The Saint Who Levels Up Through Necromancy

[Translator - Hestia]

[Proofreader - Kaya]

Chapter 111: An Impious Attempt (1)

The act of creating an undead from the corpse of a Priest.

He had attempted it in his previous life as well.

'It failed miserably..'

The power of a Priest originates from the [Constellation] they worship or the [Star Cluster], a group of stars.

But you see...

Constellations, as a whole, have a deep-seated aversion to the undead.

'They turned a blind eye even when I reached 9 Stars.'

Not to mention...

Using necromancy to defile the body of a mortal who served them?

Those petty beings would never allow it.

'If you try to resurrect the corpse, divine power will backlash.'

You can suppress the backlash with spirit power.

The problem is that the Priest's body will collapse in the process due to the shock.

He even waited for the power bestowed by the Constellations to dissipate before trying to revive the corpse as a revenant.

'All that results in is a mindless zombie.'

The physical abilities of Priests are even lower than those of magic-type hunters.

Without their special power, that is, divine power, their corpses are less than nothing compared to even an orc.

In his previous life, Yoojin tried various methods to create an undead with the abilities of a Priest, but he failed to achieve any results.

'I thought it was impossible. So I gave up on the idea itself.'

But...

What's this?

Thanks to Kronos's advice, he found a new possibility.

The person himself said it without much thought, but those words caused a huge wave in Yoojin's mind, like a thunderbolt.

〔It's all thanks to my wisdom, isn't it?〕

'I've only found a possibility. I won't know for sure until I try it myself.'

〔Kuhaha. No matter what you multiply by 0, the result is 0, but if it becomes 1, the number can grow infinitely.〕

‘Where did this old man learn such modern expressions?’

—Yoojin thought.

'There wasn't even an expression for 0 in the era when the Constellation lived.'

〔Now that I've abandoned even my old traces, why would I have any aversion to accepting new things?〕

‘He's an unnecessarily progressive and open-minded old man.’

Yoojin picked up his phone.

Doo— Doo—

- Congratulations, CEO Cheon. These days, everyone is talking about you.

"Mr. Black. You've become quite the joker since I last saw you, haven't you?"

- Aren't we partners? I'm just happy that one of the three pillars of Ground Zero is establishing itself.

A subtle reproach that he's too high-profile in his external activities while also having a foot in the underworld.

Pfft—

Yoojin let out a snort.

"I didn't know you'd be so happy. As a token of my appreciation, could you find something for me?"

- ...What is it?

“The Corpse of a Priest or Monster”

- Is this... a continuation of the request you mentioned last time?

Yoojin had previously commissioned Mr. Black to find corpses of powerful beings (monsters, people), regardless of their type.

"No, it's separate. It just needs to be a Priest."

- If they're at least a 1 Star, I can get it for you right away.

"It sounds like you're about to kill someone to bring me one?"

- I'm a merchant. I don't like getting my hands dirty unless it's necessary.

Conversely, that means he's willing to get his hands dirty if it's "necessary."

He's a rather interesting fellow.

"How many can you get?"

- Hmm... 21, 23, no. 27 should be possible.

"Then get them right away. I'll pay you as soon as I go tomorrow."

- Understood.

"Preserve the corpses with embalming to prevent them from rotting. And prepare a ship for me as well."

- Your requests keep increasing.

"Come on, charge me fairly. Don't try to rip me off. I know your tricks."

Yoojin was not fooled by his tactics.

‘Back in my previous life, this guy made a killing claiming it was hard to supply goods to the frontier. It's amazing his sales pitch hasn't changed a bit.’

- Ahem, understood.

‘Just try that again sometime. You won't get anything out of it.’@@novelbin@@

After ending the call, Yoojin headed to the Yongsan Hunter Market.

〔Aren't you going straight to the temple?〕

'I need to buy the catalysts too.'

Research on resurrecting the corpse of a Priest as an undead.

It would be ideal if it could be solved with just the power granted by Kronos, but the chances of that happening are slim.

It's about creating a new undead that isn't even recorded in the [Library of Knowledge].

All the research data from before regression is stored in his head.

But you can't know what variables might appear in the research.

'There are many possibilities. So I'm buying materials that can respond to them accordingly.'

〔It's getting serious.〕

'It's something I haven't done before. No. To be precise, I failed.'

〔Despite that, your attitude of not stopping the challenge is commendable.〕

'You've been praising me too much lately. Is there something you want?'

〔Just accept sincere compliments.〕

He ignored Kronos's grumbling thoughts and wandered around the hunter market.

"Do you have any white stones?"

"Oh dear. You don't know much, do you? White stones are priceless."

White Stone — A catalyst that amplifies light-attribute magic.

Before the regression, there was a stable supply source, so he could get as much as he wanted if he had enough money.

'The level is much lower.'

Yoojin frowned.

‘It's not just the [White Stone]. Compared to my old memories, the quality of catalysts, reagents, and magic items available on the market is far inferior. It would be nice to exploit Shin Joonseok, but… Black Company is just starting out, and the sla— I mean, my business partner is also busy. If it's not enough, I'll just have to make do.'

Yoojin sighed.

‘When did I ever wait for everything to be 100% prepared? If I had, I wouldn't have reached 9 Stars in my previous life, nor would I have activated [Kronos's Pocket Watch].’

Improvisation is key in everything.

Combining the vast amount of information accumulated by the previous owners of the [Ring of Darkness] and Yoojin's experience, he should be able to manage somehow.

"So, do you have any red obsidian?"

"Hmm. That's about 1 million won per kilogram."

"Give me 100 kilograms."

"Then I'll knock off 500 and make it 95 million."

"No one uses that except dark mages. Take off 15 million."

"You young man, you sure know how to haggle!"

"If you don't want to, forget it."

⋯⋯⋯

The final negotiated price was a 10 million won discount.

The merchant handed over the red obsidian with a strangely resentful expression.

〔What kind of effect does the obsidian have?〕

'It amplifies the energy of the yin dimension.'

〔In other words, it's a catalyst related to dark mana. A power that forms a counterpart to divine power.〕

'That's right.'

〔It possesses properties completely opposite to the white stone. How do you intend to use it?〕

'It's similar to a Constellation's power... the spirit power has a similar wavelength.'

Just because they have similar wavelengths doesn't mean they're the same power.

If the two powers were the same, there would be no need to use the [Midnight Sun] trait to convert divine power/spirit power.

A normal Priest would not have purchased [Red Obsidian] for divine power amplification purposes.

'I need a unique application method.'

〔You're capable of it, I'm sure.〕

'Of course. My realm of transcendence wasn't won with a game of poker.'

There were many items to buy.

Since the variety and quantity of items were not as abundant as in his previous life, he needed to move around diligently.

Yoojin's pace quickened.

＊ ＊ ＊

Yoojin rummaged through every corner of the hunter market.

⋯⋯⋯

"The storage condition is terrible. Give me a 5 million won discount."

"Oh. Look at this dust. No one else would buy it anyway. If you don't want to sell it, fine."

"How much of a discount are you offering?"

⋯⋯⋯

Bargaining over the price of items was basic.

With his hawk-like eyes, he found flaws in the catalysts and items he intended to purchase and tenaciously haggled for a lower price.

〔Contractor, perhaps you are short on funds?〕

'No. I have money to burn.'

The money earned from the spider hunt alone is worth billions.

If he were to sell off the items acquired from recently annihilating the Rakshasa Guild?

He would have over 10 billion won in usable budget.

'Since the money spent this time is a little less than 3 billion, my assets are abundant.'

〔Yet why do you haggle so fiercely?〕

'We have a saying in our country: "Many a little makes a mickle."'

It's not like he was forcibly finding flaws.

Even if he tried to buy without a care, how could he ignore the shortcomings of the items, catalysts, or materials that came into his sight?

Even if not as good as Shin Joonseok, he possessed a level of skill that was called "Artisan" in alchemy before the regression.

Pointing out what he sees.

‘It's not wrong to lower the price, is it?’

〔I have heard your one-sided argument well.〕

'Ah. If you want to receive the proper price, take good care of the storage and distribution!'

Pretending not to hear Kronos's nagging, he checked the items he purchased.

⋯⋯⋯

[Potion Storage Containers X 300]

[Red Obsidian 100kg]

[White Herb 33kg]

[Mucus of Blue Slime 45kg]

[E-grade Mana Stone 1,000 pieces]

[Mithril 500g]

[Spirit Iron 5kg]

[Feathers of Loaheim 10kg]

All purchased items were put into his subspace pocket.

[Are you going right away?]

⋯⋯⋯

'I have one thing to ask of my business partner.'

Yoojin, who went to the Paju workshop, suddenly poured out 1,000 E-grade mana stones in the empty lot.

"What is this?"

"Make it all into mana stone melt solution. The concentration should be 35%."

"For someone who suddenly barged in, what you're saying is very... Well, yeah."

"It's necessary for new research. Among the alchemists I know, no one is better than you, my business partner, so I came here."

"Really?"

The alchemist's cheeks twitched repeatedly.

Anyway, he's such an easy person to read emotions from.

"You're busy these days, aren't you? You don't have to do it. I'll find someone else."

"If there's a problem with my partner's research, that won't do. I'll make an exception and help you this time."

Shin Joonseok quickly melted the E-grade mana stones and adjusted them to the ratio Yoojin had mentioned.

"From now on, I'll have to do some manual work."

After filling 300 empty potion bottles with the mana stone melt solution in the same ratio, he tightly closed the caps.

If the lids are left open, the mana permeated into the melt solution will gradually dissipate.

The reason why he prepared airtight containers.

"I won't be reachable for a few days, so if any problems arise, tell Madam."

"Where are you going?"

"Yeonpyeong Island."

After revealing his destination to Shin Joonseok, he headed to Ground Zero.

A small ship docked at the coast.

The high-speed vessel that was in charge of transportation during the Yeonpyeong Island exploration and attack was waiting for Yoojin.

"Everything you requested has been put on board."

"Good."

"The corpses of powerful monsters will also be arriving at Ground Zero soon."

"They won't rot on the way, will they?"

"All of them were embalmed before being loaded."

‘That's good news.’

To fight against the Manhunters head-on, he needed many more powerful undead.

"Contact me when the corpses arrive."

"CEO Cheon. You've forgotten something, haven't you?"

"I know. I'll transfer it right away."

After tapping his phone a few times, a faint smile appeared on Mr. Black's face.

＊ ＊ ＊

Chwaaaaa—!

The speedboat cut through the rough waves.

After managing to dock at the shoreline, which had been devastated by the successive battles, all the corpses were unloaded.

"CEO Cheon. When should I come back?"

"In a week. Just in case, bring some supplies too."

"Yes, sir."

The speedboat captain spun the wheel without a word, sending the vessel back towards the open sea.

He told him to bring supplies, but ideally, he'd like to finish the research quickly without staying longer than necessary.

〔With your abilities, isn't it possible?〕

'It's not good to be too optimistic.'

He gave instructions to the Revenants waiting on the shore.

He had them carry the corpses of the priests or monsters and moved to the center of the island.

A building that was used as a chapel before the Great Cataclysm.

Now, in front of the temple that serves the newly emerged Constellation, [Heaven-Defying Giant], they placed the corpses.

〔It's comforting.〕

'It's your temple. It makes sense.'

〔Hmm. It's too shabby a structure to contain my greatness.〕

'Wait. I told you I'll expand it later.'

This is what he says sincerely.

The higher the completion of the temple, the stronger the Constellation's presence and spirituality become.

'I'll use everything I can.'

〔As my only believer, you make such a statement devoid of any faith.]

'If you don't like it, go find a faithful believer.'

〔How can I find a suitable person when you, my spokesperson, don't proselytize? ]

He's so weak in presence that he can't even get a single believer even if he proselytizes.

'I need to concentrate from now on, so don't talk to me.'

Yoojin put his hand into the [infinite Pouch] and took out a bottle, radiating blue light.

A container filled with mana stone melt solution.

Tak— Tak—

After laying out 300 bottles on the temple floor, he took a long, deep breath.

'Let's give it a try.'

[Using Unique Trait - Midnight Sun]

[Mana → Divine Power]

Divine power that fills up abundantly.

Yoojin placed his hand on the floor and assimilated the temple's energy with his own divine power.

[Assimilated with the temple serving the Heaven-Defying Giant.]

[The structure meets only the basic conditions of a temple.]

[Available Commands - Holy Water Production]

[To perform more miracles, expand the temple or increase the number of believers.]

‘It's okay. It has the functions I need right now. I'll expand it later, so please wait a little longer.’

Yoojin thought to himself.

'Produce Holy Water.'

Sssss—!

Spiritual energy surged and enveloped the temple.

[Translator - Hestia

[Proofreader - Kaya]