Chapter 114

[Translator – Prøks]

[Proofreader – Prøks]

Chapter 114: Necromancer (2)

The candidates for the Super Rookie Tournament were chosen and the final round was approaching.

Yet, Korea’s attention was focused on China’s attempt to break a new record instead of its own tournament process.

That’s understandable, considering that only A-rank Awakeners were selected as candidates.

But to go up against the Money Talks Guild that decimated the Ilsung first team?

The result was obvious.

On the other hand, China’s record challenge was different.

Kim Minwoo, Korea’s rising star.

It was a direct challenge to him. Considering the commotion already stirred up, it was not surprising that all eyes were turned in that direction.

As expected, the final match ended with overwhelming skill difference.

“Wow, they really didn’t stand a chance.”

The awakener, who was nodding his head in awe, smiled confidently as he offered something.

“Excuse me, could all three of you please give us your autographs?”

“Of course.”

A-rank Awakeners, who were close to level 499. After signing everything from their clothes to the back of their phones…

Representatives from the Money Talks Guild held a press conference.

“As expected by the public, you have been selected as the final candidates for the Super Rookie Tournament! Could you please share your thoughts?”

“I’ll tell you after I win the championship in this tournament.”

The reporters nodded.

The same words, but depending on who says them, they sound different.

They had the right to be arrogant.

After all, this was just a rookie competition, not a contest like the Gate Capture Battle where real Awakeners who were all talk participated, it was just a rookie competition.

‘Well, I’ve heard enough of their thoughts.’

The reporters’ eyes sparkled.

The real highlight started now.

“Guild Leader Kim Minwoo! This is Han Chae-rin from SKS! An SS-rank achievement has appeared in China, have you also achieved an SS-rank achievement?”

Even when it was known that there was only S-rank, there were suspicions that it might be higher. Not to mention now that a new rank called SS had appeared.

It was no wonder that Kim Minwoo started to get bombarded with such questions.

“That’s right.”

“…!”

The reporters’ eyes widened.

They had inwardly thought so, but hearing speculation and confirmation was a completely different story.

[(Breaking News) Kim Minwoo officially acknowledges his SS-rank achievement!]

[(Breaking News) Korea is the first country to achieve SS-rank achievement!]

[(Breaking News) There was a reason for the extraordinary performance!]

―I knew it he wasn’t just an S-rank awakened kek

―Even if he gritted his teeth until Cedric, adding Merhen noona was a bit too much lol

―Seriously lol What S-rank skill in the world can summon all of that

―Still, he admitted it more cleanly than I thought lmao

―Yeah. Since there’s a precedent, it would be less burdensome to reveal his real rank.

―True. If he had done that when he was lower level, all the Assassins would have flocked to him. Especially from North Korea XDXD

―But isn’t his level still low? It hasn’t been long since he bought the Dullahan skill book.

―That’s by the standards of ordinary Awakeners. If Kim Minwoo is over level 251? He would hunt the assassins in reverse lol

―But if that’s the case, why did China reveal it? Isn’t Liang Xiaojun also a noob, so it’s not risky?

―The Nine Dragons Guild will probably protect him with their lives?

―Yeah, Nine Dragon is like the top-tier in their world. Of course, they’re just middle-tier within the top tier. Anyway, they’re several times stronger than Korean guilds.

―You mean their backing is insane?

―That’s one way to put it. On the other hand, Kim Minwoo didn’t have anyone to protect him when he was low level. At best, he had the Ilsung Guild or his bodyguards… Hmm…

―If Assassins had decided to target him, it would’ve been tough for him lol

―Korea is sorry again ;-; Korea is sorry again ;-; Korea is sorry again ;-;

Articles poured out.

The reporters’ enthusiasm also heated up.

SS-rank Awakeners appearing in both China and Korea.

Moreover, they had the same occupation and were challenging a gate of similar difficulty at level 1.

Liang Xiaojun would have received substantial support from the Chinese government, starting from 9th level enhanced skill books to potions and equipment.

But that’s not all?

It had been a long time since rumors spread about Liang Xiaojun being skilled with a sword.

Currently, he was being mocked as a copycat of Kim Minwoo, but if he succeeded in breaking a new record?

The atmosphere could change in an instant. This was nothing short of a showdown of national pride for both countries. Hence, there was no choice but to ask questions.

“Liang Xiaojun is about to start attacking the gate! Guild Leader, do you think he will succeed in breaking the record?”

“Are you kidding me?”

“Are you saying there’s no chance?”

“Why do you think super rookies party up at level 1?”

“Well… because they lack real combat experience?”

“That’s right. China should be grateful just for beating Isabella. To be honest, I’m not sure if that will even happen.”

“…But Mr. Kim Minwoo cleared it alone at level 1.”

“Are you comparing me to that guy?”

―Kya lol

―That is the Korean swagger lol

―He says what needs to be said! Kim Coca-Cola!

―Honestly, not all super rookies are the same.

―Agreed. Not everyone who achieves an S-rank achievement becomes a world ranker.

―Yeah. Don’t forget, Kim Minwoo is the man who brought the Sword Saint to his knees at level 1.

―No exaggeration, it was just a hard fight lol

―Don’t you realize how amazing it is to fight the Sword Saint barehanded? lmao

―Even without the national pride, I admit it was amazing lol

―Kim Minwoo’s words seem highly probable. It’s not wishful thinking. It’s a cold, hard fact.

―Why?

―He’s China’s first SS-rank Awakener, they must have analyzed everything. If he had used the sword skillfully, would they have made him a Necromancer? They would have made him a swordsman lol

―Isn’t it because they wanted to copy Kim Minwoo?

―No, there’s a limit to that. In my opinion, his swordsmanship was just so-so, so they made him do something else.

―That’s true. If he could fight the Sword Saint barehanded, they would have made him a swordsman lol

―But why did Kim Minwoo…?

―(Horror) One of the world’s top 8 mysteries xD

―(Bizarre) No one knows the answer.

―He must have some kind of a grand plan XD

―That’s what they all say haha

―In the end, he chose Merhen-noona? Cheers~

* * *

It wasn’t just Korea that was fired up by Kim Minwoo’s bold words.

China was also ablaze with excitement.

Heated public opinion.

That fact was evident just by looking at the number of reporters gathered in front of the F-rank gate, the Ratman’s Sewer.

Amidst the torrent of numerous questions.

“Mr. Liang Xiaojun! Kim Minwoo’s live remarks have just been transmitted….”

Liang Xiaojun’s face turned red upon hearing the reporter’s words.

Especially at the part, “Are you comparing me to that guy?” he was not just red but almost purple.

“Huh, the Awakener of a small country is quite arrogant. He must be trapped in a narrow well and unable to see the real wide world.”

“Do you feel confident about breaking the new record this time?”

“Of course!”

Liang Xiaojun nodded confidently.

An SS-rank awakening.

This unexpected event was nothing short of an opportunity given by heaven.

Not only did he immediately join the famous Nine Dragons Guild, but he also received a lot of support.

But that’s not all?

[Translator – Prøks]

[Proofreader – Prøks]

His family was also receiving abundant privileges.

‘I must succeed at all costs.’

If he failed?

Being the first SS-rank in China, he wouldn’t be disposed of or anything like that.

However…

His future would be quite bleak.

Perhaps he would be forever compared to Kim Minwoo and branded as a perpetual second place.

The massive trillion-won investment plan might even be completely scrapped.

The thought alone was enough to give him goosebumps. Necromancer was one of the classes that would fail without money.

No investment?

Why choose to be a Necromancer at all?

Might as well just be a regular swordsman.

Thinking about it made cold sweat form on his face.

‘It’s okay. That Kim Minwoo guy is just the same rank as me.’

Liang Xiaojun gathered his resolve.

He had no choice but to be a Necromancer anyway.

How could he refuse an order directly from the president?

Since he had chosen this class, it was only right to try his best.

‘That guy might be better at swordsmanship.’

But he had an SS-rank skill. And it was an incredibly good-looking SS-rank skill!

Of course, this skill had been shared with the Nine Dragon Guild.

Everyone from the president, the most powerful person in China, to numerous high-ranking officials were curious about it..

―Haha, I’ll trust you.

The Nine Dragon Guild leader even chuckled with satisfaction as he glanced at the skill.

The content of the skill was so impressive that he had even affectionately patted Liang Xiaojun’s shoulder.

[Death Road Follower]

[Rank: SS]

[Type: Passive]

[Effect 1. All stats of summoned undead are increased by 20%.]

[Effect 2. Mana cost for summoning undead is reduced by 20%.]

[Effect 3. Powerful commanders can be summoned at certain level intervals.]

‘Hehe. Just looking at it makes me full.’

It was a precious passive skill.

Moreover, it was a large-scale skill that could affect the entire legion.

He didn’t know exactly what a Death Lord was, but it seemed to be an incredible being.

That’s why, despite being labeled as a follower, it had such amazing effects.

‘That Kim Minwoo guy must have been similar to me.’

Even considering the +9 skill book, elixir, and equipment, the number of skeletons he summoned was enormous.

There must have been a mana reduction effect.

Seeing him summon a Bone Knight or something, there must have been a similar effect to summoning a commander.

And on top of that, an increase in all stats!

‘In the end, he and I have similar foundations.’

It had become a pure skill fight.

‘But… I have an overwhelming advantage in summoning commanders.’

Summoning powerful commanders.

He had already confirmed this a long time ago.

What he could summon at level 1 was…

‘Varian, Minion of the Dragon Knight.’

He didn’t know what a Dragon Knight was, but it was a very impressive-sounding name.

It was actually a minion of such a being.

The result of the summoning was also very satisfying.

A skeleton summon with tremendous size and strength.

It was as if a barbarian from a novel had become a skeleton.

‘His language skills are a bit clumsy, but…’

That didn’t matter.

Varian was very inarticulate, but all his stats were focused on combat.

‘This is satisfactory.’

What was the point of talking during a fight?

It was better to squeeze a bone and smash a monster’s head.

“Today, I will clearly show the spirit of the continent!”

[TL/N: I have no idea what this means!! This is the literal translation. Do tell me if you guys know the meaning]

Liang Xiaojun shouted confidently, raising his clenched fist.

“Waaaah!”

“Liang Xiaojun!”

“God of Death!”

“Crush the arrogance of that small country!”

From reporters to spectators, everyone cheered enthusiastically.

With his head held high, Liang Xiaojun confidently entered the gate.

[You have entered the F-rank Gate, Ratman’s Sewer!]

“Come out, Varian!”

A large skeletal commander emerged.

Following him, nearly two hundred skeletal troops revealed themselves. Liang Xiaojun meticulously equipped himself.

“Let’s go! The world record belongs to China!”

The undead confidently began their advance…

* * *

[(Breaking News) China fails to break the world record!]

[(Breaking News) But did they save their last shred of pride? They beat Isabella’s record with a clear time of 47 hours, 59 minutes, and 30 seconds…]

[(Breaking News) Liang Xiaojun, was apparently suffering from the bad food he ate the day before? He mentioned that he suffered from an upset stomach for half a day inside the gate…]

[(Breaking News) President Li praises Liang Xiaojun! He mentioned that Liang Xiaojun was sweating profusely before entering the gate and welcomed him with warm encouragement….]

[(Breaking News) Official announcement from the Chinese government! We still beat France even in the worst situation! They mentioned that the spirit of China is not dead yet….]

— Damn lol Upset stomach is really innovative lol

— Seriously lol But the record isn’t bad considering the lame excuse lol

— Yeah. A 47-hour clear time at level 1 would normally turn the world upside down, but…

— (Kim Minwoo’s gate clear photo / Liang Xiaojun’s gate clear photo)

One side went for a neighborhood stroll while the other went to a battlefield, haha.

— Mr. Liang went on a power diet for two days lol

—Ratmen are pretty nasty monsters XDXD

—Did the Baguette Martial Artist really get cut again? Haha.

—30-second difference 😭🤣

—Look at the Chinese guys immediately grabbing France by the hair and pulling them down lol

—It’s better than having nothing to grab onto lol.

—Yeah, LMAO.

[Translator – Prøks]

[Proofreader – Prøks]