The Undying Skeletons
Savoring the joy of his stat gains, Mu-hyuk stepped out of the prison.
"Those guys were screaming they’d never log back in. Bet they’ll be online again tomorrow, though?"
"Probably."
"Man, lucky. You can pump up your stats even more."
"Well, less than today, but yeah, a bit. Lend me a dagger?"
"Nah, it’s not even my item. Don’t wanna tempt you later."
Sung Min-woo’s attitude like that was worth emulating.
"Suit yourself."
"Ahem…."
Of course, the downside was regretting it too late.
Mu-hyuk chuckled softly and sank into thought.
Enhancements are way behind.
He might have to pull an all-nighter tonight.
Oh, and send the skeletons too.
Remembering just then, he summoned his minions and dispatched them to the Demon Realm.
Armor Knight 1 has been reverse-summoned.
Giant Cyclops has been reverse-summoned….
Mu-hyuk’s brow furrowed.
Again with this.
For the past few days, whenever he sent his summons to the Demon Realm, they all died in under a minute.
Was something wrong in the F11 area?
Even if there really was a problem, there was no way to fix it, so no point dwelling on it. It’d probably sort itself out eventually.
Lost in his thoughts, he arrived at the spot where Yerin was waiting.
"You’re here, oppa?"
"Yeah. Doran still training?"
"Super diligently. Didn’t stop even when you weren’t around."
"Huh."
Mu-hyuk glanced at Doran for a moment before sitting down.
"Hey, I’ll be here late tonight, so head out if you get tired."
"Enhancing till dawn?"
"Yeah, guild war’s in two days."
"Got it."
"Alright, I’m logging off first. Kinda beat today."
"Rest up."
Sung Min-woo logged out after saying goodbye.
Soon after, Yerin looked worn out too.
"Oppa, I’m heading out too. Getting sleepy."
"Alright, wash up and crash."
"Yeah! See you tomorrow!"
Alone now, Mu-hyuk refocused and swung his hammer. His concentration broke for a second, and he glanced up—Doran was still going at it hard.
Isn’t he overdoing it?
Players had game protections, but NPCs didn’t. This looked like overwork. Mu-hyuk stood, pondering, then called out.
"Doran."
No response—maybe he didn’t hear.
Approaching slowly, Mu-hyuk heard ragged breathing.
"Huff… huff…."
Yet Doran kept moving, firing arrows. Mu-hyuk frowned.
"Doran!"
Finally turning, Doran blinked.
"My lord…?"
"You look beat."
"I-I’m fine."
"Doesn’t look fine at all."
"But…."
That frustrated expression.
What’s up?
Mu-hyuk waited.
Doran hesitated, then bowed his head.
"I’m… so angry."
"Angry?"
"You’re the only one I serve, my lord. It pisses me off that I’m weaker than everyone around you. I want to grow stronger faster than anyone. To do that, I need to train more."
Didn’t expect that.
Mu-hyuk, unused to this, faltered.
"Uh, yeah?"
"Yes."
Doran’s steely gaze snapped him back. Crushing his spirit wouldn’t do.
"Right. Get stronger."
"I won’t disappoint you."
But Doran wasn’t a player—he was an NPC, a resident here. Grueling training ate at his stamina.
He’d burn out eventually.
Training exhausted dulled gains more than helped.
"Still, watch your stamina."
"Pardon?"
"If you collapse mid-training, I’ll look bad."
"Ah…!"
Doran nodded eagerly.
"Understood, my lord! I’ll make sure it never happens!"
"You better."
"Yes, my lord!"
Mu-hyuk nodded and returned to his seat.
Thud.
Sitting, he watched Doran.
Hmm, still not resting?
Doran resumed, so Mu-hyuk figured persuasion failed. But soon, Doran paused to rest. Mu-hyuk smiled faintly—his words had worked.
Good.
Awkward, but that’s how bonds form.
Alright, my turn.
He set items down and swung.
Clang!
*
Around 5 a.m. real time.
"Hoo, done."
First goal complete.
"Summon."
He called all skeletons and approached Armor Knight 1, handing over +6 weapon and shield. Satisfaction swelled.
"Work hard from now on."
He patted its shoulder.
"Next."
To Armor Knight 2.
"You, be more aggressive."
Another +6 set.
Skill level up made +6 reliable now. Title effect applied at level 5, boosting success rates.
"You, moderate it."
Armor Knight 3 clacked its jaw.
Clack, clack.
Like a reply.
"Got it, huh?"
Grinning, he handed them over.
Then he froze.
Uh…?
All-nighter must’ve addled him. Talking to skeletons? Anyone seeing would call him nuts.
"Ahem."
Coughing, he shut up and distributed gear—to evolved armor skeletons only. Basic Bone Swords and Bone Bows later, when freer. Done, he beamed.
Smile faded.
Guild gear next.
"Demon Realm transfer."
Hurried summons to Demon Realm.
They’ll die soon anyway….
Started enhancing.
Clang, clang!
Hm…?
Something off.
Bone Sword 5 has been reverse-summoned….
Bone Bow 3 has been reverse-summoned….
Reviewing messages.
Oh ho?
Basic skeletons died mostly, but enhanced ones lingered in numbers.
Unlike before, when all melted instantly. Still, no exp gain irked him.
*
The northern Demon King muttered.
"Felt it again. Fades in and out… dunno why, but…."
He propped his chin.
"Getting annoying."
The guarding succubus’s eyes chilled. She slipped out quietly, summoning a subordinate.
"You called?"
A lowest demon knelt.
"Investigate. Check that strange aura in F11 now."
"Understood."
It vanished.
Reappearing far off.
Whish.
Wind-like, scattering then reforming distant.
F11, huh.
Kalansever grimaced.
What a pain, this crap job.
But couldn’t defy the Demon King’s aide. Someday he’d rise—crush her underfoot. Smirking at his scheme.
Reached F9.
Almost there.
Odd power clustered indeed.
Bug-level, though.
Or slightly better?
"Heh."
Crossing F10 midpoint, he spotted them: unfamiliar forces. Distant, but white-armored sword-and-shield types up front.
One’s huge.
And plenty.
Whish.
Wind-scattered, reforming near.
"What the hell?"
Realizing skeletons, he snickered.
Monsters, huh?
Odd look and aura, but skeletons overflowed here. Mission done—report and go. But stress needed venting.
"Guess I’ll kill you lot."
No order against it.
Grinning, he swung his hand.
Boom!
Wide blast, dust cloud. Waved it away.
One giant skeleton left.
Oh, survived?
Swing again.
Boom boom!
Giant shattered too.
"Weak, so weak."
Muttering, back to base. Reported: skeletons, monsters, cleaned just in case.
Resting briefly, aide called again.
What now, seriously…!
Swallowing irritation, appeared.
"You called."
"Skeletons, right?"
"Yes."
"Killed them?"
"Yes."
"Then why sense them again? Fainter, but stronger than before."
"Pardon…?"
"Those monster shits are back!"
"I definitely killed them."
"Kill ’em again. Got it?"
Kalansever bit his lip.
"One question?"
"What?"
"Why fuss over low monsters…."
"His Majesty finds it annoying. Need more reason?"
Mention of him demanded obedience.
"N-no!"
"Clean ’em proper this time. Got it?"
"Yes!"
Vanished.
Teleports closed gap quick.
"Ha…."
Same bunch.
One big.
Thick white bone armor, gear.
How?
No answers pondering.
Grind to dust.
Hands waving nonstop, shattering skeletons.
Boom boom boom!
Kept going.
Smash, smash.
Total powder. Surely done—back to base.
Summoned again.
"Defying orders now?"
Same reason.