Chapter 5

Han Siwoo first expressed his willingness to accept.

At that moment, a message window appeared before his eyes.

TranscendentLegionTranscendent Legion

YoucancreatesoldiersbyconsumingSpiritStones.You can create soldiers by consuming Spirit Stones.

ThenumberofSpiritStonesconsumedincreasesaccordingtothesoldier’srank.The number of Spirit Stones consumed increases according to the soldier’s rank.

Createdsoldierscanbesummonedduringcombat.Created soldiers can be summoned during combat.

Soldierswillobeytheirmaster’scommands.Soldiers will obey their master’s commands.

Furthermore,asthemastergrowsstronger,thesoldierswillalsogrowstronger.Furthermore, as the master grows stronger, the soldiers will also grow stronger.

Cannotbesummonedduringfloorchallenges.Cannot be summoned during floor challenges.

1.DarkKnight(0)—SpiritStonesRequired:11. Dark Knight (0) — Spirit Stones Required: 1

SpiritStonesOwned—1Spirit Stones Owned — 1

Can I turn the monsters from the floors into soldiers?

Han Siwoo took the Spirit Stone out of his inventory.

He knew that it was an item usable in the Temple of Transcendence.

But he had never expected an entirely separate system like this to exist.

Should I make one right now? It’ll be useful when I level up.

The Dark Knight alone was a level 100 monster.

With an intrigued expression, Han Siwoo nodded and spoke.

“Create Dark Knight.”

OneSpiritStonewillbeconsumedtocreateaDarkKnight.One Spirit Stone will be consumed to create a Dark Knight.

The Spirit Stone in Han Siwoo’s hand began to tremble.

The moment the trembling stopped, the Spirit Stone shot up from his hand like a bullet. It burst in midair and began scattering pure-white powder.

Swish…

Soon, a white crystal touched the ground.

Like seeds being sown in a field, a black figure gradually began to rise from it.

Before long, the figure that emerged was a Dark Knight.

However, its appearance was slightly different from that of the monster Dark Knight.

“……Not bad.”

Unlike the original Dark Knight’s rough and massive appearance, this one had a slim and refined exterior.

Anyone else who saw it would never think that it was a monster Dark Knight.

The Dark Knight quietly looked up into the air before slowly lowering its gaze.

Its pale-gray eyes turned toward Han Siwoo, and it knelt on one knee.

Clank!

As though paying respects to the lord it served, the Dark Knight drew its sword.

Then, holding the sword out with both hands, it offered it to Han Siwoo.

—My lord, please bestow knighthood upon me.

The Dark Knights had originally been knights who could not find a master.

Knowing this, Han Siwoo took the sword from the Dark Knight’s hands.

DarkKnight’sSwordDark Knight’s Sword

AttackPower—14–17Attack Power — 14–17

Value—5Value — 5

After checking the item, Han Siwoo fulfilled the Dark Knight’s wish.

He lightly tapped both of its shoulders with the sword, prompting the Dark Knight to raise its head and extend both hands.

However, Han Siwoo did not return the sword.

“I’m borrowing this sword. Mine just broke.”

—Pardon?

“What?”

—If, if that is what my lord wishes……

The Dark Knight muttered in a sorrowful voice.

But Han Siwoo couldn’t care less.

I saved some money. A sword of this quality would’ve cost quite a bit.

The Dark Knight’s Sword was an item that might drop once after beating hundreds of Dark Knights.

Its performance was far superior to the standard longswords sold at the Center, which had an attack power of 4–5.

Moreover, thanks to his passive skill, Weapon Awakening, its attack power was fixed at 17.

Now that he had obtained such a useful longsword, he had no intention of returning it immediately.

“I’ll give it back soon. Cheer up.”

At Han Siwoo’s words, the Dark Knight hurriedly touched its face.

However, since it was wearing a helmet, there was no way its expression could be seen.

“Then I’m leaving. Get some rest.”

—Yes, my lord. I shall await your orders.

Ping!

After returning to his room, Han Siwoo checked the time.

Not a single moment had passed since he entered the Temple of Transcendence.

I don’t have to worry about time, either.

Smiling faintly, Han Siwoo flopped down onto his bed.

Then, staring at the ceiling, he fell into thought.

I can only use Declaration of Territory once a day. My stats have increased, and I’ve obtained a decent sword, but hunting the Dark Knight without Declaration of Territory will still be difficult.

In the end, he had no choice but to level up.

He could grow stronger in reality, and he could also grow stronger through the Temple of Transcendence.

He had two ways to become stronger.

“……Not bad.”

According to his plan, Han Siwoo had intended to leave home late that evening.

However, his mother scolded him, asking if he was going out drinking again, and told him to get a job.

Kneeling before his mother’s authority, he had no choice but to quietly go to sleep.

I became an Awakener, and she still won’t believe that I’m going out to level up!

Instead, she simply scolded him, asking what business a lazy bum like him had with leveling up.

Just how pathetic had his former self been?

In the end, it was only early the next morning that he cautiously opened his bedroom door and stepped outside.

“Did you sleep well?”

“Yes. You’re up early.”

“I should get up early. I have to head out soon.”

At Han Siwoo’s words, his mother quietly turned her gaze toward him.

Her silent look clearly asked where he was going, and Han Siwoo smiled faintly.

“Now that I’m an Awakener, I have a lot to do, including leveling up.”

His mother gave a small sigh at his words.

After hesitating for a moment, she spoke.

“Siwoo, how about getting a job?”

She wasn’t saying it as a joke or simply to nag him, as she usually did.

Realizing this, Han Siwoo’s expression hardened.

“I heard that going in and out of dungeons is really dangerous for Awakeners. No, you can tell just by looking. There was a major incident on the news not long ago. You know how dangerous it is, and yet……”

Han Siwoo’s expression grew serious at his mother’s words.

He realized that the only emotion behind them was concern.

He also realized that this was why she had tried to stop him from going out the previous day.

“It doesn’t sit right with me as your mother, seeing my son go to places like that. Or maybe you could take an exam and get a job at the Center…… No, that won’t work. You were always terrible at studying. Anyway……”

“Mother, don’t be surprised.”

Han Siwoo quietly interrupted her and summoned the Dark Knight.

Swish…

A faint breeze blew through the living room.

And when the breeze died down, a Dark Knight with an imposing physique stood proudly beside Han Siwoo.

“Oh, my!”

“I told you not to be surprised.”

After calming his startled mother, Han Siwoo spoke.

“That guy will protect me. So it’ll be fine, right?”

“W-What is that? Why did it suddenly……”

“He’s my summoned creature. He’ll protect me, so don’t worry.”

Han Siwoo gave the Dark Knight a firm pat on the chest.

Thung.

The metal breastplate resonated with a hollow sound.

“Right?”

—Yes. Upon my sword, I swear to protect my lord……

The Dark Knight reached for its waist.

But naturally, there was no sword there—it had been taken by Han Siwoo.

—……Upon my life, I swear to protect my lord.

“That’s what he says. What do you think?”

Han Siwoo’s mother continued to stare at the Dark Knight with a shocked expression.

Then she looked at Han Siwoo and let out a deep sigh.

“He certainly looks strong…… Then please take good care of our son.”

—Yes. I swear upon everything I have that I shall protect my lord.

The Dark Knight made its vow in a solemn voice.

Moved by the touching scene, Han Siwoo yawned and spoke.

“Then let’s consider it settled. I’ll have breakfast and head out.”

“Yes, yes.”

Han Siwoo then tried to send the Dark Knight back.

But at that moment, the bedroom door opened, and Han Siyeon appeared.

At the same time, a scream rang out.

“Ah! W-What is that!?”

Han Siwoo arrived at Peace Park.

Before long, entry to this place would be restricted due to the emergence of a massive dungeon.

Even now, dungeons were appearing one after another as a precursor to the event, and there were countless dungeons that the Center had yet to discover.

Han Siwoo intended to take advantage of one of them.

As its name suggests, it’s peaceful. At least in the sense that there isn’t a single person around.

The park was well known as a walking trail, but the fact that a dungeon had appeared there had erased that advantage.

In any case, Han Siwoo was targeting a dungeon with a recommended level of around 50.

It was strong enough to provide a challenge without being too unreasonable.

Even with the Dark Knight, entering a dungeon he couldn’t handle by himself might be dangerous.

WouldyouliketoentertheOldLizardmanDungeon?Would you like to enter the Old Lizardman Dungeon?

RecommendedLevel—52Recommended Level — 52

Han Siwoo immediately entered the dungeon.

He frowned at the distinctive fishy smell of the Lizardman Dungeon and summoned the Dark Knight.

—Did you call for me, my lord?

“Take the lead.”

At Han Siwoo’s command, the Dark Knight began walking forward with proud strides.

There was an obvious trap directly in front of the Dark Knight’s feet, but Han Siwoo deliberately paid it no attention.

This was the perfect opportunity to find out how powerful the Dark Knight was in battle.

Clank!

The moment the Dark Knight stepped on the trap, a spring snapped upward, and something hidden within the trap clamped down on its ankle.

“Chiririr!”

As the trap activated, the Lizardmen who had been hiding suddenly sprang out.

They must have been extremely surprised that their own trap had caught someone.

They had leaped out, calculating that they could launch a surprise attack at that moment.

But what greeted them was something entirely unexpected.

Crack!

The Dark Knight’s fist struck one of the Lizardmen in the face.

At the same time, a chilling cracking sound rang out, and another Lizardman collapsed on the spot.

One of the objects attached to its shoulder had been knocked away.

So this is what a level 100 monster is like?

The Dark Knight remained completely unfazed by the Lizardmen’s ambush and continued to take them down.

It was slaughtering them one-sidedly, as though demonstrating the meaning of the difference in levels.

The sharp weapons they swung desperately were blocked by the Dark Knight’s armor, unable to inflict even the slightest damage. Meanwhile, every casual blow from the Dark Knight sent the Lizardmen tumbling to the ground.

A short while later, after dealing with the dozen or so Lizardmen who had ambushed them, the Dark Knight stopped moving.

Then, with a disciplined motion, it turned toward Han Siwoo.

—My lord, the enemies have been defeated.

“Good work. Let’s keep going.”

At the command of his exalted master, the Dark Knight prepared to move on.

Seeing this, Han Siwoo took a sword out of his inventory. The Dark Knight’s eyes briefly lit up when it saw the sword that had been taken from it, but it soon became disappointed.

It was obvious that Han Siwoo was preparing to fight with the sword.

The Dark Knight had secretly hoped that Han Siwoo might return the sword as a reward for this battle.

I’m leveling up incredibly quickly. I’m already level 19. This dungeon really is worthy of being a level 50 dungeon.

As he continued deeper into the dungeon with the Dark Knight leading the way, Han Siwoo spotted another group.

They were dozing around a campfire, unaware that the guards at the entrance had been defeated.

When Han Siwoo gave the Dark Knight a glance, it immediately leaped into action.

Thud!

Every time the Dark Knight swung its fist after charging into the group of Lizardmen, another Lizardman was sent flying.

Han Siwoo’s eyes gleamed as he watched the scene.

Clang!

An arrow bounced off the Dark Knight’s armor.

Looking in the direction it had come from, Han Siwoo spotted several Lizardmen aiming at the Dark Knight with bows.

However, they had not noticed Han Siwoo yet.

Ranged attacks. If I were alone, they would’ve been quite troublesome.

Of course, the Dark Knight’s defense was outstanding even among monsters of the same level.

Arrows fired by mere Lizardmen couldn’t damage it—not even leave a scratch on its armor.

Holding his breath, Han Siwoo moved stealthily before suddenly throwing himself forward.

Thud!

His attack carried both acceleration and the weight of his body.

The sword confiscated from the Dark Knight pierced cleanly through the back of a Lizardman’s head.

As the Lizardman convulsed and let out a dying scream, Han Siwoo kicked its back, pulled out the sword, and readjusted his grip on the hilt.

“Chiek!”

The Lizardmen holding bows were thrown into great confusion by Han Siwoo’s surprise attack.

And just as they hurriedly drew their daggers—

Slash!

Han Siwoo cut down another Lizardman in an instant and widened the distance between them.

Excluding the two he had already defeated, three remained.

I should be able to deal with this many by myself in no time.

Han Siwoo glanced at the Dark Knight.

The Dark Knight was currently fighting a dozen or so Lizardmen, throwing them around and stomping them into the ground.

Han Siwoo turned his attention back to his own situation and tightened his grip on the sword.