Revenant’s Throne: The Rise of the Undead King

[System Notice – Soul Archive Update]

[New Essence Recorded: Chained Behemoth (C+ Rank, Guardian-Type Monster)]

A cold wave of energy pulsed through Kyung-min's chest.

His vision blurred for an instant, flickering with fragmented images—memories that weren't his own.

A vast, ruined battlefield.

Chains, winding around massive limbs, their sigils burning bright.

A voice, not quite human, whispering a single word.

"Kneel."

Kyung-min gasped, his breath hitching as the vision snapped away, leaving only a lingering imprint in his mind. The Behemoth's final moments.

He glanced at the system message. His newest recorded soul.

🔹 [Death Echo – Available Skill Extracted: Ironclad Fortitude (C-Rank, Single-Use)]

His grip tightened.

This was different. Unlike borrowed weapons or potions, this ability had come from the dead. From something far stronger than him.

For now, he would keep this to himself.

8:31 AM – After the Behemoth's Fall

The smell of burning flesh lingered, thick and acrid.

The Chained Behemoth's corpse lay motionless, its massive limbs contorted in unnatural angles. Its once-bound chains now lay shattered, flickering with the last remnants of mana before crumbling into dust.

Kyung-min exhaled slowly, his pulse still uneven. The battle was over.

But already, the others were moving.

Ji-hye crouched near the Behemoth's wrist, prying loose a thick iron shackle from its ruined skin. The Guardian's Shackles gleamed faintly beneath the grime, intricate sigils still pulsing along the metal.

"Rare-grade armor," she muttered, testing its weight.

Tae-sik wiped sweat from his brow. "That's a solid drop."

Ji-hye turned, holding up the shackles. "Anyone need it?"

Do-yoon, catching his breath, glanced over. "Might help block a hit or two."

Seok-hoon, adjusting his sword, finally spoke.

"I'll take it."

No hesitation. No discussion.

Ji-hye simply tossed him the shackles. No one objected—Seok-hoon had landed the final blow.

Tae-sik exhaled but didn't argue. Kyung-min remained silent.

It didn't matter that his Spectral Insight had revealed the Behemoth's weakness.

It didn't matter that his illusions had created the opening.

They only saw who had drawn blood.

And Kyung-min had not.

8:38 AM – A Decision to Push Forward

The ruins stretched before them—collapsed highways, shattered buildings, and abandoned vehicles rusted with time.

The party moved cautiously, stepping over debris.

Kyung-min, as always, walked at the back.

They should have been heading back to the safe zone by now. Instead—

"We should farm a little more," Tae-sik suggested.

Do-yoon groaned. "You're serious?"

Ji-hye wiped the remaining blood from her blade. "We're already out here. Might as well make it worth it."

Seok-hoon adjusted the Guardian's Shackles on his wrist. "It won't take long."

Kyung-min said nothing.

Of course, no one asked for his opinion.

More fights meant more experience. More loot. More strength.

It was logical.

And yet—

A faint unease curled at the back of Kyung-min's mind.

They were pushing their luck.

8:51 AM – The Pack That Waited

The first growl reached them from the alley ahead.

Low. Rumbling. A warning.

The group froze.

From the shadows of a collapsed department store, three creatures emerged.

Twisted hounds, their bodies lean and scarred, ribs protruding beneath matted fur. Their eyes glowed red, locked onto the group with unnatural focus.

[Enemy Identified: Bloodfang Hounds (E+ Rank)]

"More stragglers," Ji-hye muttered, rolling her shoulders.

"Let's handle this quickly," Tae-sik said. "We're wasting daylight."

One of the hounds snarled—then lunged.

8:53 AM – A Battle of Fangs and Blades

The first hound struck like lightning.

Seok-hoon stepped forward, his blade igniting with mana.

[Skill Activated: Ember Crescent]

He swung upward, a curved arc of fire tearing through the hound's skull.

The monster collapsed instantly, its corpse still smoldering.

The second hound went for Tae-sik, lunging for his throat.

Tae-sik twisted mid-step, slamming his armored fist straight into the creature's ribs.

[Skill Activated: Crushing Palm]

The impact sent the hound hurtling into a broken streetlight, its spine snapping on impact.

The third hound, however—

Went for Kyung-min.

His heart seized.

The monster was already mid-air, jaws wide.

Kyung-min reacted on instinct.

He threw himself backward, raising his Dull Iron Dagger in desperation.

The hound's fangs ripped through his forearm, tearing his sleeve as pain flared through his nerves.

[-15 HP]

"Shit—!" Kyung-min gritted his teeth, his vision shaking.

The hound lunged again—

Kyung-min's fingers moved without thinking.

🔹 [Death Echo – Activated]

[Ironclad Fortitude – C-Rank (Single-Use) – Activated]

A sudden weight spread across his skin, as if invisible chains wrapped around him.

The hound's jaws snapped onto his shoulder—but instead of tearing through flesh, its fangs barely pierced his skin.

[-4 HP]

Kyung-min's eyes widened.

The damage had lessened significantly.

Ji-hye's blade flashed.

The hound collapsed.

A second of silence.

Then—

"…What the hell was that?"

Ji-hye's voice was casual, but her eyes weren't.

Kyung-min realized his mistake.

Even if the effect was subtle, Ji-hye had noticed something different.

She had noticed him.

Not suspicion—not yet.

But something.

Kyung-min forced himself to breathe normally.

He needed to be more careful.