Chapter 177: When Skeletons Pay Their Debts (1)
[The 4th optional skill of the manaheart, “Zombie Domination,” has been separated to become an independent skill.]
What?
Lloyd opened his eyes wide right after he used the Supercharge. He had risked himself using the skill to decisively end Hell’s Knight and succeeded in stopping its infinite resurrection power. It was either do or die. The first thing that crossed his mind when he opened his eyes was…
I’m alive.
Then he noticed the pleasing messages in front of him. What pleased him even more than the content was the fact that he could see the messages themselves. It at least meant that he hadn’t died.
What happened to Hell’s Knight?
Lloyd quickly looked around like a kid sneaking into the kitchen trying to steal cookies from a cookie jar without getting caught by his mother.
It’s gone.
He couldn’t feel Hell’s Knight’s mana. The violent and evil energy was now completely gone. What it meant was clear. Hell’s Knight had been eliminated. It worked. Now relieved, Lloyd turned his attention to the messages. Now that the crisis had passed, it was time to reap the benefits and celebrate. And like a fisherman gazing at a net full of fish, Lloyd read through the message.
[Zombie Domination skill has been upgraded.]
[Zombie Domination skill has been reinforced.]
[The various restrictions and conditions attached to Zombie Domination have largely been relaxed and eliminated.]
Oh!
Lloyd was off to a good start. He had a good feeling as well. His heart pounded in expectation. His eyes moved faster.
[Your manaheart has absorbed and processed the mana of Hell’s Knight. But since you are a mortal, you cannot make all of it yours. However, a portion of the mana in your manaheart can now reverberate with the mana of the undead.]
[This characteristic has escalated your manaheart’s optional skill, Zombie Domination, into an independent skill.]
[Skill Name: Zombie Domination]
[Stage: Basic Lv.1]
[You can dominate low-grade undead soldiers at a set scale. The undead soldiers under your domination will provide unconditional allegiance and faithfulness to you.]
[Types of undead soldiers you can dominate: zombies and skeletons.]
[The number of undead soldiers you can dominate: 200]
[The current number of undead soldiers under your domination: 0]
Wow.
Lloyd was agape after he read the skill. This was incredible. Was it because he could dominate undead soldiers?
No! I was given free laborers to use from now on!
His eyes glimmered. Now, he had 200 laborers who were absurdly efficient. No pay. No rest. No mercy. These skeletons could keep shoveling even under the harshest conditions. And Lloyd didn’t have to feed them. Not even breakfast or anything else. And what about their lodging? Just 200 coffins that fit their bodies. That would allow them to find their own coffins and cover the lid and rest. Simply put, Lloyd earned 200 work robots that wouldn’t demand any wage or food.
Good. Covering the workers’ wages was getting out of hand.
A large grin hung on his face as he thought about it. Lloyd was a seasoned engineer who had completed a host of construction projects. And throughout his career, he never even once missed paying his workers. Regardless of the size of the construction, even if it meant emptying his own wallet, Lloyd dutifully ensured that his workers got paid. Come hell or high water. Given the depressing experiences he’d gone through back in Korea, how could he not?
I didn’t want to stoop down to their level and become trash.
Lloyd’s heart stung whenever he thought about unpaid labor. There was a time he had worked hard but failed to receive his wages. He would file a complaint to his managers, but it would only invite mockery and ignorance. The supervisors dismissed him, saying that he should stop acting like a rookie and that everyone has their own situation to consider. These employers acted brazenly that they, too, were in a difficult spot. Lloyd hated them for that. And that was the reason for it. Lloyd never wanted to repeat those disgusting deeds now stuck in his heart like a dagger. As such, Lloyd faithfully paid his workers the best he could when it came to their wages. There were times when he pushed himself beyond his limits to pay his workers. Coming to Namaran was one example. He decided to come here for the sole purpose of acquiring money to pay the workers.
Sure, there’s the side objective of preventing the Namaran’s Wall incident, but still.
Projects like the apartment complex and sewage system, which covered the entire fiefdom, required Lloyd to pay a large sum of money to the workers at the end of the year. That was why he came here and took on the slope stabilization project. But once everything was over and the wages were given out without any issue, Lloyd wouldn’t have to worry about this anymore.
Now, I can use these undead soldiers for small construction projects. And I’ll team them up with some engineers. That’s going to let me cut down the labor costs by a good amount.
The engineering corps could supervise the scene and make sure everything happened according to plan. The undead soldiers would be in charge of the chores. Lloyd could see it happening in his head. But that wasn’t the last of his rewards. An additional message appeared.
Ding dong.
[You have participated in heroic combat to eliminate Hell’s Knight, the corps commander from Hell.]
[In the process, you have merited great credit in turning the table in hopeless combat by seriously damaging your opponent’s hearing.]
[Some of the citizens in Namaran city have witnessed and heard the scene of resolve, courage, and outrageous off-tune.]
[For this, a unique title of yours will spread throughout the city of Namaran.]
[You have earned a new title.]
[A new title <Hell’s Singer>.]
[Hell’s Singer]
[Title Level: Regional Epic Tale & Scary Story]
The Namaran’s Wall stood tall and high. People fell, crying out loud. Everyone searched for redemption when the silver-haired knight got to his feet. Combat he did against Hell’s Knight. But he was outpowered. The power of Hell was overcome, only to return. The silver-haired knight pleaded before the mysterious power. Who shall stand shoulder to shoulder and fight with me? Who shall, with valor, come forward for everyone? I only seek one. Then someone called out. I want peace! Mahavanya Suri Suri Sabaha! Like a leech, the man clutched the Hell’s Knight’s leg. The thunderous voice plunged the Knight into doom. Stop it! Do not sing! No more noise, please! Those were the last words of Hell’s Knight.
[Compliment Effect: You have become a celebrity among all existence, including the undead. You are now notorious for owning a devilish musical sense in this earth and hell. For this, every creature in this earth and hell will fear, or at times respect, your singing.]
[Title Region: Namaran County & Hell.]
[Active Period of Title: 80 years (Namaran County) / 30,000 years (Hell)]
[A title’s powers can be activated for 24 hours in the region for which the compliment was given. Moreover, the time and region can expand or shrink depending on your actions.]
[Monthly CP Earned from the Title: 4]
[Current CP: 254]
“…”
Now, it was nationally acknowledged that Lloyd was a bad singer. No, since the region included Hell, his out-of-tune singing had become known globally and in another dimension.
It sucked that things ended badly with my crush just because I sang terribly, and now, this?! Right, Eunhyang?
Lloyd called the name of his former crush in his head bitterly, but no reply came back. Instead of her, Lloyd only saw Javier’s gaze boring into him, completely oblivious to what was happening in the former’s heart.
“…All right?” asked Javier.
“Huh?”
A hand waved through the messages, breaking Lloyd’s trance. It was Javier who was motioning his hand in front of Lloyd.
“Are you all right?” Javier asked again. His studious gaze seemed to be more discreet than usual, just a little bit.
“Wait, are you worried about me?” asked Lloyd as he chuckled.
To his surprise, Javier nodded without denial.
“Yes, I am worried about you.”
“The heck? Have you lost your mind?”
Javier’s honesty flabbergasted Lloyd.
“You. Who are you?” asked Lloyd in astonishment.
“…”
“Javier isn’t the type of person to do this. Be frank with me. Where did you hide my dear Javier? Did you kidnap him? Lock him up? Or tie him down? Is he alive?”
“I… was neither kidnapped nor locked away,” said Javier lightly.
“Then how? What change of attitude do you have to tell me that you’re worried about me? Do you have a favor to ask me?”
“No, of course not. But…”
Javier’s eyes grew serious.
“As I listened to your song, I became worried.”
“While you were listening to me sing?” inquired Lloyd, quite not following with Javier.
“Yes.”
“What about it?”
“Your melody and tune were hellish. Hearing them alone hurt my ears. I almost used the mana blast on you, not the skeleton knight. I was provoked.”
“Hey…” muttered Lloyd.
“That is why I am worried. Are you mentally all right? Has the warlock put horrible thoughts into your head without your knowledge?” asked Javier, every one of his words serious.
“Hey, I’m-”
“Are you,” Javier interrupted, “truly fine?”
“…”
Looking at his grim and serious gaze brought an onrush of bitterness in Lloyd’s heart. Biting the underlip hard, Lloyd retorted, “I am perfectly fine!”
“Do you really mean it?”
“Uh-huh.”
“But how do you explain such eerie singing then-”
“I tried my best,” huffed Lloyd as he cut in.
“Master Lloyd, then could you be-”
“Don’t go there.”
“Tone-deaf…”
“I said, don’t go there.”
“…”
The worrisome gaze vanished instantly to be replaced with regret and pity. Lloyd sighed. For almost a second there, he was touched by Javier’s surprising concern.
“Tsk,” replied Lloyd as he changed the subject. “Now’s not the time for that. Let’s move now. We need to check on the people, too. By the way, how about you? You all right?”
“Yes. I’m fine.”
“Let’s go then.”
“Yes.”
The joy of victory lasted only briefly before the noise outside the battered public hall brought them back to reality. The noise came from the people who had passed out after the wall usurped all of their mana. Lloyd and Javier collected their breaths, slowly activating the Asrahan Core Technique when they figured out the source of the noise. Then they turned toward the exit of the public hall. The situation was not yet over. People needed emergency treatment.
“In a situation like this, the Asrahan Core Technique will be effective,” said Javier.
“Yeah. Should we transfer the mana into them after absorbing the mana in the air?” asked Lloyd.
“It sounds like it will be a long and tiring day.”
“Yes, I agree.”
With faint smiles on their faces, they left the public hall.
The situation was taken care of with ease. And thankfully, no Namaran citizen died from this incident. It was because the wall that devoured people’s mana was neutralized relatively early, so most people didn’t lose mana to the point of losing their lives. But there were quite a number of those who were seriously worn out and exhausted. Lloyd and Javier focused on those people.
The Asrahan Core Technique specialized in absorbing and discharging mana, and that undoubtedly played a critical role. It saved the people who were dangerously mana-depleted. It awakened those who were passed out. It revitalized those who were barely holding on. And as for Cannavaro, he was moved to the palace like cargo, neutralized and incapacitated.
He’ll probably be questioned in the palace. A team of the best of the best royal magicians will brainwash him to get a confession out of him. After all, Queen Magentano is merciless and unreserved when it comes to these matters. She’s extremely blunt.
On the second night of straining themselves in treating people, Lloyd sank on the bed, dead tired as he pushed away his idle thoughts. But strangely, he couldn’t fall asleep even when he was on the bed. Could it be because he was too tired? His body lay flat on the bed like a wet laundry, but his mind drifted back to thoughts that distracted him.
I envy you, Javier, in times like these.
Lloyd glanced at Javier, who was already sleeping well on the bed beside his. One lullaby, and that was all it took to put him to sleep. Lloyd was envious. He direly wanted to sleep, but it didn’t allow him to. Instead, all sorts of thoughts and concerns continued to attack him.
Thankfully, the Namaran situation is over. And though Count Namaran is terribly worn out that he needs some days to rest, he’s overall fine. Then nothing to worry about, I guess No, I don’t think that’s the case.
The Namaran situation was over after a tediously long process. But Lloyd continued to frown. Why? The reason was simple.
Sure, it’s good that the situation is over, but construction-wise, it was a huge stumbling block.
It was true. Now that the people had lost great volumes of mana, they were wretchedly exhausted. They could walk around but needed time until they recovered enough energy to do any work that required strength.
You know, like work on construction sites.
Construction projects were laborious. They involved transferring heavy materials and shoveling, pickaxing, and hammering all day in both hot and cold environments. And those in charge of such tasks were the people of this city. In other words, those who were supposed to be put to construction needed to rest as they’d lost a large volume of energy.
They need to rest for at least 15 days to restore their energy. Shoot, I hate delaying construction schedules.
The slope stabilization project Lloyd had earned here in the city was almost done in design. The timing was perfect for forming a team and starting with the basic construction, but now, an unexpected labor issue raised his hackles.
I want to finish the construction fast. I want to earn a lot of money and go back home. I want to retire in my fiefdom without worrying about money.
He wished that the undead soldiers would show up now. That would allow him to mobilize the laborers using the zombie domination skill.
It’s not like I can dig graves now.
He couldn’t, and that frustrated him. The Zombie Domination skill was a good skill, except for the part where getting his hands on the undead soldiers was a bit tricky.
Should I learn dark magic or something? I’m too lazy to bother with that. I don’t want to, either. Oh, what the heck. Let’s just sleep.
Lloyd tossed and turned in his bed. Enough with thoughts and concerns. It was time to sleep as he was tired. Resolved, he closed his eyes, and his body started to grow tired, and he started to become drowsy.
Okay, very good. Just like this. Nothing more. Then goodnight every-
Just then…
Knock knock knock. There was a knock on his door, immediately reviving the frown that left his forehead. Oh, come on! Lloyd exclaimed internally as he was just about to fall asleep.
I’m going to ignore it.
This time, Lloyd lay on his belly, covering his head with the pillow. But the unwelcome visitor seemed to have no thoughts of leaving him alone.
Knock knock knock knock knock!
Lloyd wanted to yell at the person to leave. But he was already rising up from bed.
Ugh. Let’s make this quick.
Lloyd wondered who in the world it could be that the knocking was so fervent. A person from the count? Another emergency? Lloyd sighed.
This is nuts.
He knew from past experience that it was better in these situations to just give the person what they desire. That would make the visitor leave quickly, and he could fall back to sleep in peace.
“Now, what could bring you here to knock on my door in the middle of the night while I was trying to sleep.”
Lloyd grumbled as he opened the door, and then he stopped dead. Lloyd was completely frozen when he saw the visitors.
Skeletons. Headless skeletons were in front of the room, and the number seemed to be about 200.
“What now…”
A visit from skeletons at this hour? Lloyd was trying to make sense of things when every single of them suddenly got on their knees. They bowed ceremoniously as their bone joints squeaked. Then the one in the front held out a sketchbook-sized paper, flipping page after page slowly. There were messages they had written in advance.
“You did not throw away our skulls.”
“You are our lifesaver.”
“We want to pay our debts.”
“We will do anything.”
“Can you take us in as we have nowhere else to go?”
“…”
The group of skeletons had come to return a favor during the middle of the night. At their unexpected offer, all sleep left Lloyd, and he became wide awake.