Shields of the Cursed Beast
They began climbing the valley once more.
The path grew even more treacherous.
"Ugh, why is this so damn tough?"
"One slip and you're dead meat, for sure."
"Please, no monsters. Just no monsters."
But expectations always had a way of backfiring.
Kyaaack!
A flying monster, a talon eagle, appeared.
"Th-that's a bird, right?"
"Who knows."
He hoped it was just a bird, but no—it was unmistakably a monster. A powerful one at level 90, no less.
Everyone wore expressions of uncertainty, pondering their next move. Everyone except Mu-hyuk, who regarded it with casual indifference.
Whatever. His skeletons were at the rear, after all.
"Fire Spear."
The mage guild leader, Arena, stepped forward just in time.
Whoosh.
Flames erupted from her hand, streaking into the sky before shaping into a spear of fire.
It shot forward at blinding speed.
Boom!
A thunderous explosion ripped through one of the level 90 talon eagle's wings.
The beast lost balance and plummeted. In that instant, the warrior guild leader Pakhan kicked off the ground, soaring high to land squarely on its back.
He drove his greatsword straight into the eagle's skull.
Crunch.
Pakhan yanked the blade free, then kicked hard off the monster's back before returning to his spot.
Thud.
The sound of the crashing body followed moments later.
Simon took a step forward.
"Let's move out again."
His words snapped the users back to attention.
"Whoa, insane."
"How strong are these guys, exactly...?"
Honestly, it was a fair question.
Why bring along regular users if they were that powerful?
There had to be something more to it.
Mu-hyuk shrugged it off and pressed on.
Kyaaack!
Talon eagles appeared sporadically, but they posed no real threat.
The guild leaders handled them preemptively, just like the first one.
With that, the group could focus solely on navigating the terrain. After another four grueling hours, they finally paused for a break.
"One hour here."
Their hunger gauges were dipping low.
Maybe I should cook something.
Mu-hyuk pulled out ingredients, whipped up some food, and distributed it to the NPCs.
"Oh, thanks."
"Looks delicious."
"Dig in."
They each offered their own thanks.
Plenty left over...
He glanced toward Yerin, a female user sitting not far away. After a moment's hesitation, he approached her cautiously.
"Ahem."
His cough made her turn.
Their eyes met.
Mu-hyuk offered her a plate of food.
"Want some?"
"Oh, thank you. I've just been eating bread, so my stomach was getting queasy..."
She smiled brightly and took the plate.
"I'll enjoy it."
"Sure."
As Mu-hyuk turned to head back,
"Eat together?"
"Huh?"
"I'm eating alone anyway..."
Several male users hovered around her.
Alone?
He tilted his head in confusion, and Yerin stood, approaching him.
"Together."
"Ah, okay."
As they sat side by side, sharp glares from the orbiting men stabbed into his chest like daggers.
If looks could kill, Mu-hyuk would've been on the brink of death by now.
"Um..."
"Yeah?"
Yerin looked at him curiously.
"Why don't you hang out with the others, Mu-hyuk? You always seem to be by yourself."
"Easier that way."
"Alone?"
"Yeah."
"I see."
Yerin nodded.
Mu-hyuk suddenly grew curious himself. She'd always been alone too, despite the men buzzing around her. She rarely engaged them.
"What about you, Yerin?"
"Me?"
"Yeah."
"Just... you know."
She gave a shy smile.
Cute.
He averted his gaze from the stray thought.
A strange sense of kinship bloomed.
It didn't feel bad.
*
Sunset brought their march to a halt.
The valley's summit.
And a severed path.
"This is the destination."
Simon stepped forward, pointing to the opposing peak.
"It was once one continuous ridge, severed by some calamity. Don't get complacent, though. When the full moon rises to the center of the sky, the cursed monster could leap this gap in an instant."
The users swallowed hard.
"That's why we must fell it first."
The full moon was just peeking out, but watching it climb revealed how swiftly it rose.
Time was short.
"I may not have explained fully amid the rush, or you might've forgotten, so I'll recap the key points. The cursed monster can erect protective barriers—like shields. Each color has distinct traits."
This was news to Mu-hyuk.
What?
He listened intently.
"A powerful attack triggers a pink shield—wide-ranging, highly durable, and completely impervious to magic. Warriors and archers who've passed their trials only."
Mu-hyuk nodded.
That explains it.
The briefing continued.
"Once the pink shatters, a red shield forms—in midair, over the gap. Physical attacks only, so archers again. Finally, the black shield yields only to magic, for qualified mages. Each lasts one minute. Fail to break it, and the monster grows stronger. Give it everything you've got. Later shields don't matter. Questions?"
Mu-hyuk raised his hand.
"Yes?"
"Why us?"
"You must've missed the explanation."
"Yeah."
"Shields dictate who can damage them."
"Meaning...?"
"Knight aspirants could hit pink, red, and black—but nothing beyond. Full knights were the opposite."
"Ah."
"Clear?"
"Yes."
Early shields for under level 100. Later ones required higher prowess.
"So we ignore post-black shields."
"Exactly."
"Once all shields break...?"
"Direct damage, but yours won't land anyway."
Mu-hyuk nodded.
Can't just stand idle.
Boss-like attacks might boost contribution for rewards—or even minor damage could up the payout.
He'd risk the backlash and strike post-shields.
"Ten-minute break, then we begin. Prepare."
Mu-hyuk hesitated during his rest.
Shields. One-minute limit.
Time to use it.
He decided.
Crunch.
Mu-hyuk slipped away to a secluded spot, hiding behind a massive boulder. He retrieved Burtan's skull from his inventory and scanned the area once more.
"Skeleton Warrior Summon."
Eight Enhanced Bones and twelve Bone Swords materialized. He approached what was once Bone Sword 9, now Bone Sword 1.
First, he removed Bone Sword 1's skull and slotted in Burtan's.
‘Bone Sword 1’ begins evolution.
Progress: 5%......
A thicker tension gripped him than usual. He swallowed hard.
Progress: 65%......
The bar surged rapidly.
Simultaneously, the skeleton's bones thickened.
95%, 96%.
Finally, 100%.
HP gain per level increases from 5 to 10.
Acquired skill Ki Wave from Burtan's influence.
Burtan's power transfers: Strength (+15), Agility (+10), Stamina (+15).
Attack Power (+50).
Defense (+50).
Attack Speed (+5%).
Movement Speed (+5%).
Strength (+10).
Stamina (+10).
Mu-hyuk's eyes widened at the flood of messages.
Holy... the buffs!
And a skill too.
Savoring the profound thrill, he gazed fondly at the transformed Bone Sword 1. Suddenly, it yanked out its own skull with a pop and gripped it in its left hand.
Then, with an eerie cackle, it began to dance.
Twirl, twirl.
Mu-hyuk's brow twitched violently.
"What the—crazy bastard..."
The curse slipped out involuntarily.
Kee hee hee!
It had even mimicked that damn dullahan's obnoxious dance and laugh.
*
Since the skull made it special, Mu-hyuk named it Burtan after the boss.
Emerging with Burtan and his full summon retinue drew stares from the users.
They'd seen it during the boss fight, so no wild reactions—but lingering awe persisted.
"The number of summons is just..."
"And surprisingly strong."
"No ordinary necromancer."
"I can see that..."
Ignoring the murmurs, Mu-hyuk took position.
Time was nearly up.
A moment later, Simon rose.
"Everyone, prepare."
"Yes."
Non-mages drew weapons.
Frontliners gripped swords, greatswords, maces, daggers. Rear guards readied bows and crossbows.
Simon eyed them approvingly and nodded. Arena stepped up.
"Beginning now."
She raised her hand.
Flames surged skyward.
The massive inferno engulfed the world beyond the severed path.
--------!
A massive tremor? Or a guttural roar?
The cursed monster's bizarre howl shook them to the core. Instantly, a pink shield materialized right before the melee users.
They faltered in shock.
"Attack!"
Simon's command jolted them into a frenzy of blows.
Clang, claaang!
The ranged archers unleashed from afar.
Only physical attacks. One minute to shatter the pink shield. No room for holding back.
Every user poured everything they had.