Awesome Shut-In Necromancer

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To put it simply, my phobia has definitely improved a lot compared to before.

Maybe because I used the ring too much lately, I had a strong reaction when the side effects returned for the first time, but once I calmed down a bit, I could feel the difference.

“Oppa, are you really okay?”

“I… I can manage.”

Right now, I’m walking down a quiet street with Seo Ha.

Occasionally, passersby and neighborhood kids would pass by, but surprisingly, I didn’t have any intense side effects.

I just felt a bit uneasy and couldn’t quite settle down.

‘…It’s definitely improved.’

It might be thanks to leveling up, or perhaps because I tasted high levels again after using Necromancy several times.

Either way, being able to see the potential for improvement itself was a definite achievement.

“Mom! This sister has white hair!”

“Oh my, you shouldn’t say such rude things!”

“Hik!”

Of course, I still have a long way to go before I can say I’ve completely overcome these issues.

I tried to suppress the hiccups that had started and clung closely to Seo Ha.

“Shall we head back soon?”

“Let’s just take one more round.”

Staying still wouldn’t solve anything. I decided to confront it head-on, steeled my resolve, and walked around the neighborhood before heading home.

Thud.

“Hah…”

Exhausted, I collapsed onto the sofa, and Seo Ha looked at me with a proud expression.

To be fair, it might be the first time I’ve done this much on my own since returning to Earth without any help.

Moreover, today I didn’t cover my face with clothes or deliberately avoid areas with people.

Thinking back to the past, this was truly a remarkable progress.

“…Now that I think about it, how much strength have I regained?”

As I organized my clothes, Seo Ha casually asked, as if remembering something.

“Maybe about 20%?”

“…Is that the current status?”

Since reality isn’t a game, I couldn’t give an accurate number, but I thought that might be about right.

On normal days, it’s at 20%, and it nearly reaches 50% when I used Necromancy.

Considering that even at 20% strength I had given Lion a tough time, there likely wouldn’t be anyone left among ordinary Hunters who could be my match.

‘Yulian was quite strong, though.’

Since I felt a disturbing presence from him toward the end, I thought it would be good to at least remember his name.

And what was more concerning was none other than Hades’s plan to resurrect Gideon.

“What about now?”

“Helena says movement has stopped again. However…”

At the same time, Helena said that the moment Hades revealed himself next would likely be when he intends to execute the plan.

Thinking about that meant that the time for confrontation was indeed approaching.

“Will it be okay? He sounded like quite a formidable opponent.”

“No problem. Whoever comes at me isn’t my opponent anymore.”

I have absolute confidence in the achievement I have made.

Even if that Gideon was once the strongest Necromancer, he was no longer the same now.

I slowly raised my calmed body and reached for the jelly that was on the table.

Thinking about completely severing ties with those tiresome beings, Hades.

#

A block away from the apartment where Baek Eun Ha lives.

Henessia, who had settled there, asked Astrid, who was sitting lost in thought.

“Why are you so worked up? Is there something bothering you?”

With the South Korean government’s cooperation, Henesia had gained a wealth of knowledge about this world, now seeing everything even clearer than locals.

The two had already acquired their new identities as Hunters in Korea, and the government and the Association had agreed to block those who sought to exploit crossing dimensions or gains from the planet Thebes.

In other words, there was nothing left to worry about. They just had to do what they wanted within the rules of this world.

“Is it because of Gideon?”

Henessia was indeed concerned about that aspect as well.

He was a legendary figure from the books. I can’t even begin to imagine what would happen if he were to return.

However, Astrid shook her head quietly.

“I was just a little shocked; I’m not really interested in that.”

Perhaps that reaction was quite typical of Astrid. She had casually destroyed powerful foes without batting an eye in Thebes.

She likely was taken aback by Gideon, but it was highly probable that she felt no fear or reluctance regarding him.

“So what is it then? I know you’ve been like that since morning.”

“…Sorry. I lost track of time while concentrating.”

What on earth could have occupied her thoughts so much? Henesia had no idea.

However, since it seemed to involve her teacher, it seemed likely to be about that.

Sure enough, Astrid soon stood up and quietly left Henesia with a brief response.

“I’ll be back shortly. Wait for me.”

“Do as you wish. If you’re late, I’ll eat dinner first.”

With that, Astrid opened the window and vanished in an instant.

Even though it had been said that it was common sense to use the entrance door here, it seemed she had quickly forgotten that.

‘Goodness, what could have been weighing on her mind?’

Astrid was known for not expressing her feelings well, making it even harder to grasp.

Still, after returning, she would likely explain whatever happened.

Now used to this process, Henesia let out a small sigh and closed the left-open window.

Outside, she had left a message via magic instructing to come through the front door.

#

“So, why the sudden visit?”

I asked, fumbling to question the suddenly arrived Astrid.

While I could definitely hold a conversation one-on-one now, it was still a bothersome situation.

‘…Come to think of it, this is strange. I definitely didn’t have any phobia toward Returners.’

Technically, Astrid wasn’t a Returner, but it was clear she wasn’t a mere monster from Earth.

Why phobia would trigger with her, I couldn’t quite figure out the reason yet.

‘No, maybe…’

It was absurd, but one possibility I was considering might be the reason.

Lost in thought, Astrid spoke to me with a serious expression.

“Teacher, that thing.”

“That thing?”

Astrid raised her finger and pointed at me.

Only then did I realize what she meant.

She was referring to the chains binding my soul.

“…Should I cut it?”

That was quite a shocking proposition.

While I had previously mentioned that my power was sealed, I hadn’t gone into detail.

In other words, Astrid could now see and perceive that level of the inner realm.

Faced with her unexpected words, I also changed my expression seriously and replied.

“You want to cut this?”

“…Yeah. Whatever the cause, it makes me uncomfortable. It’s been bothering me.”

Her words held considerable meaning. I realized what conclusion Astrid had probably drawn about this seal.

Thus, I spoke without hesitation.

“Ugh. No, just leave it.”

“…Why not?”

The first reason was, there was no guarantee she could completely break the seal.

Of course, Astrid must have brought it up with confidence, but the level of the seal on me had already transcended human realms.

Moreover, regrettably, I had no intention of entrusting my fate to anyone else.

I only trust my own strength. Ever since I fell into Thebes, that’s how I’ve lived.

And the second reason, which was actually the most important.

“I don’t really intend to lift it right now.”

Even if I could forcibly unravel the seal, I didn’t have the desire to do so at this moment.

This was a somewhat recent whim. Normally, I would have eliminated this annoying seal as soon as its estimate became clear.

However, through all that has happened until now, I had instinctively realized the purpose and significance of this seal.

Thus, I decided to keep my guard up and follow its intention, even just once.

I would continue leveling up steadily and gradually regain my original strength.

‘…Thinking about what comes after is a matter for later.’

That was the decision I made for now.