Skeletons' Historic Victory
The expressions of the four lower demons hardened in an instant.
"Ha, those things again?"
It was a remark aimed at the elite holy knights and priests.
"Doesn't matter. We can just kill 'em."
"Let's go."
As they closed the distance, one of the lower demons, Aska, tilted his head.
"Something feels off..."
"Off how?"
"Their size has shrunk, for one..."
In truth, the reduced size wasn't worth worrying about.
But the aura emanating from them was markedly different from before. Dangerous, his instincts kept warning him.
Wanting to observe the situation a bit longer, he slowed his pace.
The other three lower demons, advancing at the same speed, pulled ahead.
The startled Aska hurriedly opened his mouth.
"Wait! Let's check the situation first—"
At that moment, the mage's spell shot out.
Mage's Magic
Hmm, similar...
Followed by the archer's bone arrows flying in.
Archer's Bone Arrows
Exactly the same?
This level was something he could block without much trouble.
Was I overthinking it?
Shaking off his unease, he drew his sword.
Whoosh.
A powerful slash unleashed a blast of frigid cold, colliding with the incoming mage magic and bone arrows.
As the clash of power unfolded, he spotted things piercing through the chill.
"Huh...?"
It was an enormous volley of bone arrows.
Far too many to dodge.
Impossible to block entirely.
And that wasn't the end.
Insane...!
Even more spells filled the air. His ominous premonition had been spot on.
But he quickly steadied himself and slashed wildly with his sword.
I can't die here!
His three comrades ahead were moving desperately too.
If they combined their strength, they could hold it off. The problem was their response had been too slow. If they'd known in advance, they could have wiped them out without losses, even if it took time.
Boom! Kaboom!
Ultimately overpowered, they were struck by the bone arrows and spells.
"Urgh...!"
The three wounded lower demons staggered back.
Aska was no different.
This much is fine!
His comrade ahead seemed to think the same, shouting loudly.
"Hold on, then counterattack!"
There was no dodging.
Only defense.
They had to trust their full-body armor and inherently tough bodies.
-----!
The short yet endless barrage finally ceased.
"Now it's our tu—!"
At that instant, the enhanced Armor Cavalry dissolved into light and charged through the dust. A powerful shockwave hammered their bodies simultaneously.
"Guh!"
As they momentarily lost balance—
Accelerated Thrust!
Accelerated Thrust!
Accelerated...
Sharp spear tips gouged their armor.
Scraaaape!
Followed by piercing blows and shockwaves.
And enhanced Armor Knights had already surrounded them.
"You bastards...!"
One demon, badly shaken and wounded, raised his axe high.
"Die!"
At that moment, protective barriers enveloped the numerous Armor Knights under attack.
They took damage, but 30 percent of it accumulated in the barriers.
Watching the enhanced Armor Knights silently endure, the lower demon's voice cracked in fury.
"I said dieeeee!"
But their HP was draining too fast.
Then, another enhanced Armor Knight from the rear stepped forward.
Shock Return
Taking the hits in their place.
Accumulating damage.
Rotating positions repeatedly.
After enduring for 10 seconds—
---------!
They unleashed the stored 30 percent damage in all directions.
"Grrrrraaah...!"
And it didn't end there.
Powerful Strike!
Powerful Strike!
Another shock from consecutive skills.
Bang! Popopopow!
Their wounds deepened from the steady rain of bone arrows.
Yet the lower demons were no pushovers.
Minimum level 200. Up to 250. How could they falter easily?
Roaring in rage, they squeezed out every ounce of power.
"Raaaaagh!"
With monstrous cries, the four charged fiercely.
At that moment, the corrupted elite holy knight closed in.
Whoosh.
His swinging sword hit heavier than expected.
"Die!"
And tougher than anticipated.
Thanks to the elite priest steadily casting healing magic from the rear. Whenever there was an opening, the priest unleashed attack spells without hesitation.
A siege: locked once by the holy knight, twice by Armor Knights.
No escape in sight.
*
The Big Skeleton's fist slammed down.
Kabooooom!
The last remaining lower demon, Aska, blocked it.
"Guh...!"
Then the Armor Cavalry charged at him.
Accelerated Thrust!
Accelerated...
The sharp spear tip finally shattered his armor and pierced his torso.
"Damn it..."
He collapsed.
We won.
Victory achieved.
Finally.
They all stood still, savoring the joy.
It was a historic moment—they had finally slain the four lower demons after endless defeats.
We have grown stronger.
Overwhelmingly.
So we press on.
Enhanced Armor Knight 1 used command authority to lead the group.
Soon, a grade-6 demonic beast appeared to block their path, but it was no match for the current skeleton horde.
They dispatched it faster than expected and hurried onward.
Do not stop.
Enhanced Armor Knight 1 strode forward, fully in the zone.
Burtan clacked his jaw behind him.
Got it.
Not a great sight, with the skull perched on his palm.
No need to respond.
Got it.
No need to respond.
Got it.
You little shit...
The first curse ever uttered.
Uh...?
They simultaneously sensed it.
Something feels broader.
Me too.
Their thinking had become far more flexible after evolution.
Shut up.
Got it.
Annoying bastard.
Not really.
Enhanced Armor Knight 1 whipped around. Burtan's skull wobbled on his palm.
What're you looking at?
...
What're you looking at, I said?
Fine. Let's go.
Got it.
The pair advanced once more.
The watching skeletons shook their heads pityingly.
A short while later.
While cutting through hordes of demonic beasts, they spotted a small village.
A village here?
Let's check it out.
Got it.
Stop responding.
Got it.
Really, so frustrating.
Sorry.
Doing it on purpose?
No.
Sigh, fine. Gotta stop talking.
Whatever.
You little...
Then the Poison Ogre stepped up.
Enough.
The bickering Armor Knight 1 and Burtan shut up at the firm command.
Heading to the village?
Yes.
The skeletons marched on.
Clack, clatter.
With their signature sounds.
The distance to the village shrank.
Soon, they reached the entrance.
Better scout around.
Good idea.
The village bustled with more inhabitants than expected. Human-like, they were ordinary demon realm residents, tilting their heads at the skeletons.
"Demonic beasts?"
"Shouldn't we block them?"
"But they're so orderly?"
"Doesn't seem like beasts."
"Hmm, intriguing."
Then one approached the skeletons.
"Hey, what are you? Demonic beasts?"
The skeletons, who understood speech, could react.
Clack.
By shaking their heads.
"Not beasts?"
The skeletons nodded.
"Oh ho, you understand. But can't speak?"
Nods again.
"Fascinating. Anyway, welcome to Cushiu Village. Hey, everyone gather 'round! These guys aren't beasts!"
"Really? Weird ones."
"Skeletons, armed too."
"What are they?"
"No need to report, right?"
"Why bother? They won't care anyway."
They all gave wry smiles at his self-deprecating remark.
"True."
"Well, rare visitors. Let's be welcoming."
"Alright, skulls? Come to a comfy spot. No idea where you're from, but our village is nicer than it looks. Been that way since way back..."
Thus, the skeletons unexpectedly began mingling with Cushiu villagers.
At the same time.
The succubus glanced at the Northern Demon King's mood before slipping away.
"Cassandra."
"Yes."
"Head to F11 sector. Search everywhere, kill any demonic beasts you find. If none, wait a week, kill them when they show, then return. Report in detail how much stronger they've gotten."
"Understood."
Cassandra turned immediately.
No questions.
Just obey orders.
Flash.
She arrived swiftly in F11 sector.
"Hmm?"
No demonic beasts. No skeletons.
Somewhere else?
She patrolled sector 11 slowly.
Every nook and cranny.
Thoroughly, but still no skeletons.
Dead?
If so, wait and they'd reappear.
Cassandra headed to the area the lower demon had guided her to before.
Waiting for the beasts—skeletons—to emerge, but even after a week, no sign.
She reported to the succubus, who pondered they might not return but decided to watch longer for certainty.
Monitor that location for 1 month.
Yes.
Cassandra departed for F11 sector again.
*
Mu-hyuk logged into Illusion after lunch.
Wonder if something different today?
With faint anticipation, he checked accumulated messages.
[Summon experience gained.]
[Summon experience gained.]
[Summon experience...]
His expectations were met.
No—exceeded.
It had been ages since he'd seen summon experience messages; the nostalgia hit fresh. Composing himself, he checked the total gained.
Mu-hyuk's eyes widened.
"Whoa..."
An astonishing 1 million filled his view.
Worth 100 stat points.
All his pent-up frustration vanished in an instant.
And that wasn't all.
[Your summons have entered Cushiu Village in northern F12 sector.]
[You can change your starting sector to Cushiu Village in F12 sector.]
[Change?]
[Yes/No]
The unexpected message left him stunned momentarily.
Change spawn point...?
The question vanished instantly, a smile curling on Mu-hyuk's lips.
He figured lower demons had appeared in F11, slaughtering skeletons indiscriminately.
Switching sectors now might let them roam freely for a while.
Swipe.
Mu-hyuk raised his hand and selected Yes.
[Starting sector changed to F12 sector, Cushiu Village.]
Everything was perfect.
Just one issue.
The skeletons were still alive in the demon realm sector.
When will they die?
They had to die to be resummoned here, so he could only wait.
Still, time was on his side. He calmed down and sat.
About 5 minutes later, Sung Min-woo, Kang Ji-yeon, and Yerin logged in one by one.
"Head out right away?"
"Hold on."
"Why?"
"Sent summons to demon realm, but they're not dead yet."
"Still?"
"Yeah."
"Oppa, didn't they always die instantly before?"
"Yeah."
"So they're surviving now?"
"Right. That's why I got a ton of summon exp."
"Ah, got it. Then we wait a bit."
Fortunately, after about 30 minutes—
[Enhanced Armor Knight 3 forcibly unsummoned.]
[Summon experience gained.]
[Enhanced Armor Archer 2 forcibly unsummoned.]
[Enhanced Armor Cavalry...]
The skeletons started dying again.