Chapter 27: Deal and Reward

“It’s difficult to simply grasp and explain something.”

Jester spoke first.

He conjured a sticky black liquid in the air, resembling a board, and started writing on it.

“I’ll give you three items from these. How about that?”

Hmm, only three?

As I looked at the list of about 30 items he wrote, not only did I see the things I expected, but also some unexpected ones.

‘Some of them are hidden.’

Some items that I considered valuable didn’t appear on the list, as if intentionally concealed.

But it didn’t matter.

What I was aiming for was already among them.

“What’s this? I don’t remember what I had.”

“Then you’re out.”

Jester sneered as Salem made an expression of distress.

However, Salem, without showing any reaction, reached behind his back and took hold of the “Sinister Snake” that hung there.

“There’s nothing else to offer right now. I’ll go with this.”

Huh?

Is he serious?

Not only me, but it seemed that Jester and everyone else present were also taken aback.

“Salem Yedidia, are you serious?”

“Yeah. Why are you all so surprised? I’m just tired of this one, so I want to change it with a new toy.”

The “Sinister Snake,” which could be considered Salem’s favorite, was the equipment he had been using until now.

And he’s just casually giving it away?

“Salem Yedidia, do you plan to hinder us to that extent?”

“What are you talking about? How am I hindering anyone?”

“Do I look like a fool? Do you think I don’t know you’re raising the stakes by offering an unbeatable card?”

“Hey, Jester. Raising the stakes? Even if you hand me all the items listed there, you won’t be a match for the ‘Sinister Snake.’ But what’s the fuss about raising the stakes? I’ve simply used the best move available to me, just like anyone else here.”

Salem laughed as she looked at me.

Someone who used the best move… Is she referring to me?

Jester stood in silence, as if suppressing his anger, and then looked at me.

“Let’s increase it to five. And let’s add another corpse.”

“A corpse?”

“You’re a necromancer, so you should understand. To a necromancer, a powerful corpse from their lifetime is more valuable than anything.”

He sighed and continued speaking.

“I’ll give you the corpse of King Timur and the corpse of the former Fairy Queen, Mirinae.”

“Uh…”

I was surprised, but the sound of Charon’s breath behind me was even more perplexing.

Of course, the contents were surprising enough.

Salem’s deal must have been more powerful than expected, as Jester also brought out a trump card.

I thought the chicken game was over, but it seems it’s still ongoing!

“Luna says so, Jester.”

For the first time, Luna spoke up.

“Luna says so. Those are corpses from a deal already made with Morne. Morne will be furious.”

So those were the corpses given to Morne.

It was unsettling in many ways to challenge Morne, the master of Charon and the grand figure among all existing necromancers.

I feel like I might get an upset stomach if I take those.

However, Jester, seemingly unaware of my thoughts, directed his words towards Luna.

“Luna. Then why don’t you contribute a little to this deal? Hm? Despite us being dark sorcerers who prioritize personal gains, can you say such things with the Codex right in front of you?”

“Luna says so. Luna has already used everything and has nothing.”

“Then stay quiet.”

“…”

Regardless of their conversation, I decided to politely refuse.

It was burdensome to use Morne’s possessions recklessly.

“It makes me uneasy to intercept Morne’s belongings.”

Upon hearing that, Jester turned his gaze towards the table and spoke to the air.

“Morne. How about giving in just this once?”

“It doesn’t matter. Give it.”

The response came from an unexpected source.

When I looked for the one who answered, I saw a small fly sitting on the table.

“Master!”

Charone exclaimed upon seeing the fly.

Is that Morne? Since when was it there?

Has it been watching us all along?

“I don’t mind. If you want it, take it.”

It seemed that the fly Morne was controlling was a zombie fly, and I could only imagine how far away I was from being able to wield such a technique.

Anyway, since it seemed like Morne was speaking to me, I asked again.

“Are you really okay with that?”

“I’ve already said it twice. Don’t make me say it again, child.”

I didn’t understand why Morne was giving up.

Even if the former Fairy Queen could be understood, King Timur was the master of the noble orc clan, and not just an ordinary orc master. He was a formidable figure who dominated an era in history.

‘Come to think of it, did Morne deal with Timur’s undead?’

In the game, Morne, who appeared as one of the mid-bosses, was the key figure who made players think of necromancer as the ultimate sorcerers.

In the game, Morne played the role of stopping players from interrupting the summoning ritual of Codex Apocalypse, summoning only undead beings existing in the ethereal realm in a place where there were no corpses around.

That alone was enough to bring despair to the players, but I wondered if I could win if I fought in a battlefield filled with corpses.

Anyway, I had experienced battles with Morne multiple times, so I had thoroughly studied how to defeat Morne’s undead.

But Timur was not among them.

I couldn’t possibly forget an undead as powerful as Timur, so it was certain that he wasn’t there.

“I killed him in one hit.”

While lost in thought, Salem smiled and nodded his head.

“There are many hidden items scattered everywhere, and I don’t know what’s there. The only thing I can give you right now is this spear. I have nothing else to negotiate with.”

“Now, Charon’s disciple. Make your choice.”

The Sinister Snake, a wicked lance.

A named item that, when its abilities were fully utilized, became an incredibly powerful weapon.

Of course, it could only be used properly if recognized as its owner, but it was still a good weapon.

Moreover, despite being a spear, it could amplify magic like a mage’s staff, which was a merit.

‘But I’m learning swordsmanship.’

Changing the weapon I used because of an item was a risk.

And I was thinking about the future.

‘Growth is important right now. Acquiring the Sinister snake would greatly increase my immediate power, but will do nothing for my personal growth.’

Furthermore, from my judgment, Salem seemed to have offered me the Sinister Snake to help me.

As Jester mentioned earlier, it seemed like a move to raise the stakes.

I made my decision and spoke to Jester.

“I accept the proposal from the Assembly.”

“…Fine.”

Though I had technically defeated Salem, Jester didn’t seem pleased.

In contrast, Salem continued to observe the situation with a smiling face.

Has the roles of the winner and loser reversed?

“What a shame! It was a chance to play with the pages of the Codex. Hey, Jester. Can’t I at least touch them once?”

“Salem Yedidia, I don’t want to talk to you anymore.”

Jester coldly dismissed Salem and handed me the list of items written down.

“Choose five. Take your pick.”

I slowly examined the items listed on the document.

Of course, I had already decided what to take, but I had to pretend to make a choice.

After about five minutes, I finally spoke slowly.

“I’ll take Moon’s Blessing, Fairy’s Tears, Azure Canangula Flowers, Yobin Roots, and Kedunon’s Gem.”

“There’s no turning back. Are you certain?”

“Yes.”

“…I can’t tell if you’re smart or foolish.”

Jester muttered to himself, and the rest of the group showed reactions of surprise at the items I had chosen.

“Why did you choose items that you might not even know how to use? Ehehe?”

“Adrias, you foolish fool.”

“Even a single armor made of the scales of the dragon Gra’kannus would be more valuable than all those combined!”

It was Luna, Charon, and Dragon.

Besides the miscellaneous items I chose, the list included various equipment and artifacts, but I deliberately chose the miscellaneous items.

Although they were considered miscellaneous items, their value was astronomical.

Of course, if we considered value alone, the equipment and artifacts would be more expensive.

However, as I mentioned before, such equipment and artifacts would not help with my growth, even if they temporarily boosted my abilities.

Furthermore, the locations of most named items were already imprinted in my mind.

Once I completed my growth, I could obtain better items than those listed here at any time.

“I can’t understand this deal.”

Even Salem looked at me with a gaze of bewilderment.

It’s strange to be looked at as a crazy person by a crazy person. It feels odd.

“Why did you choose items without knowing their purpose?”

“I apologize.”

I expressed that I couldn’t explain the reason.

If someone said that these ingredients were used to make a potion, it would probably cause a commotion.

Moreover, the ingredients I chose were not just for one specific potion.

If I said they were ingredients for four different types of potions, people would probably be dumbfounded.

Of course, the items I just chose were essential ingredients, and it was not possible to create the potions with just them.

However, I wasn’t worried because the additional ingredients needed could easily be found on the market.

‘I even chose ingredients for Lucia’s healing potion.’

Since I already had them, I might as well research Lucia’s potion too.

Assuming I’m alive, if I want to prevent the world’s destruction, Lucia’s power would be quite helpful.

Of course, whether it’s a potion or a healing potion, I don’t think I can make them right away.

But I believed that if I continued to study and research, evolution would eventually provide a solution.

‘Turning the impossible into possible. Now that I think about it, it suits my characteristics.’

While Salem and I were conversing, Jester appeared with a bag in his hand.

“Here it is. Moon’s Blessing, Fairy’s Tears, Azure Kananzulla Flower, Yobin Roots, Kedunon’s Gem, Hwang Tmur’s corpse, and the corpse of the former Fairy Queen, Mirinae.”

It seemed to be a bag with spatial expansion.

So they’re even giving me a bag? Then, thank you very much.

“Now, hand over ‘Sloth’.”

Even though his face was hidden, I could sense his fiery gaze.

I immediately summoned Nickel.

Creak.

Nickel stood there obediently.

It was an ordinary skeleton without any special features.

Jester created a sticky liquid and wrapped the page of Sloth in Nickel’s hand, then took it away.

Jester, who brought it right in front of him, examined the cube carefully.

“Is it ‘sloth’?”

Morche approached me quietly and asked.

Jester turned his head to look at Morche and nodded.

“It’s ‘Diligent Sloth.'”

As Jester’s words echoed like a declaration, the onlookers who had been watching started to gather around.

While we were trying to get a closer look at each other, Salem approached me and tapped my shoulder.

I turned to look at him, wondering what was going on.

“Why are you doing this?”

“Now is the time. Let’s go.”

“What? Just wait a moment…!”

Salem, who lifted me up by grabbing my collar, simply rushed out.

Burst! Burst!

The grasping plants of the entangled forest tried to hold onto Salem’s feet as he broke through the walls of Morche’s lair, but Salem’s speed surpassed them.

With each pounding on the ground, mana burst out with a loud noise, and we swiftly escaped from the entangled forest.

“Salem, wait! Just a moment!”

“Hmm? What’s the matter?”

“Why are you suddenly kidnapping me?”

“Kidnapping? Hahaha!”

He gave me a tap on the head.

It hurt like hell!

“You fool. Now that Sloth is in their hands, they no longer have anything to fear. Of course, if it were just me, I could easily escape from one or two places, but I can risk my life. But what about you? You will definitely die.”

“I understand.”

I almost forgot that my opponent was a dark mage.

Keeping promises? They wouldn’t have bothered to learn unethical magic like black magic if they were the type to keep their promises.

“I don’t know if they will continue to target you. But now that Sloth is in their hands, they won’t pay attention to you for a while, as they will be busy playing with their new toy.”

Salem stopped there and started running with me again.

“Should I go to Count Cromwell’s estate?”

“Just go to the station. I’m going to Rodren Academy.”

“You were a student there. Well, it’s probably safer there. And Bart is there too.”

After saying that, Salem suddenly looked into my eyes as he held me.

His expression showed surprise, but I couldn’t understand what he meant.

“You? Come to think of it, you were a dark mage?”

“Yes? Why are you bringing that up now?”

“You’re a student at the academy, and you’re a dark mage! Does Bart know about it?”

“If he did, do you think I’d still be alive?”

“Unaware? Huh, well.”

The roaring sound of the wind made it difficult to hear, but we could still communicate.

And then, Salem mumbled something inaudible to others and stopped in his tracks.

“From here on, go alone.”

“Yes. Thank you, Salem.”

“Yeah. Huh, fate is quite peculiar.”

“Yes?”

“Never mind, just talking to myself. Be careful as you go and try not to leave the academy unless necessary.”

As soon as Salem finished speaking, he rushed away like the wind.

I have no idea what’s going on.

The tone of his recent words sounded as if Bart would be fine knowing my identity, but was that just a misunderstanding?

Ah, I don’t know.

Right now, the priority is to return quickly.

“But before that…”

I opened the bag I received from Jester.

Although I was suspicious if it might be a scam, my joy filled me as I saw the contents properly.

“Ho King Tiamur! And the corpse of Fairy Queen Mirinae.”

Thank you! The Page of Sloth!

Now, all that’s left is to create an invincible undead army.

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