Chapter 6: Possibility, Money, and Family

Chapter 6: Possibility, Money, and Family

Skeleton Soldier.

A Tier 2 skeleton.

It was a skeleton that could only appear after reaching the basic next stage, Intermediate Command.

"As expected, the Easter Egg was true."

The skeleton soldier standing up from its seat scanned its body as if it were human.

Examining its arms and legs carefully, the fellow moved around, testing its physical abilities.

Meanwhile, I checked the information on it.

[Skeleton Soldier (Legendary)]

-Nickell Lifehill

-Undead

-Tier 2

-Traits: Self, Extreme: Swordsmanship

Extreme.

I never imagined that a skeleton would have such a phrase. It was a trait I had seen when I levelled up a playable character until the mid to late stages. The only trait that could be obtained through growth. It was a trait that received various enhancements related to extremes.

"He's just a Tier 2 skeleton soldier, but Extreme... I wonder how strong he is."

I honestly had no clue since I hadn't raised a Necromancer before. Of course, I had encountered them as enemies in the game. But even among the warlocks, Necromancers were few, so I hadn't encountered them that often.

"Necromancers are forbidden to that extent. They are even despised among fellow warlocks."

I couldn't understand why Adrias had stepped into such a thorny path. From what I recalled; it was right after the death of the previous Count Cromwell.

"Perhaps he did it to escape from reality."

Charon's persuasive skills played a part as well. He was excellent at subtly provoking Adrias when his father passed away and his mind weakened.

That quiet and cold-hearted guy was surprisingly talkative when he wanted to provoke Adrias.

"Well, in the end, he became like his subordinate."

Most of the reasons Adrias died were due to interfering with players on Charon's orders. Otherwise, he died while trying to stop players from interfering with Charon.

"Whatever the case, there is one conclusion."

If I wanted to survive, I had to get away from Charon. There could be various methods, but becoming stronger was the top priority. At that moment, the skeleton soldier finished checking its body and approached me.

"Yes. I am your master."

Calling it a skeleton soldier felt a bit strange.

Moreover, it was not an ordinary skeleton, but rather an Aura Master.

Since we had come this far, let's call him Nickel.

"Nice to meet you, Nickel."

-Clack! Clack!

I didn't know what it was saying, but it gave a positive feeling.

Continuing to move its jaw, Nickel suddenly started drawing something in the air.

Writing?

"Alright, I understand, okay?"

-Clack, clack, clack, clack!

Seeing the skull mask nodding in a solemn manner, I couldn't help but chuckle. The fact that a skeleton was expressing its intention.

Even Morun, who was probably the strongest Necromancer at the moment, wouldn't believe it.

"Yes. As the best Aura Master in the world, you must do that much. Although it might be unfair for you to die immediately after becoming an Aura Master, try to become famous under me from now on."

Of course, even if you become famous under me, it will only increase your notoriety. Nickel nodded in response to my words and formed a circle by touching its index and thumb fingers together.

Even that appearance looked serious, as if it were a comedy skit. I wasn't sure what its inner thoughts were, but it showed favour to me, the summoner.

Now that Nickel has been summoned successfully, shall I organize and leave?

[Currently, there are 0/5 summons in the summoning space.]

[Would you like to release one unit of Skeleton Soldier?]

As soon as I thought about putting Nickel back into the carrier, a familiar message appeared.

"What? Are Necromancers also classified as summoners?"

It was a familiar message because I had played as a summoner before. It means I don't have to bother hiding it.

I immediately released Nickel from the summoning space. Then, a black space appeared, swallowing Nickel and making him disappear.

He should be able to be summoned again, right?

[Currently, there are 1/5 summons in the summoning space.]

[Would you like to summon one unit of Skeleton Soldier?]

When I tried summoning again, Nickel reappeared as if nothing had happened.

"But my mana is running low."

Releasing the summon had no cost, but summoning did consume mana. This summoning had depleted my mana.

"Thanks to that, the possibility of surviving has increased. As long as I don't get caught, the risk of dying will decrease."

I thought it was a player-exclusive privilege, but come to think of it, other Necromancers had also summoned undead creatures from thin air.

But for her Oppa to suddenly appear and ask to borrow money, it wouldn't be easy.

'But I can't just give up on the academy...'

If I wanted to become stronger, studying and training magic at the academy was the fastest way. Although I was a third-year student and had about two more years to prepare for graduation.

"What's the matter? It's been a while since we've seen each other, right?"

Amy looked at me with sparkling eyes, not realizing my inner thoughts. Now that I think about it, she had always been like this. No matter what foolish things Adrias did, she was always by his side, supporting and cheering him on. Ah, a sense of guilt seems to be coming out.

"Sorry for not taking care of you often."

"Huh? Uh, um..."

My words seemed sudden, and Amy responded with a bewildered expression. But soon, she suspiciously changed her expression.

"What do you want to ask for this time?"

"Well, um, that's... I need some money..."

I can't continue talking anymore. A sense of self-disgust and guilt surged, piercing the sky. I have to find another way, I simply can't harm Amy in any way.

"Oh well, I guess so. Just wait a moment."

"Ah, Amy, it's okay. It was just a thought."

"Why are you acting out of character? Just stay put. I'll be back soon."

As she left the break room, I folded my outstretched hand in despair. Unconditionally, I must unleash chaos with this potion.

"Not a drop of water on my sister's hands..."

Come to think of it, they were the first family I ever had. When I was Kim Jinhwan, I had no family. I was an orphan, and everyone around me was just a competitor.

But then, through conscription under the pretext of resource mobilization for a secret government special forces project, I enlisted. The colleagues I met there were the only ones who felt like family, but most of them died during missions.

"Thinking about it, it's not that different here or there."

It was a similar life, in different circumstances. Perhaps this place could be better. At least, unlike before, there was a goal.

"I will survive. And if possible, I'll live grumbling. I will definitely make Amy happy."

At that moment, the door of the break room opened again, and Amy returned.

"Here you go."

Amy's hand, handing me an envelope filled with money, felt rough.

A strong emotion surged within me when I saw it. That emotion was a mix of anger towards myself and guilt towards Amy.

"Phew."

I barely suppressed my emotions and took the money.

"Thank you. I will definitely pay it back."

"It's fine. You don't have to starve somewhere."

Then, her gaze suddenly fell on my hand.

"Oppa?"

"Yeah, what's up?"

"Where is the ring?"

"..."

What should I say?

As I hesitated for a moment, Amy's eyes grew wider. The atmosphere was unsettling.

"I, I just put it down in the dormitory."

"No way... It can't be."

She grabbed my arm and shook her head.

"No way? Right? Even though you're my brother, you wouldn't... with the ring..."

I tried to brush it off with a lie, but I couldn't make any excuses because I felt like I had committed too many sins. Reading my demeanour, Amy's teary eyes turned icy, and she cried out desperately.

"Please, tell me clearly that it's not true. Where is the ring now?"

"Amy."

"Tell me quickly!"

"That... I..."

How can I say that I used it to buy a corpse? I couldn't bring myself to answer.

"Leave."

"I'm sorry."

"Leave. Get out now. And don't ever come back. You don't even need to return the money."

"I'll recover it soon..."

Snap!

Without listening to my excuses, Amy left the break room.

The Amy in my memory had never been so angry in all the time I've known her. My heart ached. Is this feeling really Kim Jinhwan's or is it Adrias'?

"Sigh."

My chest felt heavy with sighs of regret.

Once I earn money with the potion, I'll have to retrieve the ring first.