Solo in the Treasure Dungeon
Behind me...!
Mu-hyuk didn't miss the chance. He issued the command without hesitation.
Bone Bow 1, attack the master!
The Bone Bow twisted its body and loosed a bone arrow straight at Mu-hyuk.
The distance was too short for any real reaction. The moment he saw the bowstring release, he flattened himself to the ground.
The bone arrow whistled over his head by a hair's breadth. It slammed into the chest of the Mole King lunging at his back.
Kieeeek!
The beast flew through the air, crashed against the dungeon wall, and writhed on the floor.
Mu-hyuk sprang up and charged at it.
He pressed the skull head of his Skull Staff, extending the blade, and stabbed one of its eyes.
Puk.
[Critical hit triggered.]
He yanked it out and stabbed the other eye.
[Critical hit triggered.]
[290 damage inflicted.]
[Consecutive critical bonus damage (10) inflicted.]
Was it the pain?
The Mole King lashed out wildly with its claws.
Srraang.
As the claws grazed Mu-hyuk's body:
[80 damage taken.]
[81 damage taken.]
[79 damage taken.]
In an instant, three strikes shaved off 240 HP.
Crazy...
But he couldn't back off.
Mu-hyuk stabbed its face again.
[121 damage inflicted.]
Even then, it struck him twice more.
He dealt 121 damage, but took 160 in return.
A loss.
No choice—he fell back.
Bone Sword 1 and 2, fall back.
He entrusted his back to the Bone Swords and focused on commanding.
Whenever he spotted an opening, he closed in briefly to chip away at the Red Bear.
Krroooar!
The Red Bear was strong, no doubt. But it couldn't overcome sheer numbers.
Seven Bone Swords and four Bone Bows.
Weak damage?
No, more than enough.
They'd grown stronger swapping weapons, then again replacing bones.
As Mu-hyuk leveled, his summons inherited boosted stats, and their blows landed solidly.
Average summon damage in the high 110s.
Assuming the Red Bear's defense around 60, each hit dealt nearly 50 damage.
Eleven summons pouring it on—even one hit each exceeded 500 damage.
Sure, the Red Bear's HP was massive, party-worthy compared to players.
But accumulated damage would fell it eventually.
Alright, again...
Chichik!
A Mole King burst from the ground right in front of Mu-hyuk, who'd been biding his time.
Hup!
He dodged urgently.
Bone Sword 1, forward.
The Bone Sword took the hit in his place.
The Mole King dove back underground after one strike.
Mu-hyuk didn't bother hunting it. He just pressed forward, targeting the Red Bear.
The same pattern repeated. He ignored the Mole King, fixating solely on the Red Bear.
The beast rampaged harder, reverse-summoning Bone Swords one by one.
Even watching that, Mu-hyuk didn't stop.
A bit more! Just a bit more!
The relentless assault continued.
And it paid off—the Red Bear's movements slowed.
Not poison debuff.
Exhaustion.
Almost there!
Mu-hyuk redoubled the attack.
HP dropped as a Mole King clawed close, but he ignored it.
Right up in the Red Bear's face, he swung the Skull Staff repeatedly. Another Mole King slashed at his side.
Damn.
His HP was already low.
Couldn't keep tanking.
He twisted, blocking the attack.
Kang!
He kicked its gut, foot forward.
Tsutsut!
The fallen beast burrowed away.
Mu-hyuk turned and hammered the Red Bear pinning his Bone Swords.
Kuh... Krrooar...
Did his efforts work?
The Red Bear lost balance and toppled sideways. He plunged the staff blade into its face.
Puk.
It twitched, then stilled.
[Experience gained.]
Red Bear down.
Chijijik...
The Mole King's cries faded rapidly.
It fled.
Mu-hyuk reverse-summoned his skeletons and dissected the corpse for materials.
[Corpse Dissection completed.]
[Acquired 'Red Bear's Bone (x2)'.]
He moved to perform Bone Assembly right away.
Hm?
Something glittered where the Red Bear had vanished.
What the—?
He picked up the coin-like object and checked it.
◈ Currency usable only in designated dungeons.
Mu-hyuk's eyes widened.
This means...
Such currency implied the dungeon wasn't single-floor.
At least two levels—worst case, over ten. But the rewards matched the challenge.
These dungeons were surprisingly fun.
What?
Thud.
Examining the peddler's wares ahead—and buying them with diamonds.
Mu-hyuk approached with a grin.
"Aigoo, welcome!"
"Yeah."
"Eh, but..."
The peddler trailed off.
"You came in alone, by any chance?"
"And if I did?"
"No way!"
A message popped up as the peddler gawked.
Luck like this from the start?
This expedition would be a blast.
*
Phoenix Guild crushed, Treasure Dungeon secured at last.
Guardian Guild leader Kim Bada couldn't hide his glee, gathering 100 promising level 38s.
"We've confirmed this place has insane difficulty. But big risk, big reward. You'll grow fast inside. Loot goes to guild execs as needed, but you'll benefit too—no hard feelings."
"Yes, sir!"
In Illusion, where leveling was tough, nothing beat fast XP.
Most of these 100 prospects were thrilled.
A few grumbled, but he couldn't babysit everyone.
One talk, then boot if needed.
Plenty wanted in anyway.
"Report via guild chat constantly."
"Yes, sir!"
"Good. Enter."
They approached the dungeon.
Guild party formed, they got the same message simultaneously.
[Another group's users inside the dungeon.]
[Cannot enter.]
The lead user's face twisted in confusion.
"Wh-what?"
He tried again.
Same message.
"...!"
Kim Bada sensed the odd vibe and approached.
"What's wrong?"
"Guild leader..."
"Spit it out."
"Says can't enter—other users inside."
"What...?"
Kim Bada looked baffled.
A fleeting memory.
No way, that guy...?
Definitely a necromancer. No way he survived two hits.
But if not him, no explanation.
"What the hell... What the actual hell!"
Rage boiled over.
Nothing went right lately.
"Try again."
"Got it."
The level 38 tried repeatedly—no change.
"Arrrgh! Damn it! Damn it all!"
He roared, then ordered.
"Wait for that bastard to come out."
Veins bulging in his eyes.
*
Mu-hyuk checked the title first.
◈ All stats +5% in dungeons.
Dungeon-only, but solid.
Even slight damage boosts sped clears.
Long-term gain.
"Can I see the goods?"
"Of course!"
The peddler extended a hand.
"Grab hold."
Mu-hyuk did—a hologram appeared.
Items listed.
Hoo...
He browsed slowly.
Instant-Use Potions
Strength Potion (20 Diamonds): +3 Strength for 10 min
Agility Potion (20 Diamonds): +3 Agility for 10 min
Vitality Potion (20 Diamonds): +3 Vitality for 10 min
Knowledge Potion (20 Diamonds): +3 Knowledge for 10 min
Wisdom Potion (20 Diamonds): +3 Wisdom for 10 min
Body Awakening (100 Diamonds): All stats +10% for 5 min
One-Time Items
Explosion Orb (20 Diamonds): Throw to deal 50% of damage to monsters in 5m radius
Piercing Arrow (10 Diamonds): Piercing arrow. Effect fades 10 min after hitting monster
Piercing Dagger (10 Diamonds): Piercing dagger. Effect fades 10 min after hitting monster
Explosive Light (20 Diamonds): Grants explosive damage to equipped weapon for 3 min
Dungeon Upgrade Lv0
All damage +0%.
Lv1 (10 Diamonds): All damage +0.5%.
Lots more, but his eyes locked on something.
"Impressive selection."
"Naturally. Exclusive, but powerful."
"I'll take one."
"Excellent choice. Which?"
Mu-hyuk smiled.
"Dungeon Upgrade to Lv1."
The peddler's face shifted oddly.
"Upgrade?"
"Yes."
"Hm, effect's tiny..."
"It's fine."
"Well, buyer's call."
Mu-hyuk handed over 10 diamonds; the peddler took them.
[Dungeon Upgrade increased to Lv1.]
[User and associated summons' damage +0.5%.]
This was enough for now. Primary goal: farm monsters for diamonds, upgrade to Lv10.
Yeah, Lv10.
That would reveal a secret.
"Bone Sword 7, summon."
With thoughts sorted, he summoned and Bone Assembled.
['Bone Sword 7' Vitality decreased.]
['Dexterity' influence: -0.17.]
['Bone Sword 7' Vitality increased.]
['Dexterity' influence: +0.37.]
Bigger stat jump than expected.
Bone Swords 7 and 8, Bone Bow 4—new summons, barely assembled before.
Swapping with strong Red Bear bones? Massive boost inevitable.
Here, he'd focus growth on them.
"Reverse summon."
Pressing on.
Tsutsut.
Same monsters: Mole King and Red Bear.