A skeleton? Is that some sort of code name?
The remaining armored warrior and the archer exchanged wary glances.
"Brother, I think there's been some misunderstanding," the armored warrior said cautiously, ever mindful of shifting circumstances.
"Apologies, it has nothing to do with misunderstandings," Lixuman replied coldly."Because I am a skeleton, and you are human. Therefore, you must die."
He surged forward, raising his staff to strike.
"Shield Bash!"
The armored warrior raised his thick shield to intercept the blow.
"Keen Edge!"
The greatsword swung in a deadly arc toward Lixuman.
"First-Level Magic: Wind Shield!"
The pale ochre rock shield on Lixuman's left arm dissolved, replaced by a whirling vortex of wind. The greatsword collided with the tempest, veering off course under the invisible pull.
"What sorcery is this?!" the armored warrior exclaimed, struggling to regain control.
Arrows rained from behind, but Lixuman barely flinched. Skeletons feared little, least of all arrows. Those aimed at his skull deflected; those aimed at his chest passed through his body as if through air. Up close, the armored warrior finally saw it: beneath the tattered clothing, no flesh existed—only the pale white bones of a skeletal frame. Arrows passed harmlessly through the gaps.
"You… you really are a skeleton!"
Horror struck him, scrambling his movements, and Lixuman capitalized immediately with a barrage of crushing blows.
"I did mention this before," Lixuman murmured with each strike."Speaking of which, it's about time."
He flicked his wrist; the staff arced gracefully through the air. Activating [Mighty Force], it whistled like a thrown spear, propelled by wind magic.
"Move aside!"
Too late—the staff struck, hurling the archer against the stone wall.
"Perhaps you should pay more attention to yourself," Lixuman quipped, delivering a swift kick like a cracking whip to the armored warrior. The shield wavered, nearly toppling him.
In a fluid motion, Lixuman thrust his hands into the warrior's chest, drawing a white bone sword. Two skeletal blades gleamed as they slashed toward the armored warrior's eyes.
"Don't underestimate me, monster!"
The warrior swung his greatsword in desperation. Flames ignited in Lixuman's eye sockets as a pair of skeletal wings unfurled behind him, suspending him briefly in midair.
"Heavy Strike!"
The greatsword came upward; Lixuman pivoted, projecting a wind shield from his leg. The swirling vortex redirected the blow, forcing the armored warrior off balance.
"Not good!"
The warrior braced with both hands, raising the golden Immovable Fortress shield, anchoring himself like a living bulwark.
Lixuman's wings beat once more, lifting him high. The two bone swords merged, growing into a massive double-handed weapon.
"Ossified Growth!"
Enveloped in earth magic, the tip became a colossal stone sphere. Fire magic engulfed it; wind magic propelled it faster, accelerating its descent. The hammering strike landed with devastating force.
"BOOM!"
Shockwaves blasted outward, shattering eardrums. Blood poured from the armored warrior's ears. His armor cracked, the stone beneath him splintered and collapsed, until his knees sank fully into the fractured ground, and the colossal weapon shattered.
Cough!
Lixuman wasted no time, thrusting a long bone spear toward his throat.
"Quagmire!"
Mud swallowed his legs, anchoring him in place.
"SPLUTCH!"
Warm blood gushed, staining the armor.
Ding! Armored Warrior Lv16 defeated. Experience +400.
Lixuman drew out the spear, shaking off the blood, and turned toward the last archer. The figure pinned to the wall had vanished, leaving only a bloodied staff on the ground.
"Restless, aren't you?"
He followed the trail of blood, quickly catching up to the weakened, staggering archer.
"Don't kill me! I was forced! They made me do it!""I-I have lots of money outside! All yours! Please, spare me!"
Lixuman's bone spear impaled the archer's throat, pinning him to the ground.
Ding! Archer Lv14 defeated. Experience +300.
"Quit the whining. Be decisive—how irritating."
Experience full. Level up to Lv16.Constitution +1, Spirit +1Free Attribute Point +1
Allocating the point to Spirit, Lixuman crouched, rifling through the bodies. He quickly found a pouch of gold. Other loot was cumbersome and not worth carrying. After inspecting the remaining corpses, he amassed a respectable sum. Indeed, plunder and mayhem yielded wealth swiftly. He secured the pouch in a small bag strapped to his spine—safe and convenient.
With the bodies disposed via magic, he pressed deeper into the dungeon. Passing through the thirteenth floor, he entered the fourteenth.
According to the map, the fourteenth floor had fewer monsters and even featured hot springs—a perfect spot to rest. A temporary human settlement existed here, providing adventurers with lodging, trade, transport, and supplies.
Following the map, Lixuman soon found a shop.
"Rubi Guild Temporary Dungeon Shop."
Precisely. The guild maintained acquisition and supply points within the dungeon.
"Can I help you, sir?" asked the woman behind the counter, smiling.
"Do you purchase materials?"
He emptied the collected magic stones onto the counter.
"So many magic stones!" Her eyes lit up.
"Judging by your attire, you must be the skeleton gentleman sent by headquarters!"
Observing Lixuman's unique, all-metal staff, she gushed further.
"Skeleton gentleman?"
"Yes, the one who claims to be a skeleton, single-handedly conquering the dungeon?"
"No teammates? Truly alone?"
"And able to collect so many magic stones? Could you be a second-tier professional?"
Her curiosity nearly toppled her over the counter, eyes fixed intently on Lixuman.
"…Apologies, I got a bit carried away."
She composed herself.
"I am Rachel Xu Vante, proprietor of this shop. Thank you for assisting the Rubi Guild."
"Just a fair trade. Exchange these stones, please."
"Ah, of course. Sorry for the delay."
Rachel sorted, weighed, and priced the stones.
"Is this price acceptable?"
"Fine."
"Then please accept the coins. If you need lodging, the second floor is available. I can provide it free of charge for you, Skeleton Gentleman."
"No need. Time is pressing; once these materials are handled, I must continue descending," Lixuman declined, securing the pouch.
"What a pity… next time, you are welcome again—lodging remains free," Rachel said wistfully.
"Next time, certainly."