The dungeon gate collapsed behind them with a low, echoing hum.
Cold night air rushed in, washing away the damp stench of blood and rot. For a moment, Min-jun just stood there, blinking, as if he had been pulled out of a dream.
Then his legs gave out.
He leaned against a nearby wall, breathing hard.
I survived…
No—more than that.
I grew.
"Hey," someone said. "You alright?"
Min-jun looked up.
Lee Hae-in was standing in front of him, spear resting on her shoulder. Up close, he noticed faint scars on her arms, old ones, the kind that never really faded.
"I'm fine," he said after a second. His voice came out hoarse. "Just… tired."
"That's normal after your first dungeon," she replied. Then her gaze shifted past him.
"To your skeletons."
Min-jun followed her eyes.
The basic skeleton stood stiffly to his left, sword lowered. The warrior skeleton stood straighter, broader, its presence heavier somehow. Even without facial expressions, the difference was obvious.
The other hunters were staring too.
The rogue scratched his head. "I swear, I thought you were dead weight at first."
Min-jun winced.
"…Sorry," the rogue added quickly. "I mean—forget I said that."
The mage crossed his arms, eyes sharp with curiosity. "You leveled up to five in one dungeon. That's not normal."
Min-jun shifted uncomfortably. "I just… did what the system allowed."
Hae-in smiled faintly. "Sometimes, that's enough."
A notification chimed in Min-jun's head.
[Dungeon Cleared: F-Rank – Goblin Nest]
[Clear Time: Above Average]
[Contribution Rating: High]
[Bonus EXP Awarded: 30]
[Level Up!]
[Level 6 Reached]
Warmth spread through his body again.
He exhaled slowly.
Six… already.
Hae-in raised an eyebrow. "You leveled again?"
"…Yes."
She laughed quietly. "You're really something."
The warrior hunter approached and patted Min-jun's shoulder. "If you keep growing like this, don't forget us small fries."
Min-jun managed a weak smile.
When the team disbanded, Hae-in lingered.
"Are you registered with a guild?" she asked.
"No," Min-jun replied. "I just awakened."
She nodded, thoughtful. "Figures."
She hesitated, then continued, "If you don't mind… I'd like to team up again sometime."
Min-jun blinked. "With me?"
"Yes," she said simply. "A necromancer who can evolve undead on his first run is… rare."
Her eyes softened slightly.
"And you don't look like someone who lets power go to his head."
Min-jun felt heat rise to his face. "I—thanks."
She handed him a card. "Call me."
Then she turned and walked away.
Min-jun stared at the card for a long moment.
Is this how it starts?
He dismissed his skeletons into storage.
[Skeleton Storage]
[Basic Skeleton x1]
[Warrior Skeleton x1]
The moment they vanished, the space around him felt strangely empty.
On the bus ride home, Min-jun opened his status window again.
[Player Profile]
Name: Kang Min-jun
Level: 6
Class: Necromancer (Common)
HP: 180 / 180
Mana: 420 / 420
Strength: 10
Agility: 11
Vitality: 14
Intelligence: 24
Luck: 8
Titles:
Undead Initiate – Increases undead control efficiency by 5%
"…So it wasn't just my imagination," he murmured.
He reached his apartment just as the sun dipped low.
The door opened before he could knock.
"Hyung!"
Ji-ho threw himself at Min-jun, wrapping his arms around his waist.
"You're late again," his brother complained. "Mom said you went to a dungeon!"
Min-jun froze.
"…She told you?"
Ji-ho nodded enthusiastically. "She was worried."
From the kitchen, their mother peeked out. "Min-jun? Are you hurt?"
"I'm fine," he said quickly. "Really."
She studied his face for a long moment, then sighed in relief. "Come eat. You look exhausted."
As they sat at the table, Ji-ho kept firing questions.
"Did you fight monsters?"
"Did you win?"
"Are you strong now?"
Min-jun smiled faintly. "I'm… getting there."
After dinner, he lay on his bed, staring at the ceiling.
His phone buzzed.
A news alert flashed across the screen.
"Top Guild Recruiter Park Hyun-woo Announces New Team."
Min-jun closed the notification without opening it.
That world is already behind me.
A final system message appeared, quiet but heavy.
[Hidden Condition Progress Updated]
[Undead Hierarchy Advancement: 2%]
Min-jun clenched his fist.
"…Just wait."
In the dark space of skeleton storage, the warrior skeleton stood motionless.
But its bones pulsed faintly, as if something inside was growing.
And somewhere far beyond Min-jun's awareness, a path no common necromancer had ever walked began to open.