Skeleton Swarm
The Red Tiger, a level 57 monster.
It had red skin striped with black.
From its head to its hips—excluding the tail—it measured four meters long.
With the tail included, it exceeded five meters, and that tail was flexible and tough enough to serve as a weapon.
Fast and powerful, the Red Tiger had one glaring weakness: vulnerability to magic.
Knowing this, many players had hired mages and formed parties to hunt them.
Magic spells erupted from all directions.
The vast plains.
And the sky itself was blanketed in magic.
Boom!
Mu-hyuk slipped through the chaos.
This was a spot for high-level players only, so there were quite a few with unusual classes.
Some glanced at him briefly before losing interest and focusing on their hunts.
They didn't see him as anything special.
Step.
A few were still eyeing Mu-hyuk.
Alone?
That question hung in the air, but they soon dismissed it.
Whether he was solo, had companions hidden somewhere, or was just lost—it didn't matter to them.
Not until he summoned his skeletons.
"Summon."
Skeletons?
That wasn't the issue.
It was the number.
Way more than twenty.
"Twenty-five?"
"Huh? What're you talking about?"
"No, over there…."
One player pointed at Mu-hyuk.
A few companions turned to look. And they saw it: an enormous horde of skeletons surrounding a single player.
"Whoa, what the hell is that?"
"That's an insane number."
"Necromancer party or something?"
One player who'd been glancing at Mu-hyuk from the start spoke up.
"Nah, it's just him. Solo."
"What?"
His companion gawked.
"Solo?"
"Yeah, I was watching."
"No way… that's impossible."
Most players here were well past level 50.
Even they found the sheer number of Mu-hyuk's skeletons abnormal.
But that shock didn't last.
"Hmm."
They quickly rationalized it away.
"It's just skeletons, though."
"Right."
"They're probably super weak. Even if there are that many, they can't all be strong. It's just a numbers game."
"Never heard of a necromancer like that."
"Illusion's a huge game."
Most nodded in agreement.
That was the moment.
Boom!
An explosion rocked the area nearby.
Whoosh.
Everyone whipped their heads around.
The battle between the skeletons and the Red Tiger filled their vision.
-----------!!!
They couldn't look away.
*
Four Skeleton Mages unleashed their spells.
Boom!
No matter how you sliced it, these weren't ordinary skeletons.
Of course not.
They unlocked at level 50, starting at level 45, armed with staves bought for over 100 gold each.
Mu-hyuk's Knowledge stat was 21, and 30% of that—6 points—transferred directly to them.
Plus, each had different elements.
They synergized, doubling the destructive power.
They had to be strong.
It wasn't just magic.
Thwip! Thwippity-thwip!
Seven Armor Archers filled the sky with bone arrows.
Rapid fire meant fourteen arrows targeted the Red Tiger.
Mu-hyuk added one of his own.
Powerful Arrow Shot.
The Red Tiger had no choice but to take the hits.
Kiririk, kiriririk.
Armor Knights and Bone Swords had it surrounded.
Two Armor Knights blocked its attacks, while the Bone Swords cut off its paths.
They even stabbed in occasionally for damage. The Red Tiger was in a dire spot.
GRRROOAR!
It roared and thrashed wildly, but the Armor Knights held firm.
Overwhelming numbers?
That alone wasn't enough.
Each one had a specific role, and none were weak.
Of course, excluding the Armor Knights, the Bone Swords alone might fall short.
Bone Sword 12's thigh shattered from a tail swipe, crumpling to the ground.
Normally, those gaps would pile up and give the Red Tiger an opening.
Not now.
Mu-hyuk had grown too.
His command was exceptional.
Swish.
Armor Knight 1 instantly filled the gap.
Armor Knight 2 baited it from the front, drawing fresh bone arrows into its wounds.
Cooldown refreshed.
Blessing of the Dead
Purple light enveloped the fallen Bone Sword 12.
Kiririk.
Its shattered thigh reformed. Bone Sword 12 rose slowly and moved behind Armor Knight 1.
Then Armor Knight 1 shifted to Armor Knight 2's side.
They pulled back the heavily pressured Armor Knight 2, with Armor Knight 1 taking its place.
Grr, grrr.
The Red Tiger's roars weakened.
Its movements slowed too.
As it did, the skeletons' assaults intensified.
Magic flared again.
Boom!
A massive explosion sent dust billowing.
Whoosh.
Through the settling haze, the fallen Red Tiger came into view.
*
Just one hunt.
And it had already captured the attention of the surrounding high-level players.
"Crazy, what the hell was that…?"
"Skeletons can heal too?"
"Forget that—what's with those skeletons being so damn strong? Especially those two in what look like white and black armor. Totally broken."
"What level are they?"
"At least 60."
"Hmm, so a ranker, then…."
Most shook their heads.
Even rankers couldn't do this.
The words nearly escaped their throats.
Too much.
Even a level 60 melee player with priest heals and buffer boosts wouldn't solo a Red Tiger that easily.
Summoner class or not, the hunt was too fast.
Maybe with full party support could you match that speed?
But solo, at that pace?
Astonishing. Utterly astonishing.
Yet envy bubbled up too.
Resentment at the breakneck hunting speed.
"Well, necromancers are built for speed anyway."
"Top of the summoner classes, for sure."
"Yeah. Tons of summons, but so what? In a player duel, just take out the commander and it's over."
So they dragged him down.
To their level.
But did they know?
Mu-hyuk's personal skill was no joke either.
His hunts continued unabated.
Kiririk! Kirik!
It stood in stark contrast to other parties struggling in groups.
He looked relaxed.
Too easy.
That was when a party approached from afar.
Emblem on their chests.
The Black Guild, somewhat known in Carben Kingdom.
"Hm?"
Baram, a skilled Black Guild member, sensed the strangely heavy air.
"Weird vibe here."
"Yeah."
He scanned the area with his comrade.
The mage Hong Yeom gestured.
"Over there."
All eyes turned.
To the brutal clash: dozens of skeletons overwhelming a massive Red Tiger.
They flinched.
Shocked too.
"Whew, that's nuts."
"Anyone know that player?"
"Dunno…."
"No clue."
"Me neither."
Baram's eyes gleamed at that.
"That's impressive, right?"
"Obviously."
"Heh, interesting. Hold up."
He headed toward Mu-hyuk.
Meanwhile.
Mu-hyuk knew someone was approaching but pretended not to notice.
Too annoying.
Could just be passing by.
But the guy stopped right next to him.
Mu-hyuk was mid-hunt, so no words were exchanged, but the man's vibe screamed I have business with you. Mu-hyuk sighed inwardly.
Boom!
The Red Tiger hunt was wrapping up.
Its body grayed out.
Mu-hyuk approached and dissected the corpse.
Only then did the man speak.
"Excuse me."
"What is it."
"Mind sharing your level?"
"…."
Mu-hyuk didn't answer.
Baram smiled softly.
"Ah, I'm Baram from Black Guild. Never seen a necromancer put on a show like that. Got curious and came over. Also thinking of inviting you to join."
"Join?"
"Yeah, wondering if you'd consider Black Guild."
"Hmm…."
Black Guild.
About 500 members. Big for Carben Kingdom.
But in Korea? Not even top 100.
On the whole Forma Continent for Asian players? Outside Carben Kingdom users, hardly anyone knew them.
Black Guild, where was that again?
Mu-hyuk pondered, then his eyes lit up.
Oh, there.
It clicked.
His brow furrowed. Bad reputation.
Known for harassing players.
And they wanted to recruit him?
Thanks to his future knowledge, Mu-hyuk shook his head, irritation clear.
"Not interested."
"Pardon…?"
"Not interested."
"Wait, our guild's pretty big in Carben. You don't know?"
"I do."
"Then you know it's new too? Grew huge in no time—top fingers-countable in Carben. Future top 10 guild potential. Think it over seriously. Good offer."
"No interest."
"Hmm."
Mu-hyuk stared him down and repeated.
"Gotta hunt."
"Ah, sure…."
"Later."
He turned and headed for the respawned Red Tiger far off. Started hunting with his skeletons.
Baram stared blankly as his comrades approached.
"Baram."
"Uh, yeah?"
"Why the daze? What'd he say?"
"Just… got rejected."
"Rejected?"
"Yeah…."
"Already in another guild?"
"Doesn't seem like it…."
Couldn't push if the guy wasn't interested.
"Whatever. Let's go."
"Yeah, okay."
"Don't tell the vice guild master."
"Obviously."
Telling the vice guild master—Yonghu—would complicate things. They zipped it and headed to their destination.
Never imagining how big this would blow up.