Returning to the guild with the easily startled catgirl, Lamantiel, Li Shuman found her trembling like a nervous kitten the entire way—her tail and ears stiffly upright, clutching the parcel in her arms as if her life depended on it.
When they finally stepped into the guild's first-floor hall, they immediately spotted Tedaila. It was clear that the guild hadn't been doing well; she was scurrying about in exhaustion, dark circles shadowing her eyes.
The moment she caught sight of Li Shuman, her eyes lit up like stars."You're back."Though she tried to restrain her voice, the excitement in her gaze was unmistakable.
"Master, Lord Skeleton has completed the collection!"
The instant Lamantiel uttered those words, the once-bustling hall fell silent for a heartbeat—then erupted into a storm of murmurs.
"No way! He really entered the twenty-first level of the dungeon alone and brought back Octagonal Fire Crystals?""Impossible—he must've had a team.""No, I saw him enter the dungeon solo at the city spire myself!""Then he must be a Second-Tier professional!""Maybe… but what was his name again? There aren't many adventurers in White Bear City who can dive past the twentieth level alone.""He called himself Skeleton. Uses a skeleton as his code name. What a strange guy."
All eyes turned toward Li Shuman as though he were some rare treasure.Realizing her slip, Lamantiel's tail drooped between her legs, and her ears flattened."I-I'm sorry. I spoke out of turn." she murmured, clearly afraid of punishment.
"It's fine. It's bound to come out sooner or later," Li Shuman said, ruffling her hair in comfort. Seeing the crestfallen catgirl, how could he not console her?
"Well, as long as it's been retrieved," Tedaila said, visibly relieved. "I'll make sure you receive your share once it's sold."
It was a great deal of money—but for Tedaila, saving the guild was more than enough reward. To her, Li Shuman was a benefactor.
"Still," Li Shuman cautioned, "knowing how that noble operates, he won't let you off easily."
Tedaila sighed, helpless. "Then we'll take it one step at a time… meet each move with our own."
She truly couldn't fathom why that merchant was so obsessed with her. She wasn't without charm, but White Bear City had plenty more beautiful women.
"If you manage to complete the delivery with these Fire Crystals," Li Shuman suggested, "consider the payment as an investment—my share in your guild."
Her eyes sparkled. "Oh!"
It was a brilliant offer. After the dungeon expedition, Li Shuman had proven his strength beyond question. Having someone like him bound to the guild's interests could only bring enormous benefit.
But she resisted the temptation, shaking her head. "You don't need to consider my feelings. With your strength, any major guild would welcome you with open arms."
"You know my circumstances," Li Shuman replied quietly. "Those guilds would never accept someone like me."
Only then did Tedaila remember—he wasn't human at all, but a genuine skeleton. He acted so naturally human that she often forgot.
A faint disappointment stirred within her; he hadn't chosen her guild out of affection or loyalty, but necessity.
"Still," Li Shuman added with a faint smile, "it's not entirely unwilling. Your guild has freedom—and potential. Think of it as an investment I believe in."
Tedaila blinked. Could he truly see through her thoughts? Was this skeleton able to read hearts?
Later, Li Shuman left the guild. His dungeon journey had earned him a fortune: three hundred thirty gold coins, twenty silvers, and a handful of coppers—most of it payment from Ilu.
In this world, a single copper coin could buy half a loaf of bread or a bowl of corn soup—enough to fill an ordinary person's stomach. A commoner could live for a month on about a quarter of a gold coin—two and a half silvers, with another quarter gold if they rented a home.
Li Shuman's goal now was simple: rent a house.
Staying in the guild's guest room was inconvenient for a skeleton—and far too cramped. He wanted a quiet place, preferably with a large bath, a small courtyard, and a basement.
Naturally, such a house wouldn't come cheap.But this time, Li Shuman could proudly declare—he wasn't short on money.
Following Tedaila's recommendation, he visited a rental agency. Once he mentioned her name, the staff's attitude turned exceptionally warm, and soon an agent led him to view several properties.
Not long after, Li Shuman found the perfect one—a charming two-story house three streets from the Ribi Guild, with a fenced yard and an isolated, peaceful setting in the outskirts.
The landlord even agreed to expand the yard's fence upon request. The house had two bedrooms, an attic, and an enormous bath nearly the size of a room. The living room was spacious, with a detached kitchen and an outhouse.
Well—those last two weren't exactly necessary. Fairies might need such facilities, but skeletons certainly didn't.
Beneath the house were two shadowy basements—dark, cool, and utterly delightful. His skeletal instincts immediately took a liking to them. A bit of cleaning, and one would serve perfectly as his quarters.
Of course, the rent matched its size and quality: one and a half gold coins per month, payable quarterly or annually—no monthly options.
Li Shuman paid for six months upfront, a generous nine gold coins. Who knew when Lucia might track him down? Better to keep his options open.
Once the contract was signed—with his full name, due to magical enforcement—Li Shuman grimaced slightly at the surname inherited from that vile bone dragon, Pond.
Li Shuman Pond.
Reluctantly, he inscribed it, then stepped into his new home. A fine layer of dust covered everything—it clearly hadn't been lived in for some time.
Raising his staff, he chanted:"O Spirit of Water, reveal your power, and let your miracle unfold—Cleanse!"
No one was around, so he indulged himself with full dramatic flair. It felt surprisingly liberating.
A swirl of water and wind magic swept through the house, scrubbing it spotless from floor to ceiling. It seemed that The Fundamentals of First-Tier Elemental Magic contained more than just decorative spells—some were genuinely practical.
Tossing back his hood, Li Shuman sprawled on the clean floor, his white skull resting coolly against it."Ah… this feels amazing."
Piece by piece, he removed his enchanted light armor and worn leather gear. His undershirt, riddled with holes, he discarded without hesitation.
Finally, in nothing but shorts, he sat cross-legged on the floor.
His magic armor remained intact, his leather armor bore battle scars that lent it a rugged beauty. Donning a clean short-sleeved shirt and slippers, he completed the ensemble—shorts, shirt, slippers.
A perfectly casual skeleton.
Living alone meant no one to judge him—utter bliss.
After so long in the dungeon's gloom, he needed this rest.
If only skeletons could eat, he thought wistfully, I'd treat myself to a feast.