Necromancer Survival

ething…but there’s no available information to support this hypothesis.”

     Seo Dawon, listening quietly, tapped the table with his fingers and muttered, “He must know by now that Ryu Hyerin is dead.
And, he must suspect that the [Red Lotus] is somehow connected.”

     “Then…what’s the probability that Bae Jaemin suspects me.” I asked the most important question, and all the Servants gathered simultaneously looked towards me.

     Though the Mage looked calm, his eyes gleamed coldly.
“Probably very high.”

     “……”

     “If we consider how you were connected to the earlier events… You’ve actually been exposed to Bae Jaemin quite a lot.”

     Just as I had expected.
I looked back at the Servants calmly and said, “Then, there’s a chance his side could attack us first.”

     “……”

     “It would be best if we could confront them after we gathered as much power as possible.”

     Seo Dawon looked at me briefly.
Judging by his expression, he wanted to dissuade me, but he didn’t have another alternative to offer.

     The deep fright and anxiety settling on the face of a loved one pierced my heart, but, if Bae Jaemin were to attack us, this would increase our survival rate.
The other servants seemed to agree with me, but no one could open their mouths in such a chilly, on-edge atmosphere.

’

     “…That’s right.
However, But, in this contract, I…” The Mage started.

     “……”

     “I honestly don’t know how hurt you’ll be when you return.
I can’t judge which is the better option.” Seo Dawon severed the silence and looked straight at me.
I felt a little melancholy; I couldn’t even make the promise that I’d return safe and sound.
If I were the Mage, I too would have hated this situation.

     But.

     “Of course… It’d be best to return with a successful contract.”

     “……”

     “There’s really not many left.
Therefore…”

     “……”

     “It’ll be fine,” Though I may not be reliable–nor was my smile very reassuring–but I replied with my best face forward.
Of course, the mage didn’t return my smile.
Before I lowered my eyes, all I could see on his face was pain.

     At that time Choi Kyung-sik asked quietly, “Can’t a sacrifice replace some of the risks of the contract?”

     Since Seo Dawon didn’t move, Kim Olim opened her mouth instead, “Refined or purified blood is important, but… Koo Hui-seo is no longer an option.”

     Choi Kyung-sik crossed his arms, frowning, “That red-haired person….what was his name again…? What about him?”

     Only then did the Mage answer those questions, “We don’t have enough time to refine Kim Sangyoon’s blood.
If the blood isn’t refined enough… Well, the amount of blood needed is far too much.”

     “……”

’

     “Even if you kill Kim Sangyoon, it might not be enough.”

     Though I was a little concerned at the coldly objective attitude that belied their plans to use Kim Sangyoon as a sacrifice, at the very least a conclusion was reached.
I’ll have to take care of this contract by myself, without any cheap tricks

     And…

     ‘Considering how the difficulty of the [Vengeful Ghost Memories] increases every time…’

     This would be the hardest.

     I clenched my fist before forcing it to relax.
Then, in a cheerful tone, I said, “Well, who should I summon this time?”

     The servants stared at me awkwardly; Kim Olim, after releasing a long sigh, answered first.
“I recommend Cho Chan-young.”

     “The…Summoner?”

     “That’s right.
He’s weak against animals and is quite a tender individual… Choi Lee-kyung, if you make the most pitiful expression possible to seduce him… He may be won over easily.”

     I didn’t think such a method would work, but I was too lazy to argue.
I scratched my cheek, “Then, I’ll go with Cho Chan-young-ssi…”

     “I think Bang Eunji would be better.” Jung Garam suddenly intervened.

     Garam’s expression contorted, as if he were unwilling to speak, but he calmly explained the reason why he recommended Bang Eunji through his grumbles, “Bang Eunji has a skill called ‘Chaser.’ With that, we’ll be able to find Bae Jaemin wherever he may be and whatever he may be doing.  She used to follow Dawon-hyung around with that.
Besides, Hyung also said he couldn’t block the ‘Chaser.'”

      “……”

     “Honestly, I like Chan-young Hyung more, but… But right now we need that nutcase Bang Eunji.”