Skeleton Master Chapter 021
Fortunately, there were no users or guild members occupying this place in sight.
Good.
Moo-hyeok immediately climbed up a tree to survey the situation.
As he moved slowly, he spotted two steel ants passing below.
He summoned skeletons to hold one in place, then mounted the other and stabbed his sword into its joint.
[You deal minimal damage.]
[You deal 10 damage.]
[You deal 9 damage.]
[You deal 9 damage.]
In that state, he briefly commanded the skeletons with his thoughts.
He could hardly deal any damage.
This is going to be tough.
He just switched to defense mode and focused on the steel ant he was engaging.
While struggling not to fall off the violently thrashing creature.
[You deal 11 damage.]
[You deal 9 damage.]
The damage kept coming in.
Phew.
He felt at ease again. It was thanks to adapting to the steel ant's movements.
He turned his head to take in the battle between his summons and the steel ant.
Kirik, kiririk!
The Bow Bone 1 was sent flying by the steel ant's headbutt. The Bow Bone 2 was about to suffer the same fate.
Moo-hyeok instinctively gave orders.
Bow Bone 2, to the left.
The steel ant charged again to finish it off, but Bow Bone 2 dodged.
Instead, Bow Bone 1, who was getting up, was attacked again.
Skeleton Archers 1 and 2, attack.
With a whooshing sound, the bone arrows flew and struck the steel ant's skin, but it was too hard for them to penetrate.
The deflected bone arrows fell to the ground, and the steel ant, angered by the attack, changed its target to the archers.
The steel ant, rushing in quickly, looked at Skeleton Archers 1 and 2 before biting down hard on Skeleton Archer 2's shoulder with its jaws.
Its combat effectiveness was lost as its shoulder shattered, but the steel ant didn't stop there.
Only after crushing its chest and spine did it turn away.
That's when it happened.
The vibrations ceased.
The movements of the steel ant Moo-hyeok had stabbed slowed down.
Thud.
At last, it collapsed to the ground.
Moo-hyeok's eyes gleamed as he quickly pulled out his sword and stabbed it again.
[A critical hit occurs.]
[You deal 159 damage.]
[Experience points increase.]
The steel ant died.
Without time to decompose the corpse, Moo-hyeok immediately ran towards the back of the steel ant attacking the skeletons.
He jumped forcefully off the ground, landed on top of the creature, and immediately stabbed his sword into the joint between its chest and abdomen.
*
The experience points from the steel ant were tremendous.
As expected of a level 32 monster.
Even though Illusion was famous for its slow experience gain, he could visibly see his experience increase each time he killed one of these creatures.
Thanks to this, he was able to level up once in less than two days.
He decided to increase his health.
After raising one stat point, a change came over the remaining skeletons, except for Bow Bone 1 and 2.
Their health increased by 1 point each.
Good.
The increase in HP and defense was significant.
It meant they could withstand the steel ants' attacks a little longer.
This would make things much easier.
Moo-hyeok focused on hunting again.
One day, and then another day.
He killed steel ant after steel ant.
[Experience points increase.]
[Level up.]
Finally, level 22.
It was an achievement accomplished in 4 days.
Summon window.
(Skeleton Warrior 1)
Level: 17
HP: 580
MP: 315
Strength: 12
Agility: 10
Vitality: 14
Intelligence: 7
Wisdom: 7
Bonus points: 1
The summon was 5 levels lower than Moo-hyeok, at 17.
Thanks to this, one bonus point was generated.
By investing it in vitality, Skeleton Warrior 1's HP became 615.
The other skeleton warriors also increased their vitality.
As a result, they all approached 600 HP.
Just looking at the numbers was reassuring.
For the skeleton archers, damage would be better.
Skeleton Archers 1 and 2 increased their strength.
Afterwards, Moo-hyeok checked the rankings.
Currently, the top player was level 54.
They gained one level.
How long would it take? Half a year?
The time needed to enter the top 10,000 ranks.
And then another half year...
So, after about a year had passed, Moo-hyeok estimated that he would at least be able to put his name in the top 100 ranks.
Two more days passed.
In the morning, he would wake up, work out, and have a meal on his way home.
Upon arriving home, he would immediately log into the game and satisfy his character's hunger with simple cooking.
Afterwards, he would hunt steel ants for 5 hours, then exit the capsule to eat lunch-cum-dinner before logging back into Illusion to continue hunting.
He ate bread in between to maintain his character's satiety, careful not to let his stats drop.
And only at 11 PM did he stop hunting.
After spending a day like this, the next day followed the same pattern.
Thanks to this, level 23 was just around the corner.
That's when it happened.
[Skeleton Warrior skill level increases.]
[Skeleton Archer skill level increases.]
The summon skills' levels went up.
Moo-hyeok immediately checked the information.
[Exclusive Skills]
[Skeleton Mastery Lv. 2(23%)]
Skeletons' attack power and defense increase by 2 percent.
[Skeleton Warrior Summon Lv. 3(0%)]
Can summon 6 skeletons with sword aptitude. As the skill level increases, the number of summonable skeletons and MP consumed per 10 seconds increase.
Current MP consumed every 10 seconds: 3 per entity [Skeleton Archer Summon Lv. 3(0%)]
Can summon 3 skeletons with bow aptitude. As the skill level increases, the number of summonable skeletons and MP consumed per 10 seconds increase.
Current MP consumed every 10 seconds: 3 per entity6 warriors. 3 archers.
A total of 9 summons became possible.
The duration might decrease, but the instantaneous power has increased.
As the skill level increases, this phenomenon will become even more pronounced. And... Moo-hyeok took out an item from his inventory.
It was a staff with a skull ornament attached to the end of an iron club.
The box that Old Man Balzac had handed over at the end. It was the item inside it.
Just one more level up.
Then it will be usable. Swish.
Moo-hyeok checked the staff's options once again.
"Phew."
It was amazing no matter how many times he looked at it.
This weapon, too, hadn't originally existed.
Probably a gift given only to those who earned the title of top disciple.
When he first saw the options, he couldn't help but gasp.
He never imagined such a high-level item would come into his hands so early.
That's why it will be of even greater help in his future endeavors.
So far, so good.
Of course, he mustn't let his guard down.
Soon, the existence of dungeons will become known to all users, and then large and small battles to occupy those dungeons will begin in earnest everywhere.
Only those who are victorious there will be able to enter the dungeons.
There is a problem, though.
Moo-hyeok smirked.
The dungeons don't stay in one place.
Normal dungeons: 100 people.
Special dungeons: 50 people.
Unique dungeons: 30 people.
Ancient dungeons: 10 people.
Once cleared by that number of people, the dungeon disappears.
There's no need to hide this information.
After all, normal dungeons will be easily cleared, and as the disappearance phenomenon repeats, everyone will have no choice but to realize it.
Then, the phenomenon of trying to monopolize will intensify.
To survive such oppressive force, one must become stronger.
If you're going to do it, do it properly.
He put the staff back in his inventory. Two hours later.
Finally, he could reach level 23.
[Level up.]
This time, he increased agility.
With this, the restriction for equipping the staff was lifted.
Item check.
Information appeared before his eyes.
[Skull Staff]
A staff with a skull hanging at the end. It has inherent transformation magic.
Attack Power +55
Magic Attack Power +75
Wisdom +1
MP Recovery Rate increased by (10)
Durability 200/200
Usage Restriction: Strength 25, Agility 10, Vitality 15
There were two additional options besides the attack power option.
Wisdom and MP recovery rate.
At the current level, it was an incredible weapon.
Moreover, Moo-hyeok realized when he first saw it.
That this was a dual weapon.
Moo-hyeok, with an intrigued expression, pressed hard on the skull at the end of the handle.
Then, a sharp blade popped out from under the club that was pressing against the ground.
When swung, it becomes an iron club.
When thrust, it becomes a sword.
And it doesn't end there.
After pressing the skull head again to retract the blade, he took out an arrow from his bag.
He pulled it along with the wire attached closely to the club.
[Transformation magic is activated.]
[MP(5) is consumed.]
Then, the body curved and transformed into a bow.
This is transformation magic.
Moo-hyeok aimed at a distant tree trunk and released the bowstring.
Twang!
The air burst as the arrow was shot. The arrow, drawing a slight curve, fell far off from its intended target.
"Hmm...!"
It seemed like it would take quite a long time to train.
I'll have to practice whenever I can.
Honestly, it's not possible to always be at the forefront of hunting.
As time passes, there will come a day when he'll have to position the skeletons at the front while Moo-hyeok commands from the rear, or uses supportive magic, or provides cover fire with the bow.
So practice is essential.
The time when these repetitive actions bear fruit is not far off.
He set that day as his primary goal.
*
Had he been too absorbed in the game?
The rare phone call from his mother made him realize how neglectful he had been towards his family.
(Are you busy on the weekend?)
"No, I'm free."
(Well then...)
"I'll come home today."
(Really?)
"Yes."
(Alright. We'll all have dinner together after a long time.)
His mother's voice was cheerful.
He hung up with a smile and started preparing.
He left the house.
He took the subway home.
Meeting his family after a long time.
"Son, you're here?"
"Yes, Mom."
Suddenly remembering the past, his eyes welled up.
Phew, it's all in the past now.
He forced a smile, trying to shake off the thoughts.
The table was set in the meantime.
A savory smell.
It's soybean paste stew.
Remembering his mother's cooking brought a smile to his face. As he entered the living room, he saw his father sitting at the table. Moo-hyeok took a seat on the left side.
Then his sister came out.
"Let's eat."
"Thank you for the meal."
They started eating the prepared dishes one by one.
Simple yet heartwarming.
Warm conversations flowed between them.
It looks nice.
This life had now become his everyday reality.
He was determined never to forget how precious this moment was.
