Chapter 05
Seizing the Opportunity
Status Window?
It seems to show the skeleton's status, just like mine.
Well Seeing is believing.
I immediately looked at Bone 1 and shouted for the status window.
[Name: Bone 1]
[Energy: 100/100]
[Unique Ability: Awakened Skeleton]
[Class: Swordsman]
[Grade: D]
[Strength: 23] [Agility: 19] [Endurance: 20] [Magic Power: 10] [Technique: 21]
[Owned Skills]
- 'Low Slash' (Lv.2)
"Hmm?"
A sound of admiration flowed from my mouth.
Honestly, it was quite moving.
After all, it was the first time I'd seen this guy stats in three years.
Looking at his status felt like observing a hunter.
He has Energy, a grade, and a unique ability.
The only difference from a hunter is...
Stats like 'Strength,' 'Agility,' and 'Endurance.'
In addition, there's a 'Class' and levels for owned skills.
I sequentially opened the status windows for the remaining four.
[Name: Bone 2]
[Energy: 100/100]
[Unique Ability: Awakened Skeleton]
[Class: Spearman]
[Grade: D]
[Strength: 22] [Agility: 20] [Stamina: 19] [Magic Power: 11] [Technique: 20]
[Skills]
-'Low Thrust' (Lv.2)
[Name: Bone 3]
[Energy: 100/100]
[Unique Ability: Awakened Skeleton]
[Class: Archer]
[Grade: D]
[Strength: 17] [Agility: 23] [Stamina: 17] [Magic Power: 10] [Technique: 24]
[Skills]
-'Low Volley' (Lv.2)
-'Clear Sight' (Lv.2)
[Name: Bone 4]
[Energy: 100/100]
[Unique Ability: Awakened Skeleton]
[Class: Tanker]
[Grade: D]
[Strength: 10] [Agility: 10] [Stamina: 11] [Magic Power: 10] [Technique: 10]
[Skills]
-'Low Block' (Lv.1)
-'Low Gaze Attraction' (Lv.1)
[Name: Bone 5]
[Energy: 100/100]
[Unique Ability: Awakened Skeleton]
[Class: Magician]
[Grade: D]
[Strength: 10] [Agility: 10] [Stamina: 10] [Magic Power: 11] [Technique: 10]
[Skills]
-'Fireball' (Lv.1)
-'Air Shield' (Lv.1)
"Ohhh..."
Bone 1 to 3 seemed to have improved somewhat, likely due to the training from before.
Bone 4 and 5, on the other hand, seemed to have only their base stats, possibly because they haven't had their weapons for long.
"Well, at least I didn't waste three years For nothing."
The results of my efforts were right in front of me.
For someone who felt trapped in the pitch-black darkness, this was enough to be deeply moved.
"Now, I just need to continue developing them as a whole, right?"
My heart pounded.
Just like any other Necromancer, I dreamt of creating my own small legion.
I desired to constantly nurture them, surpassing Grade A and reaching Grade S.
And that dream was now approaching reality.
"Alright, you guys."
Squeak?
The heads of the creatures, which were resting for a moment, turned towards me in unison.
Their jawbones, slightly ajar, looked oddly pretty today.
"Let me make one request."
I grinned shamelessly.
"Since you were summoned by my Skeleton, might as well."
There were six days left until we reached the dungeon.
"Would you all like to become the strongest Skeletons in the world?"
Thunk!
Their teeth lightly tapped together.
Was that a sign of agreement?
The Training commenced simultaneously.
* * *
Time passed quickly.
I made frequent use of the skills of the new companions I had learned during that time.
Every time I exhausted my energy, their energy levels were always either 0 or 10.
I, too, didn't neglect my physical training, including running, push-ups, and pull-ups.
There's nothing more suitable for arming the mind than exercise.
And on the seventh day, in the morning, I headed to Gyeongui-Jungang Line, Paju Station, as Team Leader Kim Jun-seo had instructed.
I packed my backpack with a sleeping bag and emergency rations generously.
'In this place, my position is a porter.'
In fact, there's no job as advantageous for porters than a Necromancer.
Even though the training may seem fruitless, I have five skeletons I can use my strength on.
"Come here! All the participating mercenaries! Please come this way and follow the instructions!"
"Yes, please wait in front of the dungeon! We'll all go in together shortly!"
Upon arrival, guild members from 'Blue' were controlling the hunters.
Dozens of mercenaries were already setting up camp, waiting.
Paju Station and the dungeon were quite close.
A faint, dark aura can be seen about 200 meters ahead.
And within it, a finely carved hole can be spotted.
"It's the appearance of a naturally formed typical dungeon."
"Sigh, it's nerve-wracking..."
"Yeah, it definitely looks like a high-difficulty dungeon."
The mercenaries with darkened faces exchanged glances.
"Yeah, they say the darker the color around the hole, the higher the probability of a difficult or complex dungeon."
"But, well, it's blue. What could possibly go wrong?"
"Ha, whatever. I just want to finish quickly and have a steaming bowl of rice soup with some cool soju..."
"Kah..., sounds good!"
It seems people thought are the same everywhere.
The thoughts of most mercenaries were similar to those of Kim Jun-seo.
Thinking it's safe to be with a large guild.
"Safe my ass....."
my thoughts were different.
There are many dungeons in the world, and countless hunters have gone missing.
How many sacrifices and deaths followed under the glamorous spotlight of a "Ranker"?
Especially dungeons of this kind, undisclosed and hidden, it could be dangerous no matter how large the guild.
But why did I enter you say?
It's not because I came here to ensure safety.
I bet on risks, putting my life on the line.
I came here to glimpse at the opportunity that might come by chance.
Even though I'm just a porter, my mindset was drastically different from other mercenaries.
"...."
Clutching the staff in silence, how long had I been waiting? I faintly sensed a breath with my ears.
"Excuse me, the one with the staff?"
Startled, I trembled. At the same time, a shiver ran down on my spine. There was no trace of presence from the direction the voice came.
Moreover...
"...?"
Not only presence, but there was no form either.
Only the voice reached me.
The voice of a fairly young woman was cool and cold.
"Hmm, intriguing. The energy I sense is at least Grade D, but you have an an E-grade emblem. Further more you're a porter? Who are you?"
I glanced briefly at the white E-grade emblem hanging from my waist.
Although I had awakened to Grade D, I hadn't updated it yet, so externally, it was still grade E.
No, wait a minute...
"Excuse me, but who are you?" I asked, politely with caution.
It was instinctive. I knew the opponent was a formidable hunter of at least A-rank or higher, even if their numbers were small.
In the reversed world, hunters like this were the ones to be most dangerous.
Ones who knew how to conceal their presence remarkably well.
When someone like this harbored malice and committed a murder unnoticed, even modern science and technology couldn't find a trace.
That's why he made an effort to be as polite as possible.
However, why was it that his voice grew even colder? "Well, didn't I ask the question first? Who is this persistent one who applied as a porter, hiding their skills within the Blue Guild?"
"…?"
Huh, this person... for some reason, it seemed like they had a tremendous misunderstanding.
I had just awakened by chance a week ago.
After that, I was busy with training.
'Moreover.'
To notice such trivial details? As expected from a large guild.
But Honestly, I couldn't understand.
I felt wronged.
If it's the Blue, then it should be a place dominated by A-rank hunters, so what's the difference between D-rank or E-rank?
When I made a troubled expression, the eerie voice resurfaced once again.
"Hmm? The way you make that unjust expression seems even more suspicious. Are you a spy who received acting lessons?"
"Yes...?"
What?
A spy?
"You've underestimated the Blue's intelligence network. You're a spy sent by the rival guild didn't you. Did you think I wouldn't know?"
Swiss!
Along with the faint sound of the wind, the owner of the voice appeared.
Her appearance was simple.
Wearing leather attire that seemed efficient for combat, a lightweight assassin's dagger, and neatly tied-up black hair.
No, aside from all that.
'Is she crazy?'
I was astonished inwardly.
Because I saw something tied around her waist in a way that it gleamed so much it might blind or even dazzle you.
It was none other than...
A 'golden nameplate'!
In the world of hunters, it's something akin to a dream for only S-rank and above hunters.
"That's right."
Only then did I realize who the owner of the voice was.
Dark Emperor, Kisoyul.
One of the 37 rankers in South Korea.
The master of the Blue Guild, and also the only younger sister of Kiparang.
Furthermore, with her unique assassination ability, she was one of the most formidable individuals in the world.
I'm Shivering uncontrollably.
It was terrifying, but also terrifyingly thrilling.
To think I was actually having a conversation with the 'ranker' I had only dreamed of!
"Uh, excuse me. Ranker-nim. It seems there might be some misunderstanding..."
I quickly responded.
No matter how revered a ranker may be, shouldn't I correct them if there's a sudden misconception?
Judging by the mercenaries around me, who were now staring at me in surprise, I could tell that only I could hear her voice and see her figure.
But, it doesn't matter.
Cause It was a matter of great importance to my precious life.
"I am definitely not a spy from the other guild. At best, I'm just a D-rank... If someone facing Blue's, it's probably a fairly large guild. Would they really use a hunter like me?"
*Snort!*
In an instant, his corner of the mouth twitched, then he spoke.
"Actually, I was just testing the waters for fun, but your reaction is quite amusing."
"...What?"
I didn't understand at all.
Why would such an influential figure play such a prank on someone like me?
Or maybe... Did they investigate me?
If they saw me tirelessly training skeletons on the field all night, like a maniac, it might catch the Ranker's attention.
My heart raced.
"My heart pounded as if i was insane.
Regardless of the situation.
The fact that the Ranker showed interest was a stroke of luck.
Truly a chance bestowed by the heavens.
There was no room for jokes or complaints about feeling bad.
My passion for 'Rankers' is that sincere.
Moreover, look at that smile.
Isn't it as insignificant as a speck of dust to call it an enemy?
rather, It's closer to curiosity.
"I'm sorry, If I was rude."
It was at that moment when she, who had been staring at me, politely nodded her head.
"It suddenly came out of nowhere. And looked impressive enough."
"Pardon?"
"A porter wearing an E-Grade emblem has at least the aura of a D-Grade top five or more."
She scratched her cheek absentmindedly.
Then she said,
"In truth, you can tell it gives off a suspicious scent just by looking, right? Of course, it's not power that the Blue Guild would pay much attention to, but still."
"Ah...."
There was nothing to say.
Because there was a reason.
Even if you're busy, couldn't you have updated it at the Association?
"No, more like...."
Is it that I could instantly assess my full power just from sensing the current energy?
For some reason, my spine felt cold.
The thickness of the wall I felt between the Ranker and me was so great that it was almost awe-inspiring.
Perhaps sensing my emotions, Gisoo smiled faintly.
"To be honest, Oppa asked me to help the 2nd Army expedition as a search team member and find a porter. But then i see a suspicious porters"
"Search team...?"
I asked with a puzzled expression.
"When you say Search Party.
Isn't it a unit temporarily formed to assess the internal situation before the main force enters and clear the area?
As expected, of the Blue Guild.
I wondered why they sent only the 2nd division to a dangerous dungeon.
But, if they deployed a Ranker.
that Will makes sense.
"How about it?"
The moment Gisoyul looked straight into my eyes was then.
I felt like my mind was becoming hazy under the intense gaze.
"Perhaps in terms of managing potential spies.
The Search Party.
Would you support them over there? It might be a bit risky.
But with that level of skill, you seems to be the most capable among the porters.
And you won't likely run away in fear, at least over there."
"Oh, is that so?"
"Yes, of course. I have my own way of judging people. Hmm, in return, I'll promise you the same double we agreed on before."
Huh?
A dungeon expedition with a Ranker?
And they're even increasing the reward?
If it's ten times the double, that's twenty times.
Is there a reason for that?
Actually, for me right now.
I want to support the Search Party even if I don't receive a reward.
I quickly nodded my head, afraid I might miss the opportunity.
It seems like the opportunity came faster than I thought.
Good news i found some easy way(though still hassle) to translating the novel using my phone.
By the way is my translation unreadable? Please tell me below.
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