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HELHEIM SCANS
[Translator - Hestia]
[Proofreader - Kaya]
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Chapter 126: You've Got a Plan for Everything, Don't You?
The perfect timing for testing out his new spells arrived quickly.
After positioning his undead army behind him and moving to the front, the monsters immediately took the bait.
“Karook, karoolook.”
A 3-meter-tall monster resembling a mix of a bear and an owl.
Several owl beasts glared with wide eyes and rushed at Yoojin.
[Trait - Multi-Casting]
A trait of Mages that allows for the simultaneous rearrangement of mana (spirit power).
‘Yes. This is the feeling.’
Due to the nature of [Necromancy], which allows for the raising of multiple targets with a single spell, this aspect wasn't very prominent.
But he felt a subtle sense of frustration from not being able to cast magic simultaneously.
'Simultaneously deploying mere 1-3 Star magic is...'
[Using Dark Spear.]
[Using Venomous Bolt.]
[Using Bone Spear.]
'Poison' and 'Necromancy' spells are based on spirit power.
Dark magic manifested with dark mana.
While simultaneously deploying spells with different properties, Yoojin didn't show a hint of strain.
Three spears floated above the void.
〔Are you going to combine the spears as before?〕
'That's right.'
A pitch-black spear overlapped with [Cursed Fang].
Up to this point, it was the same as before.
But when he mixed [Venomous Bolt] on top of it, the magic armament trembled.
A highly acidic spear materialized with spirit power.
It would have melted instantly if it hadn't been coated with Dark Spear.
'Aligning the wavelengths according to their origin.'
The origin of the three magics is a spear.
Magic is an act of artificially twisting the mana that constitutes the world and giving it form.
The incantation is what confirms the form of this anomaly created by interfering with the rules.
The magics, all rooted in "spear," were fused together with the help of Yoojin's control ability.
[Three types of magic with different properties have been combined.]
[The stability is high.]
[Would you like to register the new spell?]
‘Not just ending in a variation, but even the system officially recognizes it as a 'skill'!’
Yoojin shook his head left and right.
'It's not over yet.'
The spirit power fiercely rotating around [Cursed Fang] as the axis.
As it repeatedly rotated, the assimilated dark mana and toxicity interlocked, strengthening the bond.
The three energies gathered at one point.
As the penetrating power was further enhanced, the combined energies fit perfectly, like puzzle pieces finding their place.
'This is more like it.'
A single spear streaked across the void at his gesture.
The mixture of black, green light, and a faint, swirling aura spun fiercely and then pierced the chest of the owl beast in the lead.
“Ka, rook.”
A large hole appeared in its chest.
The synergy created by the poison, dark magic, and spirit power woven together with the concept of a 'spear' was enough to pierce through the chest of a 3 Star monster.
Swoosh—!
The spear, without losing much momentum, then created fist-sized holes in the bodies of two owl beasts following behind before finally dissipating.
“Karululook?!”
“Karook! Karook!”
The owl beast pack, which had been charging straight ahead, quickened their pace.
Monsters with naturally high magic resistance.
They could deflect 3 Star level magic with just a slight exertion of force.
The total amount of mana felt from each magic was not that high, so how were they able to pierce through three of their kin?
The owl beasts realized that giving him more time would be disadvantageous and charged with all their might.
"Those guys. They're quick to catch on."
【Master, I will handle the rest.】
"You just watch."
He was about to unleash some power in celebration of reaching 4 Star.
It would be troublesome if he was interrupted.
[Using Trait - Multi-Casting.]
[Using Poison Blood.]
The blood of the owl beast that had just breathed its last was imbued with toxicity.
[Using Decay Poison.]
The decomposition of the corpse was accelerated, and a foul smell began to emanate from the body of the monster, which had not yet entered rigor mortis.
[Using Toxic Bloom.]
A magic that spreads any kind of toxic property was imbued.
Magic was superimposed on the owl beast's corpse in less than 0.1 seconds.
Yoojin did not immediately release the spirit power contained in the spells but suppressed it and used the next magic.
"Corpse Explosion."
Kuaaaang—!!!
A deafening roar erupted in an instant.
The owl beast pack, which had been quickening its pace, was engulfed in the black smoke generated by the explosion.
Darkness in which he could not see an inch ahead.
The foul smell made his nose twitch involuntarily.
〔Was the power of Corpse Explosion this strong?〕
'I superimposed several spells. It would be strange if it wasn't this strong.'
Of course.
After strengthening the concept of "poison" in the corpse with [Cadaveric Poison] and [Poison Blood].
He combined the concept of [Spread] with the explosion to increase the explosive power and range.
It was not simply a sequential deployment of spells but a high-level calculation in which the formulas were stacked like bricks.
It is a formula that enhances the power, range, and even the secondary effects (poison) of Corpse Explosion all at once.
'It's probably about 10 times stronger.'
The spells in the poison field are also usable, but Yoojin's real purpose is synergy with his main force, necromancy.
Especially skills like [Corpse Explosion] become incredibly effective when combined with poison spells.
【Those guys. They look scary, but aren't they actually weak?】
【Don't talk nonsense. A 3.5 Star level monster, an owl beast. They are by no means weak opponents.】
Choi Hyungtae, the Red Spider executive who was revived as a Tyrant, let out a mental projection that was hard to tell whether it was admiration or a groan.
The Red Spider, who managed several businesses in North Korea, including the Black Herb plantation, had also frequented the border area several times.
Owl beasts are classified as 3 Star, but they are monsters that even 4 Star hunters who have crossed the wall cannot underestimate.
【Such a monster. My master wiped them out with two magic attacks.】
His body was bound to Yoojin.
His soul and body were tied down, so he couldn't even think of resisting.
Even so.
Choi Hyungtae shuddered at the fact that he had such a terrifying opponent as an enemy.
【Am I really dead?】
【You'll get a sense of it if you try rattling your bones, which are all that's left.】
【Um. It gave me chills. I was just asking.】
He didn't even have senses like Fafnir, but… Choi Hyungtae, who inadvertently recalled his pre-death senses, let out a sigh.
He would never harbor any thoughts of opposing his monstrous master.
It was a mental projection flickering with blue light in his eyes.
＊ ＊ ＊
[Skill - Death Spear has been registered.]
Death Spear
Classification: Dark Magic
Rank: B+
Requirements: 4 Star or higher, possess the [Dark] trait.
Creates and throws a spear by fusing poison and spirit power around dark mana.
Destructive power is increased if you possess traits related to [Death] or [Toxicity Control].
⋯⋯⋯
[Skill - Corpse Explosion (Modified) has been registered.]
Corpse Explosion (Modified)
Classification: Necromancy
Rank: B+
Requirements: 4 Star or higher, possess the [Necromancy] trait and [Toxicity Control] trait.
Infuses a corpse with toxicity and spirit power to cause an explosion.
Fragments of bone and flesh, along with poison, scatter and cause damage to the surrounding area, and toxic fumes are generated for additional damage.
⋯⋯⋯
A skill recognized by the system.
Even among hunters worldwide, only a very few had their self-developed spells recognized.
〔Truly astonishing. How did you accomplish such a difficult feat?〕
'I used to hear messages like this often before my regression.'
〔Hmm. Aren't you downplaying your achievements too much?〕
'Downplaying? No way.'
After nonchalantly recalling a story that would make hunters all over the world furious if they heard it, he approached the area devastated by Corpse Explosion.
The corpses of the owl beasts were swept away by Corpse Explosion.
Yoojin smiled.
"Answer my call."
[Using Undead Rise.]
Ssssst—!
Dense spirit power permeated the bodies of the fallen owl beasts.
Suitable undead are selected according to the physique, traits, and preservation state of the deceased.
'I'm not thinking of creating ordinary undead.'
As with the low-grade undead, he modified the corpses with spirit power.
‘It's not complicated. It's just that more spirit power permeates when casting the spell, allowing them to move more smoothly.’
〔Do you really think so?〕
'Even necromancers who have just reached 4 Star can do this simple task.'
〔Hmph. You're quite confident for someone who speaks like that.〕
'It'll take about 10 minutes per corpse, though. The theory is easy, but it's a difficult technique to use in practice. It means modifying undead with necromancy.’
Yoojin completed the amount of work that would require dozens of necromancers in just over a second.
[Eleven Tyrants have been created.]
[The Tyrants' completion is exceptionally high, breaking through the limits of their potential.]
[All stats increased by 106.3%.]
Hoo—
Reaching 4 Star significantly improved his spirit power control.
It was still lacking compared to his prime.
Even so, it was important that the modification value exceeded 100%.
〔Why do you say it's important?〕
'Because it transcends the limits set by the system.'
After the Great Cataclysm.
People who recognized the 'mana' distributed in the air awakened as hunters.
The system is a fortuitous encounter that quickly makes hunters stronger.
But at the same time, it was also a restriction.
〔Indeed, it's not in line with causality for a small human to become infinitely strong just because they hunted a monster.〕
'Among 4 Star hunters, those who have transcended the limits drawn by the system are incredibly rare.'
Yoojin mused, a touch of pride in his voice.
'The heads of the Seven Great Clans, for example. And, of course, myself, back then.'
He paused, his expression turning grim.
'Aside from us, no one else has ever managed it. It might as well be impossible.'
【Master. These undead... they're the same species as me.】
"Don't worry. They're lower quality than you."
【That's a relief.】
Choi Hyungtae, who had reached 5 Stars in his previous life.
As a 4 Star undead Tyrant, he couldn't exert the power he had in his prime.
He can now handle even higher-level necromancy, so he'll have to modify him soon.
【Hmph. Please do your best.】
"You too. You can mass-produce Skeleton Knights, can't you?"
【Master, are you comparing me, a 5 Star, to these mere grunts?!】
"Yeah. Tyrants and Skeleton Knights can also use Dark Aura."
With enough corpses that meet the conditions, he can replenish powerful soldiers as much as he wants.
This is the true value of a necromancer.
It's why they are evaluated as a one-man army that dominates the battlefield.
"Well, it's only possible if you have skills like me, though."
【Kuh. I don't know how I came to serve such a master with this kind of personality.】
"Was it a choice?"
【Damn it.】
"So, do your best. If you don't want to fall behind."
Seething, Song Myeongseok lightly let out a groan and then swallowed it.
〔Contractor, you said that this subordinate was a skilled individual who reached 8 Star.〕
'That's right. If I leave him alone, he'll grow on his own.'
Song Myeongseok's talent was extraordinary.
He already had the experience of growing Fafnir to 9 Star.
Since he has the Heavenly Bones trait, he could also aim for the realm of transcendence.
'Growing him is about my sense of rivalry.'
〔Rivalry?〕
'The desire to surpass others, to constantly improve.'
Yoojin explained.
'He has a personality where the moment he becomes complacent, he stops growing. That's why I need to keep pushing him, give him a target to chase. It's the only way to keep him motivated and prevent him from becoming arrogant.'
〔Don't you think you're being too harsh? He might collapse.〕
'He'll recover on his own if I leave him be.'
Song Myeongseok's arrogance is inherently strong.
Just look at him trying to assert his dominance over Choi Hyungtae in Fafnir's absence.
Since he's inherently arrogant, his periodically rising pride needs to be crushed.
〔If you push him too far, he might break. Don't forget. I couldn't manage that balance, and I have broken things, and have been broken myself.〕
A self-deprecating mental projection from Kronos.
It was a lament from a god who had swallowed his children to maintain power, committed tyranny, and was eventually dethroned.
"Song Myeongseok."
【Yes, Master.】
"As you can see, I've acquired an even higher-level undead creation skill."
【So it seems.】
"While we're out here, it's best to replenish our forces, right?"
Yoojin stretched out his index finger and pointed in the direction the owl beasts had come from.
"Take the Tyrants and go hunt owl beasts."
【Are you entrusting me with the vanguard?】
"Well, you are the second strongest in the undead army after Fafnir, aren't you?"
【M-Master!!!】
The blue flames that flickered in his empty eye sockets surged violently.
Song Myeongseok, his eyes filled with motivation, confidently led the Tyrants, whose control he had been entrusted with, and set off.
'I did say "just enough not to break," though.'
〔Are you manipulating your subordinate according to my advice?〕
'Well, I'll try to keep it in mind.'
Yoojin, with his hands behind his back, leisurely walked along the path Song Myeongseok had taken.
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HELHEIM SCANS
[Translator - Hestia
[Proofreader - Kaya]
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