Set Discovery and Skeleton Evolutions
There seemed to be more items than before.
Definitely more.
He had to spot the most essential ones among them.
What do I need?
Attack power and defense were sufficient for now.
Attack speed and movement speed were pretty high too.
MP recovery rate?
Thinking ahead to the future, he could never have too much MP recovery. Still, it felt like a waste to spend this opportunity solely on an MP recovery item.
Reaction speed?
At his current high level, reaction speed had become critically important.
Thanks to the Explorer title and Kurkan's Longsword boosting it by a whopping 3%, he was sitting at around 109%.
The higher it got, the better—and he was greedy for more.
Magic attack and magic defense were plenty.
Stripping away the unnecessary, only two options remained: MP recovery and reaction speed.
Over 1,000 points.
Good. What about slots?
Armor, pants, pauldrons, gloves, weapon, necklace, rings, bracelet, and belt—no need to change those.
Excluding those categories left few options. Most items belonged to the slots he'd ruled out. Then he spotted one for an unused slot.
Earrings.
He picked them up.
Checked the options.
A hologram appeared.
◈ Defense +10
◈ Stamina +8
◈ Attack Speed +3%
◈ Movement Speed +5%
◈ Durability 200/200
◈ Req: Strength 50, Stamina 60
◈ Req Contribution: 1,000
The options were solid, but they didn't grab him.
He set them down and looked around again.
Knee guards, forearm guards, even anklets.
Quite a few unusual slots.
He reached for the knee guards first, but Sung Min-woo's bizarre yell cut through from nearby.
“Huuuuaaaah!”
“What?”
He whipped his head around in surprise, but nothing was there.
“What happened?”
“Uh, w-well...”
Sung Min-woo held a pair of knuckle gloves.
“Those?”
“Y-yeah.”
“Jeez.”
“See, these were in the box I got as a reward from Captain Mu-hyuk...”
“And?”
Sung Min-woo's face was flushed with excitement.
“Dude, they're insane. The options are straight-up broken!”
“Yeah?”
“For real, jackpot!”
“Sure, sure.”
“You'll freak when you see 'em. Not something to just brush off!”
Mu-hyuk placed his hand on the knuckles.
Checked the options.
They were definitely good.
◈ [Exceptional options here]
“Nice.”
“That's all you got?”
“Yeah.”
But Kurkan's Longsword was better.
That was it.
“Anyway, I'll keep shopping. You pick well too.”
“Uh, yeah...”
Leaving Sung Min-woo's dazed expression behind, he grabbed the knee guards again.
Not standout options, so he set them down and eyed the forearm guards.
Then the next item, and the one after.
About 20 items checked, but Mu-hyuk's expression never changed.
None appealed. Then, as he examined the anklet he'd just picked up, his brows furrowed suddenly.
What's up with this?
◈ Defense +5
◈ Strength +3
◈ Durability 150/150
◈ Req: Strength 40, Stamina 40
◈ Req Contribution: 400
The contribution requirement was absurdly high for the options—not to mention the usage limits.
He tossed the anklet aside without a second thought. Ignoring the thud, he moved on.
*
An hour of browsing, and fatigue was setting in.
“Hmmm...”
A deep groan escaped him.
How about this one?
He gripped the cloak.
◈ Defense +10
◈ Reaction Speed +1%
◈ Durability 200/200
◈ Req: Strength 50, Agility 30, Stamina 50
◈ Req Contribution: 500
The 1% reaction speed caught his eye.
Hmm.
But the rest didn't impress—defense was a measly 10. And burning 500 contribution for just 1% reaction? No thanks.
Swoosh.
As he went to set the cloak down—
Flash!
One item from earlier flashed in his mind.
Anklet...!
Similar name.
Kayan's Anklet?
Was it? Maybe not.
Set item potential emerged. Could be nothing, of course. Hard to be sure now.
No need to overthink.
Find it and see.
Cloak in hand, he hurried back to where he'd seen the anklet.
Somewhere around here.
But no anklet.
Damn!
He'd thrown it.
Where'd it land?
He dug through the piles of treasures.
Nope. Nope.
Treasures scattered everywhere.
Not this.
Over 10 minutes of fumbling, he finally found it.
There.
Checked options immediately.
Kayan's Anklet. But no set confirmation—same name didn't guarantee it. Just possibility.
What to do?
This was Count Kairon Baekjak's private warehouse.
Truly useless?
And the contribution cost was suspiciously high for the options.
High chance it's a set.
After agonizing, Mu-hyuk decided.
Yeah. Buy it.
Hoping for set, he spent the points.
‘Kayan's Anklet’ acquired using Contribution (400).
‘Kayan's Cloak’ acquired using Contribution (500).
Equipped immediately.
Stealth
Set effect activated.
Yes!
Checked details right away.
Stealth
Can hide once every 24 hours. Max duration: 30 minutes.
Automatically cancels if attacked or attacking someone.
Finally, a satisfied smile.
Not bad.
A skill to conceal his form: Stealth.
The moment he saw it, he knew.
Very useful.
*
Sung Min-woo left to tackle his level 80 quest.
Alone now, Mu-hyuk decided to spend his achievement points first.
He headed to the temple, met the high priest—familiar face, easy guidance.
“May the gods' blessings be with you.”
Leaving the high priest, he entered the inner chamber.
A space filled with darkness.
Nothing visible—then a pure white hologram bloomed.
◈ Req Achievement Points: 3
Storm set made attack power key.
Buy all.
‘Achievement Points (48)’ consumed to acquire ‘Physical Attack Potions (x16)’.
2 achievement points left.
Potions too.
Bought one MP potion and one HP potion.
Exited the space.
“Farewell.”
“Yes.”
Left the temple, entered nearby inn.
“Welcome.”
“One room.”
“Prices vary by convenience.”
“Mid-size.”
“Yes, for one night...”
Paid, went up to the room. Door shut, downed the attack potions first.
All downed, checked status.
A grin broke out.
HP and MP over 4,500. Magic attack 340. Physical attack a massive 400—thanks to Kurkan's Longsword reward and potions.
Physical defense 152, magic defense 73. Reaction speed hit the 110% goal. Perfect.
Swoosh.
Pulled a skull from inventory.
“Skeleton Warrior Summon.”
Time to strengthen the skeletons.
Kirrik.
Removed Swordbone 3's skull, slotted in Carban's.
‘Swordbone 3’ begins evolution.
With the message, Swordbone 3 began changing.
Next.
Swordbone 4's turn.
Removed its skull, inserted Ogre's.
Then Swordbone 5,6,7,8—swapped with named monster skulls.
Kirrik, kiririk.
Six warriors transformed before his eyes. Frail bones hardened, bulked up. Just watching filled him with assurance.
Battle scenes flashed in his mind.
Eight enhanced skeletons rampaging across the field.
Then Swordbone 3 finished.
Neutral attribute.
HP gain per level: 5 → 10.
Named monster ‘Carban’ traits: Strength +10, Stamina +10.
Attack Power +40.
Defense +20.
Cutting Power slightly increased.
Attack Speed +7%.
Movement Speed +7%.
Strength +5.
Stamina +5.
Fist clenched at the messages.
Grip.
Named skulls far outstripped normals.
Swordbone 4 finished similarly. Same for 5-8.
“Whew.”
Heart pounded.
Thump thump.
Power surged—he could confidently claim strength now.
At this level...
No one could trample him.
Mega guilds?
Couldn't escape their notice entirely, but he'd inflict serious pain—not die pointlessly.
Small guilds? They'd fear him.
Not over yet.
Pulled more skulls from inventory.
“Skeleton Archer Summon.”
Archerbone 3's turn.
‘Archerbone 3’ begins evolution.
Evolution wrapped quickly.
Massive growth, as expected.
One skull left.
“Skeleton Mage Summon.”
Removed Mage 1's skull.
Kirrik?
Inserted Kikku's.
Evolution begins.
Bones thickened, despite mage class.
Finished.
Fire attribute.
HP gain per level: 5 → 10.
MP gain per level: 5 → 10.
Named monster ‘Kikku’ traits: Knowledge +10, Wisdom +10.
Magic Attack Power +60.
Defense +20.
Magic Defense +30.
Stamina +5.
Knowledge +5.
Wisdom +5.
Impressive. Magic attack +60, knowledge total +15. Magic attack from knowledge alone +75, total +135.
Checked enhanced skeleton mage's status and skills, calculated damage.
Base magic attack 455 + staff 120 = 575 total.
Pierces enemies with a flame spear.
Magic Damage x155%
Cast Time: 2 sec
Cooldown: 150 sec
Spear of Flame at 155%.
Calculation...
Ignoring enemy magic defense: a whopping 888 damage. From one summon.
Name first.
Renamed the enhanced skeletons.
Done.
Mu-hyuk took in his summons. 33 total, 12 enhanced.
Shoulders squared instinctively.
Checked time.
4 PM.
Plenty before dinner. Long-overdue solo hunt.