Solo Leveling : Ragnarok - Chapter 7

Beru waited in anticipation for Su-ho’s reaction upon receiving the “Shadow Extraction” skill, the true power of the Shadow Monarch.

“Wow, amazing!”

“Such an incredible ability as a reward?”

“The previous quest gave stat points, and now it’s a skill rune?”

“Woohoo! Is it okay to just hand these out?”

Beru had planned to say something like, ‘Ahem. Didn’t I tell you? Everything in this Shadow Dungeon is meant for you!’

With a smirk, Beru pompously began, [Ahem! This leveling system is designed to aid your steady growth, my lord. It’s an improved version of what your father used to use. It’s meant to help your frail human body fully accept the great powers of the monarch…]

Su-ho interrupted, “Eh, what? It’s just a summoning skill?”

[…!]

Su-ho’s face clearly showed disappointment.

Beru was taken aback. How could he be reacting like this to such an incredible power!

[W-what are you talking about! Such a magnificent authority, and you’re reacting like this!]

“But summoning skills are…”

Su-ho began to explain.

Summoning skills were not well-regarded among hunters. The dungeons beyond the gates were brutal places. Any lapse in concentration could mean a monster’s claw ripping out a hunter’s throat.

While combat-class hunters had strong bodies, magic-class hunters didn’t differ much from ordinary people in terms of physical ability. Especially those with summoning skills were often helpless, relying entirely on their summons while they trailed behind like dead weight.

“And that’s not all. The mana consumption is high, finding decent summons is difficult, and even then, they aren’t as strong as you’d expect.”

[Nooo-!]

Beru stamped his feet in frustration, looking almost tearful.

Su-ho felt a bit guilty seeing him like this.

“Um. Sorry, but that’s the reality. Still, getting a new skill is good.”

[Nooo-! Don’t try to console me! This really is an amazing skill!]

“Hey, your tone changed a bit?”

[Sssss.]

Beru’s usual historical drama tone shattered.

“Alright, alright. Anyway, I accept the reward.”

A rune stone appeared in Su-ho’s hand.

[Rune Stone: Shadow Extraction]

Crush the rune to absorb the skill.

Without hesitation, Su-ho crushed the rune.

[You have learned ‘Skill: Shadow Extraction’.]

Whoosh!

A shadow surged from beneath Su-ho, wrapped around him, and then vanished.

A skill window opened before him.

[Skill: Shadow Extraction Lv.1]

Shadow Authority.

No mana required.

Extract mana from a deceased body to create a shadow soldier.

The higher the target’s attributes and the longer the time since death, the higher the extraction failure rate.

Maximum extractable shadows: 0 / 3

“…Creating shadow soldiers?”

As he read this, Su-ho’s eyes naturally turned to Beru.

The shadow ant exuded black smoke.

[Indeed.]

Beru’s grin widened.

[This is the skill to create soldiers like me. Shadow Extraction is the essence of the authority that made the current Shadow Monarch, Sung Jin-woo, so powerful.]

At that moment, Su-ho realized something.

The numerous goblin corpses around him.

Black smoke was rising from the bodies he had killed in the last four hours.

[Extraction possible.]

[Extraction possible.]

[Extraction possible.]

Messages appeared repeatedly as he looked at the black smoke.

‘Shadow soldiers… Is this like being a necromancer?’

The concept of creating soldiers from corpses was similar to a necromancer in games.

‘Still doesn’t seem great.’

He had read about summoning skills online before.

There were many types of summoning skills, such as summoning and taming spirits from nature or live animals.

Among them, necromancer was considered the worst.

‘Too many limitations.’

The need for corpses was a major problem.

‘And I have to hunt them first. It means I can only control those weaker than me.’

To understand fully, he decided to try it out.

“Shadow Extraction.”

A message popped up.

[Designate the command for the Shadow Extraction skill.]

“I need to set a command? Hmm…”

Su-ho thought for a moment.

Beru squirmed beside him, eyes gleaming.

[Ahem. Ahem.]

“What? Do you have something to say?”

When Su-ho looked, Beru feigned nonchalance.

[Ahem, no. Cough! Cough-cough! Cough-cough-cough!]

“…?”

Why was he coughing like that?

Su-ho narrowed his eyes. He didn’t understand, but he spoke without hesitation.

A command should be straightforward.

“Arise.”

[Squee!]

Beru clenched his fists in triumph.

And then it happened.

Heh-heh-heh!

The laughter of goblins echoed from nowhere.

And the goblin corpses on the ground began to twitch.

As if alive!

‘Oh my god.’

Su-ho’s eyes widened as he watched.

Heh! Kerrek!

From all directions, sinister chuckles and black hands emerged from the shadows.

Those hands pressed against the ground, pulling their bodies out like demons rising from hell.

[Extraction successful.]

Whoosh! Whoosh!

[Kerk!]

[Kerrerk!]

Three shadow goblins, emanating black smoke, stood before Su-ho.

[Shadow Goblin Lv.1]

Grunt Rank

The three shadow goblins stood in formation, awaiting Su-ho’s command.

“They still don’t look very strong.”

[…!]

Even Beru sensed the disparity.

Despite being the same skill, the difference between Sung Jin-woo’s usage at level 50 and Su-ho’s at level 7 was stark.

The lower the player’s level, the weaker the skill.

[O-originally… Newly extracted soldiers are slightly weaker than they were in life.]

“They’re also smaller?”

[Yes, well…]

“And weaker?”

[Slightly?]

“And slower…”

[…!]

Beru mumbled.

[Shadow Authority is affected by intelligence and level. It becomes a truly amazing skill later on… But how can I explain that now…]

“Right.”

Su-ho looked at the shadow goblins awaiting his command.

He was ready to leave.

[No! Isn’t this the time to give them commands?!]

Beru was shocked.

Su-ho’s stomach growled loudly.

Grrrrowl-!

“…I haven’t eaten in two days.”

Su-ho spoke solemnly.

The sheer gravitas of his words overwhelmed Beru.

[True. Right.]

Hunters or Shadow Monarchs, all needed food to survive.

[You can use the Shadow Dungeon key anytime to re-enter. Rest for now.]

Following Beru’s advice, Su-ho retrieved the Shadow Dungeon key and inserted it into his shadow.

[Would you like to exit the Shadow Dungeon?] (Y/N)

“Exit.”

Click.

Turning the key, shadows enveloped Su-ho.

Whoosh!

[You have exited the Shadow Dungeon.]

* * *

As soon as Su-ho returned to the hospital, he collapsed onto his bed.

“Ah. What a day.”

Lying on the soft bed, Su-ho let out a deep sigh.

It had only been four hours, but it felt like four days had passed.

While leveling up had restored his physical strength, he was mentally exhausted.

Just then, the door opened, and several people in suits entered.

“Excuse us. Is this the room of Sung Su-ho?”

‘Hmm?’

Su-ho instantly knew who they were. In the current situation, there was only one group that would come looking for him.

“We’re from the Hunter’s Association.”

Of course.

The suited individuals approached Su-ho and bowed.

“Sung Su-ho, first, we want to express our gratitude.”

“Huh? Why would you thank me…?”

Su-ho looked puzzled.

“You saved many lives. We’re here to thank you on their behalf.”

“Well, it wasn’t that big of a deal.”

“It was a big deal.”

Suddenly!

‘Oh, jeez.’

The highest-ranking man, looking emotional, leaned in close.

And then he gave Su-ho a big, warm smile.

“Sung Su-ho, you’re truly admirable. In these harsh times, to risk your life to save others! Sniff!”

“Uh, uh, well…?”

Moved to tears, the big man pulled out a handkerchief and wiped his eyes.

“Ahem.”

Another staff member patted his back, seemingly used to this.

“Chief, you need to work now.”

“Oh, right. Haha. These days, I just tear up so easily. Sung Su-ho, I’m Chief Han Jae-hyuk from the Hunter’s Association. We’re here to…”

Han Jae-hyuk handed over a thick mana meter and grinned.

“To measure your mana.”

There was no doubt Su-ho had awakened. He was found unconscious in the field dungeon at Korea University’s art museum.

And there were monster corpse fragments around him.

“Journalists are eager for information.”

Han Jae-hyuk added with a wink.

“Ah, yes.”

Su-ho placed his hand on the mana meter.

The mana stone at its core emitted a gentle light.

After a moment, the results appeared.

“Hmmm. Oh, this…”

Surprised, Han Jae-hyuk stroked his chin.

Su-ho showed no reaction. He already knew his mana from the status window.

“Mana level 46. You’ve awakened as an E-rank hunter.”

The staff hid their disappointment. They had hoped he’d be higher-ranked after his heroic actions.

But Han Jae-hyuk was different.

‘A hunter’s value isn’t just in their rank. The fact that he saved people, despite being E-rank, is even

more impressive.’

Han Jae-hyuk patted Su-ho’s shoulder warmly.

“Sung Su-ho, we look forward to your future endeavors.”

“Ah, yes.”

With that, the Association staff left after a polite goodbye.

Beru peeked out from Su-ho’s shadow.

[Now, let me explain what’s next…]

The door opened again.

“Su-ho!”

Beru retreated back into the shadow with a sullen expression.