My Skeleton Soldier Is Strange - Chapter 103

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 103
Kartan—the guardian who protected the medicinal herbs sought by alchemists. He dwelt in solitude within a cave hidden deep within the Valley. A bipedal monster bearing two massive horns and elongated claws. His grotesque visage was so unsettling that one could scarcely bear to gaze upon it.
Shiiiiik—
Two horns jutted upward, emanating an eerie aura. They evoked the crystallized essence of darkness itself. Black as pitch, the horns possessed a razor’s edge, their surfaces webbed with crimson veins. The blood-tinged hue was more than sufficient to stir primal terror.
Ssssshhk—
Elongated claws gleamed in the darkness. Those blade-like talons seemed capable of cleaving through anything. Claws that existed solely to rend the flesh of enemies and pulverize their bones. They were living symbols of the monster’s savage brutality.
Kuuung—
Kartan’s emergence from the damp cave floor was overwhelming in its presence. His lumpy skin was covered entirely in grotesque markings. From his blood-red eyes blazed an unmistakable madness. The aura of darkness radiating from his entire form seemed capable of suffocating any living creature.
The herbs of Valerot. The undead horde that had come seeking them. The monster had long since sensed their approach. Determination blazed in Kartan’s eyes—he would vanquish the legions of death and safeguard the precious plants.
Shiiik—
Dragging talons stained with dark blood across the ground, Kartan emerged from the cave. His massive horns radiated a menacing presence. His rumbling cry struck like thunder against the ears. He resembled nothing so much as a demon crawling forth from the depths of hell itself.
Krrrruuung—
A growl reverberated from deep within his throat. It was the predator’s roar, threatening prey paralyzed by fear. In the tense silence that hung over the valley, only the vivid stench of blood and killing intent remained alive and breathing. His face twisted with obsession and madness over the herbs. It was the very embodiment of destruction.
—Shiiiiik.
Kartan’s descent toward the Valley was like a procession of death itself. Each footfall that struck the earth seemed to still the very pulse of life. The darkness that descended overhead was utterly ominous.
—Kuaaarrgh!
Kuaaarrgh—!
The roar that erupted from Kartan’s maw was like a shockwave that shook the very earth. A screech that threatened to burst eardrums—it was the very wave of terror itself. His maddened cry echoed through the Valley, causing heaven and earth to tremble.
Kuuboom—! Boom—!
Stones caught in the roar shattered into fragments. Boulders crumbled and scattered in all directions. Sharp shards of rock streaked through the air like rain. Massive stone pillars collapsed and came crashing down, and the surroundings were instantaneously reduced to ruins.
Shiiiiik—
The screech of the splitting earth assaulted the ears. Massive fissures began to spread across the ground. From the deep chasms, crimson magma bubbled upward. Scorching geothermal heat roiled the atmosphere, releasing suffocating waves of warmth.
Uuuuung—
The Valley, caught in the monster’s roar, crumbled and sank. The sight was too horrific for words. Smoke and dust rose from the devastated landscape. An aura of destruction capable of consuming all things pressed down upon the earth.
Thud— Thud—
The undead, swept up in the tremors, tumbled about. Their pathetic struggle across the ground was pitiful beyond measure. Bones and flesh shattered and scattered from the lethal impact. Screams of terror erupted from the frightened monsters on all sides.
Kuuung—!
A crimson gleam flashed between the shattered stone debris. Kartan’s silhouette emerged, horns raised high. Even amid the wreckage that covered the surroundings, the colossal monster stood firm. His eyes, steeped in darkness, burned only with obsessive madness for the herbs.
Krrrruuung—
Kartan gazed upon the power he had unleashed upon the Valley, intoxicated by the thrill of victory. The terror that hung over the shattered earth was the very aura the monster himself emanated. Between the destroyed stone and swirling dust, the silhouette of a demon stood towering.
Sssik—
A faint smile played at the corners of Kartan’s mouth as his roar subsided. He felt the exhilaration that came from displaying his power. The sight of everything crumbling before his overwhelming strength was his greatest pleasure. No existence could threaten the herbs. The monster was certain of this.
Confident laughter echoed through the silent Valley. The sense of superiority that came with possessing invincible power made his heart race. Any being would tremble before this. Kartan’s horns gleamed as he reveled in his own might.
Yet that confidence was short-lived. A sound reached the monster’s ears from afar, and they perked up. Something was approaching. Black shadows crept through the dust. Their destination was none other than the herbs Kartan guarded. In his moment of carelessness, the enemy had drawn dangerously close.
Kiiieeeek—!
An ear-splitting screech erupted from all directions. It was the roar of hundreds, thousands of undead legions. Rising to their feet, they charged toward their prey, dragging their wounded bodies. A sinister aura saturated with lethal malice descended upon the Valley.
Kraaaaa—!
The undead horde’s collective cry overwhelmed Kartan’s roar. It was a terrifying sound that seemed to burst forth from hell itself. The monsters commanded by Kim Jae-beom never knew retreat. Their hunger for the herbs was enough to drive them mad.
Kralaralaral—!
Kartan’s vaunted terrible cry was drowned out by the undead’s roar. The sight of thousands of screams echoing was nightmare incarnate. The footsteps that shook the earth were like an earthquake. Countless claws and fangs flew toward Kartan.
Uuuuoooong―
The undead seized by madness remained true to their instincts. It mattered not how formidable their opponent was, nor what power they wielded. A single desire—to seize the medicinal herb—conquered every shred of fear. Before them existed only prey.
Shrieeeeek―!
The explosive roar heralded an unwavering advance. That blood-curdling shriek embodied the very essence of slaughter’s hunger. Before the undead charging with resolute determination, Kartan’s majesty seemed pathetically diminished. A tidal wave of ravenous desire crashed toward him, threatening to devour all in its path.
“…?”
In that moment, Kartan realized something had gone terribly wrong.
* * *
Despite Kartan’s roar, the undead legion continued their relentless advance toward the medicinal herb. And finally, they came face to face with him.
―Kuuuarrgh!
―Grrrrrrgh!
With guttural roars, the undead legion encircled Kartan. Their gaze fixed solely upon the location of the medicinal herb. Eyes gleaming with ravenous hunger, their charge toward their objective was madness incarnate. Kartan, standing in their path, was no longer a threat.
Uuuuoooong―
Eerie wails echoed from all directions. It was as though hellish screams erupted from the abyss itself. Those bone-chilling shrieks embodied primal bloodlust. To the undead, Kartan was merely prey to be torn asunder and trampled.
Shiiiiik―
The ghastly sound of bone striking bone. Skeletal undead wolves snarled, baring gaunt fangs. Crimson light blazed from their eyes. With blood-tinged tongues lolling, they stalked their quarry—cruelty itself made manifest.
―Kuuuarrgh!
The roar of undead bears rumbled from deep within their throats. Massive grotesque forms, their muscles withered and twisted, lumbered forward. They were prepared to crush everything beneath their merciless strength.
―Grrrrrrgh!
With the sickening creak of shattered joints, an undead bear’s foreleg scraped the ground and rose. It was the signal for the onslaught. Teeth grinding, eyes blazing with fury. The gaze fixed upon Kartan burned with murderous madness.
Clatter clatter―
Skeletal soldiers clad in white bone armor. Within their hollow eye sockets, blue flames flickered. Rusted blades and spears gripped in bony hands gleamed like weapons honed to pierce flesh. Their creaking joints moved with deliberate slowness—a procession of death itself.
―Shiiiiik―!
Crimson armor enveloped their forms, radiating scarlet radiance as though drenched in blood. Knights charged forward with raised blades flashing. The thunder of hoofbeats shook the earth, summoning breathless dread.
―Shrieeeeek!
A swarm of bats blotted out the sky. Ghoul-winged creatures that soared across the heavens seemed torn from nightmares themselves. Viscous saliva dripped from their fangs. Eyes gleaming blood-red hunted for prey.
An army of undead stretched before him in endless ranks. Those creatures of bone and rotting flesh were death incarnate. Eyes blazing with blood-hunger, wails yearning for slaughter. Everything pressed down upon Kartan with overwhelming force. Before them, he was nothing but helpless prey.
“….”
Kartan’s eyes betrayed a flicker of turmoil. Before the overwhelming tide of undead legions, no matter how formidable his power, his heart trembled with terror.
Shiiiiik―
A serpentine crimson tongue lashed out, moistening lips. He had realized that a single moment of carelessness could prove fatal. No matter how strong, overcoming such numerical disadvantage was nearly impossible.
“Grrrrgh….”
A curse-like growl escaped from deep within his throat. Frustration and rage surged together. He cursed his own foolishness for failing to anticipate the undead legion’s invasion.
Click―
Kartan’s teeth clenched hard, his entire body trembling. Every muscle tensed with fear and dread. Like a beast cornered at a cliff’s edge, a sheer precipice loomed behind him. There was nowhere to flee. His eyes, bereft of direction, wavered.
―Shrieeeeek!
The undead’s roars drew ever closer. That sound was like the herald of death itself. Bloodthirsty malice pressed down from all sides. The ghastly clatter of bone and the ring of metal assaulted his ears. Eyes burning with madness that could swallow any fear.
His fists clenched, blood seeping between his gritted teeth. Kartan’s tension reached its peak. His mind was consumed by nothing but terror and despair. The victory he had anticipated crumbled to dust. As though mocking his arrogance, thousands of undead seemed to laugh in degradation.
Within the rising tide of malice, the threads of reason slowly unraveled. Primal fear of death. His shattered confidence was now woven through with madness. From Kartan’s bloodshot eyes blazed a crimson killing intent.
“Come on, everyone. Attack.”
In that moment, Kim Jae-beom’s voice echoed through the Valley.
―Krraaagh!
The undead legion surged toward him.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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