Ch. 17 — Newtuber Necromancer

As morning came, the excitement had intensified even more than it was in the early hours.

It was natural.

Everyone who had woken up had heard the news.

If people were merely excited about setting a new record in the early hours, now it was different.

-Wow, LOL, isn’t that the Black Heart set? The gear with Skeletons attached is even better than my full setup, damn LOL.

-How much does it cost?

-At least 3 per set piece. To complete the full set, you need around 200 million, LOL. And that’s excluding weapons LOL.

[TL/N: Don’t ask me how 3000 per set piece comes to 200 million for a full set. It is what it is]

-That’s insane;; So, does that mean it’s at least 60 billion for 300 sets?

-Yup, LOL. I wondered if it was true, but they really put those on the skeletons, LOL.

-(Info) Kim Minwoo has spent over 300 billion at auctions so far.

-…Not 30 billion, but 300 billion?”

-Yup. 30 billion is just the commission LOL. When you calculate equipment, consumables, potions, and skill books sold in bulk, it’s at least that much LOL.

-Do you have to spend that much to become a Super Rookie? LOL

-The country wouldn’t support that, LOL.

Now, how much he spent had become even hotter gossip.

People often think that Awakeners are wealthy, but the reality was somewhat different.

The more you earn, the more you spend.

To be more precise, they often spent more than they earned.

Skill books, equipment, potions, etc.

Money flowed out from every corner.

That’s why even famous Awakeners were often seen as spendthrifts. To become stronger, they had to keep spending money.

It was a suffocating consumption system.

Still, there was no one crazy enough to spend 300 billion at level 1.

Except for Kim Minwoo, who appeared like a comet today.

[(Breaking News!) Overseas famous scouts enter Korea! Will there be a bidding war? Kim Minwoo’s estimated value is at least 1 trillion won!]

-Hey, LOL, isn’t 1 trillion too little, reporter?

-Didn’t Kim Minwoo summon 300 skeleton soldiers? LOL. That’s a crazy potential LOL. He’s worth at least 1 trillion LOL.

-True LOL. He cut Isabella at level 1 LOL. You need to be at that level to be worth it LOL. Even if the investment is 300 billion LOL.

-Yeah, LOL. Even if they offered 1 trillion, he wouldn’t go LOL.

-LOL, seriously, would you abandon Korea and become a foreigner for 10 trillion? LOL.

-Even if that’s the case, 10 trillion seems too much LOL. But even if I were Kim Minwoo, I wouldn’t go for 1 trillion LOL. My dad is the chairman, LOL.

Unlike usual, where she anxiously awaited such acquisition-related articles, this time she could calmly read through them with a smile.

Although they joked about 10 trillion, could a serious attempt at recruitment be made with that amount?

That might be the case, considering Kim Minwoo’s extraordinary status.

-(Breaking News) Kim Minwoo opens a NewTube channel LOL.

-Is it real?

-Yup. The channel’s name is Mangnani LOL.

-Wow, insane. It passed 400,000 subscribers in just 20 minutes;;

-Huh? There’s a live broadcast notice. It says he’ll start if the subscriber count exceeds 2 million?

-Let’s row the boat while the water’s rising LOL.

-I’m subscribing too LOL.

Subscribers reached 500,000, 600,000, 700,000…

The number of subscribers began to skyrocket like crazy.

* * *

When water comes in, we row.

That saying was spot on.

Interest is at its peak now.

It’s the perfect time to start a new NewTube channel.

We reached 2 million subscribers in just 2 hours.

We turned on the broadcast using our smartphone.

[Current viewers: 512,321]

“Nice to meet you. I’m Kim Minwoo.”

― Wow, seriously? But why is it so spacious here? Haha.

― It’s even fancier than the chaebol family’s mansion from the drama, haha. Isn’t this the first time the house has been revealed?

― He really is the chosen one…….

― So what’s the topic of today’s broadcast?

700,000.

900,000.

The number of viewers was skyrocketing in a short amount of time.

Then the camera turns.

A kitchen filled with furniture.

“It’s impressive, right? These are the kitchen appliances from IlSung. They operate through mana stones and are very efficient.”

Cedric, standing in front of the refrigerator, opened the door and gave a thumbs up.

―?

―??

―???

―???

―What’s this? Is it an ad?

―This is insane, haha.

―What’s with that skeleton giving a thumbs up, haha?

“I also have some homework to do. Please understand.”

―Ah, haha, I just realized why the channel name is like that, haha.

―An ad from the first broadcast? Seriously, Are you kidding me?

―Yeah, if you don’t like it, leave. There are plenty of other viewers, haha.

―The chat window is already stuttering because of lag, and now this ant storm, haha.

―Starting with a hygiene broadcast, haha.

“With such a spacious house, there’s a lot to introduce. Shall we embark on an adventure together today?”

―(Interpretation) We’re going to advertise all the household furniture today.

―It’s really chaotic, haha.

―Yeah, we won’t fall for the ant storm, we’ll definitely watch until the end.

―Oppa, you’re so handsome, haha. I became a fan after watching the news yesterday! Your voice sounds good too, haha.

“Hey, Cedric, come sit here.”

―Yes, master.

―?

―??

―???

―???

―Did that skeleton just speak?

―What’s this? Is it a martial arts skeleton?

“How does it feel, comfy?”

―It seems like it.

“It’s not ‘seems like it,’ it’s ‘yes, it is.’”

―Master, articles don’t lie.

“Ugh, are you talking back again?”

―…… Ilsung is the best. I love you.

―Wait, what am I even watching? Haha.

―So what exactly is that skeleton? So what exactly is that skeleton? I’ve asked this 50 times already.

―Come to think of it, it looks a bit different from typical skeletons, doesn’t it?

―Summoned with S-rank skills? Because the effects are more than just one or two.

―Seems like it. Honestly, summoning 300 of them was a bit underwhelming, haha.

―Ah, haha, S-rank skills can summon rare skeletons too, haha.

―But didn’t they just say it’s an article? Was its past life some kind of reporter?

―Foreign laborer skeleton, haha.

Squelch!

Minwoo, taking a sip of the drink made in Ilsung, glanced at the chat and said.

“This one’s named Cedric, and he’s my loyal companion. Say hi.”

―…… Cedric it is. Nice to meet you, humans.

That marked a turning point as the viewer count began to skyrocket like crazy.

The increase from 1 million to 3 million was truly instantaneous.

It seemed like something like news had popped up in real-time.

“Well, that went well.”

With that, it was time to pack all the advertisements.

From exercise equipment, bedroom, bathroom, air conditioner, marble vehicles, computers, to Ilsung’s smartphones, they introduced all sorts of products. Since there were many to make, it took a bit of time for the ads too.

“Phew. Homework is roughly done.”

―Is it more watchable than expected? Haha.

―Yeah, with the banter between the skeleton and the TikToker, it’s just easy to watch, haha.

―I should consider changing my computer soon. Maybe I’ll switch to Ilsung this time.

―I’m thinking of changing my fridge a bit. Although the appliances are outdated… well, Ilsung doesn’t seem bad either.

Although it was an advertisement, the viewers’ response wasn’t bad.

The interior of the house, first revealed through this NewTube, was so splendid, and thanks to the presence of the talking skeleton Cedric, they were able to capture the viewers’ attention.

“Shall we have a brief Q&A session before the end of the broadcast? If there are too many questions, it’s difficult to answer……”

[The minimum donation for chat has been raised to 10 million won!]

―?

―??

―???

―????

―10 million won?

―Ah, if you don’t have money, just watch silently, haha.

―Someone will do it, haha. By now, there must be a few kids rolling their eyes in curiosity, haha.

That prediction turned out to be exactly right.

[Hana Lee donated 10 million won!]

―Is that one of the effects of an S-rank summoning skill, Cedric?

“Yes.”

[Pobubangya donated 20 million won!]

―How strong is it?

“This? It’s a bit stronger than a regular skeleton.”

[Shanghai Chicken donated 40 million won!]

―There are scouts here. Will you accept the proposal if we offer 1 trillion?

“1 trillion? Is it necessary?”

[Jemonia donated 10 million won!]

―Are you considering joining a guild?

“I don’t know, I don’t like being bothered.”

[Sunsal Chicken donated 10 million won!]

―Do you have a predetermined place for the next F-rank gate?

“I’m considering.”

[Choilhan donated 20 million won!]

―If an S-rank skill usually has three effects, summoning many skeletons, summoning a talking skeleton, what’s the other one?

“I’m not telling.”

[Shanghai Chicken donated 20 million won!]

―What do you think about necromancers?

“Don’t do it if you don’t have money.”

[Shanghai Chicken donated 30 million won!]

―Does that mean it’s okay if you have money?

“If you’re curious, try it once.”

Soon after, Minwoo applauded.

“I’ll be ending the broadcast soon. As for the next broadcast… well, someday, right? That’s it for now.”

And when he turned off the broadcast…

[(Breaking News) Talking Skeleton Appears! Showing New Potential of Necromancers?]

[(Breaking News) Kim Minwoo’s First Broadcast, Ilsung Product Advertisements Flood In!]

[(Breaking News) Kim Minwoo Fires Back Regarding Acquisition! 1 Trillion? Far from Enough!]

[(Breaking News) Kim Minwoo’s Ticket Power Proven! Real-time Viewer Count for Ads Exceeds 4 Million!]

… Articles were already pouring in from all corners.

In the broadcast, he said he was considering it, but the next destination was already decided. It was because he had received hints from breaking through various places in the Osiris’ Tomb.

‘There were murals painted in hidden spaces.’

A picture of a fierce gorilla was painted.

Minwoo knew what it meant.

‘A boss monster.’

E-rank gate, Ulupalu Forest.

The gorilla was the boss there.

“This feels really good.”

The difficulty level had suddenly jumped up a notch just to find a necklace gem.

What’s next?

Naturally, as expected from a chain quest, the difficulty would steadily rise.

If lucky, it might even continue up to S-rank.

‘Well, it’s just Ulupalu Forest. I can just fake an ID and go.’

Of course, he didn’t plan to enter the gate as he was.

The monster level in the E-rank gate was roughly between 51 and 100. The difficulty for Ulupalu Forest was 90 points.

As the difficulty was high, the average level was close to 100.

Breaking through wouldn’t be a problem. But going alone and sweeping everything at level 25?

He would receive fervent love calls from assassination organizations worldwide.

That’s how devilish his growth rate was.

Of course, he had thought of a way.

He was the king of Korean conglomerates, Ilsung.

Making a fake ID of Awakening status at the level of C or D was as easy as yawning. He would disguise himself accordingly and enter the gate.

But what if it was not Kim Minwoo, who was just recognized as a super rookie, but Mr. Park Cheolwoong, a D-rank Awakened, attacking an E-rank gate solo?

It wouldn’t look odd at all to clear a gate one level below your own.

‘There’s a lot to prepare.’

After touring Ulupalu Forest once, his level would exceed 51. Starting with the next stage of potions to consume.

“I should also get the next skill book to level 9.”

Summon Skeleton Mage.

It was the next summoning skill that could be learned in the E-rank Awakened section at level 51.

He had planned to pre-level it to 9 before entering the gate. That way, he could learn it immediately after reaching level 51 while wandering in the forest.

It was time to relieve the frustration of dragging the footsloggers around.

And there was equipment to be prepared for the skeleton mages as well.

There was an excess of money to spend as he moved on to the next section.

One fortunate thing was…

“I received a lot of money.”

He could once again receive Chairman Kim’s full support, setting a new world record.

The amount alone was.

“1 trillion won.”

It’s in the trillions.

The reason for revealing Cedric today and heating up the advertisement was because he had to make it worth the money he received.

[Translator – Prøks]

[Proofreader – Prøks]