The Saint Who Levels Up Through Necromancy

Chapter 83: Marking Territory

[Translator - Hestia]

[Proofreader - Kaya]

Chapter 83: Marking Territory

The first to notice the anomaly was an Ogre approaching the shore.

While struggling to adapt to the strong currents and flailing its limbs...

It sensed a black object emanating killing intent approaching on the surface of the water and stopped in its tracks.

[Herculean Strength]

Thud— Thud-Thud—!

Strength capable of easily pulverizing even a house-sized boulder surged into the Ogre's arms.

A force that could break the arm of even a 5 Star martial artist Hunter in a head-on clash.

Power that could crush an opponent without even needing Aura to cut through flesh was projected underwater.

Pwham—!

A fist the size of a compact car struck the crown of the black object.

Although it didn't unleash its full power underwater, it still packed enough force to shatter bones upon a direct hit.

The Ogre let out a victorious roar.

Crack—

A gruesome sound of flesh being crushed echoed as green liquid spread.

The Ogre's eyes widened in pain.

It raised its left arm high and slammed it down into the water once more, but...

-Kaw?

The Skalar, with a flick of its long body, effortlessly deflected the force of the attack.

The moment the raised arm plunged underwater...

Much of the Ogre's monstrous strength was absorbed by the water.

The remaining impact wasn't negligible, but the Skalar possessed considerable durability, rendering the attack ineffective.

"Krooo! Krooo!!"

The Ogre, gripped by fear, opened its mouth wide and screamed.

It struggled to stay afloat in the deep water.

Despite mustering all its strength in the midst of the surprise attack...

It failed to inflict significant damage on the Skalar.

-Kaw. Kaoo.

The Skalar let out a joyful cry.

Even as an undead, the monster hadn't lost its ferocity, and it bit into the Ogre.

Crack— Crackle—

Even the original Bloodfin Salmon could hunt an Ogre with just three individuals if the battle was underwater.

Considering the vast difference in combat strength between ranks, this was an almost impossible exchange ratio.

With [Dark Blood] and various necromancy spells, the Skalar surpassed its original form, possessing power equivalent to a top-tier 5 Star monster in underwater combat.

Gurgle—

The Ogre, vomiting green blood, sank beneath the surface.

Before long, its arms and legs were torn off, and it breathed its last, unable to even close its wide-open eyes.

"Krooo?"

"Groooo!!"

Screams erupted from all over the Yeonpyeong Island waters.

The tragedy the Ogre had just experienced was only the beginning.

"What are those things?"

"That doesn't look like a fish."

"Comrade, have you ever seen a fish like that before?"

"This is my first time seeing something like that."

Those observing the situation from the deck chattered noisily.

Human Hunters.

Their official name was the Former North Korean 5th Revolutionary Corps, but no one used that title.

They treated humans like livestock, tossing them to monsters as food.

Very few people showed respect for these beings who were more monstrous than monsters themselves.

"Look here. Isn't that a Bloodfin Salmon?"

A man with shaggy hair and a fur coat emerged onto the deck.

The human hunters who had been chatting saluted in unison.

"At ease."

"Sir!"

"I'm going for a swim now, so stay put."

"Battalion Commander, it's dangerous!"

One of the human hunters shouted.

The shaggy-haired man was the commander in charge of the Yeonpyeong Island attack and the third-ranking hunter in the 5th Revolutionary Corps.

He was a Tamer, a class specializing in taming monsters, who had surpassed the 6 Star rank and could subdue even an Ogre with his bare hands.

"Do I look weak to you, comrade?"

"N-No, sir!"

"This might be a good thing. If it's a Bloodfin Salmon, wouldn't it be a great help to you comrades?"

If they could tame a marine monster, they could turn the Yellow Sea and the northern part of Gyeonggi Province, and eventually the entire West Sea, into the human hunters' territory.

Hunters were also limited in their abilities at sea.

They were only slightly better than monsters, who were incapable of delicate actions.

Both Hunters and tamed monsters faced the same challenges in naval combat.

"Wait here."

The shaggy-haired man entered the water without hesitation.

Battalion Commander Ju Youngmin saw the black object shimmering on the water's surface and grinned.

"Nice to meet you!"

-Kaaaaw!

The Skalar charged head-on and bit into Ju Youngmin's abdomen.

Although a part of his fur coat was torn, the wearer wasn't significantly injured.

"Did it pierce through my blood-soaked bear fur? You're quite something."

Ju Youngmin didn't retaliate and instead placed his hand on the head of the Skalar that had firmly clamped onto him.

Blue energy enveloped his hand.

"You'll become my friend too."

[Taming]

He had heard that when taming monsters, Ju Youngmin overcame his lack of stats with his innate mana control.

'Quality over quantity, they say.'

The only drawback was that he didn't receive bonuses to attacks and skills because he wasn't a martial arts class.

Other than that, he was in no way inferior to Hunters of the same rank.

'I should start playing my real cards soon.'

Ju Youngmin was gradually getting used to the speed of the Skalar group.

While observing the battlefield, Yoojin quickly rearranged his territorial power.

[Using Bone Spear.]

He held onto the magic spear that materialized in the air instead of launching it immediately.

Even with its power amplified by the Cursed Fang, it was only a 3 Star spell.

It couldn't pierce the fur coat the man was wearing.

Yoojin calmly rearranged his territorial power.

[Using Dark Spear.]

A black spear, created by converting territorial power into dark mana, appeared next to the [Cursed Fang].

Clap—!

The moment he slammed his palms together as if in prayer...

The Dark Spear attached itself to the magic spear and began to spin like a whirlwind.

'Although the nature of the two powers is different, their essence is the same.'

Using the Cursed Fang as an axis, he rotated his territorial power.

The Dark Spear's dark mana synchronized with the flow, weaving together as one.

A powerful magic combination that transcended ranks.

〔You've been considering this ever since you chose the darkness affinity!〕

Kronos exclaimed in admiration.

Instead of replying, Yoojin sent the Skalar group charging all at once.

"Have you finally made up your mind?"

Ju Youngmin beckoned towards the cargo ship.

The human hunters threw a rock near where he was floating.

Splash—

The rock sank as soon as it hit the water.

As the Skalar group narrowly dodged the rock and charged...

[Enhanced Grab]

[Whirlwind]

Ju Youngmin pulled the rock several meters away with his mana, then...

Using it as a foothold, he spun his entire body.

A bright blue light enveloped his arms.

Bam-Bam-Bam—!

The Skalar group, charging simultaneously, were struck by his Aura-infused fists and scattered in all directions.

At that moment...

Yoojin didn't miss the opening created by the Skalar's charge.

Shhhwing-!

The [Cursed Fang] flew towards him with ferocious momentum.

The Bone Spear and Dark Spear, spells rooted in the 'spear' origin, were interwoven, maximizing their destructive power.

The spearhead aimed for the torn fur coat where the Skalar had bitten.

The magic spear, launched without missing the momentary gap, tore through the already damaged 'Blood Bear' hide and wounded Ju Youngmin.

"Ugh."

Red bloomed from his side.

With a short groan, Ju Youngmin grasped the magic spear embedded in his flesh.

"So those little things were aiming for this, huh?"

"Feeling a bit more aware now?"

"Keke, this is quite enjoyable."

Ju Youngmin grinned.

When he was injured, the human hunters didn't stay idle.

"Save the Battalion Commander!"

"Quickly release the monsters into the sea!"

Splash— Splash—

Large monsters were once again deployed into the sea, densely surrounding Ju Youngmin.

Even if the Skalar tried to break through, they couldn't find an opening.

"Trying to run away?"

"Not at all. It's just disadvantageous for me in the sea. I'll die if this keeps up."

Ju Youngmin, using the monsters as a shield, climbed onto the cargo ship.

Yoojin didn't pursue further.

"Remember this. My name is Cheon Yoojin. The CEO of Black Company."

"Alright. I'll remember your name, comrade."

The cargo ship gradually moved away.

Yoojin watched it intently from the deck of the small fishing boat.

〔Is it alright to let them go like this?〕

'I might not be able to finish off the others, but I won't be able to kill him.'

A 6 Star Hunter.

Even if he tried to sink the cargo ship, it would take time due to its excellent durability and defensive magic.

By then, they would be close to land.

If Ju Youngmin took the risk and escaped, Yoojin, who would then be deep in enemy territory, would be in danger.

〔It seems you've done something pointless.〕

'Why?'

〔Haven't you exposed your strength to the enemy?〕

'I intentionally showed it to those bastards. To make it clear who this sea belongs to.'

The human hunters must have realized it too.

Even with a cargo ship, capturing Yeonpyeong Island wouldn't be easy.

Now they knew who the owner of the island was, right?

Yoojin chuckled as he watched the receding cargo ship.

[Translator - Hestia

[Proofreader - Kaya]