The Second Life of a Legendary Necromancer

Chapter 33



Chapter 33: The Power of Decay (4)

[You have entered the dungeon ‘Source of Decay’!]

[As the first discoverer, a 1.5x experience bonus will be applied for one week.]

[You are the ‘First Great Challenger.’ Experience bonus benefits are increased by 20%.]

[Reputation and stats have increased!]

Yeonwol frowned slightly at the overwhelming stench upon entering the dungeon.

The rot of a single corpse might be tolerable, but this smell was as extreme as if thousands of bodies had decomposed over countless years.

‘Spacious.’

The terrain, resembling a sheer cliff, stretched out like a narrow bridge, with steep drops on either side.

The crimson sky evoked the feeling of an underworld.

A red sky often appears in association with death.

This must certainly be connected to the underworld.

Just as Yeonwol was about to take a step forward, a sharp intuition struck him, prompting him to swing his Blue Sea Blade.

Swish!

A decayed arm reaching for his ankle was severed, splattering green blood everywhere.

Green blood—a sure sign of zombies.

Yeonwol grimaced as he stared at the green blood staining his blade.

‘The zombie virus is deadly, even for players. Without divine power or blessings, even high-level players can’t withstand it.’

Caution was crucial to avoid infection.

Grooooar!

A zombie crawling up from the abyss tried to grab Yeonwol’s ankle with its remaining hand, but he kicked it down into the depths.

Crunch, crackle!

-Screee!

-Growl!

However, one zombie was hardly the issue.

This was one of the terrifying traits of necromancers.

Although individual zombies were weaker than a necromancer’s skeletons, they overwhelmed their enemies with sheer numbers and their infectious bite.

While priests’ prayers could cure the infection, making necromancers less fearsome by comparison, they were terrifyingly formidable without priests or holy water around.

“Sigh, no choice. Come forth, my servants.”

When Yeonwol chanted the spell to summon the spirits stored in Death’s Memory, three mysterious mirrors, gleaming silver and violet, appeared, and the spirits stepped forth.

Eltis, Mad, and Cooling.

Their levels were only slightly higher than Yeonwol’s at present.

In this dungeon, the spirits were not as reliable as before.

It was uncertain how effective they would be in a level 127 dungeon.

‘Still, I’m lucky. Zombies themselves aren’t strong for their level.’

The high level requirement was not because the zombies were powerful.

It was set at level 127 because that was the threshold for withstanding the zombie infection.

In other words, if one could resist zombification, being below level 127 wasn’t a problem.

‘Alchemy can also produce drugs that resist zombification.’

Though only a temporary measure, it might suffice if he repeatedly drank antidotes while fighting.

“Let’s go, Mad.”

Yeonwol climbed onto Mad’s back.

“I should’ve named you Mad Max at this rate.”

-Woof!

Not understanding the words but thrilled that his master spoke to him, Mad barked happily.

“Cooling, turn them all into zombie ice cream.”

-Coolbriiiiak!!

At Yeonwol’s command, Cooling unleashed Ice Breath upon the zombies climbing up the narrow cliff.

Crack, crackle!

Cooling’s level was only in the low 90s now.

While not enough to fully freeze the zombies, it could chill their skin, slowing them down.

“Eltis, charge forward.”

-I obey the master’s command.

Eltis led the charge, his massive 3-meter frame leaping forward.

Thud!

The impact of his landing shattered the frozen zombies nearby.

Swinging his giant axe in a whirlwind, Eltis ripped through the zombies, tearing them apart.

‘Oh, this is more effective than I expected.’

Despite the high-level dungeon, the zombies were indeed weak in stats.

However, even Eltis’s advance had its limits due to the overwhelming numbers!

With cliffs on either side, retreat wasn’t an option.

Nor could they go around.

The only way was to cut through all the zombies and move forward.

-Screeee!

As they charged ahead, more zombies leapt from the front like frogs.

Thunk!

Yeonwol deflected one with the flat of his sword, but the overwhelming numbers gradually slowed his advance.

Meanwhile, zombies left behind began catching up, biting into the spirits from behind.

-Coolbriiak!

Even Cooling, with his exceptional physical stats and Ice Breath, was overwhelmed and struggled to move under the sheer weight of zombies clambering over him.

Several zombies climbed onto Cooling’s massive body and began biting into him.

[The spirit ‘Cooling’ resists zombification.]

However, the effect was negligible.

Spirits revived by the Necromaster’s power were nearly impervious to decay.

This supreme authority over death could not be breached by mere decay.

Even Eltis was swarmed by zombies.

Without biting, the zombies could still infect with green venomous saliva or breath.

Sizzle!

Eltis’s armor began to corrode.

Though it was 70-level gear, the corrosive toxin melted it away.

Yeonwol and Mad tried to rely on agility to push through, but the sheer mass of zombies made swift progress nearly impossible.

Spirits could feel pain.

Since their bodies were fully reconstructed upon revival, this was natural.

Sizzle!

When the poison began melting Mad’s leg, Yeonwol quickly blocked the spirit’s sensory perception.

[The spirits’ senses have been blocked.]

[No longer feeling pain, they can launch more aggressive attacks but lose sharp reflexes.]

This sensory dulling wasn’t purely advantageous.

It reduced combat effectiveness, as quick and precise reactions became impossible.

‘No choice. If Mad hesitates due to the poison, he’ll fall and die instantly.’

Yeonwol manipulated the alchemy kit to repair Mad’s body.

Performing human transmutation while riding a sprinting wolf was already a near-miracle, making it impossible to wield his sword simultaneously.

However, relying solely on Mad’s agility wasn’t enough against the zombie swarm.

Pausing the repairs momentarily, Yeonwol synthesized a chemical weapon.

Explosives in this world did not work as effectively as in reality.

With mana saturating the air, ordinary bombs had significantly reduced power.

Only bombs imbued with mana could deliver a decent impact, requiring high-grade materials and advanced alchemy, which limited their practicality.

As such, Yeonwol preferred bombs that caused status effects over sheer destruction.

[D-BOOM]

Known as the D-Type Bomb, it unleashed powerful knockback forces from its point of impact.

Ineffective against high-level monsters, it proved highly effective against low-level ones.

Especially in these cliffs, its effects were devastating!

Boom!

With a burst of white aura, the D-Booms detonated in succession, sending zombies flying off the cliffs.

Though the path cleared briefly, even more zombies swarmed up from below.

To make matters worse, Mad faltered, unable to hold on any longer.

Even with pain suppressed, the rate of corrosion outpaced his recovery, reducing his speed and balance.

‘Damn!’

Mad’s sprint faltered, and for a brief moment, they came to a halt.

-Screech!

Zombies leapt from all directions toward Yeonwol.

Though he swung his sword with all his might, he couldn’t fend them all off.

One managed to cling to his shoulder, baring its teeth toward his neck.

[You have been infected with the zombie virus!]

“Damn it!”

Though he tore the zombie off with all his strength, it was too late.

Once infected, only a priest’s prayer could cure the zombie virus.

There was no choice but to endure until defeating the boss using the antidote…

At that moment, a message appeared.

[You are the ‘Ruler of Death.’]

[The power of Decay cannot dominate you.]

Only then did I remember.

The skill, , grants immunity to all forms of death.

Not only did it reduce death penalties, but it also had the authority to dominate lower-tier undead.

Although Yeonwol’s level wasn’t high enough to dominate zombies, he was completely immune to zombification at the very least!

“…So, that’s how it is.”

Yeonwol, rubbing his neck, looked around.

His resistance to the power of Decay wasn’t just about being immune to zombification.

It signified a clash of powers, where one side had lost.

This implied that one authority was recognized as a ‘higher power,’ not just rendering immunity but extending to ‘domination.’

Instances where powers of the same attribute clashed and the higher authority prevailed were exceedingly rare.

Even more so when it involved powers of death colliding.

Flinch!

The zombies that had been biting into the White Spirits’ bodies suddenly detached themselves and began retreating.

Do zombies have emotions?

No, they do not.

Thus, they wouldn’t feel fear either.

Yet even zombies retain one singular instinct.

It’s their unwavering obedience to the master they serve.

When a superior being suddenly appears, eclipsing their original master, they have no choice but to retreat.

However, Yeonwol had no intention of letting them retreat quietly.

“Did I say anyone could move?”

[‘Ruler of Death’ activates.]

Thud!

The zombies froze in place.

Yeonwol felt a strange exhilaration.

Even though he wasn’t a Necromancer capable of creating vast armies on his own…

He was something beyond a Necromancer— a ‘Necromaster.’

The master and king of all the dead.

While his low level prevented him from fully exercising that authority, he could at least dominate the undead within his domain.

An overwhelming difference in class.

It was a hard-earned profession, and it possessed corresponding abilities.

[The Lord of Decay has noticed your existence.]

[They are enraged at you for taking their minions!]

Of course, it wasn’t without drawbacks.

The Lord of Decay, existing somewhere in this world, had detected that their minions were taken.

‘…It’s not ideal for my presence to be exposed so soon.’

The moment his class as Necromaster became known to the world, countless Lords of Death would come seeking him.

Fortunately, the lords were hostile to one another, so such information wouldn’t spread easily, but caution couldn’t hurt.

Especially since he couldn’t afford for the Necromancer Riolis to discover his existence until he grew much stronger.

‘I’ll need to be more careful from now on.’

As Yeonwol leapt off Mad’s back and stepped forward, Eltis, Cooling, and Mad looked at him with eyes full of awe.

“…Impressive, Master.”

Yeonwol approached the zombies.

“Form up on both sides.”

The zombies parted to the sides, creating a path.

The White Spirits followed behind him, and the horde of zombies trailed after them.

Now, there was nothing to stop Yeonwol. Yet he didn’t bother forcing the zombies over the cliff’s edge.

At the edge of the cliff stood a giant iron gate, guarded by a single boss.

A ghoul that resembled a monk’s anguished scream, grotesque and colossal in size, far stronger than ordinary ghouls.

[Ghoul Colony Lv. 120]

A mid-tier boss, so to speak!

“Graaagh!”

[Boss Ghoul Colony is summoning its cluster!]

From the cliff behind the Ghoul Colony, a swarm of ghouls began crawling down.

The sight was gruesome and horrifying, almost excessively revolting.

“Necromancers have always loved their pointless horde tactics.”

If Yeonwol had faced them directly with his relatively small numbers, it would have been an arduous battle.

But why had he gone to the trouble of bringing the zombies here?

Yeonwol raised the Blue Sea Blade and aimed it forward, issuing his command.

“Zombie friends. The hunt begins.”

“Raaaagh!”

“Graaargh!”

As hundreds, no, thousands of zombies swarmed toward the Ghoul Colony, Yeonwol stepped back.

In sheer numbers, the ghouls were no match for the zombies.

Though ghouls, as corpse-eaters, held immense power against zombies, it was meaningless against an overwhelming mass!

‘This must be what being a Necromancer feels like.’

Even though I had given up on the swarm-style Necromancer approach, watching the opposing forces collapse under the overwhelming numbers made me feel a bit regretful.

There was no need to intervene personally.

The zombie horde was torn apart by the Ghoul Colony, but thanks to their sheer numbers, the Ghoul Colony’s HP steadily decreased.

Although it took some time, there was no need for a difficult fight.

[Ghoul Colony HP: 20%]

When the Ghoul Colony’s HP was finally in shambles, I pulled the zombie horde back and drew the Blue Sea Blade to step in myself.

After all, to secure experience and rewards exclusively, I needed to deal a significant portion of the damage!

Unlike the White Spirits, which were bound as my minions, the zombies were merely under my control, so I wouldn’t receive any rewards if they hunted the monster.

“Grrraaaaagh!!”

Hunting the Ghoul Colony wasn’t difficult. Since it had been sufficiently weakened by the zombie horde’s assault, it only took a bit of fighting to bring it down.

[You have defeated the Ghoul Colony.]

[You gained a large amount of experience points!]

[Level up!]

[Due to defeating a boss with overwhelming power, you have gained a large amount of reputation points.]

My level increased by three stages.

The rewards were quite decent, so it wasn’t bad, though it was unfortunate that the ghoul couldn’t be turned into a White Spirit since it was already undead.

‘Its appearance is the worst, but based on combat strength, it would’ve been great to have it as a White Spirit.’

Ghouls were so grotesque that most players wouldn’t even consider using them as summons.

Most players preferred summons that were slightly weaker but looked cool or beautiful.

I, however, had a completely different aesthetic sense from the average person.

‘A monster capable of commanding a cluster. Such an appealing summon—it’s a shame.’

No matter how hideous it looked, as long as it was strong, I’d make it a summon!

Beautiful and handsome summons were utterly useless to me.

“This is the boss room of the dungeon, Master.”

“I see.”

I looked back. Despite their losses against the Ghoul Colony, the zombies were still so numerous that their end wasn’t even visible.

Unfortunately, they couldn’t accompany me into the boss room.

A powerful barrier prevented the zombies from even approaching.

“Zombie worker friends, you’ve worked hard up until now.”

“Grrruk…”

The zombies looked at me fearfully when I called them.

Their demeanor was completely different from the loyal White Spirits.

Since the zombies were no longer useful, there was no reason to keep them.

“So now, all of you, jump.”

Right after that.

The spectacular sight of hundreds of zombies leaping off the cliff simultaneously unfolded.

It was a remarkable scene, if nothing else, and I smiled in satisfaction as I turned toward the main door of the boss room.

“Let’s go, my minions.”


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