Necromancer Survival

Chapter 114

“So, simply put, I have to roughly perform as Koo Hui-seo’s subordinate. Also, I should be careful around Koo Hui-seo.” Kim Sangyoon said.

“I guess you really do use what’s above your shoulders,” the Mage drawled.

“…… I’m large, so you may see me as a muscled fool, but I’m truly not a stupid person you know?”

After organizing future plans, Kim Sangyoon picked up the cookie left on the table and began eating it.

He used to only be able to tremble in front of the Mage, but he seems to have gotten used to his presence with time. It felt as if with every interaction, Sangyoon was beginning to push his boundaries with some sassiness. The Warrior sent furtive glances, perhaps to judge if the Mage would allow such grumbling to stand.

Like that, Kim Sangyoon stole a glance at Seo Dawon and cleared his throat before delivering some new information, “Actually, I received a call from Bae Jaemin.”

“He wants to meet?”

“Ah, yes. Maybe his talks with Moon Issak went well; he wants to buy me a drink…”

“Hmmm….”

“For the first time, Bae Jaemin offered to send a link to his messaging app that his party members had. I refused for now, but he asked if I did so because of Ahn Joosung. Since I wasn’t answering, he further explained that the link had nothing to do with guild matters and was, instead, a personal line. So, I didn’t have to be conscious of Ahn Joosung.”

For Bae Jaemin to say such things, it meant that Kim Sangyoon probably scored many points in his books. He seemed to believe that the Warrior had cleared the path for him to connect with Moon Issak. It was good that we weren’t caught, but I was still tense–only time would tell if it was wise to continue to be entangled with the Priest.

Seo Dawon didn’t immediately bark out orders and instead closed his lips temporarily. Then, Kim Sangyoon began to express his opinions in a stuttering and cautious tone, “I believe he’ll be suspicious if I refuse too much.”

“It smells like a test.”

“That’s possible. By the way, Bae Jaemin continues to inquire about Lee-kyung-nim often. Saying that there’s no contact from him. He asks if I’m in touch with him.”

I made a face, unable to hide my emotions, at those words.

Because of Koo Hui-seo, I completely forgot, but Bae Jaemin was also another opponent who seemed unassuming on the outside but was completely absurd on the inside. ¹ Bae Jaemin may not know that whatever happened in the VIP annex had something to do with our presence. ‘Honestly, the only thing that he wouldn’t be suspicious of is the lie that I’m somehow Kim Sangyoon or Moon Issak’s subordinate…’

He was a crafty man, pretending to be relaxed and carefree though he was sure to question everything. If it weren’t for Kim Sangyoon, I may have overlooked Bae Jaemin’s continual interest in me.

“If you’re confident in your ability to fool him, go ahead and contact Bae Jaemin. That is, if you’re confident that you won’t reveal mine and Lee-kyung-ie’s relationship.”

“I understand.”

When all was said and done, Seo Dawon finally allowed Kim Sangyoon to act as a spy.

I had thought about offering Kim Sangyoon an invitation to eat his meal with us, but Seo Dawon’s summon time limit was soon approaching. Regretfully, I sent the Warrior on his way, though the Warrior did not particularly seem to care about the discourtesy.

“It’s a relief that Kim Sangyoon and Koo Hui-seo are able to draw so much attention, externally.” Seo Dawon said.

“Yeah?”

“Mhmm. First of all, those two are more likely culprits than you. That won’t last long, though.”

After seeing Kim Sangyoon off, we moved to the living room to discuss future plans. Seo Dawon shone a beam projector onto the white wall, and Kim Olim shared pictures from the laptop.

Inside that picture was a view of a model-like woman dismounting a private jet. If my memory serves me well, then that should be Ryu Hyerin of [Opera].

“It’s been reported that she returned home yesterday. That probably means she intends to attend the party.”

“……”

“Long ago, Ryu Hyerin and Lim Jisoo were not fond of each other; however, that private plane that she’s riding now is owned by the private company where Lim Ji-soo serves as director. The final person settling the rental contract is also Lim Jisoo.”

It seems that the two had gotten close through the ordeal in the [Tower of Command] or the two had secretly kindled an agreeable relationship behind Seo Dawon’s back.

Even the face of the man following Ryu Hyerin–her bodyguard perhaps?–was familiar: the man with a large diagonal scar across his face from Jung Garam’s memory. Furthermore, we had come across him once during our trip to the department store.

“How about kidnapping that bastard and killing him first? In anycase, ‘revenge’ will raise Choi Lee-kyung’s level.” Excited, Jung Garam threw a dagger into the center of the man’s face. Of course, though, the only thing that was actually pierced was the white wall.

Seo Dawon coldly cut Jung Garam’s request short, “We can’t. If his spear is truly [Gae Bolg], then our odds are low.”

“What? Hyung, do you think I’m gonna lose?” With those words, Jung Garam stormed up to his feet from the newly purchased sofa.

“The maximum time Lee-kyung-ie can summon his servants at his level is still about 33 minutes. We’d need to defeat him within those 30 minutes, but, if the fight is prolonged or support doesn’t arrive, a one-on-one match would definitely be too dangerous. It’s not you–Choi Lee-kyung will be the one in danger.”

“……”

“And that guy, Park Hoseok, has a quite timid personality compared to his large figure.” Seo Dawon brought up a piece of data on the projector screen, saying how he was overly cautious about kidnapping attempts and tended to flee from one-on-one scenarios.

The new data that emerged on the wall was a list of how much each of our various revenge targets spent on security annually. Park Hoseok seems to have spent a decent chunk of money on security, facility inspections, and insurance.

‘Twice as much as Bae Jaemin……’

Bae Jaemin could almost be considered a celebrity, so it was understandable that he spent a lot of money on security and insurance compared to the others. It was certainly unexpected that the large spear wielder would spend twice as much money as Bae Jaemin even without the incentive of fame.

I chuckled inwardly, when I saw his large manly figure. How did such a timid man confront Jung Garam with ease? How confident was he that he could win the fight? ² Just how long had the treachery been running underfoot for such a coward to muster the courage to carry a knife of treachery.

But, before I could fall deeply into this line of thought,Kim Olim continued in a chilling voice, “There’s a reason for him to be so cautious. Park Hoseok got married 2 years before the [Tower of Command] incident. He was never so prominent before the [Tower of Command], but afterwards, when a few members of the guild were exterminated, he was scouted by the [Red Dragons] to be one of their executives in return for an extraordinary salary. Now, he’s moved to [HaHae] for 10 times that amount.”

“……”

“A year after marriage, twins were born in his family. Again, the year after, another child. He’s the father of three daughters now.” With Kim Olim’s explanation, the beam projector showcased the picture of Park Hoseok as the successful head of his family–a picture of three still-young daughters playing in the garden-like yard of a large mansion.”

Looking at such a harmonious and beautiful picture, I involuntarily recalled a certain stench: the smell of meat roasting and burning from explosives.

“Mmmph…” I covered my mouth, face pale.

Actually, intense flashbacks or sensations from the memory playbacks happened occasionally; most appeared as nightmares during sleep or vague tinnitus while showering. I…could handle that much.

But, how should I put this…It felt like I was dragged back to that place–next to Jung Garam’s dying body? That vivid stench wafting into the air……

“Lee-kyung-ah.”

“What’s going on? Are you okay?”

“Choi Lee-kyung?”

The servants noticed that I wasn’t in a good state. I shook my hands at them, but they all ran to my side, removing my fingers and wrapping their own around my pale face.

At the front, Jung Garam even kneeled down to look up at my face. He asked, blinking his red eyes, “Why are you trembling all of a sudden?”

“I-I’m okay…”

“Are you like this because of Park Hoseok?” Seo Dawon asked.

He questioned in a soft tone–one couldn’t mistake it for interrogation. I shook my head.

However, Seo Dawon asked again, “Is it because of the memory playback?”

I missed the timing to deny him because I didn’t think that Seo Dawon would have noticed that much. The Mage pulled my head into his chest as soon as it looked as if the effects were gone; I flung myself into his embrace as if I were collapsing.

TL: Thanks Lewe, this bonus chapter is for you <3

I wonder what you guys will think about Park Hoseok and the revenge coming his way. Thus far (Koo Kyungman) the revenge targets have been relatively simple, morally. Though we’re all pretty horrified by what happened to him, I think most of us thought he deserved some retribution. But, it’s different when you think about how revenge targets have family…three young daughters.