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HELHEIM SCANS
[Translator - Hestia]
[Proofreader - Kaya]
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Chapter 125: To Poison or to Curse, That is the Question
On the way back to Necropolis, Yoojin was immersed in a pleasant dilemma.
〔Shouldn't you choose a new field to learn soon?〕
'I suppose. What should I do?'
〔I believe you mentioned poison and curses as candidates?〕
'Yeah.'
〔Both are rather unheroic choices. Poison is the tool of cowards, and curses are manifestations of perverse intentions.〕
'What are you going to do if I choose them anyway?'
At Yoojin's curt reply, Kronos' mental projection wavered.
〔It's simply a matter of my personal preference. Ahem.〕
'It would be wonderful if you could refrain from raining on my parade while I'm busy deliberating.'
〔Ahem, so, have you decided which one to choose?〕
'I need to decide soon.'
Yoojin stroked his chin.
Both poison and curses are practically essential fields for a necromancer.
Curses can inflict various debuffs such as stat reduction or mental contamination on a single or multiple enemies.
Poison's area of influence is limited to the body, but its effects are more direct and potent.
〔If you've heard the explanations, both should be useful to you. Why were they pushed down the priority list?〕
'The circumstances at the time dictated it.'
Alchemy was helpful for strengthening his forces, such as crafting golems, creating ignition circuits, and empowering his subordinate undead.
The dark arts field contained essential spells for creating the sea undead [Skalla] or for supplementing his lack of ranged attack methods.
'It wasn't my intention, but circumstances led them to become lower priorities.'
〔Hmph. Come to think of it, the two fields also share some similarities in nature.〕
'If you delve deeper, curses excel in versatility. Poison is deadly.'
In terms of debuffs, poison is much more powerful.
However, it has the disadvantage of requiring the target to be hit for the effect to take hold.
Curses, on the other hand, can be cast immediately if the target is within range, making them very convenient.
〔Considering your tendencies, I'd assume you would choose the curse field, which has many elements for creating variations.〕
'Ah. Not all curses are like that. Powerful curses require fulfilling activation conditions in advance.'
For curses, safeguards like Yoojin's beloved armament, [Shadow Mask], are essential.
Curses without activation conditions are weak.
Spells with powerful debuff effects require consumed materials or prior preparation.
Since the two fields overlap to some extent, they have their respective pros and cons.
'Curses have a synergistic effect with spirit-related necromancy.'
〔Synergy?〕
'There are undead that can only be created with souls corrupted by specific curses.'
High-level curses were needed to create higher-ranking ghost-type undead like specters or wraiths, which are superior to wraiths.
〔Prior preparation is a trivial matter for you.〕
‘You're not wrong.’
〔The answer was already there, so why are you agonizing so much?〕
'Because of the synergistic effects between spells.'
〔Synergy, you say?〕
'The poison field amplifies the effects of the spells I've learned so far.'
To summarize:
Curses are better for utilizing a wider range of debuffs and specializing in commanding ghost-type undead.
The poison field excels in spell synergy and debuff effects.
'It's hard to choose because both are good.'
〔That's unlike you.〕
'How so?'
〔Creating variables is what you enjoy most.〕
'Are you telling me to choose the curse field?'
〔Corrupting souls and turning them into subordinates is also a significant advantage, isn't it?〕
'Alright. I've decided on poison.'
Kronos was silent for a moment.
〔Y-You shameless creature!!! You dare defy my guidance?!!!〕
'I made a good choice thanks to you, so why are you getting angry?'
〔I spent a long time deliberating and presented a wise answer, yet you chose the opposite!〕
'Ah. I'm telling you, I made a good choice thanks to you, Constellation-nim.'
〔Blasphemy!〕
‘That's too much. You can't even recognize sincerity.’
〔Explain in detail which passage you heard and made that decision!〕
'You pointed out that I can control wraiths with curses.'
〔I certainly did.〕
'If they're good enough to be used like that, it's better to unify them with the Union spell and use them.'
Original technique, Union.
It's a necromantic spell that strengthens a ghost (usually the deceased themselves) by unifying them with a body that matches their wavelengths.
The Union spell had a higher success rate when used on wraiths whose presence or power as a spirit was weak.
'Undead on the level of affecting the tide of battle can only be created after 5 Star.'
〔I think the fact that you can use your beloved mask to cast curses also plays a part.〕
'Well, you're half right.'
His hand went to the mask covering his face.
The artifact [Shadow Mask], acquired after defeating the Masked Demon, is not just a simple ward against evil.
It has the ability to activate pre-engraved curse formulas.
That's why Yoojin can use some curses even though he hasn't inherited the curse field from the [Library of Knowledge].
'But there's a clear limit because I can't engrave more complex formulas.'
〔Selective focus.〕
'As expected, the advice from the great Constellation-nim is different. Every word is becoming bone and flesh.'
〔Kahaha! Now you realize how great my insight is.〕
‘Ah. Actually, I had about 1 ounce of the desire to disagree for the sake of disagreeing.’
The temptation to tease Kronos, who was intoxicated with excitement, rose up, but he held back.
If he provoked him any further, he really seemed like he would sulk.
Leaving Kronos, who was laughing heartily, behind, he placed his left hand on the Ring of Darkness.
[Using the Library of Knowledge.]
[You can browse the knowledge left behind by the previous Lords of Death.]
[You can browse one of the curse/poison/bio fields.]
‘It's almost touching—only three fields left.’
Yoojin mused.
‘Once I reach 6 Star, I'll be able to access all the knowledge in the [Library of Knowledge]. It's a bit of a pain having to prioritize until then, but still, being able to inherit any spell I want is a huge advantage.’
〔Speaking of which, there's one more field called "bio." Why haven't you mentioned that one?〕
'It's chimera engineering. It's only a supporting role for necromancy, so it's not a field to focus on.'
Creating chimeras as undead.
Or triggering a reaction in already dead bodies to strengthen them.
It has good synergy when combined with necromancy, but since that's the same for poison or curses, he didn't even consider it.
'I will inherit the poison field.'
[Knowledge of the poison field is engraved in the user's soul.]
An eerie light leaked from the Ring of Darkness.
＊ ＊ ＊
‘Reaching 4 Star unlocks a vast number of spells—all fields except curses are now open to me.’
Yoojin thought, a hint of nostalgia in his eyes.
‘What a difference from those early days after my return.’
〔How many spell slots are currently available for inheritance?〕
'Eleven.'
〔You've accumulated quite a few. I don't think you needed to leave that much room for creating variables.〕
'There are necessary spells among those available after transcending the wall.'
4 Star also holds great significance in necromancy.
One must reach 4 Star to create mid-grade undead without using tricks.
Up until now, he's been able to control overpowered subordinates by strengthening undead through various tricks like modification and unification.
'But there are limits to tricks.'
〔Judging from what you've done, I don't sense any particular limits.〕
'That's because I only pick out the promising ones.'
Undead modification surgery can't be done on just anyone.
Wraiths who achieved great things before death but were revived as low-grade undead.
Or those with outstanding potential like Jo Seungchul or Song Myeongseok were eligible for advancement through [Union] and modification surgery.
Even when he created a large number of Dark Minions, there was a success rate.
'Those with mediocre talent won't improve no matter how much you modify them.'
For such individuals, it was better to use high-level necromancy rather than painstakingly cultivating their potential through [Union].
Corpses that Yoojin deemed 'so-so' were included in the target range of mid-grade necromancy.
'The first spell to learn is already decided.'
⋯⋯⋯
[Revive]
Classification: Necromancy
Rank: C
Revives the corpse without damaging its original form as much as possible. Prevents rigor mortis, allowing the revived to exert physical abilities similar to before death.
The body of the subject of Revive begins to decay immediately after revival.
⋯⋯⋯
[Undead Rise]
Classification: Necromancy
Rank: C
Creates a mid-grade undead from a corpse whose soul has departed.
The quality of the created undead is determined by the abilities of the base corpse and the user's capabilities.
⋯⋯⋯
‘Yes! I can finally create mid-grade undead with proper methods instead of tricks!’
A smile spread across his face at the overwhelming emotion.
〔Contractor, you've inherited two spells just now, haven't you?〕
'Ah. There's Revive too.'
〔At first glance, it seems no different from a zombie.〕
'They're slightly different. Specifically for martial arts types, they maintain stats similar to their pre-death state.'
Wraiths revived with Revive don't experience a significant drop in stats.
Unless they're 7 Star, that is, existences who have transcended the second wall.
If martial arts hunters or monsters below 6 Star are revived with Revive, there's almost no loss in combat power.
'If you consider that they can't use skills and move according to instinct, it's not accurate to say they're 100% identical.'
〔Judging from your expression, it seems there's also a duration. It seems like the disadvantages outweigh the advantages.〕
'Well, it's better to show you directly.'
Monsters' corpses littered the border area.
With the aid of the holy artifact, he was dragging around more than 200 undead, which caused even more monsters from the surrounding areas to flock to them.
"Answer my call."
[Using Revive.]
[The deceased's condition is exceptionally good.]
[All stats increased by 100%.]
One of the corpses twitched and then abruptly sat up.
At a glance, it looked no different from a zombie.
Thwack—
A chunk of flesh from its thigh fell to the ground.
[Revive's duration is 120 minutes.]
[The corpse will completely disintegrate when the duration expires.]
[The corpse targeted by Revive cannot be made into undead.]
It looked perfectly fine right after being revived, but its body started to decay as time passed.
Rather than being destroyed the moment the duration expires, it's more accurate to say it's the maximum maintenance time.
〔Two hours. A rather ambiguous time.〕
'At proficiency level 0, it's 10 minutes. I'm quite impressive, you know.'
By modifying the corpse with spirit power and drawing out abilities beyond its original capacity, the penalty of not being able to use skills is somewhat offset.
At this level, its combat power is even higher than creating a mid-grade undead.
‘What if an ally is revived and charges into the chaotic battlefield? They'd be ecstatic.'
〔Hmph. I sometimes don't understand your expressions.〕
'That's because you're trying to understand with your head. You have to accept it with your heart.'
Revive has one more advantage.
It's treated as a corpse that cannot be made into undead.
〔Didn't you say that the wraith targeted by Revive cannot be made into undead again?〕
'Undead creation isn't possible. But that means other things are possible.'
[Using Corpse Explosion.]
Kuaaang—!
The revived being exploded while still standing.
A corpse made into undead through undead creation is not a target for necromancy.
But Revive is slightly different.
Only undead creation is impossible; he can use any spell that uses the corpse as a medium.
'How about using it as a combat force and then detonating it?'
〔This action doesn't show any respect for the deceased.〕
'So what? Since when did a necromancer care about such things?'
Would he do this if he had any intention of respecting the deceased?
Having learned the two spells he had decided to learn upon reaching 4 Star.
‘Next is a spell from the poison field.’
⋯⋯⋯
Venomous Bolt
Classification: Magic
Rank: C
A javelin made by condensing acidic poison. It pierces and melts the target.
⋯⋯⋯
Poison Blood
Classification: Magic
Rank: C
Imbues blood with toxicity. If used on a bleeding wound, it can poison the target.
⋯⋯⋯
Toxic Bloom
Classification: Magic
Rank: C
Widely spreads toxic energy. The power is reduced in exchange for the expanded range.
⋯⋯⋯
Decay Poison
Classification: Magic
Rank: D
Enhances the cadaveric poison lingering on a corpse and spreads it wider.
⋯⋯⋯
Yoojin chose four spells.
[Poison Blood] is one of the few instantly activated spells in the poison field.
[Venomous Bolt] is a skill that inflicts physical damage by enhancing only the "acidity," a part of poison's nature.
The remaining two spells are more focused on a supporting role than directly using poison.
〔For all your deliberation, those are rather unimpressive spells.〕
'You have no idea what I'm planning.'
Yoojin smirked.
‘Sure, on the surface, they might seem underwhelming. Aside from [Venomous Bolt], they aren't exactly flashy combat spells.’
He paused, a glint in his eyes.
'But have I ever chosen anything truly useless? Just wait and see. I'll make them shine.'
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HELHEIM SCANS
[Translator - Hestia
[Proofreader - Kaya]
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