The Skeleton Soldier Failed to Defend the Dungeon

The hand cannon had instructions detailing loading and using mana fluid instead of gunpowder. Even though its large caliber and long barrel suggested it was a highly destructive weapon, it was difficult to understand, even with my Engineering skill. Above all, I lacked its fuel.

If I knew how to use it, this would be the perfect weapon against the golems.

Well, I could always hunt a golem and extract its mana fluid, then use it to hunt another.

Either way, I can’t use it now...

I walked deeper into the storage hall. Soon, I spotted a flamethrower connected to a large tank.

”It fires liquid and ignites it one second later. I actually know this weapon well,” Chandler said.

”Is that so?”

”The weapon itself is viable for mass production, but the real issue is the ignition fluid.”

”Are you referring to Grassmere’s Fire?”

Chandler nodded. ”Exactly! You know it well. Among ourselves, we don’t call it fire, we call it rage—the Blacksmith’s Rage. A master craftsman can barely produce one bottle in a lifetime, so it’s nearly impossible to obtain. Everyone hides their supply in secret locations.”

I suddenly recalled being tricked by the old blacksmith in Yublam.

”By any chance...”

”Yes?”

”Is there a powder that neutralizes it?”

Chandler furrowed his brows.

”No such material exists. There are substances that dull the senses, but...” He shook his head and continued, ”forgetting pain is dangerous. That powder is strictly prohibited from use.”

So, that’s what it was...

I examined the weapons again. Using a flamethrower inside the tomb was out of the question. If I sprayed fire in an enclosed space, everyone would burn to death before the golems even melted. Chandler, Rena, and Christina would turn into white ashes before they could do anything.

”What about on the battlefield?”

”Still impractical. The materials are rare, and anyone carrying this would be sniped immediately. They wouldn’t survive long enough to fire it. Plus, in a chaotic battle, the flames could burn allies as well.”

”Hmm.” I didn’t know how to use the hand cannon, and the flamethrower was too risky underground. ”Let’s keep looking.”

”Yes!”

I continued exploring deeper into the hall. Most of the items were weapons, but there were also ancient relics scattered around: strange stones of unknown material, chests filled with ancient gold coins, and goddess statues intricately carved from crystal. There were even platinum candlesticks tossed aside like junk.

Did they just stuff everything here because they didn’t want to throw it away?

Clatter, clatter.

Acorn scampered off in a random direction. I turned to see it running toward Rena.

She’s wandered quite far.

Rena had gone deep into the hall alone. Besides looking around, she was also scribbling notes in her notebook. I glanced at her before walking even further inside. There were many pressure-based weapons, but for someone who could wield Sword Energy, they held little value beyond curiosity.

Rena might find them useful.

Still, I didn’t want to leave empty-handed. I reached a dark corner where the glow of luminous moss didn’t reach.

What is this...?

A massive sword hilt was embedded in the stone wall.

Swoosh!

I grasped the hilt. It fit perfectly in my hand.

Hmm.

Something was obviously buried deep inside. Even the sword hilt seemed unusual. It was over forty centimeters long, large enough to grip with both hands, with room to spare.

Whoosh!

The moment I applied pressure, dust burst into the air.

”Ah, sir!”

Chandler had just noticed me holding the hilt. He quickly rushed over.

”That sword... it can’t be used right now. You won’t be able to pull it out.”

”I can’t?”

”Yes. The third lord, who was a master craftsman, developed a technique where the sword couldn’t be drawn unless infused with energy. It was meant to prevent unworthy wielders from using it. Of course, the idea was so impractical that it was quickly abandoned.”

”So I just have to infuse energy?”

”Uh... Y-yes...?”

Sword Energy.

[Skill: Sword Energy Lv. 1 activated.]

Vrrrrm!

The sword embedded in the wall began to tremble. A weak vibration resonated from deep within the stone.

”W-what...?”

Chandler’s face turned red. Christina’s eyes widened. Rena, who had gone farther inside, didn’t see what was happening.

It didn’t come out immediately. It seemed like the sword needed time to awaken. The resistance weakened as the blade slowly accepted my control.

[Warning! Skill: Sword Energy Lv.1 is at 20% remaining power.]

That should be enough.

Schliiing!

I slowly drew the long blade from the stone wall.

Vrrrrm...

[Remaining power: 15%]

I examined the sword carefully. Its full length was nearly two meters. The blade was properly sharpened, but the center was too thick.

[Remaining power: 13%]

The sword’s body had several large holes drilled into it to reduce weight.

An unusual design...

The energy I activated was flowing smoothly through the gaps. I felt a strange pull toward the weapon, so I kept my energy circulating through it.

[Remaining power: 8%]

There was no sheath for such a massive sword. It was heavy and durable.

Whoosh!

I swung the two-meter-long sword forward. A strong gust of wind blasted through the hall. Chandler’s hair flew back wildly.

[Remaining power: 3%]

”Well, it seems fine.”

It looked like a solid weapon, one that would be quite effective against large enemies like golems.

I heard the sound of someone swallowing. Chandler dropped to one knee in a respectful gesture.

”I failed to recognize a sword master and have acted disrespectfully all this time. Please forgive me!”

”What nonsense is this?”

”That is... Even though you were revived by necromancy, you’ve maintained your Sword Energy for this long. You must have been a sword master in your previous life!”

Beside him, Christina nodded enthusiastically.

Clatter.

I shrugged.

”That’s a misunderstanding I refuse to accept.”

[Remaining Power: 0%]

[Sword Energy has been forcibly deactivated.]

The faint glow that had surrounded the blade vanished instantly.

”Such power... combined with humbleness...!”

”Are you saying this level of skill is purely the result of training...?”

Noticing the commotion, Rena glanced at us from a distance.

”There’s no need to make a fuss—”

”Ah! Is this a secret? Understood! I will guard it with my life!”

Chandler overreacted dramatically. Christina nodded firmly beside him.

...No matter what I say, they won’t listen.

”I’m leaving.”

Christina looked slightly surprised and asked, ”You’re finished already?”

”Yes. This is enough.”

I turned to look at her. Through the training sessions, we had grown closer. When we first met, she couldn’t even remove her helmet properly in my presence. Now, she casually asked me questions without hesitation. It wasn’t a bad feeling.

”Look over there.”

I pointed to the deepest part of the hall. There, Rena was gathering everything she could, having secured a large backpack to stuff items inside.

”She’s looting the place anyway. I don’t need anything more.”

Once the quest was complete, I could always return to this place. There was no need to grab things hastily.

”Call me when Rena is finished.”

”Understood!”

I informed Chandler, who was still standing at the entrance with an overly emotional expression.

***

Waiting in my room turned out to be a wise decision. It took Rena another seven hours to finish her first round of looting.

Preparations progressed smoothly. Every time Chandler saw me, he looked excited. It seemed to irritate Rena, but since I was deliberately keeping my distance from Chandler, it didn’t escalate. As an honored guest, I stayed in a private room, where maids brought dinner.

”Tomorrow is the day.”

”Yeah.”

Tap.

I pushed the rosemary-salted lamb chops toward Rena. There was no food in front of me. By now, the maids had grown accustomed to me not eating and no longer seemed uncomfortable about it.

Given enough time, anything became normal. I observed Rena, who seemed restless. How unusual, she wasn’t eating much tonight.

”What’s wrong?”

”Do you think we’re prepared enough?”

”Did we miss anything?”

”I don’t know... I just feel uneasy.”

”If you’re that worried, I can go alone. That would actually make things easier for me.”

I had trained her deliberately. Chandler was the client, born into generations of slavery under the necromancer. He deserved the chance to take revenge. Christina was his guard, so her presence was expected. The only reason I was bringing Rena was to help her grow stronger. If she felt too anxious, she didn’t have to come.

Hmm...

A bad feeling crept up my spine.

This is the third time something like this has happened.

Rena had good instincts. She had warned me multiple times when we were in the cave before the marquis arrived, and when we were hunting Purson’s followers. But this was just a dungeon beneath a castle. What was the worst that could happen?

Just as I was about to dismiss the thought, Rena’s eyes narrowed suspiciously.

”Master, don’t tell me...”

”Tell you what?”

”You’re not planning to go with just Chandler, are you?”

Her eyebrows knitted together sharply. If I confirmed that, Chandler would be a goner. I couldn’t be responsible for his death twice in a row.

”Ahem! Of course not.”

”Good. We’re going together. Even if we die, we’ll die together, so it’s fine.”

The maids finished clearing the table and left the room. Rena calmly exhaled as she gently held my fingers. The sharp tension in her gaze softened.

***

The next morning arrived. Everyone tried to hide their nerves, but it was obvious—especially Chandler, whose determination was intense. Rena had organized her gear, reducing her backpack size. She had secured pouches to her legs and chest.

She’s always well-prepared.

I, on the other hand, wasn’t worried. Our team was overwhelmingly stronger, or rather, I was. With the necromancer trapped in suspended animation, the only remaining threat was the handful of iron golems.

My only concern was keeping my companions safe, but we had practiced their attack patterns thoroughly. They should survive.

The lord, his trusted butler, and even the maids gathered to see us off.

”Are you sure you don’t want armor? We had a set tailored just in case...”

The butler held up an expensive full-plate armor set, its polished surface gleaming elegantly.

”This is enough.”

I declined. I wore the armor Rubia bought me. After all, I wasn’t planning to get hit. If I let the golems land an attack, then I shouldn’t even be down there in the first place.

”Please... take care of this...”

I nodded slightly and stopped the lord from following us. Chandler led us down into the depths after sharing a firm handshake with his father.

Tap. Tap...

Our footsteps echoed through the dark, narrow corridor.