The Saint Who Levels Up Through Necromancy-Chapter 85: Expansion (2)

[Translator - Hestia]

[Proofreader - Kaya]

Chapter 85: Expansion (2)

"I'm not asking you to do anything right away. Just keep doing what you've been doing."

"Hmm. We're in the same boat now, so shouldn't you give me some separate instructions?"

"You'll do well even if I don't say anything."

Even before returning, the Madam was a figure who had a firm grip on the Hunter request market in East Asia.

Why would he try to coach someone who would demonstrate her resourcefulness even if left alone?

〔I believe that just keeping this little human within your fence is a significant change in itself, wouldn't you agree?〕

'I don't know anything about changes. And Constellation… I don't even want to know about such things, so please stop emphasizing them.’

Sometimes, ignorance is bliss.

"Will Mr. Black be alright with this? He's the type to go on about the balance of power and such."

"I'll keep a reasonable distance. He won't notice right away."

"Well, I'll leave that part to you, Madam."

Yoojin waved his hand dismissively.

〔You're not going to absorb that group of little humans?〕

'From the Black Market's perspective, Black Company won't seem very attractive.'

〔Then you'll have to push them aside someday.〕

'There's no need to divide the world into allies and enemies.'

Mr. Black was a very capable man.

He made the Paju Underworld Auction House the best in East Asia.

He also had a tight grip on the underworld's funding sources, making him so powerful that even the Nine Dragons couldn't easily touch him.

'I was also one of his main customers.'

Unlike South Korea, most of North Korea had turned into contaminated areas.

This was the aftermath of their failure to respond effectively to the Great Cataclysm in its early stages.

The Necropolis located in Gaeseong was the same, so he couldn't describe how difficult it was to build infrastructure there.

'It was the Black Market that opened up trade routes in a place where only the undead lived.'

Thanks to that, he also knew that Mr. Black desperately wanted a passage to the continent.

There was no need to turn him into an enemy; coexistence wasn't a bad option either.

〔Khahaha. It's surprising that someone as greedy as you would use the term 'coexistence'.〕

‘What? Why? Did you help me with anything just because I'm a bit greedy?’

Yoojin stopped mid-sentence, a sudden realization dawning on him.

'History is already changing.'

The Madam of the Milky Way Pub?

She was also someone who, before returning, maintained neutrality even if it meant suffering losses.

And now?

Not only did she overhear the Little Runts team's conversation and take an interest in Black Company first, but she even made a counter-proposal to Yoojin.

'There's no reason I can't bring Mr. Black in as well.'

He wasn't saying he would place the Black Market under Black Company right away.

But there was no need to close off the 'possibility' of bringing them into the company.

Yoojin gained a kind of enlightenment from Kronos's remark.

'There's no need to be bound by the knowledge from before returning.'

〔My words didn't mean that...〕

'Thanks to you, Constellation, I've gained something. It seems like I can be even greedier in the future.'

Kronos read Yoojin's inner thoughts, which were burning with desire, and sighed.

〔My slip of the tongue has awakened a monster.〕

＊ ＊ ＊

⋯⋯⋯

Black Company's structure was as follows:

Cheon Yoojin - CEO

Shin Joonseok - Executive Director of Alchemy

Little Runts team - Executive Director of Mercenary Affairs and Deputy Director (Lee Seongmin)

Im Jaebaek - Executive Director of Underground Businesses

Madam - Executive Director of Request Brokerage

⋯⋯⋯

"Hyung-nim, how many executives are there in this small company?"

"That's why I made you a deputy director."

"But all the seniors are executives, and I'm the only one who isn't."

Lee Seongmin couldn't hide his gloomy expression.

Kang Minyeong smacked him hard on the back.

"Hey, are you trying to be equal to your seniors who are like the sky to you?"

"I envy the seniors. They're executives."

"Then you should have skipped grades and come to school earlier."

"That system was abolished ages ago, why are you bringing that up?"

The Little Runts team grumbled amongst themselves.

Ahem.

Yoojin, swallowing a groan, forced his gaze away and ignored them.

'I made those two executives because they've already been proven. It can't be helped.'

The data from his previous life was only in Yoojin's head.

Lee Seongmin was someone who needed further evaluation.

He had performed beyond expectations during the Daegu Double Dungeon raid, but he still had a long way to go before he could be fully assessed.

"Director Im, for the time being, you'll be working with these guys."

"How should I handle the business takeover?"

"I'll be going back and forth to Ground Zero periodically, so receive it bit by bit each time."

"Yes."

Ground Zero was a lawless zone.

Even though they had crushed the organizations that raised their heads after the Red Spider retreated, it was only a temporary measure.

It was the place most frequented by Hunters who committed crimes in Korea.

There were bound to be guys gathering forces, dreaming of becoming the second or third Red Spider.

"Director Im, what rank are you?"

"3 Star."

"You need to be able to use at least Aura to manage the businesses."

4 Star.

Yoojin spoke so easily about the wall that countless martial arts Hunters struggled to overcome.

Instead of feeling burdened by his words, Im Jaebaek felt empowered.

'He's not someone who speaks without basis.'

The time he had spent with Yoojin wasn't that long.

At most, a little over a day.

However…

Im Jaebaek knew that even if the man in front of him spoke flippantly, he would prove his words with actions.

'4 Star, huh. I can do it.'

Im Jaebaek strengthened his resolve.

The Little Runts team glanced at him and, with remarks like, "3 Star?" and "He's higher than us," they burned with competitive spirit.

‘These guys…’

He wondered when they would ever grow up.

"CEO Cheon, I want to work too."

"Jaeyoung?"

"I haven't thought about anything for your brother. I'll just accept his enthusiasm."

"I was in charge of accounting when my brother was doing business. Please give me any task, even a small one!"

Im Jaebaek looked back and forth between his brother and Yoojin, then bowed his head deeply with him.

"He's lacking, but would you still accept him?"

‘Hmm. Accepting an untested talent, just like Lee Seongmin…’

Yoojin thought for a moment, then nodded.

"Madam, please take care of this friend."

"Taking care of people isn't my job, you know?"

"It'll only be for a few days. After visiting the border area with Director Im, he'll receive the handover together with him."

"That much is fine."

"Ah, and also arrange a place for them to stay."

"...That ‘is’ taking care of them, you know."

Yoojin ignored Madam's complaint.

Yoojin turned to Shin Joonseok, who was happily munching on the snacks.

"Partner, how was the border region?"

Cough— Cough—

Shin Joonseok, who was stuffing snacks into his mouth, let out a dry cough.

"It—it was a good experience."

"Were you about to say it was shitty—?"

"Ahahaha. How could I use such vulgar language? Yes, yes, of course it was good."

Shin Joonseok cut off Yoojin's words and laughed awkwardly.

"That's good to hear."

"Huh?"

"Because there's something I need you to do in the border region. Go have some more good experiences."

"Ah, about that, I..."

Shin Joonseok stammered.

He felt trapped, and the words asking to be excused wouldn't come out of his throat.

‘I need to seal the deal here.’

Yoojin thought.

"Minho, how was our partner's performance?"

"Thanks to his golem creation, it was very comfortable."

"Oh? He's never been in actual combat, but I guess he worked well with the Little Runts team."

"At first, it was a bit... difficult for him. But the golems tanked together, so it was a great help."

Shin Joonseok's lips twitched subtly.

‘He's such an easy guy to read.’

Yoojin opened his mouth to finalize this trip to the border region.

"It would be a great help to our forces if you joined us."

"Absolutely. If Mr. Shin, no, Director Shin helps us, it will be a tremendous strength."

Kang Minho, sensing Yoojin's intentions, spoke grandly.

"Mister, you were the best! Thanks to those golems, it was so comfortable. You were even more reliable than my brother."

Shin Joonseok beamed with pride at Kang Minyeong's praise.

"Ehem. I'm a man who delivers when it matters."

"Is it decided then?"

"Uh, well, I need to think about it."

"No time, we're leaving right now. We have a lot to do."

Yoojin strongly pushed Shin Joonseok's back.

The Little Runts team immediately got up.

"Please take good care of my brother."

Im Jaebaek bowed lightly to the Madam and followed the group.

＊ ＊ ＊

Returning to the border region after about a week.

Stepping onto the pale, fog-covered land felt strangely new.

'Lately, I haven't been able to stay in the Necropolis properly.'

Recently, there was the rescue of Im Jaebaek and the Battle of Yeonpyeong.

A little further back, he participated in the Daegu Double Dungeon raid, so he didn't have time to focus on the Necropolis in the border region.

'I was even thinking of giving it up if things went wrong.'

Although he had revived the 5 Star Hunters Choi Hyungtae and Lee Seungyeon as undead, there was nothing he could do if One-Eyed showed up, so he left it half to luck.

Now the situation was different.

Having fought the Gaeseong Manhunters and the battle at Yeonpyeong, a clash was unavoidable.

'If they push down past the Imjin River, we'll suffer great losses as well.'

Not to mention the Black Herb farm.

Various businesses seized from the Red Spider would also be damaged.

It would also become difficult to claim further stakes in Ground Zero.

'Now that I've expanded the business significantly, I need to build a strong fence.'

Necropolis, the city of the dead.

The Necromancer's domain would become a sturdy barrier to protect Black Company, which had begun its expansion.

〔Even during the spider hunt, you overturned an overwhelming power difference. A wise decision indeed.〕

'The Manhunters are a bit more of a challenge, though.'

〔But you must have thought of a countermeasure, haven't you?〕

'Roughly. I can't guarantee it'll work 100%.'

〔Khahaha. Don't try to deceive my eyes. Your attitude is full of confidence.〕

Tsk.

‘Not bad.’

He tried to feign weakness, but Kronos didn't fall for it.

'We've got a decent force now. If we prepare sufficiently, we can take on even the Manhunters.'

The problem was the other guy.

One-Eyed, the tyrant of the border region.

A mutated Ogre who had reached the peak of 7 Star, and he could even use magic.

'If that guy comes, we'll barely be able to hold the line.'

〔One-Eyed. It seems like every time I hear about the border region, I hear that name at least once.〕

'I think I mentioned him during the naval battle.'

In the original timeline, the Manhunters managed to tame One-Eyed after much effort.

At that time, the strongest Hunters in Korea were Lee Shinwoo of Arhan and Kim Youngsoo, the guild master of Phoenix.

One-Eyed was a formidable opponent that would require one of them to risk their life.

It was difficult for both of them to go out to hunt monsters in the border region.

'The Manhunters ruled the north of Paju for several years.'

The gates leading to the border region had fallen.

The Manhunters, accompanied by monsters, frequently raided nearby villages and captured residents.

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〔They threw them to the monster as food.〕

'Well, yes. But this time… it will be different.’

Was it for the sake of the people in Paju and Yeoncheon?

No.

He simply didn't want to see those who had abandoned even the most basic morality prosper.

Also, for the business expansion of the newly launched Black Company, a clash with them was inevitable.

〔Tsk, tsk. You're so dishonest.〕

‘Huh? Whatever.’

It was just that he couldn't tolerate others interfering with his livelihood.

Seeing Yoojin become sharp, Kronos laughed heartily.

〔Let's just say it's like that.〕

Pushing Kronos's thoughts aside, he called for Shin Joonseok.

"Did you call?"

"I need your help."

"Should I boil the iron like last time?"

"This is why I like you, partner."

"I'd really like to refuse your manly love."

Grumbling, Shin Joonseok lit the fire under the witch's cauldron.

Bubble— Bubble.

After boiling the [Scrap Metal Filled with Obsession] for the set time, he took it out and called the two undead guarding the Necropolis.

"Stay still."

[Skeleton Mage (Lee Seungyeon) has surpassed the limit.]

[Evolves into Dark Minion.]

[Returnee (Choi Hyungtae) has surpassed the limit.]

[Evolves into Tyrant.]

Lee Seungyeon, who had first evolved into a Dark Minion, didn't show much difference from Jo Seungchul.

On the other hand, Choi Hyungtae's armor was thinner, and unlike Song Myeongseok, it didn't cover his entire body. Instead, he was minimally armed so as not to hinder his movements.

〔Why did you reduce the armored areas?〕

'I adjusted it to his fighting style in life.'

Because he had achieved unity of body and soul, many of his habits and abilities from his life remained.

To properly utilize his skills, he needed to be shaped in a suitable form.

Both undead strengthening and surgery required delicacy.

'The Tyrant is an undead specialized in close-quarters combat, like Fafnir. He'll be useful.'

Yoojin chuckled and then glanced at Shin Joonseok.

"Wow, thanks to my competent partner, the work was finished quickly."

"Do you think my mood will improve just because you praise me?"

‘Yeah, you look happy.’

Yoojin grinned at the sight.

"Oh, partner—"

"I'm not working anymore."

Shin Joonseok insisted.

"But I have something to show you though―"

Yoojin countered, his eyes twinkling.

"Wouldn't it be great to develop a new product now that we've mastered the intermediate potion?"

With a chuckle, Yoojin led Shin Joonseok towards the Black Herb farm.

[Translator - Hestia

[Proofreader - Kaya]