Chapter 9
The raid on the Dark Cave ended successfully.
Because of that, I was certain now.
Training in swordsmanship really did improve my undead control ability.
“Sir Isra, training.”
【You’re not entering another gate? 】
“Right now I need to raise my undead to control itself.”
The D-rank promotion test has two subjects:
[Creation]
and [Control].
“Training will help more than field experience.”
I don’t even remember how many times I failed the D-rank exam.
After the tenth time, I stopped counting.
So—
Until the day before the test, I would swing my sword one more time.
【A fine mindset. Training will clear away distracting thoughts.】
More like getting beaten by you clears my mind.
For the next two days,
I swung my sword like a madman at the outdoor gym.
“Argh!”
【Too much tension in your chest.】
[Imperial Swordsmanship proficiency has increased.]
After pouring out buckets of sweat,
The decisive day finally arrived.
“Ughhhh.”
Ding~♪
I grabbed my phone at the alarm sound.
It was a bank notification.
[KM Bank]
[Balance: 427,103,200
Looks like the Hwarang rookies finally paid.
“Whoa…”
Look at that number.
It’s the first time in my life I’ve seen hundreds of millions in my account.
And not just one—
Four hundred million.
【Your eyes are dripping honey.】
“At this rate, won’t I become rich soon?”
【Greed clouds a warrior’s sight. Do not let it sway you.】
“I’m not a warrior.”
【If you are my lord, then strive to carry yourself with dignity.】
“Listen to him.”
Wasn’t he the one who said he only serves me reluctantly?
Still, I didn’t scold him.
The only reason I earned this much was because of Sir Isra.
[Byproduct Sales – 26,135,100 won]
[Silence Fee – 400,000,000 won]
It’s funny that the hush money was twenty times more than actual hunting income.
Still, the Dark Cave earnings were solid.
The skill book alone sold for 20 million.
The mutant troglodyte’s D-rank mana stone went for 300,000.
All the E-rank stones added up to over 4 million.
Even without lucky drops—
That’s more than a month’s income in one day.
“It doesn’t feel real.”
【As long as I am with you, you will gain even greater honor and wealth.】
“Didn’t someone just say greed was bad?”
【Wealth follows honor naturally. 】
I’ll skip the honor.
Just give me lots of money.
A lot.
【Is money that important?】
“You think undead crafting is free?”
Just making Sir Isra’s body cost around a million won.
Monster skins and tendons are expensive.
They’re used in armor and bowstrings.
Even without special options, materials cost a lot.
“Gotta earn while I can.”
【Then what about the mutant corpse?】
“You mean the boss?”
【Indeed.】
“I’m saving it.”
After promotion,
My E-rank Corpse Creation will evolve.
Then I can create something stronger.
It would be a waste to turn a rare mutant into a mere zombie.
Better to wait and make a higher-tier undead.
【Understood.】
“Your body can be upgraded too.”
【I look forward to it. 】
After finishing preparations—
【One question.】
“Go ahead.”
【You are not planning to dismantle me again, are you—】
Of course I am.
Instead of answering, I activated Corpse Creation in reverse.
Sir Isra split into six pieces.
I thought I heard a faint scream.
Probably my imagination.
I gripped the doorknob tightly.
This time would be different.
I was certain.
The Tower of Ascension
Hunter promotion exams are conducted at the Tower of Ascension.
A structure several kilometers tall,
rising where the old National Assembly building once stood.
It looked like layers of concrete buildings stacked together.
A structure that completely defied physics.
It symbolized the Great Hunter Era.
“So many people…”
The suitcase carrying Sir Isra felt cumbersome.
Maybe I should buy a spatial storage bag.
As I walked toward the tower—
“Mir’s rookie genius is taking the promotion test!”
“Korea’s first Creation-type Hunter!”
“It’s a scoop!”
Reporters rushed past.
Crowds gathered.
It was chaos.
Promotion tests happen every 10th of the month.
There’s only one Tower in Korea, in Yeouido.
Whenever a celebrity takes the test, it becomes a spectacle.
“Excuse me.”
I moved against the crowd.
dragged my suitcase,
and reached an entrance.
There were dozens of doors.
I placed my hand on one.
[Hunter – Park Minho]
[Rank – E]
[Eligible for Promotion Test]
[Proceed?]
Y/N
My heart pounded.
I swallowed a calming pill I’d saved for ten months.
Bitter.
I pressed Y.
The door creaked open.
As I stepped inside—
It shut behind me.
An isolated space.
Separate from other hunters.
[The promotion test begins.]
[Class: Necromancer lineage.]
[Test format adjusted accordingly.]
A shattered kobold corpse appeared in the center.
No warning.
Completely destroyed.
