Dullahan's Demise
"A Dullahan, huh."
It had stung his pride a little at first, but that had backfired. There was no real reaction.
But when he mentioned the risk to the continentals struggling to survive in the nearby village, Simon responded immediately.
"Does it have a name?"
"Yes. Among the named ones, it's said to be the strongest."
"I see. Then the nearby village really could be in danger. Wait here a moment."
"Understood."
Simon conferred with Pakkan and Arena.
He couldn't hear what they were saying, but their expressions told him everything he needed to know.
Perfect.
Soon, Simon approached.
"We've decided to take it down."
As expected, the answer was positive.
"Thank you."
"No need for thanks. It's on the way anyway."
Mu-hyuk just smiled.
If he used these guys right, even a boss monster wouldn't be a problem. No, it would be ridiculously easy to hunt.
All he had to do was claim first place among the users here.
Mu-hyuk scanned the users behind him. None of them could be underestimated.
They had all passed that brutal test, after all.
But there was something they didn't know—something Mu-hyuk did.
If he played that card right, they wouldn't even attempt to attack.
With a few plans in mind, Mu-hyuk's eyes curved into crescents.
About an hour of walking under the moonlight that brightly lit the darkness...
"We're here."
"Yes."
They had finally arrived at Kaiser Plains.
"Where's the spot you mentioned?"
"Over there."
Mu-hyuk took the lead.
It wasn't long before he raised his hand and pointed.
They were still at a good distance, but at five meters tall, it was impossible to miss.
Simon halted and raised his hand.
"Everyone, attention!"
The users looked to Simon.
"That Dullahan you see has a name. It could threaten the nearby village, so we're taking it out before moving on. Got it?"
The users' eyes lit up at his words.
They exchanged glances and whispers.
"Named?"
"It has a name, so yeah."
"Oh, jackpot!"
"Man, a named on the way."
He saw no need to correct them that it was actually a boss. Ignoring their chatter, Mu-hyuk summoned his skeletons.
Skeleton Warrior Summon
Skeleton Archer Summon
Skeleton Mage Summon
Mu-hyuk summoned his skeletons too.
A total of 37.
For now, he applied Storm only to the Armor Knights and Bone Swords.
Once his MP recovered, he applied Storm to the archers and mages in turn.
By then, they'd closed the distance enough, and the boss monster Burtan was staring right at them.
The moment its glowing eyes pierced through his fingers with an eerie light, Simon gave the attack order.
The three NPCs—one from each guild leader—stepped forward.
"Hold on."
"Hm?"
Mu-hyuk stopped them.
"Let me test it first."
"Is that necessary?"
To them, it was just an easy monster anyway.
"Gotta tap the stone bridge before crossing. Plus, there's something I want to show you."
"Show us?"
"Yeah. I think you should see it at least once."
"Hmm."
Push when they're hesitating.
"It'll only take a moment."
With that, he commanded his summons.
Bang! Baaang!
The skeleton archers loosed bone arrows, followed immediately by the mages casting spells.
Contribution (2) has increased.
Contribution (1) has increased.
Contribution (6) has increased.
Contribution... (continues)
Burtan burst through the rising dust.
Mu-hyuk ordered the Armor Knights and Bone Swords to charge, surrounding and attacking it.
Contribution (1) has increased.
Contribution (1) has increased.
Burtan, who'd only been taking hits, swung the head in its hand.
Whoooosh.
With a tremendous whoosh, a Bone Sword shattered.
-380 Additional Damage
Contribution (3) has increased.
And repeatedly.
In an instant, all the Bone Swords were gone, while the Armor Knights held on, dealing minor damage. The Armor Archers and Bone Bows kept firing arrows steadily.
Swish.
The watching NPCs stepped forward again.
"Well, that should be enough."
"It has one technique."
"Technique?"
"Yeah, one it uses."
"Even if—"
"Still, check it out once."
The NPCs nodded.
All forward.
The remaining skeletons charged the ground.
When they reached Burtan...
Kieeeaaak!
It unleashed its Ki Wave right on cue.
Instant one-shots.
A few farther back couldn't land damage thanks to Storm, but most succeeded.
Messages flooded in.
"That's it."
"Mm, definitely..."
Even the NPCs couldn't dismiss Burtan's Ki Wave.
Dozens of skeletons shattering in one blow left a strong impression.
"The real problem is the sensory paralysis if it hits."
"Sensory paralysis."
The NPCs nodded.
Fortunately, they seemed convinced.
"Thanks. We'll keep that in mind."
"Let's go!"
The three NPCs advanced.
Mu-hyuk inwardly sighed in relief and clenched his fist.
Got it.
The users behind, having watched the tense scene unfold, finally snapped out of it.
"See the contributions?"
"Yeah, this..."
They all nodded.
Realizing it wasn't just a named monster.
"Boss monster, right?"
"Yeah."
"Then we gotta fight quick."
"We do."
Mages and archers prepared first, drawing weapons for skills—but Simon blocked them.
"What are you doing?"
"Pardon?"
"The vice guild leaders stepped up."
"Ah, but..."
"What if they take damage from your attacks?"
They had no choice but to lower their weapons.
Simon returned to his spot.
"Haa..."
The remaining users let out deep sighs.
"Driving me crazy."
"Damn...!"
They couldn't shake their regret.
Faces twisted with desire and greed.
2nd: None
In that time, the three vice guild leaders had already crushed the boss monster Burtan.
Kieeeaaak!
It unleashed a Ki Wave, but they dodged with ease.
"Finish it."
"Right."
Swords swung.
Splaaat!
The Dullahan's body shattered and tore apart.
You have achieved 1st place in Contribution.
Acquiring reward.
Naturally, Mu-hyuk took first.
A complete sweep.
Mu-hyuk smiled as he claimed the reward.
Mu-hyuk tilted his head.
Special?
And inside the parentheses: Job.
What was this?
With curiosity, he opened the box.
'Gangster Necromancer Exclusive Item' has appeared.
◈ A skull that perfectly reflects the traits of the corresponding monster. Usable only by Gangster Necromancers.
A skull.
Mu-hyuk's mouth fell open.
Holy shit.
Skulls that reflected a monster's traits were something even Mu-hyuk had only seen a handful of times.
He hadn't even considered how to acquire one, and now it was in his hands.
*
That evening.
Mu-hyuk logged out at the entrance to Namur Valley, posted monster strategies on the homepage as usual, and went to bed.
Waking to his alarm, he ate a quick breakfast and logged into Illusion.
Current time: 6:55 a.m. Most users were already online. The NPCs were prepped to depart.
"Everyone up?"
Simon approached right on cue.
"Ah, yes."
The users nodded, and Simon checked them one by one. With fewer than twenty, it was easy.
"Good. We're ascending Namur Valley now."
Led by the guild leaders and NPCs, they began climbing the treacherous valley.
"Whoa, the angle is insane..."
"And the path's so narrow."
"One slip and we're done."
They'd grown friendly enough to chat. Simon turned and warned them.
"As you see, the terrain's rough. Stay focused."
"Yes."
The users looked up again.
They had to climb this hellish path.
"Monsters gonna show?"
"No way."
What if they did? Fighting here?
The thought alone gave them chills. They shook their heads to clear it.
Step.
The narrow path grew harsher.
Mu-hyuk focused too.
"Ahh!"
A female user ahead slipped, but Mu-hyuk caught her from behind.
"Th-thank you."
"Yeah, no problem."
About three hours in...
"Midpoint rest spot soon. Hang in there."
Simon’s words brought sighs of relief.
"Hoo, this is brutal."
"Mentally exhausting."
"Right?"
They reached the rest spot without incident.
A vast clearing.
Towering jagged rocks everywhere caught the eye first.
Blunt at the base, sharpening upward—like they'd impale you if they fell.
The expansive plains below stirred the heart.
A piercingly blue sky sparkled, clouds delicately perched—a painting come to life.
"So pretty..."
"Wow."
Not one user failed to gasp in awe.
Mu-hyuk was no exception.
Thump thump.
His chest felt like it might burst.
His mind went blank white.
No stray thoughts—just pure bliss in the emptiness.
A shiver started in his chest, climbed his shoulders, neck, to his scalp.
You couldn't help it facing this spectacle.
"Haa."
A sigh laced with strange ecstasy.
"Rest for 30 minutes."
At Simon's words, they snapped to and sat.
Chatter filled the space bit by bit, but Mu-hyuk couldn't tear his eyes from the vista.
The noise didn't reach him. After the ecstatic shiver, only serene calm remained.
Nice.
He closed his eyes gently.
Then someone approached.
"Um, excuse me."
"Hm?"
His peace shattered with mild irritation, but turning brought instant calm again.
The woman's beauty rivaled the landscape he'd just admired.
"Thanks for earlier."
"Ah, sure."
It was the one who'd slipped on the way up.
"The view's amazing."
"Yeah."
Her voice matched her face—beautiful. Long straight hair fluttered in the wind, drawing his gaze naturally.
But blunt Mu-hyuk could only respond occasionally, glancing at the view and her profile.
"Hey, what's your nickname?"
"Pardon?"
"Your nickname."
"Why the nickname...?"
"To add you as a friend."
Her bright, sparkling eyes were a bit much.
"Ahem. Mu-hyuk."
"Mu-hyuk... I'm Yerin."
User 'Yerin' requests friend registration. Accept?
[Yes/No]
He accepted, of course.
"Nice to meet you."
"Yeah."
He turned slightly at her refreshing smile.
What's with that smile?
Still, her company made it less boring.
Thanks to her, he spent a rare 30 minutes without crafting or cooking.
Quite relaxing.