The Saint Who Levels Up Through Necromancy

Chapter 117

[Translator - Hestia]

[Proofreader - Kaya]

Chapter 117: Taming the Mad Dog (1)

"You've filled my empty seat well."

"I'm not sure if the hospitality was sufficient."

"He came without the owner's permission. This is practically a red carpet treatment."

As soon as Im Jaebaek took over the hotel that Red Spider had vacated from Black Market, he began a large-scale remodeling.

From the time he heard about the Black Company plan, he felt that he needed a building to use as his headquarters.

A significant portion of the capital that Yoojin handed over was spent on repairs and renovations.

Thanks to this, by the time Nikolai visited, they were able to restore the hotel to a reasonably stylish appearance.

"Thanks to Director Im, I saved face."

"It's all thanks to your trust in me."

"That younger sibling of yours handles things quite well, too, doesn't he?"

"He helped me a lot when I was in business before, so his skills are decent."

"Educate him well."

"My brother is also very motivated. He says he has to repay the grace he received from you, CEO."

This statement about "grace" makes Yoojin think about his past actions and how they've altered the course of events for some people.

Then a thought crossed Yoojin’s mind—

'He wouldn't be alive if I hadn't intervened.'

Feeling a little self-conscious about the implications of his actions, he unconsciously scratched his cheek slightly.

"Ah. And CEO, I think we need to hire more people."

"That's for the director to take care of."

"Well, 10 people for office work, for management—"

"I don't understand the details of the work. So, please take care of it."

Full power delegation.

It was also because he trusted Im Jaebaek, but he didn't want to bother thinking about troublesome things.

"You trust me that much."

From the listener's point of view, it seems that he has taken the point elsewhere.

As Im Jaebaek puckered his lips with an emotional expression, Kronos muttered with a look of dismay.

〔Does that little human know your thoughts?〕

'There's a Korean proverb that says "Ignorance is bliss."'

〔A truly fitting expression.〕

Whatever the process, isn't it okay if he himself is satisfied?

Good things are good.

"Ah. And you have to vacate the Little Runts Mercenary Corps position."

"I've already created it."

‘See? How well does he work? This is why I can delegate full authority and entrust him with it.’

〔Surely you didn't say it was bothersome?〕

'It's a two-way thing.'

Black Company, whose name value skyrocketed due to Nikolai's visit.

They say strike while the iron is hot.

Yoojin had no intention of missing the opportunity that the Romanov clan had given him.

"Could you call the Little Runts kids?"

"Yes, sir."

"And the friends who said they would join the mercenary corps."

"Are you going to run a mercenary group in earnest?"

"Of course."

Im Jaebaek hesitated for a moment before voicing the thought in his mind.

"CEO, I think it might be too soon for this."

"Why do you say that?"

"The talent and abilities are, well, they're beyond my comprehension."

"You're not talking about the Little Runts team, are you?"

"I... I suppose not."

Yoojin chuckled and gave him a light pat on the shoulder.

"Why so hesitant when you're making a valid point?"

"Uh... Yes?"

"Director Im, I'm not some rigid traditionalist. I'm happy to hear constructive criticism."

"Ah, yes, of course."

‘He clearly doesn't believe me. Does he think I'm some out-of-touch old guy? I'm really not. I've got enough yes-men with the undead.’

Though, even the amalgamated ones aren't completely compliant.

Undead only develop a sense of self starting at the intermediate level, and even then it's limited.

Amalgamation makes them stronger, but it also strengthens their will.

‘How much did I suffer because of those guys who were so stiff-necked when I taught them just one [Raise Undead]?’

He grumbled inwardly for no reason and then shifted his gaze to Im Jaebaek.

"For the time being, the Little Runts team is just a figurehead."

"Are you going to manage it yourself, CEO Cheon?"

"Not me. I've brought in a veteran with experience as an advisor."

Im Jaebaek, who was wondering who he had brought in, suddenly gasped and let out a sigh.

"Do you understand?"

"That crazy—no. I mean, will that mercenary agree to be an advisor?"

"I'll make her do it."

"Understood."

"Ah. And ask Mr. Black to get me one thing."

Im Jaebaek's eyes lit up as he heard the list of orders.

* * *

A woman in an oversized t-shirt and short shorts grumbled, her eyes narrowed.

"Ugh, I'm so bored!"

"Um, Ms. Kim Mijeong, this is a border area."

"Don't use honorifics. It makes me sound ancient. Seriously?"

"Suddenly you want me to fight your summons again?"

"This time, I'll take Jo Seungchul's place."

Slurp—

Kim Mijeong smacked her lips and shivered slightly.

"I'm too cold to fight."

"I'll return your equipment. Stop pretending."

"Fine. It might be worth a try if I get my gear back."

"Of course, but we're not just fighting for the sake of fighting. We should each have a stake in this, don't you think?"

"Was that your real purpose all along?"

Kim Mijeong asked, narrowing her eyes.

"You can back out now if you don't like it."

Yoojin said, shrugging.

‘But can she really? Especially after she's already fought those two and taken such an interest in them.’

Especially after you've already fought against the two undead and developed an "interest" in them.

"You mentioned contacting the Romanovs, right?"

Kim Mijeong asked, a thoughtful expression on her face.

"That's right."

"If they're one of the Seven Great Clans, they should be able to provide me with a new identity, don't you think?"

"I already refused their offer."

"Then you'll need to put in a good word for me with the Romanovs. If I win, that is."

Yoojin stroked his chin thoughtfully.

"Very well. I'll do it."

"And what will you wager?"

"Your obedience."

"You want me to obey you?"

She scoffed.

"Let's just say... I expect you to be a cooperative partner."

Yoojin clarified, a hint of amusement in his voice.

"One who doesn't cause as much trouble as you currently do. It's a matter of semantics."

"So you're trying to put a leash on me."

Kim Mijeong concluded, a smirk on her lips.

Clink— Clink—

Kim Mijeong, fully equipped, grinned.

"Fine. If you win, I'll do it."

【This is an unexpected turn of events.】

"Aren't you a little disappointed too? About not finishing things back then."

【I'd be lying if I said no. But I'm not about to gamble my master's life on it.】

Fafnir's eyes flickered from side to side.

Kim Mijeong's breakthrough power, with her stats focused on agility, is incredible.

Her skill set is also focused on breakthroughs and burst damage, so if she's determined to bypass them both, there's not much they can do to protect Yoojin.

【You're quite timid. All we have to do is prevent her from reaching our master.】

【Yeah, well, you just focus on supporting me.】

【Grrr...】

Song Myeongseok gnashed his teeth, but Fafnir, watching him, chuckled briefly.

‘They seem to work quite well together. Now that they've coordinated once, there's no need to give them detailed orders.’

Yoojin thought.

"I'll leave the moment-to-moment decisions to you two."

【Understood.】

【As you command.】

Yawn—

Kim Mijeong yawned dramatically and loosely gripped her two daggers.

"We're starting today, right?"

"Just let me cast a few buffs."

[Using Unholy Blessing.]

[Using Punishing Spike.]

He cast two buff spells on the two undead.

[Using Giant's Strength.]

He cast a divine spell that requires continuous life force consumption to maintain, only on himself.

"Director Im, give the signal."

"The signal for the fight?"

"Yeah. Whether you count down, yell 'Yo ho ho!', or whatever you want."

【Yo ho ho? What's that?】

"An old pirate signal."

Fafnir glanced at Yoojin, wondering how he knew something like that.

Im Jaebaek, looking flustered as he alternated between Yoojin's group and Kim Mijeong, finally made up his mind and shouted—

"3, 2, 1. Start!"

‘He should have said "Start!" with a bit more enthusiasm. Or added "Let's begin!" after it.’

Yoojin thought and then—

[Wind Step]

With a single step, she traversed dozens of meters.

Kim Mijeong, having closed the distance in the blink of an eye, poised her daggers to strike.

"You're distracted with me right in front of you?"

She taunted.

‘Distracted? Hardly.’

Yoojin thought, a flicker of annoyance crossing his face.

‘It's obvious what you're after.’

Without showing any outward sign of concern, Yoojin unleashed the Divine Power he had already channeled, creating a barrier before him.

[Translator - Hestia

[Proofreader - Kaya]