Evolved Shadows and Homecoming

A question arose as he gazed at the altered quest.

Was this corrupted dungeon tailored only to him? Or had it applied to those who entered before?

What if the Phoenix Guild's exploration team had encountered that Dark Knight with its Berserker skill?

He shook his head.

No way.

Those three were certainly strong for their level.

But they weren't on Mu-hyuk's level. He had overwhelmed their exploration team.

Yet those three had taken down that monster—the Dark Knight with the Berserker skill—and cleared the dungeon?

Impossible.

Did that mean it was a different dungeon for him?

His possession of the Swarming Darkness quest might have temporarily transformed the dungeon.

That was the only explanation that made sense.

He'd have to investigate thoroughly once he got out. It would prepare him mentally for the next dungeon at least.

With his deliberations concluded, he checked the acquired items.

First, the Dark Knight exclusive gear.

It was simply astonishing.

Wearing just these three pieces granted 40 defense.

Vitality options alone added 9.

Factoring that in, total defense increased by 49.

Incredible.

But regrettably, Mu-hyuk couldn't equip them.

The Gangster Necromancer was sadly a death-aligned mage class.

If he'd gone Curse Necromancer or Offensive Necromancer, it might have qualified as dark-aligned.

Ultimately, Necromancers couldn't become dark-aligned. Most dark-aligned classes were monster-exclusive, making them hard for users.

But there was a way for summons to use them.

Evolving a Bone Sword with this would infuse it with the Dark Knight's power, making it dark-aligned.

Of course, not yet.

He'd wait until level 50, after learning the enhanced Bone Assembly skill. That way, it could achieve not just first evolution, but second.

He stowed the skull in his inventory.

Instead, he pulled out something else.

Quest reward boxes. No need to hesitate.

He used them immediately.

The boxes shot into the air and spun in place.

As speed built and they blurred into circles, light burst forth, forming shapes.

The moment he grasped them:

Outstanding defense, and the shock absorption wasn't bad either.

60 percent...

Assume a monster's attack power is 300.

Mu-hyuk's defense would first reduce it. With 60 defense, only 240 damage penetrates.

That's without blocking.

Blocking with the shield absorbs 60% of 240—144 damage—leaving just 86.

A massive difference.

That's why, over time, most users carried at least one shield.

Even mages. Blocking or not could mean life or death.

"Hmm..."

Still, a bit disappointing.

Probably worth around 150 gold.

The double restrictions were a drawback.

He shook his head.

Whatever. He'd use it himself.

Vitality was short, but he'd just gained two levels.

One point in Vitality would meet the requirement—no burden there.

He planned to raise Vitality anyway.

He opened the next boxes, using two in succession and checking the results simultaneously.

A staff and a book.

Both mage weapons.

These he'd sell.

Finally, his status window.

Very satisfying, aside from MP recovery.

He'd need to gear for recovery rates.

After leaving the dungeon, of course.

Next, the summon window.

This was even more gratifying than checking his own stats.

The former Bone Sword 1, now Enhanced Skeleton, had stats similar to Bone Sword 2. But one evolution created a vast gap.

Look at the Enhanced Skeleton's power.

It wasn't inferior even to Mu-hyuk.

Damage was lower due to lacking Strength, but defense was overwhelmingly superior. Vitality was comparable too.

Acquiring hidden pieces via hidden info.

Mu-hyuk's growth and the 30% stat inheritance from it.

Hunting strong monsters and Bone Assembly with their materials.

Growth in Dexterity affecting that.

Bonus points from every level up.

Mu-hyuk's relentless effort, never resting.

And finally, evolution.

All combined.

Evolution was key.

Skulls weren't normally this easy to obtain.

He'd estimated level 70 at earliest for one.

Yet before 50, he had two.

Thanks to one quest.

Quest-related dungeons dropped skulls twice in a row.

If he found another quest-linked dungeon?

Maybe a third skull.

Just one difference.

Job-changing to Gangster Necromancer first.

That granted the quest.

That single edge led here.

Of course, unconfirmed if quests truly altered dungeons. He'd investigate gradually, but one speculation stood.

This quest might make him stronger than anticipated.

Still, not fully satisfied.

Monster hunting would be easier. But enduring rankers' skills remained tough.

Take Kim Bada: even Enhanced Skeleton would die after three or four skills.

So, increase numbers.

One by one, steadily.

Eventually, evolve all skeletons.

Not weak hordes annoying foes, but waves of overwhelmingly powerful individuals crashing endlessly.

Thud.

Finally, he stepped forward.

The exit loomed ahead.

Swish.

He drew his sword and slashed his own arm.

HP dropped.

Again, and again.

As HP hit zero, the world went dark.

*

Emerging from the capsule, he had nothing to do.

What now?

Lying blankly on the bed, he sat up.

Ah, weekend today?

Family came to mind.

He pulled out his phone and called.

"Mom, it's me. ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠Dad? Oh, Sis too?"

With everyone home, he rose.

"Heading over. Yeah, see you soon."

A soft smile as he dressed.

Leaving, he stood roadside waiting for a taxi.

Spotting one approaching, he waved. Sat in back, leaning into the seat.

"...To my place, please."

"Got it."

Eyes closed briefly.

Hmm, before logging into Illusion tomorrow, gather intel first.

Thoughts drifted.

Hit 50, learn skill, head to second training hall. Focus on skill levels there for a while...

Then.

"Sir, we're here."

"..."

"Sir? We've arrived!"

"Ah."

Mu-hyuk snapped from ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠reverie, paid, and exited.

Two minutes' walk to the house. He lightly pressed the doorbell.

Ding-dong.

"Yeah."

Click. The gate opened.

Passing the tiny "garden," he reached the front door. It swung open as if waiting—Mother Lee Hye-yeon appeared.

"You got here fast."

"Yeah, nothing much going on."

"Come in."

Shoes off, into the living room.

"Dad?"

"In his study."

"Sis?"

"Probably gaming in her room."

"Gaming?"

"Illusion, I think."

"Ah."

Right, she'd begged for Illusion if she got the scholarship.

"Did she get it?"

"Yeah, she did."

Chuckle as he sank into the living room sofa.

"Dinner soon—eat before you go."

"Obviously."

He casually grabbed the remote, turned on the TV, and lowered the volume to audible level.

[Fights breaking out everywhere over dungeons...]

Illusion news dominated as expected.

[Amid user protests raining down...]

Losing interest quickly, Mu-hyuk pulled up the Illusion homepage on his phone.

Game via capsule only, but homepage worked on mobile.

Free board search: "Guardian."

[Currently dominating Twin Ogre Forest...]

[Guardian Guild vs. Phoenix Guild conflict...]

Numerous posts appeared.

He checked from the top, one by one.

Hmm.

About 30 minutes in.

Another post.

Thus, intel compiled bit by bit.