they wondered if there was some unknown potential in Necromancers.

Seeing the silent committee members, the President spoke.

“Think about it. Didn’t our Chinese think tank analyze it? The higher the achievement, the more advantageous it would be for a Necromancer.”

The committee members nodded.

Kim Minwoo and Seo Yerim.

After those two conquered the A+ rank Gate, China hadn’t just been idly watching.

The best think tanks of the time had gathered and analyzed Necromancers like lice.

The key point was simple.

– A profession that becomes stronger with investment.

– It was estimated that Kim Minwoo had invested tens of trillions so far. Meanwhile, other Necromancers had only invested a few hundred billion at most….

– The higher the achievement rank, the more unimaginable the synergy can be. There could be skills that encompass all summons.

– However, it was questionable whether this could really be seen as S-rank. The possibility of achievements beyond that could not be ruled out…

The reason Kim Minwoo was strong?

Because he was a mere individual who invested like crazy in an amount that even a country wouldn’t invest.

And on top of that, was this guy perhaps higher than S-rank?

That was the content of the think tank’s analysis.

Back then, even the President and the committee members couldn’t be sure if it was true.

An achievement higher than S-rank.

They wondered if such a thing really existed.

It wasn’t 0%, but they didn’t think the probability was high either.

But now it was different.

SS-rank really did exist.

What if Kim Minwoo had achieved SS-rank achievement just one step ahead?

It wouldn’t be strange for him to have shown such a performance.

The President’s eyes became serious.

“SS-rank achievements are indeed rare. But, we should try experimenting at least once, shouldn’t we?”

“Um… The President is right. We can’t underestimate the potential of Necromancers.”

[Translator – Prøks]

[Proofreader – Prøks]

Moreover, Kim Minwoo was just an individual.

On the other hand, this was China itself.

If they set their minds to it, they would simply spend trillions.

What if Liang Xiaojun, who grew up like that, surpassed Kim Minwoo?

‘Korea in despair.’

‘The picture would be beautiful.’

‘I heard this guy uses a sword too.’

The concept was quite similar.

The achievement ratings are also the same.

And if the investment was even greater, there was no reason for China’s hope, Liang Xiaojun, to lose.

The variable is only the swordsmanship.

‘It’s not like that Kim Minwoo guy is some kind of Sword Saint.’

He may have thrived in the lower levels, but in the higher levels, you have to stick to your main job to survive.

As time passed, it was obvious that Liang Xiaojun’s momentum would diminish like a candle extinguished in front of the pursuit.

Moreover, it’s China, a populous country.

The conviction that SS-rank achievements wouldn’t end with this one also reduced the burden.

“Necromancer, very good. Making him a swordsman or a mage wouldn’t have any impact. I am once again amazed by the President’s insight.”

“Haha. You flatter me. Then, let’s have Liang Xiaojun as a Necromancer. Let’s set a new record for China this time.”

It would be a beautiful sight to see Kim Minwoo’s records broken one by one.

The President and the committee members’ eyes sparkled.

* * *

Ilsung Guild education.

Seo Yerim and Park Siwoo readily agreed. Naturally, a relieved smile appeared on Nam Cheolmin’s face.

“Thank you very much.”

“We should help each other out. When the time comes that we need help than the Ilsung Guild could also help…”

“Of course, then our Ilsung Guild will step forward.”

After the heartwarming conversation ended.

Nam Cheolmin, who was looking at his vibrating phone, chuckled and asked.

“Have you seen this news? They say an SS-rank Awakener has appeared in China…”

“I saw it a little while ago too. It’s interesting. They’re choosing a Necromancer of all things.”

“…Are you okay? Seeing that the Chinese government officially announced it, it seems like it’s real…”

Nam Cheolmin’s face was filled with worry.

The first appearance of an SS-rank Awakener in China. But why choose such an unconventional profession like Necromancer?

This was clearly aimed at Kim Minwoo, wasn’t it? And with such a flashy debut, it was highly likely that the Chinese government would fully support him.

“I’m grateful if they choose Necromancer.”

Kim Minwoo said with a grin.

The appearance of SS-rank.

He had half expected it anyway.

If humanity’s potential had increased, then higher-grade Awakening achievements could also appear.

‘Since it’s come to this, I hope they invest a lot.’

Korea, China, Japan.

The three countries were in a fierce competition.

A relationship where one side falls and the other side smiles.

The more he grew, the more other countries would start to move. All sorts of conspiracies and schemes would be rampant.

In such a situation, one of the most troublesome countries, China, was doing this nonsense?

‘Thank you very much.’

Wasting money.

Wasting a decent Awakener.

It was something that could weaken China’s power.

There was nothing to lose.

‘Since it’s come to this, I hope that Necromancer over there does well.’

China had willingly taken the lead.

If the Chinese Necromancer performed well here, would other Awakened countries just sit still?

Even their neighboring country, Japan, would start to fidget.

The Korean Necromancer and the Chinese Necromancer were doing well, but could Japan endure it?

‘They can’t, can they?’

Necromancer.

This was Pandora’s Box.

China was the first to open it, unable to resist. Now, many countries around the world would start to touch the box’s handle.

‘The more that happens, the more my value will rise.’

At that moment.

● You are the one who ‘opened the horizon of humanity’!

● You perceive the changes in the world!

● You have caused a powerful nation to choose an option they wouldn’t normally have!

● The story is starting to change!

● 50 achievement points are awarded!

● You own an achievement vending machine! The points are doubled…

“Oh?”

“What’s wrong?”

“Suddenly, something good happened.”

“Uh… congratulations?”

“Thank you.”

“Then I’ll be on my way.”

Nam Cheolmin awkwardly offered his congratulations and left the room.

At that moment.

An uncontrollable smile appeared on Kim Minwoo’s lips.

He never imagined he could earn points this way.

What a windfall this was!

Soon, breaking news started popping up in the news section.

[(Breaking News) The world’s first SS-rank Achievement Awakener officially appears in China! Class confirmed as Necromancer!]

[Following Kim Minwoo? SS-rank Necromancer Liang Xiaojun announces the conquest of F-rank Gate ‘Ratman’s Sewer’ in 3 days!]

[The difficulty score of Ratman’s Sewer is 93 points…]

‘They really chose Necromancer.’

They chose an option they wouldn’t normally choose.

He understood the meaning of this right away.

China, which had changed its career to a Ddong Somelliar.

Thanks to that, achievement points rolled in for free.

Kim Minwoo looked at the article with a serious face.

‘Surely he won’t die there, will he?’

He had been rooting for him from the beginning, but now he was even more desperate.

What if the Liang Xiaojun ship capsized before it even set sail?

‘No. Other countries will all run away.’

China would become the biggest fool, and the neighbors who were trying to open Pandora’s Box would run away.

That couldn’t happen.

The great powers had to all choose Necromancers for the achievement points to be duplicated.

‘If he takes potions, enhances his skills to +9, and equips himself… there’s a possibility.’

He had cleared it in 2 hours and used the remaining 38 hours to find hidden piece hints, but…

It would be too harsh to ask Liang Xiaojun, an SS-rank rookie, to clear it in 2 hours.

‘Isabella took two days.’

The best thing would be to clear it faster than Isabella. That way, other places would also have their eyes on Necromancers.

‘Well, it seems a bit tough…’

In Korea, he was being ridiculed as a ‘baguette martial artist,’ ‘goat,’ and ‘bubble.’

But that didn’t mean Isabella was an easy Awakener.

‘She’s the real deal.’

She was good at fighting like a beast.

She had been a monster since the time when achievements were limited to S-rank.

The reason she was being mocked was because he was even more of a monster.

On the other hand, Liang Xiaojun…

‘I’ve heard of him.’

He was one of the Chinese S-rank swordsmen, wasn’t he?

His swordsmanship was slightly inferior to Seo Yerim’s.

Even with that level of skill, he was known as a swordsman ranked within the top 40 in China.

But in this 6th stage, he was suddenly forced to change to a Necromancer.

From using a sword to having an SS-rank achievement.

It seemed like they forced him to change classes with the intention of copying him.

‘It’ll be hard to beat Isabella, won’t it?’

Current world-ranked Awakener’s level 49 record VS level 1 Chinese scrub swordsman + SS-rank Necromancer skills.

It was a matchup that made one’s heart swell.

Even with the power of SS-rank skills, the best he could do was be slightly faster or slower than Isabella.

That’s roughly how it seemed.

“Good luck, Liang Xiaojun.”

He left a message of encouragement for him.

He hoped he would at least beat Isabella.

‘If this guy makes a great leap forward.’

On top of that, if he won first place in the Super Rookie Tournament, there might be a Necromancer craze. Trends usually spread like wildfire in an instant, don’t they?

‘I need to stir up the wind.’

It seemed like he needed to start moving in earnest so that the whole world could get drunk on the Necromancer craze.

[Translator – Prøks]

[Proofreader – Prøks]