My Skeleton Soldier Is Strange - Chapter 12

—————

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

—————

Chapter 12
[Came after watching Poong Wa-won’s video.]
[Is this person really a newbie?]
[Going on a pilgrimage first. Please let me win the lottery this year!]
“What in the world is this…?”
Jae-beom, who had just woken up, blinked at the notification window on YouTube.
“What’s going on?”
The three videos he’d uploaded before bed as his first content had accumulated over 300 comments.
[Wow, Poong Wa-won was genuinely impressed]
[How did you resist uploading to YouTube with skills like that?]
[I think I could do this if I tried too??]
[└ Yeah, instant 24-hour penalty lol]
‘Poong Wa-won, huh.’
One-third of the 300 comments mentioned Poong Wa-won.
‘Who is that?’
Click. Click.
At this point, even someone like me couldn’t help but feel curious.
“Hmm.”
I checked a few recently uploaded videos from Poong Wa-won’s YouTube channel.
‘A mid-level player, it seems.’
Around level 45, a seasoned player with a Necromancer-class build.
But Poong Wa-won hadn’t found me because we were both Necromancers.
‘He discovered me while doing deep-sea exploration content on YouTube.’
Deep-sea exploration.
One of the trending content formats for streamers just starting out on YouTube. Simply put, it’s watching newbies.
‘The timing worked out pretty well.’
My video had been uploaded during the time Poong Wa-won was doing his deep-sea exploration content.
[What…? This person is insane?]
So Poong Wa-won clicked on the video without much thought.
And what do you know.
First, I took down the Red Wolf solo, then lured in a 2v1 PK and handled it with my giant rat.
Then I defeated the summoned giant rat by myself as well.
‘Still, even watching it again, the footage turned out well.’
The viewers in Poong Wa-won’s stream, including Poong Wa-won himself, had every reason to go wild.
No matter how low-level I appeared to be.
‘Thanks to him, I didn’t have to start from view count one.’
I wore a satisfied expression.
Though not quite at the level of a major corporation’s streamer, I’d easily escaped the painful early days thanks to Poong Wa-won.
So I did feel grateful.
[Veteran player! If you’re interested in streaming together, feel free to send me a message anytime!]
‘I’m a solo player.’
I had no intention of doing a joint broadcast with anyone.
If I streamed with Poong Wa-won, I’d be bogged down answering endless questions, which would slow my game progress to a crawl.
Moreover, there was a risk that Je-hwang’s character information could be completely exposed, potentially hindering future progression.
Tap.
Je-hwang simply declined the collaboration offer with a brief “I apologize.”
‘I’ll grab breakfast and log back in.’
Then.
[You’re decent, but you can’t compete with the top-ranked players?]
[If someone like Je-hwang shows up, you’re done in 1 second lol]
Two comments entered Je-hwang’s view.
“….”
Je-hwang was well aware.
These people weren’t truly convinced of what they were saying—they were simply writing to mock and jeer.
But.
‘Look at these bastards.’
If Je-hwang were the type to remain indifferent to such comparisons, he never could have maintained the number one ranking for so long.
Of course, he wasn’t foolish enough to reply to those comments directly.
Instead.
‘Right. I’ll make sure they never say such things again.’
Their current mockery stemmed from the fact that Je-hwang was still playing in that level bracket.
If he grew faster than anyone else and displayed gameplay incomparable to others even among the top rankings, they wouldn’t dare utter such words.
‘Breakfast is ramen.’
Je-hwang naturally adjusted his breakfast plans.
To something he could prepare and consume as quickly as possible.
* * *
“I’ve been waiting for you!”
When Je-hwang logged back in and arrived at Arhenna’s Blacksmith, Arhenna welcomed him as if she’d been expecting him.
“This is what that skeleton fellow you carry around needs.”
Arhenna smiled brightly and placed a sword and shield on the display counter.
Thud!
“Oh….”
Je-hwang let out a soft exclamation.
The appearance of both pieces of equipment was far more ornate than he’d anticipated.
“If you’re going to use something anyway, it might as well be something pleasant to look at.”
“You’re absolutely right.”
Je-hwang nodded at Arhenna’s words and examined the sword and shield that Dercan would use with keen attention.
They possessed a color that appeared simple yet refined, with eye-catching patterns etched into them.
‘The details are quite good too.’
In online games, equipment performance was important, but aesthetics were equally crucial.
That’s why items with lower performance but flashier appearances often sold for higher prices.
A wry smile crossed my face.
Thinking about selling them to another necromancer someday was enough to make me happy.
“Feel them with your hands. The performance is solid, right?”
Arhenna spoke to me with confident conviction. I listened to her words and naturally reached out my right hand toward the sword and shield.
Ding!
In that instant, a cheerful alert chimed in my mind.
[Sword forged from the fangs of a giant rat.]
[Grade: Rare]
[Equip Requirement: None]
[Details: A sword forged from the fangs of a giant rat. Cursed by the giant rat’s curse, living beings who equip it will be cursed.]
[Attack Power: 90]
[Current Durability: 150%]
[Curse Option: Living beings lose 1% of their maximum health per second when equipped.]
[Additional Option: Equipment durability increases by 50%.]
“Hmm…”
The sword turned out even better than I had anticipated.
It wasn’t just the appearance that had been carefully crafted—the attack power and durability were definitely not items you’d normally obtain at this level.
However.
‘So it really does drain 1% per second.’
I felt my health plummet in chunks during that brief moment.
I couldn’t help but click my tongue.
But I wasn’t particularly worried.
After all, this wasn’t an item I’d be using myself.
Ding!
[Shield forged from the fangs of a giant rat.]
[Grade: Rare]
[Equip Requirement: None]
[Details: A shield forged from the fangs of a giant rat. Cursed by the giant rat’s curse, living beings who equip it will be cursed.]
[Defense Power: 100]
[Current Durability: 150%]
[Curse Option: Living beings lose 1% of their maximum health per second when equipped.]
[Additional Option: Equipment durability increases by 50%.]
‘As expected.’
The effects were identical to the sword.
‘The sword’s attack power is 90, and the shield’s defense is 100… that’s quite decent, actually.’
It wasn’t just about having high durability.
Comparing the item’s level to my staff, it was only slightly lower in tier.
Even though Dercan was in a weakened state, equipment of this caliber would be enough for him to pull his own weight.
Of course, he was already stronger than level 4, but for Dercan to keep pace with my hunting, he’d need to be at least level 10.
“Skeleton Soldier Summon.”
―Whoooosh!
Crimson mist erupted forth, and as it dissipated, Dercan materialized before us.
“I saw him yesterday, but seeing him again… he’s really not much to look at.”
Arhenna shrugged at the sight of Dercan, and I nodded in agreement with her assessment.
“Dercan. Swap your equipment for the sword and shield here.”
However.
―U-understood…
When Dercan clicked his jaw in response to my command, Arhenna nearly jumped out of her skin.
“What? It understands what you’re saying and actually answers back?”
I’d assumed it was merely an unsightly skeleton soldier, but hearing it respond so suddenly was genuinely startling.
“Yes. I do understand.”
“Huh… I sensed something unusual from our first meeting, but I never imagined even the summoned soldiers would be like this.”
Arhenna nodded slowly, her expression one of genuine admiration.
I shrugged at the sight of her amazement.
―Click… click.
Then I deftly swapped out Dercan’s equipment with practiced efficiency.
[Dercan has equipped the gear imbued with the curse of the giant rat.]
[As an undead entity, the curse has no effect.]
‘Just as I thought!’
I clenched my fist at the notification.
I’d suspected as much, and my suspicion was correct. Undead likely possessed HP under a different name instead of “vitality.”
But then.
[Dercan accepts the curse of the giant rat.]
[The curse effect is being transformed.]
[Dercan’s exclusive curse option: Health increased by 5%.]
“What…? The curse turned into a blessing?”
The giant rat’s curse had been converted into a blessing when applied to Dercan.
‘Could it be… that other curses transform like this too?’
I’d never heard of such a phenomenon occurring with other undead monsters, so this was likely a unique privilege of the legendary skeleton soldier.
If other curses also converted into buffs.
And if I could somehow accumulate dozens of curses from across Evern Online and apply them all to Dercan?
Dercan’s stats might transcend imagination.
“Hmm.”
I suppressed the smile threatening to break through and nodded in appreciation.
“Say, would you be interested in hearing about a decent job opportunity?”
At that moment, Arhenna spoke to me in a hushed voice.
“A job opportunity?”
“Yes.”
She nodded at my question and continued.
“I mentioned you to an old friend of mine, and he said he’d like to meet you. He mentioned having some work that could be entrusted to someone capable.”
[A Party Quest proposal from Arhenna has arrived.]
[If you accept, the next story will progress.]
Two system messages appeared before Jae-beom’s eyes.
‘I absolutely have to do this!’
Jae-beom’s eyes widened at the sight.
Though it was called a Party Quest, it was actually a chain of quests linked directly from Arhenna’s trial.
From what he was hearing, this was a quest that could only be obtained after passing the trial and surpassing the giant rat revenge quest.
Considering the rewards from Arhenna’s quests so far….
‘I can forge a connection with another A-rank NPC!’
“So, are you willing to give it a try?”
“I’ll do it.”
Jae-beom nodded without hesitation.
“Good. Then go visit Mullen, the archaeologist who runs the Antique Shop.”
“Understood.”
Jae-beom nodded quickly and practically rushed out of the Blacksmith District.
“Let’s go, Dercan!”
* * *
Mullen, the archaeologist.
He was an NPC who ran the Antique Shop and was Arhenna’s closest friend.
True to being Arhenna’s friend, he possessed an impressively meticulous demeanor.
―Boom!
“Here, a steel pillar. Let me see your strength for once.”
He suddenly brought over a pillar thicker than a thigh and gestured for me to lift it—his testing attitude was remarkably similar to Arhenna’s.
―Crash!
“Now I understand why Arhenna introduced you to me.”
Watching Jae-beom swing the steel staff, Mullen joined the ranks of ‘NPCs who marvel at every movement Jae-beom makes’—truly befitting Arhenna’s friend.
“Is this sufficient?”
Jae-beom smiled at Mullen’s admiration and replied.
When Mullen asked him to display his strength, I brought down the pillar he offered with my staff.
With just one strike, cracks appeared across the pillar.
“Yes. You’re certainly qualified. Now put that steel staff away.”
Ding!
[Title: 【Dungeon Exploration】]
[Description: Mullen requests that you explore a suspicious dungeon.]
[Objective: You must complete exploration to the end of the Unconfirmed Dungeon.]
[Reward: Compensation varies depending on the level of mission completion.]
[Warning: A party of at least 3 or more players is recommended.]
Jae-beom smiled as the Party Quest window appeared before his eyes.
He then bowed toward Mullen, who was muttering, “I never thought it would crack with just one blow.”
“Then I’ll explore to the very end and return.”
“It could be dangerous. If possible, go with a group.”
“I’ll think about it.”
Mullen spoke, and I responded in a flat tone.
I wasn’t really listening carefully.
After all, I was confident I could clear it solo anyway.
“Right… just come back alive.”
Mullen looked at me with resignation and continued speaking. Then he pulled a map with the dungeon’s location marked on it from his pocket and handed it over.
[You have obtained a map with the dungeon location marked.]
I took it in my right hand and broke into a bright smile.
And then.
“Well then, I’ll be on my way.”
Creak!
I leisurely left Mullen’s shop.
“…Really, this isn’t something that should crack like that?”
Left alone, Mullen muttered the same thing over and over to himself.

—————

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

—————