The dungeon's air was thick and musty, the faint scent of decay clinging to Min-jun's senses. Even small F-rank dungeons could be dangerous, but he knew this one would test him in ways a training hall never could.
Seo-ah fell into step beside him, bow at the ready. "Remember," she said quietly, "don't rush. Let your skeletons do the work, but keep control. They're stronger than they look, but you're still their anchor."
Min-jun nodded, swallowing his unease. His three skeletons hovered nearby. The basic skeleton shuffled nervously, the warrior skeleton stood at attention, and the elite skeleton flickered, black mist swirling uncertainly.
"Listen," he whispered. "I don't care what happens. You follow my command, perfectly, or we all fail. Understand?"
The skeletons remained silent, but Min-jun felt their faint responsiveness—the spark of obedience.
He led the way inside. Shadows flickered against the walls, and three mutated goblins leaped out, snarling.
"Frontline!" Seo-ah shouted.
The warrior skeleton moved first, blocking the goblin's claw swipe with a rattling thud. The basic skeleton stumbled awkwardly but managed to trip another goblin, giving Seo-ah a clear shot for two precise arrows. The elite skeleton's black mist flared erratically as it lunged, striking one goblin down with surprising accuracy.
Min-jun felt a rush of relief. *Good… that's it.*
[EXP Gained: 12]
[Battle Contribution: High]
The goblins were quickly defeated, but then a low growl echoed from deeper in the dungeon. Min-jun froze. A hulking mutant wolf emerged, far larger than anything they had faced so far, eyes glowing faint red.
"Level 15," Seo-ah whispered.
Min-jun's system window appeared instantly.
[Monster Detected]
[Level: 15]
[Battle Difficulty: Moderate]
He exhaled slowly. "Skeletons… focus. Don't hold back, but stay alive."
The warrior skeleton blocked the first charge, bones groaning under the impact. The basic skeleton moved clumsily but distracted the wolf long enough for Seo-ah to strike. The elite skeleton struck again and again, growing more precise with each blow.
Min-jun realized how much he had learned just by controlling three skeletons at once. It wasn't just commanding them—it was **synchronizing them with his mana**, predicting the enemy, and reacting instantly.
Finally, the wolf collapsed after Seo-ah's final arrow struck true. Silence fell over the dungeon. Dust and faint magic residue hung in the air.
[EXP Gained: 200]
[Level Up!]
[Level 12 Reached]
The skeletons shuffled and snapped into formation, slightly battered but intact. The elite skeleton flickered less erratically now.
Seo-ah approached, smiling faintly. "Your control… it's improving. The elite skeleton is stabilizing."
Min-jun nodded, kneeling to examine them. "We're getting there. Step by step."
Outside, distant watchers—guild members, hunters, and unknown observers—took notice. The rise of the common necromancer was beginning, but it was **slow, careful, and deliberate**.
And Kang Min-jun knew: this was only the start.