Skeleton Master Chapter 012

The growth of a skeleton is slow.

Extremely slow.

No, beyond that, it's frustratingly slow. That's why many users can't endure the slowness and give up.

Only a few users who don't give up manage to level up and lead multiple summons, but even then, their utility value isn't high.

Why, you ask?

As the character's level increases, the skeleton's level naturally increases as well, but it's always 5 levels lower than the main character.

Moreover, while the main character gets 1 bonus point every time they level up, summons only get 1 bonus point after two level-ups.

So even when the main character reaches level 100, the summons will only have gained a total of 47 bonus points.

A level 90 warrior can break them with a slight touch, and a mage's area attack can melt them instantly.

Of course, they get an additional 20 percent of the main character's stats, but it's meaningless since regular users don't increase strength, agility, or vitality.

Only late-game summons like Death Knights or Golems can barely face high-level users, but if those users decide to ignore the summons and target only the main character, a meaningless death awaits.

However, it will be revealed someday.

As dexterity increases, you gain bonus stats when replacing bones, and because 20 percent of the main character's stats are added additionally, if you focus on growing strength, agility, and vitality, you become strong to a level that can't be ignored.

Is that all?

No.

When you advance to the Gangster Necromancer class, an additional 10 percent is added.

In other words, 30 percent of the main character's stats are additionally added to the summons.

There's another possibility for growth.

If you assemble bones from stronger monsters, the stats increase even more.

The stronger the monster, the greater the increase.

Especially, the skull is crucial.

You can only replace it once, and it's hard to obtain, so you need to be careful, but it grows significantly in proportion.

You can even equip them with weapons and shields.

Later on, they learn helpful skills.

The higher the dexterity.

The higher the skill level.

The better the equipment.

The higher the main character's level and stats.

Eventually, the summons become stronger too.

Grinding, time. Pouring those in. Enduring.

If you're confident you can endure all of that, Moo-hyeok thought there was no better job than Gangster Necro.

"So..."

Right now, this is the only way.

The only way to make the pathetically weak skeletons and zombies somewhat useful in the early stages.

"Attack!"

Using the summons as bullet shields.

Taking advantage of that opening.

Whoosh.

Moo-hyeok jumped and landed on the snake's body.

Maintaining balance, he moved towards the head and just before falling, he strongly thrust the sword in his hand downwards.

Crunch.

The rough sensation of piercing flesh.

He twisted the sword.

Kieeeeek!

The Wisdom Snake screamed and writhed.

But Moo-hyeok had already perfectly balanced himself through several experiences.

Once the sword is thrust in, there's no worry of falling off. From then on, it was smooth sailing.

After all, the Wisdom Snake's physical abilities were far inferior to those of the Vitality, Strength, and Agility snakes.

Stab, stab.

After stabbing it with a few daggers drawn from the Infinite Scabbard, it quieted down.

Is it dead?

After waiting a bit, a message appeared.

[Experience points increase.]

[Level up.]

['Wisdom (0.1)' increases.]

It was a pleasant sound.

Not only did Wisdom increase, but he also leveled up!

But there was no time to indulge in joy.

Slowly straightening his back and standing up, he quickly went down and dissected the corpse that was scattering silver powder.

His hands moved automatically, cutting the skin and extracting bones. After putting the obtained items in his inventory, he sat down to rest.

Already feeling hungry.

He took out bread from his inventory and chewed on it.

Sigh, it tastes bad.

He desperately craves kimchi stew.

I should learn cooking soon.

He planned to learn cooking as soon as he got out of here.

When you acquire cooking, your dexterity automatically increases by 3.

Afterwards, dexterity increases slightly whenever the cooking skill level rises or when you make special dishes.

That alone helps with bone assembly.

Moreover, eating good food can temporarily increase stats.

From Moo-hyeok's perspective, it was an essential secondary job to have.

Of course, most users prefer to bring along those who have learned it rather than learning it themselves, finding it bothersome and complicated.

After eating all the bread, Moo-hyeok checked his HP and MP.

It was filled up to 90 percent, but for added safety, he decided to fill it up to 100 percent.

Moo-hyeok relieved his boredom by checking his current character information.

[Basic Information]

Name: Moo-hyeok

Level: 17

Job: Necromancer

Fame: 600

Title: Beginning of Adventure

- All stats +1

[Basic Stats]

Strength: 23(+0.9)

Agility: 10(+0.2)

Vitality: 12(+0.3)

Intelligence: 10(+0.1)

Wisdom: 10(+0.3)

Bonus Points: 0

[Special Stats]

Endurance: 4

Concentration: 4

Flexibility: 4

Luck: 4

Dexterity: 27

Bonus Points: 0

[Detailed Information]

HP: 750

Recovery Rate per Minute: 39

MP: 650

Recovery Rate per Minute: 20

Physical Attack Power: 69 +16

Magic Attack Power: 50

Defense: 12 +14

Magic Defense: 20

Attack Speed: 123%

Movement Speed: 111.5%

Reaction Speed: 101.5%

It's enough to make one smile involuntarily.

The 0.9 to the left of Strength was a figure that appeared because he had caught 9 Strength Snakes so far.

If he catches just one more, that figure will disappear and his Strength will increase from 23 to 24.

For Agility, Vitality, Intelligence, and Wisdom, he had already caught more than 10 of each, resulting in a stat increase of one point each.

It's truly enjoyable.

Because he can feel himself getting stronger.

He wishes he could stay for a month.

Where will it end?

It might be cleared in the very next area, or he might have to go up to the 2nd floor, 3rd floor, or even higher.

That's how long dungeon raids can take.

It's easy to get tired and exhausted, but right now, Moo-hyeok was hoping this dungeon wouldn't end.

No, at least three more days.

In that time, he could achieve at least 5 more stat increases.

Snicker.

A small laugh escaped for a moment.

The psychology of expecting that much, even though he already knows it's not possible.

Unless it's an ancient dungeon, being a unique dungeon, he could probably only raise each stat by two, at most three points.

Clearing his idle thoughts, he checked his status again.

His HP and MP were fully charged.

Swish.

After getting up, he took a step forward.

*

When his Agility was 9, he couldn't catch up with the Agility Snake.

But the situation changed as he stubbornly hunted Agility Snakes and raised it to 9.

100.5 percent.

101 percent.

101.5 percent.

He could feel his reaction speed increasing with each increment of 5.

Now that Moo-hyeok had reached exactly 101.5 percent, he had gained a level of increased reaction speed, allowing him to catch the creature's movements, albeit faintly.

Looking at this aspect, reaction speed is certainly an amazing ability.

Even with a slight difference, it allows you to experience a different world.

That doesn't mean Agility is the best stat, though.

Because fighting isn't just about being able to see.

Of course, you need the strength and speed to enter that world, but stamina to move freely is also essential.

Moo-hyeok is in a state where these three aspects are well-balanced.

His current reaction speed is 101.5%.

In terms of Agility alone, it's equivalent to a value of 15.

But his Strength was 8 points higher than that, and although his Vitality was a bit lacking, it was still at 12, which was sufficient.

He had qualified to enter a faster world.

Kiiieek.

That's why he wasn't worried at all.

Even now, as an Agility Snake was circling around Moo-hyeok.

He stood still, holding a dagger in his left hand and the Sword of Destruction in his right.

Then suddenly, he dashed forward.

As he kicked off the ground, he swung the Sword of Destruction.

It was a strike that accurately pierced the snake's neck as it was moving in a semicircle.

[A critical hit has occurred.]

[You deal 152 damage]

The startled creature frantically swung its tail, but Moo-hyeok's increased reaction speed had already caught all of its movements.

He slightly bent his knees and then leaped into the air.

He saw the snake with its mouth wide open in front of him. He threw the dagger in his left hand forcefully.

The quickly flying object lodged itself in the creature's tongue.

Another critical hit!

Kiek, kieeek!

While the creature was going berserk, Moo-hyeok landed on the ground.

"Hup...!"

He held his breath as he endured.

In an instant, he exploded with strength and closed the distance.

Luckily, two critical hits had occurred.

The creature's remaining HP wouldn't be much. Based on previous battles, he estimated it to be around 300.

Just 4 or 5 normal attacks should do the job.

As he could now catch the creature's movements, he judged there would be no difficulty.

He swung his sword roughly at close range.

Slash, slash.

Already three times.

As the Agility Snake, writhing in pain, tried to quickly retreat, Moo-hyeok simultaneously summoned two skeletons and a zombie to block its path.

While they briefly blocked it, Moo-hyeok arrived near the snake again and thrust his sword.

With a rough sound of 'pook', silver dust began to cover the snake's entire body, starting from that point.

Moo-hyeok leisurely approached it and used his skill.

"Corpse Decomposition."

After putting the decomposed items into his inventory and observing for a moment, the time of death, which had been temporarily paused by the skill, began to flow again.

The snake's corpse started to disappear, turning into smoke.

The items that dropped were a few pieces of leather.

He picked them up and put them in his bag.

Special materials from corpse decomposition.

Plus monster drop materials on top of that.

The fun of collecting items was quite satisfying too.

After looking at the gathered items for a moment, he checked his remaining HP.

100 percent.

He hadn't been hit even once in this battle.

Alright, shall we go right away?

He didn't need to rest.

Thud.

As he walked forward, he imagined what kind of snake might appear next.

If it's a Strength Snake?

Its HP would be around 700.

With its low defense, he could kill it with about ten successful attacks.

A Vitality Snake had 1,200 HP and about 40 defense.

He had no choice but to keep hitting it relentlessly, while Intelligence and Wisdom Snakes were much easier opponents than the previous three if he could just block their retreat.

Very good.

His battle experience had melted into his being.

There was nothing to fear.

All that remained was to achieve stat increases.

Thud.

He moved forward again without rest.

A snake visible in the distance.

"Boney one, Boney two. Attack!"

As he caught it, his stat increased by 0.1 again.