Chapter 38

From behind……!

Not wanting to miss the opportunity, I hurriedly issued a command.

Bow Bone 1, attack the master!

Bow Bone turned its body and fired a Bone Arrow at Muhyuk.

The distance was so short that there was no time to react. The moment I saw the string released, I immediately dropped flat on the ground.

By a hair’s breadth, the Bone Arrow soared over Muhyuk’s head. It pierced the chest of the Maul King, who was approaching Muhyuk’s back.

Kieeeek!

The creature flew through the air, collided with the Dungeon’s outer wall, and then fell to the ground, writhing.

In the meantime, Muhyuk, who had risen from his spot, rushed towards it.

He pressed the Skull Staff’s skull head to make the blade pop out, and then stabbed one of its eyeballs.

Thwack.

A critical hit landed.

He pulled it out again and stabbed the other eyeball.

[A critical hit lands.]

[Deals 290 damage.]

[Deals additional damage (10) from consecutive critical hits.]

Perhaps driven by the pain.

The Maul King wildly swung its claws.

Scratch.

As the claws grazed Muhyuk’s body.

[Takes 80 damage.]

[Takes 81 damage.]

[Takes 79 damage.]

In an instant, he suffered three attacks, reducing his HP by 240.

Crazy…….

But there was no turning back.

Muhyuk stabbed the creature’s face again.

[Deals 121 damage.]

Even in the midst of that, he was attacked twice more.

He dealt 121 damage, but Muhyuk took even more, 160 damage.

A loss.

Reluctantly, he retreated.

Sword Bone 1, 2, to the rear.

After entrusting his back to the Sword Bones, he focused on commanding.

Whenever he saw an opening, he would occasionally close the distance and deal damage to the Red Bear.

Krrroooaaarrr!

The Red Bear was definitely strong, but it couldn’t withstand the numbers.

There were seven Sword Bones and four Bow Bones.

Wasn’t the damage weak?

No, it was enough.

It had become stronger once by changing weapons. It had become stronger again by replacing bones.

As Muhyuk grew, the damage of the summoned creatures, whose stats had also increased, was clearly being inflicted.

The average damage of the summoned creatures was in the mid to late 110s.

If the Red Bear’s defense was around 60, then each attack would inflict nearly 50 damage.

Eleven such summoned creatures were pouring attacks in a concentrated manner. Even if they only succeeded in attacking once each, they would inflict well over 500 damage.

Of course, the Red Bear’s HP was high. As it had to be caught in a party, it was incomparable to a user.

But if that small amount of damage accumulated, it would definitely be possible to defeat it.

Alright, again…….

Chichichik!

In front of Muhyuk, who was watching for an opportunity, the Maul King suddenly jumped out from underground.

Gasp!

Hastily dodging.

Sword Bone 1, forward.

He issued an order, sending Sword Bone forward.

It was attacked in Muhyuk’s place.

After one attack, the Maul King hid its body underground again.

He didn’t bother trying to find the disappeared Maul King. He simply moved forward and attacked the Red Bear.

It was the same afterward. Muhyuk no longer paid attention to the Maul King. He only relentlessly targeted the Red Bear.

The more he did so, the more the creature raged, and one by one, the Sword Bones were reverse-summoned.

Even as he watched that, he didn’t stop.

More, a little more!

Merciless attacks were inflicted one after another.

Had the results of that appeared?

The creature’s movements slowed.

It wasn’t due to the Poison of Slowing.

It was exhausted.

Not much left!

Muhyuk accelerated his attacks.

His HP had decreased because the Maul King had approached and swung its claws, but he ignored it.

He swung the Skull Staff near the Red Bear, again and again. In the meantime, the Maul King, who had approached again, aimed for Muhyuk’s side.

Damn it.

His current HP wasn’t high.

He couldn’t keep taking hits.

He twisted his body to block the attack.

Clang!

He stretched his foot forward and kicked the creature’s abdomen.

Tssschut!

The fallen creature immediately dug into the ground and disappeared.

Muhyuk turned his head and attacked the Red Bear, which was pressuring the Sword Bones, again.

Krr, krrroooaaarrr…….

Had his efforts paid off?

The Red Bear lost its balance and fell to the side. He plunged the staff’s blade into the creature’s face.

Thwack.

It twitched and then stopped.

[Gained experience.]

He had defeated the Red Bear.

Chijijik…….

The Maul King’s sound quickly faded away.

It had escaped.

Muhyuk reverse-summoned the Skeleton and disassembled the corpse to acquire materials.

[Completing ‘Corpse Disassembly’.]

[Acquired ‘Red Bear’s Bone (x2)’.]

He was about to perform bone assembly right away when.

Hmm?

There was something sparkling in the place where the Red Bear had disappeared.

What is this?

He picked up the coin-like object and checked it.

[Dungeon-Specific Currency (10 Diamonds)]

[Currency that can only be used in the designated Dungeon.]

Muhyuk’s eyes widened.

This is…….

The fact that this kind of currency was appearing meant that the Dungeon wasn’t composed of just one floor.

At least two floors, or if he was unlucky, more than ten floors. But as difficult as it was, the rewards for clearing it would be certain.

Moreover, these kinds of Dungeons were surprisingly fun.

What was?

Thud.

Everything from examining the items that the Peddler approaching from the front had to offer, to purchasing and using those items with Diamonds.

Muhyuk smiled and approached the Peddler.

“Oh, welcome.”

“Yes.”

“Eee, but…….”

The Peddler trailed off.

“By any chance, did you come in alone?”

“So?”

“Oh, unbelievable!”

At the same time as the Peddler’s surprise, a message popped up.

[Acquired the title ‘Solo Traveler’.]

Such luck from the start.

It seemed like it would be a very interesting exploration.

After suppressing the Phoenix Guild, they finally secured the Dungeon.

Guardian Guild Leader Kim Bada couldn’t hide his joy and gathered 100 promising level 38 players.

“From what we’ve gathered, this place definitely has an unusual level of difficulty. But as difficult as it is, the rewards will be great. You guys who go in here will be able to grow quickly. The items you obtain will be distributed to the Guild executives as needed, but you guys will also get something, so don’t feel resentful.”

“Yes!”

Honestly, in Illusion, where leveling up was difficult, there was no better benefit than being able to level up quickly.

As such, most of the 100 promising players here were satisfied.

A few might have been dissatisfied, but it wasn’t possible to pay attention to them all individually.

If they expressed dissatisfaction, he would try to persuade them once, and if they still didn’t agree, he would just have them withdraw from the Guild.

There were plenty of people who wanted to join anyway.

“Send updates on the situation to the Guild chat frequently.”

“Yes!”

“Good, enter.”

They headed towards the Dungeon.

The Guild party heard the same message at the same time.

[There is a user from another group inside the Dungeon.]

[Cannot enter.]

The expression of the user at the front turned to bewilderment.

“Wh, what?”

He reached out again.

He only saw the same message again.

“……!”

Only then did Kim Bada, who sensed an unusual atmosphere, approach.

“What’s wrong?”

“Guild Leader…….”

“Yes, speak.”

“It says that there’s another user inside the Dungeon, so I can’t enter.”

“What……?”

Kim Bada also had a dumbfounded expression.

A memory flashed through his mind.

Could it be, that guy……?

He was definitely a Necromancer. If so, there was no way he could have survived after taking two of his attacks.

But if it wasn’t him, there was no other way to explain it.

“Just what, just what……!”

Anger welled up involuntarily.

Nothing had been going right lately.

“Check again.”

“Understood.”

The level 38 Guild member tried several times, but the result didn’t change.

“Uwaaaaaaack! Damn it! Damn it!”

He exploded in great anger and ordered.

“Wait until that bastard comes out.”

With bloodshot eyes.

Muhyuk first checked the title.

[Solo Traveler]

Increases all stats by 5 percent in Dungeons.

It was a title that only applied in Dungeons.

Not bad.

If the damage increased even a little, it would be possible to clear the Dungeon a little faster.

In the long run, it would be a considerable benefit.

“Can I see the items?”

“Ah, of course!”

The Peddler held out his hand.

“Just grab it.”

A hologram popped up as he took his hand.

Various items were listed.

Hoo…….

He began to examine them one by one slowly.

[Dungeon-Specific Item List]

[Instant Use Activation Items]

-Potion of Strength (20 Diamonds): Increases Strength by 3 for 10 minutes.

-Potion of Agility (20 Diamonds): Increases Agility by 3 for 10 minutes.

-Potion of Stamina (20 Diamonds): Increases Stamina by 3 for 10 minutes.

-Potion of Knowledge (20 Diamonds): Increases Knowledge by 3 for 10 minutes.

-Potion of Wisdom (20 Diamonds): Increases Wisdom by 3 for 10 minutes.

-Body Awakening (100 Diamonds): Increases all stats by 10 percent for 5 minutes.

[One-Time Use Items]

-Orb of Explosion (20 Diamonds): Throws an orb to inflict damage equal to 50 percent of the damage to monsters within a 5-meter radius.

-Arrow of Penetration (10 Diamonds): An arrow with penetrating ability. The penetrating ability disappears after 10 minutes after inflicting damage to a monster.

-Dagger of Penetration (10 Diamonds): A dagger with penetrating ability. The penetrating ability disappears after 10 minutes after inflicting damage to a monster.

-Light of Explosion (20 Diamonds): Grants explosive damage to the weapon for 3 minutes.

[Dungeon Upgrade 0Lv]

[All damage increases by 0 percent.]

-1Lv (10 Diamonds): All damage increases by 0.5 percent.

There were several other items, but he didn’t examine them further. Muhyuk’s gaze was already captured by something.

“There are so many.”

“Of course. They’re only valid here, but they’re very powerful.”

“I’ll buy just one for now.”

“An excellent choice. What do you want?”

Muhyuk smiled and said.

“I’ll upgrade the Dungeon to level 1.”

The Peddler’s expression became subtle.

“Upgrade?”

“Yes.”

“Hmm, the effect is too insignificant…….”

“It’s okay.”

“Well, I understand. If that’s what the buyer wants.”

Muhyuk handed over 10 Diamonds, and the Peddler received them.

[Dungeon Upgrade increases to 1Lv.]

[Damage of all user or user-related summoned creatures increases by 0.5 percent.]

This was enough for now. The primary goal was to catch monsters, collect Diamonds, and use them to upgrade the Dungeon to level 10.

Yes, just level 10.

Then, one secret would be revealed.

“Sword Bone 7, summon.”

After finishing his thoughts, he summoned Sword Bone and performed bone assembly.

[‘Stamina’ of ‘Sword Bone 7’ decreases.]

[‘Dexterity’ affects and causes a decrease of ‘0.17’.]

[‘Stamina’ of ‘Sword Bone 7’ increases.]

[‘Dexterity’ affects and causes an increase of ‘0.37’.]

The stats increased more than he expected.

Sword Bone 7 and 8 had only recently become available for summoning, so he had hardly performed bone assembly on them.

In that situation, replacing bones with the Red Bear, a strong monster, would inevitably cause a large increase.

Therefore, he intended to focus on growing Sword Bone 7, 8, and Bow Bone 4 here.

“Reverse summon.”

He moved forward again.

Tssschut.

The monsters that appeared were the same as before.

The Maul King and the Red Bear.