The Lady of the Dead loves the deceased.All kinds of corpses, wraiths, and undead beings — she favors them.She also owns cities and regions scattered across the world.Places where the terrain has changed, now overrun with the undead, abandoned by the living.So then, do the followers of the Lady of the Dead share her sentiments?
"Ugh, damn it.""My nose feels like it's rotting from the stench of corpses.""Staying in this city any longer and I'm going to come down with something…"
Of course, that wasn't the case.Just because someone made a pact with the Lady of the Dead doesn't mean they enjoy corpses or welcome undead roaming around.There are a few oddballs like that, but they're rare.Even those who've made contracts with her dislike environments like this city.And yet, there's only one reason they remain here:
"Hey, the undead are getting out! Do your damn job and keep them in check!""I know! I know, dammit!""Some of them won't listen — can't we just take them out?""You idiot! Do you think Her Ladyship would approve of that?"
They're here because the Lady of the Dead entrusted them with managing this place.To prevent the undead from wandering outside the city — and to defend the city from attackers.
"Keep a sharp watch on the perimeter. You all know the agents of the Holy Order attacked not long ago, right? We can't let that happen again.""Y-yes, we're aware."
Lords associated with light or divine power utterly despised the Lady of the Dead.They often attempted to "purify" the cities or regions under her control by sending their own followers,so the Lady's sworn had to always stay on high alert.Conflict and bloodshed weren't what they wanted, either.
"Sigh… I guess I should just be satisfied with the abundance of test subjects.There are few places with as many undead and such a dense aura of death as this one.""I heard you made a Morbone last time. Is that true? Show me.""Well… The completion rate is still low, but…"
Life rolled on like a hamster wheel.That's how the sworn who stayed in this city saw it.Another day would pass like the last, and tomorrow would be no different.But then — something unexpected happened.
[The Lady of the Dead warns the sworn in this city.][A portal anomaly has appeared at a specific point in the city. Investigate the location and determine what is happening.]
"A portal anomaly?"
It was a message from the Lady of the Dead herself.The sworn frowned."Portal anomaly" — what could that mean?But they didn't have to think too hard.
"Doesn't that just mean a dungeon appeared?""Come to think of it, I heard about a reward dungeon appearing recently.They say our nation cleared the Divine Trial faster than anyone else.""A reward dungeon…!"
The eyes of the Lady's sworn widened.A dungeon appearing as a reward for clearing the Divine Trial — and it's here?
It was widely known that reward dungeons granted rewards tied to regression — a second chance, power reclaimed.
"Control the undead! Move now!""You, go block the escape route! No one gets out of here!""Yes! Everyone, move!"
The sworn of the Lady began to move in haste —for the Lady of the Dead, and to seize the reward for themselves.The undead followed behind them.
8760
The hunt was going smoothly.Han Yuseong used Stealth Step to silence his movements and suppress his presence,swiftly hunting the Shadow Stalkers hidden throughout the area.The stalkers didn't even realize he was near.They fell in an instant, slain before they could react.
[Level 1 has risen.][Strength +1, Agility +1, Stamina +1.][Due to the effect of 'War God's Blessing,' you gain an additional +1 Strength!]
With each fallen stalker, his level increased.How many levels had he already gained?Considering the difficulty of the combat, it was a shockingly fast pace.The EXP buff was incredible.
'Thanks to the surprise attacks, I saved a lot of time.'
It wasn't exactly fun —but because the battles ended so quickly,he was able to take down more stalkers and reach the dungeon's deeper zones even faster.
Han Yuseong closed his eyes and extended his senses.Not far off, he felt a powerful presence.
'That must be the boss monster.'
A boss monster named "The Silver Faced One."It was once a human mage —until, supposedly, it came into contact with a forbidden grimoire and turned into a monster.The dungeon's name, "The Silver Faced One's Laboratory," came from that very origin.It had been created for the purpose of magical experimentation.
[Sworn one. I have a question.]"Ask it quickly."[I haven't watched you for long, but from what I can tell, you are a warrior — and not one particularly close to magic.Then why are you so eager for the reward here, which is magic-related and knowledge-based?]"It's useful to me."[You mean that magic?]
Han Yuseong simply nodded.In his previous life, he had once seen Japan's top-ranked player use it —a form of shadow magic, highly versatile in its applications.It was especially valuable because it could create unexpected variables at unpredictable moments.And more than anything:
"I intend to devour anything that can help me.To face Makilos, a warrior alone won't be enough."
[So you even intend to wield magic… Hmph, I like it.]
It sounded like Kakasha was genuinely impressed.
[To crave material gain is repulsive, but to seek power — that is truly noble.And if that power is used to create war, even more so.]"Is your questioning over? Then be quiet — there's an enemy ahead."[Ku… fufu...]
Kakasha's voice, full of mockery, gradually faded into the distance.Han Yuseong's true target wasn't some mid-tier player like the Premier —It was Makilos,an Overbeing known as the Lord of Stars, who traveled across countless worlds and constellations.To stop that monster, he had to become stronger by any means necessary.Using magic, becoming the master of the undead — it was all for that singular purpose.
"Because only then will I stand a chance."
Hidden in the darkness, Han Yuseong continued hunting the stalkers.
— Kiiiii… haaaagh…! —
"Huff… Looks like I've taken out most of the ones I needed to."
The final stalker crumpled to the ground.More precisely, the last of those blocking the path to the Silver Faced One.There were still stalkers left in the dungeon,but reaching them would require a long detour — and he didn't have time for that.This would have to be enough.
Han Yuseong opened his status window.
[Han Yuseong (Affiliation: Earth, South Korea — Rank B-Class)]• Level: 28• Class: Novice• Unique Ability: War God's Blessing (EX)• Strength: 60 (+16)• Agility: 68 (+8)• Stamina: 55 (+6)• Magic: 15 (+15)• Willpower: 25
Level 28.A growth rate so absurd, it was hard to believe — all achieved in such a short span of time.
He still didn't have enough levels to change class yet,but that didn't matter.Defeating this dungeon's boss monster would take care of that.
[You see the light.]
At the end of the dark corridor, a chilling light spilled out, accompanied by an overwhelming aura.Han Yuseong moved silently, suppressing every trace of his presence.
— Not enough, not yet… This isn't enough… —
As he got closer to the light, he heard a voice.Low and muttering, yet soaked in madness.Soon, Han Yuseong reached the source of the glow.
— Darkness… Shadow… How much must I sacrifice? How long…? —
Beyond the light was a study, cluttered with books and scrolls.Magic diagrams were etched haphazardly across the ceiling, walls, and floor.And in the center stood a man.
— It's impossible with a human body. So I accept the shadow.I must change my form — like those horrific creatures… —
No… Could that even be called a man anymore?That question crossed Yuseong's mind, because the figure looked nothing like a normal person.It bore a vague resemblance to the Shadow Stalkers,but while half of its body remained unmistakably human,the other half was fused with the same shadowy carapace that enveloped the stalkers.
[The Silver Faced One, Lv. 70]
The boss monster of this dungeon —The Silver Faced One.
"This one's not going to be easy."
From deep within Han Yuseong, a burning will to fight surged.
[This opponent is a powerful being — not easily defeated at your current level.][Due to the War God's Blessing, the buff 'Giant Killing' has been activated.][All stats +10, Fist damage +20%, Speed +10%.]
The War God's buff had triggered.Stat-wise alone, he was already equivalent to level 50, and with gear included, closer to level 60.Yet even so, the buff had activated — a clear sign of how strong the opponent was.But more troublesome than anything else —was that the enemy was a mage.
Squelch! Sssrrrrrr…
— YES! This is it! This is what magic should be! If I'm to prove myself to those bastards in the Mage Tower,this level of spellcraft isn't enough! —
At the Silver Faced One's roar, the surrounding shadows burst upward in response.They transformed into razor-sharp spikes, piercing everything nearby,then turned into slicing blades, shredding the surroundings.The already-chaotic study was thrown into complete destruction.
"He was supposedly from a Mage Tower in some unknown world, wasn't he…?"
There are two main categories of dungeons:One — those created by a deity, a lord, or some powerful being for a specific purpose.And the other…
"Portals to another world — like this place."
This dungeon was essentially a "gate" to another world.Any player who entered the dungeon would be transported to a specific space within a different realm.If they completed the set objective there — or defeated the boss monster ruling over that space —they could return to the world they originally came from.The Silver Faced One's domain was clearly the latter kind.
"Not something created — but someone who actually exists."
Some boss monsters have clear identities, like this one.The Silver Faced One had been obsessed with a particular kind of magic.Because of that obsession, he was looked down on and ostracized by the Mage Tower.Enraged, he left the tower, established his own research lab, and has been conducting experiments ever since —eventually losing his mind in the process.
[Hmph. Does a backstory like that really matter?]"Not really."
But it did provide a hint on how to take him down.The fact that he was insane.That he used shadow-based magic.
A mage is like a powerful cannon —high firepower, but fragile.As a warrior, that made them a difficult opponent.If you let them start casting without interruption, you were as good as dead.
"Mages… boring enemies. Not much thrill in fighting them."
[Is this really the time to be complaining about whether it's thrilling or not?]
Han Yuseong clicked his tongue silently.He didn't enjoy fighting mages.It wasn't just a matter of poor matchup — it always came down to one thing:Could you close the distance before they blasted you to pieces, or not?That was the deciding factor. Which meant less room for tension, fewer surprises.
"Still… I've got to do what I've got to do. If I want to deal with this mage properly…"
There was only one sure way to win:Strike before the mage can cast.Fortunately, in this space — there was a way to do just that.
Whoooosh!
The lamps lighting the room weren't all that bright.They gave off just enough light to dimly illuminate the space.But the brightness wasn't what mattered.
"I'll have to use the shadows."
What mattered was that the lamps — however faint — cast shadows.And that meant only one thing:
He could activate
"No point in dragging this out. Might as well finish him fast."
The stacks from Blood Soul Palm and Blood Wind Fist hadn't expired yet.Now was the perfect moment to deal a fatal blow to the Silver Faced One.And if possible, he had to steal that staff the monster was holding.That staff… had an incredibly annoying effect.
Enveloped in the shadows of night, Han Yuseong began to move.
— More test subjects… I need more… must complete the essence… —
Blades of shadow slashed across the room in all directions.Han Yuseong weaved between them, slipping through the gaps, closing in fast.The Silver Faced One's mad muttering grew louder and louder —and closer.
— More… I must absorb more shadows…
The Silver Faced One seemed to come to some kind of decision as he began to turn.But Han Yuseong was faster.
Shadows wrapped around his body as he kicked off the ground, launching forward like a bullet.
— Wind? That sound… is someone—
The Silver Faced One noticed something — Han Yuseong closing in — but it was already too late.A violent gust tore through the air, and the shadow surrounding him peeled off like smoke.Han Yuseong clenched his fist.
Fwoooosh!
— Wha—who—urgh, you… bastard! —
A punch wrapped in Iron Wind pierced directly into the Silver Faced One's heart.
But Han Yuseong didn't stop.Spinning with momentum, he swung his left arm wide —and in his left hand was the Blade of War, slicing through the air like lightning.
His target — the monster's right arm.
Slaaaaash!
It was the arm holding the staff.The blade cleaved clean through, severing the arm in one stroke.The limb fell to the floor, tumbling with a sickening sound — and the staff clattered down with it.
— KRAAAAAAAGHHHHH!! —
The Silver Faced One let out a scream of agony.And as if reacting to his pain, the shadows gathered around him began to surge violently.The magic he released started to tear through the room,and a wave of darkness came crashing toward Han Yuseong.
But Han Yuseong had already grabbed the staff and retreated to a safe distance.
— Y-you… intruder… where… did you come from…?"Through the front door. Took a bit of effort to sneak in quietly."
Han Yuseong twirled the staff in his hand.The moment the Silver Faced One saw it, his eyes burned with rage.
"Still, I'd say it was worth the trouble. Don't you think?"— I'll… kill you…!!
The Silver Faced One began to move again.An impossible movement for someone with a pierced heart.But of course — half of his body was no longer human.That monstrous physiology was the only reason he could still stand.
Not that it mattered.
"Even if you've become half-monster… you still can't regenerate a heart."
He might outlast a human, but he would fall eventually.Until then, Han Yuseong had only one job:
"Come on, thrash around all you want, monster."— KRAAAAAHHH!!
There was nothing left but to wear him down and wait for death to catch up.And that was…
"So boring."
[Honestly, how many times are you going to say it's boring?]
It was an extremely easy task for Han Yuseong.It wasn't fun, though.