Possibility, Money, and Family

Skeleton Soldier.

A Tier 2 skeleton.

It was a skeleton that could only appear after reaching the basic next stage, Intermediate Command.

"As expected, the Easter Egg was true."

The skeleton soldier standing up from its seat scanned its body as if it were human.

Examining its arms and legs carefully, the fellow moved around, testing its physical abilities.

Meanwhile, I checked the information on it.

[Skeleton Soldier (Legendary)]

-Nickell Lifehill

-Undead

-Tier 2

-Traits: Self, Extreme: Swordsmanship

Extreme.

I never imagined that a skeleton would have such a phrase. It was a trait I had seen when I levelled up a playable character until the mid to late stages. The only trait that could be obtained through growth. It was a trait that received various enhancements related to extremes.

"He's just a Tier 2 skeleton soldier, but Extreme... I wonder how strong he is."

I honestly had no clue since I hadn't raised a Necromancer before. Of course, I had encountered them as enemies in the game. But even among the warlocks, Necromancers were few, so I hadn't encountered them that often.

"Necromancers are forbidden to that extent. They are even despised among fellow warlocks."

I couldn't understand why Adrias had stepped into such a thorny path. From what I recalled; it was right after the death of the previous Count Cromwell.

"Perhaps he did it to escape from reality."

Charon's persuasive skills played a part as well. He was excellent at subtly provoking Adrias when his father passed away and his mind weakened.

That quiet and cold-hearted guy was surprisingly talkative when he wanted to provoke Adrias.

"Well, in the end, he became like his subordinate."

Most of the reasons Adrias died were due to interfering with players on Charon's orders. Otherwise, he died while trying to stop players from interfering with Charon.

"Whatever the case, there is one conclusion."

If I wanted to survive, I had to get away from Charon. There could be various methods, but becoming stronger was the top priority. At that moment, the skeleton soldier finished checking its body and approached me.

"Yes. I am your master."

Calling it a skeleton soldier felt a bit strange.

Moreover, it was not an ordinary skeleton, but rather an Aura Master.

Since we had come this far, let's call him Nickel.

"Nice to meet you, Nickel."

-Clack! Clack!

I didn't know what it was saying, but it gave a positive feeling.

Continuing to move its jaw, Nickel suddenly started drawing something in the air.

Writing?

"Alright, I understand, okay?"

-Clack, clack, clack, clack!

Seeing the skull mask nodding in a solemn manner, I couldn't help but chuckle. The fact that a skeleton was expressing its intention.

Even Morun, who was probably the strongest Necromancer at the moment, wouldn't believe it.

"Yes. As the best Aura Master in the world, you must do that much. Although it might be unfair for you to die immediately after becoming an Aura Master, try to become famous under me from now on."

Of course, even if you become famous under me, it will only increase your notoriety. Nickel nodded in response to my words and formed a circle by touching its index and thumb fingers together.

Even that appearance looked serious, as if it were a comedy skit. I wasn't sure what its inner thoughts were, but it showed favour to me, the summoner.

Now that Nickel has been summoned successfully, shall I organize and leave?

[Currently, there are 0/5 summons in the summoning space.]

[Would you like to release one unit of Skeleton Soldier?]

As soon as I thought about putting Nickel back into the carrier, a familiar message appeared.

"What? Are Necromancers also classified as summoners?"

It was a familiar message because I had played as a summoner before. It means I don't have to bother hiding it.

I immediately released Nickel from the summoning space. Then, a black space appeared, swallowing Nickel and making him disappear.

He should be able to be summoned again, right?

[Currently, there are 1/5 summons in the summoning space.]

[Would you like to summon one unit of Skeleton Soldier?]

When I tried summoning again, Nickel reappeared as if nothing had happened.

"But my mana is running low."

Releasing the summon had no cost, but summoning did consume mana. This summoning had depleted my mana.

"Thanks to that, the possibility of surviving has increased. As long as I don't get caught, the risk of dying will decrease."

I thought it was a player-exclusive privilege, but come to think of it, other Necromancers had also summoned undead creatures from thin air.

They had called out much stronger creatures than resurrecting dead bodies, so it seemed that this summoning space was a common ability for all summoners.

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Before leaving the laboratory, I checked Angela's condition. She was sound asleep and had about 147 hours left. I was worried about what to do if she woke up after returning to the dormitory, but worrying wouldn't solve anything, so I read a book I had brought from the library.

"Continental Forces, Revised Edition: Actions and Types of Magical Chemicals and Combinations."

What a weird title. It was a book that made me think living was difficult.

"Just by its thickness, it seems like it has everything..."

I felt a slight sense of unease, but I eventually opened the book. And I nodded my head.

"There are so many complicated words. The book becomes thick when written like this."

However, there were also parts that impressed me. As I skimmed through, I found combinations that I didn't know, about 90% of them. Perhaps because history is history, there are many combination methods that I don't know.

"But this one is a bit...?"

The problem is that more than half of these combinations are useless.

"Why would someone create a potion that makes the veins in your eyes more visible?"

That much is basic. There were combination mixtures that were just odourless like goblin dung, and potions that give a sensation of being on fire when applied to the skin. Even if I had discovered these in the game, I wouldn't have bothered to memorize them.

Fortunately, the effective ones, like the doping potions I often combined, were not listed. They should exist, but I realized that in the game, only miscellaneous items that would help the players were dropped.

In other words, in this world, there are so many combinations overflowing that even more bizarre ones are created.

Who would think of just using the slime? From scales to flesh, bones, organs, and even horns, there were so many things to try. But in the game, only the slime drops.

"In the end, I can consume almost anything."

The calm and composed Kim Jin-hwan, where did he go? My body trembled with excitement.

Stay calm. It's not over until it's over.

Of course, these are combination methods that only I know, but I couldn't relax until I filed a patent. If I tried to file a patent for Charon right now, someone could intercept it.

"In the end, it's a world where power comes first."

It's a world where the weak can't even raise their voices. I needed enough preparation to protect my rights.

"First, let's start with one thing. If I show too exceptional items, it will surely create noise. I should quietly live until I develop enough power."

Coincidentally, the stamina-boosting potion that came up in today's class was perfect. It was easy to make as a basic doping item, and it had good cost-performance. And it wasn't too exceptional compared to what already existed.

"Then, first, I need money to buy ingredients..."

I don't have money?

To earn money, you need money. Such absurdity.

While contemplating for a while, I thought of a place where I could borrow money.

"Is it time to use the family chance?"

Amy Cromwell. I had an excellent younger sister.

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The capital of the Empire, Rodren.

It was a distance that could be reached in about an hour by taking a train from the station near the academy. Getting off the train and walking a little, I could quickly reach my destination.

The store that I heard Amy was working at was grand and dignified. As I entered, the brilliant chandelier brightly illuminated the elegant atmosphere inside.

"Welcome. How many of you are here?"

I awkwardly smiled at the woman who greeted me with a bright smile.

"I came to meet someone I know. Is there an employee named Amy here?"

"Amy? May I ask who you are?"

"I'm her older brother."

As soon as I answered, the woman looked at me with a slightly surprised and curious expression and asked me to wait. I want to leave quickly.

This glamorous space didn't suit me at all.

Even in my memories, I had only heard stories and had never actually visited where my sister worked. It was within a distance that I could have easily come, but it was funny that I hadn't come until now.

Looking around, the place was filled with ladies sipping tea and chatting.

Among them, I stood there blankly, feeling like a clean plate smeared with filth.

"Oppa?"

Amy, dressed in the store uniform, approached from the other side. Indeed, she had a superior appearance to the point where you would doubt if we were really siblings.

"Let's go to the staff lounge first, Oppa."

"Sure."

In the lounge where I entered with Amy, I hesitated and didn't bring up what I wanted to say. Now that I was face to face with her, I felt embarrassed.

No, think about it. The young lady of a viscount struggling to work part-time. How could a noblewoman be working while listening to other people's nagging?

If it were a maid working in a noble house, she wouldn't say a word. This place was a store that even commoners could visit if they had enough money.

But for her Oppa to suddenly appear and ask to borrow money, it wouldn't be easy.

'But I can't just give up on the academy...'

If I wanted to become stronger, studying and training magic at the academy was the fastest way. Although I was a third-year student and had about two more years to prepare for graduation.

"What's the matter? It's been a while since we've seen each other, right?"

Amy looked at me with sparkling eyes, not realizing my inner thoughts. Now that I think about it, she had always been like this. No matter what foolish things Adrias did, she was always by his side, supporting and cheering him on. Ah, a sense of guilt seems to be coming out.

"Sorry for not taking care of you often."

"Huh? Uh, um..."

My words seemed sudden, and Amy responded with a bewildered expression. But soon, she suspiciously changed her expression.

"What do you want to ask for this time?"

"Well, um, that's... I need some money..."

I can't continue talking anymore. A sense of self-disgust and guilt surged, piercing the sky. I have to find another way, I simply can't harm Amy in any way.

"Oh well, I guess so. Just wait a moment."

"Ah, Amy, it's okay. It was just a thought."

"Why are you acting out of character? Just stay put. I'll be back soon."

As she left the break room, I folded my outstretched hand in despair. Unconditionally, I must unleash chaos with this potion.

"Not a drop of water on my sister's hands..."

Come to think of it, they were the first family I ever had. When I was Kim Jinhwan, I had no family. I was an orphan, and everyone around me was just a competitor.

But then, through conscription under the pretext of resource mobilization for a secret government special forces project, I enlisted. The colleagues I met there were the only ones who felt like family, but most of them died during missions.

"Thinking about it, it's not that different here or there."

It was a similar life, in different circumstances. Perhaps this place could be better. At least, unlike before, there was a goal.

"I will survive. And if possible, I'll live grumbling. I will definitely make Amy happy."

At that moment, the door of the break room opened again, and Amy returned.

"Here you go."

Amy's hand, handing me an envelope filled with money, felt rough.

A strong emotion surged within me when I saw it. That emotion was a mix of anger towards myself and guilt towards Amy.

"Phew."

I barely suppressed my emotions and took the money.

"Thank you. I will definitely pay it back."

"It's fine. You don't have to starve somewhere."

Then, her gaze suddenly fell on my hand.

"Oppa?"

"Yeah, what's up?"

"Where is the ring?"

"..."

What should I say?

As I hesitated for a moment, Amy's eyes grew wider. The atmosphere was unsettling.

"I, I just put it down in the dormitory."

"No way... It can't be."

She grabbed my arm and shook her head.

"No way? Right? Even though you're my brother, you wouldn't... with the ring..."

I tried to brush it off with a lie, but I couldn't make any excuses because I felt like I had committed too many sins. Reading my demeanour, Amy's teary eyes turned icy, and she cried out desperately.

"Please, tell me clearly that it's not true. Where is the ring now?"

"Amy."

"Tell me quickly!"

"That... I..."

How can I say that I used it to buy a corpse? I couldn't bring myself to answer.

"Leave."

"I'm sorry."

"Leave. Get out now. And don't ever come back. You don't even need to return the money."

"I'll recover it soon..."

Snap!

Without listening to my excuses, Amy left the break room.

The Amy in my memory had never been so angry in all the time I've known her. My heart ached. Is this feeling really Kim Jinhwan's or is it Adrias'?

"Sigh."

My chest felt heavy with sighs of regret.

Once I earn money with the potion, I'll have to retrieve the ring first.