How to Raise Your Skeletons

Chapter 16: Chickened Out

You want to hear about my opportunity? Then wait until I finish dealing with them! If not, sue me!

My bold declaration left the air thick with silence.

Kang Jaeho and his men scoffed while the A-rank assassin stared at me coldly.

“Wh-What are you planning to do?” The porter siblings clung to my clothes, their faces filled with anxiety.

I smiled gently and nodded, fixing my gaze on the assassin.

“Please understand. I have a sort of mental illness. No matter how dangerous the situation, I can’t stand my pride getting hurt. I must deal with those backstabbers myself.”

“Perhaps,” the assassin spoke, his face still stern. “You’re not plotting something, are you?”

“Oh, come on.” I waved my hand dismissively.

His icy stare pierced through me, but I tried to appear confident.

“After all, we’re in a dungeon. I have no way to escape from you.”

“Are you sure?”

“Absolutely. Even if I still had a clever trick, could I deceive an A-rank hunter’s eyes and senses?”

“You have a point.” The assassin nodded, closing his eyes to weigh his options.

He’s almost convinced.

They were from a vicious criminal group, and criminals had no camaraderie. They would stab their comrades in the back without hesitation if it benefited them.

If I insisted I wouldn’t reveal the ‘opportunity’ and that I would rather die, would he protect his underlings or would he grant my request instead?

“To be quite frank with you,” I spoke again, reinforcing my stance, “I know I’m in a dire situation. I mean, the Shadow Lurkers are right in front of me. Who would think they could survive?”

The assassin needed to see me as someone with nothing to lose.

“…”

“But even if I die, I won’t let those bastards have the satisfaction. Approaching me with kind faces only to stab me in the back… If you can’t accept this, just kill me. Or should I end my own life?”

“…Hold up.”

I placed Boney 1’s sword against my throat, making the assassin’s expression turn desperate. His relaxed attitude when throwing a dagger at me was gone.

“Brother? Are you seriously considering falling for such an obvious bluff?” Kang Jaeho was flustered.

“Sheesh, quite a bold move to use the opponent’s greed against them. This is the strategy of the weak, I see. Haha, I’ve learned something new.”

The old man watched with amusement.

“Brother?”

“Shut up.”

The assassin’s cold voice made Kang Jaeho’s eyes widen.

Ignoring his subordinate, the assassin turned to me. “And what if they beat you?”

The meaning of this question was straightforward: I would be given a chance to fight. But what if I lost?

“Then I will comply.”

“Comply?”

“Yes. Regardless of the outcome, I will reveal the ‘opportunity’ I obtained in that dungeon and how it can benefit you. I will tell you everything.”

“Hmm, fine.” The assassin nodded, tapping his wristwatch. “I’ll give you exactly 30 minutes. But if you try anything foolish and get caught… you will live in agony forever, unable to die. I have the means to ensure that.”

“Of course, thank you.” I bowed deeply.

—Swoosh!

The assassin sheathed his dagger and stepped back, an act of accepting my proposal.

“You…” Kang Jaeho’s face twisted with anger. “Do you think you can beat me?”

“Who knows.” I grinned, reorganizing my skeletons. “We won’t know until we try.”

—Click-clack! Clank!

Armed and ready skeletons clattered their bones, signaling their readiness.

The old man also nodded.

“Good. Now that the stage is set, I will intervene as promised. Now, let’s replace today’s training with real-time practical guidance. So, what should you do now to face that waiting assassin?”

I need to conserve my strength.

“Correct. Use minimal effort for maximum effect. Let me teach you a strategy to use your opponent’s strength against them.”

Thank you, elder.

With the old man’s advice, I was confident I could handle Kang Jaeho and his men.

“Take them down.”

I commanded my skeletons as I enjoyed the baffled expression on their faces.

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With that, the battle began.

* * *

Reaper Scans

Translator – Dawn

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* * *

Hmm…

In the desert dungeon, a hooded man stood with his arms crossed. He was Ko Jaeyoung, an A-rank assassin from the Shadow Lurkers.

Impressive movements.

Ko Jaeyoung closely observed the necromancer’s control over his skeletons.

He’s definitely not a novice.

And it wasn’t just the control; the way the skeletons moved was remarkable. Each skeleton seemed firm yet fluid, using the opponent’s strength against them. Even though they were mere skeletons.

Ko Jaeyoung was certain.

Kang Jaeho was right. He did obtain a fortuitous opportunity.

The exact nature of the opportunity was unknown; it could be an item, a skill book, or a newly awakened unique ability.

But.

Kang Jaeho had told him that the dungeon’s reward was the teachings of a mysterious old man who had overpowered Gi Soyul.

What a shock it was.

Gi Soyul was a legendary figure and a role model among hunters, especially those with assassination abilities.

At first, he didn’t believe the existence of a dungeon boss toying with Gi Soyul. Not to mention that the boss was looking for a disciple. But seeing the ‘confidential agreement’ from the Parang Guild made him confident. The usually indifferent Gi Soyul wouldn’t go out of her way to keep the survivors quiet in order to protect someone’s secret.

It may be true.

He felt hope—a hope to achieve his long-held dream.

If I can kill her with my own hands…!

Ko Jaeyoung shivered with excitement.

His ultimate goal was to assassinate Gi Soyul, the queen of assassination, and claim the title of Dark Emperor.

And now, the opportunity was here. He had to take the reward from this necromancer by any means necessary. Even if it meant sacrificing his subordinate Kang Jaeho.

But so what?

—Boom! Crash!

“Damn you, insect!”

“Shit! The skeletons are weird! They’re deflecting all my attacks!”

“Leader! We’re getting overrun here! Help!”

The tide of battle turned quickly.

While Kang Jaeho and his men gasped for breath, the necromancer controlling the skeletons seemed relaxed.

Oh? So he really would win, huh?

Despite his subordinate struggling, Ko Jaeyoung remained still. He wasn’t worried. No matter how skilled the necromancer was, he was still a mouse before a cat in front of an A-rank hunter.

He better keep his promise.

Ko Jaeyoung watched with a chilling expression.

Hm?

He raised an eyebrow.

He sensed the presence of another ally at the dungeon’s entrance. Another A-rank hunter from the Shadow Lurkers who had been keeping watch outside.

Why did he enter?

His eyes twitched slightly.

* * *

“Ugh!”

The weary Kang Jaeho hastily raised his sword.

To finish him off, Boney 1 swung its sword forcefully.

—Slash!

The air was split, and with a clang, Kang Jaeho’s sword broke under the pressure.

“Damn it!”

As he cursed and tried to flee, Boney 1 kicked him with all his might.

“Argh!”

He tumbled, covered in sand.

Kang Jaeho wasn’t the only one who was neutralized.

[‘Bonehead 5’ used the skill ‘Fireball’ (Lv.1).]

—Whoosh!

“B-Block it!”

“Ah! It’s hot!”

“No fair! Since when can skeletons use magic?”

[‘Bonehead 3’ used the skill ‘Rapid Fire’ (Lv.2).]

“More arrows incoming!”

“Deflect them! Shield!”

“Don’t just block! Counterattack! Skeletons don’t have much defense, so…!”

[‘Bonehead 4’ used the skill ‘Low-Level Guard’ (Lv.1).]

“Dammit!”

The skeletons subdued the hunters one by one.

Their bodies were covered in wounds, and their movements showed clear signs of fatigue.

“Haha, excellent,” the old man laughed.

“They’re too weak for real combat experience, but it’s a good start.”

I’ll get real combat experience with that assassin.

“Don’t get cocky. You’ll have to put everything on the line to face him.”

I already did, elder.

As I conversed with the old man, I slowly approached Kang Jaeho.

“N-No. Don’t come closer! Spare me!”

Seeing him back away, I found his appearance amusing. He was a classic bully, strong against the weak but weak against the strong. How he treated the porters was utterly different from his current demeanor.

Now that the fight is over…

It was time to finish this.

—Shing!

On my signal, Boney 1 raised its sword high.

The sun over the desert reflected off the blade like a flash.

If you intend to take someone’s life, you should be prepared to lose your own.

Just as I was about to bring down the sword with determination…

“Hm?”

I sensed a chilling presence as someone with a massive aura approached rapidly.

“Haah, you fool.”

The old man beside me sighed.

What is it?

“What is it, you ask? Another one like that assassin just joined the fray.”

‘…?!’

“Now I don’t know what will happen. Ugh! You’re good at everything else but always lacking in preparation.”

“Ah….”

I was shocked.

Everything was going according to plan.

Why was this happening now?

Even if I don’t want to admit it.

I had to admit my mistake. What confidence did I have to come to this dungeon alone? I should have been more cautious, more suspicious.

I was still a ‘weakling.’

“Hahaha! Hahaha!”

Realizing my situation, Kang Jaeho laughed maniacally.

“If you thought we came with only one senior from the Shadow Lurkers, you’re sorely mistaken. Haha, serves you right!”

With his mocking laughter ringing in my ears..

—Swoosh!

Another A-rank hunter emerged from the shadows. The spider symbol on his hood confirmed he was from the Shadow Lurkers.

“…?”

But his expression was strange. He wasn’t confident; he seemed anxious.

“Hey, we need to run! Gi Soyul is here!” he shouted to his comrade.

“…?”

Gi Soyul?

The ranker, Gi Soyul, in this dungeon?

I blinked, confused.

The assassin also looked puzzled.

The new A-rank hunter beat his chest in frustration.

“Don’t think, just move! If we get caught, we’re dead!”

“…No matter how strong she is.”

“Shut up! You know what rankers are like! They’re monsters among the S-ranks! How can we fight against such a monster?”

“That’s true… Alright. What about them?” The assassin gestured to Kang Jaeho and his men.

The A-rank hunter looked at him as if he was crazy.

“Since when did we care about those scrubs?”

“B-Brother?”

Kang Jaeho, who had been laughing, was now panicking.

But reality was harsh.

—Swoosh!

The Shadow Lurkers disappeared like shadows, leaving Kang Jaeho and his team behind.

“…”

The once noisy area fell silent.

Only Kang Jaeho, the porters, his team, and I remained on the boss stage.

“…What’s going on?”

I exhaled deeply, feeling incredulous.

At the same time, I realized…

This is the power of a ranker?

Two incredibly strong hunters fled at the mere mention of Gi Soyul.

She was genuinely formidable.

“God damn it!”

Kang Jaeho’s voice was filled with despair.

Having been defeated by me and now facing the arrival of Gi Soyul, his situation was dire.

But regardless of that.

Step by step, I approached him.

Gi Soyul was another matter. Kang Jaeho was mine to deal with.

“We still have unfinished business, don’t we?”

My reckoning was not yet over.

* * *

Meanwhile, at the entrance of the C-rank dungeon, a woman stood with her chin in her hand, contemplating.

Hm. Am I overreacting?

A golden badge hanging from her waist, she was the ranker, Gi Soyul.

“Following him this far… feels like I’m stalking him.”

Her curiosity about Joo Donghoon had kept her up all night, leading her to track him to this dungeon with the Parang Guild’s information network.

She had spent about 10 minutes at the dungeon entrance, deciding whether to go in.

In the end, she concluded…

“This isn’t right.”

He had said it would be hard to answer immediately. Given enough time, he promised to explain once he sorted things out.

Showing up at the dungeon felt improper, like violating his trust.

Besides, didn’t it look like she was too interested in him?

It’s better to wait until he’s out.

After a brief hesitation, Gi Soyul finally turned away.

____