CHAPTER 24

'Ah… items…'

I sighed once more and stretched a hand out toward the corpse.

Ding~!

You've found a "Gatekeeper's Necklace"

Would you like to acquire it?

You've found a "Castle Gate Key"

Would you like to acquire it?

You've found a "Cerberus' Molar" x3

Would you like to acquire it?

'Obtain all.'

Gatekeeper's Necklace

Rarity: A-rank

Type: Necklace

Agility +20, Sense +20

Cerberus' Molar

Rarity: None

Type: Junk

Castle Gate Key

Rarity: A-rank

Type: Key

It is the key to the Demon Castle's gates.

Obtained after killing the Gatekeeper.

'Increase agility and sense stats by twenty points?'

The necklace's stats were pretty good, fitting for an A-rank item.  But it wasn't something I didn't expect like hidden quests rewards. It was the highest-ranking equipment I had seen so far. Or should I say it doesn't have a rank so just like me it can rank up. 

So it's growth-type equipment. Something with too much value it's just that I can't use it and I don't think I will ever be able to use it. At least in this world. 

Anyway, let's not cry about something I can't control. 

'But makes sense after all it's a monster with too much health. 

If anything, I would've been mad if the rarity on it was low.  However, taking a closer look at the necklace, I hesitated.  A round gold band with soft-tipped spikes jutting around it, it was clearly a dog collar.

"Hmm…"

Having contemplated putting it on with closed eyes, I relented and moved it toward my neck.  A message appeared in response.

Ding~

Would you like to equip the "Gatekeeper's Necklace"?

There was no point in hesitating again.

"…Sure. by all means"

Then the necklace slowly disappeared from my hands.

The "Gatekeeper's Necklace" has been equipped.

"Huh?"

I quickly opened his stat screen.

Strength: 77

Constitution: 65

Agility: 88

Intelligence: 155

Sense: 85

Physical damage reduction: 25%

Magical damage reduction: 15%

Mana Consumption reduction: 16%

Power of Magic attacks increased: 13%

"Oh, whoa! Yeah, I forgot about the function. After all, it's been so long since I read the novel so minor details are forgotten. 

My agility and sense stats were raised by 20 points.  The necklace's stats had been applied to him. The necklace wasn't on my neck.  It means that equipping items through the System did not necessarily put them on him physically. I was relieved that I would not have to walk around wearing a dog collar.

'Next, the molars.'

I opened up the shop.  Each of the molars was sold for 150 thousand gold.  Having sold 3 molars, I had collected 450 thousand pieces of gold.

Current Gold: 787,362

'What kind of junk item is this expensive?'

My first fight had given me an idea of the difficulty of this Dungeon.  The Demon Castle would not be a pushover. But this was bad news to me, even worse than og.  Just taking down one monster gave me five times the amount of gold I had earned in my first Instant Dungeon.  At this rate, I would surely be able to afford some of the top-tier items from the System's shop.

And this wasn't only a source for me after all there is still the Angels Layer that is untouched by me...

I looked up at the tower on fire.

flare!

The top of the tower was obscured by a strange fog.  The only way to see what was on top would be to climb the tower from the inside.  I shook my head at the thought.

'No. It's too early for me.'

After all, even though I easily defeated the monster. It's all because he was sleeping and gave me enough time to cast the most damage on him. Had he been awake it would have taken me a long time to beat the Gatekeeper, and that was with the title buff. There was no knowing what waited beyond the gates. For now, it was time to retreat.

Still, one thing was for sure.

The Demon Castle Key was indeed something that I needed. The description of the Blessed Random Box was not wrong. Level-up, items, and even gold, all that I needed could be found in this place. Once he had the power, I would be able to obtain it all.

Just not today.

Regretfully, I put away the key back into the inventory. And I did the same with the bloody corpse of Cerberus'.

And after changing a new piece of clothing and cleaning all the blood that was on me...

"I'll be back"

I turned back with a smile on my face as I read the message that I got just after reaching level 40.

The 'Player' has reached a milestone level. 

A familiar message.

The milestone I was waiting for?'

My heartbeat raced to the point it was almost hurting.  just by thinking how fast I was claiming the levels as in og story Jinwoo still wouldn't have reached level 30 forget about 40.

And a big part of all thanks to the title skill "THE WAY OF THE SHAMBLU" modifying the system.

And my restlessness levels up in quick succession. 

I had to spend some mental effort to try and calm myself.

Ding~

The Class Advancement Quest has arrived. 

Would you like to accept? (Y/N)

'Class… Class Advancement Quest'

The thing I was waiting for. Up until now, I had focused on my level's stats and magic and waited presently for this screen to appear.   

BA DUM BA DUM

My heartbeat was roaring.  In the face of the opportunity to become Shadow Monarch, one of the greatest Necromancers in the whole multiverse... I could not calm myself.

Would you like to accept? (Y/N)

The "(Y/N)" kept blinking in front of my eyes.

But it wasn't the time for this as I had plans to at least spend ten hours in the quest and just like Jinwoo. Enter into the penalty zone and kill the Poisoned-Toothed Giant Desert Centipedes…

And to spend this much time in it I required the skill of 'Stealth'.

While I was lost in my own thoughts the night was still young so there was nobody on my way. 

As I decided to take a slow walk breathing the fresh air. 

'And then I will clear a few C-Rank dungeons at least reaching level 50 then I will clear the job quest. 

If I wasn't able to reach Lv50 I would still be clearing the job quest. 

On my way, I came across a typical robber trying to rob some late-night workers. I looked at it indifferently as I pulled up my hoodie to cover my face and intended to walk away. I wasn't in the mood of saving nor the situation looked bad enough for me to interfere with it. And he wasn't a girl. If he was, I could have changed my mind. 

I didn't want to get cops on my tail. but before I could leave, I heard the man calling me out.

"Hey! You! The shorty in the hoodie!! Stay where you are and give all your money or else, I'll kill you both and take from your corpse!!" the robber yelled out as he pulled out his gun and aimed it at me.

Currently, I'm still not in my prime. Plus the night and distance made my height look shorter than normal, I looked at the robber and slowly came forward with my hands in my pockets.

Once I reached him he had a shocked look as I was still longer than him.

"Why… I want to know your reason for doing something like this?" I curiously asked as I knew that everyone has their reasoning so didn't want to judge. Maybe he had some family issues or money issues.

Which was highly unlikely as looking at this close I can clearly see there were dark circles under his eyes there were many needle marks all over his hands. These marks or scars which form on your skin after you inject a drug. And with so many I am sure he is abusing it. And I am sure whatever he's taking it's some kind of magical shit. As I said before everything comes with its positives and negatives. ups and downs.

And now he had pulled me into this I wanted to do a few experiments.

One of them would the system still issues emergency quests even if the one who had the intention to kill me isn't strong enough to kill me. 

"Huh?" Both the robber and the guy being robbed looked at me in confusion.

"Why! Hahahahaha! You know what! I'll divulge the curiosity of you, dead men! No f*cking reason at all, I simply like the feeling of killing! And today in this hypocritical society, even if I was caught, they'll just lock me up until I find to escape again Hahahahaha!!" The robber replied mockingly as he aimed his gun at my head.

"S-s-stay c-c-calm y-y-young man, I'm sure the cops or hunters will save us any moment," The scared guy being robbed stuttered out an encouragement.

"Huh!? Who are you giving hopes, cops you say!? Hahahaha don't make me laugh! Those p*ssies only patrol public areas, and no hunter will come to save some nobody. Especially not like these parts of the city on this dark night!! Those so-called 'hunters' you trust so much only appear when a camera and a crowd is watching them!" The robber commented as the guy he was robbing turned pale white in fear.

"'Hunters' today are all just a bunch of attention wh*res that only care about their popularity and their paychecks. Anyone who's Awaken is evil in my view, and I've unconditionally been a villain in their eyes. Whether they are a woman or a child no one is an exemption to this and if you are categorized as a human, then that is even worse! Those who awaken whether they were E-rank or S-rank ones will discriminate against them because most of them won't even finish their education due to discrimination and bullying!" The robber continued as I started to close into him.

"The society today is just one giant f*cking children's TV show! And the biggest kicker today is our so-called monster, bloody hunters, and bad guys! We can kill, r***, torture, arson, or even rob anyone and when we get caught, we face huge punishments death sentences. But if this was done by even a C-rank hunter they just lock them up until the media forget it. Even the media and politicians are in their pockets. And if they are part of some big guild or are relative to some big shot they directly get free passes. 

This is an unmistakable cycle of society now!! hahaha!!" The robber preached to the trembling guy he was robbed while I was getting closer.

"That's why! I can f*cking do this without caring about shit!" The robber exclaimed as he suddenly aimed the gun at my head and fired a shot.

*POW!!*

With how I perceived the world I clearly saw the bullet coming towards me. In fact, the Bullet felt so slow to me that bullet traveling speed felt like ant speed to me.

"Headshot! Hahahaha!!" The robber laughed hysterically as I fell down on my back and waited for the notification. while the other guy was more scared than before.

"Y-y-y-you're n-n-not g-g-gonna l-l-let u-u-us g-g-go a-a-after a-all, d-d-didn't y-you?" The guy hesitantly asked.

"Hahaha! Ding-ding!! You finally get it hah!" The robber replied with a crazy sadistic smile.

"N-n-nooooo!!! P-p-pleeasssse!!! I HAVE A FAMILY WAITING FOR ME!!!"

"Hahaha don't worry, after this! I'll make sure to visit them too!! Hahaha!" The robber commented maniacally as the guy started to cry in despair but before the robber could pull the trigger they both heard a sound from the fallen form of me.

After waiting for the notification, It was a commonly known fact that even a D- rank couldn't be killed by simple bullets.

"I see… I thought you, kid, had been dealt a bad hand by fate but now it's clear… it's this society's fault… you people no you animals deserve no jail, what you even know if being a hunter. Do you even have the guts to stand in front of a monster who is ready to tear you apart just after a single glance? 

What do you even know about being a hunter?

In your lifetimes has anyone ever asked you for help? Has anyone ever said thank you? Have ever saved a life? Can you even imagine that kind of love?

No, you don't care about society and its people

you don't care about anything beyond yourself

beyond the monster who kills without cause."

I said as I slowly stood up and took out my dagger from his inventory.

In front of my eyes, an emergency 'do or die mission' has been brought to my eyes. It forces me to kill the one who shows killing intent toward him. That's why it's called a 'do or die mission'.

But proves that first I need to receive an attack for emergency quests to be issued. And I could receive against anyone who tried to kill no matter how capable of killing me...

The appearance of a big dagger drew their attention as the robber was sure he shot me in the head but there wasn't even a scratch on my forehead. 

No blood dripping he can't fathom why I am not dead and now brought out a dagger out of nowhere.

"Don't come closer 'hunter'!! You take another step and this guy's brains will be all over this wall!!" The robber defensively took the guy as a hostage and aimed his gun at the head.

"Hiiii!!"

I didn't say anything else as my deadly-grey eyes glowed looking at the unnerved robber like a dead man walking then I suddenly disappeared from their view.

They both looked around trying to find me but then the robber noticed me behind him like a ghost. 

Purely on reflex, he turned and tried to aim at me, but before he could fully turn at me, the robber's hand, along with his gun, flew in the air.

*Thud* *Clatter*

It took the robber and his hostage a moment to realize what just happened and even longer for the robber's mind to register the pain. As the hostage broke free and hid behind me while the robber kneeled and screamed in agony.

"Ahhhhh!!! MY HAND!! MY HAND, YOU F*CKER!! IT HURTS!!"

I didn't say anything as I approached the screaming robber who was hurriedly backing away in fright from him.

"O-okay, o-okay Hunter, you win, you should just call the police on me now, I p-promise I'll stay here-H-hey I told you, I SURRENDER ALREADY NOW, DON'T F*CKING COME NEAR ME!" The robber hysterically said as I took one step forward he took two steps backward. This continues until he hits the wall...

His hostage had already called it in but he realizes that I hadn't stopped at all and was still approaching the robber until I was only an arm's length from him.

A tense atmosphere is felt by the robber and the other guy as I look at the robber.

"You know... I must thank you… because of you, I know what I must do… I am not responsible for anyone nor do I have any duty to save them. What I do is put all that matters. There is no reason for me to fight, other than fighting for myself I don't need to save everyone nor I am obliged to do it. and with the information you've said, I have thought of something… what are hunters other than monsters themselves?" I commented slowly much to the fear and shock of both the robber and the other guy.

"W-w-wait!! That's against the law!!" The robber ironically yelled fearfully.

"I know… I remember a quote, 'The only ones who should kill, are those who are prepared to be killed' but have you ever heard "MONSTERS AREN'T THE ONLY 'MONSTERS'? HUNTERS THAT FIGHT MONSTERS ARE ALSO 'MONSTERS'." and now… it's your turn to see one," I said calmly as I spun my blade professionally.

"N-n-noo-" The robber couldn't complete his scream before I beheaded him in one strike much to the shock and fear of the other guy.

I spun my dagger to get rid of the blood from it and placed it back in his inventory.

[Ding!

Due to your cold-blooded nature while taking a life without remorse and the of title skill "The Way Of The Shamblu" you have gained a Trait. 

[[Remorseless

Cold, Calculating, Ruthless.

You don't care what you have to do if it means you achieve your goals]

Reading the  window this was again an unknown variable I wasn't aware of.]

But when this window popped up I was aware that I had lost something that my little self dearly held on to. 

I felt some deep changes were happening within me.

I Feel Like Something Within Me Is Lost with this Trait.

The bits of humanity that my psychic was desperately trying to hold on to now are gone. 

'But again, I can't bring myself to regret this. As I knew "If I don't kill, I will be killed. I can't run away anymore."

So naturally I would do it again…

I was looking at the corpse for a few seconds. I knew now there was no going back to this before today my mind could always deviate/convince itself by saying I was forced to do it, or I had no choice. 

But now I had all the choices, all the options in front of me. But I still to kill him. And now with my Remorseless brain, I find this most effective way. 

Even if people are being hurt in front of you, those who take up weapons unhesitatingly to take down the bad guys are villains. And I am no better than them.

Not considering others' thoughts, not giving them a chance to change their ways. the one that kills for their own reasons is definitely not a good person.

I have no interest in being a villain, and I don't think that I can become a good person. I'm at a halfway point where I'm not even sure which path I should walk down.

As I turned around I looked at the trembling man.

But I guess even there, I can still interfere in someone's life and help bring things to a positive conclusion…'

After looking at the corpse for a few more seconds I sat down on my knees. And touched the corpse. 'Now it was time to commence one more experiment.'

"Drain Life"

Ding!

Drain Life

Level: 1

Rank: Divine (L++)

Skill Type: Active 

Mana Cost: None

AOE: Single Target 

Cool Down: None

Damage: Drains 50 HP and MP per second from the target and gives it to the second target.

Effect: Drains 50 HP and MP per second from target and provides a permanent increase of 2 HP and MP to the player stat.

Conditions: The target must be dead for the skill to take its effects. 

This skill must be used within one hour of the target's death.  skills will not work after one hour.

The player must always be in contact with any part of the target's dead body for this skill to work.

The skill will get better with leveling up and new abilities could be unlocked upon level-up.] 

I had to say this was a great skill that I got after I completed the third day's secret quest but I never got the chance to use it.. as I didn't know if I used this skill I would still be able to use shadow extraction. 

But now he was the perfect target for me...

As the skill took its effects I didn't feel anything different in me but the corpse started to wither away. , it's rotted his clothes and the skin beneath them,

[Mana Stat Has Permanently Increased By 2

Health Stat Has Permanently Increased By 2

Mana Stat Has Permanently Increased By 2

Health Stat Has Permanently Increased By 2

Skill 'Drain Life' has stopped working due lack of mana in the target's body.]

'Interesting, very interesting, so skill would stop working if the body doesn't have any mana or health left in it.'

I thought as I looked down now what remained of his former self was a husk of fully rotten flesh and bones. 

I turned around and looked at the neck and saw his head was just like his body turned into a husk. 

So taking the notes I got up and stored the dead body in the inventory there were still a few experiments that I wanted to do with this body. 

After getting up I didn't spare a glance towards the other guy as I made my way back home. I didn't care about the guy reporting my face as even though he was shot earlier, my hoodie was still on my head covering my face.

Plus the dark night if I can see clearly doesn't mean everyone can see clearly. My eyes now have become something of a night vision. 

Due to my improved physique, I didn't feel anything while taking that shot. In fact, the bullet just bounced off my forehead all Superman-style. 

As I was halfway home, I finally heard police sirens but it didn't bother me so I continued on my way.

So which one should I add to Heram

Akame

Or

Esdeath

Or

Both, 🤯 you know what I 😏 mean?...

Please Vote

So are you liking the story?

And write some comments, please

Fun Fact.

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So are you liking the story?

And write some comments, please

Fun Fact.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

GIVE ME POWER STONE AND I WILL GIVE YOU A CHAPTER TOMORROW...

That's it, folks, please comment and give some power stones

please join my discord server for Fiction knowledge, and to be a part of a great community...

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Please share

✌️Peace✌️