My Skeleton Soldier Is Strange - Chapter 101
—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————
Chapter 101
During my quest to obtain the alchemist’s herbs, I discovered a Secret Vault. The discovery brought a subtle smile to my face. It was only natural that my expression brimmed with satisfaction—after all, an opportunity for double rewards had presented itself.
“Heh heh… Lady Luck smiles upon me.”
Wearing that faint smile, I stepped toward the Secret Vault. Beside me, the giant centipede growled as it followed, and at its side, the Undead Frog bounded along in eager hops.
Creeeeak—
The ancient wooden door trembled as my hand pushed it open. Dust billowed forth, and the interior of the warehouse—buried in darkness—was finally revealed. The damp air and musty stench washed over me, but I paid it no mind.
Whoooosh—
Blue flames erupted from my gauntlet, illuminating the vault’s interior. Ancient objects and miscellaneous debris lay scattered in disarray. Rusted iron chests, patched wooden crates, dust-laden bottles—traces of forgotten time filled the chamber.
Thud— Thud—
The giant centipede crawled slowly past me and into the depths. Its crimson eyes rolled about, surveying the surroundings. Meanwhile, the Undead Frog bounded at its feet, darting deeper into the vault.
Croak— Croak—
The frog’s cry echoed from behind a decaying crate. It clambered over moisture-covered boxes and vanished through a half-open gap, as though it had discovered something hidden among the ancient artifacts.
Scraaaape—
The giant centipede approached the crate where the frog had disappeared. Its mandibles worked as it circled, then it thrust its strength forward, shoving the heavy metal crate aside with a groan. What lay beneath was revealed, and I gasped: “What is this?”
My eyes widened. From the half-open Secret Chamber, objects radiating an otherworldly glow came into view. A crystal sphere shimmering with violet light, an ancient scroll emanating golden dust, a transparent vial suffused with blue radiance—
All manner of mystical artifacts captivated my gaze. Magical items hidden within the Secret Vault. These were precious treasures passed down through the ages on the Evern Continent.
Among them, the crystal sphere commanded my attention most.
[You have discovered an ??? Crystal Sphere.]
Tap— Tap—
I approached with restless steps, my hand reaching toward the sphere. As my palm closed around it, a cold sensation transmitted through my fingers, accompanied by a peculiar tremor. It was the moment when power that had slumbered for ages awakened.
—Whoooosh!
Then came a piercing shriek—
Intense energy erupted from the crystal sphere, engulfing the Undead Frog’s small form. Bathed in blinding light, its body convulsed violently. Darkness—a force that defied the essence of life itself—burrowed into its flesh.
Whoooosh—
Radiance blazed, enveloping the frog’s shape. Its green skin flickered with blue light, then began to swell rapidly. The undead’s form was being reborn into a new existence, rising beyond death itself.
Splurch— Splurch—
Muscle tore through skin and expanded. Veins of fibrous muscle wrapped the entire body. The stench of blood from swollen muscles reverberated through the cave. The small, delicate frog vanished without a trace, replaced by a massive reptilian form.
Crunch— Crunch—
Long, razor-sharp teeth protruded from its mouth. These fangs—reminiscent of a predator’s tusks—were instruments of slaughter designed to rend flesh. A crimson tongue extended grotesquely from the gaping maw.
Thud— Thud—
The sound of feet striking the earth echoed through the chamber. Thick, powerful legs drove upward from the ground. Hardened muscle, now more formidable than before, reflected light with a grotesque, bumpy texture.
Scraaaape—
Scales covering the entire body emanated blue radiance. Blade-like scales fused together formed a hardened armor for the undead. Skin that had lost its green hue now resembled that of a crocodile bristling with fangs.
Whoosh—
Spines erupted along the evolved frog’s spine. Blade-sharp protrusions added to the undead’s menace. Needle-like vertebrae jutting upward created a horrifying spectacle.
Whoooosh—
Blood surged through the entire body. Darkness—power rising from beyond death—flowed along the veins. Crimson blood vessels visible beneath the skin created a nightmarish scene. Venom-thick blood roiled throughout the form.
Boom—
A sinister roar shook the stone. Standing upright, the frog now resembled something almost human. Yet from its grotesquely twisted visage emanated a cannibalistic frenzy. Its blazing red eyes held only the primal instinct of a beast devoid of reason.
From its damp, clammy skin, crimson venom dripped relentlessly. The toxic drops falling to the earth were potent enough to dissolve stone itself. The frog’s characteristic mucus had transformed into a corrosive poison capable of melting flesh and bone.
The evolved frog’s grotesque form was the epitome of revulsion.
[The Undead Frog’s evolution has been completed.]
[The specimen has been permanently subjugated.]
“…!”
And in that moment, I gained another capable undead subordinate.
* * *
Having finished searching the Warehouse, I emerged laden with everything inside, my arms bundled with plunder. The load was considerable, but it mattered little.
The Undead Frog had devoured every object in the Warehouse. The creature had become a walking repository.
Its body bulged grotesquely with goods. The frog’s belly, swollen from consuming the Warehouse’s entire treasure, protruded obscenely.
Throb— throb—
Faint luminescence seeped from within the frog’s abdomen. Beyond its translucent skin, the silhouettes of swallowed objects flickered dimly. The treasures, their outlines barely visible, radiated an otherworldly aura.
Whoooosh—
Currents of mana coiled around its pallid, transparent shell. The skeletal frame of the undead was enveloped in a temporary skin conjured by the sorcerer Arulan. The gossamer blue luminescence filtering through that membrane evoked the image of jellyfish gliding through ocean depths.
Squelch— squelch—
The colossal frog dragged its massive form forward with labored hops. Burdened by the weight of its cargo-laden belly, its gait appeared unstable and precarious.
Crunch— crunch—
From within its body emanated a sickening grinding sound. An abominable cacophony of hardened shells and toughened hide colliding. The treasures within clashed and tumbled against one another.
Glub— glub—
Occasionally, objects protruded from the distended belly before vanishing once more. They resembled treasure chests or pulsating, crimson masses like beating hearts.
Gulp— gulp—
Its throat convulsed. Objects were visibly drawn downward through the esophagus into the depths of its stomach. The undead’s innards were horror incarnate. Witnessing such unnatural absorption of foreign matter was nauseating.
Shhhhiiiii—
Roiling organs beneath the pallid skin. The frog’s intestines writhed like serpents, grotesquely unsettling. This unnatural, abhorrent motion seemed to embody the very corruption of darkness itself.
Moisture glistened across its clammy skin as object edges occasionally glinted through. The drained blood vessels visible on that surface exuded an ominous radiance. Coated in transparent, viscous slime, they presented a truly nightmarish spectacle.
The creature’s silhouette, illuminated by escaping light, was something from a fever dream. One could readily believe this grotesque undead harbored cursed treasures. An unnatural, life-defying aura permeated everything.
Cough— cough—
Occasionally, sounds of anguish escaped the frog’s maw. Yet they resembled satisfied laughter more than genuine suffering. The presence of treasures filling its belly was another form of ecstasy for the creature.
Shhhhiiiii… The frog advanced without showing fatigue despite its burden. This was the very essence of a minion’s loyalty to its master. The walking Warehouse that was the Undead Frog filled me with both dread and exhilaration.
‘Since things have come to this, why not create an undead legion?’
And I had found a new purpose.
* * *
Savoring the spoils from the Warehouse, I had discovered a new objective. To construct an undead legion. The thought set my ambitions ablaze.
My steps toward the Valley carried an electric excitement. The jagged boulders and sheer cliffs surrounding me were quite literally a monster’s paradise. This realm, teeming with diverse creatures, was nothing less than a perfect hunting ground.
Whoooosh—
With a ferocious roar, a massive gray bear swung its foreleg. Solid rock shattered into fragments scattered across the terrain. A beast boasting terrifying strength. Yet to me, it was merely prey.
Boom—!
The steel staff plunged downward, crushing the bear’s skull. Bone fragments and flesh sprayed in a crimson torrent. A single, merciless blow that ended its life. The air itself seemed to freeze from such brutality.
Shhhhiiiii—
Arulan approached, trembling. The skeletal sorcerer’s hand descended upon the corpse. Lips contorted as unholy incantations poured forth. Crimson energy gradually enveloped the body. This was forbidden power.
Crack—
Shattered bones interlocked and hardened. Pulverized flesh knitted itself back together. It was a sight that defied time itself—a miraculous spectacle. The monster, resurrected by Arulan’s power, had become an undead servant bound to its master.
Uuuooong—
The Undead Bear roared across the deep blue sky. Its form, far more savage than in life, was terror incarnate. Eyes steeped in malice recognized Kim Jae-beom’s presence. Cursed and enslaved, the undead creature had become a far more valuable weapon than it ever was in life.
Shiiik—
As I searched for my next target, a piercing gaze caught my eye. A flash of blue light dancing between the willows. It approached with a cold that bit through flesh—a snow wolf dwelling in the Valley.
Thud—
The wolf lunged forward, its parched maw gaping wide. Razor-sharp fangs gleamed like ice crystals. The savage, lightning-quick movements of a starving beast. Yet to me, it was nothing but sluggish play.
Crash—!
The steel staff descended like thunder, piercing through the wolf’s spine. The shattering sound of vertebrae echoed across the Valley. Its eyes dimmed as life drained away. The final moment of prey that could not compete.
Crackle—
Once more, the resurrection incantation fell upon the corpse. Eerie energy surged forth, enveloping the wolf’s body. Shattered bones knitted together crookedly; twisted joints creaked and groaned. From the resurrected undead wolf’s form emanated a chilling cold that made the air itself shudder.
Skreeeee—
A howl that split the blue sky. The revived wolf exhaled its breath. From its vacant eyes bloomed only the madness of lost reason. A monster embodying flesh-searing cold. It now knelt beneath my feet in submission.
With icy fangs bared, the Undead Wolf lunged in search of its next prey. Its presence evoked the memory of what it once was—nature’s apex predator and master of winter. Now enslaved by Arulan’s power, the beast had become a hunter of darkness, prowling the Valley.
—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————