3.

    Sekan Village.

    It was not a village with a pleasant atmosphere.

    Ever since the village elder, the village chief, passed away a year ago, the mood in the village had been like this.

    Though the people continued to live their lives diligently, the atmosphere had become somber.

    It was as if the whole village was in mourning.

    There were even NPCs who shunned players.@@@@

    If a player had arrived on time, perhaps the village chief would still be alive.

    There were NPCs who resented the players for that.

    This made the atmosphere even worse.

    Perhaps that’s why?

    Afterward, the number of players coming to the village had decreased.

    While they didn’t expect special treatment, no one played a game to be shunned.

    Some players came to Sekan Village, wondering if there might be a hidden piece lying there, but they always came up empty-handed.

    In contrast, one player arrived with an energetic step.

    “This is different from Persville.”

    It was Seong, who had just arrived in Sekan Village.

    The mood was still heavy, with some NPCs casting wary glances, but what did it matter?

    There was supposed to be a dungeon left by Hero Hindel here.

    Did that matter?

    With a positive mindset, he strolled along the road.

    Seong noticed a few things.

    “The atmosphere in the second village is definitely different.”

    It wasn’t just the NPCs'' demeanor that was different.

    The atmosphere of the players was quite distinct as well.

    In the first village, there were many inexperienced players.

    But in the second village, there was a more organized and refined air.

    Was it because they had adapted to the game?

    Seong didn’t mind, as he wasn’t playing in a party.

    “Now, I need to find the ghost of the village chief...”

    If the village chief had died from illness, they’d usually be near their house.

    If not, they’d be close to a place that held deep meaning to them in life.

    Of course, there were ghosts like Hindel''s former village chief, who roamed around, but that would make things difficult.

    However, Seong had a cheat-like method for this.

    It was simple!

    “Excuse me.”

    Oh my! To think I would be seen! You must be someone important to visit our village.

    Seong spoke to a ghostly woman nearby.

    And immediately.

    “Do you happen to know where the ghost of the village chief is?”

    Ah, you must be referring to the village chief! Of course, I know! She’s sitting on the bench in front of the village chief’s house, over there at the village square.

    “Thank you very much.”

    Asking another ghost directly made things easy.

    When he tried to find Hindel’s ghost, he hadn’t thought of this method, but upon reflection, ghosts would naturally know best where other ghosts were.

    Having learned the location of the former village chief''s ghost in Sekan Village, he immediately headed there.

    As described by the ghostly woman, he arrived at the large mansion that appeared to be the village chief’s house, situated in front of the village square.

    There, he saw an elderly ghost sitting on a bench in front of the mansion.

    It was the ghost of the village chief, who looked like a kind old woman.

    Her clothing was modest but distinctly vintage and regal, showing clearly that she was the village chief.

    She radiated a warm, gentle presence, embodying the stature of the village’s elder.

    As Seong approached, the village chief ghost greeted him with a warm smile.

    Greetings, hohoho. I never imagined I would speak with the living after my passing.

    “Nice to meet you.”

    What brings you here, my dear?

    “Well, I’m looking for a cave where the hero Hindel sealed a monster.”

    Hohoho, of course, I can tell you. Let me guide you.

    As the village chief ghost began to explain, Seong naturally absorbed her memories and experiences.

    He saw the memory of the cave she had discovered as a child, playing with her friends, and how they had found the sealed monster there. Instantly, he recognized the location.

    The elderly village chief ghost, Gwen, smiled as she watched Seong absorb the memory.

    As expected, you are indeed a distinguished person.

    [You have exceeded your current stats with ''Unknown Power''.] [Wisdom +5 permanently increased.]

    Having obtained the memories and experiences, Seong expressed his gratitude.

    “Thank you. I will head out now.”

    I wish you safe travels.

    With the blessing of Gwen, Seong immediately set off.

    “It’s not just Gwen’s death that’s causing this.”

    Looking at the dull atmosphere of the village, Seong couldn’t help but think.

    The atmosphere of Sekan Village felt unusually heavy.

    It couldn’t just be because Gwen, the great elder, had died.

    The living should carry on with life.

    Having obtained Gwen’s memories, Seong felt more strongly about this.

    The villagers had respected and followed Gwen.

    There was no reason they should be so hostile toward players.

    After all, Gwen didn’t die because of the players.

    So why was the village like this?

    The answer was simple.

    Kyaaaahhh!

    As the minion charged, Seong immediately jumped backward, avoiding the strike.

    He moved toward a direction with no stalactites or stalagmites.

    Poch!

    The beast’s mole-like hand struck the place Seong had just vacated.

    However, it only struck the cave floor.

    Boom!

    A thick smoke billowed up, and the ground where it had struck caved in.

    Seeing that, a chill ran down Seong''s spine.

    How could the specter wield such physical power?

    It was a terrifying attack, and if it landed even once, it would immediately incapacitate him.

    Watching the attack, Seong attempted to summon his legion of the dead with the Realm of the Dead.

    But then, he suddenly realized something.

    “Huh?”

    Shhaaaah!

    The Beast’s minion screeched, and their eyes met.

    At first, Seong thought it was a mistake.

    But no, the creature surrounded in turquoise light and emitting a sinister aura was indeed the Beast''s minion.

    And standing next to it, trembling in confusion, was another one—an undead that looked exactly the same, but with its legs pixelated and fragmented, as if it were falling apart.

    “Why are there two?”

    Seong couldn’t understand what was going on as he stared at the two of them.

    One had the monster’s name and level displayed above its head, while the other had no such marker—just like any ordinary ghost.

    The ghost of the Beast’s minion slapped its own specter and shouted.

    Oh no! What should I do, hitting the noble one like this! Please stop!

    Shhaaaah!

    I’m so sorry! I didn’t mean to cause trouble for the noble one!

    Kyaaahhh!!

    The ghost of Barfur''s minion kept apologizing, bowing deeply to Seong, while the Beast''s minion prepared to attack again.

    What was this?

    And just then, the Beast’s minion charged again.

    Swoooosh!

    With a ghostly speed, the minion’s movement was incredibly quick.

    Seong barely managed to predict its trajectory using his hunting experience from Apik and the memories of former guardsman Eddie, quickly dodging the attack.

    The Beast’s minion slammed the floor again, using the rebound to leap and charge toward Seong once more.

    In terms of battle instinct, the Beast''s minion was quite formidable.

    However, with the experiences of two ghosts at his disposal, Seong had the upper hand.

    Kicking off from a stalactite, Seong spun in the air, narrowly avoiding the attack from the Beast''s minion.

    Boom!

    The Beast''s minion slammed into the wall, and in that moment, Seong''s eyes gleamed.

    An instinctive pull.

    And then, recalling Helena''s memories, Seong glared at the Beast''s minion with eyes glowing turquoise.

    It became immediately clear to him.

    He understood his own abilities.

    And realized that the minion, too, was an undead.

    In other words...

    “The Aura of Death.”

    It was a perfect material.

    As the Aura of Death spread, a turquoise energy began to rise from Seong''s back, transforming into a turquoise heart, and once the heart began to beat, a mist of turquoise enveloped the surroundings.

    The Beast’s minion could not escape its influence.

    Kerrkk!

    The Beast''s minion seemed to struggle as it vomited something up, its mole-like mouth opening wide, and turquoise energy surged from it.

    And then, the message Seong had been waiting for appeared.

    [You can now use 『Legion of the Dead』.] [Would you like to raise the 『Legion of the Dead』?]

    At that moment, Seong, with his eyes glowing turquoise, shouted toward the ghost of Barfur''s minion, who had been watching.

    “Come.”

    Aaaahhh! Of course!

    The ghost of Barfur''s minion obediently followed Seong’s command and rushed toward the Beast’s minion.

    At that moment, turquoise energy radiated from Seong’s body.

    The light gathered in Seong''s hand and formed another heart. When this heart began to beat, the Beast''s minion and the ghost of Barfur''s minion merged into one, and both became engulfed in black darkness.

    At the same time, the heart in Seong''s hand began to beat, and the Beast''s minion and the ghost of Barfur''s minion bowed their heads together.

    I humbly bow before my new master, my god.

    [Using 『Unknown Power』, you have summoned an undead greater than yourself.] [The Beast’s minion has been brought under your control through 『Legion of the Dead』.] [You have recruited an undead higher in level than yourself! You gain the title 『Great Leadership』.] [You gain experience.] [Level Up] ×5 [Your additional stats have reached 100.] [You gain the title 『The Enduring』.] [!!Warning!!] [This undead has a higher level than you! It may refuse your commands!]

    “It might refuse my commands?”

    Seong, reading the message, looked back at the Beast''s minion.

    The creature, still bowing its head with its mole-like face, seemed ready to lick Seong’s shoes.

    Is this...?

    No way.

    He had just obtained the ghost, united with its soul.

    This was an unexpected gain.

    He leveled up, gained a title, and even received new abilities.

    But then...

    Hehehe, master. Over there, my physical form is still present! It may be difficult now, but storing it will be useful someday, won’t it?!

    The creature was spilling valuable information.

    To think there were still more benefits to gain here.

    “This is good.”