Necromancer Survival

Chapter 33

Not only did the lights within Lackey’s eye sockets return, the clothes that Lackey wore during its low-grade skeleton phase also began to change.

The yellow gloves turned black and were resized to fit the larger hands. The design changed from a looser fit to a bone-tight design. On top of that, something that appeared to be a uniform made out of black leather gently cushioned Lackey’s white joints.

It was a bit unusual seeing the clothes ripple and change before my very eyes–like a magical girl transformation. 1 With the new uniform, Lackey looked like a proper menacing undead monster.

If previously Lackey projected a cute, pet-like aura, the enhanced Lackey looked closer to a proper ‘Servant.’ Completing the image, it gripped a charcoal-black weapon in its gloved hands–a swordsman that had risen from the ashes of ruin

[Clack Clack!]

As soon as the light of sentience returned to its blue, glowing eyes, Lackey jumped straight for me. Then, as if surprised by its changed body, it hesitated and observed its own hands. While moving, it had stumbled around, as if it had not yet adjusted to its new depth perception.

I ran to the hesitant Lackey and dragged him into my embrace. After a pause, Lackey also opened its arms wide and clung onto my chest. Its usual grip was now incompatible with its height, but I was quite pleased with Lackey’s strengthened grip force.

Wow…I didn’t know the change would be so drastic…

As Lackey continued to cling, I opened its status window, flush with anticipation.

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[Lackey – ‘Choi Lee-kyung’s’ servant.]

Rank: Intermediate Skeleton (Skeleton Soldier) +1

HP – 55,500/55,500

MP – 10,000/10,000

Loyalty: Very High

Disposition: Darkness, Evil, Persistence, Obsessive, Destructive

Current Mood: ‘….??! I got bigger?!’

Durability: Infinite (If it is attacked for more than its total health, the skeleton will be reverse summoned back into Choi Lee-kyung’s personal space, and the user will sustain the overflow damage. Re-summon Cooldown time: 24 hours)

Stat:

Strength + 70,000

Magic +25,000

Stamina + 66,000

Agility + 22,000

Physical critical damage: 48%

Maximum physical damage: 30%

Minimum physical damage: 25% (???)

Enemy Armor Penetration: 27%

Enemy Resistance Penetration: 33%

Skill:

– Clacking: It can make some sounds. A low level of communication is possible.

-Bite: ‘My teeth were strong even before death!’ Your skeleton can attack the enemy by biting.

– Bite (+1): While biting the enemy, critical chance increases by 12%

– Basic slashes: The skeleton soldier increases its proficiency with its ‘sword of darkness’ the more it utilizes it. After mastering its basics, the skeleton will have an increase of 3% attack power in any of its skill attacks.

-Undead Charging: A powerful charge skill that pierces through the hardest of sieges. For 2 minutes, the Servant’s stats increase by 100% (Cooldown time 25 minutes) (The Skill level can be increased through reinforcement)

Reinforcement – You currently lack the materials needed for reinforcement

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Wow….

That’s unbelievable. How much did Lackey’s stats increase?

I guessed that it would have become more powerful just from looking at the appearance alone, but I was shocked to confirm that thought.

Additionally, while checking the status window, I realized that I had stealthily gained three levels.

It seems as if a Necromancer was a class that spiked in experience whenever they recruit a new servant or when contracted servants grow in power. I briefly glanced over the minor changes in stats with my level ups and happily informed Seo Dawon of all that had happened.

“So, you level up even when you strengthen your servants?” He reiterated.

“That’s right! It happened the last time as well: when we finished our contract, my level spiked considerably. Maybe it’s a pattern for Necromancers.”

Seo Dawon, after listening to my explanation, nodded, “Mages also receive large amounts of additional experiences when they discover special skills or favorable fusions between their existing spells….Perhaps it’s a similar sort of system.”

Seo Dawon, who looked quite lukewarm at Lackey’s impressive transformation, brightened his expression at the knowledge that my level was just a few steps closer to our goal.

“Then, shall we leave to shop for some items?” He said.

With all the recent success, I grabbed my coat with levity.

Lackey, still unused to its new body, followed closely along. Although it grew larger, it continued to act the way it did previously. I reached out a hand to pat its head but stopped, since Lackey’s skull was now near eye level. Without thinking, I murmured, “It’s not long now until I’ll no longer be able to pat you like this…”

It’s not like I had no desire to continue to baby Lackey, but Lackey might continue to grow larger with every strengthening…I felt a bit bittersweet, but was more proud of its extraordinary growth.

–Poof!

Mist spread across the ground simultaneously with the sound of a bomb–an explosion. Little Lackey, its original appearance, floundered at my feet.

I was worried that the evolution had reversed and shouted in alarm, “What’s this?!”

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Servant ‘Lackey’ can select the desired appearance from each stage of reinforcement unlocked.

However, if appearance is set randomly, some skills may not be available.

It is impossible to choose an appearance that corresponds to a stage that hasn’t been unlocked.

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Fortunately, however, it seems that the whole process had not been canceled. As if the system was automatically responding to my words, it informed me of Lackey’s options.

Of course, Lackey’s enhanced appearance was quite good and I liked it, but I was worried and wistful for Lackey’s previous child-like image. I thought I’d never see it again.

Lackey was once again staring at its hands while in my embrace, as if it had yet to understand the whole situation.

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Current Mood: I changed back….!

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Ah, it’s so cute!

I couldn’t resist peppering kisses all over Lackey’s smooth forehead. I didn’t return to my senses until my eyes met Seo Dawon’s impatient gaze, which seemed to say, ‘How long are you planning to continue?’

I coughed, “Ahem….Shall we leave?”

Through my embarrassed flush, I realized that Seo Dawon must be a cold-blooded person who certainly had never raised any pets like puppies or kittens.

Lackey was…..Of course, Lackey was quite off-putting at first since it was a skeleton…but he’s such a lovable little thing. You can’t help but fall in love the more you see it. It melts my heart to see Lackey toddling around, struggling pointlessly, until it runs to my legs, begging me to help out…

Perhaps my kisses cause a tickling sensation, Lackey always wriggles its feet whenever I do it. The squirms never fail to make my fists clench from cuteness overload. 2 Whenever I missed Jjong-ie, 3 Lackey filled my hollow heart.

“You act just like Jo Chan-young. Are all summoners like this?” Seo Dawon casually remarked, staring strangely at the skeleton in my arms, and stepped onto the porch.

Jo Chan-young? Where have I heard that name….

Seeing my confused expression, Seo Dawon patiently explained (though the way he spoke was quite blunt and aggravating), “I’m talking about the summoner. The one with the irezumi tattoos on his arm.” 4

“Ah! Huh? You’re saying I resemble him?”

“You act similarly. Jo Chan-young also called out his Kirins and Phoenixes to fawn over them all day, calling them cute.” 5

That man was situated so far away in Seo Dawon’s memory; I couldn’t even recall his face nor remember him all that well….But, whatever! What’s wrong with affection?

“Don’t you think summons are cute? I think Lackey is honestly on the adorable side.”

“You should have seen it go berserk this morning.”

“It’s obviously a baby….”

“How old is it?”

What on earth, is he seriously asking about this?

No matter how old Lackey got, its age would always mean something different to humans. Although Jjong-ie is 10 years old, a grandfather in dog years, he has always been a baby in our family.

I firmly stated, “Lackey was born when I chose a class, so it’s one year old now.”

Seo Dawon, however, did not respond and instead suddenly pressed on Lackey’s forehead, as if he were teasing it.

Then, lightning fast, Lackey snapped its teeth, trying to bite at Seo Dawon’s hands. I was a bit startled; I had never seen Lackey behaving this way before.

“See that?” Seo Dawon said.

I mean…Disregarding Lackey’s behavior, why are you acting as if it’s all Lackey’s fault when you picked a fight with it first?

After a deep sigh, I said, “Don’t provoke it.”

“Wow. Look at this discrimination.”

“Be as cute as Lackey then.”

Looking at us bickering, Lackey opened its mouth chattered quietly, as if it was giggling.

TL: More than anything, I adore the banter.

Also, if you’re wondering why I’ve been turbo updating lately…I’ve recently finished my finals. Since I read as I translate, I’m translating a lot since I want to know what happens >.