My Skeleton Soldier Is Strange - Chapter 59

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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 59
Upon reading that message, Kim Jae-beom suddenly grasped a profound truth.
‘Come to think of it, isn’t this my first proper skill?’
The Legendary Skeleton Soldier Summoning was indeed a skill, but it felt so fundamental, almost passive in nature.
Moreover, considering it came automatically upon obtaining his class, this was technically his first genuine skill.
[Skill Name: Aura of the Overlord]
[Details: The source of the Overlord’s power. It possesses diverse effects.
―Greatly enhances the power of all Overlord summons.
―Greatly enhances physical abilities.
―Can absorb and assimilate the power of undead and darkness-aligned enemies.]
It was a function I had used before, but now that it was formalized as a skill, it felt more concrete. I activated the skill without relying on my previous methods, simply letting it unfold.
Intense crimson light erupted from my body. The red energy flowing through my veins pulsed as if originating from my heart itself—like the very rhythm of life expressed in luminescence.
―Thump… Thump-thump!
Violent energy piercing through my skin vibrated the surroundings. The crimson radiance swirled around me, forming a vortex that rapidly expanded in spiraling circles, growing ever larger.
―Whoooosh!
At the vortex’s center, an energy maelstrom traced rings of light around me. Fragments of earth were swept up by the red glow, suspended in the air. The whirling force cracked the ground and shattered nearby ruins.
The vortex’s tremors rippled outward in all directions, shaking the very sky. Crimson lightning tore through the atmosphere with deafening thunder. As the energy’s mass surged violently, even the air itself convulsed.
My body transformed rapidly as well. Bone and muscle were reconstructed with perfect density. The severed wounds and contusions were engulfed by the red aura, regenerating in the blink of an eye. In place of the scars, glowing crimson skin formed a flawless physique.
―Boom!
The vortex’s power reached its crescendo, yet I stood resolute at its heart, unmoved by the raging tempest. My eyes blazed with fierce crimson radiance.
The red energy that had circulated through my veins was absorbed entirely into my being.
Soon the vortex dissipated. But this was not the energy’s destruction—rather, it had permeated deep within me. I had evolved once more.
Where the vortex had vanished stood I, the demon slayer, far more powerful than before. The aura enveloping my entire body did not fade; instead, it radiated crimson brilliance through my skin. I had transcended to a realm incomparable to my former self.
I drew a deep breath, feeling the transformation of my body. Even the smallest movement—clenching and unclenching my fist—conveyed tremendous power. This strength was mine to command with absolute freedom.
The Overlord’s power, strengthened by the Achievement of slaying the demon.
It had opened an entirely new dimension for me. Now, things previously impossible seemed within reach.
―Ding!
[You have acquired all experience necessary for leveling up.]
[You gain bonus experience for eliminating a powerful demon.]
[You have reached Level 25 through leveling up.]
The growth did not end there. Considering the length of the message I had received earlier, it was truly an endless cascade of benefits.
I had acquired an astronomical amount of experience from defeating the demon. Having been Level 22, I had now advanced to Level 25.
“Oh?”
I’s eyes gleamed as successive System Messages appeared.
“Stats… I’ll dump everything into Strength.”
I concentrated all my newly acquired points into Strength. This battle had made it abundantly clear.
The Overlord’s authority could be enhanced through Quests and various Achievements. But my physical abilities could not be strengthened without investing in stats.
―Ding!
[8 points invested in Strength.]
―Whoooosh!
As Kim Jae-beom invested all his points into physical enhancement, I could instinctively sense several transformations taking place within me.
―Whoooosh―
My muscles swelled and expanded rapidly. The hardened, rippling musculature pressed against my skin, flaunting its presence. My shoulders and forearms thickened noticeably, and my chest muscles developed with impressive definition.
―Kuuuung―
My skeleton itself seemed to reorganize as my height surged upward. My body transformed into a frame that appeared a full hand’s breadth taller than before. My robust physique now emanated an intimidating aura.
―Clang!―
My armor’s form shifted to accommodate the changes in my body. The entire suit expanded to provide space for the burgeoning musculature. The shoulder guards widened, and the arm protectors lengthened. The breastplate covering my chest loosened and reshaped itself to fit my imposing frame perfectly.
―Whoosh―
Once the transformation completed, I muttered softly to myself.
‘I don’t think I’ve ever experienced changes this dramatic before.’
Throughout my skill investments, I had never undergone such a visible transformation. Even accounting for the temporary power I had gained earlier.
So this was a change that occurred upon surpassing a certain threshold… If I included the 1 point I invested in Strength upon reaching level 22, my Strength stat was now 38+5, totaling 43.
‘Is 40 the threshold?’
I repeatedly clenched and unclenched my fists. Tremendous power surged through my grip. It wasn’t merely that my muscles had swollen—the inherent strength within them had multiplied several times over.
“Hmm!”
Though I had never heard of such a thing, if surpassing a threshold resulted in even greater enhancement, that could only be favorable for me.
‘There was no mention of this on the internet either…’
I recalled my job title.
‘Well, I’ll just chalk it up to that hidden class and the crimson aura again.’
By now, I had grown accustomed to fortune and these mysterious mechanics.
―Whoosh!―
Rather than dwell further, I swung my steel staff to test my newfound strength. The heavy iron weapon felt noticeably lighter.
It now felt as though I were wielding a small dagger—entirely natural.
―Thud… Thud… Thud…―
At that moment, heavy footsteps approached as Aran slowly drew near. Fragments of shattered armor rattled and clattered noisily. Through the half-broken helmet, blood dripped steadily from his face.
Aran advanced with faltering steps, barely maintaining his forward momentum. His legs trembled with each movement. His left hand clutched the wound at his side, while his right gripped a cracked blade. The sword, more than half its length shattered away, appeared to be nothing more than a useless piece of iron.
―Drip… Drip…―
Aran’s approach, blood streaming from his hands, was a pitiful sight. Fresh blood continued to flow from the wounds across his armor and body. His once-white armor had turned crimson with blood. With each step, droplets fell to the ground.
“….”
In such a state, Aran reached me. He didn’t seem to be suffering particularly from his injuries.
Yet his expression was complicated.
Multiple emotions were visible in Aran’s gaze as he looked at me.
“What happened in that Barrier Space?”
“I cannot disclose that.”
“…I see.”
Aran nodded at my resolute answer. He had anticipated such a response.
“Normally we would discuss the distribution of spoils, but I see no loot here.”
“There were no item drops.”
“I understand…”
We had successfully completed the boss raid.
That meant negotiations were necessary regarding the rewards from clearing it. But that left only experience points and Achievements, which the system distributed automatically.
“You’ve worked hard.”
Aran, aware of this fact, bowed his head to Kim Jae-beom in gratitude. Following his lead, the other surviving White Guild members expressed their thanks as well.
―Thud!
At that moment, the Black Guild members approached Kim Jae-beom. Their equipment had suffered severe damage from the battle, yet their momentum remained undiminished. The atmosphere of the dark-armored guild members was considerably sinister, unknown to the White Guild.
―Thump, thump, thump.
With heavy footsteps, figures clad in black armor drew near. The pitch-black armor seemed to swallow light itself, its color deep and somber. Red patterns etched sporadically across the suit emanated an ominous aura.
Their faces were all concealed behind helmets and masks. The blackened steel helmets completely hid their owners’ features. Through the narrow slits at the eyes, only a fierce glint pierced through. Even their lips remained invisible beyond the masks.
―Clang, clang.
The sound of heavy armor colliding struck the ears. Their gait, burdened with massive equipment, evoked a terrifying sense of pressure. Even amid the chaos of battle, their movement as a unified mass was disturbingly precise.
Black cloaks dragged across the ground, fluttering loudly with each step. The billowing fabric, cutting through the air, seemed to embody darkness itself. Each time their heavy iron boots pressed against the earth, the ground trembled faintly.
Kim Jae-beom stood before them as they came to a halt. The Black Guild members glared at him with murderous intent. Their ominous presence sent a chill down his spine.
―Whoosh, whoosh.
The sharp scrape of blades being drawn from sheaths pierced his ears. As the Black Guild members simultaneously gripped their weapons, their hostility became blatantly apparent. Coldly gleaming blades pointed threateningly toward him.
―Click, click.
The cold steel helmets shifted slightly, their gaze fixed intently upon him.
“….”
Kim Jae-beom regarded them silently. If they wanted a fight, he was more than willing to oblige.
―Master.
At that moment, the two skeletal soldiers, their recovery complete, took their positions behind him. Some time had passed since the battle’s end, and the two skeleton soldiers, who had grown alongside him as he leveled up, radiated formidable power as though the combat had never ceased.
―Crackle, crackle.
The sound of the skeletons’ approach caused the ground to vibrate faintly. Their steel armor and the mage’s robes fluttered in the wind, asserting their presence. The very air seemed to freeze at their aura, transcendent of death itself.
―Clank.
Dercan placed his hand upon the twin blades at his waist. Arulan swept his staff, commanding the surrounding space. The undulation of magical power cutting through the air sent shivers down spines.
―Whoosh, shing―
Yet the Black Guild members showed no intention of backing down.
The sharp scrape of blades being drawn pierced the ears. Amid the oppressive atmosphere that enveloped the surroundings, it was difficult to distinguish who among the Black Guild members were the undead.
“Come at me if you dare.”
Of course, it was Kim Jae-beom who had no intention of retreating. He had done nothing wrong, so there was no reason to back away.
Moreover, if they wouldn’t even explain why they were attacking, all the more reason to stand firm.
Against two skeleton soldiers and an Overlord wielding a steel staff, the Black Guild members—battered and barely recovered—were hardly objects of fear.

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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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