Han Joon wiped the crushed skeleton dust off his arms, breathing shakily. The dungeon felt darker than usual—like the shadows were waiting for him to slip.
But he couldn't stop now.
He glanced at his trembling goblin hands.
"I need to evolve… If I do it fast, maybe I'll unlock something important."
He forced himself up and started walking deeper into the dungeon tunnels.
The First Fight — Cave Slime
A wet puddle shifted ahead.
SCHLURP.
A blue goo rose from the ground, forming a wobbling dome with a single hole for a mouth. A Cave Slime.
Han Joon swallowed.
Okay… these things dissolve bones… but they're slow…
It slithered toward him, leaving sizzling trails on the stone. He darted to the side, stabbing into the slime's body.
But the blade stuck.
"Crap—!"
The slime tightened around the blade, pulling him closer. Acid stung his hands as he tried to free the weapon.
He let go—jumped back—and grabbed a fallen stalactite shard instead.
"Try this!"
He swung.The shard pierced the slime's core—a small glowing crystal.
CRUNCH.
The creature burst apart, splashing acid everywhere.
Han Joon dove behind a rock to avoid the spray.
His breathing steadied.
"Okay… one down."
Second Fight — Dungeon Bat
A screech echoed from above.
Han Joon's head snapped up as a Dungeon Bat swooped from the ceiling, wings wide, fangs glinting.
"OH COME ON—!"
The bat dive-bombed him. Han Joon dropped flat as its claws sliced inches above his skull. He rolled, scooped up his knife, and slashed upward as it passed.
A shallow cut.
The bat shrieked, circling back.
It's fast… but predictable… come on… just a little closer…
The bat screamed again and dived. Han Joon sprinted toward it—then slid on the stone at the last second, skidding under it.He stabbed up.
Pierce.
Poison spread instantly.The bat convulsed midflight, slammed into a wall, and fell still.
Han Joon panted, wiping blood off his cheek.
"Still alive… good."
Third Fight — Wolfkin Cub
He kept moving, slower and quieter.
Then—
GRRRRRR.
A low growl from behind him.A Wolfkin Cub, fur black as coal, eyes glowing red.
It bounded toward him, jaws open.Han Joon barely rolled as it snapped where his face had been.
Fast, strong… but small…
He let it charge again.This time he Camo'd—half-visible, flickering like heat haze.
The cub lunged at where he was—
—right as Han Joon stepped aside and slashed its hind leg.
The cub stumbled.
Han Joon didn't hesitate.He leaped onto its back and stabbed repeatedly—
The poison took effect, slowing the beast.
Finally—the cub collapsed.
Han Joon slid off, gasping for air.
"That… was too close…"
His body ached.He was running out of stamina.Every breath burned.
But he kept going.
Two days later…
Han Joon sat by a fire he built from broken torches, roasting another Camo Snake he had barely managed to ambush.
His hands shook as he ate.
His eyes drooped.
His entire body hurt.
But he smiled weakly, exhausted beyond measure:
"…Two whole days… and I finally gathered enough EXP…"
He opened his system.
The golden panel appeared.
SYSTEM:
[Evolution Available]Would you like to evolve?
He exhaled.
"…Yeah. Do it."
He confirmed.
Evolution Pain
Pain stabbed into him instantly—not in the skin,not in the muscles,but deep within the bone marrow itself.
His skeleton writhed.His tendons stretched like molten wire.His muscles thickened and twisted around new shapes.
"AAAAAAGH—!!"
His fingers elongated, nails turning into hooked claws.His jaw opened wider than it should, teeth sharpening into points.
His vision went white.
His consciousness slipped.
The world vanished.
Awakening
Han Joon gasped and sat upright.
The torches on the wall flickered.
Everything looked… clearer.Sharpened.Brighter.
He pushed himself up—
—and realized he was almost twice as tall as before.
His limbs were long, lean, and rippling with abnormal strength.His fingers ended in black, curved claws.His skin was a pale grayish-blue, tight against powerful muscles.
His breathing sounded deeper, heavier.
"…I'm… a Ghoul?"
He flexed one hand.The air rippled around his fingers.
His speed… his strength… his senses…all of them felt inhuman.
Before he could process it—
A chime reverberated through the dungeon.
SYSTEM:
Upgrading System… Please wait…
Han Joon blinked, confused.
"What? Why—"
DING!
A massive new window unfolded above him.
NEW SYSTEM FEATURE ADDED:『SKILL TREES』
Branches extended outward like constellations:
• Ghoul Instincts Tree• Mutation & Poison Tree• Combat Technique Tree• Shadow Adaptation Tree• Godhood Path (LOCKED)
Han Joon stared, heart pounding.
"…This—this changes everything."
He wasn't just a goblin anymore.
He was evolving into something that could survive.Something that could grow.Something that could climb to godhood—
—just like the system promised.