Ch.57Hostage Situation Is Dangerous (1)

It had already been a week since the double dungeon incident.

Most of the hunters from the raid team had returned to their normal lives, and I too had been discharged from the hospital and returned home.

The first thing to welcome me back was, unfortunately, my account with its rating dropped due to inactivity.

【Diamond I】

“…Sigh.”

I had expected it, but it was still a merciless penalty. The thought of having to climb back up the ranks made the future look bleak.

I sighed and summoned my status window in mid-air.

Ding.

【Baek Eunha】

▶Title:

▶Level: 35

Thanks to defeating monsters in the large dungeon and the double dungeon, my level had risen dramatically. That was at least one silver lining in this situation.

Slightly boosting my morale, I nodded with satisfaction.

“Now I’m finally somewhat useful.”

Thanks to this, I could probably summon someone at Jack or Hans’s level using the Book of Death without experiencing overload.

I could finally be free from those days of groaning in pain after using my power just once.

‘And they said my B-rank promotion evaluation is in progress…’

Things were progressing somewhat smoothly.

However, I had a few new concerns.

They were about Chae Hwain and Rich Gordon, both former S-rank hunters.

‘First, I need to restore both of their memories.’

Ironically, like Gordon, Chae Hwain also couldn’t recall most of her memories.

It was probably because she had been in a dormant soul state for a long time and was turned into an undead through a hastily performed ritual.

– That woman is likely to recover her memories as time passes.

“Who doesn’t know that?”

Because I had established a simple connection, Gordon could converse with me even while inside the Book of Death.

“You’re one to talk when you can’t even remember things yourself. Tsk.”

– ……

Perhaps because he was already bound to me through a soul contract, Gordon had somewhat recognized my abilities and was now completely submissive.

– If you would just prepare a vessel for my life, I am ready to serve you with all my heart and soul…

“Weren’t you calling me a third-rate quack before?”

– Ahem.

While it was annoying to see him suddenly trying to serve me as his master, I knew that creating a physical body for Gordon was indeed the most urgent task, so I clicked my tongue and fell into thought.

‘The ring is broken anyway, so I need to find a replacement…’

Helena said she would find something with similar effects as soon as possible, but since it was originally a high-grade artifact, it clearly wouldn’t be easy.

And during the remaining time, I planned to continue the research I had been postponing while simultaneously crafting Gordon’s life vessel.

‘I don’t like it, but this guy is the key.’

My transportation from Earth to Thebe, the side effects I experienced upon returning, and the inexplicable dungeon incident—

If I could restore Gordon’s memories, I would likely find some clues related to all of this.

“…Useless guy.”

– I-I will do my best to recover my memories as soon as possible.

And so, a month passed.

#

Click.

Click.

Tick, tick.

– The two in the back don’t have spells.

“When will they get them?”

– In about 24 and 17 seconds, I’d say.

Click.

Click click!

【You have defeated an enemy!】

As if he hadn’t become a lich just for show, Gordon had completely adapted to modern society in just a month.

He had gone beyond basic living skills and was even absorbing various modern knowledge, which spoke volumes about his adaptability.

BOOM!

【Victory!】

– A perfect victory. Utilizing even the incompetent to lead a war is the virtue of a lord. Truly admirable.

“…Stop with the flattery.”

After spending a month together through thick and thin, we had become quite a good team.

Because of that, I had already acknowledged Gordon as my third disciple for some time now.

– I want to form a physical body as soon as possible; there is so much fascinating knowledge here.

“Don’t rush me. It won’t be long now.”

I won’t repeat past mistakes. Of course, I hadn’t just been playing around all this time. Gordon’s new life vessel was already nearing completion.

‘Things are going smoothly.’

Although I hadn’t been able to participate in the party’s dungeon raids during this time, Gordon’s life vessel was worth more than that.

Even thinking simply, it meant adding combat power equivalent to at least a decent A-rank hunter.

Moreover, if completed properly, I would be able to summon and command Gordon without expending much power. Regardless of his memories, it was naturally tempting.

Whoosh.

I focused intently as I entered the final stages of the work.

I used a necklace with powerful durability enhancement magic as the medium. Since the enhancement effect only applied to the necklace itself, I had purchased it at a bargain price despite its quality.

Since a life vessel needs to be sturdy above all else, this was fortunate for me.

– How is it going?

“…Don’t talk to me.”

Only after the sun had set and late night had fallen did the work finally come to an end.

– Then, if I may ask…

With Gordon’s cooperation, I transferred his soul from the Book of Death, where I had been keeping it, to the new life vessel.

And soon after, Gordon summoned himself in soul form.

“It’s a success.”

“How’s your condition?”

“Excellent.”

Right now, he was just a soul, but if he wanted, he could freely resurrect his previous physical body.

It was truly the birth of an all-purpose slave that could be utilized in various ways.

“Your memories?”

At my words, Gordon immediately shook his head. Despite trying various measures while creating the new life vessel, it seemed they had no effect.

‘…It seems beyond my current capabilities.’

But there was no need to rush. I was already regaining my power anyway. The tasks that needed to be done remained unchanged.

I gazed blankly at the star-filled night sky.

#

“So, this is… a lich?”

“Yes. His name is Gordon.”

The next day, I introduced Gordon to Seoha after she woke up.

Although I had told her about him beforehand, she still seemed unconvinced as she greeted Gordon with a dubious expression.

“…Nice to meet you.”

“Though I now serve my master, you should remember in your heart that I am not a being that mere humans can address casually…”

WHACK!

Since he was saying unnecessary things, I struck the back of his head with some magical force, and Gordon reluctantly gave a proper response with a dissatisfied face.

“…I’ll be in your care.”

Next were the party members. They had just returned from a dungeon run without me, and their reactions to Gordon were quite varied.

“You really brought him back to life…”

“…Can we use him as combat power?”

“He’s not going to betray us or anything, right?”

After finishing the introductions like that, it was already evening.

I was heading home in Song Hayeon’s car, deep in thought.

‘Now I can handle two or three people.’

Before, even riding in a car with Song Hayeon was quite an ordeal, but now it’s much better. Perhaps by the time I break through level 50, I might be able to live a somewhat normal life.

This annoying side effect will disappear someday. And, if possible, my original body too.

‘…Though I’m more used to this one now.’

Feeling somewhat bitter, I tilted my head and closed my eyes.

After some time had passed, I suddenly sensed a strange energy and jerked awake.

“Stop the car.”

“What?”

“Ugh. T-too late.”

SCREECH!

A cargo truck that had crossed into the oncoming lane was suddenly rushing toward us.

“Huh? What?”

Song Hayeon panicked and turned the wheel, but it was too late. Soon, with a violent crash, a strong impact traveled through my entire body.

CRASH!

BOOM—!

Song Hayeon’s compact car flipped twice and crashed into the mountainside road, and we barely managed to get out by kicking off the crumpled doors.

BOOM!

“Ugh. Ah…”

“Are you okay?”

“My reaction was a bit slow, so my leg…”

“I-I told you to work on your reflexes.”

Leaving Song Hayeon who was looking at her wrecked car with a tearful expression, I went to check on the driver of the cargo truck that had collided with us.

A man in his mid-40s bleeding profusely—he was already dead.

‘…I definitely felt something from this direction.’

BANG!

Opening the door and lifting the head of the driver slumped over the steering wheel, I saw characters written in magical energy on his forehead.

“Hades?”

The energy I had felt earlier lingered faintly around the man’s head. It seemed he had fallen victim to some kind of mind control ability.

In other words, someone had deliberately attacked me.

‘…How annoying.’

It was more like a malicious greeting than an attack. The message left in that manner made it clear.

And I found it utterly contemptible.

Whoosh.

I too can use this kind of magic. Through the magical residue left in the mind-controlled man’s head, I briefly traced its trail.

A woman with red hair and sharp features. Around her was a bustling city somewhere outside of Korea.

She must have sensed me too, as she flinched and stared into space with a surprised face.

I met that gaze and simply took in her appearance.

“……”

Since I began being called the Lord of Death over there, I have never refused this kind of arrogant challenge.

And the price has always been the death of the challenger.