My Afterlife System!

Jihwan stepped deeper into Death's Mansion, his senses on high alert as the air thickened with an unnatural presence. Shadows twisted unnaturally, writhing like living things.

Then, he felt it—a cold, creeping sensation crawling up his spine.

Something's here.

No. Not just something.

Many things.

A sharp scrape echoed through the darkness. Then another. And another.

Faint, glowing eyes flickered open—one by one—until dozens surrounded him.

A horde of creatures emerged.

Their grotesque bodies slithered and crawled forward—thirty in total. Some had unnaturally elongated limbs. Others had jagged maws brimming with needle-like teeth.

Jihwan tightened his grip on his Cursed Dagger.

The first shadow beast lunged.

He sidestepped, his dagger flashing—clean, precise. The creature crumpled, but the others pressed forward.

More rushed in. Jihwan twisted, weaving through them, his blade cutting through flesh and bone.

One. Two. Five. Eight.

The bodies piled up, but his stamina drained fast.

Damn it… They just keep coming.

Then—

A low, guttural growl rumbled from the depths of the mansion.

The horde froze.

Jihwan turned sharply.

And then—

It appeared.

A massive, wolf-like figure prowled forward, its form shifting like swirling darkness. Its crimson eyes burned with cold, predatory hunger.

> [Stage 1: The Hound of Darkness has appeared!]

Jihwan's grip on his dagger tightened.

That thing… It's different.

The hound bared its fangs—

And vanished.

His instincts screamed.

Jihwan leaped to the side—

SWOOSH!

A blur of darkness tore through the space where he'd just stood.

The hound materialized inches away.

Claws lashed out—

He barely raised his Cursed Rusted Shield in time.

CLANG!

The impact rattled his arms, nearly knocking him off balance. The hound's strength was overwhelming.

One hit could kill me.

His mind raced. He needed a plan—fast.

Then—an opening.

Jihwan activated Shadow Walk.

His body flickered—blending into the darkness.

The hound snarled, momentarily losing sight of him.

Jihwan moved.

Silent. Swift.

He reappeared behind the beast—his dagger glowing with cursed energy.

Silent Throw.

With a flick of his wrist—

SHNK!

The dagger buried deep into the hound's throat.

It let out a strangled growl, thrashing wildly.

Jihwan didn't hesitate.

He dashed forward—gripping his dagger—twisting, slashing deeper.

[Critical Hit!]

The Hound of Darkness howled—then collapsed into a pool of shadows.

Silence.

Then—

[You have gained 120 XP.]

[XP: 180/200.]

Jihwan exhaled sharply. His body throbbed, exhaustion weighing on him.

But the system wasn't finished.

[You have gained a new skill – Silent Throw.]

Effect: Allows the user to throw weapons without making a sound, increasing critical hit chance.

[You have gained a new skill – Shadow Walk.]

Effect: Allows the user to blend into shadows for a short duration, increasing evasion and stealth.

[You have obtained 25 DP.]

Jihwan steadied his breathing, wiping sweat from his brow.

His health was low. His stamina nearly drained.

But there was no time to rest.

Because ahead of him—

The true battle was only beginning.

The moment Jihwan stepped deeper into Death's Mansion, the darkness deepened, pressing in from all sides. The air reeked of decay, thick and suffocating, and the temperature plummeted as if the mansion itself rejected the living.

A system message flickered before him.

> [You have entered Stage 2 of the Trial.]

[Warning: Visibility severely reduced. Presence of a high-tier entity detected.]

Jihwan exhaled slowly.

"Great. Another ominous warning. Why am I not surprised?"

Even with his heightened senses, the world remained a void. The shadows stretched endlessly, swallowing everything.

Then—

GRAAAAHH!

A monstrous growl tore through the silence, vibrating through the walls.

Jihwan stepped back, heart pounding, as several pairs of glowing red eyes flickered open, surrounding him.

> [Enemies detected: Abyssal Hounds (Elite)]

[Number: 5]

Jihwan's jaw tightened.

"So this is what replaced the Hound of Darkness. Figures it wouldn't be that easy."

The Abyssal Hounds moved without a sound, their black fur devouring what little light remained. Their razor-sharp claws gleamed faintly—a promise of death.

Then—

WHOOSH!

A shadow lunged.

Jihwan twisted, barely dodging—

Pain flared as claws scraped across his arm.

> [HP: 78/120]

"Tch, fast!"

Another hound struck from behind.

Jihwan raised his Cursed Rusted Shield—

CLANG!

The impact sent shockwaves up his arm, nearly throwing him off balance.

They're not just fast. They're strong.

He clenched his dagger.

Blind combat was a death sentence.

> [Activating skill: Cursed Watcher]

[Duration: 30 minutes]

The world shifted.

Ghostly purple outlines flickered into view, revealing the Abyssal Hounds. It wasn't perfect vision, but it was enough.

"Now we're talking."

The hounds stilled, sensing the shift.

Jihwan smirked.

> [Silent Throw!]

His dagger shot forward.

The hound dodged—

No.

It thought it dodged.

> [Shadow Walk effect activated! Silent Throw power doubled.]

The dagger twisted midair—correcting its path.

SHNK!

The blade buried deep into the hound's skull.

> [Abyssal Hound (Elite) defeated!]

[+40 XP]

Jihwan's fingers found another dagger, grip tightening.

"Four more to go."

The remaining hounds snarled, moving with renewed aggression.

One lunged for his throat—

Jihwan ducked, sliding beneath it, and slashed upward—

SLASH!

Blood splattered as his Cursed Edge carved through its underbelly.

The hound collapsed, writhing in agony.

> [Abyssal Hound (Elite) defeated!]

[+40 XP]

But there was no time to celebrate.

The remaining hounds struck all at once.

Jihwan braced—

BAM!

The impact sent him skidding backward.

> [HP: 50/120]

"Damn it! They're overwhelming me!"

He couldn't stay defensive. He had to end this.

Jihwan exhaled sharply.

His grip tightened around his dagger as he prepared his next move.

The battle was far from over.