BXBX NOVEL Chapter 189
Chapter 189: The Seven Lords (2)
The main source of income for the Heavenly City was hunting. The most representative hunting ground was the Fog Forest, where hybrids resided.
“The materials held by each guild are gathered here.”
Amteron, having gone to the warehouse, showed him the materials.
“For hunting just one hybrid, there are quite a variety of materials, huh?”
“As the name ‘hybrid’ suggests, random materials drop when you kill them. In the outer parts of the forest, you can usually obtain materials below level 300.”
“So you’re saying materials from monsters below level 300 can all be found?”
“That’s right.”
“That’s good.”
He thought only hybrid-related materials would drop.
This would broaden the range of items he could create.
Since the materials were diverse.
“But… are you saying you’ll make equipment?”
“I’m a bit of a unique Necromancer. I can make everything up to level 250.”
Among his crafting skills, the highest ranked were blacksmithing and alchemy.
Thanks to the special tutoring he received at the Orc Gate, both skills had grown rapidly and reached rank C. He could create equipment ranging from level 151 to 250.
Moreover, crafting classes leveled up by utilizing crafting skills.
Although they were the most numerous, the skeletons’ average level had also risen to 200 because he utilized them the most.
“250…”
Amteron stroked his chin after hearing Kim Minwoo’s words.
He had heard Kim Minwoo’s plan.
The main point was supplying equipment. He said he would provide high-quality equipment at low prices to the citizens to raise the average level.
‘It’s a bit iffy…’
The entry level for the Heavenly City was 300.
In other words, even the beggars on the street were over level 300.
Could he raise the average level of the residents with such low-level equipment?
Moreover, made by a Necromancer?
Amteron was doubtful.
“What’s wrong?”
“No, nothing.”
“It’s written all over your face. Don’t you trust me?”
“It’s not that I don’t trust you, but…”
“Amteron.”
“Yes.”
“You’re the vice-leader of the guild now. Don’t hesitate and speak your mind. We’re comrades. Do I seem like a tyrant who would behead you for saying something I don’t like?”
“Well…”
Seeing how he killed Blood Wolf’s brother, he didn’t seem like a tyrant…
After a moment of hesitation, Amteron spoke cautiously.
“Since you put it that way, I’ll be frank. Equipment is sold here in the 9th District too. There are shops.”
“Right.”
“Of course, they’re ridiculously expensive for their performance… but anyway, the level restriction is 300 or higher.”
“So?”
“Your equipment has a lower level limit, right? Then the performance has to be much better to be competitive… I thought only crafting races like dwarves could do that.”
Kim Minwoo chuckled at his words.
“You don’t have to worry about the performance.”
“I’m also worried about the supply… How much can you make by yourself, Guild Master? Wouldn’t it be better to gather blacksmiths…?”
“Watch this.”
Kim Minwoo gestured towards the front of the warehouse.
[A group of Skeleton Apprentice Blacksmiths is summoned!]
Thousands of skeletons popped out. The skeletons, strengthened by dragon blood, could use dragon blood tools.
While warriors’ equipment was stained crimson, the blacksmiths’ hammers glowed red. The effect of dragon blood tools was simple.
They produced better items.
For example, even with the same Magic+ rank, an additional effect would be attached, or the existing effect would be enhanced.
Of course, the probability was low.
But since there weren’t just one or two skeletons, the effects of the dragon blood tools triggered quite often.
“Hail.”
Clank!
He spoke to the skeleton who saluted.
“Make something with that over there. Any weapon.”
In that instant,
Hail reached out towards the materials, and a sword was completed in a flash.
“….Huh?”
Amteron’s eyes widened.
‘What did I just see?’
A skeleton crafting equipment?!
It was a shocking sight he had never seen before in his life.
“W-wait a minute! Can I take a look at that sword?”
“Go ahead.”
Amteron hurriedly checked the information on the sword he snatched from Hail’s hand.
[Gargoyle’s Blue Wing Sword]
[Rank: Magic+]
[Level Restriction: 250 or higher, Melee Class]
[A sword made by melting the wing feathers of a monstrous gargoyle. The touch of a skilled blacksmith is felt.]
[Effect 1. Strength +40, Agility +30]
[Effect 2. Upon hitting a target, slows the enemy for 1 second.]
“….Crazy. Are you saying this was made by a skeleton with a snap of its fingers?”
“To be precise, with a tap of its hammer. The efficiency would be even better if it was made in a forge, but it’s a bit of a shame since this is bare ground. So, what do you think? Is it decent?”
“….It’s not just decent! If I didn’t have a weapon, I would have used this until level 400!”
The Blue Wing Sword’s effects were all useful. Any melee class would love this sword.
In terms of performance, it was somewhere between Magic and Rare. Of course, specialized crafting races could also make something like this, but…
“A-are you saying these skeletons can supply this kind of thing indefinitely?”
“Look.”
Kim Minwoo gestured towards the group of skeletons. This time, not only Hail but many other blacksmiths also started to move. The sight of thousands of skeletons reaching for the mountain of materials was spectacular.
Soon, all kinds of equipment began to be crafted.
Just then.
[Skeleton’s level increased by 1!]
[The average level of the Skeleton Apprentice group has reached 201!]
[The Skeleton Legion grows!]
[Summon Skeleton Apprentice (E)+9 has been significantly changed!]
[Skeletons will now be summoned as Intermediate level!]
“Oh.”
They had transformed into apprentices at level 101, and it seemed there was growth at level 201 as well. He had predicted it, but wasn’t sure, and it turned out to be…
‘Lucky.’
It was fortunate.
Or perhaps, it was a reward for diligently raising the average level of over a thousand skeletons.
Along with the message, the skeletons grew larger.
The blazing light in their eyes became even more intense. The small horns that sprouted on their heads were a bonus. He immediately checked the changed skill details.
[Summon Skeleton Intermediate (D)+9]
[Consumes 10 mana to summon 2 (1+1) Intermediate Skeletons of LV201 of your choice.]
[* Currently Available Summons (5/10)]
[1. Skeleton Intermediate Warrior]
[A skeleton fairly skilled in melee combat. Receives additional modifiers.]
[* Summoned with Melee Weapon Skill (C).]
[2. Skeleton Intermediate Blacksmith]
[A skeleton that has become fairly skilled in equipment crafting. Receives additional modifiers.]
[* Summoned with Dwarven Crafting (C).]
[3. Skeleton Intermediate Alchemist]
[* Summoned with Elven Alchemy (C)…]
[4. Skeleton Intermediate Rune Crafter]
[* Summoned with Rune Crafting (D)…]
[5. Skeleton Intermediate Tattooist]
[* Summoned with Tattooing (D)…]
There were currently five types of skeletons that could be summoned.
Warrior, Blacksmith, Alchemist, Rune Crafter, and Tattooist.
‘What was the description for the apprentices?’
Something like ‘more skilled at something.’
That was the modifier.
But the intermediate level was different.
The modifier was ‘has become fairly skilled.’
Additionally, the phrase ‘receives additional modifiers’ was added.
This meant that while the skeletons’ skill levels remained the same, they would receive some kind of additional effect.
‘Well, I can test that out.’
Let’s see what these intermediate guys are made of.
“Make something.”
Clank!
The skeletons raised their hammers.
The moment they struck the materials with force,
[Using Dwarven Crafting (C)!]
[Deep understanding of crafting is accompanied! Proficiency increases rapidly!]
[Crafted equipment is further enhanced!]
[Dragon Blood Tools assist!]
[Intermediate additional effects are applied!]
[The rank of some equipment increases!]
Flash!
Along with a burst of light, some of the equipment flashed brightly.
‘Wait a minute.’
The rank of equipment increases?
Until now, the equipment produced by the skeletons had been Magic+ rank. Despite supplying hundreds of thousands of pieces of equipment, they hadn’t been able to produce anything above Rare rank, as if hitting a wall.
But now it was different.
He picked up a few of the glittering pieces of equipment and examined them….
[Troll Sinew Armor]
[Rank: Rare+]
[Level Restriction: 250 or higher]
[Armor made with a large amount of troll sinew. The meticulousness of a craftsman is felt.]
[Effect 1. Strength +70, Health +70]
[Effect 2. Health regeneration +30%]
[Effect 3. Troll’s Blood (B) is activated. Upon use, health is rapidly restored.]
[* Additional Effect]
[All attribute resistances increased by 10.]
“Gasp…!”
Kim Minwoo wiped his eyes.
The skeletons he had raised with care.
They had truly hit a home run. An item so amazing that it brought tears to his eyes had been born!
‘Good, good.’
It was a masterpiece armor with not a single wasted option. Compared to the existing Magic+ rank, the stat effects were even more inflated, and the equipment’s skill was activated. On top of that, it even had an additional effect.
‘This applies to alchemy, runes, tattoos, everything from now on…’
It was a jackpot.
Amteron, tilting his head at the sight of Kim Minwoo wiping his eyes, approached. He stared at the armor and then let out a scream.
“Gasp!”
Even the Magic+ rank sword from earlier was an item that wouldn’t be outmatched anywhere.
At least in the lower level range.
But this armor now…
It’s a real masterpiece, isn’t it?
“Wh-what is this?! How can a Necromancer craft something like this? Huh?”
“I wonder too.”
Without Hayang’s presence, he would have quickly descended into madness. It was puzzling why the heavens would bestow such an exceptional ability upon someone with such an appalling personality.
“Anyway, does it look good?”
“It’s not just good! This is something that even elite guild members would want. Whether it’s level 600 or 700, if it’s armor like this, you have to keep using it. It would be hard to find anything better.”
“Right?”
“Yes, I’m certain. It’s that good.”
Kim Minwoo nodded with satisfaction.
‘I can start the money printing plan on Earth too.’
Armor like this would be worth at least hundreds of millions. It was comparable to a Unique item. At least it was much better than a trash Unique.
The skeletons were churning out such Rare rank items continuously. Out of 10 items, 1 or 2 would be Rare rank.
Finally, his crafting skills had entered a new realm.
The good news didn’t end there.
The remaining 8 or 9 Magic rank items were also further enhanced.
“How much are you going to sell them for…?”
“Just add about 10% profit to the material cost.”
“Wouldn’t that be too cheap?”
“The price has to be affordable for people to open their wallets.”
Besides, his goal wasn’t to make Marks from this.
‘To rule this city.’
That’s what Kim Minwoo wanted. To do that, he had to increase his influence. Equipment would be the means to that end. The more lives he saved with this equipment, the higher his Achievement Points would rise.
Moreover, the undead were a free labor force that he could utilize endlessly.
What better means was there for infrastructure development?
It was time to make his move.
* * *
The rest stop in the 9th District.
Light emanated from the teleportation circle there. A figure cloaked in a robe stepped out.
‘Coming down here is such a hassle.’
Lilith, one of the Seven Lords.
Not many days had passed since she left through the secret passage, and she had arrived in the 9th District. To descend from the 1st District to the 9th, one had to pass through each district.
So she did just that.
Eight times.
The guide at the rest stop looked at her with an emotionless face.
“Lilith, resident of the 1st District. Confirmed. Please keep a low profile during your stay.”
“I was planning to do just that.”
She replied with a shrug and stepped outside the rest stop.
At that moment.
[You are a resident of the 1st District!]
[1st penalty applied!]
A message popped up.
As a resident of the 1st District, the highest district, the penalty was severe.
It was as difficult to breathe as if she were in a high-altitude area.
‘This is why coming down here is madness.’
1st penalty.
Her whole body felt heavy.
The longer she stayed in the 9th District, the stronger the penalty would become. It was a place she couldn’t stay for long.
But it didn’t matter.
It wouldn’t take long to seduce one Awakened from the 9th District.
As she stepped onto the main street,
She saw a very long line.
“Everyone, please wait in an orderly fashion! We always have plenty of stock!”
There weren’t just one or two lines like this.
Every store was crowded with a massive number of people.
There was another strange sight.
The faces of the lower-class residents were very bright. Even the ‘dropouts’ who didn’t even belong to the lowest class were like that.
‘Was the 9th District always like this?’
Lilith tilted her head.
This neighbourhood used to be no different from a garbage dump. The only significance was the occasional sparkling gem found among the trash.
It was a slum, and naturally, there was no such lively atmosphere to be found…
“Huh?”
Lilith tilted her head again as she saw something.
A group of skeletons and a Dullahan were carrying materials somewhere.
‘Undead?’
Undead could be summoned in the Heavenly City, but the lowest-ranked undead like skeletons were an exception. This meant they were likely summoned creatures.
‘Kim Minwoo?’
Come to think of it, they said Kim Minwoo was a Necromancer. A Necromancer who could summon a lot of undead.
Intrigued, she followed the undead.
Soon, she witnessed a surprising scene.
Thump!
Thump!
The undead were building houses.