**[Lv. 5]**  
**[Lv. 6]**  
**[Lv. 5]**  
**[Lv. 4]**  

What’s a level? It’s the number that tells you whether someone is stronger or weaker than you—a ranking system for cowards who only go all out against the weak.  

Fortunately, even now in reality, levels were still visible.  

In *72 Dungeon Guides*, levels weren’t just a measure of strength; they also reflected a target’s emotional state.  

- **Red**: Hostile  
- **Green**: Friendly  
- **Orange**: Cautious  
- **Pink**: Affectionate  
- **Black**: Fear  

Currently, every level indicator I saw was black.  

---

For a brief second, we simply stared at each other. My body froze, and my mind raced.  

"I’m screwed."  

---

Levels 3–5 were standard for average adult NPCs. To a Level 44 Death Knight like me, they were weaker than insects.  

But their low levels weren’t the problem. The fact that I’d encountered humans at all was a catastrophe.  

And judging by their black levels, they were likely thinking the same thing about me.  

---

First, I needed to clear up the misunderstanding.  

"Hello! Please don’t be alarmed. I’m just a friendly—"  
"It’s a Death Knight!!"  
"AAAAH!!"  

---

Well, damn. Turns out this body isn’t great for diplomacy.  

My attempt at a reassuring gesture only caused them to panic even more. They shoved and tripped over each other, screaming as they fled down the narrow path.  

One of them fell, dragging himself backward on the ground, his wide eyes fixed on me. Honestly, I doubted they’d have reacted more violently if they’d seen an actual ghost.  

"Run! RUN!"  
"Don’t push! Move faster!"  

---

I needed to stop them and explain, but they were too busy running for their lives.  

"Wait! Please, listen to me!"  
"AAAAH!!"  
"It’s coming! IT’S COMING, RUN!!"  
"Mommy!"  

---

Their screams turned into wails. Realizing how my actions were only making things worse, I stopped.  

Soon, they were all gone, leaving me alone in silence.  

For some reason, I was reminded of that time back in school when I accidentally walked into the girls’ bathroom. The reactions were almost identical.  

---

"Now I just feel awful."  

It hadn’t even been an hour since I’d holed up here to hide, and I’d already been discovered.  

More than one person had seen me, and there was a nearby village. It wouldn’t take long for rumors to spread.  

"Can you believe it? There’s a Death Knight in that cave!"  

It was only a matter of time.  

---

"And I can’t even leave until nightfall..."  

I wanted to flee immediately, but it was still broad daylight.  

More than humans, the sunlight itself posed the bigger threat. I’d have to wait until night to make my escape.  

Surely a subjugation team wouldn’t arrive within the day, right?  

---

By the time the cave outside was shrouded in complete darkness, my fears had proven unnecessary.  

The sun had set, and no subjugation squad had shown up. A relieved sigh escaped me, though it carried the chilly air of a Death Knight.  

---

*Rustle.*  

Just as I was about to leave, the bushes outside rustled.  

Again? Seriously?  

It wasn’t the wind; I could sense the presence of something—or someone.  

And then, figures emerged from the bushes.  

---

An undead’s vision works perfectly in the dark. I could see them clearly.  

Not "it." *Them.*  

It hadn’t even been a minute since I let my guard down, and now this?  

Backing away from the entrance, I retreated deeper into the cave.  

But to my dismay, their footsteps followed me inside.  

It was clear—they were here for me.  

These weren’t the same people from earlier. Those guys were terrified. There’s no way they’d come back after what happened.  

---

"Please, pull yourself together, miss!"  
"I’m sorry, everyone... I think this is the end for me."  

---

The air was thick with the scent of blood.  

Ironically, undead creatures lack a sense of smell, but the scent of blood? That’s something even we can’t miss.  

The scene in the cave drew my attention. A dying woman lay surrounded by others who wept for her.  

At first, I thought they were humans.  

If not for their red eyes and fangs, I would’ve kept thinking that.  

---

**[Lv. 12]**  
**[Lv. 10]**  
**[Lv. 14]**  

Judging by their levels, they weren’t full-fledged vampires.  

A mature vampire would typically be Level 20 or higher.  

But these ones weren’t even close. They were probably a subspecies or an inferior type.  

---

"She doesn’t have much time left."  

The dying female vampire had lost all color in her face and lips.  

For a vampire, whose lips are typically a vivid crimson, this was a clear sign she was nearing the end.  

It was a pitiful sight, but there was nothing I could do.  

All I could do was watch their tragic scene unfold and wait until it was safe to leave.  

---

[The target has fulfilled the conditions for evolution.]  
[Evolve the vampire Isabella?]  

---

What?  

A status window appeared as I looked at the vampire.  

---

"Wait, this works like that?"  

Evolution Skill only activates when the target fulfills specific conditions.  

Three conditions, to be exact:  
1. The target must have high potential.  
2. The target must be in mortal danger.  
3. The mortal danger must stem from an act of self-sacrifice.  

If the first two conditions are met, there’s a 50% chance of success. With all three, it’s guaranteed.  

The third condition exists because only those willing to sacrifice themselves can become familiars for their summoners.  

---

Apparently, this woman had sacrificed herself for the others.  

---

I might be undead, but I still had a sense of compassion.  

Ignoring a chance to save her would make me no better than a soulless monster.  

No matter how cold my body had become, my heart was still warm.  

---

Before I realized it, my feet were already moving toward them.  

---

"Gasp!"  

As I stepped out of the shadows, seven pairs of red eyes locked onto me.  

---

"Interesting."  

Their levels were orange—cautious.  

So, they weren’t outright terrified of me. Probably because we were both monsters.  

If I played my cards right, I might even earn their trust.  

---

"Death Knight?"  

The vampire holding the dying woman suddenly stood, looking between her and me in horror.  

---

"A Death Knight here? Don’t tell me... Is this the Death Knight’s dungeon?"  

What nonsense.  

This wasn’t a dungeon, but they *had* intruded on my hideout. In a way, they were the trespassers here.  

---

"I beg your forgiveness, dungeon master. If my death will appease you, take my soul, but please, spare the others!"  
"No! You can’t do this, my lord! Take me instead!"  
"Oh great dungeon boss, these people are innocent. Please, accept my life as penance and spare theirs!"  

---

What the hell?  

I came to help, but this was just depressing.  

---

I suddenly remembered what I looked like in the reflection of the spring.  

...Yeah. With this face, I probably looked less like a knight in shining armor and more like the grim reaper riding a black steed.  

***

The village of Hoover was situated near the trade route connecting the merchant city and the free city.  

It served as a frequent stop for mercenaries, traders, and travelers, as well as a popular rest point for merchant caravans heading to the merchant city.  

For dungeon subjugation teams traveling to the free city, it was also an ideal place to rest and resupply.  

---

"So, you’re saying there’s a dungeon in the hills behind the village?"  
"I’m telling you, I almost died back there!"  

The tavern in Hoover was unusually rowdy that evening.  

Taverns were always loud, but today it was particularly chaotic thanks to an exploration team boasting about surviving a dungeon encounter.  

The idea of explorers surviving a dungeon—without being a subjugation team—was absurd at first.  

But as the explorers began recounting their story in vivid detail, the tavern’s patrons started to listen intently.  

---

"You’re supposed to be the leader of this exploration team, right? Is what they’re saying true?"  
"Of course, it’s true! Why would I go to all the trouble of making something like this up?"  
"Then give us the details."  

A voice from the back interrupted, prompting the exploration leader to turn around.  

His eyes twitched as he took in the sight.  

Six men stood there, all equipped with a mix of light and heavy armor. It was obvious they were an official subjugation team.  

Their leader, a middle-aged man, exuded the aura of a seasoned veteran.  

---

Over his quilted armor, he wore a reinforced breastplate.  

On his right hip hung a scabbard containing a two-handed sword, while his left side was adorned with numerous pouches.  

A dagger was strapped to his thigh, and the crossbow slung across his back was pristine, a clear sign it was well-maintained.  

---

"And who might you be?"  
"I’m Sergei, captain of the Billion Spear Subjugation Team."  
"Ser... Sergei?"  

As if to confirm his introduction, Sergei plopped into the vacant seat beside the exploration leader.  

Grabbing a mug of beer that had just been served, he took a long drink.  

The sheer intensity with which Sergei downed the beer was striking.  

The mug hit the table with a loud *clunk*, emptied in less than three seconds.  

Sergei tilted his chin toward the gaping exploration leader.  

"Now, tell me more about this dungeon."  

---

The exploration leader wasted no time explaining everything.  

Sergei’s expression remained stoic, but his interest sharpened when the story reached the part about the Death Knight.  

---

"You’re certain it’s a newly formed dungeon?"  
"Absolutely. The village’s herbalist said he was in and out of that cave just two days ago."  
"A Death Knight in a newly formed dungeon, huh..."  
"I’m not lying. If you don’t believe me, ask the others."  

When over a dozen people claim to have seen the same thing, it’s harder to dismiss.  

But it was still a baffling story.  

---

The undead are beings that defy the natural order of life and death.  

Among them, the Death Knight is a high-ranking entity.  

For a Death Knight to appear in a newly formed dungeon, and right at the entrance, no less, was unheard of.  

Death Knights typically served as sentinels or mid-bosses within dungeons.  

Seeing one in action was rare, especially outside the infamous 72 Dungeons.  

---

"Could it be...?"  

A thought suddenly struck Sergei—one tied to recent major news.  

---

The 72 Dungeons, humanity’s greatest nemesis, are divided into strict rankings.  

The top seven dungeons, known as the *Mugan Seven Palaces*, were untouchable, uncharted territories—never once fully cleared.  

That is, until a week ago.  

The lowest-ranked of the Mugan Seven Palaces was fully cleared by an imperial subjugation force.  

When a top-ranked dungeon disappears, its position isn’t simply filled by the dungeon ranked eighth.  

Instead, a new dungeon eventually forms to take its place, inheriting a similar level of power.  

---

"Jayden."  
"Yes, Captain."  
"How many of the 72 Dungeons were cleared as of last week?"  

As a subjugation team, they were well-informed about dungeon activity.  

The captain knew the answer, but he wanted confirmation.  

---

"Only one: the Shadow Abyss of Vango."  

The Shadow Abyss of Vango had been the lowest-ranked of the Mugan Seven Palaces.  

No other dungeon had been cleared since.  

A week was more than enough time for a new dungeon to emerge and claim that spot.  

---

A newly formed dungeon.  
A perfectly aligned timeline.  
A Death Knight appearing right at the entrance.  

---

There was only one answer.  

"The *Mugan Seven Palaces* has been renewed."