Chapter 112

Chapter 112

[Translator – Prøks]

[Proofreader – Prøks]

Chapter 112: Cocktail of the Dead

The Cocktail of the Dead

It was one of the items in the shop that had always intrigued him.

‘The timing is perfect.’

The unsealing of the Legion Commanders had inflated their stats. The stat boost from the Cocktail of the Dead would be even greater.

Plus, the sensory enhancement.

‘That’s a big advantage.’

Kim Minwoo had experienced it himself.

In the game, the sensory implementation rate was 50%.

But now, it was a 100% implementation, just like reality.

The resulting difference in performance was significant.

Merhen and Cedric would definitely benefit from it.

‘As for the skill...’

He didn’t have high expectations since it was a low probability.

It would be nice if it happened, but it wasn’t a big deal.

The stat boost and sensory enhancement alone were worth the price.

‘If the skill was guaranteed...’

It wouldn’t be sold for a mere 100 achievement points.

It would have cost at least 300.

He summoned Merhen and Cedric.

“You two, want to try something good?”

—...What’s good?

“I’m in.”

Cedric questioned immediately, while Merhen nodded without hesitation.

“Cedric, don’t you feel anything when you look at Merhen?”

—She’s mindless. How does she know what the master will give her?

—Silly. He said he’d give us something good.

—...Every time I see you, I’m amazed. You really seem to live in a world of your own. Was this always your character?

—Cedric, don’t you trust Minwoo?

Cedric was speechless at Merhen’s innocent question. Humans and animals couldn’t communicate.

It felt something like that.

Kim Minwoo sighed.

“I’m sorry, Cedric.”

—...What are you talking about?

“I’ve just realized, I’ve still been lacking. In mental training.”

—Wait...

Flash!

Resistance was futile.

Cedric, who had been unsummoned in an instant, was dragged back out.

“You two, want to try something good?”

—I like it.

—...I want to try it.

[Purchasing 2 Cocktails of the Dead!]

He took the cocktails out of his inventory.

Black liquid in glass cups.

Bubbles popped in the boiling black liquid.

The shape of the bubbles resembled human faces. Perhaps like the figures in Munch’s The Scream.

‘Well, it’s not like I’m drinking it.’

It might taste like honey to the undead.

But still.

Merhen, who resembled a human, might be able to drink it.

‘But can Cedric even drink it?’

His entire body was made of bones.

He had no muscles or flesh.

It felt like if he drank it, it would just spill on the floor.

‘...Probably not?’

It was an achievement shop item, so it must have some amazing effect.

Maybe the liquid would cling to the bones and be absorbed.

He handed each of them a glass of Cocktail of the Dead.

“Give it a try.”

—...It’s gross.

—Hmm...

Even the usually compliant Merhen showed reluctance this time.

Cedric, with his arms crossed, hummed in addition.

Honestly, it was a rather disgusting liquid.

But what could he do?

He had to make them drink it.

“Gulp. It’s good for your body. Drink it all up. It might taste good.”

Merhen, with a slight frown, accepted the glass and drank the cocktail first.

Gulp.

[Merhen consumes the Cocktail of the Dead!]

[Senses are amplified!]

[All stats increase by 10%!]

Merhen’s eyes widened.

—Oh? The taste feels sharper!

—No. It doesn’t taste good.

“...Is that so?”

—Yeah. But my five senses feel much clearer. It’s really strange.

Merhen stared blankly at the empty cocktail glass with wide eyes.

—Minwoo, do you have any food?

“Just a moment.”

He took out an energy bar from his inventory. Storing food inside was a basic skill for Awakened.

Merhen received the energy bar and chomped on it.

Soon after.

—...I can feel it, the taste.

“Oh, right. Dad told me to call you.”

“Father did?”

“Yes. He said he has something to tell you.”

Kim Minwoo nodded and left the room.

“You’ve come.”

“What’s the matter?”

“There’s something.”

Chairman Kim, looking troubled as he rubbed his head, stared at Kim Minwoo and said,

“Minwoo.”

“Yes.”

“...About the Ilsung Guild. Do you intend to keep using it?”

“What’s been said?”

“Guild Master Nam wants to meet you.”

“I’ll meet him.”

Chairman Kim nodded at his words. Soon, he was able to meet Guild Master Nam Cheolmin.

“Nice to meet you. I heard about it from the Chairman.”

“Yes. After the guild battle, many guild members are feeling uneasy. So I’ve come as a representative to ask you a question.”

He nodded.

It was understandable for them to be anxious.

It looked like the Money Talks Guild was rising to the top.

“...Will our Ilsung Guild be able to continue?”

“Of course. Guild Master Nam knows better than anyone that the guild still has its uses.”

Originally, the ways small elite guilds and large guilds were utilized were different.

Small elite guilds focused on conquering high-level Gates.

On the other hand, large guilds with 1st, 2nd, and 3rd divisions,

‘They’re for farming.’

Their purpose was to gather various items like materials and magic stones by going around different Gates.

They were essential for companies.

To put it bluntly, if the Money Talks Guild continued to level up, why would they bother going to low-level Gates to gather materials?

They would rather run a high-level Gate one more time.

“...Sigh. That’s why.”

“That’s why what?”

“To be honest, yes, there might be some use for them as a farming guild. But who would like that?”

“Ah, you don’t want to be relegated from a lead role to a supporting role? Is that what you’re saying?”

“...To be frank, yes.”

“Then you should have done better.”

“...Yes, that’s true. That’s why I’ve come to ask you a favor.”

“What is it?”

“Could you... train us?”

“...Train you?”

“Both the vice guild master and I were shocked by the results. We realized how lacking we are. We’ve been complacent.”

Nam Cheolmin, who had been staring at the floor, lowered his head and said,

“Guild Master Kim Minwoo. Please help us. We would like the Money Talks Guild to guide us.”

“Do the other guild members agree?”

“...Yes. There are still some guild members who haven’t come to their senses, but it doesn’t matter. I’ll weed them out.”

Nam Cheolmin raised his head, his eyes filled with determination.

“If you help us, we will never forget your kindness.”

Kim Minwoo nodded.

Guild Master Nam was 40 years old.

The other guild members were also not young. In such a situation, even if a successful guild appeared, it wouldn’t be easy for them to lower their heads and ask for guidance.

Especially from the Money Talks Guild. Two out of the three guild members were newbies to Awakening.

But they did.

That meant the defeat in the guild battle must have been that shocking.

Perhaps this moment could be a turning point for the Ilsung Guild to take a new leap forward.

If the Ilsung Guild grew,

‘It wouldn’t be bad.’

Ultimately, it would benefit Ilsung. The effects would indirectly reach the Money Talks Guild as well.

“Alright.”

“Really?”

“Yes. I’ll ask the guild members as well.”

“...Thank you.”

Nam Cheolmin bowed deeply.

He had already acknowledged the skills of the three.

Furthermore, as the best archer in Korea, there weren’t many who could teach him. The only ones who could were the top-ranked players overseas.

But receiving instruction from such individuals wasn’t easy.

Who would readily share their know-how?

However, Seo Yerim was different.

Her archery was overwhelming.

By persistently learning from her, he would surely gain something.

It would become nourishment for his growth.

“I’ll ask them now.”

Kim Minwoo opened his smartphone screen. As he started typing in the group chat,

[Park Siwoo]

—Did you guys see this? An SS-rank Awakened has appeared in China!

(Link attached)

Kim Minwoo tilted his head and clicked the link.

[(Breaking News) Official Announcement from the Chinese Government: The World’s First SS-rank Achievement Awakened Has Appeared! Occupation Likely to be Necromancer!]

“Huh?”

The appearance of an SS-rank wasn’t surprising.

He had seen the message about increased potential.

What was surprising was,

‘Necromancer?’

The fact that someone would choose such a peculiar job instead of a common one.

Could it be that these guys had also decided to switch to being Ddong Sommeliers?

[TL/N: “똥믈리에” (Ddong Sommelier) is a slang term that combines “똥” (ddong, meaning poop) with “소믈리에” (sommelier, a wine expert). It is used to humorously describe someone who has an unusual or absurd job or hobby. In this context, it implies that Minwoo is wondering if other people are choosing to become necromancers, which is considered an unusual and unconventional path.]

[Translator – Prøks]

[Proofreader – Prøks]