The dungeon air felt heavier the deeper they went.
Min-jun wiped sweat from his forehead, gripping his staff tightly. His heart was still beating fast, but it wasn't only fear anymore. There was excitement mixed in, a strange warmth that hadn't been there before.
I leveled up… just like that.
The skeleton stood beside him, its cracked sword stained with green blood. It didn't breathe. Didn't complain. It just waited.
"Hey," the rogue muttered, glancing back. "Your skeleton actually did something."
Min-jun didn't reply. He wasn't sure how to.
Lee Hae-in slowed her pace and spoke quietly. "Don't relax yet. F-rank dungeons like to surprise people."
As if on cue, a sharp screech echoed down the tunnel.
Three goblins rushed them at once.
"Formation!" Hae-in shouted.
The warrior stepped forward, shield raised. Fire burst past Min-jun's shoulder as the mage cast another spell.
Min-jun hesitated.
Should I send it again?
What if it breaks?
The skeleton turned its skull slightly, as if looking at him.
"…Go," Min-jun said, more firmly this time.
The skeleton charged.
One goblin slipped past the frontline and ran straight toward Min-jun.
His breath caught.
Too fast—
Clang.
The skeleton threw itself between them, taking the hit meant for him. Its rib cracked, but it didn't fall.
Min-jun's chest tightened.
"Get back!" he shouted.
The skeleton slashed upward, severing the goblin's arm.
The warrior finished it off.
The system chimed again.
[Goblin Defeated]
[EXP Gained: 18]
Another chime followed.
[Goblin Defeated]
[EXP Gained: 18]
[Level Up!]
[Level 3 Reached]
Min-jun gasped softly.
This is… fast.
The rogue stared. "You leveled again?"
Hae-in narrowed her eyes slightly. "That's unusual."
Min-jun didn't know what to say. He just nodded.
They continued deeper until they reached a wider chamber. Bones littered the floor. Old ones. Human-shaped.
Min-jun's steps slowed.
His head started to throb.
A system message appeared.
[Corpse Detected]
[Compatible with Necromancy]
His breath hitched.
"…Wait," he whispered.
"What?" Hae-in asked.
Min-jun swallowed. "I think… I can do something."
The team watched as he stepped closer to the bones. His hands trembled.
If I fail, they'll laugh.
If I succeed…
He focused, pouring mana outward.
[New Skill Discovered]
[Raise Basic Skeleton]
Dark mist seeped into the bones.
Clack.
Crack.
Another skeleton pulled itself together, slightly sturdier than the first.
Min-jun stared, stunned.
"…Two," he whispered.
The rogue's mouth fell open. "You can make more?"
Hae-in didn't speak for a moment.
Then she smiled faintly. "Interesting."
The system chimed once more.
[Skeleton Storage Updated]
[Basic Skeleton x2]
Min-jun felt his legs weaken.
So this is necromancy…
In the corner of his vision, faint text flickered.
[Hierarchy Established: Basic Undead]
[Growth Potential: Unlimited]
Min-jun didn't fully understand it yet.
But he knew one thing.
This class wasn't useless.
Not at all.