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Chapter 69
[Translator - Hestia]
[Proofreader - Kaya]
Chapter 69: The Best Assistant
[You have built a temple dedicated to the constellation 'Heaven-Defying Giant'.]
[The first altar dedicated to this constellation has been completed. The constellation's rank increases.]
[You are the Saint of the 'Heaven-Defying Giant'. For achieving this great feat, you are granted the Mark of Faith.]
◎ Mark of Faith
Category: Mark
A mark granted to a priest recognized for their faith by a constellation.
* Increases Divine Power by 10%.
* Amplifies Divine Spell effects by 30%.
"Whoa."
"So this is another way to get a Mark."
Unlike blessings, which can only be received from a patron constellation, Marks are abilities bestowed by the system.
"Just like the one I received in the Ancient Trial Grounds."
That mission where he had to survive against a Draconian for a set amount of time.
He endured for 10 minutes and received the [Mark of Endurance].
But getting an additional Mark here wasn't part of his plan.
"Though, it's not every day you directly support a constellation and build a temple for them."
Even when he was achieving all sorts of feats and bizarre accomplishments as a Necromancer, Marks were rare.
The system's criteria for granting Marks is incredibly strict.
Why else would large guilds monopolize places like the [Ancient Trial Grounds]?
"Because it's a guaranteed way to obtain Marks."
Even Yoojin, a Regressor, knows next to nothing about the conditions for obtaining Marks.
Even after reaching the 9th Rank and receiving the title of 'Immortal King', he only had five Marks in total.
And yet, he obtained a precious Mark just by building a single, humble, almost shabby building that barely qualifies as a temple.
"It's a priest-specific option, but still, it's something."
The spells bestowed by Kronos are far more powerful than any priest-type Hunter of the same rank could dream of.
[Giant's Strength], a D-rank buff that amplifies strength by 70%.
[Punishing Spike], which increases in efficiency as it accumulates impacts and can be released to damage enemies.
[Unholy Shock Shield] even blocks aura-infused attacks once and reflects the damage back.
"Though they are a bit quirky."
Like having a health consumption penalty, being useless unless damage is accumulated, or only defending from one direction.
They have great effects, but each comes with a drawback.
"Well, if used in the right place, penalties are nothing."
The effectiveness of a tool depends entirely on who wields it.
Having reached the Transcendent level in his past life, he was confident he could maximize their advantages.
"Considering what's to come, I need to collect priest-related Marks as well."
The Romanov clan.
The Mage King.
And the remaining seven great clans who agreed to oust him.
Necromancer abilities alone won't be enough.
To face "King"-ranked Hunters who utilize [Divine Power], the inherent power of constellations, by maximizing their blessings...
"I need to enhance my abilities as a Saint as well."
Yoojin's eyes turned cold.
〔It seems the contractor is not satisfied either.〕
‘With what?’
〔Are you glaring like that because you feel bad about offering this shabby place to me?〕
‘Let's just say that.’
〔Khahahaha! I don't mind. What matters is a sincere heart, not mere formality!〕
This guy's playing a one-man band.
Yoojin didn't bother to correct Kronos's misunderstanding.
〔Today is truly a momentous day. I feel like declaring it a holiday.〕
‘By the way, our constellation-nim.’
〔Speak.〕
‘Now that your presence has grown stronger, can't you bestow some kind of blessing on me?’
Kronos, who had been laughing heartily just a moment ago, suddenly cut off his thoughts.
Oh dear.
It's not happening, is it?
‘I shouldn't have gotten my hopes up.’
〔Wa-wait just a little longer. You just need to achieve a few more feats.〕
‘I get betrayed because I have expectations in the first place. It's my fault.’
〔Ahem! Don't you know that I do not make false promises!〕
Our constellation-nim. You need to work harder and bestow blessings and such.
Dmitry has already taken Zeus as his guardian deity, established a family, and is showering the talents under his command with the blessings of the Olympus Cluster.
If you don't step up your game, things will get difficult on this side too.
Keuheuheu.
Yoojin laughed quietly.
＊ ＊ ＊
Even after finishing the temple's construction, there was still a mountain of work to do.
"Karararack!"
【Die. The great master has commanded it.】
Kwaang—!
The interior of Yeonpyeong Island was still teeming with monsters.
The number of Reriks scattered throughout the island was greater than those slaughtered after landing.
【I thought it was all over.】n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om
"Cleaning up is always harder."
After shooting a glare at the grumbling Fafnir, he looked down at the Rerik's corpse.
"Answer my call."
This time, he used [Flesh Control] to separate the flesh and bones before using the spell.
[Creating a Skeleton Warrior.]
[The degree of completion is very high.]
[All stats increase by 100%.]
[Skeleton Warrior]
Race: Undead
Rank: ★★★
◎Stats
Strength: 217 / Agility: 241 / Health: 160 / Toughness: 154 / Mana: 85
◎Traits
▷Undead [C+]
◎Skills
▷Acceleration [C] / Power Slash [D+] / Ambush [D+]
〔Strange. It's clearly the same 3 Star, but its specs are lower than a Liturner's.〕
‘The two undead have different purposes.’
The Liturner, with its high toughness, is responsible for tanking at the front.
The Skeleton Warrior is a melee damage dealer that utilizes its unique agility to overwhelm enemies.
‘Even if their uses are different, honestly, the Liturner is more useful.’
〔The contractor wouldn't take actions that weaken his power without thinking.〕
‘Right. You're starting to get it now?’
The Liturner shares the same weakness as zombies.
If not embalmed, the rotten flesh, skin, and muscles will rot.
It's not suitable for long-term maintenance.
‘Another weakness is its slow speed.’
For the Rerik subjugation, the Skeleton Warrior was much better than the slow-footed Liturner.
Corpses to turn into undead were scattered everywhere.
A little lack of combat ability isn't a big deal.
〔Why not make more Revenants instead?〕
‘Those guys are difficult to control.’
Against high-ranking enemies like the variant Rerik, numbers don't mean much.
It would take hundreds of swings from the Skeleton Warriors' bone swords to even scratch their tough scales.
And there's no way those guys would just stand there and take it.
Creating Revenants wasn't a choice, it was a necessity.
‘These guys are better at cleaning up the remnants.’
The battle raged for three days and nights without rest.
The Reriks that had settled on Yeonpyeong Island suffered devastating losses.
“Alright. Let's stop here.”
Fafnir, as if puzzled, shook his blue flames back and forth.
【There are still Reriks remaining?】
“This is an erosion zone. They'll regenerate over time.”
Like the border region, the island is integrated with the Gate.
The Gate, fused with the land, will suck up enough mana and spit out Reriks again.
Complete extermination is impossible.
【Indeed. When we stayed in the border region, monsters periodically sprang up from the ground.】
Fafnir nodded, recalling the time he was left alone to guard the Necropolis.
“It would be dangerous if there were people left. But here, there are only the dead.”
【We just need to periodically clear out the Reriks.】
“It's a hassle, but it can't be helped. Yeonpyeong Island is strategically important, so we have to protect it.”
Since he had retrieved the fragment of the Void buried beneath the cathedral, the Manhunters wouldn't receive blessings even if they occupied the island.
The sacred ground and the fragment of the Void.
The connection with the evil god's constellation was a ‘miracle’ made possible because both conditions were met.
‘Still, I don't want to hand it over.’
The Manhunters' main force is monsters.
Unless they tame sea monsters, they can't project their power onto Yeonpyeong Island.
He couldn't just hand over a stronghold that would play a major role in the fight for dominance of the West Sea, could he?
“Fafnir.”
【Is this servant still the most trusted by Master?】
“……Uh. That's true, but. How did you know what I was going to say?”
【You're going to ask me to defend Yeonpyeong Island, aren't you?】
You're quick-witted.
Jo Seungchul moved his jawbone up and down vigorously.
【Master. Grant me that glory.】
“Why are you acting like this?”
If the living Jo Seungchul saw this, he would cry tears of blood.
No. Since his soul is also here, it is him.
“Fafnir is the strongest of my minions, so it's right for him to stay here.”
【Huhuhu. Look. You who are only bones. This is the bond between Master and me.】
【Kugh, how frustrating.】
The blue flames of the two undead flared fiercely.
Fafnir.
Park Haneul in his past life was taciturn and truly reliable, why are you like this?
【Are you leaving right away?】
“I'll expand the Necropolis a bit first.”
There are three spirit veins flowing underground on the island.
The spiritual energy concentration is 1, so it's difficult to build a black spire, but it's something that needs to be done.
“I'm going to cover the island with the Necropolis' fog.”
【Then we'll quickly notice anyone trying to land on Yeonpyeong Island.】
“It will also make defense much easier.”
The Necropolis' fog limits the vision of the living.
It even adds buffs to the undead, so it maximizes the home ground advantage.
‘It would be even better if I could build a Tower of the Dead or a Soul Tower.’
Structures dedicated to the defense of the Necropolis.
They intercept enemies using the bones/souls of the dead as projectiles.
They also had a long range, so if he just built them, the Manhunters wouldn't even be able to set foot on the island.
‘But I have no materials. And the Necropolis level is low, so it can't be helped.’
He smacked his lips in regret.
What was the use of thinking about what he couldn't make now?
He had to believe that there wouldn't be any major problems, since the minion he trusted the most would be protecting the island.
【Master. I have one request.】
“There are no more variant Reriks?”
【That's not it. I was wondering if you could teach me necromancy.】
Necromancy?
Yoojin's eyes widened at the unexpected request.
“It's not impossible. But why are you interested in necromancy?”
【The variant Reriks added an undead command trait, didn't they?】
"So you're saying you're going to make them yourself and command them?"
【Since I have to stay on Yeonpyeong Island alone, I think I'll have plenty of time to practice necromancy.】
Teach Fafnir necromancy?
Hmm—
Yoojin let out a groan.
‘Why didn't I think of that good idea before?’
Among Fafnir's traits is [Martial Mage].
A fraudulent unique trait that shares both martial and magic talents, where mana increases equally no matter what stats are invested in.
‘Come to think of it, he has always handled dark magic well since becoming a Death Knight.’
The reason he decided to create an Eldritch Dragon when he acquired the Dragonian's corpse was also in consideration of Fafnir's talent.
Then there's no reason why he can't learn necromancy.
‘I had someone, no, a minion who could work overtime for me?!’
Oh my gosh.
How could I be so stupid!
No.
Even though Fafnir is talented, it's unknown whether it will apply to necromancy.
“Then let's do a test.”
【Test?】
“I'll teach you Raise Undead, the basics of necromancy.”
【You're going to see if I have the potential by looking at how fast I learn the spell?】
He nodded his head in affirmation to Fafnir's words.
There are two ways to teach a skill.
The first is to give the opponent a [Secret Manual] that organizes insights.
The second way is to directly explain and teach a skill with 100% proficiency.
‘The conditions are met, so shall we start right away?’
Necromancy related skills have 100% proficiency as soon as they are inherited.
This is because his experience from his return is reflected.
He had a lot of experience teaching alchemy and necromancy, so it was easy to teach Fafnir.
“First, I'll tell you about the activation principle of Raise Undead.”
【I will listen carefully.】
Fafnir focused.
Yoojin easily explained the characteristics of the Raise Undead spell and the spiritual power rearrangement method.
After hearing all the explanations, Fafnir nodded vigorously.
【Indeed. So it works like this.】
Woo-woo-woong—!
He immediately pulled up his spiritual power in his hand and rearranged it.
Wait a minute.
“If you twist the spiritual power there...”
The spiritual power that got tangled in the rearrangement process was forcibly unraveled.
Fafnir, who took the shock caused by the runaway magic spell, shook his finger.
【It doesn't hurt that much.】
"Hey."
It surprised him.
Curse words itched at the base of his throat, but he held them back.
If he were an ordinary magic-based Hunter, he would have suffered a great internal injury from the backlash of the spell.
“You endured it because I made your body strong.”
【Watch carefully. This time it will work.】
Fafnir rearranged his spiritual power while shouting confidently.
Oh dear.
If it worked just by listening to the explanation and doing it right away, anyone could be a necromancer...
【Answer my call.】
The Rerik's corpse twitched.
A moment later, a zombie rose up, drooling.
“It worked.”
Yoojin muttered in a bewildered tone.
[Translator - Hestia
[Proofreader - Kaya]