Necromancer Survival

as if he expected the others to ignore him.
I looked between the party and my servant, trying to puzzle out this contradiction.

     As Kim Sangyoon’s party members caught up to our location and, one by one, surrounded me, the invisible boundary between Seo Dawon and the rest of the Users became quite distinct.
Just like Sangyoon, the other party members never acknowledged Seo Dawon nor asked me about his presence.
No one acted awkwardly, as if they were purposefully ignoring the revived man.

     When I looked at Seo Dawon, who stood a ways away from the group, with a puzzled expression, he gave me an inexplicable smile and pointed beneath his feet.
His body did not cast a shadow.

“”

* * *

     “You really have killer luck.” The Animist told me.
If it weren’t for his water spirit’s oxygen helmet, I would have died after I fell into the lake.

     Alongside Kim Sangyoon, all the others were extremely surprised as well.
“Hey! How did you survive!?” they asked, harmlessly.
I briefly explained all that had happened, only omitting the details of my contract with Seo Dawon.

      The tales of my escapade required a dubious suspension of belief and faith in luck or the gods, but no one seemed to confront me with serious doubts.  However, after listening to my story, Kim Sangyoon said, “From now on, stick close to me.
Alright?” I wasn’t sure if his blunt instructions came from a place of compassion or scolding.

     Still touched by Kim Sangyoon’s uncharacteristic show of kindness, I walked quietly behind him without bothering to quibble with his commands.

     …..Except, Seo Dawon, who only I could see, suddenly began to make sarcastic remarks towards Kim Sangyoon.
“What pretense, does he think he’s strong?”

     I tried to signal through my gaze the inability to comfortably answer him now.
However, when Seo Dawon’s eyes met mine, he simply drew closer and began to talk earnestly.

     “Is he your friend? Ah, but you have none…Did you pay him to carry you?”

     Though Seo Dawon seemed to be talking to himself, I felt that it was too unfair to leave his questions unanswered, especially when I felt his penetrating gaze in my periphery.
Eventually, after checking to see if anyone was paying attention, I nodded.

     Even though by this point Seo Dawon should have understood that I couldn’t easily answer his questions without appearing like a madman, he continued his interrogation.
“How much did you pay? A lot?”

     I lightly shook my head, to indicate that I couldn’t give him an answer.

     ‘Let’s talk after we get out!’ My eyes blinked at him, hoping to convey my desperation.

“”

     But my second servant wasn’t even half as intuitive to my inner thoughts as my first.
Lackey wouldn’t have given me this much trouble.
“Are you ignoring me?” he said, voice drawling.

     ‘You! Just wait till we get out! Have you no tact?!’

     Instead of speaking, I discreetly slapped Seo Dawon’s arm.
Only then did he seem to realize that I wasn’t willing to respond in order to maintain a composed facade.

     Suddenly, the system’s messaging function activated.

╔═════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╗

A message from your servant, ‘Seo Dawon,’ has arrived.
Will you accept the conversation?’

Seo Dawon: Hi 2

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     ……What on earth?

     I clicked my acceptance and stared, puzzled, at the translucent window that transformed into a chatting application.

     Seo Dawon laughed, “As expected, you had no idea this existed?” He seemed retroactively amused at my struggles.
I was miffed–but what could I say? It was true that I knew little about the system and its functions.
Conscious of my surroundings, I held my fingers aloft and slowly began to type.

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Choi Leekyung: I had no idea.
You’re the first person I’ve ever revived.

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     “When new functions get added to the system, don’t you thoroughly check the updated features?” His disdain was clear in his voice.

      I secretly glared at him with a sidelong glance, but he wasn’t intimidated.
Seo Dawon shrugged his shoulders and nodded at the message window.
His imperious expression was the same as when he dared me to speak informally.

╔═════════════════════════════════════════════════════╗

Choi Lee-kyung: Wow~ You’re so smart^6

╚═════════════════════════════════════════════════════╝

     I was sarcastic, as I had nothing else to say.
However, Seo Dawon didn’t seem to mind.
In fact, he giggled quietly as he replied [lololololololol]; my gentle insult didn’t seem to have any lasting impact.

     Seo Dawon did not end the conversation and instead asked me again, through the messaging app, [How much did you pay to get carried? lolol]