Skeleton Master Chapter 036

"Around here?"

This was information Moo-hyeok didn't know. Even though he had been completely immersed in Illusion while paralyzed, it was impossible to know everything about this vast world.

Plus, a level 38 dungeon.

He just needed to raise his experience by 5 percent.

He couldn't help but be tempted.

"Ah, we can't go there."

"Yeah, that's true."

"But where is it?"

"They say it's in the center of the Ogre Hunting Ground."

"What? Isn't that where Twin Ogres appear?"

"That's right."

"Crazy. What's a level 38 dungeon doing in a place like that?"

Twin Ogre.

A monster equivalent to level 50.

While they might not make it into the top 100,000 rankings, these were monsters hunted by skilled players who ranked within the top 1 million.

That's 1 million out of 1 billion players worldwide. We're talking about the top 0.1% of users.

Those who ranked in the top 100,000 were the elite 0.01% - these numbers alone were enough to understand how incredible they were and just how many people were enjoying Illusion.

"But I heard the Phoenix Guild has taken control of it?"

"Ugh, those bastards."

"You know what's funny though?"

"What?"

"They've just been occupying it for a week now."

"Just occupying it for a week?"

"Yeah, looks like they sent in some scouts, but it's taking quite a while."

"Hmph, hope they never come out."

"Should we make our own guild while we're at it?"

"Don't be ridiculous. A sparrow shouldn't try to keep up with a crane."

"This guy, even when he talks..."

Moo-hyeok stood up.

The center of Ogre Forest.

He had figured out the location.

First, let's hit level 38.

He summoned skeletons and hunted ogres.

After a little over two hours had passed,

He finally gained all the remaining experience points and reached level 38.

Moo-hyeok unsummoned his skeletons and immediately headed toward the center of the forest.

The area where ogres appeared was still crowded with users.

Thanks to that, perhaps? Moo-hyeok was able to reach the center without being disturbed by the ogres.

Is this it?

Though it was just one step away, the atmosphere changed dramatically. The moment he stepped into the center, he felt a crushing pressure weighing down on his shoulders.

Twin Ogre?

He turned his head but there was nothing there.

What is this?

With these doubts, he carefully moved forward.

He didn't have to walk far before he could see them.

The Phoenix Guild members, who were present in overwhelming numbers.

*

Dozens of Twin Ogres were charging at them.

Despite this, they remained composed.

"First Division, handle it."

"Yes."

The First Division Commander and their members stepped forward.

Their numbers alone were a hundred strong.

And all of them were in their mid to late level 40s.

"Units 1 and 2, get ready!"

After some time passed.

"Attack!"

Countless spells and arrows painted the sky.

BOOM!

They struck the Twin Ogres.

The shockwave surged.

The dust shooting skyward suppressed the Twin Ogres' screams.

That wasn't all.

The gusting wind forced heads to bow, and the brief but powerful explosion still echoed, leaving minds in a daze. It was truly an overwhelming sight.

"Whoa..."

Even Moo-hyeok's eyes widened.

He had seen even more spectacular scenes in videos, but this was his first time witnessing it in person.

He couldn't gather his thoughts.

"Units 3, 4, 5, and 6, forward!"

"Charge!"

It wasn't over yet.

Those wielding swords and shields rushed toward the Twin Ogres. It was like watching angry bulls trampling a flock of sheep.

The Twin Ogres, already devastated from taking massive damage, couldn't withstand the damage from the charging users and fell like dominoes.

"Stop!"

It was over in an instant.

"First collect the Twin Ogres' excretions."

"Yes."

Moo-hyeok's eyes gleamed.

Twin Ogre excretion. With it, you could attract all Twin Ogres within a 1km radius.

This was because Twin Ogres instinctively headed toward the location when they smelled the excretion.

Just knowing such information proved how extraordinary they were. Top users were already growing based on their own information.

"Collection complete."

"Good, let's head back."

As the First Division returned, the Phoenix Guild Leader nodded.

"The three dungeon scouts will return shortly. Based on the dungeon's characteristics and rewards, I'll select personnel at my discretion. Keep in mind that since it's a low-level dungeon, it will have to focus on promising recruits."

Watching from between the tree trunks, Moo-hyeok furrowed his brow.

This would be difficult...

Because there wasn't even the slightest opening to exploit the dungeon.

Should he wait a bit longer?

Or should he look for another way?

Just as he was pondering this.

Flinch.

As Moo-hyeok raised his head, the Phoenix Guild Leader's face filled his vision. He had been looking at Moo-hyeok.

Meanwhile.

After making eye contact, Moo-hyeok immediately turned his back.

There's no way.

No matter how he thought about it, there was no way to enter the dungeon. Though it was a shame since it was a level 38 dungeon, there was nothing he could do.

Just as he was about to leave the Ogre center with that thought, suddenly there was a commotion behind him.

What's going on?

He was worried.

Surely they hadn't ordered his capture?

He carefully turned his head.

Swish.

It wasn't the situation Moo-hyeok had imagined. The Phoenix Guild itself, including Guild Leader Haru, seemed to be in a state of chaos.

"We're under attack!"

"Everyone, battle positions!"

Only after hearing their shouts did Moo-hyeok grasp the general situation.

Battle? Monsters?

But seeing the shadows appearing in the distance, he shook his head.

Users.

There were an overwhelming number of users that surpassed the Phoenix Guild members gathered here.

Seeing them, Moo-hyeok's eyes lit up.

*

He spotted a user hiding between the trees, but since the person turned their back the moment their eyes met, he didn't pay much attention.

Right now, the priority was waiting for the scout team to return and then immediately getting promising recruits into the dungeon.

"Hmm?"

But at that moment, he felt a presence from all directions.

He quickly turned his head to scan the surroundings.

What is this...?

Nothing was visible.

He raised his hand.

Shhhh.

With that, every member of the Phoenix Guild fell silent.

The atmosphere grew heavy.

What was strangest was the eerie silence.

On this mountain?

No monster roars.

Not even bird chirping.

A large-scale user group?

Just as the thought crossed his mind.

Ugh...!

Of all places, it had to be the basin surrounding the center.

At a glance, far more users than the 300 Phoenix Guild members gathered here had revealed themselves in the basin surrounding the center.

The more than 500 of them were all wearing identical cloaks. The moment he saw their emblem, he knew who they were.

"Guardian Guild...!"

He hurriedly opened the guild window.

He called all guild members to the Ogre Forest through chat.

But...

Could they really hold them off until their companions arrived?

He shook his head roughly.

We have to hold them off.

He couldn't let the discovered dungeon slip away so meaninglessly.

"Everyone, prepare for battle!"

He shouted with determination in his voice.

*

The Phoenix Guild's scout team would be coming out soon. Of all times, that's when the Guardian Guild revealed themselves with clear hostile intent.

Moo-hyeok thought he might get a chance to enter the dungeon in the midst of this battle.

Just need to get in.

People waiting when I come out?

Doesn't matter.

I can just commit suicide right after getting the clear rewards.

After death?

When logging in 24 hours later, you respawn at the temple in the last town you visited. With the helmet on, my face won't be revealed either.

This was the perfect method to both spite them and achieve rapid growth simultaneously.

Of course, there's a possibility they'll chase after me. But it was worth that much risk.

The fact that the scout team hasn't returned for over 10 days clearly indicates a high difficulty level.

It might even be a special dungeon, or something more.

It's only natural to be greedy.

I'll take it.

Of course, if the opportunity presents itself. Moo-hyeok closed the distance a bit more and climbed a suitable tree. He crouched on a branch, concealing his presence as much as possible.

"Charge!"

The Guardian Guild could be seen charging toward the Phoenix Guild.

Just the sight of over 500 of them rushing in simultaneously was enough to make one's spirit falter.

Back in actual school days, there were at most 40 students in a class. With 10 classes per grade, that's only 400 at most.

Even just looking down at them gathered in the schoolyard from a platform would be impressive, but now adult users wearing various combat gear were charging in with killing intent?

It went beyond impressive to overwhelming.

That's how the Phoenix Guild members felt now. These opponents, appearing to be twice their number, were charging in with various weapons.

In this virtual world, death doesn't matter. No matter how much physical damage you take, there's almost no pain.

But they couldn't prevent the mental confusion and psychological impact.

"Damn it...!"

The Phoenix Guild leader shouted urgently.

"All units, commence attack!"

Only then did the unit leaders prepare.

"Unit 1, Teams 1 and 2 ready!"

"Unit 2, Teams 1 and 2 ready!"

Thus, the mages belonging to Teams 1 and 2 of all five units chanted their own spells to blast away the enemies.

Soon, massive mana flows could be felt from all directions.

"Attack!"

Magic illuminated the air.

Arrows stretched forth.

The mages positioned throughout the Guardian Guild quickly finished their casting.

They moved in pairs of two, with numerous users who appeared to be melee classes positioned around them.

Then, two mages stretched out their hands.

"Stone."

"Strength."

It was simple first-circle magic.

But it was effective.

A huge boulder was created, and enhancement magic was cast on the boulder itself.

Thanks to this, it solidly blocked the incoming arrows and held up very well against the successive magical attacks.

Then, just before the boulder would break.

"Shield."

They cast shield magic on the boulder to prevent it from breaking.

Meanwhile, they finished casting again and summoned another boulder, stacking it in double layers.

They cast enhancement magic and shield on that boulder to prepare for continuing attacks.

BOOM!

Explosions occurred everywhere.

Dust rose but.

Whoosh.

The Guardian Guild's damages were minimal.

"Charge!"

"Uwaaaah!"

Gaining momentum, they charged in even faster.

The Phoenix Guild members maintained their formation with tense expressions while continuously firing arrows.

When the distance closed to where they could no longer do that, they sent out their melee users.

Various weapons clashed as they engaged.

Clang! Clang!

Skills flew everywhere.

The battle between the thousand-some users was truly magnificent.

Were they too focused on the battle?

Both the Guardian Guild and Phoenix Guild were completely focused on each other.

Even Moo-hyeok couldn't take his eyes off them. Then suddenly coming to his senses, he turned his head toward the dungeon entrance.

Huh...?

A user appeared there.

They're out...!

The Phoenix Guild's scout team had cleared the dungeon.

There was no time to waste.

He immediately climbed down from the tree and ran toward the dungeon entrance.