Since the appearance of the Trial of God, the world had undergone many changes.One of the most significant was terrain transformation.Due to the Trials, the Warlords' Challenges, and other supernatural events, specific regions of the world were permanently altered.
Ordinary cities were turned into lava fields, tundras, or demonic zones teeming with every kind of monster imaginable.
—Grrrrghhhh...—Kuhuuuuhhhh...
"Even the color of the corpses is vibrating. Lovely."
Yeojusi was one such place.A region permanently transformed by a past Trial of God.The earth had decayed, the city had crumbled into ruins, and the undead wandered aimlessly through the remains.A once-thriving city, now turned into a cursed demonic zone.
[I want to burn it all down. O Vowed One, I suffer from a condition—an uncontrollable rage whenever I see the undead. If you'd just use a coin, I'll summon—]"Use your coins, not mine."[Uuuugh, I can't take it. Fine. I'll use my coins and—]"Don't. Coins are rare. Save them."
Seeing the undead, Kakasha nearly had a meltdown.Han Yuseong had to physically stop her—she really looked like she was about to summon a full-scale war blessing just to purge the area.Her outburst, it turned out, wasn't without reason.
[The undead are an insult to the dead! To disturb the rest of warriors who died with honor—how dare they! I cannot forgive this!]
"Yeah, I figured as much."[Do not answer so half-heartedly!]
Han Yuseong let out a deep sigh.He missed the days when they had first met—when she was still quiet.Now that he'd spent more time with her, he realized she was an incredibly talkative monarch.
Though, considering her title, it wasn't all that surprising.A battlefield is filled with nothing but shouts and screams.
[The stench of the dead… her cursed scent still lingers…]
Kakasha growled.And Han Yuseong knew exactly who she meant by "her."
"The Monarch of the Dead."
Yeojusi wasn't the only city to have become a demonic zone.There were others.But unlike the rest, which were managed and monitored by the Player Federation or various Monarchs (to prevent monsters from spilling into nearby cities), Yeojusi had been left alone.
The reason was simple:
"This city caught the Monarch's eye."
The one known by the epithet 'Monarch of the Dead.'It was no wonder she took a liking to a city overrun by undead.
More importantly, it was practical.Both Monarchs and Vowed Ones who possessed death-related powers could find numerous ways to use the undead.
The Monarch of the Dead personally declared that she would manage Yeojusi herself, and had barred interference from the Player Federation and even other Monarchs.
[Among the Monarchs, she's one of the most dangerously powerful. Ugh… I don't like her—I really don't like her…]"We'll have to proceed carefully."
The location of the Reward Dungeon wasn't ideal.Han Yuseong had thought this would be an easy run, but now it looked like things might get complicated.Especially considering the presence of the Vowed Ones of the Dead scattered throughout Yeojusi.
Using the Shadow of the Night, Han Yuseong concealed his presence.
—Graaaargh…—Uuurrrghhh…
Undead wandered the streets with grotesque groans.Seeing them, Han Yuseong suppressed a sigh.It wasn't to his liking—but he had discovered something he and Kakasha shared in common.
"I don't like undead either."
They just weren't fun to fight.With that in mind, Han Yuseong pressed forward through the undead-infested Yeojusi, swiftly and silently.
The Reward Dungeon was hidden underground, deep beneath Yeojusi.It appeared to be an old, long-abandoned underground parking garage—now infested with undead.And at the very deepest point of the lot, a small crystal floated in midair.
[This is a Portal Crystal.][Upon contact,
It was the portal to the Hermit's Laboratory.When inactive, portals manifested in this crystal form.But there was one thing to be cautious of in this situation:
"Once the portal is activated… Monarchs become aware of its location."
For now, the portal was sealed, meaning the Monarch had no idea what lay here.But once the portal was opened, it would be a different story.The burst of magical energy released during activation would reveal the dungeon's presence.
"The only option is to clear it as fast as possible."[Undead… Undead everywhere… grrrrr…]"Haaah…"
The underground parking lot was packed with undead.Hearing Kakasha's growl, Han Yuseong shook his head in mild exasperation.Then, without even a second of hesitation, he activated the portal.
[
As thick magical energy spread out in every direction, the nearby undead snapped their heads toward the portal, sensing the change.But Han Yuseong moved first—throwing himself into the portal without a moment's delay.
"No need to waste energy on useless enemies."
Now was not the time to deal with the undead.His vision was instantly engulfed in light. Han Yuseong closed his eyes.
And when he opened them again—
Sssshhhhhhh—
He was greeted by a space covered in pitch-black darkness.A space where, quite literally, nothing could be seen.
From his backpack, Han Yuseong took out a lantern he had prepared in advance.
Chiiiik!
The lantern lit up, pushing back the surrounding darkness…
Ssshhhh—
Or so it seemed.
The darkness that had initially retreated under the glow began to move, then devoured the light, shrinking the illuminated area.The range of the lantern's light steadily diminished, until eventually, it only barely illuminated the space immediately around Han Yuseong.
[Hooh… This is no ordinary dungeon, it seems.]"I'd heard of dungeons where the darkness swallows light."[Looks like those stories were true.]
In his past life, a Japanese Player who had cleared this dungeon once said the same.A dungeon where light could not illuminate—Where the darkness itself consumed all brightness, leaving the challenger unable to see even a step ahead.
'In this kind of environment… I won't even be able to use Shadow of the Night.'
To use Shadow of the Night, shadows had to exist.But in a place like this—where even light itself was being devoured—there were no shadows.He could have used stealth to make things easier, but that wasn't an option here.
Just as he was swallowing his frustration—
[Oh, and Vowed One. I have a gift for you.]"A gift? From you? For me?"[What's with that tone? Do I sound that untrustworthy?]
A moment later, a glimmering black sphere shimmered into existence in midair.It hovered briefly—then merged into Han Yuseong's body, seeping into both him and the Path of War.
[The Monarch of War, Kakasha, has regained a portion of her power.][
Checking the Path of War, Han Yuseong noticed that some of the rust that had covered the sword had faded, revealing more of its original form.A faint, burning glow now pulsed from its blade.
[Path of War (Grade: F, Relic)]
Attack Power: 65
A relic containing the power of the Monarch of War, Kakasha. Once held strength rivaling that of a Monarch, but now its power is nearly extinguished.
Imbued with Flame Attribute.
[Blessing of War (Uncommon)]
All stats +4
Attack Power +4%, Skill Damage +4%
Flame Attribute Enhancement +4%
The weapon's holy energy had partially returned, and the blessing had improved.But Han Yuseong's expression remained unimpressed.
"Still such a measly blessing. Is this really the best you've got? Think about how many coins I've sunk into you, Kakasha."[Kyak! You stingy mortal! I'm still absorbing the coins! Just give me a bit more time and—]"Silence."
They both fell quiet.
The Hermit's Laboratory was a dungeon shrouded in darkness.Players had to move forward relying solely on their senses, completely unable to see anything.But that wasn't the only thing that made this dungeon so difficult.
In the darkness, something was lurking—watching the intruder.
No sound could be heard.Not a footstep, not a breath, not even the faintest rustle.But Han Yuseong could sense them.Hidden in the pitch-black void, something was aiming for him.
"Cunning bastards. Planning to hunt me?"
And it wasn't just one—there were several.They had formed something like a formation in the dark.A trap laid out to kill any intruder foolish enough to walk forward blindly.
A Japanese Player who had once challenged the Hermit's Laboratory had said this:
"The hardest part wasn't the darkness—it was the monsters hidden within it."
'A cursed dungeon where any half-baked Player would be killed almost immediately.'
That was the Hermit's Laboratory.Ordinarily, Han Yuseong would've had to prepare countermeasures against these creatures.
But this time—he didn't need to.The reason was simple.
[Your senses have sharpened.][You can detect the presence of entities within a certain radius.]
He had gained a new passive ability:
Han Yuseong's perception had become so sharp that he could sense even the faintest presence of enemies hidden within the darkness.
With that, he calmly walked forward—as if he couldn't sense them at all.
'I'll give you the opening you want. Come at me.'
So casually.Han Yuseong moved with deliberate ease, exposing himself as if completely unaware.It was an opening too perfect for the lurking enemies to ignore.
Even though he could sense them, moving like this was bold to the point of recklessness.No—beyond bold. It bordered on suicidal.
But Han Yuseong had a reason for such confidence.
—Gyaaaargh… Kehuk?!—Crack!
Just then—One of the hidden monsters struck from the darkness.The ambush was sharp, lightning-fast.So fast that even knowing it was coming, a normal person would struggle to react in time.
But for Han Yuseong—it was meaningless.
Because he had enhanced reflexes.
—KRAAAAHK!—Ghrkk, khhk!—Screeeeech…!
The ability
"Four down… five more approaching from the right. The left flank…"
They were coming.But Han Yuseong remained calm, methodically cutting down the monsters as they lunged at him from the dark.
He advanced—Step by step,Through a dungeon of pitch-black death.
The lantern's light finally revealed the monster that had crept right up to his face.
[Good heavens, what an ugly thing!]"Agreed. And worst of all—no fun to fight."
It was a grotesque creature.Its general form was humanoid, but its body was twisted, covered in chitin-like armor that looked as if it were woven from pure shadow.Its hands had morphed into mantis-like scythes, sharp and menacing.
Han Yuseong recognized the monster immediately.
"Shadow Stalker. Rarely seen these days."
The shadowy armor on the corpse had begun to lose its color, fading into lifeless gray.The Shadow Stalker—a monster with a simple but terrifying trait:
It can merge with darkness.
These creatures blend seamlessly into the dark, hiding their presence entirely—An ability granted by the shadow-like armor covering their bodies.
In every way, they were optimized for assassination.
—Screeee! Skreeeeaaargh!
"Shut up."
One of the Stalkers let out a shrill, desperate scream at the sudden exposure to light.Han Yuseong didn't hesitate—he shattered the creature's head cleanly.The resulting spray of blood and gore swept through the corridor, taking out several more Stalkers that had been lurking nearby.
The Shadow Stalkers were estimated to be between level 40 and 50.
And yet, Han Yuseong hadn't even needed to activate War God's Ascension.
'Right now… I'm stronger than these things.'
It was all thanks to the 50% stat boost.There was no need to activate War God's Ascension.Even in this state, he was stronger than the monsters.
Han Yuseong continued mowing down enemies, feeling the power surging through him.
[Level has increased by 2.][Strength +2, Agility +2, Endurance +2.][Due to War God's effect, Strength and Agility increase by an additional +1!]
At some point, a message popped up saying his level had risen.He didn't think he had killed that many monsters, but he'd gained two full levels.
It was thanks to the boosted experience gain—a reward tied to his Contribution Score.
"Perfect timing. I was just thinking I should prepare for my job advancement."
From level 30, one becomes eligible for a class change.He had been considering grinding in a dedicated trial dungeon to reach that milestone—But at this rate, he could hit level 30 right here.
'I don't have time to leisurely grind.'
The Vowed Ones of the Dead could show up at any time.Instead, he would eliminate every Shadow Stalker he came across along the way—Quickly, efficiently, and without dragging things out.
So what would be the best method?
Han Yuseong stood still for a moment and looked around.
"Shadow Stalkers have degenerated eyesight."
In exchange, they had extremely heightened hearing.They were creatures that had evolved to survive in absolute darkness—Eyes were unnecessary, and so had dulled over time, while sound detection became their greatest strength.
Which meant—
"If I can just eliminate the sound I make when moving…"
Then even the Shadow Stalkers wouldn't be able to detect him.And Han Yuseong had just the means to do that.
A movement technique that erased footsteps and presence—The footwork skill known as
"Not very exciting… but it'll make the job easier."
Han Yuseong extinguished his lantern and began to move.His footsteps made no sound, and his presence melted into the darkness—Just like the Shadow Stalkers themselves.
He had become the hunter in the dark.