Chapter 18

Ancient Desert Scorpion King

“Huff.”

I let out a deep breath.

A C-grade Dungeon boss, huh?

And the name sounds ominous.

The king of scorpions in the Ancient Desert?

Not a squad leader, duke, or general, but KING, a king?

“…….”

In the past, it would have been an impossible opponent, something I couldn’t even dream of.

I used to struggle even against high-ranking D-grade Orcs.

‘But, now…….’

It was definitely worth a try.

I had clearly taken down C-grade scorpions with ease.

「If five or more hunters of the corresponding grade cannot clear it, the grade will be adjusted upwards!」

The World Hunter Association’s standards also say!

Even with fewer than five C-grades.

It’s a Dungeon that can be cleared.

Although they are C~D grade, they have a history of winning 1:5 against hunters.

[The Ancient Desert Scorpion King has appeared!]

[The ‘Awakened Skeletons’ (D-grade) are overwhelmed by the strong presence. All stats are reduced by 20%!]

“Wow.”

I shuddered.

The eerie energy flowing from inside the gate made my heart pound.

“This is nerve-wracking……?”

“Necromancer-nim……. Are you sure we’ll be okay?”

The younger sister of the porter siblings asked.

I chuckled and replied.

“Who knows? But one thing is for sure. The situation seems better than when we were dealing with those Dark Shadow Unit guys earlier, right?”

“Y-yes, I suppose so.”

No matter how great that Scorpion King is.

Could it be stronger than an A-grade hunter?

“Hoo, hoo.”

I took a deep breath to shake off the tension.

At the same time, I checked my mana.

[Hunter: Ju Dong-hoon]

[Mana: 50/120]

20 to summon Mansul Old man.

50 to summon the Skeletons.

I still had five shots left.

‘However.’

The only downside is that the Skeletons aren’t in top condition?

And I’m also extremely fatigued from the previous battle.

But, I have the advice of the Old Man, who is more reliable than anyone!

“Hehe, disciple. Surely you don’t need my help to catch such trashy mobs, do you?”

‘……Huh?’

I was taken aback.

“Well, a disciple who can’t even handle something like that. It’s better to let them die than to raise them.”

‘W-wait a minute.’

“Wait for what? I’ll be on my way now. Don’t forget to call me tomorrow.”

‘Huh? Old Man? Hey?’

[The duration of the skill, ‘Teachings of Supreme Art’ (S-grade) has ended.The summon of ‘Master of Supreme Art’ has been lifted.]

[This skill can be reused after 24 hours.]

Ah, damn it.

Did the time limit already run out?

Damn it, you useless old geezer.

I grumbled inwardly.

Ha.

If this is the case, it might get a little difficult?

Gulp.

I swallowed hard.

First, I need to focus on the situation in front of me.

I watched the scenery inside the open gate.

-Kieeeek!

In the distance, I saw a huge scorpion.

About the size of a 5-ton truck?

The yellowish-brown pincers on the front were as big as an adult’s body and looked threatening.

The poisonous stinger on the back also looked very dangerous.

The legs attached to its curved back were also grotesque.

“Huh, you want me to catch something like that?”

Kugugugung!

It was then that the scorpion burrowed into the desert sand.

What, is it attacking from underground?

“Bone Five!”

I shouted instinctively.

Creak!

[‘Bone Five’ uses the skill, Air Shield (Lv.1).]

First, I put up a shield in a hurry.

Roughly speaking, Bone Five’s mana was only 20 left.

“The rest of you, spread out and form a formation!”

Creak, creak!

They moved as they had been trained.

The trustworthy Bone Four went to the very front and slammed his shield down.

It was as if he was shouting, ‘Try to hit me if you can!’

However.

“Huh?”

My eyes widened.

Kwaaaaa!

The Scorpion King, which had sprung up from underground, ignored Bone Four and attacked Bone Three first.

Clack?

Bone Three was also surprised, and stopped pulling the bowstring and hurriedly stepped back.

‘Huh, it even has intelligence?’

It was definitely different from the guys I’d fought so far.

Aside from the different combat style.

‘It’s too big and sturdy.’

And it was fast too.

-Shweeek!

Just as the guy, who had threatened Bone Three by swinging its body around, was about to rush towards Bone One,

“Bone Four!”

[‘Bone Four’ uses the skill, ‘Low-grade Attention Seeker’ (Lv.1).]

I used an aggro skill for now.

-Keeeek?

Then, its gaze turned towards Bone Four.

Oh, I didn’t expect it.

Does it work even on boss-level monsters?

Kugugugu!

This time, instead of digging into the ground, it charged forward with all its might.

[‘Bone Four’ uses the skill, ‘Low-grade Block’ (Lv.1).]

As expected, Bone Four was fearless.

Even if I’m sturdy, I wouldn’t have the confidence to block such a charge……

Kwaaaang!

A roar, almost like a grenade explosion, struck my eardrums.

The ground shook and sand dust rose.

“Ugh!”

I felt a slight queasiness, but it was bearable.

Soon, when my vision cleared.

“Oh, you blocked it?”

I shouted.

It was amazing.

Bone Four’s shield was clearly blocking its pincers.

There were a few cracks and it had been pushed back about ten steps, but it didn’t matter.

“Everyone, attack!”

I issued a general attack order.

Whoosh!

Bone Five used all of his remaining mana to fire a Fireball.

Shoong shoong! Shoo woong! Pow!

Bones One to Three rushed in, using their respective skills.

In response, the blood vessels in my eyes also popped out.

Like my head was on fire, I beat the guy like crazy.

Weakness? Vital point?

I didn’t know any of that.

I just ordered them to attack with all their might in each and every blow.

I beat its whole body.

After 10 seconds of doing so.

-Kieeeek!

With a deafening roar, the guy spun around.

It was a splash-type attack that attacked the entire surrounding area.

“Oh, no.”

Pabababat!

All the melee forces except for the shield-wielding Bone Four were thrown back.

Creak!

Bone One and Bone Two, who had been forcibly pushed back, clicked nervously.

‘But it’s effective.’

The corners of my lips curled up.

The green liquid smeared all over the guy’s body.

It was definitely his blood.

‘As expected, it’s an Awakened Skeleton?’

As befits the highest rank of D-grade, the fact that the attack was working was positive.

“Good, even if you die! Keep attacking!”

Creak!

Bone One and Bone Two nodded vigorously.

In fact, it’s enough as long as the attack works.

There’s no need to save your body.

Because.

[Hunter: Ju Dong-hoon]

[Mana: 50/120]

I still have mana left.

As long as I have mana, my Skeletons are as good as invincible.

It was a scene that showed why the Unique Ability called Necromancer was a scam.

Crack, snap!

The summon of ‘Bone One’ has been released.The summon of ‘Bone Two’ has been lifted.]

Even if the melee units run out of health.

[Use the skill, ‘Awakened Skeleton Summon’ (D-grade).]

[Consumes 10 mana.]

[‘Bone One’ appears.]

[Use the skill, ‘Awakened Skeleton Summon’ (D-grade).]

[Consumes 10 mana.]

[‘Bone Two’ appears.]

I can just summon them again.

-Kieeeek?

The scorpion, which had been fighting hard, looked at the Skeletons with a dumbfounded look.

I could even feel the emotion of being dumbfounded.

‘Yeah, I know that feeling well.’

But, what can you do?

I’m sorry, but in the end, I’ll be the winner.

I continued to issue attack orders.

Bone One and Bone Two were each summoned twice.

And finally.

Snap!

The scorpion’s neck was broken by Bone One’s greatsword.

“Hoo.”

I let out a sigh of relief.

To be honest, it was a close call.

I had 10 mana left.

Maybe if the guy had held out a little longer.

I might have been the one to die?

[Ding!]

[Defeat the ‘Ancient Desert Scorpion King’.]

The sound signaling the end of the Dungeon rang.

At the same time.

[The status of ‘Bone One’ is adjusted.]

[All stats increase by 1!]

[The level of the skill, ‘Low-grade Slash’ (Lv.4) increases by 2.]

[The status of ‘Bone Two’ is adjusted.]

[All stats increase by 1!]

[The level of the skill, ‘Low-grade Stab’ (Lv.2) increases by 2.]

[The status of ‘Bone Three’ is adjusted.]

[All stats increase by 1!]

[The level of the skill, ‘Low-grade Rapid Fire’ (Lv.2) increases by 2.The level of the skill, ‘Sight Acquisition’ (Lv.2) increases by 2.]

[The status of ‘Bone Four’ is adjusted.]

[All stats increase by 2!]

[The level of the skill, ‘Low-grade Block’ (Lv.1) increases by 3.]

[The level of the skill, ‘Low-grade Attention Seeker’ (Lv.1) increases by 3.]

[The status of ‘Bone Five’ is adjusted.]

[All stats increase by 2!]

[The level of the skill, ‘Fireball’ (Lv.1) increases by 3.]

[The level of the skill, ‘Air Shield’ (Lv.1) increases by 3.]

“Crazy.”

My mouth dropped open.

Is this what a C-grade boss is like?

The stat growth was on a different level than when training.

It was also the first time I had seen all stats increase.

The skill levels also went up coolly.

It was truly explosive growth!

‘I should just go to Dungeons instead of training?’

The rising sense of accomplishment blew away the accumulated fatigue in an instant.

I blinked and continued to stare at the rising skill levels.

For reference, the skill level is 10 MaX.

According to senior hunters.

When a skill is MaX, it is upgraded to a higher-level skill.

‘It’s not long now.’

The day when I can remove the low-grade tags attached to the skills is not far off.

The rewards weren’t just that.

[You have discovered the ‘Ancient Desert Scorpion King’s Venom Sac’ (C-grade).]

[Would you like to acquire it?]

“Oh, loot?”

Of course, I’ll acquire it!

When I nodded, a pure white light flashed.

At the same time, a black bead appeared on my right hand.

[Item: Ancient Desert Scorpion King’s Venom Sac]

[Grade: C]

[Type: Material]

[Description: The Essence of venom hidden in the tail of the Ancient Desert Scorpion King. It contains about 20 types of threatening venom.]

[Effect 1: Can be used as a weapon material.]

[Effect 2: Can be used as a skill material.]

“What, is it just a material item?”

It was a little disappointing that it wasn’t an elixir, but it’s still not bad.

There will definitely be people looking for C-grade material items.

‘That’s right. There are so many hunters. Someone will need it.’

Usually, up to D-grade is average, but C-grade and above are quite expensive.

It’s a kind of hazard pay.

I was about to take the item with a satisfied smile.

Creak.

Bone Three approached with shining eyes.

His greedy gaze was clearly directed at my pocket.

“What, what’s wrong?”

[‘Bone Three’ reacts to the ‘Ancient Desert Scorpion King’s Venom Sac’.]

“Huh?”

[Achieve hidden condition!]

[Condition: Manufacture Poison Arrows!]

In order to obtain the new skill, ‘Poison Arrow’ (Lv.1), a kind of opportunity is required!

Acquire a ‘Poison Attribute Skill Material’ of D-grade or higher!

“What?”

I was dumbfounded.

Skills can be unlocked in this way?

Wow.

I knew why the Dark Lord was always singing ‘Dungeon, Dungeon~’.

Just catching one boss gives you so many rewards.

[Would you like to learn the skill, ‘Poison Arrow’ (Lv.1)?]

“Okay.”

I nodded.

This was better.

I could sell the material and make money.

But for me, who wants to become a Ranker, making my Skeletons even a little stronger is my top priority.

[The status of ‘Bone Three’ is adjusted.]

[Acquire the skill, ‘Poison Arrow’ (Lv.1).]

‘It’s ecstatic.’

It was a very satisfying moment.

[Congratulations!]

[Clear the ‘Stage: Ancient Desert Scorpion King’!]

[Clear rewards arrive!]

Suseut!

At that moment, my vision blurred.

Since I had cleared the Dungeon, it was the process of returning to the entrance where the gate was originally located.

“W-we’re alive!”

“Hic, we’re really alive. Thank you, Necromancer-nim……. I will never forget this grace for the rest of my life.”

The porter siblings, who were immersed in emotion, shed tears.

It was a moment of being brought back to life, so they must have felt relieved.

I smiled brightly.

“Think of it as a good experience. From now on, don’t follow anyone just because they offer a lot of money.”

Still, these guys are young.

Based on this experience, they will have room to grow further.

I quickly sent the porter siblings back.

Because.

[Clear rewards arrive!]

I need to check this out quickly too.

Originally, boss loot and Dungeon clear rewards are treated separately.

[Rewards arrive!]

[Congratulations!]

[Acquire the item, ‘Traces of the Ancient Desert’ (B-grade).]

Shusushut!

Just like when the venom sac appeared earlier.

An item appeared in my right hand.

‘But.’

The shape of the item that appeared felt a little unfamiliar.

“This is……?”

I tilted my head.

“It’s a key?”

A key-type item?

As an E-grade mercenary, it was a type I had never heard of.