Aftermath (1)

Even when it was a B-rank gate, people had thought escaping through the midway zone was the best they could hope for. That went without saying once it became an A-rank gate.

Many people had waited for news, but they expected that even the Sword Phoenix would fail to escape and die inside.

That expectation had been overturned.

The first clear of an A-rank gate.

A party of just two.

All of Korea was in an uproar.

[How the hell did they clear this???]

It's A+ difficulty for a first clear, and the raid party was one A-ranker and one E-ranker. Am I the only one who doesn't get this?

—Every awakener in the world is trying to figure that out right now~

—All those empty-shell S-rankers saying they'd fail just went down with the ship lmaooo

—The Sword Phoenix skipped the interviews and ran straight to the treatment center lol. Nobody knows how they cleared it yet lol

[Joseon's Number One Guild]

(Photo of Dorim Guild Master Lee Minjun bowing his head)

We will atone for your sacrifice by clearing the gate.

—Wow lmao

—Dorim really is legendary lmao

—“Joseon's greatest Guild Master”

—Seeing this really drives home how bleak things were in Joseon lmao

—He could just apologize from a jail cell lol

[The Most Talked-About Martial Artist in History]

(Photo of Isabella looking sorrowful)

Their chances of clearing it? None. Allow me to offer my condolences in advance.

—You again, Baguette? lmao

—Simply the GOAT lmaooo

—Are we giving nobodies like her attention now? What a time to be alive lol

[???: Have You Enjoyed Yourselves So Far?]

(Photos of Kim Minwoo and Seo Yerim)

That concludes our presentation of Korea's awakeners.

—“Korea's hope”

—Applications to join the Sword Sea Pavilion are skyrocketing. Holy shit

—The necro boom is coming. Holy shit

—Damn, that lineup is insane lmao

—No wonder they cleared an A+ lol

—For real lol. They actually cleared it lmao

[???: Kim Minwoo? A Trillion Won Should Do It, Right?]

(List of famous overseas guilds that offered one trillion won to recruit him)

—Looking at it now, that's a list of blind motherfuckers lmao

—One trillion? You bastards couldn't buy him for a hundred trillion now lmaoooo

[Seeing Him Come Out After That Clear Really Makes Me Appreciate Kim Minwoo;]

(Photo of Kim Minwoo in the news for his extravagant spending before awakening)

He could coast through life on his allowance alone, born with a titanium spoon in his mouth, but now he's enjoying a second golden age as an awakener. Kim Minwoo really is something lmaooo

—For real lol. The Sword Phoenix running straight after him says it all. Would she be rushing off to nurse him like that if he'd just gotten carried? lol

—A guy who has everything, still risking his life to fight. Holy shit

—Watching today made it clear. Kim Minwoo is dead serious about clearing gates lmaooo

—Yeah. His body was completely fucking wrecked when he came out lol. You don't get like that fighting for just a day or two lol

—Honestly, the Sword Phoenix's reaction today was pretty shocking. Sure, she might've gone in to rescue him because of the Sword Immortal, but she didn't have to go that far after getting out.

—Don't tell me he saved her life? With her personality, I can't see her acting like that otherwise.

—That's taking it a bit too far. No way lol

—We praise the guy a little, and now you're getting carried away. Saved the Sword Phoenix's life? lol Let's not go overboard lol

—Either way, isn't it a fact that he made a contribution in an A+ gate? Just how much potential does Kim Minwoo have?

—If he really pulled his weight, he's not just the number one necromancer Super Rookie lol. He's the world's ultimate god-tier Super Rookie lmao

—I'm curious about his level. What do you think it is? Let's work it out.

—He must've been at least 70 before going in. If he killed loads of mobs inside, he's definitely over 100 now, right?

—D-rank just two months after awakening? That speed is nuts;

—Yeah. It took that baguette martial artist four months, so his pace really is insane lol.

—But how the hell does a measly level 100 contribute in an A-rank gate? Even the weakest monsters must be well over level 200.

—That's why he's the world's ultimate god-tier Super Rookie, you dumbass lmaooo

—I'm a newbie who just awakened. Is it okay if I go necro?

—Uh... I was about to cuss you out, but on second thought, maybe it is.

—Yeah. Not my life anyway lol

—Seriously, if you're loaded, it might be worth a shot? But if you're only regular rich...

* * *

Kim Minwoo opened his eyes after losing consciousness.

The hospital room was furnished with all manner of top-quality furniture. It was a familiar sight.

'Ilseong's treatment center.'

A treatment center was a medical institution somewhat different from a hospital. Here, awakeners handled the healing.

He looked down at his body.

'All healed up.'

Despite suffering wounds that should have killed him instantly, he had recovered completely.

Indomitable Soul.

Without it, he would have died from a single palm strike from the Heavenly Demon.

That title really was fucking amazing.

He examined the titles he had earned this time.

[New Title List]

[1. The First to Set Foot]

[You were the first to enter a new gate.]

[Effect: Vitality +5]

[2. One-Spot Digger]

[You inflicted immense damage by striking the same spot.]

[Effect: Repeated attacks on the same spot deal additional damage.]

[3. An Absolutely Insane Gambler.]

[You achieved consecutive victories in gambles where you staked everything.]

[Effect: When you must stake everything, your chances of winning the bet increase.]

[4. Slayer of the Strong -〉 The Law of Victory]

[Through repeated, unbelievable victories, you have established a law.]

[Effect 1. All stats increase by 10% for every 100 levels of difference between you and a monster.]

[Effect 2. All damage increases by 10% for every 100 levels of difference between you and a monster.]

[5. The Beginning of a Legend – Part One]

[An awakener writing a legend. His journey has begun to be recorded.]

[Effect 1. Part One, which records your life story, is created.]

[Effect 2. Completing every entry in Part One grants a very special effect.]

[Effect 3. Completing every entry in Part One allows you to create Part Two.]

〈Part One Entries 7/10〉

〈Successor to the Death Lord〉

〈The One Who Ended Eternity〉

〈The Warrior Whose Name Mutakta Remembered〉

〈Hero of the Northern Part of the Continent of Kaisar〉

〈The One Who Became Master of a Divine Beast〉

〈Champion of the Dragon and Phoenix Gathering〉

〈Slayer of the Unorthodox Alliance Leader〉

First, the titles.

There was the one he had earned for entering the gate first, and the one for breaking the Human-Faced Spider's shell.

'... The effects get insane from number four onward.'

The first three were, well, titles that didn't hurt to have.

But things were different starting with the fourth.

First up, The Law of Victory.

The title, which had previously only granted a 20% damage increase for a 200-level difference, had received a massive upgrade.

Now it boosted stats and damage for every 100 levels of difference.

It would be tremendously effective against high-level monsters.

And as for The Beginning of a Legend – Part One...

'Wow.'

He swallowed hard.

The reason was simple.

'I get to double-dip?'

Just look at the entries in Part One.

Most were achievements that had already earned him titles. There was almost nothing left to milk out of them.

But Part One made that possible.

'Once I collect ten...'

He would gain an effect that wasn't merely special, but very special.

'Right. Recycling is the way of the world these days.'

Just as it paid to check even an extinguished fire, how great would it be to squeeze another reward out of achievements that had already paid off?

The entries would fill up naturally as he progressed, and then he would learn what the effect was.

And considering there was a Part Two...

'There must be a Part Three, too, right?'

Three rounds of recycling.

His heart swelled at the thought.

Now that he had checked his title rewards...

'Time to check the item.'

The clue to ascension.

The item that had put him through all that hell.

He had seen that it had evolved into a ring as his clear reward.

He rummaged through his inventory, and a ring soon emerged.

[Ring of Ascension]

[Grade: Ancient]

[A ring created through the evolution of the clue to ascension. A special energy dwells within it.]

[Requirement: Level 100 or higher]

[Effect 1. Possession grants eligibility to attempt the 'Ascension Ritual.']

[Effect 2. All stats increase by 100.]

[Effect 3. The potency of all curses increases by 50%.]

[Effect 4. Allows the use of Death Spirit Sword Art (S).]

"Ancient?"

Kim Minwoo's eyes widened.

Of the seven item grades, this belonged to the sixth. Even he had obtained Ancient-grade items only five times while playing the game.

The Legend-grade ring whose abilities the Dorim Guild Master had partially revealed...

Comparing that to this...

'I'd owe my precious Ascension an apology just for making the comparison.'

Its effects were that insane.

Its bonuses were practically endgame gear.

An increase of 100 to all stats.

That was a solid, dependable effect.

And the 50% boost to curse potency was truly...

'I can hardly believe it, even seeing it with my own eyes.'

Curse of Aging reduced Defense and movement speed by 20% each.

Now that would be 30%.

And that wasn't all.

Alongside summoning, curses were one of the indispensable branches of a necromancer's skills.

He would keep learning more curses, and the bonus would apply to every last one.

It certainly showed why the ring was Ancient-grade.

As for its final effect, Death Spirit Sword Art...

'Finally, a swordsman skill.'

For Kim Minwoo, it was like finding an oasis during a drought.

No matter how much he swung his sword, he never acquired a skill. That left him with nothing but straightforward, skill-free swings to show for his swordsmanship.

'Not anymore.'

Now he could use a skill with his sword, too.

He had already seen what Death Spirit Sword Art did while fighting Baek Hakseong. It was a sword art that unleashed dozens of streams of sinister sword energy.

It performed superbly both as an area attack and against a single target.

There would be plenty of ways to use it.

He slipped the ring onto his finger.

[You have equipped the Ring of Ascension!]

[You have gained eligibility to attempt the 'Ascension Ritual'!]

[* The 1,321st ritual is already underway.]

[* You may apply when recruitment opens for the 1,322nd ritual!]

'Huh? The 1,321st?'

Did it run on some kind of regular cycle?

It seemed he couldn't do it right now.

'Well, I wasn't planning to go right away anyway.'

He had only just cleared a gate and come out. However serious he was about clearing gates, he was still human. He needed rest, as well as time to examine everything he had gained.

'I'll take this opportunity to get everything in order.'

He was level 151 now, too.

He had already secured the elixirs, so those weren't an issue, but he still had plenty to do: enhancing C-rank skill books to +9, Bone Exchange, setting up new equipment, and more.

'Once I've finished all that...'

Kim Minwoo recalled the message he had seen inside the gate.

The notification that the Death Lord's second call had been activated. This time, it hadn't dragged him away by force as the first one had.

'I'll deal with the second call.'

Hadn't there been four legion commanders in total?

He would probably obtain another one this time.

He was already more than satisfied with Cedric. Anticipation was building at the thought of what the second legion commander might be like.

'I'd better make a lot of money.'

Buying elixirs before entering had left him suddenly broke. A few hundred billion won wouldn't get him anywhere anymore.

He needed serious money now.

First, he'd get some crafting going.

And secure some bigger investments.

It looked like he would have to keep busy.

He smacked his lips as he recalled the last sight he had seen before leaving the gate.

After he killed the Unorthodox Alliance leader, a sword and other loot had dropped.

But he hadn't had any time to pick them up.

To put something in his inventory, he had to have it in his hands first.

It wasn't as though he could scoop up distant items with telekinesis.

So he hadn't been able to collect them.

Loot from bosses in run-of-the-mill gates wouldn't have excited him much, but an A+ gate boss was another matter.

'The Unorthodox Alliance leader should practically count as a boss.'

He must have dropped one hell of a sword.

If Minwoo could equip it, great. Even if he couldn't, selling it might have brought in trillions.

Losing that stung a little.

"Snowy."

"Cooo."

A voice came from farther inside the room. Fortunately, Snowy seemed to have followed him out safely.

A moment later...

FLAP!

Snowy flew over.

But the bird was carrying something large in its beak.

"Coo."

Snowy dropped it into his hand.

"...?"

It was a sword.

The very sword the Unorthodox Alliance leader had used.

[Death Spirit Sword]

[Grade: Legend]

[A sword passed down through generations of Unorthodox Alliance leaders. It is said to grow stronger as it absorbs blood. Anyone other than the Alliance Leader must possess the requisite qualification to wield it.]

[Requirement: The Unorthodox Alliance leader, or one who has killed the Alliance Leader.]

[Effect 1. Absorbs blood when the wielder kills enemies of an equal or higher level. The sword gradually grows as it absorbs blood. (0/10,000)]

[Effect 2. ????]

[Effect 3. ????]

Snowy had... brought the sword?

He swept Snowy into his arms.

"Oh, my precious baby! Who do you take after, always doing such wonderful things?"

As he gently stroked the bird's head, Snowy cooed in apparent delight.

'This is insane.'

The Unique-grade Ghost Sword?

Its only useful feature was the 40 Magic Power.

Showing hallucinations, summoning wraiths, and the like—those effects were useless against high-level mobs anyway.

But this Death Spirit Sword...

'It's Legend-grade.'

And a growth-type item with no level requirement, at that. It was such a masterpiece that comparing it to the likes of the Ghost Sword felt insulting.

'Finally, I've got a decent sword.'

A masterpiece he could wield for a very long time, no less.