Episode 205 Undead Revive – (1)
After exiting the dungeon.
After the porters who entered subsequently finished appraising the byproducts and sharing the estimated sales figures,
the team disbanded .
To be precise, it was just Sang-hyun leaving the group, but regardless, the raid team's schedule was finished.
Since the mercenary contract was limited to just one dungeon, Sang-hyun had nothing more to worry about.
Knowing from the beginning that it was a test contract, he decided to wait without expecting or being disappointed.
He had shown all the abilities he could, so those three must have their own reasons as well.
Sang-hyun trusted in the value of his skills and his future.
After all, he was someone whose number of skills would increase today compared to yesterday, and tomorrow compared to today. There was no such thing as regression.
Meanwhile,
the three people who had sent Sang-hyun away met with Frederic Villain.
Usually, reports are received via video call, but Frederic had summoned them in person.
While he was partly influenced by being "sold" on by Han Hyun-jung, he also wanted to properly check on them.
A promising talent doesn't go around with the title of "promising talent" attached to their head.
Ultimately, the only way to determine whether a prospect or a rising star is genuine or fake is to judge for yourself.
Isn't there a saying that you should never buy stocks recommended by a taxi driver?
The same applies to prospects.
By the time everyone calls someone a prospect, they are no longer one. They are merely "near-names" who have finished preparing to become established figures.
Frederic was even considering making a recruitment offer if he judged that Sang-hyun truly had high future potential.
Of course, Sang-hyun himself would have to accept, but that meant he intended to give it a try.
"How was Shin Sang-hyun?"
Frederic said, downing a shot of strong vodka.
It was the vodka he enjoyed drinking; to be precise, it was vodka mixed with a mana solution he had retrieved from a dungeon.
Drinking one glass increases one's mana.
The price of a single glass was a whopping 4.9 billion won! It was certainly not something to be consumed easily.
Furthermore, since the mana solution was created in the dungeon for unknown reasons, there was no specific method for making it.
It was truly a case of luck that he managed to retrieve it from the dungeon. So, the price was whatever the seller asked, and the supply was scarce.
Frederick was drinking a glass of that Mana Vodka every day.
Thanks to this guy, his Mana has increased by over 300.
In terms of cost-effectiveness, it falls short compared to the Mana Coffee Han Hyun-jung handles.
However, for a player like Frederick, for whom money holds little significance, it was a sure means of growth.
Sarah said,
“I think the results speak for themselves. Mr. Shin Sang-hyun personally defeated Ashtaros.”
“Haha.”
The three of them expected a surprised reaction from Frederick, but he just let it go with a chuckle.
It could be a poker face. Or perhaps he was surprised but chose not to pretend.
However, Frederick himself had made the unbelievable a reality more than once, just like Sang-hyun.
So, his reaction was not one of "Is that really possible?" but rather "I suppose that could be possible.
" “How did the skill set look?”
At Frederick’s question, Kyle, Raphelen, and Sarah began to rattle off what they had seen and felt.
Although their tone and nuances differed slightly, the conclusion was that Sang-hyun’s skills were very diverse.
What was particularly impressive was the story that he spammed skills even in a dungeon where mana recovery was extremely limited.
Furthermore, the fact that he felt almost no burden regarding HP recovery and preferred solo play was also striking.
As he listened to the story, Frederic began to focus on Sanghyeon's healing ability rather than his various skills.
'He must be holding out with HP using lifesteal options, and he must have a method to forcibly recover mana as well.'
True to his nature as a seasoned guild leader and a player of considerable mastery, his judgment was swift.
The three people before him constantly wondered how on earth Sanghyeon had acquired such abilities.
However, for Frederic, that was not a significant issue.
He had acquired it, so it was there. There could be no other reason.
Just because it didn't happen to me didn't mean others had to.
'Either his method of acquiring skills is different from that of a typical player, or his artifact options are genuinely good.'
As he continued to think, Frederic's prediction grew closer and closer to Sanghyeon's actual appearance.
However, even he had never considered the possibility that Sanghyeon obtained skills by 'eating' artifacts.
"If these guys are praising him without finding a single fault, I can't miss the opportunity to meet him."
Frederick's eyes sparkled.
There was something about Sanghyun.
* * *
Around that time,
Sanghyun, having returned to his quarters guided by Lee Yeon, was resting.
Perhaps because it was a hotel exclusively for the Nobility Guild, the service was certainly excellent.
Even if they ate unlimited room service, there was no charge.
And rightly so, considering the money the Nobility Guild earned every day, this amount wouldn't even amount to a tiny fraction of their earnings.
“Let’s take a look at it step by step.”
Sang-hyun began by thoroughly examining the necklace he had obtained from the dungeon.
It was a necklace he had deliberately hidden because he didn't want to show it to the three people from the Nobility Guild or to Yi-yeon.
「Ashtaros Necklace」
■ Artifact Grade: Epic
■ Artifact Description: A necklace imbued with the will of Ashtaros.
While awakening the wearer's burning fighting spirit, it actively supports Mana, which is the most important resource.
Additionally, it possesses a mysterious power that allows it to narrowly cross the boundary of the 'World of the Dead'.
■ Mana +350
■ Special Skill – Undead Revive
. It was a necklace that increased Mana by 150 compared to the Cold Necklace he was previously wearing.
There was no burden in switching to it.
In any case, if you equip the Cold Necklace, you will be able to gain an additional 120 Mana depending on the absorption rate.
■ Artifact Introduction: Gain 50% resistance to freezing attacks from Undead Mage classes.
Furthermore, it is only natural that the linked freezing resistance is inherited if you equip the artifact.
Sanghyeon, wearing the Ashtaros Necklace, immediately examined the description of Undead Revive.
He had a hunch from the name, but he was curious to see if it matched the picture he had in mind.
『Undead Revive』
■ Skill Level: Stage 1 (0.0%)
■ Skill Introduction: The user of this skill can revive a single dead body.
The Mana consumed increases in proportion to the total amount of abilities and stats the corpse possessed during its lifetime.
After revival, the state can be maintained by consuming 1 Mana per second; however, if the designated HP is completely depleted, it cannot be revived.
For every 1 increase in skill level, the maximum number of entities that can be handled increases by one.
The current maximum number of minions is 1.
“Wait. Does that mean if I pour 20 skill levels into Enlightenment, I’ll have 20 minions?”
Looking at the description, a plausible thought crossed my mind.
It was Enlightenment, one of the Nameless Sword’s unique skills.
However, after proper verification, that thought ended up being a delusion.
[Enlightenment – You can select a skill and raise it to its maximum skill level.
However, it must be a skill that utilizes your main weapon, the 'Sword'. Otherwise, it will not apply.]
“I had a feeling this might be an easy way. Then I could try using the designated skill level 5 chance.”
I hadn't even used the skill level 5 chance obtained from the Blood Tower yet.
It seemed like a good direction to manage minions. Just dipping my toes into Necromancy.
If I use the minions to tank, Sanghyeon can fight in a high-damage mode.
Conversely, if Sanghyun takes on the tank position, the minions can simply pour out attacks without hesitation.
Having finished swapping his necklace, Sanghyun immediately began eating the Cold Necklace. Since
duplicates cannot be equipped, there is absolutely no need to hold it. Yet, it has some solid options, so selling it isn't an option either.
“This is awesome.”
What activated before Sanghyun was a red bean shaved ice dessert loaded with red beans. However, something green was visible.
“The Mint Villain again…”
He thought he had gotten exactly the kind of shaved ice he liked, but it was loaded with mint toppings.
Surely, artifact meals are supposed to be manifested based on the foods the wearer liked during their lifetime, right?
The Cold Necklace was even an artifact Sanghyun had been wearing for quite a long time. Yet, mint appeared.
“Are you playing a prank?”
Sanghyun wondered if this was a trick by someone who had figured out his extreme aversion to mint.
However, since he had no idea who was personifying the food… … he simply ate it.
“Damn it, how on earth am I supposed to eat toothpaste? Ugh. Ugh.” Throughout
the entire eating process, Sang-hyun had to dry his throat several times.
* * *
After completing the artifact meal, stat inheritance, and swapping gear, his mana reached 1,720.
Compared to a mana monster like Han Hyun-jung, it was a drop in the ocean, but for a Swordsman player, it was an absurd figure. The
chronic mana shortage that plagues Swordsman players did not apply to Sang-hyun.
This is because the core artifact compositions worn by Swordsmen contain few mana-related elements.
Even if they exist, they only provide a very slight increase in mana.
What if there were a Swordsman artifact that satisfactorily boosted mana?
You would suffer a loss in Strength or Stamina, which are far more important than mana. You couldn't even secure Evasion or Defense.
However, by consuming artifacts, Sang-hyun could create a use for mana-related artifacts.
That was the driving force that allowed Sang-hyun to barely worry about mana anymore. As long
as he didn't venture into dungeons like the Ashtaros Dungeon, where mana recovery is severely suppressed, he
likely wouldn't have his skill usage messed up due to mana issues in the future.
Even if his mana hit rock bottom, the Nameless Sword's "Ever-Drying Spring" option would cover for him.
Sang-hyun decided to use the skill leveling opportunity he had previously saved on the Undead Revive skill.
It seemed like it would be a definite variable in his direction and versatility.
Although he had used various types of skills until now, none of them involved Necromancy.
Once he began to command minions in earnest, the very nature of combat would change.
This is because it would be possible to block troublesome enemy attack patterns with minions instead.
Simply put, they are meat shields. There is no need to feel guilty if they die, and he can just use them and discard them.
[You can immediately raise the level of one designated skill to level 5.]
[The designated skill name is 'Undead Revive'. [ Would you like to proceed with the level 5 upgrade?]
“If you’ve decided, go for it.”
The skill upgrade proceeded immediately.
As the skill level reached 5, changes naturally occurred in the related coefficients.
The mana cost required to sustain the skill, which had previously been 1 mana per second, plummeted to 0.5, and the maximum total number of minions also increased to 5.
“Am I slowly becoming a hybrid? No, I’ve been a hybrid from the start.”
Sang-hyun scratched the back of his head with an awkward expression. He didn’t dislike this concept. It meant he was that versatile.
The problem, however, was.
“It’s you, you.”
It was Ashneri, the fairy watching over Sang-hyun with her big eyes blinking. A fellow
salvaged from the Ashtaros Dungeon, far rarer and more precious than the Necklace.
It was now time to forge a bond with this fellow.
