Necromancer Survival

on] was a skill that could resurrect the dead.
Unlike the necromancer skill that could only raise the undead, the Pope could literally bring about a ‘complete resurrection.’

     This skill was a ‘known entity’ inside the hub.
The High Priest’s Basic Skill book even made references to and contained a brief description of [Resurrection].

     However, there wasn’t any news yet that [Resurrection] had actually been achieved.
So, this skill was nothing short of a dream or a fantasy skill for a Priest–stuff like ‘I can escape death if I have [Resurrection].
However, I didn’t expect [Resurrection] to be a scenario reward for when one becomes a Pope.

    Da-hee’s expression became cold at Seo Dawon’s words.
She bent her fingers one by one as she glared at him, “Don’t sneer at me.
You… Aren’t you also begging Choi Lee-kyung for help because you couldn’t accept death?”

     “……”

     “I also just couldn’t let go.” Da-hee’s eyes became a little moist as she spoke.
She then dropped her hand towards the floor, as if she were playing the piano.

     Immediately, a translucent, white line slowly began to fall from her hand to the floor.
Subsequently, a silver summoning circle unfurled on the ground; intricate patterns intertwined and interlocked with one another.

     I felt amazed when I saw a ‘doll’ slowly being summoned, its head rising up from the ground.

     ‘Isn’t that a person…?’

     If it weren’t for the silver threads connecting to it, the figure could easily be mistaken for a person with closed eyes.
The doll was a blonde, tall man–despite being summoned, it looked so suspiciously lifelike.
Almost like a living, breathing, human being.

Flick–!

     However, as soon as the doll’s eyes opened accompanied by the sound of a finger flick, those thoughts vanished.
A sheen unique to inanimate objects shone from its glass marble eyes.

     Looking at the doll, Seo Dawon sneered coldly.
“Oh my–I see I’m in the presence of a true necromancer.”

     “……”

     Da-hee-ssi didn’t answer; she bit her lips.
Thereafter, the doll, with its eyes wide open, began to move as if it were a living human being.

    As she flicked her fingers–like striking piano keys–the doll skillfully drew the sword that was fastened on its waist.
An unusual, rippling, blue energy formed on the blade.

     ‘No way… A Swordmaster…?’

     I was well aware of the fact that only a few exceptionally talented individuals among the Warrior class could produce such a phenomenon called “Sword Aura.” After all, I had seen plenty of videos on the internet showcasing the manipulation of Sword Aura.

     That sword aura must not be a mere visual trick.
The doll lowered its posture and raised its sword towards the Mage.
Just by taking that stance, I could feel the pressure the aura exuded–as if a blade was drawn against my neck.

And, when I blinked–

Boom–!

     In an instant, the doll rushed right in front of us, unleashing tendrils of bluish Sword Aura.
Fortunately, it was blocked by a shield that Seo Dawon seemed to have conjured, so it couldn’t harm us any further.

     I heard a crackling sound as I glimpsed the faint outline of the shield blocking the sword aura.
The barrier felt too thin to prevent the blue aura; I couldn’t tear my eyes away because I was worried the shield would break.

    However, Seo Dawon didn’t abandon me and simply hugged me tighter.
He used one cold hand to grab the nape of my neck before using the other to completely envelop me in his embrace.

     “W-Will it be alright?” I asked.

    “……”

    I worried that our posture would only be a hindrance.
With my lips resting on his collarbone, I voiced my concern; I didn’t want to see him get hurt while trying to protect me.

“”

    However, Dawon-ie merely stroked the back of my head without saying a word.
I glanced  at him; without staring back, he responded, “Are you worried that I’ll lose?”

    “N-No… It’s not that…”

    “Actually, I’m a bit scared.”

    “Huh?”

    “I have to fight against a woman who made her dead boyfriend into a weapon… How dreary.”

    “What?”

    Taken aback, I turned around.
There, I saw Da-hee-ssi staring at me with a pale face.
When I observed her expression, I realized that what Seo Dawon had said was true.

    “Isn’t that chilling?” The Mage whispered.

    “……”

    However, Seo Dawon continued to hug me with one arm, as if he were making a joke.
In a clearly provoking tone, he called out to her, “Did you really believe that Moon Issak would resurrect that preservative-laden fleshbag?”