The Second Life of a Legendary Necromancer

Chapter 28: Factions, Conflict (3)

Field Boss, King Kalgalquir.

A level 120 boss monster whose shield capacity multiplied several times due to its innate characteristics.

It was known to be nearly impossible to hunt unless one possessed overwhelming attack power.

However, for Yeonwol, it was easy.

Twenty minutes.

It took only twenty minutes to defeat King Kalgalquir.

[Field Boss King Kalgalquir has been defeated!]

[Your level has increased by three stages, and part of the experience has been converted into stats due to the Jump Level-Up effect.]

[Reputation increases for defeating a powerful opponent.]

[You have acquired the B-Rank skill ‘Shield Skin.’]

This was it—Shield Skin.

A passive skill that steadily generates a shield equal to 10% of your HP—a ridiculously overpowered skill.

Currently, it only generated 10%, which wasn’t much, but in the future, with increased HP and a higher skill level, it would provide so much shielding that normal attacks wouldn’t even scratch his HP.

*Lv: 83 *Combat Power: 122

*Class: Necromaster (Un)

*Race: Human

HP: 1,580(+408) MP: 2,870

[Reputation: 369]

[Strength: 240] [Agility: 197]

[Wisdom: 86] [Stamina: 143]

[Vitality: 138] [Mental Power: 89]

[Dexterity: 91]

Even without buffs, his raw stats were impressive.

Thanks to the Jump Level-Up effect, he had also filled in gaps in Mental Power and Wisdom.

Overall, his stats approached those of a level 160 player.

However, due to lacking skill proficiency and gear, his combat power was still weaker compared to level 160 players.

‘I lack offensive skills.’

By level 100, most combat classes typically possessed at least 10 active combat skills.

How well one used these skills in various situations defined their strength and ability.

In other words, combat prowess was not solely determined by raw stats; skill execution also played a crucial role.

Combat classes also had bonuses specific to their class skills, allowing them to grow faster than Yeonwol’s swordsmanship mastery.

Fortunately, there was a way for Yeonwol to improve his swordsmanship.

Currently, his Swordsmanship Mastery was at 90% basic proficiency, growing rapidly within a short hunting period.

The reason wasn’t particularly special.

It was because he frequently used swordsmanship against enemies with an overwhelming level gap.

Facing enemies with significantly higher levels resulted in skill proficiency increasing at an incredible rate.

Additionally, he possessed the title [Swordsmanship Prodigy], which accelerated his growth in swordsmanship mastery, rivaling skilled swordsmen.

With the title and his proficiency, his growth rate was 18%.

Considering that most swordsman classes had a growth rate of 20%, his was nearly equivalent.

Growing as quickly as a swordsman despite not being one—this would likely cause envy among swordsman-class players if they knew.

However, Yeonwol had many more ways to further improve his swordsmanship.

‘I’ll need to tackle all the quests and trials that swordsmen avoid because they’re too difficult.’

To achieve this, he first needed to reach level 100.

Only then could he start equipping proper gear and acquiring essential skills to proceed.

“For now… I’ll stop hunting Kalgalquir.”

“Is there a reason for that?”

Eltis asked, puzzled.

It seemed like Yeonwol could continue hunting for a while longer.

“I think a guild war is about to break out.”

“A conflict among human players? Will you get involved?”

“No. Why bother with the hassle?”

As Yeonwol exited the entrance of Blade Canyon, he saw members of the Free Maker Guild and Red Berserker Guild drawing their weapons, exuding murderous intent.

“You bastards… I heard you’ve been deliberately interfering with our guild’s hunting and stealing kills.”

“Do monsters even have owners? Did you leave a name tag or something?”

“It’s basic etiquette! Don’t touch monsters another player is hunting! Your Red Berserkers are as rude as your cringe-worthy name suggests, stuck in some edgy teenage mindset.”

“Then why didn’t you hunt better yourselves? Your guild members, equipped with all that fancy gear, couldn’t even properly hunt Kalgalquir. It’s pathetic. You’ve got no skill and are just flexing numbers—it’s honestly embarrassing. In the end, it’s all about control, control.”

“You bastard!”

It was peculiar.

Even though players simply chose different factions in the game, the emotional rift between them grew deep.

Back in the early days of computer games, people often carried such rivalries into real life, sometimes even fighting because they chose opposing factions.

Yeonwol didn’t find it pathetic.

Everything won through struggle and conflict here would ultimately translate into power in the real world.

Those who poured their emotions and commitment into this world would one day become ‘Royal Rankers,’ reigning at the pinnacle of the world.

‘Fight all you want. Red Berserkers will win anyway.’

The Red Berserkers were infamous for their rudeness, constantly picking fights and hurling insults.

However, they also attracted many criminal players, which would ultimately lead them to victory in this war.

Having secured prime hunting grounds, the Red Berserkers would rapidly grow, eventually claiming cities and castles to become one of the most powerful guilds in the Kingdom of Watyrion.

Though it was too long ago for Yeonwol to recall the details, it wasn’t an event significant enough to warrant his intervention.

‘I just need to focus on my own tasks.’

The clash between the Red Berserkers and the Free Maker Guild became a hot topic in the community.

It was rare for major guilds to battle over a hunting ground in the level 100 mid-tier zones.

While smaller guilds had begun taking over villages, dungeons, and hunting grounds, conflicts of this scale were still uncommon, making it a massive spectacle.

[Author: Free Maker vs. Red Berserkers—who do you think will win?]

[User29: Based on average level, Red Berserkers have a slight edge.]

[User57: Red Berserkers have flashy gear, thanks to some wealthy players.]

[User73: I heard Red Berserkers also support criminal players.]

└[User168: Yeah, they allow criminals to operate in their territories, so that’s probably why.]

[User109: I hope Free Makers crush those despicable Red Berserkers.]

└[User124: For real, Red Berserkers are obnoxious, acting high and mighty just because of their levels.]

└[User198: No chance.

Red Berserkers are seasoned killers; there’s no way the polite Free Makers can win.]

Rapion, the master of the Sellatan Guild, found himself at a crossroads.

‘Supporting one side and securing their victory would guarantee significant returns from this war.’

War—it was one of the best opportunities for merchant guilds to make a fortune.

Even now, major production guilds worldwide, including Sellatan, were likely observing the developments between the two major guilds.

But choosing a side wisely was critical.

What if they supported one side and the other won?

‘That would be a catastrophe.’

In war, the victorious guild will continue to grow, expanding its territory and influence, including hunting grounds.

Losing the ability to trade with such a guild would be a significant corporate loss.

Moreover, if pressured by a powerful, expanding guild, even a top-tier merchant guild would struggle to exert influence due to the inherent limitations of production classes.

This is not reality.

This is Elthera World, where strength reigns supreme.

No matter how skilled one is as a businessman, the words of those with power carry the most weight.

This was especially true for the Sellatan Guild, which primarily dealt in potion trading.

Currently, their explosive advertising campaign for the Yeonwol Potion was garnering immense attention in the community.

However, aligning with the wrong side could lead to utter ruin.

‘Missing the victor is not an option.’

Which guild would emerge victorious?

Free Maker?

Red Berserkers?

Rapion repeatedly pondered this question with a grave expression.

After scouring the internet and organizing graphs of their relative strengths, Rapion concluded that the Red Berserkers were likely to win.

‘Their overall equipment is superior, which means they have more financial power.

While the Free Maker Guild has more members, the Red Berserkers have a higher average level and external supporters.’

Additionally, the Red Berserkers had extensive PK (Player Killing) experience.

It was a fight the Red Berserkers seemed destined to win.

Realizing this, Rapion knew he had to act quickly.

Other guilds likely analyzing the situation would already be contacting the Red Berserkers.

‘Contacting them after the war would be meaningless.

The guilds that provide substantial help before their victory will form closer ties with them.

I need to move fast.’

Rapion immediately sought out the IDs of the Red Berserker Guild’s leadership.

Placing an item called the ‘Whispering Whistle,’ which allowed communication with players not on one’s friends list, on his desk, he prepared to reach out.

But just as he was about to contact them, he hesitated.

“…What would he think?”

Time was of the essence.

Even now, the Red Berserkers were likely receiving offers from countless support guilds specializing in blacksmithing, tailoring, alchemy, and more.

Though every second mattered, Rapion decided to contact one particular player.

[Rapion: Yeonwol, may I trouble you for a moment of your time?]

The response came quickly.

[Yeonwol: Go ahead.]

Rapion explained the situation between the Red Berserkers and the Free Maker Guild.

He shared his analysis and expressed his belief that the Red Berserkers would almost certainly win.

[Yeonwol: Your analysis is solid.]

[Yeonwol: The Red Berserkers will win this battle, no question.]

Was Yeonwol of the same opinion?

Indeed, the disparity in strength was so overwhelming that even a fool could see it.

Just as Rapion resolved to contact the Red Berserkers…

[Yeonwol: But if you’re planning a long-term partnership or investment with a guild, I’d recommend Free Maker over the Red Berserkers.]

Rapion froze.

While it wasn’t surprising that someone as perceptive as Yeonwol had seen through his intentions, his advice was unexpected.

[Rapion: May I ask why?]

[Yeonwol: The Red Berserkers will collapse shortly after their victory in this war.]

“What…?”

Startled by the unexpected answer, Rapion urgently asked for an explanation.

[Yeonwol: The reasons? There are many, and it would take a long time to explain.]

Yeonwol’s reasoning was indeed extensive.

The criminal players supporting the Red Berserkers would withdraw their backing after the guild war.

This was because players with the ‘Crimson Brand’ as criminals faced severe penalties upon death.

While these players could assist in battles temporarily, their support wouldn’t last.

Similarly, the Red Berserkers would eventually have to suppress these criminals after taking over cities and hunting grounds.

No matter how much they wanted to establish a criminal guild, they couldn’t grow in lawless zones that were impossible to manage.

In other words, conflict with their support base was inevitable.

And that wasn’t all.

The Red Berserkers, having started as a criminal guild, would likely continue killing in hunting grounds, making it exceedingly difficult to occupy cities.

Unless they wielded overwhelming power to crush cities, their expansion would be hindered.

Attempting to restrain their members’ behavior would provoke fierce resistance, as the guild had previously allowed its members to act freely.

Criminals who had joined to commit crimes would leave en masse if restrictions were imposed.

In contrast, Free Maker pursued clean operations, striving to create a polite and orderly community.

This effort continued to attract more supportive rankers by the day.

Even in what seemed like an unwinnable battle, rankers publicly pledged their support for Free Maker on Elthera’s official SNS platform, ‘Elstagram,’ garnering countless likes.

[Yeonwol: The Red Berserkers lack internal control even now.]

[Yeonwol: They’ll struggle to occupy cities, and even if they claim a few, they won’t be able to manage them effectively.]

[Yeonwol: Before a revolution takes them down, they’ll implode due to internal division. That’s when Free Maker or another faction can step in to finish them off.]

“…”

After listening to Yeonwol’s reasoning, Rapion felt a chill run down his spine.

It all made sense.

Why had he assumed that the Red Berserkers’ victory would naturally lead to their dominance?

‘Even if they secure prime hunting grounds, if their management collapses, the guild will inevitably crumble.’

Yeonwol’s opinion wasn’t baseless conjecture.

Upon further investigation, Rapion confirmed that the Red Berserkers’ management was indeed chaotic.

Even now, they were constantly fighting and trading insults in their guild chat.

What else could one expect from a group of unruly criminals?

‘There have been cases of ill-mannered guilds growing big.

But a guild like theirs will hit a wall eventually.

And if they change their ways, their members will rebel.

After all, these are players who joined to commit crimes—prohibiting crime would lead to mass defections.’

In short…

‘The Red Berserkers are a ticking time bomb. The explosion might overpower their enemies, but they’ll destroy themselves in the process.’

Rapion closed his eyes.

Investments required long-term planning.

While investing in the Red Berserkers might seem prudent in the short term, supporting Free Maker, which could rise in the long term, was the better choice.

‘Yeonwol’s predictions could be wrong. Free Maker might never recover, or the Red Berserkers might suddenly fix their management issues.’

However, Rapion found the idea of investing in a criminal guild deeply unsettling.

This aversion stemmed from Rapion’s instincts as a person.

‘This is a gamble on low odds.’

While investing in the Red Berserkers might secure a place within a powerful guild, Sellatan Guild’s position would not be unique.

But by supporting the struggling Free Maker Guild with unwavering aid, even after their defeat…

Free Maker, should it grow into a massive entity, would never forget Sellatan’s support.

[Rapion: Thank you. Your advice has been invaluable.]

Rapion immediately reached out to the Free Maker Guild leadership.

Good people are drawn to other good people.