Rise of the Death Skeletons
Mu-hyuk stepped forward, approaching the Death Skeletons.
As the distance closed, their appearances came into sharper focus.
Oh ho.
They weren't equipped with weapons or shields, but their fist bones were shaped like knuckles, which seemed more than sufficient for dealing damage.
Their frames did look a bit slender. Of course, that was only in comparison to the evolved Armor Knights.
Still, composed of heavy-looking black bones far denser than those of standard Bone Swords, they exuded a surprising presence.
These are really unique.
Moreover, sharp bone protrusions jutted out from various parts of their bodies, suggesting they could brutally tear into enemies' flesh with a simple charge.
They stood about two meters tall.
A sinister aura emanated from them.
Checking the stats directly, they were impressive.
Well, with my stats added on top.
By eyeing the HP and MP, then estimating the added stats, Mu-hyuk figured the base Strength, Agility, and Vitality for a Death Skeleton would be around 70 each.
But with his own stats layered on, they'd ballooned past 150.
Lower than evolved skeletons, sure, but for ones made by sacrificing regular skeletons, it was beyond satisfying.
Inflicts Poison, Confusion, Slow, etc., within 5m radius just by existing. Effects apply randomly and vanish upon leaving the radius.
Continuous Stab Lv.1 (0%)
Stabs five times at high speed.
Physical Attack Power ×120%
• MP Cost: 100
• Cooldown: 40 seconds
The skills didn't disappoint Mu-hyuk's expectations either.
After studying them intently for a while, a question popped into Mu-hyuk's mind.
What if I use fewer sacrifices as offerings? Would they get stronger? And weaker if I summon more?
He'd have to experiment later.
For now, test what he could.
Mu-hyuk immediately sent the Death Skeleton toward the King Turtle.
"Min-woo, fall back!"
"Got it!"
Sung Min-woo and his spirit pulled away from the King Turtle, and the Death Skeleton took their place. As it closed in first—
The Dying Aura hit the King Turtle first.
Death Skeleton 1, Continuous Stab.
It targeted the slowed beast's shell.
Pu-pu-puk.
The Death Skeleton thrust out its knuckle-like fist at blinding speed.
It felt like one swing, but five gashes already marred the King Turtle's shell.
-133 HP ×5
The damage was a tad lacking, but one had shaved off over 650 HP, which was decent enough depending on how you looked at it.
Plus, there were other skills.
In that light, it was far from bad.
Next up: enhancement.
Mu-hyuk decided to reinforce the Death Skeleton.
No suitable offerings handy, so he reluctantly sacrificed 10 Armor Knights.
Death Skeleton's all abilities slightly increased.
Continuous Stab once more.
Pu-pu-buk.
This time, 167 each—total 885 damage.
Not bad at all?
Mu-hyuk's head nodded involuntarily.
Now, self-destruct.
Five Death Skeletons charged in.
Kwang, kwa-gwa-gwang!
The chain of explosions badly damaged the King Turtle's shell.
-3,950 HP ×5
Quick mental math: about 20% of total HP.
That much damage landed.
But that wasn't the key point.
This self-destruct ignored 30% defense, so even against shielded foes, it'd still hit for at least 60%—around 2,370 guaranteed.
Ten of them? A whopping 23,700.
And there was Storm too.
Layer Storm on self-destructing Death Skeletons, and the effect would amplify further.
"This is... really..."
Mu-hyuk's mutter made Yerin, standing beside him, tilt her head.
"Oppa, what's up?"
"Nah, just... too perfect."
To the point of madness.
*
He tested every skill against the King Turtle.
Letting it land hits on purpose, then using Death Cure; leaving it till death for Death Skeleton Revive.
Even tanked Death Space and Death Soul firsthand.
Results: utter satisfaction.
Every one met or exceeded expectations.
But the experiments didn't end there.
Spending time, he summoned Death Skeletons three more times.
Using regular Bone Swords as offerings for 10 or 200—the results were identical.
Death Skeleton stats unchanged.
So, max them out within MP limits for best gains.
He even tried warhorses as offerings.
Outcome: regular Bone Swords yielded better base stats.
But they had uses.
As enhancement fodder.
Best results: sacrifice all Armor Knights—but that'd weaken overall forces, so pass.
Confirmed: all-in on Bone Swords for summons, warhorses for enhancements—peak power.
One last thing.
Tried equipping items: impossible.
Swords and shields too.
"All done now?"
"Yeah. Sucks they can't hold swords or shields, but."
"Can't be helped. Let's move."
"Right."
Time spent testing skills: about 1 hour 50 minutes. Already confirmed no strangers within 2 hours' distance, so the small city remained peacefully secure.
"This place is safe now too."
"Yeah."
Entering the small city, they scanned the surroundings.
"Kinda grew on me."
"Grew what."
No NPCs anyway. Once the war wrapped or safety assured, fleeing residents would return, bringing life.
For now, a dead, empty space. No desire to linger.
"You've arrived."
A knight approached Mu-hyuk.
"Ah, yes."
"I have news."
"News?"
"Yes. No need to continue reclaiming small cities."
"You mean..."
"Yes. All villages and small cities reclaimed."
Sung Min-woo, Yerin, and Kim Ji-yeon, listening beside him, were stunned.
"So what happens to the war?"
The knight's expression hardened.
"It begins in earnest."
"Huh?"
"Now it's our turn to cross to the Kairon Continent."
"Ahh...!"
"And you should head to the Hemil Empire immediately."
"Why there?"
"Duke Amur will declare counterattack. You're the overall commander, leading all outsiders. Other mercenary outsiders will gather there too."
"Got it. Head out right away then."
"I'll lead the soldiers separately."
"Yes. Where in Hemil Empire?"
"Ah, central plaza."
"Understood. See you there."
Small battles end here.
With Duke Amur commanding as chief, scale would explode.
"Things are heating up."
"Sweet. Kairon users drop good exp anyway."
"Profitable."
"Contributions mean killer rewards too."
"Facts."
"Let's roll!"
Mu-hyuk shook his head at Sung Min-woo's shout.
"Gotta tell the other users. Most'll join. Go together."
"Oh, right. Slipped my mind."
Sung Min-woo grinned sheepishly.
Mu-hyuk quickly gathered the users and explained.
"Oh ho, off to Kairon then."
"Yeah."
"Um, hey..."
"Yes."
"What about those who haven't gotten +7 weapons yet?"
"Joining the war? We'll do 'em en route. Can't join? I'll handle personally later."
"Ahh, thanks!"
"Alright, participants—Hemil Empire now."
All users stood.
"Whoa, everyone's in?"
"Duh."
"Massive content. Gotta."
"Then let's go. Skeleton Warhorse Summon."
"Skeleton Warhorse Summon."
Gangster Necromancer users, including Mu-hyuk, called theirs. Users thanked them, mounting one each.
"We're off!"
They rode together to Hemil Empire.
*
Demon Realm A1 Zone, Hoken Village.
Kork and Bokuma conversed gravely.
"Upper-grade from the entrance? Threw me off."
"Hmm."
"Wait it out for now."
"Yeah."
But soon—
"Eh, whatever. We'll get it soon."
They stayed positive, enjoying time. Post-skeleton deaths, they lounged in Hoken Village, splurging on luxuries.
Mid-grade demons common here—no free room and board from locals.
Anyway, burned savings on fine inns and feasts.
When skeletons respawned, they'd team up for the lawless zone. Blocked by upper-grade demons each time, fleeing repeatedly.
This looped several times.
"Argh, damn it!"
"What now."
"Screw it, next time just charge."
Frustration building.
"Not strong enough yet."
"Ugh, I know. Damn. If we powered up or bones did—something's gotta give to compete."
"Time's the answer."
"That upper-grade just sit idle?"
"Trust your allies."
"The bones?"
"Yeah. Growth speed's insane."
"True. Teaming with them's our luck. Stick together long-term!"
"I'm in."
Then, commotion outside.
"Oh, here?"
Outside: massive skeleton horde filling village center.
"Whoa, what the—?"
"Numbers exploded."
Looking closer: unfamiliar type.
"Weird-looking."
Color especially odd.
"Black."
"No weapons. No shields."
"Slender builds."
"Hey, wait. Regular thin ones are gone."
"Indeed."
Kork and Bokuma approached an Armor Knight.
"What's with the bone? New buddy?"
The Armor Knight scraped its sword on the ground.
That. Too.
"Sticking together?"
Yes. Too.
"Ooh, how's the skill?"
De. Cent.
"Nice, great. Those black bones—200 at least... Wanna try today?"
"Promising."
This many? Viable.
"Let's go!"
Battle lust surged after ages.
"Today, that bastard dies!"
Killing the upper-grade demon wasn't just the goal. It meant claiming its zone.
Narrow, but conquering a lawless zone piece—opportunity knocked.