My Skeleton Soldier Is Strange - Chapter 88

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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 88
What captured Kim Jae-beom’s attention was an antiquated box positioned in one corner of the Warehouse.
A steel chest bearing the deep marks of countless years, its age etched into every surface.
From its corroded exterior emanated a sense of weighty antiquity.
Though the metal encasing the box appeared shabby, as if covered in moss, it seemed to hint at something extraordinary contained within.
The atmosphere suggested a repository of secrets hidden beneath the worn and ancient steel.
Kim Jae-beom examined the box meticulously, his careful fingers brushing away the roughened surface.
His fingers moved slowly across the steel, tracing layers upon layers of temporal erosion.
The sensation of resilience and weight—qualities forged by countless ages—transmitted through his fingertips.
His gaze fell upon a crimson gem set at the box’s center, a jewel that seemed to stand as a sentinel guarding the keyhole.
The brilliant red radiance, pulsing with vivid life force, reflected in his pupils.
The crimson gem, inscribed in a pattern encircling the keyhole, emanated a mysterious aura.
Whoosh!
That was when it happened.
Red light flowed from Kim Jae-beom’s body, and Count Heltema—whose power now sustained the Overlord—materialized before him in spectral form.
[So you’ve finally reached my Warehouse.]
Count Heltema’s expression darkened, as if displeased.
[Are you curious about what lies within this box?]
“Well, I am curious.”
[Within it rests a growth stone imbued with formidable power.]
Count Heltema’s lips curved into a bitter smile.
[But beware. Great power always demands a price—the more you utilize my authority, the stronger my own consciousness becomes.]
With that cryptic warning, he vanished like a mirage.
“Hmm.”
Kim Jae-beom furrowed his brow at Count Heltema’s sudden appearance and disappearance. Being in spectral form, he left no trace behind.
‘A growth stone, then.’
If the bastard spoke truth, his actions amounted to a warning that he might resurrect.
“I’ll just beat him down again once I’m stronger. Simple as that.”
Yet Kim Jae-beom harbored no concern. He’d already thrashed Count Heltema during the tutorial, and had even gained the Overlord’s authority as a result. Since he’d come this far, he intended to see it through to the end.
“Open the box.”
[So you’re challenging me?]
“Yes. Now hurry up and open it. Let me grow faster.”
[Very well.]
Click.
Count Heltema applied force to the box at Kim Jae-beom’s command. Recognizing its master, the lid opened, and crimson radiance poured forth from within.
The interior of the box was filled entirely with growth stones.
The elongated gems gleamed with crystalline brilliance, captivating his gaze.
A living, breathing red luminescence coiled across the surface of each growth stone.
The vibrant, life-suffused hue was more than sufficient to entrance the observer’s eyes.
The surface of the growth stones had been worn smooth by time.
The gem felt smooth in my grip, as though it had been held for countless ages.
A timeless nobility emanated from the growth stone, suffusing the air with ancient grandeur.
Within the jewel’s depths, a crimson radiance writhed and coiled with serpentine grace.
That vigorous movement spoke of the tremendous energy contained within the growth stone.
A wave of light, as though hungering for the force of life itself, transmitted through my fingertips.
The growth stone commanded overwhelming beauty in its very essence.
Its undulating crimson brilliance and dignified presence inspired awe itself.
It was a mystical gem that seemed to belong only in ancient legends.
Crash!
The growth stone shattered into fragments beneath the crushing force of my grip.
The jewel’s shards scattered through the air, unleashing a tempest of crimson light across the surroundings.
The radiance pouring forth from the fractured growth stone was overwhelming.
Roooaarrr—
Tremendous energy erupted from within the broken growth stone.
It was the power of Count Heltema.
A pillar of crimson energy surged skyward.
That light descended upon me with ferocious intensity, as though seeking to devour me whole.
Boom!
In an instant, my body was engulfed by Count Heltema’s power.
The crimson energy burrowed through my skin, coursing through my veins and flooding inward.
As the force seeped into my body, I felt my breath stolen away.
Searing heat pierced through me, delivering excruciating agony.
The pain, as though I were consumed by raging flames, caused my teeth to chatter violently.
A sensation of every cell in my body swelling to the point of rupture overwhelmed me.
Thump… thump…
Blood infused with crimson energy surged with violent ferocity.
My heart pounded at a rate that seemed ready to explode.
The power ravaging my body made it difficult to maintain consciousness.
Flash!
Soon, crimson light consumed my vision.
Eyes burning with that frenzied red glow resembled those of a demon.
Count Heltema’s power was rampaging, consuming me entirely.
Where the growth stone had shattered, only crimson mist remained.
The power that the mystical jewel had possessed now dwelt within my body.
The crimson aura radiating from my entire form proclaimed that I had become the growth stone’s master.
Whoooosh—
Count Heltema’s power transformed my body with intense ferocity.
The crimson energy stimulated every cell within me, triggering rapid growth.
My muscles and bones expanded, and my form became visibly enormous.
Boom… boom…
My muscles swelled to the point of bursting, straining against the armor that contained them.
A scorching heat surged beneath my skin, as though something were boiling up from within.
My veins bulged in vivid patterns, flaunting a powerful vitality.
Thump… thump…
My heart thundered like a grand drum, resonating through my entire being.
The enlarged heart pumped blood throughout my body, accelerating my growth.
The pounding within me was so intense that it echoed across vast distances.
My height now approached two meters.
Transformed by Count Heltema’s power, my form radiated an overwhelming presence.
My brutish physique was terrifying in itself.
Thud… thud…
My newly formed muscles convulsed beneath my skin like waves.
My completed form resembled King Kong itself.
The frenzied aura emanating from my body was so fierce it seemed to devour everything around me.
Writhe… writhe…
Tremendous, monstrous strength swirled within my thickened muscles.
Even my solid armor was stretched taut, threatening to burst.
Now that my transformation was complete, I had become something no one could easily contend with.
The crimson light flickering in my eyes spoke of the power I had gained.
Count Heltema’s legacy had brought me changes beyond imagination.
“This is absolutely insane.”
I smiled as I beheld my transformed body. The changes I had achieved in the Shadow Fortress were more than worth the effort.
* * *
I left the Shadow Fortress and headed toward the Dark Forest where monsters dwelled. Normally, I would have returned immediately, but I wanted to test my newfound power. I made my way to where Hydra was located. True to a virtual reality game, the creature I had defeated had already respawned without issue.
Hydra emerged between the trees, radiating an oppressive presence.
The colossal serpentine monster slowly revealed itself from the forest’s shadows.
Its body, covered in scales that gleamed with a blue luminescence, was as thick as a tree trunk.
Its bulging, muscular form was strength incarnate.
Hiss— hiss—
Three heads sprouted from Hydra’s neck.
Each head bore the shape of a long, pointed serpent’s skull.
Its gleaming eyes and razor-sharp fangs evoked the image of a savage predator.
Instead of hair, a dragon-like mane fluttered in the wind.
Shhh— shhh—
The three heads turned in different directions, scanning all around with vigilance.
Its sharp tongue flicked as though tasting the scent of prey.
Its narrowed pupils trembled with excitement, as if it had already spotted food.
Hisssss—
Suddenly, Hydra’s gaze fell upon me.
In that instant, Hydra’s eyes began to burn crimson.
His aggressive gaze burned with an unsettling madness.
Venom dripped steadily from his tattered maw.
Fwoooom—!
Hydra threw his head back and unleashed a bone-chilling shriek.
A thunderous roar shook the Dark Forest to its core.
Leaves cascaded down as the earth trembled beneath us.
It was the triumphant cry of a predator who had spotted its prey.
Boom— Boom—
All three of Hydra’s heads snapped toward Kim Jae-beom in unison.
With elongated necks, the heads lunged forward like vipers poised to strike.
Razor-sharp fangs gleamed as the heads thrashed through the air.
Fwoooom—!
Even faced with this sudden assault, Kim Jae-beom didn’t so much as blink.
Instead, his gaze grew more intense as he fixed his eyes on Hydra.
Rather than fear, excitement flickered in those hostile eyes.
With a body now brimming with power, he actually welcomed Hydra’s charge.
Whoosh—!
Hydra’s razor-sharp fangs bore down on Kim Jae-beom.
Yet he stood his ground without flinching, refusing to retreat.
Instead, he positioned himself to meet Hydra head-on.
His arms tensed with tremendous force, his bulging muscles rippling with power.
Crash—!
The moment all three heads attacked simultaneously, Kim Jae-beom’s arms moved. He extended his front legs in a massive stride, closing the distance to Hydra with thunderous steps.
A low murmur escaped between his lips.
“Slow.”
His eyes held a detached gaze, as if looking down upon Hydra.
An opponent who once posed a threat now seemed beneath his notice.
Shing—
Kim Jae-beom’s hand drew the steel staff hanging from his waist.
The heavy metal shaft began to cut through the air in sweeping arcs.
The way he wielded his arm resembled a baseball player swinging a bat.
—Whoooosh—!
The steel staff tore through the wind as it hurtled toward Hydra.
A sharp whistle accompanied its terrifying speed as it bore down on the enemy.
Kim Jae-beom’s muscles exploded with power, channeling tremendous force through the staff.
Fwoooom—!
The tip of the steel staff struck Hydra’s abdomen with perfect precision.
The monster’s body folded in half from the devastating impact.
The sound of shattering shell mixed with blood spraying between the scales.
Boom—!
Hydra’s massive body tumbled across the ground with a sickening thud.
Crushed beneath overwhelming force, the creature lay motionless, utterly helpless.
Trembling violently where it had fallen, it gasped for breath in ragged, desperate heaves.
Screech—! Screech—!
Hydra shrieked and convulsed in agony.
Crimson blood poured torrentially from its ruptured abdomen.
Writhing entrails spilled forth from the cavity, painting a grotesque tableau of devastation.

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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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