Chapter 10
“Ugh?”
When I opened my eyes, blinding fluorescent lights assaulted my vision.
The smell of disinfectant stung my nose…
‘A hospital?’
Ah, right.
I cleared the dungeon, didn’t I?
The old man accepted my offer in the end.
I’d even received the stage clear message, so it must be true.
Since I didn’t remember anything after that, I must’ve lost consciousness.
“……”
I furrowed my brow, trying to adjust to the brightness.
“Hm?”
I could feel a sharp gaze nearby.
Forcing my eyes open, I saw a young woman in a formal suit standing over me, arms crossed.
She spoke bluntly.
“Looks like you’re finally awake.”
I tilted my head and asked,
“Who… are you? Huh?”
Then my eyes widened.
A familiar face.
And a golden name tag at her waist.
It was Ki Soyul.
‘Wow.’
I marveled inwardly.
Her vibe was totally different from when she was in her combat outfit.
Back then, she was like a tough warrior. Now, she felt like a cool-headed career woman.
“Since you’re awake, let me reintroduce myself. I’m Ki Soyul, Vice Guild Master of the Parang Guild. I’m also known as Shadow Empress.”
Ki Soyul spoke calmly.
I nodded.
“I see. I get that, but…”
Why was she here?
I quickly looked around.
Only the two of us in the hospital room.
No one else.
What’s going on?
Did she come to take me out for stealing the opportunity?
It wasn’t impossible.
She was the Empress of Assassination.
If she wanted to kill me right here, she could do it without leaving any trace.
“Honestly, I was surprised. I really didn’t think you’d be able to clear that impossible boss. And in just one try.”
Despite my worries, she remained courteous.
But I didn’t lower my guard.
Who knows? She could be a psycho who smiles while she kills.
“…But why do you keep looking at me like that?”
She seemed to notice my wariness and frowned.
Worried I’d upset her, I quickly waved both hands.
“No, it’s just… I was curious why the Vice Guild Master of a major guild came alone to see me.”
“Of course—because I’m curious too.”
“Huh?”
“How did you clear that crazy dungeon? And if you did, what was the reward? Were you really recognized as having potential and accepted as the old man’s disciple? Things like that.”
“Oh…”
Hearing her questions, I hesitated.
Honestly, it was a natural thing for her to wonder.
The dungeon had belonged to her.
I’d just been given one chance.
From her perspective, I was like some random guy who swooped in and snatched up a lucky break!
‘If she were a more ruthless Ranker, my head would already be gone.’
The fact that she wasn’t angry just showed how magnanimous she was.
‘Besides…’
This world is harsh.
Brutally harsh.
If word got out that a rookie like me had obtained such a crazy opportunity?
I could become someone’s target.
Whether it was a jealous lunatic or a group in the underworld out to nip promising newcomers in the bud.
I had to always stay on guard.
“Hm, Porter? What are you thinking about?”
“Ah, Shadow Empress, before I answer—could I know how the articles about this dungeon run ended up?”
She looked at me with surprise.
“I get what you’re worried about. But you don’t have to worry too much. Officially, Parang Guild reported that our advance team cleared the dungeon. All the survivors signed non-disclosure agreements.”
“Huh?”
So that meant.
No one knew that I was the one who cleared the dungeon?
Ah, I was genuinely touched.
How considerate could you get!
I bowed my head in gratitude.
“Thank you for your thoughtfulness, Shadow Empress.”
“You’re more mature than you look, Porter. Most hunters can’t wait to brag about their achievements to the world.”
“Safety first. Always. Showing off comes second.”
“You don’t need to thank me. It’s a matter of Parang’s pride.”
“Huh?”
I blinked, and she gave a faint smile.
“Would anyone believe that in a rescue party with a Ranker, an E-rank mercenary—just a porter—was the MVP?”
“Ah…”
The point was simple.
They’d keep things quiet out of embarrassment.
And also to warn me not to get cocky and end up dead.
Either way, I was grateful.
‘But.’
One thing nagged at me.
Just because she’d given me a chance—
Did I owe her a full explanation about my abilities?
She could afford to be generous because she was strong.
But I was weak.
I couldn’t afford to reveal everything.
“But, Shadow Empress.”
“Yes? Go ahead, Porter.”
“I’ve been in bed for days, right?”
“Hm, it’s the third day since you came out of the dungeon. So, three days.”
Damn.
I’d been out for a while.
Looking troubled, I met her gaze.
“Honestly, I’m still confused about what happened, and I haven’t even figured out what the reward is yet… so I can’t give you a straight answer.”
It was true.
It really was the first conversation since I woke up.
“Hmm… is that so?”
Her eyes narrowed.
She seemed to suspect I was avoiding the question, but her gaze said she understood.
“If you just give me a bit of time, I’ll explain when I’ve sorted things out.”
“Hm.”
“No need to worry I’ll run away. Who in this world could hide from the Shadow Empress?”
“All right. I appreciate your cooperation. Then, once you’ve organized things, I’ll come back.”
Ki Soyul nodded coolly and left the room.
With her gone, the pressure in the room vanished.
“Phew.”
I felt like I could finally breathe.
Damn.
Life’s been wild lately.
A sudden orc, my first awakening in three years, meeting a Ranker.
Then a weird dungeon.
And one wrong move, I could end up an enemy of Parang.
Or, if things go well, I could end up on good terms with them.
That’s what I was thinking when I shifted my body.
[Check your clear reward!]
‘Oh, right.’
I’d been unconscious and hadn’t checked the message yet.
Now was the time.
—
[Your reward is arriving!]
[Congratulations!]
[Energy permanently increases by 20.]
[You have acquired the skill ‘Legacy of the Ten Thousand Arts’ (S-rank).]
“Whoa!”
I shouted without realizing.
Goosebumps broke out all over my body.
The energy boost alone was an incredible reward.
‘Another S-rank, too.’
It’s almost impossible for most people to get even one of these in a lifetime.
And I’d just gotten two in no time at all.
[Hunter: Joo Donghoon]
[Nickname: X]
[Energy: 120/120]
[Unique Ability: Cursed Necromancer]
[Rank: D]
[Effect]
– You are a Necromancer, a class that commands the dead. You can control fearsome spirits and poisons to subdue enemies. However, you are cursed.
– You can only summon Skeletons.
[Acquired Skills]
– ‘Awakened Skeleton Summon’ (D-rank)
– ‘Memory Reenactment’ (S-rank)
– ‘Legacy of the Ten Thousand Arts’ (S-rank)
‘This is crazy.’
No wonder all the experts are obsessed with dungeons.
Looking at my now much fuller status window,
I felt a surge of pride.
‘Let’s check Memory Reenactment first.’
[Skill: Memory Reenactment]
[Rank: S]
[Effect 1: Spend 50 energy to read the memory of the deceased.]
What does this do?
It was odd.
It didn’t sound like much, but it was S-rank.
And it was definitely a hidden skill.
A skill you could only unlock by confronting a ‘cursed’ soul.
There was a lot I was curious about, but for now, there was nothing more I could do, so I let it go.
‘If it helps me clear dungeons, that’s enough.’
I only managed to clear this one because I could see the old man’s memories.
Someday, I’ll be able to use it again.
‘Next, Legacy of the Ten Thousand Arts.’
I steadied my pounding heart and checked the next skill.
[Skill: Legacy of the Ten Thousand Arts]
[Rank: S]
[Effect 1: Spend 20 energy to summon the transcendent who ruled another world, the Master of Ten Thousand Arts, for 60 minutes.]
[Effect 2: The summoned Master of Ten Thousand Arts cannot affect the physical world. For a limited time, you can only receive his knowledge.]
[Effect 3: The cooldown for this skill is 24 hours.]
[Effect 4: Only the skill user can perceive the Master of Ten Thousand Arts.]
Gulp.
I couldn’t help but swallow.
‘A transcendent who ruled another world…’
My heart swelled with excitement.
Finally, my skeletons—
We’d landed the ultimate instructor, someone who could even put Rankers to shame!
“Damn, now’s not the time to be lying around.”
I ripped out my IV in one go.
No time for an IV drip.
If I didn’t check things out now, I’d go crazy.
Swish, swish.
I hurriedly put on the clothes hanging nearby and stepped outside the room.
“Uh, Mr. Joo Donghoon?”
A startled nurse called after me, but I was in a rush.
“Ah! You can’t, you need to rest!”
“Sorry, I have urgent business. Just put the bill under my name.”
My heart pounded.
– Their potential is tremendous. In life, they must have been incredible warriors. I’ve always wanted people like this—why only now, I wonder. Tsk.
The old man’s voice still rang in my ears.
Was this how a parent feels hearing their kids praised?
I couldn’t wait to get my skeletons trained.
—
[You are using the skill ‘Legacy of the Ten Thousand Arts’ (S-rank).]
[You use 20 energy.]
[The Master of Ten Thousand Arts appears.]
As soon as I arrived at my usual spot, I used the skill.
Thunk!
“Gah!”
A sharp pain shot through my forehead.
It hurt so much, tears welled up and I saw stars.
When I came to, I saw the old man glaring fiercely at me.
“You little brat! Tsk, you promised to inherit everything I have—what took you so long to call me? If you’re that lazy, you’ll never catch up to even my pinky toe!”
“Wait, hold on. Sir… I called you as soon as I woke up!”
I protested.
Wait a second.
Didn’t the skill say he couldn’t interact with the world physically?
“You really are a brat. I can read your face like a book. Tsk, since we’re linked in spirit, I can still make you feel pain. Isn’t that right?”
The old man shook his head in exasperation.
He really did seem like a cranky old man.
“Anyway, now that you’ve summoned me, let’s get started. There’s no time.”
“Ah, yes sir.”
I nodded obediently at his urging.
“So, I just summon the skeletons like usual?”
“No, that’s not necessary.”
“Huh?”
“Before we start training, let’s decide what you’re going to learn. I’ve already figured out all ten of those kids’ talents, but the real problem is you.”
“…Sorry, what?”
My eyes widened.
By “kids,” he must mean the skeletons’ talents.
Could he really see even the talents that haven’t awakened yet?
‘And before that…’
Why am I the problem?
Is he planning to train me, too?
That’s when the old man spoke up.
“Do you know why I’m called the Master of Ten Thousand Arts?”
“…?”
“It’s because I mastered so many talents I lost count. So why would I only teach you ten skills when I could teach you everything?”
Grin.
He flashed a wicked smile.
Suddenly, I felt a chill run down my spine.
It was honestly terrifying.
“Then can’t you just teach the skeletons?”
“No. Their talents only go in one direction. They can’t learn anything else.”
“Th-then?”
“What do you mean, then! Obviously, you’re the one who has to inherit everything.”
“What? But… you said my talent was trash…”
“Shut it. You made a promise, so you’re inheriting Ten Thousand Arts. If you can’t do it, you’ll keep trying until you can. Don’t worry. Making trash into a near-genius is just another form of art. And it just so happens I can affect you physically.”
Wait, what the hell is he talking about?