Awesome Shut-In Necromancer

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As we entered the depths of the dungeon, we quickly moved away from the entrance and found a high terrain to observe our surroundings.

“The air is pretty heavy.”

“…If you’re a Hunter below B Rank, moving in here would be really tough.”

As Chae Hwa In said, the pressure from the magical energy was indeed significant. It’s no wonder people make such a fuss about S Rank Dungeons.

“This is, after all…”

I climbed a bit up a high hill to survey the area, but all I could see were beaches of sand glistening in the sun.

In short, the place we were standing on was a gigantic desert.

“I don’t see any monsters.”

“…They might be hiding underground.”

This wasn’t exactly a great place for long-term activities. Clicking my tongue, I began to walk forward without any particular plan.

“…What are you trying to do?”

“We don’t have time. The strategy team might catch up faster than we think. Let’s move forward until something appears.”

After walking for a while, just as Chae Hwa In said, a substantial magical response was detected coming from deep within the ground.

Kugugugu.

Even if it was just a low-level monster, the magical energy was considerable. It might be comparable to a boss monster from a lower level A Rank Dungeon.

‘There could be hundreds or thousands of these things.’

It truly was a source of terror. An ordinary Hunter would likely exhaust themselves fighting endlessly inside.

With a sigh, the ground shook violently, and something emerged from it.

Kugung!

Fwaaaah!

Kiiiii─!

A massive worm with a red body and hundreds of cylindrical teeth appeared, probably a type of sandworm.

“…It’s a Red Worm. Its skin is tough and it has strong recovery abilities.”

“Good to know. Why don’t you go catch it?”

Chae Hwa In made a reluctant face for a moment, then drew her sword and charged at the Red Worm.

“Blade of Ruin.”

Sreeeek─!

Kugwah!

Kieeeek─!

She dealt a substantial blow that made its body lurch, but the Red Worm didn’t stop; it continued moving. It seemed her words about its strong vitality were true.

Scrape!

Sreeeek!

Kuwung!

Fwaaaah!

Kwagakak─!

After about five minutes of fighting, the Red Worm, battered and bruised, collapsed its massive body onto the sandy floor.

Kwahh!

Dust flew everywhere.

“Ugh, cough! The sand is flying everywhere. Try harder, will you?”

“…This is the best I’ve got.”

Even though Chae Hwa In didn’t hold back in her attacks, it still took quite some time.

Even an S Rank Hunter probably wouldn’t be able to take it down easily in one-on-one combat.

“Well then, should we try to raise it?”

Chae Hwa In had hacked at it quite a bit, so it likely wouldn’t be in great condition, but first, it was time for a test.

I gathered my magical energy and solemnly chanted the spell.

“Undead Call.”

Fwoooosh.

With a rush, my energy poured into the Red Worm’s massive body, and soon the Red Worm, which had ceased moving, began to slowly lift itself up.

Kugugugu.

[Kiiiii.]

I was worried about my energy being insufficient, but fortunately, I succeeded in bringing it back as an undead.

However, the consumption of energy was considerable.

‘…If that’s the case, about three should do it?’

After depleting all my energy, I’d probably need to rest for a bit before I could increase my forces again.

“…Did it work?”

“For now. But its movements are pretty sluggish.”

Its original dynamism wasn’t manifesting at all. This was all due to the lack of levels.

I roughly estimated and then took out the Book of Death to summon Kan, a shaman from an ancient tribe.

Chacha!

Fwaaaah!

“Cough cough. A lowly old man greets my lord.”

“Long time no see. Here, revive and strengthen this one.”

I pointed at the Red Worm with my finger, and Kan examined its body carefully and nodded.

“It’s quite a sturdy one. Understood.”

Since Kan was knowledgeable in various areas, he could support the Red Worm’s movements to a more reasonable level with his magic.

After giving Kan my orders, I then summoned Gordon, who had been chattering away inside my necklace.

Ssshhh.

Fwaaaah!

“Master? What is it?”

“What do you mean, what is it? It’s time for you to work.”

“Uh, well, as you know, this place is a bit beyond my level…”

“Are you really worrying about that when S Ranks are about to descend? Just do it when I say do it.”

To face the strategy team coming after us, I had to make full use of all the forces I had.

I dragged Gordon to a corner of the desert and pointed out something with my finger.

“See those burning scorpions over there? They’re weaker than the Red Worm, so you should be able to control them. Don’t come back until you catch 30 of them.”

“Uh? Thirty of them?”

It might seem excessive, but I believed he could actually do it.

Now that Gordon had been steadily gaining power after contracting with me, he could manage it.

Perhaps sensing my confidence, Gordon refrained from complaining and made his way toward the swarm of scorpions.

‘The remaining time will be, at most, two days.’

There’s a good chance the strategy team recruited from the U.S. will enter the dungeon during that time.

But that was alright.

It wouldn’t be easy, but it wouldn’t be difficult either.

From here, I just needed to gradually build up experience, level up, and increase my forces.

‘Let them come if they dare.’

I wasn’t sure how this place would change in two days, but it definitely would not be a pleasant sight for them.

Thinking about the scenery of that day in my mind, I once again gathered my spirit on the trembling ground.

#

“It seems I’ve conveyed all the precautions I needed to.”

A day after Baek Eun Ha and Chae Hwa In infiltrated the S Rank Dungeon, the Hunters gathered in one place, having completed their own preparations.

The situation wasn’t exactly relaxed.

With the already emergency-like S Rank Large Dungeon, a massive variable appeared that was now alive.

Joshua, the Vice President from the U.S., relayed the action guidelines he had devised through advice from the Hunters throughout the night.

“Let me reiterate, the top priority is the conservation of strength and clearing the dungeon. The situation with Chae Hwa In is secondary; however, if she becomes an obstacle to the clear, feel free to eliminate her without hesitation.”

“You don’t need to stress that. We have a specialist for that kind of thing here.”

Pointing at a man wrapped in bandages from head to toe, who had also been targeted by Chae Hwa In, S Rank Hunter Fordan said.

His name was Joang Clark. Known as Executioner Joang among the public, he was an unrivaled master in social battles, having never lost a one-on-one match.

“Those who’ve faced her directly say Chae Hwa In might possess power surpassing that of an S Rank Hunter. Are you really okay with this?”

At Joshua’s somewhat skeptical tone, Joang opened his mouth without hesitation.

“…No problem.”

With that, all preparations were complete. Joshua sought final approval from the higher-ups and moved the Hunters to the entrance of the dungeon in Iowa.

Beeep!

“The approval has been granted. It seems it’s time for the vanguard team to enter systematically as planned.”

Though they were merely near the entrance of the Gate, they could feel the overwhelming residual magic energy.

Although Vice President Joshua was a top-tier B Rank Hunter himself, he had no confidence in entering and coming out alive.

However, the Hunters positioned in front of the Gate began entering the dungeon one by one without hesitation.

Step.

Step.

Fwoooosh.

Fwooosh!

Watching their sturdy backs, Joshua struggled to suppress his concerns and swallowed hard.

‘It’s certainly possible. If it’s them, and no one else.’

Break through the S Rank Large Dungeon known as “The Hell’s Manifestation” and capture or eliminate the two elite criminals hiding inside.

It was a seemingly impossible task, yet somehow he felt they wouldn’t fail.

After seeing all the Hunters off, a man appeared before Joshua, who had closed his eyes to offer a prayer.

It was Lee Ji Cheol, the tyrant from Korea, who had been excluded from this strategy team due to isolation.

Joshua felt his familiar presence and spoke without flinching.

“Just as I expected, you’re showing yourself. I’m sorry, but I anticipated this and have already made all the necessary preparations. You absolutely cannot enter the dungeon.”

At the same time, four men hidden in Joshua’s shadow revealed themselves.

All of them were agents from a special unit that had undergone deadly training.

All were composed of A Rank and above, and the leader, Xenon, though not publicly acknowledged, was recognized as a top-level Hunter with S Rank power.

However, facing them with a relaxed smile, Lee Ji Cheol said.

“Well, I suppose your thoughts will change soon.”

Thus, the true battle finally began.