Chapter 167

167th Episode

Amateur Cultist

The Bone Goblin I created obliterated the living Goblins.

“Ki-shat! Ki-shi-shi!”

“Keeaaak!”

The clubs and crude hammers wielded by the Goblins were utterly ineffective against the sturdy undead monsters made of bones.

Jingle-jangle…

Even when injured, the Bone Goblins could quickly regenerate by reattaching broken bones, showing no sign of stopping.

As undead beings who’ve already died once, they don’t easily disappear. Though even considering this, they seemed excessively powerful.

The battle ended almost too easily. As I was surprised by their overwhelming strength and tried to cancel the necromancy,

Ding!

An artificial sound, now familiar but still out of place, rang in my ears.

“Calculating the minions’ combat results.”

“Mission Points +3”

“Total Mission Points +65”

I thought I understood most of the floating text in front of me, but this was something new to me.

Minions’ battle?

The small creatures toddling around the tower came to mind. Minion meant something like lackey or underling, if I recall correctly.

Since I was quite intelligent, having graduated from university, I tried to quickly understand the situation.

The word ‘minion’ likely referred to my Bone Goblins. And since they killed three Goblins, the mission points increased by three?

My hypothesis matched the facts perfectly. I really was smart, as always.

But gaining mission points for having my creations k*ll… it did remind me of the necromancers and necromancers in games, didn’t it?

d*mn, did I really have this ability?

I felt both incredibly surprised and as thrilled as a child receiving an expensive game console for Christmas.

“Rise.”

I immediately revived the fallen Goblins as well, bringing my total number of minions to nine.

Though a little out of breath, it wasn’t unbearable.

“d*mn, this is incredible.”

What was happening?

I couldn’t stop my lips from curling up beneath my mask. I really felt like a real necromancer.

Come to think of it, maybe I truly had talent as a necromancer? d*mn, was I a genius?

I’d always thought I was somewhat extraordinary, but seeing this in reality was even making me fear myself.

Hassan of Steel, the Warrior.

No, Hassan of Steel, the Necromancer.

Imagining myself reviving skeletons to slaughter monsters gave me chills.

However, soon a shiver ran down my spine from an unsettling presence.

Crackling sounds of branches being stepped on and bushes being parted could be heard around me. Were more Goblins coming? But this felt different.

The footsteps were heavy, the strides long. And the metallic clinking sounds suggested these were humans.

Realizing this, I suddenly became nervous. d*mn, if they saw this scene, I’d surely be branded and hunted as a cultist.

“Disperse! Disperse!”

So I quickly made the nine Bone Goblins disappear.

“Who screamed around here?”

“Who even screamed? There’s no one here.”

“Could it be a roe deer? Their cries sound similar to humans.”

“Roe deer taste good.”

Their voices were close enough to hear clearly.

Like a guilty person about to be caught, I hid behind an old pillar at the ruined shrine. It might not fully hide my large figure, but it was better than nothing.

Soon, four people appeared – two young men and two women.

Jingle.

The chains around their necks, swinging as they moved, were gray in color. They must be an Iron Tier adventurer party from some guild.

Their equipment – thin leather armor, clubs, longswords, and daggers – seemed rather crude, suggesting they weren’t very skilled.

Like how Luna, Malco, and the old professor worked when we were cleaning this shrine.

Newbies, probably.

These newbies screamed upon seeing the pile of bones and Goblin corpses on the ground.

“sh*t, look at all this bl**d!”

“What happened here? What is this?”

Compared to the men panicking, the women armed with longswords and daggers remained somewhat calm.

“Stop overreacting about some bl**d.”

“Yeah, more importantly, there are Goblin corpses. Were those screams actually Goblin noises?”

A female adventurer with a brown ponytail and leather clothes knelt down and examined the corpse, speaking after touching it.

“They haven’t been dead for long. I wonder if there’s any beast or monster around here capable of killing Goblins…”

“It’s a bit unsettling. Scadi, let’s just go back. We’ve gathered all the herbs and I really want to clean up.”

Then, the Iron Tier newbie party carefully collected even the Goblin’s fangs.

d*mn, they’re gone.

Only after they left did I venture out from behind the pillar. If I hadn’t hid and they saw me… what would have happened?

I was feeling great just moments ago, thinking I had talent for necromancy. But now, I had some concerns.

A person talented in crime and impiety…

A brilliantly evil genius…

Is it right to be happy about this?

If I keep this up, I might end up more as a villain fitting for the Prison City’s Chakko rather than the hero with the golden necklace I aspire to be.

*

Returning to Sodomora’s west gate, I changed clothes in a secluded alley where no one would see.

I considered throwing away this outfit and mask used for the task, but since I spent one silver coin, I decided to carefully put them in my bag instead.

Maybe I’ll use them again someday.

In any case, I felt I spent the morning rather productively. I experimented with my newfound power and realized how dangerously overwhelming it still was for me to handle. I really need to be careful not to get caught by anyone.

Thinking about this reminded me of that awkward excuse I made to Paranoi earlier. When we meet again, I need to make sure she keeps our secret. It would be best if she swore by the Styx River.

A Styx Oath is the highest-level binding promise in this world.

Even Paranoi, who often betrays, cannot break this vow. The power of this oath made even me break out in a cold sweat.

Remembering that sudden sharp pain in my lower abdomen made me feel actual cold sweat. It was like a downpour.

After walking around the forest under this blistering sun wearing a concealing robe and mask, my body must’ve gotten quite heated.

d*mn, it’s hot.

I wiped the blinding sweat with something akin to a handkerchief from my pocket.

Swish, swish…

A soft floral fragrance accompanied the movement. Though I’m not sure what kind of flower it is, it didn’t smell bad. Why does my handkerchief smell so pleasant?

Taking a better look, I noticed it was white silk with red tulips embroidered on it.

The tulip was said to be the emblem of the Fleur Baron’s house.

Speaking of which, I have business with this Baron. I heard he’s looking for a healer to cure his daughter’s illness.

Looking up, the sun was nearly at its zenith. Luna probably has some time before she finishes her errands.

During this time, I decided to wander around until evening, wondering if this might be an opportunity to earn gold coins.

“d*mn, I can’t walk in this heat.”

Since it was impossible to walk in this scorching sun, I flagged down a nearby carriage.

“Where shall I take you?”

“Do you know Baron Fleur? Let’s head to his residence.”

“Shall we go to the villa near the South Gate or the main mansion near the East Gate?”

Hmm…

I never thought that the Fleur Baron would own two houses in this expensive city.

Luna and I struggled just to add a second floor to our small cottage. The life of nobility truly is different.

“Where can I find the Baron?”

“Apparently he usually stays in the southern villa during summer. It’s probably better to go that way.”

“Alright, let’s do that.”

“Then let’s get moving. Hohohoh!”

Snap!

With a light whip crack, the strong black horse began moving its hooves. The scenery outside the window started to change gradually.

Did I just hear the driver imitate a horse neigh?

I must’ve misheard.

“Phew…”

Finally taking shelter under the carriage’s shade, I exhaled deeply.

Undoubtedly, riding a carriage is preferable to walking. Though it’s not extremely cool, at least it protects from the direct sunlight.

Money is certainly useful.

With that obvious thought, I was about to indulge in reverie.

“Excuse me, traveler. You’re going to Baron Fleur’s place? Considering you don’t know the location of the mansion, you’re not an acquaintance of the Baron, are you?”

The man sitting on the driver’s seat spoke to me. In this world, drivers tend to be rather talkative and often start conversations with passengers.

Come to think of it, taxi drivers back on Earth also used to talk to me a lot. Is my face inviting?

However, exhausted from the heat, I wasn’t in the mood to chat much. So I simply made up an answer.

“Just going there for some business.”

“You might be mistaken. You should be careful. Baron Fleur… that man makes Samaritans shake in fear.”

“Is that so?”

“That man, when he was younger, his wife was supposedly kidnapped by Samaritans.”

“…I see. Is that story reliable?”

“It’s a story everyone whispers quietly, but it’s common knowledge among drivers. And what circulates among us drivers is usually true.”

I heard that the Fleur Baron disliked immigrants, didn’t I? Now I understand why. I almost considered asking the driver to turn back, but we had already arrived in front of the gigantic mansion.

I couldn’t estimate how many pyeong the property stretched, but there stood a high iron fence surrounded by red roses or creepers.

d*mn, it’s huge.

This is the second time I’ll be entering a noble’s home.

The first time was when I visited the garden of the Golden Beard Dwarf Baron to acknowledge the commendation for military merit, but it was night, so I didn’t realize how vast and magnificent it was.

However, seeing Baron Fleur’s villa – or rather the garden of this villa during the day, it was truly extensive. Even in the expensive city center, such a structure existed!

The nobility must be richer than I imagined.

Maybe they are like tycoons?

It crossed my mind that I might really receive a bag of gold coins if I cure the daughter’s illness.

Of course, whether I can actually heal her remains to be seen.

Let’s aim high, but not too disappointed if it doesn’t work.

And even if I fail to heal her, this noble will likely leave me and the innkeeper alone, who’s been pestering me. Overall, it seems I won’t suffer any losses.

Therefore, at the corner near the villa entrance, I put on the dark crimson robe and mask again.

Since the baron reportedly dislikes Samaritans, it seemed better to conceal my identity. I’m glad I didn’t throw these away earlier.

But would they really let someone as suspicious-looking as me in?

With this question in mind, I approached the guards in iron armor guarding the villa garden’s entrance.

Clang clang…

The guards crossed their long halberds in an X to block the entrance.

“What is the matter?”

“Identify yourself. This is private property. Not just anyone can enter.”

Exactly as I had imagined. Not too excessive, nor insufficient, a truly professional response from the guards. Indeed, they are employed by nobility.

Hmm, ahem…

I cleared my throat a few times and spoke in a rather deep voice.

“I’ve come for an appointment… Here, see this…”

Then, I showed the guard a handkerchief embroidered with tulips from my bosom, without resolving their suspicion.

“That’s-”

One guard took it.

What’s going to happen now?

As I tensely waited behind the mask, after some whispered consultation, the guards soon uncrossed their halberds and opened the gate.

“Please come in.”

“The baron has been waiting for you for a long time.”

Ah, their attitude has become quite respectful.

Indeed.

What will happen next?

With tension and trembling in my chest, I slowly stepped into the garden.

The deep shadow cast by the mansion enveloped my body.

At that moment, countless pigeons flew up from the mansion’s roof with a flutter.

Whoosh whoosh whoosh…

Suddenly, birds took flight.

It was an incredibly strange omen, but my steps didn’t halt. They continued moving slowly but surely toward the inside.

The squawk of the chicks is somewhat strange.

[Author’s Note]

Big thanks to MostlyRandomNickname-sama, StoneKingKong-sama, Mungchu-sama, Instinct-sama, Furniture-sama, Joyjang-sama, Osusut-sama, Vurgil-sama, Raphakreckis-sama, GrandChief-sama, FOB-sama, SilverMackerel-sama, Kadeom-sama, Qaisha-sama, PotatoServer-sama, and everyone who has given anonymous support with coupons.

Thanks to all of you, I’ve been able to enjoy delicious ramen.

And I’m very grateful for all the recommendations and comments!

---