The Gangster Necromancer's Bracket Reveal
The inscription etched into Mu-hyuk's hand.
Group B, No. 98.
Immediately after, Mu-hyuk's name appeared on the bracket board above the plaza.
Level 124.
Gasps of admiration erupted from all around at the same time.
These were users who had been constantly checking the bracket.
"Hey, look over there!"
"What?"
"Group B, No. 98!"
"Oh……!"
"No way, level 124?"
"Mu-hyuk? Mu-hyuk... wait, that Gangster Necromancer guy?"
"Yeah, that's him. A top ranker!"
"Whoa, I was wondering why we hadn't seen any real powerhouses yet. Finally making their entrance."
"Hah. This tournament's gonna be fun for real."
Sung Min-woo, standing beside him, chuckled.
"You're pretty popular, huh?"
"You're a ranker too—why aren't you paying attention?"
"Just watch. I'm gonna hammer my name into everyone's heads this tournament. Bam."
It was right then.
Two users suddenly approached Mu-hyuk and stopped in front of him.
One he recognized, the other a complete stranger.
This wasn't a hunting ground anyway, so no reason to fight.
Mu-hyuk glanced back and forth between them. The two eyed each other, furrowing their brows.
"You're here for me."
"That's right."
After hearing Asrahan's reply, he turned to the unfamiliar user.
"And you...?"
"Ah, nice to meet you. I'm Kalion."
"Yeah. What can I do for you?"
Asrahan stepped forward then.
"I got here first."
"Ahem, excuse me. I'm in a bit of a hurry. Wait, more importantly, why the casual speech?"
Kalion and Asrahan's gazes clashed in midair.
Both refusing to back down, radiating that unyielding intensity—while Mu-hyuk, the one they wanted, could only stare in disbelief.
"Ah, forget you."
He turned his back on Asrahan to face Kalion.
"What do you need?"
"Ah, I picked up a quest."
"A quest?"
"Yes. Master Valsian told me to bring his prized disciple..."
"The Gangster Necromancer?"
"Yes, exactly."
"Hmm. But why'd you take a quest like that?"
"W-Well..."
Kalion hesitated for a long moment.
It was getting frustrating.
"I'm kinda busy."
"Okay, the truth! So, at first..."
He'd answered "yes" when asked if he knew the Gangster Necromancer, then lied about hearing from a promoter to escape suspicion—which led to this quest.
"Ah..."
Something in his story caught Mu-hyuk's ear in passing.
Right, he remembered being asked if he'd promoted himself.
Probably this guy's fault.
Hmm.
Kalion's expression was pitiful, truly desperate.
Hard to turn down, really.
Mu-hyuk nodded despite himself.
"Eh, it's not a big deal."
"Th-Thank you! Really, thank you so much!"
"No problem."
"I'll never forget this favor!"
"Yeah, just wait a sec."
"Got it!"
Then he turned to Asrahan.
"What do you want?"
"Fight me."
"What...?"
"I challenge you to a duel."
"......"
A chill ran down Mu-hyuk's spine in that instant.
This guy was off.
Something told him he had to avoid this, but those obsessive eyes screamed he'd keep hunting him down if he ran. No escaping that conviction easily.
Better to kill him once and enjoy 24 hours of peace.
The thought flashed through his mind.
"Follow me to the hunting grounds."
Asrahan turned and walked off, issuing the command unilaterally.
Mu-hyuk followed like he was drawn by a magnet.
*
The moment Asrahan used his first skill, Mu-hyuk knew.
Shadow Dancer.
He remembered it being a standard assassin class originally.
Lucky bastard.
Somehow snagged a top-tier job change in no time. Intriguing, but the duel came first—he focused.
What skills did it have?
Mu-hyuk recalled what he could about Shadow Dancer.
Right, Shadow Hide.
Hiding in shadows was a huge advantage. But knowing the class meant knowing the weaknesses.
The hide range wasn't vast.
Opponent's shadow, clone's shadow—or nearby trees, rocks.
Area magic on suspected spots would force it out.
He'd target that ruthlessly.
Six clones.
Seven with the real body.
Strike with magic the instant one vanished.
Of course, some back-and-forth first.
Armor Cavalry, charge.
After a few exchanges.
Gone.
One vanished.
Shadow Hide, no doubt.
Mages, magic barrage.
He turned the area to rubble.
Dust settled; he scanned quickly. Six clones in sight, one near a rock not far off.
That's the one.
Dead certain it was the body, he unleashed hell.
Meanwhile.
Asrahan smirked.
He'd summoned six clones on purpose—could do eight, but this was planned.
First: Reverse-summon one to heighten caution.
Sudden disappearance would spark doubt in any normal player.
Exploit that gap.
But Mu-hyuk exceeded expectations, blanketing the area in magic.
As if he knew about the shadow skill.
No matter.
Plans adapt.
This even made deception easier.
Shadow Hide.
Post-barrage, Asrahan vanished. Then resummoned the reverse-clone by the rock.
Clone 2, kneel.
Mu-hyuk's summons focused it hard.
Hmm.
Asrahan, watching, felt doubt again.
Did he really know?
Otherwise, that reaction made no sense.
Impressive.
Didn't matter how.
Made it more fun.
Then Clone 2 vanished.
"Hm...?"
A groan escaped Mu-hyuk—just as.
Spot.
Asrahan rose from his shadow, dagger thrusting.
Puke. Critical hit. Extra damage popped—over 2,000.
Stunned, Mu-hyuk twisted, shield out. Wind Step backpedaled him fast—too quick to chase.
Worse, skeletons swarmed, encircling.
Nothing to do.
Fine.
Asrahan retreated.
Smoke screen, Rock Morph.
Clone 7 summon.
Smoke blinded; Rock Morph shifted him 10 meters back.
A small rock appeared—no one noticed.
Smoke cleared: Clone 8 stabbed at skeletons from his old spot.
Same time.
Mu-hyuk, fallen back, smiled bitterly.
Fooled.
Hid a clone, played him.
HP critically low—another hit could end it.
Tense, directing skeletons—then smoke burst.
Wind dispersed it fast. Asrahan attacking skeletons there.
Clone.
Obvious.
Hiding again?
Shadow skills had long cooldowns—he remembered from videos, old memories sharp.
Only standout skills stuck; others fuzzy.
Change tactics.
Eliminate clones first.
Split into groups instantly.
Ten skeletons per group.
Each targeted one clone; 30 guarded him tight.
Bang, boom!
Clones cleared fast.
Body left.
Where'd it hide?
Ordered mages again.
One spell hit Asrahan's rock form—he dropped it.
Kwaang!
Shadow Hide to Mu-hyuk's rear shadow.
But Mu-hyuk anticipated—ordered skeletons to slash each other's shadows.
Nothing.
My shadow, then.
Armor Knight attacked his own shadow.
Asrahan in it stared at the incoming blade, forced out.
Dagger swung—but Mu-hyuk parried easily, prepared.
Kang!
Time to end it.
"That was fun."
Rare thrill, real alertness.
Storm Blade, Cross Slash.
Armor Knights 1 & 2, heavy strike.
Armor Archers 1 & 2, Power Shot.
Blessing of the Dead.
Everything poured out.
Kwakwang!
No message.
"Hah."
Mu-hyuk's jaw dropped. Couldn't see exactly, but last-second body swap with a clone.
The hidden eighth.
Stealthed away.
As expected—Asrahan appeared far off.
"That's enough for today."
Fooled him to the end.
Turned, raised a hand.
Check.
Like a pose from some ancient anime.
"Psycho..."
Mu-hyuk muttered, shaking his head.
One thought dominated: Never cross paths again.
*
Duel done, Mu-hyuk headed to the Hemil Empire with Kalion.
Sung Min-woo tagged along, glancing at Kalion and whispering.
"Hey, hey. No reward?"
"What reward?"
"Dude looked desperate as hell..."
"Nah. Not worth it."
Mu-hyuk felt a twinge of regret too.
He hadn't promoted.
That casual "yeah" sparked this guy's search.
Took forever, probably.
Least he could do.
Work him in the job quest, whatever.
"Huh, unexpected."
"Unexpected my ass."
"Thought you went cold lately. Still got a soft side."
"I'm plenty nice."
"You were."
"Talking like I'm corrupted or something?"
"Haha, kidding~"
Kalion, listening, just felt relieved.
Wondered: Would he grant a stranger's plea so readily?
Amazing.
Top ranker, no arrogance.
Enviable...
And grateful.
Pay it back.
He resolved, following Mu-hyuk.
Soon at Valsian's house.
Knock knock.
Door opened.
"Come in..."
Valsian spotted Mu-hyuk, eyes rolling. Saw Kalion behind, nodded in understanding.
"Get in."
"Yes."
"Who's the punk?"
"My friend."
"Hmm, friend, eh?"
"Ah, yes."
"You wait outside."
"Pardon?"
"Wait, you deaf?"
"N-No."
"Good, not deaf."
Mu-hyuk chuckled.
"Hang on a bit."
"Uh, y-yeah."
Left Sung Min-woo gaping, stepped inside.