Demon Horses and the Final Chamber
Sung Min-woo had arrived, but the two hadn't set out hunting yet.
"Let's wait just five minutes before we go."
"Sure."
It was almost time for the item he'd put up at the auction house three days ago to sell. He wanted to check the final amount first.
As they chatted idly about this and that, time flew by. Only when the message popped up did he realize the sale had gone through.
‘Ear Demon’ sold for 780 gold.
702 gold after fees…
It had fetched 780 gold. Rare options on items often sparked fierce bidding wars, driving prices well above market value.
The Ear Demon was no exception.
"Whoa, nice!"
Sung Min-woo's cheer rang out.
He turned his head.
"Ah, I got 200 gold!"
"Sold well."
"You?"
"About 700 gold."
"Holy crap! One-shot jackpot."
"That's the thrill of crafting."
Both Mu-hyuk and Sung Min-woo were satisfied.
"Shall we head out?"
"Hell yeah!"
200 gold wasn't chump change for Sung Min-woo either, and for Mu-hyuk, it had been ages since a decent weapon dropped. No room for jealousy.
Truth be told, Sung Min-woo had actually earned more from crafting over the last two weeks than Mu-hyuk.
Though today flipped that gap. Anyway, they didn't have to go far before spotting a demon horse.
"There it is."
"Skeleton Summon."
A fierce battle ensued with the beast.
Kaboom!
They took it down without much trouble, but no gem dropped.
"Aw, nothing."
Sung Min-woo sounded disappointed, but it didn't faze Mu-hyuk much.
He could reinforce his mages further with the demon horse's bones.
"Damn, that's seriously enviable."
"Bone Assembly?"
"Yeah. Wish I could strengthen my spirits too, but no way how."
Spirits could be strengthened, of course.
The issue was the level of monsters required.
Probably level 100 at least.
For spirit fighters, hunting lesser dark spirits in the Forest of Darkness let their summoned spirits absorb dark spirit essence.
Each absorption randomly boosted stats by 0.1, up to 10 per stat max.
At level 200, hunting mid-tier dark spirits in the Brutal Forest allowed absorption up to 15 per stat.
"There'll be a way."
"You think?"
"Definitely."
Of course, he couldn't spill it now.
"Let's go again."
They pressed on, taking down another demon horse.
This one dropped a gem.
"Oh, got one!"
Next came two demon horses; one dropped a gem, the other didn't.
One was enough for both to absorb.
Magic Attack Power +0.1
Magic attack power now sat at 4.9.
One more absorption, and it'd hit a total of 5.
"It'll cap at 5, right?"
"Probably."
Attack power: 3.
Defense and magic defense: 5 each.
Magic attack power last.
Seemingly minor, but these increments built real power.
Impossible to ignore.
"Let's push it to 5 for now."
They moved on.
Step.
Two demon horses appeared.
"Skeleton Summon."
They each took one. Mu-hyuk, with more summons, finished first, Corpse Dissectioned it, then aided Sung Min-woo in his tussle.
"Whew, gems?"
"Both dropped."
"Sweet!"
They split and shattered the gems.
Magic Attack Power +0.1
Magic attack power rose by a full 5.
"Won't go higher now, huh?"
"Who knows."
After a break, they'd test further.
*
Mu-hyuk held a demon horse gem and crushed it.
Can no longer absorb more power.
The same message appeared.
"How's it?"
"Can't absorb anymore."
"Aw, we're done."
"Still gotta kill 'em all for the quest."
"Tch. Can't be helped."
Demon horses yielded stat-boosting gems and hefty EXP.
Losing the gems hit Sung Min-woo hard with emptiness.
Mu-hyuk had been through it before, so he was fine. But for first-timer Sung Min-woo, shaking it off wasn't easy.
His shoulders slumped unconsciously—a dead giveaway.
"Tough?"
"Huh? Nah, I'm good."
"Hmm, really?"
"Yeah. Let's clear the dungeon."
Mu-hyuk decided to watch his state.
Demon horse hunting resumed.
Kieeeee!
One at a time was manageable.
Experience gained.
Smooth fights.
Never skipped Corpse Dissection.
Trouble hit with two at once.
"One each!"
"Yeah, got it."
Mu-hyuk finished smoothly.
Swish.
He turned after downing his—Sung Min-woo was in dire straits. Face stiff, two spirits reverse-summoned.
Worse, as the demon horse cast magic, Sung Min-woo stared blankly ahead, not dodging. A direct hit could one-shot him.
"Roll, you idiot!"
Did the shout snap him out? Sung Min-woo dove to the ground in panic.
"Hup!"
Avoided instant death, but still rough. Mu-hyuk Wind Stepped in, force-fed an HP potion.
Then closed on the demon horse, unleashing attacks. Drew its aggro to himself, circled opposite Sung Min-woo to reposition.
Reinforced bones, bone swords—full charge.
Skeletons pressured the remaining demon horse.
Kieeeee!
It wasn't going down easy; its HP teetered. It collapsed just before Mu-hyuk's assault peaked.
Experience gained.
Skipped dissection, rushed to Sung Min-woo.
"You okay?"
"Y-yeah."
"Where's your head at?"
Seemed back in it now.
His eyes sharpened.
"Sorry, lost focus for a sec."
Just a morale dip, but that tiny shift caused this mess.
Why else value morale in war?
High spirits fuel power and drive; low ones sap will.
Surging energy, razor focus—they decide battles. Commanders rally troops for it.
Same principle. Sung Min-woo's dip triggered this.
Solution? Simple.
Boost morale.
Time check…
7:30 PM.
"Let's log out."
"Huh?"
"Drinks after ages."
"Drinks? Outta nowhere…"
"No arguing. Come on."
Mu-hyuk logged out.
Sung Min-woo followed suit.
They set time and place by phone.
"8 o'clock."
(Yeah, cool.)
Threw on simple clothes, headed out.
Whoosh.
Rain still poured.
Grabbed umbrella…
A thought flashed.
Ah, Trainer.
Hers was at his place. She'd get soaked heading home?
Worried.
Her quitting time? 7:30? 8?
Hurry, might catch her.
Rushed back, snatched her umbrella and his, hopped into the parked car.
Vroom.
Raced to the gym.
Not far—arrived quick.
Still there?
As he stepped out, spotted her exiting the gym.
She eyed the rain, perplexed.
Honk!
Confirmed her gaze shift to the car, Mu-hyuk popped the door.
His umbrella up, hers in hand.
"Ah…!"
Her startled gasp.
"Hey."
"What brings you here this late?"
"Meeting a friend, saw it's still raining. Had your umbrella, got worried."
"Oh…"
Handed it over.
She smiled softly.
"Thanks, really."
"No biggie."
Nothing more to say.
"Gonna head out then."
"Ah, sure."
Turning away, a thought hit.
Right.
Not polite.
"Which way you headed?"
"Pardon?"
"Same direction, I can drive you."
"Oh, no need. I'm fine."
"Alright, if you're sure… See you tomorrow."
Mu-hyuk waved, hopped back in.
Drove off.
The trainer murmured alone.
"Could've asked once more…"
Regret on her face.
*
Long-overdue premium hanwoo with Sung Min-woo.
"You serious? Ordering big?"
"Go wild."
"Sweet, no holding back! Auntie!"
"Yes, ready to order?"
"Flower sirloin for two, tenderloin one, striploin one, short rib one. And two bottles of soju."
"Got it!"
Prices varied by cut, most around 20,000 won.
Five portions already 100,000 won.
"Just the start!"
"Yeah, yeah."
He'd budgeted for this.
Hell, Mu-hyuk craved proper beef too.
Today, eat freely.
Never skimped on food anyway—no regrets.
"Oh, here it comes."
Mouthwatering meats.
On the grill.
Sizzle.
Flip once, cooked—into the mouth.
Melted silkily.
Chased with soju.
"Kaaah."
Sigh escaped naturally.
"Ahh, perfect!"
Illusion forgotten for once.
Next day.
Demon horse hunting resumed.
Last night's beef and soju fired up Sung Min-woo; his battle cries echoed across the vast plains.
"Urachacha!"
"Feeling it?"
"Damn right! Energy bursting! Gotta rest sometimes. Illusion's a blast and pays big, but all-day grinding turns you into a wreck. You hit the gym, right?"
"Yeah."
"Gonna join you."
"Smart move."
Hunted till sunset.
When would it end?
Boredom peaked as they reached the plains' edge.
Space swallowed in total darkness, like a marker of finality.
"No monsters left?"
"We circled left and right—should've cleared 'em."
"Yeah. Let's go."
Stepped into the dark.
Fwoosh.
New space unfolded.
Modest hall.
Slowly scanned the empty expanse.
"What is this place?"
No monsters.
Then the quest flashed in mind.
Checked it quick.
Cause of the Pain
📍 Description: Howling Pascal was once a kingdom knight. Days before marrying his beloved, he perished miserably on a scouting mission. Find the item he dropped in this dungeon's final chamber to soothe his grudge.
🎁 Rewards: Massive EXP. Random Item Box (x1). Next Quest.
⚠️ Failure: Pascal's Curse
This had to be the final spot.
"Check your quest."
"Quest?"
Sung Min-woo stared into space.
"Ah, the drop spot?"
"Yeah, seems like here."
"Cool, let's search."
Sung Min-woo went left.
Mu-hyuk right.
Step.
First to the right wall's end, then scoured floor, walls, ceiling thoroughly.