Awesome Shut-In Necromancer

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‘…My strength is gradually coming back.’

Ironically, this decisive battle, entangled with numerous strong foes, was occurring just as the side effects of Necromancy were wearing off.

I clenched my fists a few times, letting out a tired sigh as I looked at the two Hunters nearby.

The U.S.’s Seven Star, Ryan Bristol, and Germany’s Seven Star, Julian Chenwiltz.

Even with just these two, their power was formidable, but now that information restrictions had lifted, other S Rank Hunters like Xavier and Yesiel would be gathering here too.

‘I didn’t expect the situation to escalate this much.’

In fact, when I was first captured by Ryan and dragged away, I thought Astrid and Henesia would find me again in no time.

However, Ryan’s side wasn’t going to let me go easily.

Did they have some kind of background that allowed them to make such a decision? Using the same tactic, they had completely shaken off the pursuit of those two.

And the exact moment such an escape method reached its limit was today.

It could be said that the situation fit together quite perfectly.

“Ryan, do you really think they’ll come to such an obvious trap?”

“They will definitely come. You just didn’t see them. They’ve been chasing me for two days without a single breath—how bad could it be?”

Ryan was not wrong. I believed that no matter if the trap was set or not, those two would eventually show up here.

They had the skills to do so, and they would surely be furious.

As expected, before any Hunters from foreign countries could express their intention to assist, Henesia and Astrid arrived at the scene first.

Henesia, exuding a fierce aura, spoke in a low tone.

“That was annoying. I thought you were a worthless pest, but you sure know how to run away.”

“Sorry, but that thought is changing today.”

Ryan had likely considered a way to deal with them after our last battle.

If a fight were to break out now, Hunters from other countries would arrive as reinforcements just as both sides exhausted their stamina.

That was exactly Ryan’s game plan.

“Let’s see this through to the end, without anyone backing down in the middle.”

“Who’s going to back down?”

Henesia, thoroughly furious, began to draw a tremendous amount of magic power towards her staff without even hesitating.

And she started unleashing attack spells mercilessly.

Boom!

Boom!

Whoosh!

Kwagagagak!

In response, Julian summoned countless translucent steel orbs the size of fists, deploying defense skills.

The barrier formed by layered magic successfully guarded against Henesia’s onslaught.

Boom!

Boom!

“…Ryan, you’re right. Those two are certainly strong. We can’t guarantee a victory with just the two of us.”

“That’s what the reinforcements are for. We just need to keep the battle balanced.”

With Ryan’s outstanding attack power and Julian compensating for Ryan’s lack of defense, their combination seemed stable and ideal in my eyes.

Also, now that I thought about it, they probably had some coordination experience from previous battles.

As Henesia found it difficult to breach the defenses, she clicked her tongue and began sketching a giant magic circle.

She then spoke to Astrid beside her.

“I’m going to cast a big spell. Cover me.”

“…Okay. Got it.”

Now the urgency was on Ryan and Julian’s side.

Having seen her strength in the previous fight, Ryan hurriedly signaled Julian to gather his power.

“Looks like she’s going all out. We have to block this.”

“Leave it to me.”

Grumbling!

In an instant, Ryan summoned dark clouds, obscuring the sky, and from amidst those clouds, a massive steel pillar descended to strike the ground.

It appeared to be Julian’s skill.

“Column of Destruction. String.”

Vroom─!

As Julian activated the skill, the steel column resonated and began to emit a tremendous shockwave.

The targets of this wave were obviously Astrid and Henesia, and at the same time, Ryan’s lightning struck down fiercely at them.

Flash!

Kwarrrung─!

In response, Astrid threw her sword into the sky and charged towards Julian simultaneously.

The magic-infused sword astonishingly absorbed the lightning, while Henesia somehow continued her spellcasting, enduring the shockwave with double casting.

As Astrid quickly closed the distance, Julian activated another skill in counter.

“Column of Destruction. Strike.”

Slash.

Slash.

Ping!

Spear-like projectiles separating from the gigantic pillar surged towards Astrid at a cannonball-like speed.

However, Astrid drew another sword from her waist and cut through all of them at a speed that was nearly invisible.

And precisely at that moment, Henesia completed her large magic.

Whoosh.

“…Freeze everything.”

Boom!

Kshhhh─!

In an instant, the wide-spreading magic circle unleashed vast amounts of magical power, and along with a brilliant light, everything within its radius began to freeze.

Three seconds later, a massive ice wall emerged, measuring over 50 meters on one side.

The figures of Ryan and Julian could no longer be seen within its confines.

‘…….’

That was indeed an overwhelming power.

To cast such an expansive spell in mere 40 seconds—compared to all the Mages I’ve met, it was at a top-class level.

Having sealed Ryan and Julian’s movements, the two approached me slowly, letting out sighs.

“…Yeah. You don’t seem hurt.”

“Took you long enough. The two days you mentioned have now all passed. Could you share some information about the teacher?”

To their words, I simply replied with a calm expression and a low voice.

“It doesn’t seem like it’s over yet for me to say that kind of thing.”

At that moment, the ice wall cracked open, revealing a steel orb that was just big enough for two people to fit inside.

And from there, Julian and Ryan opened their mouths.

“…These are much more dangerous beings than we imagined. Ryan, we definitely need to deal with them here.”

“Agreed. Though it seems our expected guests have arrived sooner than we thought.”

As I heightened my senses, I could now feel the presence of several figures approaching nearby.

They were all strong, likely S Rank Hunters from various countries who had promised reinforcement.

As the Hunters gradually revealed themselves, tension came to the faces of Astrid and Henesia as well.

“Asti, can you handle this?”

“…The two from earlier are stronger than expected. And there’s one more at the same level. It could be tough if we don’t show our true powers.”

In this tense standoff, I couldn’t help but grin.

‘About 10 seconds to go.’

The timing couldn’t have been better; my previously lost strength was almost fully returning.

“Brother! Don’t just stand there, come this way!”

Seo Ha, with Xavier and Yesiel, yelled at me, and upon hearing that, Henesia subtly glanced at me.

In response, I slowly walked somewhere.

That place was right in the center of the battlefield where they were preparing for combat.

All eyes full of questions turned to me, and I first turned my face toward Astrid and Henesia.

Then I spoke quietly.

“Long time no see.”

“What?”

“I thought I was going to die of frustration. No matter how much I change, don’t I still look the same?”

At my words, Henesia stared at me with a blank expression, as if puzzled by why this little guy was suddenly babbling nonsense.

Unable to hold back, I gave her head a light thump.

Bang!

“Ow! What was that for? Are you crazy?”

“Who’s going crazy? Who do you think you’re being cheeky to from before…?”

Henesia displayed an even greater sense of confusion at my reaction, while Astrid, who had been nearby, stepped closer to speak.

“…I thought that might be the case.”

“Asti? What are you talking about?”

“Could it be, are you the teacher?”

Unlike Henesia, who seemed perplexed, Astrid, with her extraordinary intuition, seemed to have had some inkling of my existence all along.

I nodded subtly, acknowledging the truth.

“Yeah. I had no choice but to keep quiet for certain reasons. You’re still better than her.”

“…Really? This little brat is really the teacher?”

“You’ll find out later.”

Anyway, there was something pressing that needed to be resolved ahead.

I turned around and met the gazes of the Hunters with a somewhat stony expression.

The situation had already escalated, and perhaps this was just the true beginning of the fight.

But I didn’t care.

‘After resting well without playing any games, my head feels clear.’

In any case, no matter who came next, I was confident I could crush them all beneath my feet.