Chapter 99. An Ownerless Room (3)
Every office worker seemed to go through chiropractic at least once. In fact, Eun-Ho had received intensive sessions when he was undergoing rehabilitation.
“Oh! My bones... They feel so light!”
“Captain, you’re the best!”
He was now realigning the bones of his Skeleton Soldiers. The Chiropractor of Death was what he had become.
[Bone Customization is now in effect!]
The title sounded utterly bizarre, but the results were undeniable.
Movement speed, fatigue recovery, and defense all increased by ten percent.
It was a perfect chance to draw out their full potential. It wasn’t a flat increase of ten points or a hundred points, but by percentage. That meant the stronger they grew, the more valuable that ten percent boost would become.
“The last one is Number 10, right?” Eun-Ho asked.
“Yes, sir! Please... Quickly!” came the eager reply.
He sent the Skeleton Soldiers marching off, as if their exhaustion had never existed. Then, he firmly placed his hands on the last one’s shoulders.
[You are now customizing the bones of Skeleton Soldier Number 10.]
As the glowing system message floated before his eyes, Eun-Ho slipped his hand between the Skeleton Soldier’s ribs.
Crack, crack, crack!
He adjusted the spacing and balance of ribs one through twelve.
Then, a message rang out in response.
[Customization in progress... 25%, 26%.]
“Guuuhk...! Is it done yet, Captain?!” Skeleton Soldier Number 10 groaned.
“Not even close,” Eun-Ho said.
He pulled out the skull, polished the cervical spine, and snapped the bones back into place.
“Ugh!”
Next, he wrenched the Skeleton Soldier’s arm high into the air, bent it backwards, twisted it out of the socket, and then forced it back in properly.
[Customization in progress... 49%, 50%.]
Crack!
[Customization in progress... 71%, 72%.]
By the time he had finished reconstructing the shoulders, the neck, the spine, the waist, and finally the legs, the sound of bones shifting was suddenly joined by something foreign.
Crack!
Snap!
Craaaaack!
Hmm? What was that?
With a sound of a thick liquid drop, a stench of rot filled the cavern.
Slither—clack!
Rustle! Slither—clack!
A massive, dark-green creature shoved its bulk into the cavern, dragging itself across the ground. There it was. The same creature that he had lured into a trap last time, by coating a spear tip with poison and laying it in ambush.
[Defeat the Super Mealworm!]
The monstrous worm, as large as a freight truck, exhaled a nauseating stench.
Thud!
“Captain!” one of the Skeleton Soldiers cried.
[The squad has sensed danger.]
[The Skeleton Soldiers await your orders!]
This time, only one Mealworm had entered the cave. The last battle had been against an entire swarm, which had forced him to rely on tricks and strategy. However, there was no need for that this time.
Eun-Ho prepared to act before the monster could slam into them. “Summon.”
However, the next moment, he froze.
“Captain! Your command...!”
“Should we charge?!”
The confidence blazing in their hollow sockets had made him pause.
“Just on your own?” he asked.
“Yes, sir! We can do this!”
Their empty skulls shone with a fierce glow. They burned with a determination strong enough to challenge the grotesque, bloated beast, crammed to bursting with eggs. It wasn’t arrogance, pride, or some shallow desire to show off their strength.
[The Skeleton Soldiers wish to prove themselves!]
Created as mere tools of experiment, yet even they longed to prove their worth.
In that case, I won’t step forward.
“Battle formation!” Eun-Ho commanded.
Clatter!
Instead, he was ready to guide them.
“Numbers one through five, take the left! Six through ten, flank right! Attack as one. Understood?”
“Yes, sir!”
He was ready to clear the path so they could display their full strength.
“You guys have grown stronger than before, haven’t you?”
Clatter!
“Then show me that you can do it.”
“Captain!”
[Your Leadership(Lv. 2) skill stirs the hearts of the Skeleton Soldiers.]
“Charge forward!” Eun-Ho roared.
Clatterrrrr!
“Left!”
“Right!”
The unit split in two, rushing ahead.
Thud! Thump! Thump! Thump!
Their feet struck the cavern floor. Though their steps were rough and uneven, they charged without hesitation. Even as he watched them from behind, Eun-Ho could feel the gravity of their resolve.
Thud!
The Mealworm hurled forward as a Skeleton Soldier charged at its flank.
[You have acquired the Super Mealworm’s Chitin Breastplate.]
Its armored shell, strong enough to be forged into a cuirass, crashed against the Skeleton Soldier. The monster was heavy enough to swallow bones whole in a single gulp.
Clatterrrr!
Number 4 shuddered violently from the impact, its elbow joints rattling first.
“Number 4! Fall back!” Eun-Ho shouted.
“Guugh...!”
Man... At this rate, its bones will scatter across the cavern floor, Eun-Ho thought.
The Skeleton Soldier seemed like children’s toy blocks being smashed apart by a heavy hammer, yet it endured.
“Guugh! Kuh...”
Its arm bone cracked, its ribs shifted out of place, but still it held its ground. For a moment, Eun-Ho saw his own battered self reflected in that stubborn figure.
“You’re doing great!” Eun-Ho shouted before he realized it. “Fight as much as you want. Even if your bones shatter, I’ll carve replacements out of stone if I have to.”
Skeleton Soldier Number 4 trembled greatly—not just from the Mealworm’s impact, but from something deeper.
“Understood sir!”
Crunch!
The monster’s strike knocked its shoulder bone loose, but it darted forward, snatched it up, and brandished the severed arm as a weapon, continuing the fight.
Clatter! Clatterr!
The sight must have stirred something in the others, for one by one, their empty sockets blazed brighter.
“There’s soft flesh between the chitin plates! Aim there! It’ll pierce!”
“Between the plates!”
“Focus our strikes!”
Number 3 seized Number 4’s rattling frame, pulling it back just enough to open a gap. Then, it unleashed a flurry of sword strikes into said opening.
Clang! Clank!
The Skeleton Soldiers’ worn and battered blades hacked at the massive Mealworm. Most blows glanced off its shell, skittering harmlessly away, but they didn’t falter. Again and again they stabbed, crashed, and stabbed once more, until at last the Mealworm’s innards burst open.
Splaaaash!
Foul fluids erupted, drenching the Skeleton Soldiers from head to toe. The stench, like rotting food in the summer heat, filled the cavern. However, instead of recoiling, they cheered.
“Uwooooh!”
“Grrrrrrk!”
[Congratulations!]
[Your squad has defeated the Super Mealworm!]
[Your Leadership(Lv. 2) skill proficiency has improved by one percent.]
“I-it’s dead!”
“Uooooh!”
For Skeleton Soldiers who once relied on self-destruct and bone-bomb tactics, fighting head-on with swords likely was no easy feat.
Pride welled up in Eun-Ho’s chest, and he said quietly, “Well done.”
“It’s all thanks to you, Captain!”
[Their loyalty has reached its maximum value.]
[The Skeleton Soldiers squad has dedicated all achievements to their Commander!]
2. Eliminate Moving Enemies (19/50)
2. Eliminate Moving Enemies (20/50)
His personal record, which had remained stagnant, suddenly rose.
Wait, what?
***
The hunt had begun. Thanks to the Skeleton Soldiers who had no physical limitations, the battles continued without pause.
“Numbers One, Two, and Three, take the left stalk! Numbers Four, Five, and Six, go center! Seven, Eight, and Nine, take the right! And Number Ten, stay behind me!” Eun-Ho commanded.
“Yes, sir...!”
Whooosh—! Thud! Thud! Thud!
“Gaaaah!”
A massive green stalk slammed into the Skeleton Soldiers. Even with the ten-percent defense buff, Number Nine scattered into pieces with a harsh clatter.
If not for that buff, it would’ve been completely obliterated, Eun-Ho thought.
They were weak as their running speed was sluggish. Their strength was pitiful and their attacks barely worth the name. Even Ji-Eun, Jae-Hyuk or perhaps even Yeo-Jin would outmatch them.
Yet, their recklessness refused to dodge even if it meant shattering bones.
“I... can still... move!” Number 9 rasped.
They had blind, almost foolish faith in their commander, as well as persistence in raising swords despite their hollow, broken frames.
Clatter! Crunch—! Swoosh!
[You have defeated Drosera!]
[Your Leadership(Lv. 2) skill proficiency has improved by one percent.]
[Five hours have elapsed since class began!]
If it’s five hours here, that’s five minutes outside, Eun-Ho calculated.
Even counting the time spent in the lab, there were still two hours and forty minutes left until midnight outside.
Which is a hundred and sixty hours in this world. Nearly a full week.
[Your new perks of Resurrection have been activated.]
[Complete regeneration has drastically increased recovery speed.]
[Fatigue accumulation is nearly negligible.]
Thanks to that Resurrection perk, Eun-Ho now had time in its purest form—time unbroken by hunger or sleep.
Let’s return by eleven. Who knows what might happen.
Once he finished his calculations, he led his Skeleton Soldiers into the hive of Giant Hornets.
Bzzzzz!
The droning roar of thousands of wings thundered like propellers, rattling not only him but the very ground beneath them.
[Defeat the Giant Hornet!]
“H-Hornet swarm!” one skeleton stammered.
“Stay calm. Just move slowly,” Eun-Ho said firmly.
“Y-yes, sir!”
They could do this. This time, they had both numbers and time on their side.
Tap!
They advanced cautiously, but the monsters’ wings fluttered too fast for the naked eye to follow.
Bzzzzzzt!
The deafening wingbeats stirred up storms, blasting gusts strong enough to push them backward.
Bzzz! Bzzzzzt!
Perhaps sensing their faint presence, several of the Giant Hornets standing guard turned toward the intruders.
One. Two. Three. There are three enemies in total, Eun-Ho thought.
“S-should we split into three squads, Captain?” Number 1 asked.
It clearly wanted to try handling them on its own, even planning to draw one Hornet each by splitting up.
“I’m impressed by your ideas," Eun-Ho said. “But it’s too early.”
Compared to the carnivorous plants, the Giant Hornets were on another level. He had felt that difference keenly when fleeing with the Royal Honey.
Even with his Acceleration skill, he had barely managed to escape them. Besides, their jet-black, deadly venomous stingers were like iron spears, impossible to pull free once lodged.
Hence, they could drive those stingers into invaders again and again, treating them like pincushions. Mealworms could’ve been mistaken for a cactus as a result.
It meant Eun-Ho had to step in this time. “Summon.”
Swish—!
A breeze swept across his outstretched palm, akin to the cool breath of someone holding ice in their mouth on a hot day.
That wisp of wind thickened into a line, then into a faintly glowing mass, and finally stretched into a long, slender shaft.
Fwoosh—!
Then, it became an arrow, blazing with searing golden light.
[Restored Brahmastra]
- A legendary arrow said to have been wielded by an ancient god.
- Pursues and strikes its designated target without fail.
- Once worn down by bombardment and the passage of time, it was carefully restored by a genius researcher.
- Originally, the weapon chose its own master, but modified to forcibly bind to an owner in the restoration process.
Bzzzz! Bzzzt! Bzzzzzzt!
Three Giant Hornets charged in pursuit, their wings roaring like engines. The violent gusts nearly knocked him off his feet.
Clatter!
“Number Six!” Eun-Ho shouted.
“Go without me...!”
One of the Skeleton Soldiers had already fallen behind.
“Number One! Take care of Six!” Eun-Ho barked.
“Yes, sir!”
“The rest of you, draw off just one of them! I’ll take the other two myself!”
This time, it was his turn. “Activate!”
[The Restored Brahmastra has been activated!]
[Select your target!]
Fwooosh—!
The arrow responded to his words, rising into the air. Light rippled around its head—fletching, dazzling and radiant. He almost lost himself in its brilliance before snapping back.
“That Hornet! Pierce it through!” Eun-Ho shouted.
He dashed forward just as a blue spear of light shot up, followed by the blazing arrow itself.
[Activate!]
Whoooosh!
The arrow flew toward the massive eye beneath the Hornet’s fuzzy head.
It sure is fast!
Eun-Ho’s mouth fell open unconsciously. The force was enough to make him forget the other Hornet charging toward him. It was so fast, he wasn’t sure he could evade it even if his Acceleration were multiplied by thirtyfold.
If that had been the enemy’s attack instead of mine...
A shiver crawled down his spine. The arrow tore the air like paper, and relief washed over him only because he wasn’t its victim.
Craaaack!
The gleaming arrowhead smashed through the Hornet’s right eye.
Swoosh—!
It pierced through the creature’s shell, its nerves, and its mucus-filled body in one unstoppable strike.
[Congratulations!]
[You have defeated the peerless guardian, the Giant Hornet!]
[First kill reward has been granted.]
[You have acquired the Giant Hornet’s Venomous Stinger!]
The swiftness of the arrow had surpassed the grandeur of the Hornet itself. Besides, the victory belonged solely to Eun-Ho.
[The Skeleton Soldiers squad has dedicated all achievements to their Commander!]
[Your Leadership(Lv. 2) skill proficiency has improved by ten percent.]
[Thanks to the first kill and the classroom effect activated, your Basic Swordsmanship(Lv.3) proficiency has improved by ten percent.]
However, there was no time to celebrate the flood of messages because he had taken down only a single one. There was still a long way to go.
[Course Objectives (Lee Eun-Ho)]
1. Eliminate Rooted Enemies (1/100)
2. Eliminate Moving Enemies (20/50)
3. Eliminate Winged Enemies (1/10)
“Acceleration!” he roared.
***
[Nine hours have passed since the class began!]
[Fifteen hours have passed since the class began!]
[Twenty-two hours have passed since the class began!]
A full day had passed.
At last, the quota of ten Giant Hornets was filled.
3. Eliminate Winged Enemies (10/10)
[Thirty hours have passed since the class began!]
[Thirty-nine hours have passed since the class began!]
[Forty-seven hours have passed since the class began!]
Two days had passed and every Drosera plant near the cave had been crushed.
1. Eliminate Rooted Enemies (27/100)
“Haaa... Are you all right, Captain?”
“Huff... I’m fine. And you?”
“Perfectly... fine!”
Just like that, three days and one more hour passed.
[Seventy-three hours have passed since the class began!]
[The proficiency of the skill Basic Swordsmanship(Lv. 3) has reached its max!]
[The level of the skill Basic Swordsmanship has increased (Lv. 3 to Lv. 4).]
As the notification flashed, Eun-Ho lowered his sword. “That’s enough for today.”
“Yes, sir!”
There was no need to rush as tomorrow would come.
“Captain, if you’re not around, we’ll finish the rest of the objectives ourselves!” one of the Skeleton Soldiers boasted.
Some even swore they’d handle the remaining goals on their own.
“Don’t overdo it. And don’t forget what I told you earlier.”
“Yes, sir! First impressions are important...!”
“Good.”
They were heading back toward the cave when Eun-Ho spotted a familiar figure in the distance.
The face that looked exactly like his own shook its head in disbelief. “Well, well... I was wondering how far you’d go. You might as well set up camp here.”
“Oh, I was just about to call for you. Good timing,” Eun-Ho said.
“Don’t be ridiculous. Who’s calling who here?”
The nameless assistant instructor had arrived at a very convenient moment.
“Take care of these guys for me,” Eun-Ho said.
“Take care of them? What nonsense are you—”
“I’d like to finish all the objectives before I go back, but I’m a bit busy.”
Clicking his tongue, the assistant instructor ran a hand through his hair, his face the very picture of exasperation. “... Don’t tell me you mean those skeletons.”
He clearly wanted an explanation, but Eun-Ho was short on time.
“Just drop by now and then, make sure they’re still alive or, well, not completely dead. I’ve already explained everything to them.”
“That doesn’t even make sense—”
“Isn’t that right, Number One?” Eun-Ho cut him off, turning to the Skeleton Soldier instead.
“Yes, sir! Squad leader reporting to drill instructor, sir!” Number One barked out, just as he’d been trained.
“What on earth is it doing?”
“Everyone, salute!” Number One ordered.
Clatter—!
“Salute!” they chorused, their salute perfectly sharp.
“You see? They’re in good hands. I’ll be heading out now.”
Swoosh—!
Eun-Ho had already reached the cavern’s iron gate and gripped its cold handle. “Take good care of them. Think of them as friends.”
Click!
“And if you’re bored, teach them a bit of swordsmanship. What do you think?”
“W-wait! Are you seriously leaving these things here?!”
His voice faded through the crack of the door as it swung open. “Raise them well.”
“You must’ve lost your mind!”
[Class complete!]
[Return complete!]