My Skeleton Soldier Is Strange - Chapter 67
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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 67
“That… that can’t be! Are you really Newbie?”
Barcode’s voice trembled with intense emotion. His eyes scanned Kim Jae-beom’s face intently, as if trying to confirm his identity, and within them swirled both anxiety and anticipation. This unexpected reunion had shaken Barcode’s composure.
“Yeah. That’s right. I’m Newbie.”
Kim Jae-beom answered calmly. A faint smile played at the corners of his mouth. His expression seemed to savor Barcode’s reaction to their reunion after so long.
“Ah…”
Barcode’s eyes widened. Recognizing Kim Jae-beom’s familiar manner of speech and expression, he no longer harbored any doubt.
“I can’t believe it…”
Faced with this unbelievable reality, Barcode’s legs trembled. As he slowly sank to the ground, a tempest of overwhelming emotions radiated from him.
“My goodness, it really was you, Newbie…”
Barcode’s voice quivered. He drew a deep breath and struggled with all his might to accept this situation.
Thud!
Barcode dropped to one knee before Kim Jae-beom. His bowed figure, assuming a reverent posture, appeared almost sacred. The authority of a guild master had vanished without a trace, leaving only the humble demeanor of a devoted follower.
“Newbie… it is an honor to see you again!”
Barcode’s voice trembled with fervent emotion. His greeting, brimming with solemn courtesy, carried the reverence of one who held Kim Jae-beom sacred.
“You used to kneel like that every time you saw me before. Still overdoing it, I see…”
“How could I dare to stand on two legs before you, Newbie!”
“I told you I’d crack your skull if you said things like that.”
Kim Jae-beom frowned at the kneeling Barcode. He wanted nothing more than to strike him with his steel staff, but he couldn’t. This was Barcode’s Guild Hall, after all.
‘He’s a trustworthy one.’
Moreover, Barcode was a most reliable ally to Kim Jae-beom. Among the players who had once received his teachings, Barcode was one he held in special regard.
‘He even missed me in that interview.’
When interviewing the rankers of third-generation virtual reality games, Barcode had answered that he was desperately waiting for Kim Jae-beom’s return.
“But I didn’t know you’d become a guild master.”
In fact, in the interview footage Kim Jae-beom had watched, Barcode had appeared not as a member of the White Knight Order, but as a solitary wandering knight. A lonely hero traversing Evern alone, standing against evil. That was the image of Barcode that Kim Jae-beom had formed through the interview.
“How did you end up becoming the master?”
An impression of a stubborn independent who belonged to no guild and acted solely on his convictions. A righteous and confident figure, a lonely knight wandering the battlefield alone. That unique charisma was what Kim Jae-beom had sensed from Barcode.
“I inherited the position.”
“Huh?”
“There was someone who originally ran the guild… but he died not long ago. His will stated that he entrusted the White Guild to me.”
“I see.”
Kim Jae-beom nodded at Barcode’s explanation. Given those circumstances, it made sense that Barcode would take over the guild.
“I have no regrets, having the chance to see you again like this, Newbie.”
Barcode smiled broadly at Kim Jae-beom. Then he turned his head toward the Library in the back.
“I have something to show you. I would be grateful if you would follow me.”
“What is it?”
“A fine item. Originally, I prepared it as a recruitment gift without knowing you were Newbie… but I’ll give it to you regardless of whether you join our guild.”
At Barcode’s words, Kim Jae-beom tilted his head curiously. He wondered what kind of item could make Barcode so confident.
Click!
Following Barcode’s guidance, Kim Jae-beom stepped into the Library. As he opened the deep, heavy wooden door and entered, an elegant and dignified space greeted him.
The Library was far more vast and magnificent than I had imagined. The soaring ceiling and expansive space evoked an overwhelming atmosphere, as if I had stepped into a temple of knowledge itself.
The walls on all sides were lined with countless bookshelves. Innumerable volumes were packed densely together, stretching out like an endless labyrinth. From ancient tomes to the latest publications, the spectrum of the collection seemed extraordinarily broad.
The bookshelves were crafted from dark, premium wood. The shelves carried a weighty, dignified hue that seemed to hold the depth of ages. Their very presence added an antiquated atmosphere to the Library.
“Are all of these books actually in use?”
“They are fakes. Decorative books, nothing more.”
“….”
But the books on the shelves were all useless. When I thought about it logically, it made sense. Only a fool would display precious skill books or grimoires as mere decoration.
Whoosh….
Barcode’s fingertips lightly brushed across the books. Having finally found what he sought, he withdrew a thick ancient tome. The spine, bearing the deep marks of time, gleamed softly.
Barcode walked deeper into the Library, holding the book. His movements carried a deliberate caution, as if about to reveal something momentous. Upon reaching the wall, he opened the book without hesitation.
Whoosh….
The sound of pages turning echoed through the quiet Library. Barcode’s gaze swept rapidly across the aged paper. On the page where he stopped, incomprehensible ancient characters were densely inscribed.
Barcode raised the hand holding the book toward the wall. The moment his fingertips touched the cold surface, something extraordinary began to unfold within the bookshelves.
Creak….
The wall trembled faintly as if alive, then began to emit a pale golden radiance. Mysterious patterns gradually revealed themselves along the wall’s surface. From beneath Barcode’s hand, golden lines extended outward, spreading across the entire wall.
Boom…!
The wall moved with an ominous sound. The entire bookshelf vibrated, then began to split apart on both sides. The bookshelves opened smoothly, revealing the hidden space behind them.
Thud…!
At last, the entrance to the Secret Chamber was revealed. A massive stone door, adorned with ancient patterns, came into view. At Barcode’s gesture, the stone door opened of its own accord, clearing the path forward.
“Let us proceed inside.”
And so I infiltrated the secret inner chamber of the Library alongside Barcode.
* * *
Barcode and I stepped into the Secret Chamber. Before us stretched a deep, long corridor. Enclosed by stone walls, it seemed to extend endlessly. Even in the darkness, the walls emitted a subtle glow, covered entirely with strange patterns.
The patterns carved into the walls evoked ancient Egyptian hieroglyphics. Mysterious pictographic characters were densely interwoven. Humans, animals, and unknown deities were depicted with meticulous detail. The patterns emanated an antiquated and reverent atmosphere, as if bearing a long and ancient history.
My eyes sparkled with curiosity as I followed behind Barcode. The hieroglyphics, seeming to contain ancient mysterious messages, shone with an otherworldly glow. Barcode walked silently ahead, and I followed, filled with wonder.
As our footsteps continued, the corridor grew deeper. Only the sound of our steps echoed through the quiet, desolate space. It felt like we were walking on an endless journey. The patterns on both walls of the corridor continued endlessly, seeming to silently watch over our passage.
Beyond the faint light, the end of the corridor began to come into view. And finally, what revealed itself before us was a massive, magnificent golden door. The beautifully radiant golden gate was a marvel in itself. The entire door, covered in ancient hieroglyphics, was densely embedded with ornate jewels.
―Whoooosh!
Barcode slowly extended his hand toward the golden door. His movements carried solemnity and gravity. As if performing a sacred ritual, he carefully brought his palm to the door.
Whoosh….
The moment Barcode’s fingertips touched the golden door, something extraordinary occurred. A dazzling light began to pour forth from the entire door. Golden radiance flowed through Barcode’s hand, spreading across his entire body. Brilliant waves of light enveloped him completely.
Whoooosh….
The mysterious flow of light danced gracefully along Barcode’s form. Where it struck his white armor, golden fragments sparkled like starlight. As if blessing and welcoming his presence, the light wrapped around him warmly.
Standing within the transparent golden mist, Barcode’s figure was wondrous. Surrounded by dazzling radiance, he seemed like a sacred being from another world. His dignity appeared elevated within the majestic atmosphere.
Shiiing….
It did not take long for the radiance to fully acknowledge Barcode’s presence. Soon, the light pouring from the door began to fade gradually. The glittering particles of light sank away, disappearing into the void.
As the light cleared, Barcode’s figure became distinct once more. His hand remained reverently against the door. The ancient power had recognized and accepted Barcode.
Kuuung….
With a heavy sound, the door began to open of its own accord. Brilliant light poured forth from beyond the fully opened golden door. Barcode took a step inside.
‘What on earth could be so important as to warrant all this?’
I followed him inside.
* * *
I stepped through the golden door and into the chamber beyond. The sight that greeted me was nothing short of breathtaking. An enormous Exhibition Hall stretched before me in all its grandeur.
The vast expanse was filled with the White Guild’s most precious treasures. The Exhibition Hall resembled a legendary vault of wonders. Rare and powerful items of every conceivable kind were displayed in meticulous rows.
Within crystal-clear glass cases, each item claimed its own place of honor. Enchanted weapons that shimmered with mystical light, armor etched with ancient runes, and artifacts of unknowable purpose—every case overflowed with items of extraordinary power and beauty.
“Wow….”
A gasp escaped my lips unbidden. Each displayed item radiated immense value and significance. The procession of masterpieces along the glass cases was utterly overwhelming. All of this stood as testament to the White Guild’s formidable strength.
At the center stood glass cases that commanded particular attention. The items within them radiated an aura so intense and overwhelming that they eclipsed everything around them.
“Choose one from among these.”
Barcode, ever generous, offered without reservation.
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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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