My Skeleton Soldier Is Strange - Chapter 222

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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 222
Kim Jae-beom and Barcode made their way toward the heart of the Fortress. Their footsteps echoed against the stone-paved path. The interior of the Fortress proved far more expansive and labyrinthine than its external appearance suggested. Narrow corridors intersected with sprawling plazas, and scattered throughout were training grounds for soldiers, weapon armories, and living quarters.
The path toward the center grew progressively narrower. After traversing a vast plaza, the two arrived beneath a modest tower. Unlike the ornate spires visible from outside, this tower possessed a humble, austere design. Constructed from gray stone, it had been deliberately designed to escape notice.
When Barcode opened the tower’s door, a remarkable discovery awaited—a spiral staircase descending into the underground depths. The steps plunged into darkness, illuminated only by faint torches mounted along the walls.
“This way, Master.”
Barcode took the lead, descending the staircase. Kim Jae-beom followed in silence. With each step downward, the temperature dropped noticeably. Cold air brushed against their faces, and the faint sound of dripping water echoed from somewhere distant.
At last, they reached the staircase’s terminus, where a vast underground tunnel opened before them. This was no natural cavern—it was a meticulously engineered artificial structure. The ceiling soared to impressive heights, and the walls had been smoothed to perfection. Massive pillars, spaced at regular intervals, supported the ceiling with architectural precision.
The tunnel floor was remarkably paved with marble. Intricate patterns had been carved into its surface, with Barcode’s emblem at its center. Magical lanterns set into the tunnel walls cast a soft azure glow, illuminating the space with ethereal light.
The two continued deeper along the tunnel. Small chambers lined the passage, each containing various stored items. Weapons, armor, books, and rare magical artifacts were all meticulously organized within.
As they walked, Barcode broke the silence.
“I acquired this Fortress recently.”
Kim Jae-beom regarded him with a glimmer of surprise in his eyes.
“As your personal property?”
Barcode nodded, his expression brimming with pride.
“Yes, that’s correct.”
A smile played across Kim Jae-beom’s lips. As he surveyed the surroundings, he seemed to genuinely appreciate his disciple’s growth.
“Interesting.”
Without further questions, Kim Jae-beom continued following Barcode deeper into the tunnel. The passage grew progressively narrower, and the ceiling descended lower. Yet soon the tunnel expanded again, and finally the two arrived at what appeared to be the tunnel’s heart—a vast, open chamber.
The tunnel’s center was a colossal circular chamber. The ceiling curved into a perfect dome, and at its apex sat a crystal light source that bathed the entire space in brilliant illumination. The floor bore intricate magical formations whose patterns radiated outward from the center.
But what truly commanded attention was the massive door on the far side. Standing at least five meters tall and three meters wide, it was far too enormous to be considered an ordinary architectural entrance.
Barcode approached the door slowly.
He raised his right hand and placed it upon the emblem positioned at the door’s center.
The moment Barcode’s hand touched the emblem, something extraordinary occurred. The emblem blazed with brilliant azure light. The luminescence intensified and spread across the entire door. The jewels embedded within the door began to glow one by one, each radiating a different hue.
Then, suddenly, a mechanical sound emanated from the door’s center.
Multiple locks disengaged simultaneously. The door recognized Barcode and began opening of its own accord.
The massive door swung slowly inward. What began as a narrow gap gradually widened, revealing the space beyond in increments.
Beyond the threshold lay a Weapon Armory. It was far more expansive and lofty than the chamber they had just left. The ceiling stretched at least ten meters high, and the space was as vast as a small plaza.
The armory was impeccably organized. Hundreds—perhaps thousands—of weapons lined the walls in meticulous arrangement. Swords, spears, axes, hammers, and every conceivable type of weapon imaginable filled the space.
Each weapon emanated faint traces of magical energy, and some glowed softly with inner light.
At the center, armor and shields were displayed with equal care.
Kim Jae-beom surveyed the armory slowly. His gaze held both admiration and critical appraisal. Among the thousands of weapons and pieces of armor, his eyes naturally gravitated toward the finest equipment displayed at the center.
After a moment of contemplation, Kim Jae-beom walked deliberately toward the center. His steps were light yet resolute. Upon reaching the heart of the densely arranged weapons and armor, he extended both arms outward to his sides.
“Let me show you something interesting.”
As he opened his palms toward the weapons and armor, a remarkable phenomenon began to unfold. Delicate crimson flames flickered to life in the center of his hands. What began as mere sparks rapidly intensified in both size and potency.
The crimson flames transformed into electrical current. Red lightning, originating from his fingertips, arced through the air toward the surrounding weapons and armor.
The current first made contact with the nearest swords. The instant the red electricity touched them, their surfaces transformed to a deep crimson hue as if heated metal. Yet this was no mere thermal change. The very essence of the weapons themselves was undergoing transformation.
The current expanded to encompass more weapons and armor. Like water seeping into a sponge, the red energy rapidly permeated every piece of equipment. Swords, spears, axes, shields, armor—each weapon and piece of protection began to absorb the crimson radiance one by one.
Barcode observed this display with keen attention. Though he understood his master’s power, witnessing such large-scale enhancement performed in this manner was unprecedented.
The red current spread throughout the entire armory. It flowed along the surfaces of weapons and armor, seeping into their depths, transforming everything it touched.
The most striking change was in coloration. Where the original metal had been predominantly silver-white or blue-gray, the red current transformed it into a deep, dark crimson hue.
Yet the color shift was merely a superficial change. The true transformation lay in the fundamental essence of the weapons and armor. The molecular structure of the metal had been reorganized, becoming both harder and more flexible. The blades grew sharper, and the armor strengthened immeasurably.
Most notably, the magic woven into each piece had undergone a profound metamorphosis. The enchantments originally embedded in the equipment were amplified and reshaped by my crimson current. Fire magic blazed with greater intensity, while ice magic grew colder and more piercing. Every magical attribute had been elevated by at least one tier.
As the enhancement progressed, the air within the Warehouse itself transformed. Subtle ripples generated by colliding magical energies set the atmosphere trembling.
With each additional piece of equipment strengthened, the entire Warehouse became drenched in crimson light. Even the white radiance from the crystal fixtures mounted on the ceiling dimmed, overwhelmed by the surging red energy.
After approximately ten minutes, the transformation of every weapon and piece of armor reached completion. The crimson current streaming from my hands gradually weakened before finally dissipating. As I slowly lowered both arms, the energy swirling throughout the Warehouse found its equilibrium.
―Whoooosh….
Yet the metamorphosis was already complete. Every weapon and piece of armor in the Warehouse had become something entirely different. They were no longer mere magical equipment, but special entities infused with my power.
The enhanced weapons now pulsed with a faint crimson glow in steady rhythm, like a weak heartbeat. The intensity of that light varied. The more formidable weapons radiated stronger luminescence, while the ordinary ones emitted relatively dimmer glows. Yet all of them shared a common trait—a gossamer-thin aura of red energy forming around them.
I gazed upon this entire spectacle with satisfaction.
“Now that looks considerably better.”
The enhancement of the weapons and armor had succeeded, and they were now all far more intimately connected to my will.
Barcode approached cautiously and examined the weapons. He carefully picked up one of the swords. The blade that had received my enhancement trembled faintly in his hands. Crimson energy flowed along the sword’s surface, and a subtle warmth radiated from the blade.
“….”
Gulp.
In that moment, Barcode swallowed hard.
It was the instant he truly comprehended the overwhelming magnitude of my power.

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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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