Awesome Shut-In Necromancer

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The Clear White Guild is the top guild in South Korea, without a doubt.

It feels comparatively newly established, so among experts and the public, it ranks roughly as the third strongest. But even at that level, it can still be considered one of the best guilds.

And Seo Ha was one of the leading powers within this Clear White Guild.

In other words, she was incredibly popular.

A buzz of chatter filled the air.

As Seo Ha and I entered the guild building, I could immediately feel the countless gazes directed at us.

Fortunately, with the clothes I wore, if I maintained some distance, I could manage. I discreetly averted my gaze from the ring and hid behind Seo Ha as we headed toward the center of the building.

“You’re here early.”

“Did Seo Ha arrive?”

At that, several guild members came up to greet Seo Ha directly.

Most of them were famous figures I had seen once or twice through media. It struck me again just how much standing Seo Ha had.

“Is this the sister you mentioned over the phone?”

“Yes. I came along to show her around.”

I slightly bowed my head from a distance to say hello.

Feeling like a fish out of water among these celebrities made me a bit nauseous.

Noticing the change in my expression, Seo Ha quickly glanced around the lounge before continuing.

“Shall we move to a different place first?”

The new location was an observation room attached to a massive area that looked like a training ground or examination space.

Click.

Tweak.

“Would you like some coffee?”

“…No, um, it’s… I’m fine.”

Just as mundane small talk was unfolding, one of the guild members, who had been watching me closely, suddenly wore a puzzled expression and began looking over at the other guild members.

“Um…”

“What’s wrong? Did you drop your wallet again?”

“No, it’s not that. Are you by any chance Baek Eun Ha? The Necromancer?”

At that, all three guild members present turned to stare at me.

When I averted my gaze, somewhat anticipating this reaction, the guild members exchanged bewildered looks between me and Seo Ha.

“Now that you mention it, the surname…”

“Is it really you, Baek Eun Ha? So you two are family?”

“Why didn’t you mention that, sister?”

“I didn’t think I needed to create a scene.”

Seo Ha’s nonchalant response left the guild members starry-eyed in awe.

Until now, the fact that Seo Ha and I were family had been a secret, but given that I had somewhat regained a minimal amount of power, I had no real reason to hide it anymore.

Since it was confirmed that I had no intention of fleeing overseas, even the Association accepted this matter.

I awkwardly lowered my gaze, trying to brush off the awkward atmosphere.

“Uh? I think someone’s coming over there?”

Just in time, the Returner appeared, accompanied by a guild member.

And at the same time, a small resonance began within the Book of Death that was connected to my soul.

Wooosh.

‘…….’

It wasn’t the Returner influencing this. It was because of the other person beside him.

‘Chae Hwa In.’

One of the two reasons I came here today.

An A Rank Mage, the vice guild leader of the Clear White Guild, responsible for the Strategy Team’s firepower.

And she was the sister of my Death Knight, Chae Hwa In, who was once an S Rank Hunter.

If she were family, perhaps she could help restore some memories of Chae Hwa In.

With that thought in mind, I tried to stay as close as possible and occasionally strike up a conversation. Unfortunately, Chae Hwa In showed no further reaction.

‘Is this not stimulating enough?’

Or perhaps, during her prolonged state of dormancy in soul form, most of her memories had been permanently lost.

I swallowed my disappointment internally and focused on the second purpose, the male Returner.

‘Was it Shin Do Yoon?’

Shin Do Yoon, who had been chatting extensively with Seo Ha and the guild members, soon moved to the center of the training area to test something.

What emerged was a barrier created using mana stones.

It looked similar to what I had used during my previous Hunter registration test.

Shin Do Yoon attacked the barrier as if demonstrating his power, and most of the guild members gasped in admiration.

From the observation room, I watched the scene intently, lost in thought.

‘…Interesting.’

I found myself intrigued by this Shin Do Yoon. Looking for an opportunity, I approached him while he was momentarily alone, taking a break.

“Hi.”

“…Who are you?”

“Just someone similar to an observer.”

Even now, I felt no discomfort in confronting him. It was the same phenomenon I had experienced when facing other Returners.

However, I had been catching a subtle sense of déjà vu since earlier.

And after getting closer to him, I realized the source of that sensation.

“You’re already someone else’s dog, aren’t you?”

“……”

“Before going back to Earth? Or right after?”

His soul was, to put it simply, already fully subjected to some other existence.

Once my observation hit home, the calm mask Shin Do Yoon had been wearing swiftly turned sharp.

“…Well, that’s something. None of the others noticed at all.”

“Of course.”

“Who are you?”

Questioning me, I smiled faintly and replied.

“What do you care?”

Shin Do Yoon frowned and quickly summoned his magical power. However, he soon halted, looking deep in thought.

“Do you know about them?”

That was an unexpected comment. With my short reaction, it seemed he had deduced the answer, as Shin Do Yoon let out a sigh and turned his head.

“…Looks like you don’t know. Then we have nothing to discuss.”

As he turned to leave, I didn’t hesitate to grab him by the hair.

Crack.

“…What are you doing?”

“Where do you think you’re going? I have plenty to say!”

“Ugh, this brat is unreal.”

Shin Do Yoon smiled with annoyance and immediately raised his magical power.

Wooosh.

It was a striking force. Just raising his magical power shook the surroundings, causing startled guild members to turn their gazes toward us.

“Let go of me while I’m being nice.”

“Nope.”

Thud!

Ultimately, infuriated, Shin Do Yoon shook off my grip and turned to face me again.

“Do you not realize how precious your life is just because some negligible power has come your way?”

“…….”

“Hunter? Awakened One? What a joke. To just blindly believe power handed to you by someone else.”

For a moment, Shin Do Yoon, basking in feeling superior, glanced at the guild members behind him before continuing.

“Don’t bother me. I’m holding back because there are eyes watching.”

“I… I have something to say!”

As Shin Do Yoon resumed his steps, I hurriedly crumpled a note and threw it at the back of his head. The note contained my phone number.

Thud.

“……”

“Let’s meet up privately sometime. No interruptions.”

I couldn’t let him just leave after saying only what he wanted. In response to my provocation, Shin Do Yoon chuckled and gave his reply.

“Come back when you’ve grown a bit more.”

“Seriously…”

Just as I can’t hold back and rush to grab him by the hair again, someone stopped me. It was Seo Ha.

“…Oniisan, didn’t you say you would behave?”

“Ah, no, it’s not like that. That guy…”

“If you cause more trouble, I will take away the computer.”

At those words, I returned to the observation room with a discontented expression but complied.

After all, there would be plenty of ways to meet another time. I could think about it slowly when I got home.

“Now they are about to meet with the guild leader. Is there anything else you want to check out?”

In the end, I followed Seo Ha, guided through the guild’s facilities, and wrapped up the day just like that.

That night, I received a message from an unknown number. It was Shin Do Yoon.

Ding.

[I’ve changed my mind. Let’s meet tonight.]

Late at night, I asked Gordon to substitute for me and stealthily slipped out of the house, heading to the agreed location.

Crunch.

Crumble.

On a deserted mountain path, where no one was around, Shin Do Yoon found me and spoke up.

“…You really are a fearless one.”

“There’s no need for that.”

As I brushed off the fallen leaves stuck to my clothes, Shin Do Yoon commented.

“I’ve heard from the Association. You’re a Returner too, right?”

“……”

“Follow me.”

Crunch.

Crumble.

Following Shin Do Yoon as he confidently advanced along the mountain trail, I soon began to see a treacherous terrain where no one seemed to walk.

After walking for several minutes, Shin Do Yoon suddenly stopped and pointed somewhere with his finger.

As I focused on that spot, I noticed a strange light shimmering at the bottom of a small valley. It was a portal to a dungeon.

“Come in.”

I didn’t know how he had found it, but it was the perfect place for us to fulfill our business. There was no reason to back down.

I felt my heart starting to thump nervously and followed Shin Do Yoon into the dungeon.