Chapter 20

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***

I walked out of the auction office in a new suit.

My order was finally ready. On top of that, I had acquired a couple of new skills. While I was busy in the dungeon, rune stones had appeared at the auction. I especially liked the rain summoning spell. By itself, it doesn't do any damage at all, but it makes the environment just the perfect conduit for lightning or freezing spells, greatly increasing their effectiveness.

In general, skills like these:

Call of Rain - 2nd level.

Creates many drops of moisture around the caster

Defence Sphere - 3rd level.

Erects a protective barrier around the target

Mystic Channeling - 1 level.

Increases intelligence by 5%

Two active skills and one passive to increase magical powers. I'm already used to replacing "intelligence" in my mind specifically with magic. This characteristic did not make me any smarter. Although, my memory was a little better. But, at the same time, with this characteristic grew my ability to conduct huge amounts of mana for my spells, as well as control over this very magical energy, both my own and surrounding me.

In this respect, the Monarch's Power truly feels like something special.

Where other beings have some control over their own mana, Monarchs are not only subject to their own magical power, but also to the neutral mana around them. It's as if the universe itself recognises their power. Actually, this is the essence of the skill, it can be called super-precise control of mana.

And so, in a new suit, I arrived at the gate.

The area was cordoned off by the men of the hunters' guild. Somewhere off to the side, the workers from the mining squad were watching the situation tensely. And at the gate itself, the best hunters of the guild were preparing for an emergency raid. As I approached the place, I could already sense two powerful S-rank auras.

- Um, excuse me, who are you? - The guard blocking my way was puzzled.

But actually, my appearance had already been sensed by the elite hunters.

- Mr Jong-in? - Another guard looked round in surprise.

A young guy with glasses came over here as well. His brown hair glistened with fiery highlights. The hunter himself was wearing an exclusive enchanted suit. Like me, it looked like it was customised. But also, now he was still wearing a cloak, seemingly from some dungeon. On each of the mage's fingers are magical rings. And, in fact, I'd seen him before. When destroying the monsters in this guild's dungeon, he was the one who led the squad that came to deal with what was going on.

- Hunter Sung Jin Woo, I presume? - He said.

- Yes. I hear you're having trouble with the gate.

The mage grinned.

- I guess word travels fast. - He didn't deny the circumstances. - Would you like to offer your help?

- Yes, I think an extra S-class mage wouldn't be out of place. - I shrug.- That's right...

- Half the price of a standard raid contract. I'm not here for the money.

The hunter looked at me in surprise.

- You mean you just want to help? Why?

- What do you mean why? We're humans, they're monsters. Guilds, government, free hunters, we're all on the same side.

- I see. - The mage sighed with relief. - I'll be glad to have your help.

He held out his hand to me.

- I don't have time to draw up a contract, but I promise you'll get the payment you're due. You take my word for it?

- That'll do. - I shake his hand.

Then the two of us walk outside the cordoned-off area and approach the raid team. On the way, I took out a sorcerer's cloak from my inventory and threw it over my costume.

- There's rather little information on you, you've managed to become an S-rank and avoid public attention. You don't like attention?

- I don't seek fame.

- I see.

Jong In glanced towards the portal, which reeked of powerful energy. It was still an A-rang gate, but one of the most dangerous in its class.

- So, what happened here? - I thought I'd ask.

- Our auxiliary battle group has been out of contact for five hours. So the danger of this gate was greater than anticipated.

- You decided to help us? - A surprised girl approached me.

Another S-rank hunter, blonde in light armour, armed with a rapier.

- Yes...

- Thank you. - She bowed her head gratefully.

- Erm, no need... if you're ready yourself, maybe we should start already?

- We were just about to. - Jung In nodded.

Actually, I found out about this incident after I picked up my suit. I wanted to meet Hee Jin afterwards, as there was still time before the Architect's Gate appeared. But it turned out that the Hunter Guild's battle group had disappeared into the dungeon. The first group had already gathered their forces and were preparing to rescue their comrades. So, I decided to join them. They wouldn't refuse to help in such a situation.

As I was entering the gate, I noticed that the girl looked at me strangely.

That's the one, by the way.

I don't remember her name, but she was Jin Woo's love interest in the comic. Maybe I should look into her. Although, to be honest, I'm not sure if it's going to work out. Besides, I still have Hee Jin. Too bad Joo Hee and I are, shall we say, broken up.

- Let's go in. - Jung In said clearly.

And we entered the spacious cave.

By the way, while we were walking, the swordswoman came closer to me. She kept walking beside me.

She doesn't trust me? Does she want to keep her hand on my pulse so she can attack me if I pull any tricks? Although, I think she also had a weird thing with smell perception. Namely, she could smell magic. Powerful hunters and monsters smelled unbearably of stench to her. In the comic, she was interested in Jin Woo because he smelled good. It seems to work the same way for me. And it's actually kind of interesting.

- There are bodies here! - One of the scouts exclaimed.

- Dead... - The mage exhaled.

- There was a battle here...

We came to a spacious cave where the bodies of hunters lay in different places.

- High orcs... - The swordswoman pronounced, covering her nose with her hand.

Six dead hunters and one High Orc they had managed to kill. Oh, and four scarlet wolves in collars, but they were obviously killed without too much trouble.

- Where are the rest of them? - Jong-in frowned.

This was a strange place. Although I could assume that the others had simply been captured. Remember, the boss here is supposed to be a rather eccentric character. But, hunters don't often encounter intelligent monsters that can not just kill, but mock the victim before doing so. So, to the hunters guild group, everything here seemed very strange.

- Let's just go further and have a look. - I said calmly.

- Yes... - The mage nodded tensely.

When the group went on, I wanted to stay and pick up the dead, but the swordswoman was close by and did not let me out of her sight. We found no more bodies ahead of us.

And so we soon came not to another cave, but to a spacious hall, which was filled with a whole crowd of monsters. Muscular red-skinned monsters that looked like humans, but with protruding mandibles and long fangs. The bodies of most of them were adorned with tattoos. And though most of them used no armour at all, some of the orcs were clad in real armour. At the head of it all, an orc warlock sat on a massive throne.

In the centre of the hall there was a wooden floor, like a wrestling ring.

Here and there on this field lay the bodies of hunters.

But a small group was still alive and fighting one particularly powerful orc.

- Oh... it looks like we have uninvited guests at our feast! - The wizard on the throne said in a satisfied tone.

- W-what?!? - Our mage's eyes bulged out.

- He's... talking?

- Impossible!

The orc raised his palm, and the battle in the ring came to a halt. The Orc champion stopped and put down his axe. And the hunters took advantage of this to catch their breath and didn't even think of attacking their opponent so as not to provoke him.

- Mr Jung-Ying! Madam Hae-ying!One of the surviving hunters truly cried out in relief upon seeing the strongest people of the guild.

So, I have two options here.

I can safely fight alongside the group as a normal S-rank mage.

Or, while they are still distracted, I can quickly attack the boss and destroy all the monsters.

Which will I choose?

- Aesil.

- Yes, master! - The demoness cheerfully responded.

The next moment, the orc warlock stood up, preparing to make some sort of pathos speech, and suddenly found me standing right in front of him.

- А?

- What the?

Even the hunters were a bit taken aback by this.

At the same moment, hundreds of my soldiers attacked the mass of orcs. The knights were piercing them with their pikes. Shadow wolves leapt out of the gloom, digging into the throat of the enemy. Igris also raised his sword like a spear. And the demonic guards under Aesil's command also attacked with spears. It was to her that I entrusted the command of the demonic part of my troops. Though Annatar had a higher rank in their world during his lifetime, the demoness was stronger now. Her voluntary oath and conversion had given her far more than a normal shadow could get. And in the end, I just liked her.

- K-how's that...

Even the S-rank hunters almost dropped their jaws.

- Those are... shadow warriors. - The taller orc said in shock. - So you... Monarch... why are we fighting?

- Don't you remember? - I asked.

I really wondered how well this creature realised what was happening.

- What?

- As for you... if you're here, it means your army lost to the Rulers.

- N-no... it's...

The orc backed away from me in terror.

I saw his face contort in agonised bewilderment beneath the skull mask. And, the next moment, his body shuddered as if in a disturbance.

- You wretched little man! - The humanoid roared furiously.

- That's how...

With a sigh, I threw a single punch.

The orc's head flew off, separated from his body by a lightning-fast cut.

Looking back, however, I glance at my servants.

Igris has brought the heads to my feet again. A champion of the higher orcs and another particularly large red-skinned humanoid. But, this time...

- You too? - I was perplexed.

Iron also threw someone's head at my feet. And Aesil brought it in her hands and gently placed it on the floor in front of me.

- These were the strongest warriors of the rabble. - She declared, smiling sweetly. - If you want them in your army.....

And she looked away from me in embarrassment.

- So that's it. - I concluded, sitting down on the boss's throne.

At the same time, the energy of the dungeon was already in a chaotic state, causing the hunters to feel the pressure of the gate closing soon. But, they just stood there and looked at me sitting on the throne in awe. And the hundreds of shadows that knelt before me. Although, in fact, they weren't even all my soldiers.

- А...

- What?" Hae In squeezed her eyes shut, and then widened them again.

Jong In was still standing there with his mouth open.

- Well, the job is done. - I got up from the throne.

My shadows began to fade away. Not all of them went to my vault, though. Some disappeared into the shadows of the hunters, and a few more remained in the shadows of the hall.

- Quickly. - The mage has come to his senses. - Let's take the bodies of our comrades and leave.

He wouldn't go mining for resources in a dungeon that was closing. Especially at a time like this, when an entire battle group had been wiped out.

- How powerful is he?

- Summoned so many monsters... and they massacred the High Orcs so quickly!

The hunters were still whispering about what had happened.

But, they were already leaving, picking up and carrying away the bodies of their fallen co-guildmates. And, just as the hall was emptying, I still separated from the group to return. I went straight to my soldiers.

- Rise up!

The scarlet ghosts, having cast the darkness itself upon themselves, rose up to serve me. Although even the boss of this dungeon was still just a strong elite knight, I was no longer squeamish about weak troops. Since the size of my army was no longer limited by the skill limits. And a little later, I repeated this with the bodies of the fallen hunters when they were left unattended.

Actually, I wasn't going to announce to the world that I wasn't just summoning monsters, but specifically raising dead creatures, both monsters and humans, as my servants. Of course, when the full-scale war with the Monarchs begins, this would likely become clear. Yes, even with ants, I will be raising them after all, so this ability will probably become known. There are some conventions here, though, really. And it's really not that big of a deal. Even if people find out that I lift the shadows of the dead, it won't matter much. It's just that I didn't want everyone I met to leer at me as a damn evil necromancer. That would be somewhat uncomfortable.

In the meantime.

- I've transferred the payment to your account. - Hunter Jin Wu, I am also willing to offer you an even more favourable contract.

I could only shake my head negatively.

- I'm sorry, but I'm not interested in guilds. I'm not going to join a faction.

- I see.

I checked the message on my smartphone about the funds being credited.- Hmm, it's more than we bargained for.

- That's my thanks. - Nodded the mage. - Thanks to you, we finished quickly and avoided more casualties.

The amount he transferred was ten times more than what we agreed on. As payment to an S-rank hunter for clearing five A-rank dungeons. Well, considering that even S-rank hunters don't clear such dungeons alone, but act as part of a group. But even so, they get the biggest share.

- Okay. If you have any problems like this again, feel free to call me. I'm always happy to help.

- I hope I don't have to take advantage of your kindness again, Hunter Woo-nim. - The mage bowed his head in a polite bow.

- Well, I will take my leave...

I leave the hunters' camp, then disappear into the shadows as soon as I'm out of their sight. It seems the swordswoman still wanted to talk about something, but I didn't linger for her sake. Instead, I headed straight to the hospital where Jin Wu's mother was being held.

There, I didn't officially visit the woman, but sneaked into the ward so that her recovery wouldn't be linked to me later.

And, one of the miraculous elixirs was used.

But, I also didn't wait for Gen-He to wake up and just left the room. But after thinking for a while, I called my sister and asked her to visit my mother. I think it would be better for her to see a familiar face when she wakes up. Although, it's been so long, but hopefully she'll recognise her own daughter.

Instead, I just headed towards the abandoned neighbourhood.

The same place where I hit the red gate. This part of the city has long been abandoned by the residents due to the fact that this is where the frequency of new gates opening is very high. And, thanks to my supernatural senses, I could easily sense the most powerful of these gates at a great distance. So, ignoring the C and B-rank gates, I went straight to the A-rank gate.

- Recently opened. - I whispered.

The Hunter Association hadn't even discovered them yet, so I didn't even have to disguise myself just to enter them.

In the end, I encountered two types of monsters here. Poisonous centipedes and fast mantises. The path to the boss hall was cleared for me by the servants, so I didn't even take my hands out of my pockets. When we reached the lair of the giant centipedes that the boss was among, I held my troops back and stepped forward myself.

Disappearance was different from disguise and camouflage, even though its effect didn't disappear if I attacked an enemy. Detecting me could only be done with specialised magic if one was skilled enough to do so. So, I didn't even reveal my presence, deciding to try out new spells.

The centipedes didn't even become alarmed when the air in the cave began to rapidly become saturated with moisture. Drops of water fell to the floor of the cave, and the air itself became more humid.

And then the next moment...

- Freezing.

A wave of fierce cold with a sharp pulse spread from me in all directions, almost instantly turning the water into ice. The monsters were covered in brittle ice, and the weakest ones couldn't even withstand it, frozen as dead sculptures. At the same time, thin icy needles formed from the droplets that had just appeared in the air and started to fall from above were still raining down on them. From this double attack, most of the monsters simply died.

But the boss and his strongest kin survived, shattering the ice that bound them.

And what a shrieking sound that went up, my ears just popped.

But before the monsters realised it, I cast rain again, and then I fired a bolt of lightning. White sparks flew from my fingers and danced between the water particles, streaming across the wet, icy floor, shattering the dead sculptures and burning through the surviving monsters. For a brief moment, the entire cave was flooded with a bright, blinding light.

And then.

- Rise.

I simply replenished my army and moved to the shadow left outside the gate to go on. By the next gate, however, I was travelling in my new ride. Spreading my wings, Kysel carried me towards my new goal. And, I didn't even really care that it was still daytime and other hunters in the area could see me. Well, they'd be a little scared, no big deal.

*** 

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