[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-damn-necromancer":3,"chapter-damn-necromancer-damn-necromancer-chapter-214":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"english","Damn Necromancer",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":20,"prevChapterSlug":21,"totalChapters":22,"novelImage":23},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":16,"volume":17,"translator":18,"content_hash":19},1212696,1580,"Chapter 214","damn-necromancer-chapter-214",214,"\u003Cp>[Translator - Prøks]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Proofreader - Prøks]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chapter 214: The Third Trial (2)\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The first thing he encountered was a massive volcano. Bright red flames erupted like fireworks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘It's a bit too hot.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even though he was some distance from the volcano, the suffocating heat washed over him. It was an environment where even most Awakened would find it difficult to operate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If he were a Non-Awakened, he would have been roasted instantly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, this didn't apply to Kim Minwoo. It was partly due to his high stats, but more importantly...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hayang.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>―Coo.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Hayang shares the ‘White Flame’ attribute!]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Fire resistance increased by 130%!]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The White Flame attribute evolved from the Fire attribute after defeating the Spirit King.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was thanks to this that he could wrap himself in tremendous elemental resistance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not only that...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To Kim Minwoo, million-won potions were like cheap coffee from a vending machine.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Consuming Flame Resistance Potion (Highest Rank)!]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gulp.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Phew, I feel much better now.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Attribute sharing and potions were godsends, making him invincible. Perhaps now, with a bit of exaggeration, he could even bathe in lava.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He breathed deeply.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He looked around.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘The sky is red. The ground is parched.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was truly a place befitting the Demon Realm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The only unusual thing was the dozens of giant statues erected near the volcano.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They seemed to be at least 10 meters tall, all depicting Balrogs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Now I understand why it's called Balrog's Hill.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He approached the intricately carved Balrog statues for a closer look.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Flap!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A powerful flapping sound echoed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From holes scattered around the volcano like ant nests, a group of Balrogs emerged. The largest one among them began to fly towards him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>―Who are you? A wanderer?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I'm human.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>―……Human? The creature that lives in the Middle World, infinitely weak, and relies on God?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I guess that's how you see them here?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After staring at him blankly for a moment, the leading Balrog chuckled and said,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>―Long Long. That's my name. Yours?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Kim Minwoo. Your name is quite cute.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>―……Never heard that before. So, Kim Minwoo. Did you come from the Middle World?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Something like that.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>―How did you get here? Did you find a passage?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Long Long's eyes blazed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The flames around his eyes and tail fluttered like a gentle breeze, his gaze filled with anticipation...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What are you going to do if I did?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>―If there's a passage, we should be the first to use it. I heard humans are quite tasty...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ah, so you see me as food?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>―No. You're a bit different.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"How am I different?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>―Because you can withstand the heat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Long Long looked at him with admiration.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>―Even mid-rank demons aren't this relaxed on our land. But you are. We Balrogs acknowledge the strong.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Are mid-rank demons considered strong?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>―At least they're not insignificant. Well... compared to us Balrogs, they're just lowly creatures. So, what's your answer?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I'm not telling you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>―What?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Do I have to answer every question you ask? No, I don't.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>―Huh, hahaha!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Balrog laughed, clutching his belly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His laughter alone shook the surrounding 10 meters.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"And if you're going to lie, wipe your mouth first.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>―Lie? What lie?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You're drooling. Whether I answer or not, you're planning to eat me, aren't you?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>―That's right. You're smart. But there's one difference. Can you guess?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What is it?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>―If you answer, I'll eat you nicely. If you don't, I'll rip out your guts one by one.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hmm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Is this the Demon Realm stance?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Well, it's true.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It's hard to imagine humans and demons playing patty-cake.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘This is going to be quite tiring.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If other demons are like this, it's going to be very annoying.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Do you know a Balrog named Vulcan?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>―How do you know his name?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Oh, you know him?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>―You heard rumors? Well, Vulcan is quite famous...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"So you know him well? Are you friends with Vulcan?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>―How dare you compare me to Vulcan!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Then, are you his underling?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>―You bastard, you've crossed the line...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Long Long's body turned crimson.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Burning his own body.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If you didn't know better, you'd think he was about to self-destruct.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You're lucky.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Originally, he was going to kill him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But if he knows Vulcan, it's a different story.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It would be troublesome to start a hostile relationship with Vulcan by killing him unnecessarily.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘All the demons would probably be drooling.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He couldn't kill them all, could he?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Cedric.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>―You called?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Beat him, but don't kill him.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>―Alright.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Flap!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wings sprouted from Cedric's back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>―……A dragon?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cedric lunged at the startled Balrog.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Squeal!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He learned something new.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A Balrog's scream sounded similar to a pig being slaughtered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>* * *\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Aha. So, you're a kind of mercenary group?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>―Th-that's right. Currently, we are residing in the territory of the 7th Demon Lord of the Demon Realm, Paimon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Long Long's explanation of the Balrog's way of life was quite interesting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Balrogs are extremely strong.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They have a warrior-centered hierarchical society where the strongest becomes the leader.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Vulcan was the current ruler of the Balrogs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These Balrogs worked as a sort of mercenary group under the Demon Lords. They would stay in the territory of the Demon Lord who assigned them a task and carry out the work.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The Demon Lord provides land, autonomy, and resources. And you provide military power?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>―That's roughly the structure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"But do you normally live in such a gloomy place? This is the first time I've seen creatures living in caves inside a volcano.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>―Hehe... other creatures might not, but for us Balrogs, this is a fantastic place.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Translator - Prøks]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Proofreader - Prøks]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Perhaps it was because he had been beaten like a dog by Cedric, who had his second seal released.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Long Long's attitude was very polite.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Demon Realm's value of acknowledging the strong was also one of the reasons for his changed attitude.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"So, where's Vulcan?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>―He must be carrying out Lord Paimon's mission.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Alone?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>―No way. He's doing it with the village's elite Balrogs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Then, when will he be back?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>―I don't know when he'll be back...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hmm... Alright, you can go now.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>―Yes. I'll come whenever you call!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Long Long carefully prostrated himself, then quickly got up and left the cave.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘What a monstrous guy!’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even if he was infinitely weaker than Vulcan, he was still a Balrog.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This meant that he was a strong being that couldn't be easily dismissed, even if he was the highest-ranking demon right below the Demon Lord.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And that guy, who wasn't even human...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just one of that human's summons easily subdued him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When his bones were chilled by a single punch from a skeletal fist, he almost forgot his pride and burst into tears.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘What should I do?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He didn't know.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No immediate solution came to mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The other Balrogs were equally terrified. Long Long was the strongest among the Balrogs remaining in the village, but he had been subdued in an instant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even if all the Balrogs here rushed at him, he didn't think they could easily defeat him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just as Long Long's mind was in turmoil, Kim Minwoo was also deep in thought.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hmm...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had experienced two arrangements so far.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The common point was resolving the ‘regrets’ of each Legion Commander.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘It's highly likely that this arrangement will be the same, right?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It could be a structure where he solves something other than regrets...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the most likely scenario was that.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So Vulcan also experienced something regrettable here...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘What could it be?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He summoned Cedric and Merhen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Do you two have any ideas?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>―I know nothing about Vulcan. We weren't close at all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was Merhen's answer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was understandable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, it was Vulcan who accompanied the Death Lord who turned her into an undead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was fortunate that they were merely not close.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cedric, on the other hand...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He seemed to have something in mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>―Vulcan was arrogant. And he was very proud of his race.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Really?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>―Yes. A chosen few. That was Vulcan's image of Balrogs. But thinking about it now, it's a bit strange.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What is?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>―Despite cherishing his kind so much, I've never seen any other Balrogs besides Vulcan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Didn't you ask back then?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>―No need. There was no reason to pry into something he didn't want to talk about. But I understand one thing. The Vulcan I knew wouldn't have left the Balrogs I see now behind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The Lord could have taken only Vulcan.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>―That's unlikely. The Lord at that time was in a position where he needed all the help he could get. Even if the Balrogs weren't exceptional, wouldn't it be normal to bring them along?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Okay, I get it.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He understood what Cedric was trying to say.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In other words, if there were other Balrogs when the Death Lord took Vulcan, they would have most likely come along.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But they didn't.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Because there was no one else but him?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What if all the Balrogs he saw here, including the elite group that carried out mercenary work, were wiped out?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then it would make sense that Vulcan was the only one who submitted to the Lord. How could he bring others along if there were no others?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Did they die without even leaving a corpse?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If there were corpses, the Death Lord could have tried to resurrect them as undead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"So, we have to prevent the annihilation of the Balrogs.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>―I'm not sure. It's just a guess.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"A guess is better than nothing. It's better than having no clue at all. Hey, Long Long!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>―You called!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Long Long came running back and prostrated himself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I have a question.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>―Go ahead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"About Vulcan and his elite troops. How strong are they?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>―...Pardon?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Tell me in a way that's easy to understand. In a direct way. Ah! This would be good. If you combine them all, what rank would they be among the Demon Lords?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>―I-I don't know...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"No one's asking you to be perfectly accurate. Just give me an estimate. Even a rough one will do. How do they compare to that Paimon guy?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>―Hmm... Vulcan and his elite troops... they wouldn't be easily defeated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Can they even rival Paimon?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>―Probably? At least Lord Paimon wouldn't be able to easily dispose of us. Vulcan's power is truly remarkable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rivaling the 7th ranked Demon Lord?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘He's quite strong.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Well, it's true.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the future, after this point in time...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When Merhen was turned into an undead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The power Vulcan displayed then was terrifying.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It took a lot of effort to gouge out even one of his eyeballs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Oh right. Vulcan doesn't have a missing eye, does he?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>―A missing eye? Not at all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The past is certain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If we arrange the arrangements in chronological order...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This would be the order.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So, gouging out his eyeball during Merhen's time wouldn't apply to Vulcan's current arrangement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Or it could be a separate parallel world, since it was a fragment of the past.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Anyway, the conclusion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For now, it seems like he should aim to prevent the annihilation of the Balrogs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I need to meet Vulcan. Do you have something like a crystal ball? A crystal ball that can summon Vulcan.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>―I don't have one...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You really don't know when he'll be back?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>―Yes... I really don't know. If I did, I would have told you right away, Kim Minwoo.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"No, what if your base gets raided while you're out and about? Isn't this your base?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>―Th-that... who would raid us... except for you, Kim Minwoo...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ha.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He couldn't argue with that.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He licked his lips and looked at Long Long.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Then I'll have to go meet him myself.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>―How?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Long Long asked, tilting his head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even he, Vulcan's loyal follower, didn't know where he was.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was natural, as he was carrying out the Demon Lord Paimon's mission.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Even if you don't know, that Paimon guy would know, right? Since he gave the mission.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>―Th-that's right.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Then the answer is clear. We can just ask the guy who knows, right?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>―Ask Lord Paimon?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Where does he live? Lead the way.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Long Long stared blankly at Kim Minwoo at those words.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Translator - Prøks]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Proofreader - Prøks]\u003C\u002Fp>",2025,"2026-06-03T14:21:21.387Z","2026-06-03T14:21:27.249Z",1,"novelbin.me","ad999cf366a3203b3d052b90121b04100bebde5c81d3ed9079c9537823e4509d","damn-necromancer-chapter-215","damn-necromancer-chapter-213",362,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fdamn-necromancer-cover.jpg"]