Yong-Ho opened his eyes. Instead of seeing a white room, he saw walls and a ceiling made out of stone. It was the throne room.
The transaction was successful. It was an extremely successful deal.
‘Well, it’s more like I’m in debt.’
But, it didn’t matter. The fact that he got something out of it was the important part.
After coming back from the Virtual World, he would always feel some sort of exhaustion, but despite it, Yong-Ho smiled happily. He quickly moved his finger and created a window of light that displayed the dungeon map.
“Eligor is currently installing traps with the Goblins.”
“Catalina went on a hunt with the Kobold.”
“Salamander and Treant are currently guarding the entrance.”
The Spirit of the Dungeon informed me of what the spirits were doing.
Yong-Ho waved his finger again and deactivated the map. When it disappeared, he saw Skull rolling on the ground as always.
“Catalina left without Skull so that they could protect you while you were in the Virtual Space.”
‘I don’t think that’s the right way to protect me.’
But seeing Skull roll around like pebbles was pretty fitting.
“Skulllll.”
Skull must’ve noticed Yong-Ho looking at them because the stood up while making cracking noises.
The gear and war hammer had strengthening magic on them, a round shield with spikes that had fire and lightning properties. On their waist, they had a sword.
Although it wasn’t a magic item, they also had a sturdy helmet.
No matter how you look at it, Skull had the strongest gear out of everyone in the House of Mammon.
Even though they stood up, they didn’t approach Yong-Ho. They just stood there with a blank expression.
‘Undead monsters have previous lives. Since they were created from corpses.’
Yong-Ho suddenly remembered what Eligor said and observed Skull while touching his chin.
What was Skull’s previous life like?
He was certain that they were human since their frame was the same as a human. They probably weren’t small monsters like a Goblin or Kobold.
‘Maybe they were a general or a famous warrior.’
Skeletons were known to be the lowest ranking spirits, but Skull became a significantly important spirit ever since they started working in the dungeon. During their battle with the Orcs, Skull even saved Yong-Ho’s life by using a powerful weapon.
After evolving into a Skeleton Warrior, they were moving a lot more, so there’s a possibility that they learned martial arts in their past life.
‘No way.’
Yong-Ho shook his head. The thought itself made him feel good, but it wasn’t realistically possible.
Undead monsters “fixed” beings. Once they’re created that way, they stay that way. They can’t become weaker or grow.
Even among the Undead monsters, depending on how their bodies were made, the dynamics differed.
If Skull really was a famous general or a skilled soldier, then there’s no way the dungeon shop would just revive Skull as an ordinary worker.
Creating a Death Knight, no, at least an undead soldier like a Skeleton Knight was a much more profitable sale.
Maybe a nameless soldier. If not that, then an ordinary person.
Anything was fine. Anyways, the Skull that was in front of him was the ace within this house and unlike the other undead monsters, they were going to continue growing.
“You’re going to be with me until the end. Skull.”
Yong-Ho spoke with a smile and Skull turned its head and looked at Yong-Ho. However, instead of reacting to him, they just looked at him.
“Hm, hm.”
Yong-Ho coughed out of embarrassment and straightened his stance. Other owners would’ve yelled at him, saying it was rude, but Yong-Ho wasn’t like that. It’s because that was just like Skull.
‘Now that I think about it.’
Yong-Ho raised his head up and looked at Skull.
If they were going to be together until the end. And if he was going to keep evolving him.
‘Wouldn’t it be better to make him an official dungeon spirit?’
The owner and spirits that belonged to the dungeon were connected.
If the owner becomes stronger, then the spirit becomes stronger as well and if the spirit grows, then the owner grows as well.
Just looking at Catalina confirmed that it was true. The reason why Catalina was able to become this strong in a short period of time was not only because of the Power of Evolution, but because Yong-Ho, the owner, grew as well.
Yong-Ho waved his finger in the air again. He asked the Spirit of the Dungeon.
“Is there a limit when it comes to increasing the number of spirits that belong to the dungeon?”
“Those spirits are connected to the owner of the dungeon. That’s why, if the owner becomes stronger, then they’re able to increase the number of spirits.”
“According to the information that the dungeon shop provided, owners in the empty part of the southern region usually have three to five spirits.”
“One must be very cautious when selecting a spirit. It costs a lot to change back a spirit into an ordinary spirit after they’ve been chosen to become an official spirit of the dungeon.”
“A large cost?”
“Owners losing a part of their mana is the most common case. And the mana that they lose can be a lot more than the mana they’ve gained through those spirits.”
If owners lost a lot more than what they’ve gained, then it was a big cost.
Yong-Ho touched his chin and asked.
“What happens if the owner or the spirit dies? Will it affect the other?”
“The same applies and there’s a high chance that they may lose a part of their mana. It can greatly affect their mentality too.”
“Spirits that belong to the dungeon are like limbs to the owner. Even if the relationship between the spirit and the owner isn’t great, they can’t help but feel a sense of loss when one of them dies.”
Catalina and Eligor belonged to the dungeon before Yong-Ho became the owner. That meant that they felt a sense of loss when the previous owners died.
‘They said it’s been about a year.’
Yong-Ho momentarily thought about Catalina and Eligor’s death. Even though it was just his imagination, it didn’t last long. It was a difficult situation.
Yong-Ho shook his head to get that thought out of his head and focused back on Skull. He asked the Spirit of the Dungeon.
“Is it possible to make Skull an official spirit of the dungeon.”
“Currently, you’re able to control up to four spirits. So, it’s possible to make Skull an official spirit of the dungeon. But…”
“But?”
“There aren’t that many instances where owners make Undead monsters or spirits that are on a similar level as a Skeleton Warrior, an official spirit of the dungeon.”
He had an idea why.
There was a limited number of spirits they could assign to their dungeon.
Even without the Power of Evolution, most spirits are able to “grow.” They could get stronger through training.
However, it was impossible for Undead monsters. Their existence was fixed.
Between spirits that couldn’t grow and spirits that could, which would be more efficient?
On top of that, a Skeleton Warrior wasn’t a high-ranking Undead. He felt that he was slightly tormenting himself, but they were just a bit better than a weak soldier.
Out of all the owners within the demon world, it was probably difficult to find an owner that made a Skeleton Warrior an official spirit.
But, it didn’t matter.
Because Yong-Ho had the Power of Evolution.
Even though Skull was just a Skeleton Warrior for now, Yong-Ho was sure that they would become a high-ranking spirit in the future.
“Skuuuull.”
Skull spoke up after staying quiet. Yong-Ho made up his mind after seeing Skull’s reaction and it was as if they read Yong-Ho’s mind. He spoke to the Spirit of the Dungeon.
“Make the preparations to make Skull an official spirit.”
“We’ll have to use your remaining mana. Will that be okay?”
“The courier from the dungeon shop won’t be here until tomorrow.”
It would be a problem if an enemy invaded during this time, but the possibility of that happening was low.
“Understood. We’ll begin the process of registering Skull as an official spirit of the dungeon. Close your eyes and relax your body.”
Yong-Ho listened and sat down on the throne. He looked at Skull one last time before closing his eyes.
“Skullllllll.”
They still had a blank expression, but they had a trustworthy voice.
Yong-Ho closed his eyes. They began the registering process.
&
A day passed.
As usual, the courier of the dungeon shop visited the dungeon before noon.
Catalina, Eligor, the other spirits and Yong-Ho handed over the weapons at the entrance and obtained four bottles of mana potion.
Inside the small box, a letter was included with the potion. It was a handwritten letter from Sitri.
Dear Valuable Customer,
The amount of mana one bottle will fill is more than the amount that you currently have.
But please refrain from drinking more than half the bottle.
The entire bottle is the fixed amount, so if you only drink half, you won’t see it working properly.
I’ve also added a small additional effect to the potion. It’s a secret, but I’m sure it’ll help you.
Please think of it as a surprise.
The explanation was longer than I expected.
I’ll pray for your health, valuable customer.
The House of Mammon and my valuable customer’s faithful friend, Sitri.
P.S. For your information, I’m not in charge of the House of Mammon.
From her neat handwriting, it felt like I could hear Sitri’s seductive voice.
Because of that, Yong-Ho tried his best to pay attention.
‘Let’s not fall for it.’
He felt sorry for having these kinds of thoughts towards someone that showed him a lot of kindness, but Sitri was a dangerous figure. She was extremely beautiful and on top of that, charming. It was best to avoid falling for her.
‘But still.’
Her little note at the end was cute, which made him smile a bit. He spoke to Catalina, who was glancing at him while he was reading.
“How’s your condition?”
She became slightly flustered at his sudden question, but Catalina answered as the cold-hearted female soldier that he thought she had given up on.
“It’s the best.”
It must’ve been true because her tail was wagging behind her. Another answer came from a different figure.
“Skullllll.”
After becoming an official spirit, Skull became stronger and as they stood next to Catalina, they shook their head. It felt like their movements became a bit smoother.
Catalina bit her lips a bit at Skull’s interception. Catalina was being a bit sulky after finding out that Skull became an official spirit, just like her.
‘Is she jealous?’
Now that he thought about it, Catalina thought of Skull as her rival ever since they were at the armory.
But it wasn’t anything for him to worry about and it was actually good for Catalina since that jealousy could help her stay inspired.
Yong-Ho looked at Eligor one last time, who was currently standing next to the Goblin Ranger.
“Eligor, I’ll leave the rest to you.”
“I hope you return after winning.”
Eligor, the Goblin Ranger and the Treant decided not to participate in retaking the gold mine. He was sure they would be helpful, but they had different tasks they needed to take care of.
Yong-Ho spoke jokingly.
Only
“There will definitely be a development when I come back.”
“We’ll be waiting.”
Eligor answered excitedly. The Goblin Ranger and the Treant were showing their respect and cheered for Yong-Ho’s victory.
It was still early.
Yong-Ho started warming up. After placing the mana potion he got from Sitri into his belt, he walked inside of the dungeon.
Catalina, Skull and the salamander followed him.
It wasn’t long until Foras would begin his attack.
Yong-Ho began the retaking of the gold mine.
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