New Difficulties
The seal on the dungeon has been released.
The door, shut away for long ages, had finally opened. Even I, carrying the memories of a Skeleton Knight, had no idea what lay beyond. I vaguely knew there'd be some kind of immortal beings or whatever, but that was about it. After thousands of years, who could predict what changes might have occurred?
"You're just gonna head right in like that?"
Gular grabbed me as I strode confidently toward the entrance. His reaction, like he was trying to stop me, left me puzzled. What the hell? Of course I'm going in—I opened the damn door. I hadn't gone through all the trouble of scouring the dungeon for keys just to chicken out now. A hidden dungeon no one else could enter! How could I resist? No one could stop me!
But Gular had a different reason for holding me back.
"You don't even know what's inside, and you're going in like that?"
Like what? What's wrong with how I look? Only then did I check my gear. The shabby helmet for equipping the Earring of Tranquility. The scarf Emilia gave me, which had no special functions. The wooden shield in one hand and the Watchman's Sword in the other. Really, only the shield and sword were combat-ready. Damn, my item lineup sucks. I'd been so focused on skill growth that I'd neglected gear.
Gular had zeroed in on exactly that.
"You need at least the bare minimum."
I agreed. What good is strength if a blind attack takes your head off? Against two or more Watchman-level foes, I'd struggle hard. I'd win eventually, sure!
"What a pain!"
Dok dok!
But checking items right now? Too much hassle. Honestly, lazy. When would I even farm more? And who knew if any loot was left in the dungeon—wanderers might've cleaned it out.
"Or you could reinforce the weapon you have."
Reinforce? My head snapped toward him.
Is that even possible?
"Dok dok?"
Gular nodded proudly at my question.
"Of course. With the right materials, I can reinforce anything."
Alchemy could do that too? Was he a blacksmith or an alchemist? I shot him an admiring look, and his shoulders puffed up even more.
"Alchemy is the principle of all things!"
Alchemy's basics: decomposition and recombination. Break down the existing, infuse new properties. Deconstruct metal for new alloys. Manipulate souls to rebirth as higher beings. That was every alchemist's dream, Gular explained.
So what materials do we need?
He'd just said proper materials were required for reinforcement. Some kind of reinforcement stone?
"That bone you've been carrying around? That's enough."
I jolted in shock. Just that? It was a bone I liked, sure, but it had no special traits. And that was reinforcement material? Hard to wrap my head around.
"You didn't know? It's a drake's bone."
"...?"
I tilted my head at his words. The bone I'd picked up without thinking was from a drake? A drake—powerful monster, sub-species of dragons. Even I, with zero monster knowledge, knew the name.
I was stunned. I'd just grabbed it off the factory floor while waiting in line. Who'd have thought it belonged to a drake?
"Anyway, with a bone like that, reinforcing an item is no problem. Which one?"
The drake bone, half-destroyed in the fight with the Dynasty Watchman. Good thing I'd pocketed it. I pondered Gular's question. My main weapons: two options. Which was best for now?
The debate didn't last long.
"Sword!"
Dok dok!
When in doubt, go offense! No defense holds against overwhelming attack power. Plus, I had the cheat skill Slash. Sword reinforcement it was.
A sword bestowed upon the watchmen of a certain kingdom in the past.
Its sharply honed blade easily slices through enemies.
I handed Gular the drake bone and Watchman's Sword. But as they left my grasp, unease crept in. What if he slipped and it failed? Success rates and all that? Burned before, I gave him a worried look.
"Pfft, don't worry! No way it'll fail! Probably."
...Probably? Why whisper that last bit? Now I'm anxious. But Gular was already focused.
"Decompose!"
Blue light burst from his hand, turning the drake bone to white powder. He reached for the sword next.
"Reconstruct!"
The powder floated up, sucked into the sword.
"Guuuuuh!"
Karen, thrilled by the spectacle, pounded my head.
Thwack! Thwack!
Ow, cut it out! I restrained her arm and turned back. The blue light faded, revealing a stunning sword with a crimson blade.
"Looks like the drake's attribute was fire."
Scorching aura poured from it, no trace of the old crudeness. This was beyond reinforcement—practically new. Would it glow later? Excited, I reached out.
Sizzle!
If I had skin, it'd be blistered. Brutal heat.
"Check its stats already!"
Right. Distracted, I hurriedly pulled up the info at Gular's urging.
A sword infused with the soul of a drake that lived for centuries, retaining intense heat.
Its gentle yet savage energy leads all things to ruin, sparing no foe.
Wrath Explosion: Damage dealt to enemies accumulates, unleashing the sword's sealed power in a rampage. It summons a ferocious flame whirlwind, devouring everything around.
Wow. Reading the details, I was awed. This was brand-new tier. Every line screamed demonic sword—loaded with threats.
"Amazing!"
Dok dok!
I thumbs-upped Gular enthusiastically.
"What does that even mean?"
He eyed me suspiciously, past experience kicking in.
You're the best!
"Dok dok!"
Only then did he nod.
"Good. A bit disappointing, though—the original look's gone."
Watchman's Sword? Who? My mind was all Drake Soul Sword now. This was plenty. After hugging and stroking it awhile, I stood and eyed the open door beyond.
I stepped through.
A message popped up the moment I crossed. Entry confirmed—treating it as a new dungeon? Guess I'm not the owner. Hoped for freebies. Bummer.
The interior resembled a plain cave.
"Keeiiiieek."
First greeter: a grotesque monster. Touching it stealthily brought up info.
First time hearing it. And level 45—way above mine. Tougher than expected. These crawling everywhere now? My sword tip twitched.
"Keeiieek!"
Too late, it spotted me and screeched. Fly-like hideous face, mouth agape—pure nightmare fuel. Even undead me felt revulsion. Pure disgust points. Impressive visuals.
Couldn't stare longer. I swung hard.
Shwick!
No resistance—head rolled. Ignoring it, I scanned around. Pitch black, swarming Shadow Worms. Night vision was a curse here. Dodging eyes, I spotted a fancy door in a jagged corner. Ancient, dust-caked but intact. As I reached to open it...
Insufficient Entry Level
"Nooo!"
Dok dok!
An unexpected roadblock.