The Saint Who Levels Up Through Necromancy

Chapter 15: A New Undead Is Always Welcome

[Translator - Hestia]

[Proofreader - Kaya]

Chapter 15: A New Undead Is Always Welcome

Yoojin's eyes wavered.

'To think the Martial Mage trait would be inherited...'

In his past life, he hadn't seen this trait when he had Park Haneul possess the Skeleton Knight.

◎ Unique Trait

- Martial Mage

Possesses aptitude for both martial arts and magic. Increasing physical stats also increases mana (spirit power), and increasing mana (spirit power) randomly increases one physical stat.

There are no penalties for using or learning both skills simultaneously.

An incredible unique trait.

Even if he searched the entire world, there wouldn't be many traits this powerful.

'With mana increasing automatically, there's no need to worry about messing up stat allocation.'

By entering certain Gates, one could change to special classes not offered by the system.

Like Shin Joonseok's [Alchemist].

The Magic Swordsman, a special combat class discovered a few years ago, was one of them.

'It was a position that allowed for simultaneous learning of swordsmanship and magic.'

Initially, Hunters lined up to become Magic Swordsmen, even paying fees to enter Gates.

The problem was that the hype died down in less than half a year.

- A half-baked class that's neither good at close combat nor ranged combat.

- Stat allocation is a nightmare.

- A class where you're likely to tear your crotch trying to do two things at once.

Swordsmanship and magic.

Mastering even one of them was difficult.

To fully utilize the abilities of a Magic Swordsman, one needed talent in both physical senses and mana manipulation.

Even if one mastered both fields, they had to allocate limited bonus stats, inevitably becoming a jack-of-all-trades, master of none.

'But with the Martial Mage trait, things are different.'

Mana increased regardless of which stat was invested in.

This solved the chronic weakness of Magic Swordsmen: the lack of stats.

'It would be a meaningless trait for ordinary undead, though.'

Necromancy, the art of raising the dead.

What potential for growth could the deceased have?

Perhaps it would be different for high-ranking undead like liches, Death Knights, or banshees.

But those were all powerful monsters that Yoojin couldn't even dream of creating at his current level.

'Or so it was.'

The growth option added to the unconventionally created Eldritch Dragon.

Combined with the Martial Mage trait, it would grant an incredible stat bonus.

'I intended for the growth option, but... to think the Martial Mage trait would be inherited as well...'

It meant that the synchronization between Park Haneul and the Draconian corpse was that good.

After all, the Martial Mage trait hadn't been added when he had him possess the Skeleton Knight in his past life.

'He must have inherited Kenex Combat Arts from the Draconian.'

An A-rank martial arts skill.

Although it wasn't his own skill, so the proficiency was 0, with his talent, wouldn't he master it quickly?

【What's the matter?】

Had he been silent for too long, lost in thought?

Park Haneul urged Yoojin, who was deep in contemplation.

"The results are different from what I expected."

【What? Is there something wrong with me?】

"The Martial Mage trait was inherited by that body. It seems to be a good match."

【Then that's great!】

"Yeah."

【Whew, I was worried something serious had happened.】

Huu—

The 3-meter-tall dragonkin giant let out a sigh of relief.

He was already dead, his internal organs no longer functioning, yet he was making breathing sounds with his thoughts.

'Does he want to feel alive?'

There were quite a few undead who mimicked their living selves.

This was a side of Park Haneul he hadn't seen in his past life.

Well, it made sense.

When Park Haneul was inhabiting the body of a Skeleton Knight, it was difficult for him to even properly express his thoughts.

"How's the body?"

【It's usable. Though not as good as when I was alive.】

Park Haneul had reached 6 Stars when he was alive.

The difference between ranks was greater than one might think.

1-Star - 5 bonus stats per level.

2-Star - 10 bonus stats per level.

3-Star - 15 bonus stats per level.

... and so on.

The additional stats increased in multiples of 5.

There was a significant difference in stats, and there was one more factor.

'You can only level up by hunting monsters until 3-Stars.'

To reach 4-Stars or higher, one needed to gain enlightenment in their respective field.

Martial artists had to imbue their mana with their will and awaken their aura.

Magic Hunters had to succeed in multi-casting.

And Priests?

'That can be solved with money.'

They had to offer tributes that satisfied the constellation they worshipped.

The dirty principle of money being everything.

That was why the Priest class was called the nobility.

〔Khahaha! Tributes are always welcome, Contractor.〕

'You're leeching off of me.'

〔How dare you mock the King of the Titans!〕

'I'm just stating facts.'

Kronos was incomplete as a constellation.

He had succeeded in becoming a half-baked constellation by exploiting various loopholes and gaps in the 'domain’, but he was far from being a proper constellation.

When he hit a wall, he had no idea what conditions needed to be met to overcome it.

"Zombies wearing armor!"

【To be surprised by such monsters... You lack courage, my friend.】

Shin Joonseok turned his head at Fafnir's rebuke.

He stared for a moment, then exclaimed in a mixture of surprise and admiration.

"Isn't that the corpse you soaked in the Melting solution?!"

"Yeah, I found a suitable soul for the body in the border region."

"I went through a lot of trouble melting those mana stones. It's amazing to see it completed."

Shin Joonseok approached Fafnir with sparkling eyes.

【Who is this pervert?】

"He's my business partner. Don't kill him, even if he's unpleasant."

"Mr. Yoojin, would it be alright if I touch it? This is worth researching..."

【No, I've decided. I have to kill him.】

"Dying is one thing, but I'll give you an arm if you let me study it!"

"Partner, if you die pointlessly, I'll be at a loss too, so calm down."

Shin Joonseok reluctantly backed down.

"Boss, we'll go to Seoul to sell the loot."

"Come back within two days."

"Yes, sir."

The Little Runts team dispersed.

Yoojin had the Armored Zombies pile the orc bones in a corner of the warehouse and then withdrew his spirit power.

Thud—!

The Armored Zombies collapsed to the ground.

【I can't help but feel a sense of camaraderie.】

"You don't have to worry about that since I can't withdraw spirit power from high-ranking undead like you."

【Really?】

"Try using the spirit power dwelling within your body."

Fafnir observed his inner self with a dubious expression, then spoke after a moment.

【You're right.】

"I can't arbitrarily withdraw energy from high-ranking undead that have established a mindscape."

【Then how can you control the undead?】

"Don't underestimate my control."

Yoojin raised his index finger.

【Huh?】

Fafnir's leg lifted into the air, then— Crash! — slammed into the ground.

The impact created a crater in the earth.

"Don't worry, I can make you work without resorting to threats."

【You haven't put a leash on me, but I might as well be a slave.】

Leaving Fafnir to grumble, Yoojin examined the orc bones scattered in the yard.

"Partner."

"What is it, oh partner who doesn't contribute to the advancement of alchemy?"

Shin Joonseok approached obediently despite his complaints.

"Disassemble these bones. And bring me 500ml of the distilled Blue Herb."

"I'm not an alchemy slave or a machine. You come to the workshop and immediately try to exploit and order me around?"

He was indeed a slave.

Unable to bring himself to say those words, Yoojin slowly coaxed Shin Joonseok.

"I'll show you something amazing."

"Research doesn't progress just by seeing something amazing."

"Come on, you can do whatever you want with this one."

"...Really?"

"Have I ever gone back on my word?"

"Alright."

Shin Joonseok sighed but followed Yoojin's instructions, grinding each orc bone into powder.

Yoojin also used [Flesh Control] to separate the flesh and bones of the orc chieftain's corpse.

"Fafnir, gather the powder and massage the chieftain's body with it."

【Oh? Are you going to create an undead?】

"The more troops, the better."

[Using Raise Undead.]

[One skeleton has been created with high completion.]

[All stats increased by 100%.]

At the moment when spirit power was imbued into the skeleton—

This further strengthened the bones, maximizing the skeleton's combat capabilities.

"But it doesn't end here."

The property of the Blue Herb was magic stabilization.

He poured the distilled extract onto the piled bone powder, and then—

[Using Bone Armor.]

He made it adhere to the skeleton's body.

The chieftain's corpse grew in size as it absorbed the powdered bones.

It stopped growing only after reaching a size similar to Fafnir's.

[The stabilized energy has influenced the skeleton's creation.]

[The skeleton's traits have been converted to defense.]

The orc chieftain's arms widened abnormally.

It was a strange form, like shields attached to both arms.

[Skeleton Guard]

Race: Undead

Rank: ★★

◎ Stats

Strength: 275 / Agility: 150 / Health: 291 / Toughness: 332 / Mana: 84

◎ Traits

▷ Undying Existence [D+] / Gaze Fixation [E+]

◎ Skills

▷ Attack Absorption [D+] / Iron Wall [D]

"I'll be in your care for a while."

Click—!

A strange sound echoed as the skeleton's jaws clacked together.

[Translator - Hestia

[Proofreader - Kaya]