Chapter 18

Chapter 18: Ancient Desert Scorpion King

“Phew,” I exhaled deeply.

It was a C-rank dungeon boss, and the name alone was daunting. The king of scorpions in the ancient desert? Not a lieutenant, duke, or general but king?

“...”

Once upon a time, I wouldn’t have even dreamed of facing such an opponent. I used to struggle against high D-rank orcs.

But now...

I felt confident enough to take it on. I had easily taken down C-rank scorpions.

According to the World Hunter Association:

[If five or more hunters of a given rank can’t clear it, the rank will be adjusted upward!]

If five C-rank hunters can clear it, I should be able to as well. Although they were C to D ranks, I had already proven myself with a fight against five hunters.

[The Ancient Desert Scorpion King has appeared!]

[The “Awakened Skeletons” (D-rank) are suppressed by the presence of a higher power. All stats are reduced by 20%!]

“Wow.” I shivered as the ominous aura from behind the door made my heart pound. “This is nerve-wracking...”

“Mr. Necromancer... Will it be okay?” The younger sister of the porter siblings asked nervously.

“I don’t know. But one thing’s for sure: this is better than facing those guys from the Shadow Lurkers,” I chuckled and answered.

“Y-Yes, that seems right.”

After all, no matter how powerful this Scorpion King was, it couldn’t be stronger than an A-rank hunter.

“Phew, huff.”

I took deep breaths to calm my nerves and checked my energy.

[Hunter: Joo Donghoon]

[Energy: 50/120]

Summoning the old man took 20 energy. Summoning the skeletons took 50 energy. I still had enough for five more summons.

But.

It was unfortunate that the skeletons weren’t in top condition. And I was also extremely fatigued from the previous battles.

But I had the old man’s guidance, which was always reassuring.

“Hoho, my disciple. Surely you don’t need my help to handle such a lowly creature?”

...Pardon?

I was taken aback.

“Indeed, if you can’t handle something like that, it’s better for you to just die.”

Wait, hold on.

“Hold on for what? I’ll be off now. Don’t forget to summon me tomorrow.”

What? Elder? Hey!

[The duration of the skill, ‘Teachings of All Techniques’ (S-rank) has ended.]

[‘Master of All Techniques’ has been unsummoned.]

[The skill can be used again in 24 hours.]

Oh no. The time limit was up already?

Damn it, that useless old man, I grumbled inwardly.

—Sigh.

In that case, this might get tough.

—Gulp.

I swallowed nervously.

This was the time to focus on the immediate situation.

I peered into the open door.

“Screeeech!”

In the distance, I saw a massive scorpion roughly the size of a five-ton truck. The large yellow-brown pincers at the front were as big as a grown man’s body and looked menacing. The stinger at its rear also seemed incredibly dangerous. The legs attached to its curved body were hideous.

“Damn, you want me to take that down?”

—Rumble!

The scorpion burrowed into the desert sand.

What? An underground attack?

“Boney 5!” I instinctively called out.

—Creak!

[‘Bonehead 5’ used the skill ‘Air Shield’ (Lv.1).]

First, I had Boney 5 put up a shield in an emergency.

I saw that Boney 5 only had 20 energy left.

“Everyone else, spread out and take positions!”

—Creak, creak!

They moved as they had trained.

Boney 4, the most reliable, went to the front and planted its shield. It looked as if it was saying, “Come at me if you dare!”

However...

“What the...?” My eyes widened.

—Crash!

The Scorpion King burst from the ground, ignoring Boney 4 and attacking Boney 3.

—Click-clack?

Startled, Boney 3 stopped drawing its bow and quickly retreated.

Huh, it has intelligence, too?

This monster was different from anything I had fought before. The combat style was one thing, but it was also fast.

It’s too large and tough.

—Swoosh!

The creature spun its body, threatening Boney 3, then lunged at Boney 2.

“Boney 4!”

[‘Bonehead 4’ used the skill ‘Low-Level Taunt’ (Lv.1).]

I used the taunt skill.

“Kreaaah?”

The Scorpion King turned its attention to Boney 4.

Oh. So it works even on a boss-level monster?

—Rumble!

[‘Bonehead 4’ is being adjusted.]

[All stats have increased by 2!]

[The skill level of ‘Low-Level Block’ (Lv.1) has increased by 3.]

[The skill level of ‘Low-Level Taunt’ (Lv.1) has increased by 3.]

[‘Bonehead 5’ is being adjusted.]

[All stats have increased by 2!]

[The skill level of ‘Fireball’ (Lv.1) has increased by 3.]

[The skill level of ‘Air Shield’ (Lv.1) has increased by 3.]

“Unbelievable.” I gaped.

The growth from defeating a C-rank boss monster was on a whole different level compared to training.

This was the first time I saw all stats increase. The skill levels shot up impressively. It was indeed an explosive growth!

Forget training, I should just keep clearing dungeons.

The satisfaction made my fatigue vanish instantly.

I blinked and stared at the skill levels.

For your information, skill levels max out at 10. According to the veteran hunters, when a skill maxes out, it ranks up to a higher-level skill.

Not too far from it now.

The “low-level” tags on the skills would be gone soon.

The rewards didn’t stop there.

[You have discovered the Ancient Desert Scorpion King’s Venom Gland (C-rank).]

[Would you like to acquire it?]

“Ooh, loot?” Of course I would acquire it!

I nodded, and a white light flashed.

A black orb appeared in my right hand.

[Item: Ancient Desert Scorpion King’s Venom Gland]

[Rank: C]

[Type: Material]

[Description: The essence of venom hidden in the tail of the Ancient Desert Scorpion King. Contains about 20 types of deadly toxins.]

[Effect 1: Can be used as crafting material.]

[Effect 2: Can be used as skill material.]

“What, is it just a material item?”

A bit disappointing that it wasn’t an elixir but still good because a C-rank material item would be in demand.

Yup. There are so many hunters out there. I’m sure someone will buy it.

D-rank materials are standard, but C-rank materials fetch a high price. A sort of danger pay.

I was grinning as I collected the item when Boney 3’s eyes lit up as it approached.

—Creak.

Its greedy gaze was fixed on my pocket.

“Wh-What is it?”

[‘Bonehead 3’ reacts to the ‘Ancient Desert Scorpion King’s Venom Gland’.]

“Eh?”

[You have fulfilled the hidden condition.]

[Condition: Create a poison arrow!]

– To acquire the new skill ‘Poison Arrow’ (Lv.1), a type of encounter is needed!

– Obtain a D-rank or higher ‘Poison Attribute Skill Material’!

“What?”

This was unexpected. I did not know skills could be unlocked this way. Wow.

No wonder Dark Lord kept going on about dungeons. Killing one boss granted all this.

[Would you like to learn the skill ‘Poison Arrow’ (Lv.1)?]

“Okay.” I nodded.

This was better. I could sell the material for money, but as someone aiming to be a ranker, enhancing my skeletons was the top priority.

[‘Bonehead 3’ is being adjusted.]

[You have acquired the skill ‘Poison Arrow’ (Lv.1).]

Glorious.

It was a truly satisfying moment.

[Congratulations!]

[You have cleared the stage: ‘Ancient Desert Scorpion King’!]

[Receiving clear rewards!]

—Swish!

At that moment, my vision blurred.

Clearing the dungeon meant I was being transported back to the entrance.

“W-We’re alive!”

“We really survived. Thank you, Mr. Necromancer... I will never forget this grace,” they sniffed.

The porter siblings were in tears. Having faced death, they were overwhelmed with relief.

I smiled warmly. “Think of it as a valuable experience. From now on, don’t follow anyone just because they offer big money.”

Since they were young, I was sure they’d grow from this.

I quickly sent the porters away because...

[Receiving clear rewards!]

I had to check this out too. Boss loot and clear rewards were separate.

[Congratulations!]

[You have acquired the item ‘Trace of the Ancient Desert’ (B-rank).]

—Swish!

Like the venom gland, a new item appeared in my right hand.

But.

The shape of the item was unusual.

“What is this....?”

I tilted my head in question.

“A key?”

A key-shaped item? As an E-rank mercenary, I’d never seen anything like this.