My Skeleton Soldier Is Strange - Chapter 151
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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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151
Inferno
―Whoooosh!
The orb in Kim Jae-beom’s hand vibrated violently before detonating. Thousands of golden fragments erupted into the air, scattering brilliant, searing light in all directions.
The luminous shards dispersed across the space, spiraling as if searching for hidden apertures in the Grand Hall’s walls before wedging themselves into the crevices at perfect angles.
Shiiiiing!
The sound of the orb fragments being sucked into the openings echoed from every direction.
Simultaneously, the fragments embedded in the walls began pouring forth a crimson radiance.
The scarlet energy flowed gracefully down the stone surface.
The entire Grand Hall filled with a crimson mist. The red aura swirled and converged toward the center of the chamber.
The mist undulated like waves before forming a massive vortex on the floor. At the heart of the whirlwind, the Secret Passage revealed itself.
The stone staircase descended like a path into a deep and ominous Underground realm.
My heart thundered in my chest at the sight. After all this searching, I had finally reached the threshold of destiny.
“At last. The moment to claim the inheritance is upon me.”
Fire blazed in my eyes. I exhaled deeply and descended slowly toward the Secret Passage.
My heavy armor and weapons clanged against the stone walls, leaving metallic echoes in their wake.
* * *
I descended the stone staircase of the Secret Passage into the deep Underground. My footsteps reverberated against the walls as I made my way down. After a considerable journey, I finally reached an immense Warehouse.
The Warehouse boasted vast dimensions. Yet when I peered inside, it was empty. I paused and surveyed my surroundings.
That was when it happened.
―Whoooosh!
Crimson energy surged from my body like a spring. It was the power of Count Heltema—the Demon Lord’s strength sealed within me, now escaping through the scarlet light.
The red aura writhed like a serpent in the air before spreading throughout the entire Warehouse. Then something extraordinary occurred.
Golden electricity began flickering like lightning throughout the Warehouse. Aureate flames danced in the void, illuminating the entire chamber.
The light intensified, and gradually, the hidden treasures began to reveal themselves.
All manner of Demon Lord weapons hung upon the walls. From pitch-black greatswords to crimson-glowing demonic blades, powerful armaments gleamed in abundance.
Upon the tables lay armor and gauntlets inscribed with mystical runes, along with helms. Shoulder guards that jutted sharply forward gave an imposing appearance.
That was not all. Transparent vessels contained magical potions of various hues. Accessories adorned with brilliantly shimmering gemstones also came into view.
Orbs for mages were present as well. Large and small spheres, each radiating their own light, were mysterious and beautiful. They clearly possessed formidable magical power.
Countless pieces of equipment beyond measure. An inheritance of Demon Lord technology and sorcery condensed into material form.
I stood overwhelmed by the spectacle before me, muttering to myself.
“All of these seem to exceed Rare grade….”
I swallowed hard and blinked. The display of treasures exceeded even my wildest imaginings.
My eyes widened as I surveyed the treasure Warehouse. I stood transfixed for a moment, but greed soon ignited within me, snapping me back to focus. I reached for the spatial pouch at my waist and hurled myself toward the treasures.
I seized everything my hands touched—armor, weapons, magical orbs, potions—and crammed them all in with ravenous fervor. My movements were like those of a starving beast devouring its prey.
The Warehouse, once brimming with radiant spoils, transformed into a desolate landscape in the blink of an eye. Only dust-covered walls and floors remained.
Having emptied everything into the pouch, I sealed it shut with a triumphant laugh.
I was about to turn toward the dark passage when it happened.
Whoooosh, Kuuuoosh!
My steel staff began wailing with a heavy tremor, emitting a sharp, grating sound like metal being scraped. The staff writhed, unleashing the power of darkness.
Pitch-black energy writhed like serpents, filling the void.
Within the darkness, there was a place where the black energy was being drawn inward—a small hole concealed beneath the floor. The swirling power was being sucked into that narrow gap.
“What is this?”
A murmur laced with shock and suspicion escaped from my lips.
The steel staff continued to emit sharp vibrations. The staff, exhaling black mist, pulled its handle toward the hole as though possessed by its own will.
Drawn forward as if by invisible threads, I approached the hole step by cautious step.
Whoosh….
I held my breath and knelt before the opening.
My heart raced. Anxiety gnawed at me—what if I missed some treasure?
With trembling hands, I reached toward the hole and inserted my fingers inside.
In that instant, everything erupted.
Boom!
A deafening roar echoed as crimson flames burst from the hole. The suddenly surging inferno writhed savagely, devouring everything around me.
“Ahhh!”
I screamed instinctively. Red flames enveloped my entire body.
Yet bewilderment soon overtook me. Contrary to my expectations, there was no pain. Instead of the searing sensation of skin melting away, the flames wrapped around me with a gentle warmth.
Only then did I remember that I was inside a game. My avatar could not feel pain.
Confusion and relief mingled together.
But such emotions were fleeting. What soon captured my attention was the strange light radiating from my own body.
A brilliant crimson aura flowed beneath my skin like molten lava. A scorching, intense power seemed to course through my blood.
Simultaneously, a peculiar transformation occurred on the backs of both my hands. The skin covering my hands bubbled and soon peeled away. And upon the exposed flesh, patterns of crimson light began to shimmer.
Symbols writhing like serpents were etched deep into my skin. My hands were soon filled with strange glyphs shimmering in scarlet. The sensation felt both alien and mysterious.
Overwhelmed by wonder, I gazed at my hands with my mouth agape, as though entranced.
A chilling thrill rippled down my spine.
An inexplicable excitement swelled from the depths of my heart.
* * *
After being captivated by the mysterious power for about ten minutes, I finally returned to reality. With the afterimage of the crimson patterns still flickering before my eyes, I staggered out of the Warehouse.
Walking through the dark and eerie passage, I made my way toward the Mine. My steps were confused yet resolute. I had no time to think of anything but moving forward.
Upon reaching the entrance of the Mine, the soldiers of death surrounded me. The Undead Legion cast endless gazes toward their master. Their eyes held a mixture of concern and curiosity.
No words were spoken, yet they clearly worried about my condition. Anxiety emanated from the hollow eye sockets of the skeleton soldiers. The ghouls and zombies paced about, observing their lord.
Aulan and Dercan also fixed their gaze upon me. Though no words came from them, concern was evident upon their bony faces. A distinctive blue radiance gleamed within their dark sockets. Even in silence, they spoke volumes.
“I’m fine.”
My voice was flat, yet carried a peculiar resonance.
I offered no further explanation.
Instead, I gestured to my subordinates.
“Move out.”
A terse and resolute command.
At those words, the Undead Legion responded instantly. The skeleton soldiers fell into formation, followed by the ghouls and zombies. A procession of death filled the Mining Tunnel.
I took the lead. Slowly and silently, I began ascending the damp and eerie Corridor.
Drawing strength from their scent and presence, I pressed steadily forward.
* * *
Kim Jae-beom and the Undead Legion climbed endlessly along the Mining Tunnel. The path from the deep, dark Underground toward the surface was long and treacherous.
They ascended countless Staircases, one after another. Drenched in sweat and exhaustion, I pressed forward, eyes fixed ahead. And finally, the Mine’s exit I had longed for appeared before me.
Brilliant sunlight struck my face. Reunited with that warm embrace after so long, I squinted involuntarily. My vision grew sharper, and the surrounding landscape revealed itself with crystalline clarity.
“Huh?”
A brief exclamation escaped my lips. The sight before me was entirely unexpected.
Dozens of dwarves had gathered directly outside the Mine. With their diminutive frames, luxuriant beards, and keen gazes, they fixed upon me eyes that mingled curiosity with concern.
In that moment, a voice cut through the tension.
“Are you alright?”
A booming voice resonated from within the throng of dwarves.
A dwarf parted through the crowd and strode purposefully toward me. It was none other than Eltan—the very one who had revealed the Mine’s location to me.
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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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