Awesome Shut-In Necromancer

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As I stood at the center of the opposing forces, countless gazes naturally converged on me.

Seo Ha looked at me with a worried expression, while Yesiel and Lee Ji Cheol exchanged glances that clearly said, “Here we go again.”

On the other hand, the S Rank Hunters who had come as reinforcements from various countries, along with Ryan and his group, regarded me with suspicion and hostility.

“There were some doubts, but it seems you really were connected.”

“What on earth are you plotting?”

“…….”

At those words, I frowned in contemplation.

Back when the U.S. and Russia first attacked, I had no idea what was going on either.

I just figured it out after the fact that they really were part of my circle.

“I’m not plotting anything specific. We just happened to know each other.”

“Do you really think that makes sense right now?”

That was indeed correct. There was no one who would believe my excuses at this point.

Therefore, I decided to face the situation in a completely different way.

“So what?”

“…What?”

“No matter whether you know or not, what difference does it make? If it’s not me, then it’s not.”

What an incredibly arrogant statement.

Hearing that, the Hunters naturally scowled and grew more hostile towards me.

“How arrogant. Have you been pumped up by all the attention you’ve been getting recently, thinking you’re something of importance?”

“There are nine S rank Hunters here right now. You alone can’t just act like you’re some big shot. I hope you pay attention to your words from now on.”

This reaction was to be expected, but they were mistaken about one thing.

“Why am I alone? That’s not true.”

Just by simple math, I had Lee Ji Cheol and Seo Ha, plus Astrid and Henesia, totaling four allies.

As for Yesiel and Xavier, I’m not sure, but at the very least, they wouldn’t just attack us out of the blue.

In other words, those who were at odds with me in this place totaled five, including Ryan and Julian.

Assuming we fought against these five, there wouldn’t be one reason for us to lose.

Upon hearing my words, Seo Ha and Lee Ji Cheol immediately approached, while the Hunters heightened their tension and assumed battle positions.

“Are you saying you intend to defy the judgment of the world organization? This isn’t something that can simply be dismissed as a personal outburst. Korea will face significant condemnation as well.”

“Oh, is that so? Then where are you from?”

“I’m Gustavo, an S Rank Hunter from Brazil. If you pull something like that, I’ll officially lodge a complaint with the government.”

In response to Gustavo, I smirked and threw out a warning.

“Can you handle what you just said?”

“What do you mean by that?”

“What do I mean? Your careless words could lead to your country’s downfall.”

“What, what did you say?”

Gustavo shot me a furious look, as if taken aback.

However, I continued, indifferent to his expression.

“I’m just as annoyed and burdened by the current situation, so if you keep messing around, I might just bury you in the next ocean.”

“…I can’t help but laugh, have you really lost your mind?”

Supporting Gustavo, Ryan, who had been silent until now, spoke up.

“Hey, kid. You’re definitely crossing the line here. Shouldn’t you be looking for excuses instead of showing off?”

Now that I think about it, I had never shown my strength in front of those two because of the side effects of my necromancy.

It was only natural for him to look down on me.

And unfortunately, I wasn’t particularly fond of such gazes.

“…Right, there was something I needed to repay you for.”

How dare he take me away on a whim and only throw me tasteless canned food when I said I was hungry?

While he was chowing down on turkey legs he had procured from the city, it was impossible not to be angry.

“Thinking about it is irritating. No one has been subjected to such humiliation for the past 50 years.”

“Seriously, you’ve only been babbling nonsense. Let’s not complicate things unnecessarily. I have no interest in beating up kids.”

“Then keep getting beaten up.”

For now, I decided to take down Ryan, one of the Seven Stars, to suppress the morale of the foreign Hunters.

Having calmly made my calculations, I slowly approached him, raising my spirits.

#

As one of the first-generation Hunters in the U.S. and a member of the Seven Stars, Ryan looked at Baek Eun Ha with various questions.

“What the hell is going on? The momentum is completely different from before.”

Clearly, when he had Baek Eun Ha captured, he hadn’t felt much threat from her. His instinct had simply determined she wasn’t his match.

But now?

Even before the battle had officially begun, an ominous energy was radiating from her.

Ryan realized that Baek Eun Ha’s attack would indeed reach him.

If he were debating with Gustavo, he wouldn’t have any trouble achieving an overwhelming victory. But for some reason, he couldn’t envision such a scenario against Baek Eun Ha.

“Besides, their reactions just now…”

Although he didn’t grasp the exact context of the conversation, Astrid and Henesia had clearly referred to Baek Eun Ha as their teacher.

Astrid had even let her respect shine through in her gaze unabashedly.

If two individuals who had reached a terrifying level treated her that way, Baek Eun Ha might be more powerful than Ryan could even imagine.

‘…That’s definitely a possibility.’

What era are we living in? It was entirely possible to change your appearance to that of a young girl or conceal your powers.

Therefore, Ryan remained alert, summoning a bolt of lightning as a warning to Baek Eun Ha to not come any closer.

And he infused it with genuine intent.

Crack!

The bolt shattered—

But for some reason, the lightning didn’t strike Baek Eun Ha. It merely struck the ground aggressively, two steps away from her.

‘What?!’

As soon as Ryan verified that, he immediately summoned another bolt of lightning, aiming for Baek Eun Ha.

Crack!

But the result was the same again. It was at that moment Ryan felt strongly that something was off.

“…What trickery is this?”

No matter how much of a veteran or a hero of resurrection one might be, it was impossible not to feel flustered in such a situation.

Ryan’s expression darkened completely, now devoid of a smile, as he summoned dozens of bolts of lightning.

Crack!

Crack!

Most of them failed to reach Baek Eun Ha and merely tore through the innocent air.

A few of the bolts managed to go straight, but they were blocked by Baek Eun Ha’s defenses and failed to fulfill their purpose.

‘This can’t be.’

Seeing Ryan’s gaze beginning to waver, Baek Eun Ha chuckled and continued speaking.

“Why? Don’t you understand what’s happening?”

While Ryan was indeed a seasoned combat genius, that was only when considering the Earth.

On the other hand, Baek Eun Ha had been fighting fiercely for a hundred years in Thebes and had shared hands with some of the best for decades, if not more.

Among non-human races, there were transcendental beings who had lived for thousands of years, so further explanation was unnecessary.

Before he knew it, Baek Eun Ha had come right up to him, and all Ryan could do was put up a barrier of electricity to protect himself.

Looking up at Ryan, Baek Eun Ha smiled once more and said.

“What are you doing? Aren’t you done with your business yet?”

“…As I said, I don’t have a hobby of hitting kids, but I need to fix that habit of yours.”

However, contrary to her words, Ryan no longer had the leeway to spare.

Baek Eun Ha was more threatening than he had anticipated. If he didn’t restrain her, he would just as easily be the one restrained.

With a crack, powerful magical energy erupted from Ryan, and the surging electric current began to surround his entire body.

What emerged was Ryan, shrouded in a gentle blue light.

Zap.

The current around him was restrained, only occasionally emitting static electricity. Just from that, he realized its power was incomparably greater than before.

“…Honestly, I didn’t plan on using this skill unless absolutely necessary.”

What they commonly referred to as an awakening-type skill.

It served the effect of temporarily amplifying all abilities by consuming a large amount of magical energy, akin to doping.

Shaking off some of the bewilderment, Ryan slowly approached Baek Eun Ha, continuing to speak.

“I admit it. You’re definitely not the average opponent.”

“I’ll give you credit too. I can’t block this like I did earlier.”

Yet for some reason, Baek Eun Ha still retained her composure.

The reason for that was revealed in her next words.

“Of course, that only applies if we’re using the same method.”

Simultaneously, an ominous eye emerged from Baek Eun Ha’s hand, radiating a dreadfully menacing energy.