Chapter 15
New Undead Are Always Welcome
Yujin’s eyes trembled like shaking aspen leaves.
‘To think the Martial Mage trait would carry over.’
Before regression—
When he had fused Park Haneul into a Skeleton Knight, this trait had never appeared.
◎ Unique Trait
▷ Martial Mage
Possesses aptitude for both martial combat and magic.
When physical-related stats increase, mana (spiritual power) additionally rises.
When mana (spiritual power) increases, one random physical stat also rises.
There is no penalty for learning or using both martial and magic skills simultaneously.
An absurdly powerful unique trait.
Even across the entire world, there probably weren’t many traits this strong.
‘Mana increases automatically, so stat distribution never becomes awkward.’
Certain Gates allowed hunters to advance into hidden special classes not officially provided by the system.
Like Shin Junseok’s [Alchemist].
A few years ago, a newly discovered martial-type special class called Magic Swordsman had become one of those examples.
‘A position capable of mastering both swordsmanship and magic simultaneously.’
At first, hunters lined up to enter the Gate that granted the class, even paying entrance fees for the opportunity.
The problem was that the hype died in less than six months.
—Half-baked. Can’t properly handle melee or ranged combat.
—Stat distribution is impossible to optimize.
—A class designed to rip itself apart trying to master both sides.
Swordsmanship and magic.
Either one alone was already difficult to master.
To use a Magic Swordsman’s abilities at full potential, talent was required in both physical combat sense and mana control.
And even if someone mastered both fields, bonus stats were still limited, inevitably resulting in mediocrity.
‘But the Martial Mage trait changes everything.’
No matter which stat was invested into, mana increased additionally.
The Magic Swordsman’s chronic weakness—lack of stats—was completely solved.
‘Though for ordinary undead, it wouldn’t mean much.’
Necromancy raised the dead.
What room for growth did corpses have?
Unless they were high-tier undead like Liches, Death Knights, or Banshees—
Monsters far beyond Yujin’s current ability to create.
‘At least, that used to be true.’
The growth option added to the improvised Eldritch Dragon.
Combined with the Martial Mage trait, the stat bonuses would become monstrous.
‘The growth option was intentional… but I never expected the Martial Mage trait to transfer too.’
It meant the synchronization between Park Haneul and the Dragonoid corpse was exceptionally high.
After all, the Martial Mage trait had never transferred when he used a Skeleton Knight body in his previous life.
‘Kenech Combat Arts must’ve been inherited from the Dragonoid.’
An A-rank martial skill.
His proficiency was still at zero since it wasn’t his original technique, but considering Park Haneul’s talent, he’d probably master it quickly.
【What’s wrong, Mr. Mourner?】
Had Yujin stared silently for too long?
Park Haneul prodded him out of his thoughts.
“The result was different from what I expected.”
【What? Is there something wrong with me?】
“Your Martial Mage trait carried over into that body. Seems like the compatibility is better than expected.”
【Then that’s a good thing!】
“Yeah.”
【Man, you had me worried something serious happened.】
Whew—
The three-meter-tall dragonkin giant patted his chest in relief.
Even though his organs had long since stopped functioning, he still produced breathing sounds through sheer thought projection.
‘Trying to imitate being alive?’
Some undead unconsciously mimicked habits from when they were alive.
This side of Park Haneul was something Yujin had never seen before regression.
Well—
Back then, trapped inside a Skeleton Knight body, even properly expressing thoughts had been difficult for him.
“How does the body feel?”
【Usable. Though not as good as before I died.】
Park Haneul had reached 6-star rank in life.
A single rank difference was larger than most imagined.
1-Star — 5 bonus stats per level.
2-Star — 10 bonus stats per level.
3-Star — 15 bonus stats per level.
……
The bonus stats increased in multiples of five.
The raw stat difference alone was enormous, but another factor existed too.
‘Because monster hunting alone only works up to 3-star.’
To reach 4-star and above, enlightenment within one’s field was required.
Martial-type hunters had to awaken Aura by infusing willpower into mana accumulated within their bodies.
Magic-type hunters needed to succeed in multi-casting calculations.
As for priests?
‘You solve it with money.’
Simply offer a tribute satisfying enough for the constellation you worshipped.
Filthy capitalism.
That was why priest-type classes were called nobles.
〔Kahahaha! Offerings are always welcome, Contractor.〕
‘Says the guy freeloading off me.’
〔How dare you mock the King of the Titan Gods!〕
‘I’m just stating facts.’
Chronos was incomplete as a constellation.
Through countless irregularities and loopholes in “domains,” Yujin had succeeded in turning him into a half-formed constellation.
But calling him a proper constellation was still a stretch.
When the time came to break through future walls, Yujin still had no idea what conditions would truly be required.
‘Well, no need to worry about that already.’
Compared to his previous life, his starting point had already changed completely.
Even without regression, Yujin had once risen to the pinnacle of hunters and defeated even the Seven Stars.
The enlightenment itself was already there.
He was confident he could satisfy most conditions eventually.
“Let’s go, my servant.”
【Calling me a servant sounds unpleasant.】
“Then should I call you by your real name?”
【That name belonged to a body that rotted away without even a single bone remaining. I’d rather bury that name with the corpse.】
“So picky.”
Yujin rubbed his chin thoughtfully.
The Park Haneul from before regression had been taciturn.
Was this because they met years earlier than before?
Or was it something else?
‘Either way, it’s not a bad change.’
Better to have someone who openly expressed opinions than someone who barely spoke.
【Hmm. I’d prefer a name so intimidating that merely hearing it crushes one’s spirit. But I can’t think of anything fitting.】
……
Actually.
Maybe being slightly quieter wouldn’t have been so bad after all.
Suddenly, one name crossed Yujin’s mind.
“Fafnir.”
【A foreign-style name? It rolls off the tongue nicely! Not bad at all!】
“A dragon from Norse mythology.”
An evil dragon slain by the hero Sigurd.
Fortunately, Park Haneul didn’t seem familiar with the myth and happily accepted the name.
【Excellent. From now on, call me Fafnir. Hahaha!】
Joy radiated through his thoughts.
Such a cheerful undead.
Almost unsettlingly so.
“Ah. Need to take this too.”
Yujin approached the ruined corpse of the orc chieftain.
[Storing corpse within the Black Abyss Ring.]
[Storage Capacity: 1/1]
Space had opened after releasing the Dragonoid corpse.
The orc chieftain’s body had already reached the upper edge of 2-star rank.
With some processing, it could become a useful undead.
He didn’t leave even the mana-stone-harvested orc corpses untouched.
[Using Flesh Control.]
Bones and flesh separated, drastically reducing the corpses’ weight.
“You lot, carry the corpses.”
—GRUAAAH.
The Armored Zombies picked up the stripped skeletal remains.
“Let’s head back.”
“Yes, Hyungnim.”
【Wait. Doesn’t this feel a bit too empty?】
At Fafnir’s words, Yujin tilted his head in confusion.
“What’s empty?”
【This body. I’m practically naked. At least give me something to wear.】
“……”
Yujin stared at him blankly for a moment before pointing toward an orc tent.
“If it bothers you that much, wrap that around yourself.”
RRRIP—!
The tent tore apart under Fafnir’s massive hands.
He wrapped the rag-like cloth around his waist.
‘Was he always this kind of character?’
Yujin pressed both temples firmly.
Yujin’s group entered the border area checkpoint.
“Is that a summon?”
“I’ve never seen a summon like that before.”
“More importantly… sniff sniff… doesn’t something smell weird?”
Hunters gathered near the checkpoint stared curiously at the group.
Some even pinched their noses at the smell of rotting corpses.
“So this is why zombies can’t be used long-term.”
Kang Minho forced a smile while frowning at the stench assaulting his nose.
Standing beside a group of Armored Zombies, simply covering his nose wasn’t enough.
“You’ll need to wash your clothes several times. The smell doesn’t come out easily.”
“At this point, I might as well use Clean magic.”
“Not sure if there’s a service like that near the workshop.”
[Clean] was a common magic spell used to clean clothing with mana.
Naturally, it required the assistance of magic-type hunters.
“Haa… guess I’ll look for one.”
“Or you guys can take a break. I need to head to Seoul too.”
“Really?”
“I’m not some evil employer. I can give holidays.”
【Then I as well—】
“Servants should stay quiet.”
【Ahem. I have the magnificent name Fafnir now.】
“If an undead starts wandering around, someone’s going to report it.”
【Hmm. That would indeed be troublesome.】
“If there’s anyone you absolutely need to meet, I’ll accompany you.”
【Hah. There’s no one left to greet. The moment I swore myself to an undead body, I buried all ties to the past as well.】
Park Haneul.
No—Fafnir and Yujin shared one thing in common.
They were both orphans.
Fafnir lost his parents during the Great Cataclysm.
Yujin, meanwhile, had been abandoned the moment he entered the world.
‘Neither of us had anywhere to truly belong.’
A story Yujin had heard in his previous life.
There was no need to bring it up now, so he kept the thought to himself.
Yujin headed toward the alchemy workshop with the Armored Zombies in tow.
“What the hell is that smell?!”
Grumbling as he came outside, Shin Junseok froze upon seeing the Armored Zombies.
“Armored zombies?!”
【To be surprised by something this minor. Your courage is lacking, friend.】
Shin Junseok turned toward Fafnir at the criticism.
He stared for a moment before suddenly shouting in astonishment.
“Isn’t that the corpse that was soaking in the melting solution?!”
“Yeah. I found a soul compatible with the body in the border area.”
“I worked so hard melting all those mana stones into solution. Seeing the finished result is amazing.”
Shin Junseok’s eyes sparkled as he approached Fafnir.
【What’s with this pervert?】
“My business partner. Even if he annoys you, don’t kill him.”
“Yujin-nim… could I maybe touch it once? This absolutely deserves research—”
【No. I’ve decided he must die.】
“Death seems excessive. How about just one arm for research?!”
“Partner, if you die pointlessly, it becomes a loss for me too. So calm down.”
Reluctantly, Shin Junseok backed away.
“Hyungnim, we’ll head to Seoul to sell the loot.”
“Be back within two days at most.”
“Yes, sir.”
The Baby-faced Team dispersed as well.
After ordering the Armored Zombies to stack the orc bones in one corner of the storage area, Yujin withdrew his spiritual power.
THUD!
The Armored Zombies collapsed to the ground instantly.
【That somehow feels disturbingly relatable.】
“You’re a higher undead. I can’t withdraw your spiritual power like theirs, so don’t worry.”
【Really?】
“Try manipulating the spiritual power inside your body.”
Fafnir examined himself with a dubious expression.
A moment later—
【You’re right.】
“Higher undead that have developed an ego structure can’t have their power forcibly reclaimed.”
【Then wouldn’t you lose control over undead?】
“Don’t underestimate my dominance.”
Yujin raised one finger.
【Hm?】
Fafnir’s leg suddenly lifted upward before—
BOOOOM!
It slammed violently into the ground.
The impact cratered the earth.
“No need to threaten you. I can control you just fine.”
【You didn’t put a leash on me, but I’m basically a slave anyway.】
Leaving the grumbling Fafnir behind, Yujin examined the pile of orc bones spread across the yard.
“Partner.”
“What now? You partner who contributes absolutely nothing to the advancement of alchemy.”
Complaining openly, Shin Junseok still approached obediently.
“Grind these bones down. And bring me 500ml of distilled blue herb extract too.”
“I’m not some alchemy slave or machine. You show up at the workshop and immediately start exploiting me?”
Well, technically he was a slave.
Yujin wisely chose not to say that aloud and instead coaxed him slowly.
“I’ll show you something interesting.”
“Watching something doesn’t automatically make it research.”
“Come on. You can experiment freely with this one.”
“……Really?”
“Have I ever gone back on my word?”
“…Fine.”
Shin Junseok sighed but obediently crushed the orc bones into powder.
Meanwhile, Yujin used [Flesh Control] to separate the orc chieftain’s flesh and bones.
“Fafnir. Gather the powder and massage it into the chieftain’s corpse.”
【Oh? Planning to create another undead?】
“The more forces we have, the better.”
[Using Raise Undead.]
[The completion quality of Skeleton #1 is high.]
[All stats increased by 100%.]
The instant spiritual power infused into the bones—
Yujin reinforced the skeleton itself, doubling its combat capability.
“This isn’t the end either.”
The property of blue herb was mana stabilization.
Yujin poured the distilled liquid over the piled bone powder.
Then—
[Using Bone Armor.]
The powder adhered to the skeleton’s body.
Absorbing the powdered bones, the orc chieftain’s corpse grew larger and larger.
Only after reaching a size comparable to Fafnir did the growth finally stop.
[Stable energy has affected the skeleton’s creation direction.]
[The skeleton’s characteristics have transformed toward defense.]
The orc chieftain’s arms expanded grotesquely wide.
They resembled giant shields attached directly to both arms.
[Skeleton Guard]
Species: Undead
Grade: ★★
◎ Stats
Strength: 275 / Agility: 150 / Stamina: 291 / Toughness: 332 / Mana: 84
◎ Traits
▷ Undying Being [D+]
▷ Locked Attention [E+]
◎ Skills
▷ Attack Absorption [D+]
▷ Iron Wall [D]
“Take care of us for a while.”
CLACK! CLACK!
Its upper and lower jaws collided, producing an eerie sound.
