As Han Yuseong had anticipated, the battle did not last long.
"Kuh, urgh…"
Eundonja's magic was certainly fierce.He wielded various spells using shadows, and their power was enough to threaten Han Yuseong's life.But the man had a gaping hole in his heart.
"No… ugh… kahack!"
Eundonja, who had been casting spells with intense force, suddenly coughed up black blood.It poured out from his mouth — the aftereffect of his pierced heart.It was a miracle he had lasted this long.Thanks to his mutated, monstrous body, he could move even with a hole through his heart,but even that had now reached its limit.
"The Staff of Radiance… If only I had the Staff of Radiance!"
"That was quite a nice staff," Han Yuseong said with a smirk.
"Khhhakkk!"
Han Yuseong taking away the Staff of Radiance was a major blow.The staff Eundonja used had extremely troublesome effects —had he used it, the situation could have become far more chaotic.It was a surprise attack that created a ripple effect.He had aimed for that moment from the beginning.
"Ugh… Urgh…"
"I'll make good use of your research."
Han Yuseong stood before Eundonja, who was now coughing up blood.
Wind gathered around his clenched fist.And in the next instant—
CRACK!
With the sound of flesh being crushed, Eundonja collapsed.The fallen monster twitched a few times, then moved no more.It was the end — the final chapter of a research project that had long since strayed beyond any sense of morality.
At that moment, a message appeared before Han Yuseong's eyes:
[Level has increased to 3.][Strength +3, Agility +3, Stamina +3.][Due to the effect of "Battle God's Blessing", Agility +1, Stamina +2.][Windstride Movement Technique leveled up to 2. Bloodstorm Fist Technique leveled up to 1.][Devour used. Devour stack: 1/15.]
Chomp, crunch…
A transparent mouth appeared from nowhere and began to chew part of Eundonja's body.It was the effect of the skill, Fang of Devouring.
[Oathbound one, it's a magic item. A magic item — check it quickly.]
"I didn't need you to tell me that."
Han Yuseong rummaged through Eundonja's robes.From within, a book bound in something resembling woven shadow burst forth.
[Eundonja's Research Notes (S)]
A book containing Nox Marcana, a spell composed of four different magical components.
The spell is not yet complete. With a stroke of rare fate, it may one day be finished — but that chance is distant and uncertain…
Usage Requirement: Mage.
Nox Marcana —A spellbook that holds shadow-based magic.The unfortunate part? It's magic, and thus has a usage restriction.Han Yuseong, as he is now, cannot use this magic item.But that didn't matter — once he class-changes to Soul Warden, he will be able to.
And then, another item:
[Shadow Bane (Legendary)]
Type: Staff
Magic Attack: 110
+6 Magic Power, +20% Shadow Magic Damage
Once per day, grants the use of
Thankfully, the staff had no usage restrictions.That meant Han Yuseong could equip it even now.The problem? It was packed with magic-related bonuses — meaningless to someone who couldn't yet cast spells.But the technique sealed within the staff… now that was valuable.
He'd seen a Japanese player use it once.A technique that shrouds the area in dense darkness —It had been devastatingly effective against multiple enemies.Han Yuseong remembered that well.
It would prove useful to him,Especially considering what lay ahead:The confrontation with the Oathbound of the Hollow Dead.
"That should be everything, right?"
[Master, look over there, Oathbound. Something's there.]
"Hm? That…"
When he first saw him, Eundonja had been muttering to himself in front of a desk.And on that desk, something remained.A pitch-black, unsettlingly sticky orb that radiated malice.
[Essence of Shadow (Epic)]
A manifestation of madness born from Eundonja's research.
It holds immense dark energy. Only those with unshakable will can overcome it.
If you succeed, a random effect will activate.
It was a magic item called Essence of Shadow.Its description was ominous — it mentioned something akin to a drawback.It seemed the item required the user to overcome a trial of some kind to gain its benefit.And then, just at that moment—
[You have defeated a powerful foe.][You have fulfilled the activation condition for your unique ability: Battle God's Blessing.][You are granted an additional reward.][The effect of
The power of Battle God had activated.The artifact's cryptic nature became clear.Han Yuseong understood immediately — the item's description had changed.
[Essence of Shadow (Epic)]
A manifestation of madness born from Eundonja's research.
It holds immense dark energy. Only those with unwavering will can withstand it.
Upon overcoming its power, you gain:
The part about "a random effect will be triggered" was gone — replaced with a specific skill.Shadow of the Night.A clear, earned reward for enduring the will of shadow itself.
Kakasha, who had been watching, was quite surprised.
[Your ability… can you really change the effects of a Mythic item like that?]
It was a situation that couldn't help but cause shock.A legendary-grade item had not only been granted the potential to become mythic, but also had its random effects fixed into specific ones.Even Kakasha, who had lived a long life, had never seen such a unique ability.
Han Yuseong briefly looked at the essence.
[You're really going to consume that without hesitation?]
He swallowed the essence without a second thought.He was so calm that it surprised Kakasha.But there was no real reason to hesitate.It wasn't the first time he'd seen a mid-grade item like this.He had consumed countless ones in his past life already, and if it was an item that could be overcome with "will," there was nothing to worry about.
—Ughhh…—Mmmmmm…
The item's effect began to activate.Darkness engulfed the surroundings. In his mind, horrific hallucinations began to echo, and twisted visions appeared all around.They all began cursing Han Yuseong in unison.Their intent was clear — to break his will, viciously.
"Is it because it's an epic grade? If this is all it is…"
But it wasn't nearly enough to harm Han Yuseong.He had been through far worse.He'd fallen into traps and suffered brutal torture, had even spent time trapped in horrific nightmares.Hallucinations and phantom voices like these were nothing to him.
It was nowhere near enough to break Han Yuseong's will.
—Sssaaaahhh…
How much time had passed?
The hallucinations and voices that had tried to consume Han Yuseong faded away.A moment later, a system message appeared.
[You have overcome the Essence of Shadows.][
A notification that the skill had been enhanced."Shadow of Night," which had been ranked A, was now promoted to rank S.
[Shadow of Night (S, Lv.1)]Type: Active
Allows the user to conceal their presence using shadows.
While the skill is active, if the user is within a shadow, movement speed increases by 25% and the next attack deals 50% more damage.
If an enemy is defeated under the proper terrain conditions, the skill can be reactivated.
This was the very skill that made Jung Seo-hyun such a feared name in his past life.She had used the reactivation effect to assassinate countless enemies and then vanish back into the shadows—he could still vividly remember those scenes.
"Stealth and ambush tactics aren't really my style, but…"
He had decided to gather everything that could be useful.Shadow of Night was a skill that would definitely come in handy if kept.And if he combined it with the brilliance he had just obtained this time, then even more so.
[There's a lot here… Hup— the exit has been revealed.]
Fwoooosh!
Just then, a portal appeared before Han Yuseong.Sometimes, when you clear a dungeon, an exit portal appears like this.If you were unlucky, you'd have to walk all the way back to the entrance—but this time, luck seemed to be on his side.
"Well… I guess you could call this lucky."
The dungeon being cleared would have been noticed by now.The Oathbound of the Dead were likely waiting for him outside.The moment he stepped out, they'd probably try to ambush him.He needed to deal with them and find a way to escape Yeoju City.
Fortunately—
"This should be more than enough."[A chance to make use of your new item.]
There was no need to search for a complicated solution.The brilliance clutched in Han Yuseong's hand was the key.
Underground parking lot where the dungeon had appeared.
A crowd had gathered in front of the portal—Numerous undead, and the Oathbound who commanded them.
All eyes were fixed on the portal.
"…Is it really okay not to enter the dungeon?""There's no need to force our way in. If he cleared the dungeon, he'll come out through here eventually. If he failed, then that's the end of it.""If he failed… then I suppose it's up to us to clear the dungeon."
"Of course. It's what the Lord of Eyes wishes."
So replied Kang Joong-in, the commanding player among the oathbound here.The Lord of the Dead had taken a keen interest in the reward dungeon.When the Lord commands, the oathbound obey.And there was one more reason:
"If possible, I hope he succeeded. If he cleared that dungeon, there's a good chance he's the same one who handled the last trial solo.""You mean the one who claimed the highest contribution score?""That's the one. The guy who put Korea in first place ahead of every other country. He's no ordinary player. If we can capture him…"
A sly grin formed on Kang Joong-in's lips.
"The Lord of Eyes will be pleased."
No one knew who the player was.Not just Korea, but the entire global alliance was curious.Even the many Lords of the Eyes were trying to uncover his identity.
If they could find and capture him?
The Lord of the Dead would be very pleased.
Bzzzzt!
"Mana reaction from the portal!""Get ready. Looks like the clearing attempt was a success."
The oathbound and their undead forces snapped into formation.The portal, which had been crackling with wild magical energy, burst wide open.All eyes focused inward as a figure began to emerge.
"Someone's coming out…!"
Fwoooosh!
"W-what?!"
Before anyone could even figure out who it was—Shadows surged in.
Shadows poured in from beyond the portal,engulfing everything in sight.The floor, the ceiling, the walls—the entire parking garage was swallowed by darkness.
The oathbound's vision was completely obscured.They could barely make out the people right beside them.
"Wh-what is this...?!""I can't see anything! Light! Someone cast light!""Stay still! I'll use the undead to conjure fire magic!"
The oathbound scrambled in panic.Skeletal mages, following their commands, began to cast spells.Flickering flames briefly pushed back the suffocating dark…
KRRRSSHH—CRACK!
"Khhhaaargh?!""S-something moved in the darkness...!"
Before they could react, something began to move.Something was slithering through the shadows—a presence that had completely concealed itself,weaving through the darkness, hunting the oathbound one by one.
Screams echoed from every direction.
"P-protect me! Form up around me!"
—Grrrrggghhh...
"G-good! We've got it under con—wha?!"
The oathbound hastily pulled their undead in to use them as shields.But it was meaningless. No—worse, it only added to the danger.
[Enemy defeated.][Shadow of Night is reactivated.]
Among the undead were those with weak defenses—perfect targets to trigger the skill's reactivation effect.
Han Yuseong continued to tear through the oathbound,wrapped in shadows, cutting them down one after another.
[
It was a powerful effect, but the duration wasn't long.Still, it didn't matter.
"I'll kill them all and get out before the time runs out."
A wind soaked in blood swept through the shadows.