A green, ominous light seeped from the empty eye sockets.
‘Unpleasant.’
Soon, the White Bone’s jaw rattled, filling the cave with its bothersome noise.
‘It’s been quite a while since the ambush started….’
Yet, no notable results had been achieved.
Why wasn’t that overconfident Iron Blood taking charge?
What was it that kept gnawing at his nerves since earlier?
The White Bone continually rattled its jaw, frustrated by the lack of control over the situation.
But then—
Was the goddess of victory looking down upon him?
He found one seemingly useful person.
No, not just useful; he might be stronger than that Iron Blood who put him in this predicament.
A chilling laugh escaped between the White Bone’s jaw.
‘If I could turn that into a corpse and command it as my minion….’
Or, if he devoured that soul and took its merits.
His long-held wish could become more than just a dream.
Seated in a massive chair, the White Bone rested his chin on his hand, waiting for his soon-to-arrive guest.
*
“It’s not too late even now. Let’s retreat for the time being…”
“Ugh, you’re really chatty.”
Stopping in his tracks, he whipped his head around and glared at Arnold.
“My head’s starting to throb, so be quiet.”
It had been about one tea-time since they started walking together, and this guy’s mouth hadn’t stopped.
Though he’d tried to speak a few times out of irritation…
“…But no matter how strong my professor is, this is madness.”
“…”
The guy flinched briefly but didn’t stop talking.
Ah, why did I even tell him to follow me?
What a regrettable moment.
With about two ri left to their destination, he rubbed his goosebumps-covered arms and let out a series of complaints.
Ugh, this is giving me the creeps.
The closer they got, the more he felt an ominous presence.
“…I’ve never felt such an aura in my life.”
Of course, he would have never felt it living in a shack his whole life,
but even if he had been a wanderer, it would certainly be hard to encounter such a presence.
And no wonder.
“It doesn’t feel like it’s alive….”
The energy was dense, and its interior was hollow, making it hard to believe it was any living creature.
Mumbling to himself, Arnold chewed his lips nervously as he turned contemplative.
Seeing him made him let out a puff of exasperation.
A guy like him has no guts.
Though it wasn’t entirely understandable; after all, this guy was still a student at the Academy, right?
His real-world experience must be lacking, naturally.
Well, it seemed like Nameless was doing just fine, but not everyone can be my disciple.
He couldn’t just leave him in that state, so with another deep sigh, he tried to comfort Arnold.
“…Didn’t I tell you not to worry? You don’t need to be so scared.”
Rolling his eyes at his words, Arnold glanced at him again, muttering.
“No matter how I think about it, this isn’t right…”
“If you’re so scared, why don’t you just turn back? Please.”
He glared at him with exasperated eyes, and just when Arnold clamped his mouth shut again,
“Wait a second.”
“…?”
He stretched out his arm to stop him and grinned.
“Looks like someone is eager to meet me.”
“…What do you mean?”
“Right in front, a corpse has come out to greet us.”
At his words, Arnold narrowed his eyes and stared straight ahead, his expression slowly shifting to one of horror.
“That ruins our ambush, doesn’t it?!”
“Why do I care?”
Ambush? He hadn’t even thought about that from the start.
Initially, he had no intention of fighting at a point where he didn’t even know who that guy was.
If he had really considered an ambush,
he wouldn’t have brought along a rookie who couldn’t hide his presence like this.
Leaving a frozen Arnold behind, he stepped forward, gripping his wooden sword.
“Alright, where’s your leader?”
“Guh, ugh….”
A corpse dressed in the armor of knights, painted black, nodded its head with a sound like nails on a chalkboard, then moved its feet.
“Seems like it wants us to follow.”
Saying this, he moved to follow the corpse, and Arnold looked at him as if he couldn’t believe it, muttering, “This is a dream…”
His diligently following figure was truly absurd, but—
“Pfft, ahem.”
“What’s so funny…! Ha, I’m not…”
He did look ridiculous in his foolish state.
Well, it was a bit bothersome,
but it’s not like he could just leave him behind because of his inherently good nature, right?
Reaching the entrance of what was clearly a suspicious cave,
the corpse knight stopped there and turned back to look at him.
“Is this the place?”
“Guh, guh, ugh….”
Nodding repeatedly, the corpse knight made groaning noises.
…What’s it trying to say?
It was an utterly incomprehensible remark, but it must be right since it stopped here.
Just as he was about to step inside the cave,
Arnold swallowed hard and looked at him with trembling eyes.
“…Are we really going?”
“Of course. Am I supposed to turn back after coming this far?”
For a moment, Arnold rubbed his face and then heaved a deep sigh, seemingly steeling himself.
“Let’s go.”
He wore an expression akin to a warrior risking his life.
“Okay, let’s go.”
Looking a bit reluctant, he nodded and walked ahead.
…After all, when it comes down to it, isn’t the one fighting going to be me?
“Hmm.”
It felt quite strange, but nevertheless, he didn’t want to ruin Arnold’s resolve, so he kept his mouth shut.
Once they arrived at what appeared to be the deepest part of the cave,
they were met with an expansive cavern that seemed to stretch endlessly.
And there was a White Bone accompanying it.
“…So it really wasn’t alive, huh?”
Eyes wide, he pointed at the White Bone and exclaimed.
…How can something like that even exist?
From its ability to handle so many corpses and lead him here, it seemed to have some intelligence,
yet the White Bone’s insides were empty—it had no brain.
…Is there no need for a brain to possess wisdom in this world?
Drifting into somewhat useless thoughts while supporting his chin,
he heard a sound accompanying the rattle of his jaw.
“Have you come?”
Barely swallowing the words that almost escaped my mouth, I simply nodded.
Wow… gross.
Watching the vocal cords cling to the spinal bones move before his very eyes was a truly bizarre experience…
Understanding this reaction somehow,
the White Bone chuckled, flailing its skeletal arms.
“Do not fear.”
“Ugh…”
It’s not that I’m scared; it’s just disgusting, as if I’m looking at a pest…
But since the White Bone seemed to take offense, he didn’t say anything.
After all, he didn’t even know yet if the White Bone was truly his enemy, right?
Better safe than sorry.
Nodding once, he opened his mouth.
“Who are you—”
“What business do you have—”
But, quite unfortunately, the timing of both the White Bone and my replies synchronized perfectly.
“…I’m fine, so you go first—”
“I’ll show mercy, so speak first—”
After several overlaps in conversation, an awkward silence fell.
Just moments ago, the terrified Arnold was now staring blankly at us, wearing a foolish expression.
“…What’s happening?”
Well, I’m a bit flustered, too.
In the midst of the prevailing awkward silence, I cleared my throat lightly and raised my head.
…At this rate, it could go on forever.
With a deep sigh, I subtly gestured with my chin toward the White Bone.
It was a hint to speak first.
Nodding in response, the White Bone ignited green flames in the surroundings, creating a chilling atmosphere once more before rattling its jaw.
“What is your business here?”
“Umm.”
As for the business… I came to see what kind of monster I was dealing with and beat it up….
But I knew I shouldn’t say that outright.
For now, I had to confirm whether that guy belonged to the Demon King faction.
At that moment, just as I was about to nod and reply to the White Bone,
“By any chance, are you acting on someone else’s orders—”
“Of course, it’s to eliminate you! You filthy necromancer!”
With glowing eyes of justice, Arnold raised his finger, pointing at the White Bone.
Ah, I should have left this guy behind.
With a throbbing headache, I let out another deep sigh.
“…Eliminate?”
“Yeah! You wicked necromancer! Why did you attack the Academy?!”
Though the White Bone’s expression was invisible,
it oddly seemed startled, and I shook my head slightly while stepping forward.
“Let’s ignore him for now; the real question is, did you come here under someone’s orders?”
I threw the question in hopes of confirming whether he acted on someone’s orders.
“…Orders? No one dares give commands to, the King of the Dead, Reaper!”
The White Bone—no, Reaper—fumed at my words and struck the head of another White Bone that stood next to him.
—DANG!
A clear sound echoed from the empty skull.
“Pfft!”
He couldn’t hold back his laughter at such a pleasant sound after all.
“Cough, cough, my bad for laughing, oh King of the Dead… Puhaha!”
His laughter wouldn’t cease,
and he doubled over, wiping away tears.
Ah, this is maddening.
“…”
No expression was displayed, but somehow, the Reaper seemed displeased as he folded his arms and regarded him.
In any case, that meant he isn’t one of the Demon King’s subordinates, right?
That’s nice for me.
Gripping my wooden sword, I took a step forward.
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