The walk back from the dungeon was quieter than usual. Min-jun's skeletons hovered beside him, silent but alert, as if they too were processing what had just happened. The city streets seemed smaller now, or maybe it was him who had grown.
Seo-ah walked beside him, bow resting lazily on her shoulder. She didn't speak at first, just kept pace, letting the sound of their footsteps fill the space between them.
Finally, she spoke. "You know… most people would be scared to control even one evolved skeleton. You had three, and an unstable elite at that."
Min-jun shrugged lightly. "I wasn't thinking about fear. I was thinking… survival."
She raised an eyebrow. "Survival?"
"Yeah." His voice was low, hesitant. "If I don't control them… I fail. If I fail… others get hurt. That… scares me more than dying."
Seo-ah considered this. Then she smiled faintly, almost imperceptibly. "You're different, Min-jun. Most necromancers I've seen just hoard power. You… care."
He felt his cheeks heat slightly. "I just… I can't let others take the hit for me."
They turned the corner, and the lights of the Association came into view. Above some heads, levels floated faintly—hunters, guild members, and a few spectators. He could sense their glances without needing to look.
Some curiosity. Some doubt. Some… envy.
A notification appeared in his mind.
[System Message]
[Hidden Condition Updated]
[Commander Skeleton Path: 37%]
He exhaled slowly. *It's moving faster than I thought.*
Inside the building, he kept quiet as other hunters passed, exchanging greetings and glances. None dared approach him directly, but he could feel it—the quiet ripples of attention following him wherever he went.
Ji-ho ran up as soon as he stepped inside the apartment. "Hyung! Hyung! Did you see? They're talking about you at the Association! Some people are even checking your skeletons!"
Min-jun crouched slightly to meet his brother's eyes. "I know. That's… fine."
Ji-ho frowned. "Fine? They're staring! Aren't you… worried?"
"I am," Min-jun admitted. "But worry won't stop them. Only strength will. And that's what I need to build."
He opened his status window, studying the numbers and skeletons carefully.
[Player Profile]
Name: Kang Min-jun
Level: 12
Class: Necromancer (Common)
HP: 280 / 280
Mana: 650 / 650
Strength: 15
Agility: 15
Vitality: 20
Intelligence: 35
Luck: 10
Titles:
Undead Initiate
Skeleton Hierarchy:
Basic Skeleton x1
Warrior Skeleton x1
Elite Skeleton x1
[Passive Skills]
– Death Sense
– Mana Affinity (Undead)
[Active Skills]
– Raise Skeleton (Lv. 3)
– Skeleton Storage (Expanded)
– Undead Reinforcement (Passive)
[Hidden Condition Progress]
Commander Skeleton: 37%
Min-jun clenched his fists. *Commander skeleton… that's the next step. And after that… even stronger.*
A soft chime drew his attention.
[Message Received]
[Sender: Unknown]
[Content: "Your growth will not go unnoticed. Eyes are watching, Min-jun. Be ready."]
He swallowed. *Not just hunters… but others. Powerful ones.*
Ji-ho peeked from the doorway. "Hyung… are you scared?"
Min-jun looked down at his younger brother and smiled faintly. "No. Not scared. Just… determined."
And in the shadows, from places he couldn't see, those powerful eyes continued to watch, noting every level, every skeleton, every flicker of mana.
Kang Min-jun, the common necromancer, was no longer a nobody.
And the world, whether ready or not, was beginning to pay attention.