[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-damn-necromancer":3,"chapter-damn-necromancer-damn-necromancer-chapter-82":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},1212627,1580,"Chapter 82","damn-necromancer-chapter-82",82,"\u003Cp>[Translator – Prøks]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Proofreader – Prøks]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chapter 82: Second Trial (8)\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Slaughter, and more Slaughter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was truly a Slaughter fest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In just half a day, he had killed nearly three hundred monsters. Yet, Cairn didn’t even seem to break a sweat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Unbelievable.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Merhen knew he was skilled with a sword.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But fighting against humans and hunting monsters were entirely different things.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even among the knight candidates who flew and soared at the academy, many couldn’t perform well in real combat. That’s why she was a bit worried.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘…Incredible.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That’s it, it was incredible.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It felt like playing with monsters.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rapid advancement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before they knew it, they had crossed the midpoint of the Devil’s Forest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cairn, who found a suitable cave, looked at Merhen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We can camp here.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Okay.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She gathered branches and lit a fire with her tools.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Crackle, crackle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The food she had prepared was cooking over the campfire.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Eat up.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cairn handed her a thick piece of meat. As they ate,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Merhen, who was looking around, tilted her head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Is this all?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What do you mean?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The magic seems stronger than it was a year ago.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Is that so?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yeah. Take a look over there.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She pointed to a bunch of twisted trees affected by magic.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They were twisted like screws.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I heard that this kind of phenomenon usually appears in deeper parts of the forest.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The magic has intensified.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She recalled what she had read in the documents about the Devil’s Forest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>According to what she had heard, there were channels through which the energy of the demon realm was transmitted, causing pollution in the forest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, the level of pollution wasn’t severe enough to take action immediately, according to some explanations she had read.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘The extermination of accumulated monsters…’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The annual practical exam conducted by the academy. It was like a regular extermination.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘It wouldn’t be bad for the academy either.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It could provide students with valuable practical experience.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She also heard that the empire provided a certain level of compensation through these exterminations.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The forest wasn’t maintained for no reason, even with the danger of magic.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If there’s a lot of magic, does it mean the channel is widening?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Huh? You know about the channels too?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ve read some books too.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Merhen nodded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Usually, yes. As the channel widens, the likelihood of…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The appearance of monster waves increases, right?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yeah. Since there’s a higher chance of something coming from the demon realm. So, the monsters gather together to form waves. That’s what I heard…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Merhen glanced over and said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Shouldn’t we go back and tell the professors about the possibility of a wave?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That a wave coming?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yeah. I’m a bit worried.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Even though the trees look eerie, can we confirm anything with just that?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That’s not it. It’s just that the risk isn’t completely nonexistent…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Merhen mumbled as she scratched her head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Do you think they’ll believe us?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I don’t know. Whether they’ll stop the exam or not. But, do we really need to tell them?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Huh?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We can just handle it ourselves.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Huh?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It would be a waste. That’s a bunch of points, after all.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Isn’t the monster wave like an experience point jackpot event?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘And I need to give some blood to the Command Sword.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If they rush over there and report it, they might trigger the knights and magic corps waiting on the outskirts to move.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They’re said to be of upper-middle rank, even in the empire.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They should be able to handle a monster wave to some extent ourselves. Then, all the experience points and scores would be lost.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But do they really need to?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Cairn, your way of thinking is quite unique.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Anyway, even if we don’t say anything, someone else will probably go and tell them, right? Isn’t that so?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Although they arrived in the inner area a little earlier, the top-ranking students would naturally arrive at this line soon enough.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, isn’t the structure such that you get points for killing monsters?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There were naturally many monsters inside the forest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Hmm. I’m not sure. Even if we report it, would they return during the exam? If they do and the exam continues, we’ll definitely end up in last place.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That’s the same for us, right?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Yeah? We already have some points, so we probably won’t end up in last place…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Are you satisfied with just those points? Even though you were already in last place?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Merhen fell silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kim Minwoo said quietly,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But if you want to, Merhen, I’ll go back.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Second reflection.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The top priority here is undoubtedly the relationship with Merhen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nothing else could take precedence over this.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Obtaining the Legion Commander.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wasn’t that the reason for coming here in the first place?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So, it would be difficult to accept anything presented as coercion, even if it’s something desired.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That’s just how things are.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As long as they understand the situation, that should be enough.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, someone will eventually speak up, right?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No one will step forward?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then why should they?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He roughly explained.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She would have understood his words to some extent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, even if Merhen insisted on going back, Kim Minwoo would have no hesitation in returning.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Leveling up and handing over blood to the Command Sword?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That’s something he could do outside as well.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the relationship with Merhen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘I can only build it here.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There’s no stage without a reason.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If it’s just a matter of preventing her from becoming undead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘There’s no need to show this kind of past history.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just start with a scene of Merhen on the street, being chased by the evil Death Lord.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just clash directly with the Death Lord.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But he didn’t do that.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Instead, he was given a considerable amount of time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Translator – Prøks]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Proofreader – Prøks]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[This place is a fragment of the past created based on the regrets of the ‘Banshee Queen Merhen’ during her human days!]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Player participation.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘To resolve Merhen’s regrets….’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Certainly, the player needed a certain amount of time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kim Minwoo saw this time as necessary for building a closer relationship with Merhen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Building a relationship.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Otherwise, there wasn’t much else coming to mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It wasn’t the time to request reinforcements, given the circumstances.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘And even if they come, it’s not like we can win.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He wasn’t an emperor of the empire, and the son of a mere duke couldn’t muster much force.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If it had been a matter to be handled at the level of reinforcements, then the Death Lord wouldn’t have been able to dominate this continent in the first place.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Conclusion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He needed to get closer to Merhen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There must be some benefit to it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That’s how Kim Minwoo saw it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What do you want to do?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Well… then for today, let’s rest first… and tomorrow, should we go in a bit more? Since nothing’s certain yet…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If you want to.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>* * *\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Merhen and Cairn entered deeper into the forest. From increasingly grotesque monsters to horribly twisted trees, they encountered them sporadically.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There were a few moments of danger along the way.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, it wasn’t Cairn in danger.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was Merhen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She narrowly escaped several dangerous situations. Especially when the Shabel Tiger attacked from above the trees, it was truly perilous.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>—Grr!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Monsters suddenly lunging with their claws extended.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Merhen’s heart pounded heavily.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A heart about to burst.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Please…!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Despite her desperate plea, there was no sign of magic emerging, let alone the slightest hint of it going out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Are you okay?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fortunately, thanks to Cairn, Merhen’s life was spared.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sight of Cairn’s arm heavily scratched by claws was visible.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…All because of me….”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Merhen, seeing the wounds on Cairn’s body, felt a pang of guilt.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’m… I’m sorry. It’s because of me….”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s okay. It’s just this much. It’s not even itchy.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cairn laughed it off as if it was nothing, pouring a potion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Strange.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Shabel Tiger had clearly been defeated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet her heart still raced.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Especially when she looked at Cairn.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She quickly turned her head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kim Minwoo, who had poured the potion, looked at Merhen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This… seems quite serious, doesn’t it?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The recent crisis.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had known about the Shabel Tiger hiding there through Whitey.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He intentionally provoked the attack.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not to kill her, of course.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was because he had heard stories that Mana tends to manifest in life-threatening situations.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Despite deliberately inducing such crises several times before, there had been no manifestation, not even a movement of Mana.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘This will be difficult.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A realization dawned upon them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It seemed difficult to trigger magic simply by reaching a life-threatening level.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Well, if it were that easy, it would have manifested sooner.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Merhen must have tried her best as well. It seemed like giving up on manifestation due to the threat to her life was the right decision.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As they ventured further for another day, they noticed several changes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The magic was becoming denser.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The footprints of monsters scattered around were converging in one direction.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Merhen’s face stiffened as she observed this.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>While previously they couldn’t be certain about the possibility of a wave despite noticing the intensifying magic, now it was different.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If monsters were gathering, it was a clear sign of an imminent wave.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Cairn, it’s getting more dangerous as we proceed.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yeah, it seems like a wave will erupt soon.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Let’s go. We need to inform others.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Merhen.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yeah?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Cedric will stick with you, so go first.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Huh?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Facing Merhen’s smile, he spoke with a serious expression.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The monsters will gather soon. Since all the students are scattered in the forest, many will die if we don’t do something.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Th-then we need to run away quickly!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We need to stop them.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But… but…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It doesn’t have to be you.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Merhen barely swallowed the last part.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Did I burden Cairn?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The thought crossed Merhen’s mind suddenly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In hindsight, it seemed so.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was Merhen who had continuously insisted on informing Cairn about the wave.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But what about Cairn?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had been skeptical about that opinion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He wouldn’t oppose it if she insisted, but was it necessary?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was the feeling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The desire for points.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because there hadn’t been any conclusive evidence, Merhen had followed Cairn with a somewhat vague attitude despite her assertions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But when clear evidence of the wave emerged, his attitude suddenly changed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Towards protecting people.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It wasn’t about single-handedly capturing the wave for points.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No matter how one looked at it, the reason that came to mind was his attitude.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Merhen said urgently, “If it’s because of me, there’s no need for that. I don’t care at all. Everyone is selfish anyway.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If the students had reported the anomaly, even a few of them, the rescue team would have already been dispatched.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They would have sent magical flares in all directions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So, if they had entered the forest, they would have been able to confirm at least to some extent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the magical flares had never gone off.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Neither the top nor the middle-ranking players had gone to report the anomaly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, they couldn’t blame them since they hadn’t done so themselves.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was just that.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They realized afresh that people live for themselves. So, there was no reason for Cairn to sacrifice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Why should I take responsibility for an accident that wasn’t Cairn’s fault either?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Merhen urgently grabbed Cairn’s sleeve.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Let’s go together. It’s not too late yet. We can escape…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment, the ground began to tremble as if thousands were rushing forward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Merhen’s eyes glazed over.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Intense vibrations.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The wave had already begun.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s coming. This way.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cairn stretched out his hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He turned to the summoned Cedric.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Take her.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>― Okay\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cedric grabbed Merhen’s arm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No! Let go! Cairn! I’ll stay with you…….”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>—……Come with me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cedric ran off with her on his shoulder.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Merhen shook her head vigorously, grabbing Cedric’s skull with her hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘…This is Annoying.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cedric inwardly sighed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This woman knew nothing about her master’s true worth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So why was she freaking out over a single monster wave like this?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He wanted to ask why she was making such a fuss like that.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But if he did, he might end up being beaten by his master for months on end.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kim Minwoo was a cunning human.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There must be a reason for not showing her his true worth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing his former colleague freaking out on his shoulder, Cedric had a rough idea of the reason.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Most likely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘It’s probably for the sake of points.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Let me go!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>―Just stay still for a moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cedric inwardly sighed as he pulled his finger out from the skull.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was this really the same Banshee Queen who used to be so cold and composed?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He felt a sense of regret creeping in.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Translator – Prøks]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Proofreader – Prøks]\u003C\u002Fp>",2138,"2026-06-03T14:21:21.387Z","2026-06-03T14:21:27.249Z",1,"novelbin.me","83e3d1af3db1633923e495230b8c864445999f8b8334a7dadcc71454fdf8ea2b","damn-necromancer-chapter-22","damn-necromancer-chapter-292",362,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fdamn-necromancer-cover.jpg"]