Necromancer Survival

Chapter 432

"Then…."

Did he know all the facts–was this his version of acting rationally?

Dawon sighed when he saw my bewildered expression, "But, I didn't know they were aiming to destroy a real person's life. I thought it was all a… ‘set-up' until I became a part of the ‘tragedy' myself."

"…Ah."

"Well, honestly, I don't think I would have cared much even if I knew the whole story from the beginning. Back then I was too overconfident and selfish."

"……"

"At that time, I thought that if I were to reach the end of a scenario, I'd become a god. Or, some comparatively powerful being. It's cringeworthy, but it's true. I believed in that possibility."

But the scenario quests have no ‘ending.’ Because, even now, countless heroes across countless worlds are meeting tragic fates and being dragged into dungeons.

Even if we keep clearing through these endless dungeons, for how long can we repeat this cycle?

Eventually, a single moment of carelessness would lead to the hero’s death, and the more tragic their demise are, the more likely they are to succumb to the [Tragedy Collectors’] temptations to become a monster. It was only then I realized just how horrifying the bridle made by the [Tragedy Collectors] truly was.

"And, the only way for Users to become strong and not fall prey to tragedies is to defeat monsters, after all."

In other words: the ‘Level-up' system. Plus, everything relies on monster corpses'…to craft equipment or to strengthen summons—everything. The framework was designed to endlessly incite combat.

"So everyone is trapped in this infinite dungeon-clear cycle?" Even I had teamed up with Kim Sangyoon to farm dungeons for experience points. However, Dawon reminded me of something else I’d forgotten.

"That's right. But, think about it Lee-kyung-ah. We can get experience just by taking revenge."

"Ah…" My lips fell slightly apart as I recalled the levels I gained and stats that increased each time I had completed a ‘revenge.' "Then, that means…"

"It's probably a different fork in the scenario–or a different scenario altogether. Maybe crafted by the enemy of these [Tragedy Collectors]."

I didn't respond, but I nodded. I remembered the conversation I had through the [system message] function.

Those who called themselves the [Lost Stars]. While their exact nature was unclear, they had undoubtedly opposed the [Tragedy Collectors] and had even helped me.

To be frank, any sane person wouldn't approve of bringing down heroic individuals for the sake of creating a [tragedy] or turning entire civilizations into eternal dungeon monsters for the sake of collecting despair. Moreover, this matter wasn’t limited to our hub alone; it was connected to other worlds as well.

‘I shouldn't be the only one worried about Dawon giving up on his resurrection." Anxiety bubbled to the forefront of my mind; I couldn't focus on anything else Dawon was saying.

I stopped Dawon from talking and pulled his hand, "Hey, listen."

"Yes?"

"Are you really going to give up on your resurrection?"

Dawon kept his mouth shut, but a frightening determination shone through his stubborn expression.

I held onto Dawon's wrist tightly as I said, "Does that make sense? The [Tragedy Collectors] want you to give up on your resurrection!"

"I don't want to either. But, sometimes, we have to choose the lesser of two evils."

His words were vague, but the meaning was clear—if it seemed like I wouldn’t survive, he was prepared to abandon everything, including his revenge.

Agitated, I grilled Dawon, "Don't say such stupid things! Didn't you hear? You'll gradually lose your own ego if you continue to live as a servant!"

“Then are you saying I should just watch you die or live like a ticking time bomb with barely a year left in your life?”

"Of course not! We'll definitely forge a different path!" I stood my ground.

Dawon stared at me, "How? Every time–each little attack you suffered–you come back to me in pieces."

"……"

"Even if I try to support you using methods beyond the main scenario to counteract the side effects, you’re breaking down faster than I can keep up. No matter how hard I try, you’re… deteriorating…even faster.”

I knew now that I looked like a wreck from Dawon's perspective, so I kept my mouth shut briefly. But, I couldn't let Dawon go down this path. "But, Dawon-ah. Even me… I think I'm a prey of the tragedy as well. Either choice would feed into the [Tragedy Collector]s’ palms."

I couldn't bear to see a Dawon who became a monster or a Dawon who turned into an obedient doll. I would die before I would willingly see that.

So, before Dawon could convince me otherwise, I told him, "I've been thinking, but… you're right. The Necromancer's class skills are another way to grow stronger without taking advantage of this tragic narrative."

"…Are you going to develop your skills?" Dawon's eyes narrowed, trying to gauge my words. But, he didn't intervene.

I smacked some saliva on my dry lips and talked, emboldened by the fact that he seemed to be listening to me, "I'm going to try and influence the servants. When you fully opened up to me before, my stats grew at that time. I think, as of now, that's my best bet."

"……" When I finished speaking, Dawon's expression crumpled even more. I could guess the reason behind his twisted grimace.

His gaze, colder than I’d ever seen, bore into me, "…That method requires you to either physically intertwine with them or for the Servants to feel something close to love for you.”

After all, those lofty Servants would need to hold such emotions so that they’d relinquish control without resistance over to their Necromancer.

Dawon’s assertion that this method requires an exchange deeper than mere romantic feelings is true. And when I first considered this idea, I also wondered whether this was something that could be achieved in a short amount of time.

"…I won't die."

"Choi Lee-kyung, are you crazy?" Dawon was nearly breathing fire from his mouth now. 1 Honestly, if the situation were reversed and someone suggested Dawon fool around with others for the sake of skill growth… I’d be furious and irritated too.

‘But, there's nothing I can do…'

I don't have time, and if I don't become stronger, I'll die. And this isn’t about tangible power but rather an intangible skill that requires earning each individual’s trust and affection. Or course, I wouldn't be able to love the other servants as much as I loved Dawon, but I may be able to win them over and care for them to some extent.

‘They all, unanimously, stubbornly insisted on giving up on their resurrection like fools…'

Maybe it wasn't romantic love, but couldn't it at least be considered a kind of camaraderie–a love between colleagues? When I first heard what they said, I was honestly moved. As I mulled over this thought, I looked at Dawon, whose expression made it seem like he was facing Bae Jaemin instead of me. He muttered, "You… Don't look at me like that. I'm never going to share you with the other guys."

Dawon looked at my determined face before shivering a little. I had no intention of fighting him.

Instead of responding, I slowly unbuttoned my hospital gown. Dawon snatched my hand lightning fast as soon as I reached the fifth button. Then, chillingly calm, he asked, "What are you doing?"

"…I said I'd only sleep with you."

Dawon was rendered speechless briefly. Then, when he saw my face, he spat out a few curses, "Fuck, seriously…"

Of course, I wasn't intimidated at all. I scratched my chin and shook the wrist that was caught in his grip, "I… I really worked up courage for this, you know?"

"Are you crazy? What are you doing with your body in this condition…"

"Well, if you don't want this ‘body,' then I suppose there's nothing I can do."

"…You know that's not what I meant!" Dawon looked at me as if he had never seen me before.

His face was an open book of shock, unable to mask his emotions. It was the first time I’d ever seen Dawon in such a state of panic. Of course, even his flustered side was adorable. Not that I’d ever let him know I thought that—he’d probably sulk for days if I did.

Dawon bit his lips and held the hospital gown top open with his large hand. Then, after buttoning it up to my neck, he growled, "No. Are you really trying to persuade me with your body so cheaply? Huh?"

"Well, hmm… All I have now is my body."

"Don't talk like that. And what sort of crazy person would have their first time with their lover on a hospital bed?"

At that, I couldn’t hold it in anymore—I burst out laughing. Dawon shot me a glare that, if he were alive, might have been accompanied by a deep red blush.

The fact that Dawon–the Dawon who had rumors about his love life spreading everywhere like wildfire when he was alive–was acting like an innocent boy over something like this made my heart race unexpectedly. I didn't expect that from him at all. I thought that… for our first time… I would be swept away by Dawon the entire time.

‘I guess I was looking forward to that.' I caressed his hand that was holding my collar and asked, "So, you've already thought about where you wanted to do it with me for the first time?"

Dawon shut his eyes briefly, embarrassed, before responding curtly, “Do I look like I’m in the mood to talk about that right now?”

"Where did you want to do it?"

"Don't be so arrogant, Choi Lee-kyung." 2

I smirked at Dawon’s grumpy expression before leaning in and pressing a kiss to his lips.

To my surprise, Dawon jerked back as if I were carrying the plague, his posture stiff with suspicion. As if he genuinely thought I might pounce on him at any second.

Oh, for crying out loud. I couldn’t help but burst into laughter. Waving my hand in mock surrender, I said, "I won't do anything. I'll just kiss you."

"……" Dawon shot me a sharp look, clearly irritated at my amusement.

But when I reached out and grabbed his arm again, he allowed himself to be pulled closer without resistance. Then, without hesitation, his arms encircled my waist with an ease that was almost instinctual.Nôv(el)B\\jnn

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TL: No matter what, their lives were heading for tragedy…

… But maybe the Tragedy Collectors underestimated the power of Lee-kyung using his…body…?

1. A common saying. I hope it's clear that he's not ACTUALLY breathing fire.
2. Basically, 기어오르다 means to ‘crawl/climb up' over something. In this case, it's to ‘climb up over one's betters.' Functionally, though, it's used to tell someone off for being arrogant.