The Saint Who Levels Up Through Necromancy-Chapter 87: Giant’s Tomb (1)

[Translator - Hestia]

[Proofreader - Kaya]

Chapter 87: Giant's Tomb (1)

Yoojin stared intently at the newly available structures.

'Now that a full-scale war is certain, we need to secure sufficient forces.'

The main force of the Manhunters consisted of large monsters like Ogres and Trolls.

Low-rank undead were no match for them.

Even if Yoojin's rank rose to 4 Star and he could create mid-rank undead, it would be a burden to face them head-on.

〔Don't you have the undead you created on the island?〕

'Revenants aren't enough.'

Currently, the Revenant was the most powerful undead he could mass-produce.

Although imperfect, it could handle Aura.

With stats comparable to large monsters, it could handle a Troll one-on-one without difficulty.

The problem was that Ogres were part of the Manhunters' main force.

'Even at their strongest, they're still no match for true 5 Star Ogres.’

During the Battle of Yeonpyeong, they didn't hesitate to push Trolls, let alone Ogres, into the sea.

They had been a great help in dealing with the mutated Reriks and defending Yeonpyeong.

However, assuming a full-scale war, not a coastal battle, Revenants were inadequate.

〔All that glitters is not gold.〕

'If I had more materials, I could strengthen the Revenants.'

If only he could obtain a catalyst to enhance their draconic attributes, they could exert power comparable to 6 Star.

‘Well. Let's move on since that's impossible for now.’

〔Contractor, let me ask you one thing.〕

'Ask away, oh great Constellation.'

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〔Didn't you mention before that there were buildings necessary for developing the domain, like a Dark Magic Research Institute?〕

'Oh, you remember that.'

〔Then what's the reason for skipping all those steps?〕

'To face the Ogres, I need to create large undead.'

Large undead were very difficult to create with just necromancy spells.

From bone carving to spirit power infusion, a tremendous amount of manual labor was required.

The process itself was also lengthy, resulting in a significant waste of manpower.

'It's only possible to attempt it at 4 Star at the earliest. It's a waste of time for me to do it alone.'

〔So you can replace that process with domain structures.〕

'I like how quickly you understand.'

⋯⋯⋯

[Giant's Tomb]

A corpse factory that creates undead from the bodies of large species (over 4 meters tall).

▷ Construction Requirements

- Hall of Death

- Large Monster Bones (100kg)

- Undamaged Large Monster Hide (50kg)

- Bones (2,500kg)

- Soil Imbued with Spirit Power

⋯⋯⋯

Yoojin looked at Fafnir, who was standing blankly.

"Can you bring me 3 tons of bones?"

【I don't have the knack for separating flesh and bone like Master.】

"Then just bring me some monster corpses."

【Understood.】

The bones themselves were sufficient for making bone broth.

However, since the border region lacked any infrastructure, he had to prepare necessary items in advance or take care of them himself.

It was bothersome, but it couldn't be helped.

【I'll be back.】

Fafnir left with the troops assigned to the Black Spire.

How long had he waited?

[Level up!]

[Current level is 15.]

A welcome sound reached his ears, and a little later, the Armored Zombies returned, carrying monster corpses on their backs.

【I came, I saw, I conquered.】

"That's not how you use that phrase."

Monster corpses piled up as high as a small hill.

For an ordinary Necromancer, even with [Flesh Control] and [Bone Control], it would take a whole day to process this amount.

"It's a pain, but it can't be helped."

Rolling up his sleeves, Yoojin skillfully separated the flesh and bones.

The deboning proceeded quickly.

Anyone watching would think he was making boneless chicken.

After procuring all the bones needed for the structure, he drew upon the spirit power accumulated in the Black Spire.

Clank— Clank—

The spirit power accumulated in the Black Spire moved the materials to their designated locations according to the instructions recorded in the Ring of Darkness.

It was a workload that would take at least several days with human laborers.

Thick bones formed the frame of the structure.

Relatively smaller monster bones and soil imbued with spirit power fleshed out the skeleton, quickly taking the shape of a building.

[Giant's Tomb construction complete.]

The structure was completed in a few hours.

The building, the size of an abandoned rural school, looked like a coffin magnified dozens of times.

【Master, you're not going to bury someone in there, are you?】

"I'm not burying anyone."

For that purpose, there was the Unholy Graveyard.

This giant coffin wasn't for storing corpses; it was a massive frame for creating large undead.

"Jo Seungchul, enter the Giant's Tomb."

【Understood, Master.】

⋯⋯⋯

[Necromancer assigned to the Giant's Tomb.]

[The Necromancer's achievement is not high. Only 12% of the Giant's Tomb's efficiency will be utilized.]

[List of Creatable Large Undead]

- Brutal (No materials)

⋯⋯⋯

The Giant's Tomb began operating the moment Jo Seungchul was assigned.

The efficiency was abysmal, but the minimum requirements to operate the structure were met.

【Anyone who learned necromancy can operate that?】

"Yeah. You'd be more efficient."

【Then why did you send that guy in?】

"Our forces would be reduced if I assigned you to the Giant's Tomb."

Yoojin thought—

‘Look at this guy, no, this undead. Trying to get something for nothing!’

If someone was assigned to a structure, they couldn't be deployed in battle.

Just assigning Jo Seungchul to the Giant's Tomb had already reduced their fighting strength.

He couldn't afford to stick Fafnir, the strongest subordinate on Yoojin's side, into a structure.

【Hahaha. It can't be helped.】

Fafnir couldn't hide his smug expression.

‘No. Leaving that skeleton aside, why are ‘you’ getting competitive?’

If Song Myeongseok was brought into this, it would be complete chaos.

While shaking his head, Kronos subtly sent a thought.

〔So you're going to produce large undead now?〕

'I need to gather materials.'

The byproducts from the large monsters obtained during the Battle of Yeonpyeong had all been consumed in constructing the structures.

Even if there were more, he wouldn't have been able to bring them due to the infinite Pouch's capacity.

〔What a dull ending. You went through all the trouble of building it, and it's useless except for decoration.〕

'Why is it useless? I just need to get the materials.'

This was the border region.

Monsters were overflowing.

'Who said only Manhunters can hunt monsters?'

Yoojin spontaneously decided to hunt large monsters.

＊ ＊ ＊

Rustle— Rustle—

The group made their way through the waist-high grass.

Song Myeongseok, leading the way, swung the sword in his right hand tirelessly.

Weeds were cleanly cut down.

Yoojin walked comfortably, stepping on the grass that had been lowered to below his knees.

【Behold! My swordsmanship is incomparably more refined than that of the other subordinate.】

Song Myeongseok, having just sheathed his sword, bragged.

Fafnir glanced at him with a sullen look, and then...

Wooong—

He lightly imbued his fist with dark aura and thrust it forward.

A gust of wind was shot out over 10 meters.

It tore apart everything it touched, creating a path through the thicket.

【Easy.】

【Eek! Isn't using dark aura cheating?!】

【Where are the rules for clearing a path?】

【We should compete in pure martial arts, not with such sorcery...】

【Look at this guy. How is dark aura sorcery?】

【Grrrr!】

Song Myeongseok growled in frustration.

‘Excuse me. Weren't you the one who resisted and rebelled when you were first revived as an undead?’

Yoojin's control over the dead was absolute.

It was as if every skill he passed on had a mastery level of 100%.

Having reached 9 Star in his previous life, it wasn't easy for ordinary undead to even express their will in front of him.

It was Song Myeongseok's mental strength that allowed him to resist.

And now, that same guy was showing off the thickness of the shackles bound to his ankles.

〔What if he harbors ill intentions?〕

'It'll show.'

The Skeleton Knight was a mid-rank undead.

Even with assimilation, its innate limitations were clear.

This meant that it couldn't possess the self-consciousness to harbor ill intentions.

'I don't know about a Death Knight, though.'

Alternating his gaze between the subtly pleased Fafnir and the frustrated Song Myeongseok, he organized his thoughts.

【By the way, do you even know where the prey is?】

"No need to search for it."

【Hmm?】

"It's about time it showed up."

As Yoojin replied leisurely—

KROOOOOAR—

The forest trembled at the monster's murderous roar.

"There it is!!"

Yoojin muttered under his breath.

【How did you know?】

Fafnir asked with a puzzled look.

"Look over there. The branches are broken."

The Ogre was the size of a two-story building, boasting resilient and agile movements.

Traces of thick branches being snapped.

It was a mark unique to Ogres, who climbed trees like monkeys.

【How do you know that? You're like a veteran Hunter.】

"Shouldn't you be used to it by now?】

【Hehe.】

Fafnir chuckled softly, dismissing Yoojin's playful remark.

A green monster rapidly charged from where the roar erupted.

It was an Ogre, rushing towards the fearless intruders who had entered its territory.

【Master, please entrust the vanguard to me.】

"You were a 3 Star before."

【Thanks to the new body cur— No, bestowed upon me by Master, haven't I surpassed my limits? I can do it.】

As Song Myeongseok spoke, he glanced to the side.

Fafnir tilted his head.

"Alright. Go wild as you please."

【As you command.】

‘When would he ever drop that martial arts novel-like tone? Even before, he seemed to have a chuunibyou tendency, but after dying once, he seemed to have no intention of hiding it.’

[Lightning Step]

He kicked off the ground with dark aura and leaped forward with great speed.

At the same time, he closed the distance to the Ogre with movement skills and swung his sword honestly.

A dark aura enveloped the blade.

He easily invoked dark aura without needing to concentrate like he did when fighting the Seagull Group member.

'His skills have improved. Tsk… That's what geniuses are like.’

Seeing the surging dark aura, the Ogre didn't retreat. Instead, it tilted its arm and closed in on Song Myeongseok's sword.

【You fool! You dare face my dark aura head-on?!】

Slice—

The moment the steel-like tough hide touched the dark aura, it was ripped apart.

Green blood splattered from the wound.

Despite landing a successful blow, the emotion that surfaced in Song Myeongseok's blue flames was bewilderment.

‘Too shallow.’

Just as he felt that and tried to retrieve his sword,

Thud!

With a heavy impact, Song Myeongseok's body was slammed into a tree.

"KROOOOOAR!!"

The king of the forest roared in victory.

Fafnir let out a short exclamation of admiration.

【Tilting its arm to deflect the force of the sword strike... It sacrificed flesh to protect its bones.】

【I know that even if you don't tell me! Don't interfere!】

The armor was dented.

Despite receiving an impact that would have caused internal injuries to a human, Song Myeongseok shouted loudly.

"Can you keep going?"

【Master, unless my bones are completely shattered, I have no intention of retreating.】

"Then I'll help you a bit."

[Using Punishing Spike.]

[Using Unholy Blessing.]

Buffs were now cast as easily as breathing.

Song Myeongseok once again attempted close combat with the Ogre.

BOOM—! Crash!

【It won't work twice, monster!】

"KROOOOOAR!"

Dark Aura moved dazzlingly along the trajectory of the sword.

Instead of stubbornly engaging in a head-on clash, Song Myeongseok wielded his dual swords interchangeably, confusing the Ogre's eyes.

Wounds quickly accumulated.

Although they were shallower than the first attack, fatigue began to appear in the Ogre's eyes as the damage piled up.

[Herculean Strength]

The Ogre sensed that it couldn't continue like this.

Explosive power erupted from its muscles, which swelled to almost twice their size.

【I've been waiting for this moment.】

[Lightning Step]

[Twin Tiger Sword]

[Dual Blades]

[Spectral Blade]

[Fifth Form - Bloodlight Sword]

The Ogre struck with all its might, but it only hit Song Myeongseok's afterimage.

He had waited for the moment when the cornered monster would lash out, then used his skills to reposition and strike, carving the Ogre's heart with dark aura.

"15 minutes 27 seconds. Good work."

【I am an undead who delivers, Master.】

"Next are two. It's Fafnir's turn now."

【Perfect for a warm-up.】

Hearing the commotion, more Ogres came rushing through the forest.

Yoojin used [Ghost Eye] on a specter floating in the air to relay the scene in real time.

"Want me to buff you?"

【I'm good. I'll try it without buffs.】

Fafnir stepped forward eagerly.

Song Myeongseok, who had just finished off an Ogre, muttered disapprovingly.

【Some people need to be beaten to learn their lesson.】

【Exactly. That's my style.】

【I wish you good luck.】

‘He sure is good at saying things he didn't mean.’

"KROOOOOAR!!"

Two Ogres burst through the bushes.

The time it took Fafnir to bring them down was...

"11 minutes 24 seconds."

【Y-You must have counted wrong!】

"Unless my phone is lying, that should be right."

He had obtained three Ogre corpses faster than expected.

One would be stored in the [Ring of Darkness], and the rest would fit perfectly in subspace.

"Let's head back then."

【N-No, wait! I can still go on!】

"Hunting wasn't the main objective."

Yoojin ignored the Skeleton Knight's pleas.

He wasn't about to waste time catering to Song Myeongseok's pride when there was work to be done.

[Translator - Hestia

[Proofreader - Kaya]