My Skeleton Soldier Is Strange - Chapter 80

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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 80
An intense crimson radiance erupted from Kim Jae-beom’s body, cascading toward the sand creature. The small mass of sand trembled violently, engulfed in the dazzling light. As the red luminescence was absorbed, the grains of sand churned and undulated.
“It’s evolving all of a sudden?”
The light mingled with the black sand, triggering a mysterious chromatic transformation. The pitch-black hue gradually suffused with crimson, and an eerie fusion of darkness and red enveloped the entire creature. Like blood and shadow intertwined, the color was both unsettling and mesmerizing.
The transformation occurred in each individual grain. The fine particles slowly coalesced, metamorphosing into solid crystalline structures. The soft texture gave way to something sharp and angular. The grains infused with red light resembled tiny ruby fragments.
Whoooosh!
As the absorption of crimson light reached its crescendo, the creature’s form underwent a dramatic change. The loosely scattered sand mass condensed, assuming an increasingly solid configuration.
Though its size remained diminutive, the heightened density revealed a weighty presence.
Having completed its evolution, the sand creature wielded newfound power. It could now manipulate each individual grain comprising itself with absolute freedom. The minute particles gathered and dispersed in the empty air according to the creature’s will.
“Telekinesis…”
An invisible force—telekinesis controlling the sand. The creature’s appearance was both wondrous and menacing. The tiny grains moved with lifelike fluidity, revealing destructive potential.
The powerful sand mass infused with crimson light had become a truly formidable entity. A small yet terrifying new lifeform. The sand creature’s evolution had yielded extraordinary results.
“This is incredible.”
Kim Jae-beom gazed in admiration at the creature manipulating sand with telekinetic precision.
“I’m curious about your true power…”
Fascination surged within him as he witnessed the remarkable might emanating from such a diminutive form. Even in its original colossal state, it had been powerful enough to devour other sand creatures. Now, despite its seemingly modest appearance, the infinite latent potential concealed within captivated him.
‘I need to ascend to the Second Floor quickly.’
There was only one answer.
It was time to conquer the next level.
* * *
Kim Jae-beom’s party left the traces of battle behind on the First Floor Warehouse and climbed the Staircase toward the Second Floor. Dercan and Arulan, leading the way, advanced without lowering their guard.
The skeletal soldiers’ rigid footsteps echoed through the narrow Staircase. Following behind, the small sand creature hovered gently beside Kim Jae-beom as he ascended. Its appearance evoked that of a loyal pet.
The ancient stone steps bore deep indentations at their centers from countless footfalls. Candelabras embedded in the ceiling swayed, their flames flickering erratically. The shadows of Kim Jae-beom’s party danced across the walls in irregular undulations, appearing and vanishing in succession.
“Phew.”
Upon reaching the Second Floor, the first thing Kim Jae-beom’s party encountered was an enormous chandelier lying shattered on the ground. Once ornate, it now lay in pitiful ruin.
The gilded metal frame was twisted and warped beyond recognition. Fragments of shattered crystal scattered across the floor, reflecting an eerie luminescence.
Dark bloodstains clung to various points on the chandelier. Tangled droplets of blood formed grotesque patterns, twisted and congealed in macabre configurations. The horrific sight imbued the chandelier with an ominous atmosphere, as if it had witnessed the brutal demise of a living being.
“What is this now?”
What captured Kim Jae-beom’s attention was an enormous portrait hanging behind the shattered chandelier. Within its frame hung a portrait of a white-haired man.
The man wore ancient noble attire that exuded an air of refinement. The ornate fabric embroidered with golden thread and the weighty gold necklace draped about his neck spoke to his station.
His white hair fell in long cascades, and his deeply lined face suggested advanced age. Yet his eyes belied his years—sharp and piercing.
His blue eyes gazed beyond the portrait’s frame, their penetrating intensity seeming to pierce through Kim Jae-beom himself. A faint smile played at his lips, yet it evoked an inexplicable unease.
The man’s expression was enigmatic, an atmosphere incongruous with the serene quality typical of portraiture. Kim Jae-beom sensed it instinctively.
“It’s going to emerge.”
The figure within the portrait would emerge.
Boom-boom-boom!
The instant Kim Jae-beom’s premonition proved accurate, the entire Second Floor convulsed as if seized by a catastrophic earthquake. Walls and ceiling fractured and trembled, while deep cracks spiderwebbed across the floor.
Crash!
Unable to withstand the violent tremors, the portrait shattered into fragments. Sharp shards of glass scattered in all directions. From between the fractured frame, a dark, smoke-like substance poured forth, rapidly permeating the chamber.
Gurgle…
As the mist dissipated, the White-Haired Nobleman emerged from within. Dressed in the ornate garb of nobility just as he appeared in the portrait, he hovered suspended in the air. His cold blue eyes, emanating a chilling aura, fixed upon Kim Jae-beom and his companions.
“Ahh… what a liberating sensation after so long.”
The White-Haired Nobleman floated in the air, slowly moving his limbs as he murmured to himself. His voice, despite his appearance, carried a gravity and weight befitting someone far older. The low resonance that reverberated through the air was entirely believable as the voice of an entity sealed away for countless ages.
With a casual wave of his hand, the man dispersed the surrounding darkness and descended slowly toward the floor. He stepped upon fragments of the shattered chandelier, yet showed no sign of impact. It was as though he defied gravity itself.
Shiiing…
Around the man, tendrils of darkness coiled and rose upward. Beginning from beneath his feet, the darkness enveloped his entire body and began to emanate an ominous aura.
Zing!
A sword emitting a verdant glow materialized in the man’s hand. The blade, dark as pitch, radiated its presence even within the shadows.
Across the blade’s surface, strange patterns shimmered with green luminescence. They were intricate and arcane, reminiscent of ancient magical formations. The green radiance flowed along the blade and extended to the hilt.
Embedded in the hilt was a golden jewel, within which green mana writhed and coiled. The power contained in that gem was potent enough to make the surrounding air itself crackle with energy.
At the junction where blade and hilt met, serpentine sculptures encircled the weapon. The snake, its tongue flicking, seemed to symbolize the very essence of malice.
The oppressive force emanating from that blade transcended imagination. Merely gazing upon it brought waves of terror—the pinnacle of magical might that inspired fear. It was undoubtedly the weapon wielded by the White-Haired Nobleman in the portrait.
‘What kind of item is that?’
At the sight of the unmistakably extraordinary blade, Kim Jae-beom swallowed hard. Yet there was no turning back now.
“Dercan. Arulan. Attack him.”
Thus, Kim Jae-beom commanded Dercan and Arulan to engage the man.
Boom!
Dercan and Arulan charged toward the White-Haired Nobleman in response to Kim Jae-beom’s command. The skeletal knight’s heavy armor made his advance ponderous, yet within that weight lay the indomitable spirit of a seasoned warrior.
Wielding dual blades, Dercan approached the man with lightning-fast speed. His swords cleaved through the air with a sharp whistle. The strike aimed at the man’s throat descended with dizzying precision.
Yet the White-Haired Nobleman did not even raise an eyebrow. He simply lifted his verdant sword to parry the attack. The moment the two magically-infused weapons collided, the surrounding air rippled and resonated. A thunderous boom shook the entire second floor.
The auras emanating from both weapons spiraled and pressed down upon the surroundings. Flashes of light erupted from blade and sword, and intense waves of brilliance cascaded in all directions.
The strange radiance flowing along the green blade grew increasingly intense. The verdant light, as though consuming the very darkness itself, began to envelop the sword. As Dercan’s dual blades were engulfed by this luminescence, the movement of his blades began to dull.
The mana pouring from the sword seemed to penetrate Dercan’s weapons. His swift and precise strikes grew sluggish, their speed diminishing. It was as though the very blades themselves were being consumed by the green radiance.
Seizing that moment, the man launched his counterattack. With terrifying velocity, he swung his sword toward Dercan’s vital points. The blade sang as it cut through the air, and a flash of light tore through the void.
Crash!
The skeletal knight’s armor shattered into fragments under the tremendous impact. Rusted iron pieces scattered across the floor. The sickening sound of the skeleton itself breaking assailed the ears. It was an attack that felled even a stalwart warrior in a single blow.
Meanwhile, Arulan maintained his distance and chanted another incantation toward the man. An ominous and eerie resonance flowed forth. Ancient mana coalesced and constricted around the man.
The air crackled sharply, and an invisible barrier descended around the man. Arulan’s curse bound the man’s body, sealing him in place.
The man’s eyes narrowed slightly. Even under the weight of such a powerful curse, he could scarcely move. The intensity of light emanating from the verdant sword momentarily wavered.
Yet a cold smirk soon crossed the man’s face. Overwhelming malevolent force burst through the curse and engulfed the surroundings. As though mocking Arulan’s magic, the man’s sword blazed with ever greater intensity.
In an instant, a verdant flash consumed Arulan. The barrier woven from ancient magic shattered, its destruction resonating through space. Under the terrifying assault, Arulan tumbled backward, driven away by the force.
Meanwhile, Dercan struggled to his feet despite his injuries. Casting off his ruined armor, he raised his dual blades once more. An unwavering resolve burned in the skeletal knight’s eyes—a determination never to surrender.
Yet the verdant sword’s radiance engulfed Dercan once again. The speed of his blades plummeted sharply, and soon came to a complete standstill. The skeletal knight’s weapons, which had been desperately held aloft, finally froze.
The White-Haired Nobleman approached Dercan slowly, a contemptuous smile playing at his lips. Gazing upon the limp skeleton unable to move, he did not let that cold sneer falter.
The moment their eyes met—those frigid blue orbs—all vitality drained from the skeletal knight’s body. Consumed by terror, he could no longer even resist.
The verdant sword, raised with deliberate slowness, unleashed a merciless flash. As that final moment approached, despair kindled in Dercan’s eyes.
Boom!
[Dercan has perished.]
Less than five minutes into the battle, Dercan was dead.

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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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