Chapter 9 Part1 (1/2)

<chapter 9.=”” anti-skull=”” -=”” 1=””>

[Keuaaaaaaahk!]

”Tch!”

It precisely aimed for Lee s.h.i.+n Woo with its sharp sword strike! It truly was a perfect surprise attack, but Lee s.h.i.+n Woo was faster, and avoided its attack. He bent his head back and kicked upwards, causing the sword in the skeleton's grip to go flying!

[Keuhaaaaaaaahk!]

”This is...”

The skeleton's sword flew directly up and lodged into the ceiling. However, the skeleton seemed unconcerned, fixed its gaze at Lee s.h.i.+n Woo, and charged. It seemed as though its mana was focused into its palm, and it attacked Lee s.h.i.+n Woo for a second time with its hands dyed in a dark green!

'It's acid, a poison made from mana. It's at a similar level to the Great Slime's, and if that's the case...!'

It was at that moment. Through his skill in mana a.n.a.lysis, which had noticeably increased due to his Mana Bone, he was able to grasp the structure of his enemy's skill, and at that very moment, the bone he had absorbed before... the Acid Ghoul's Thumbnail awakened its potential!

[You have learned the active skill, Intermediate Acid Poison Spray Lv1. Strength, and Magic have increased by 15. Low Rank Acid Resistance has become Lv7.]

[You have achieved the feat of acquiring a intermediate skill. All stats increase by 5.]

”Huh!?”

Lee s.h.i.+n Woo was so astonished that he almost lost control of his mana for a moment. Intermediate!? Though the Acid Ghoul's ability was indeed frightening, when he normally learned a skill, he thought that they'd always be at a reduced level, so he couldn't help but be astonished.

Could this also be due to Mana Bone? He was able to completely reproduce the special properties of the mana within the memories and experiences now, so if all the skills that he was going to learn in the future started at a high level... then him learning the Mana Bone skill would have been the best thing that happened to him ever since he was dropped into the Empire!

”Heut.”

[Ggeuaaaaahk!]

The deep green mist that rose from his fingertips softly wrapped around the skeleton's palm. At that moment, it yelled in fright and retreated back, colliding with a desk. Lee s.h.i.+n Woo saw a portion of the doc.u.ments atop the desk melt away from the poison and freakily yelled out.

”Hey, hey. Calm down!”

[Acid Poison!? Who... are you...!]

Fortunately, the skeleton stopped when Lee s.h.i.+n Woo spoke. No, perhaps it regained feeling after seeing him use Acid Poison. Honestly, it was good regardless. His top priority was to calm it down if he wanted to preserve these precious doc.u.ments and prevent further damage.

”I'm one of Gerrit's people.”

Lee s.h.i.+n Woo slowly stepped back and lead him away from the materials, so that they wouldn't be damaged, and answered him calmly.

He had already begun acting by the time he realized that he needed to proceed delicately. And he was able to say the lines most suitable for the situation!

[Gerrit...?]

His hand paused its strike midair. He had hit the mark!

[You're... a subordinate of Doctor Gerrit Aterran? I... don't recall seeing you before. Are you part of the guard...?]

”No, I'm not a guard. If I was, I would've died with you. I came by his request.”

[Did Doctor Aterran die... T-That's natural I suppose...]

The skeleton despaired, and dropped its head. Seeing that, Lee s.h.i.+n Woo was actually surprised. He had thought he needed to calm it down no matter what, but he didn't think that one line would calm it down.

The moment the skeleton got a hold of itself, a message appeared in front of Lee s.h.i.+n Woo.

[The Acting skill has become Lv5. Those who listen to your words will instinctually have a good impression of you.]

[Your body is black, huh...]

”It's because of the poison.”

[Your poison's really strong. ...Yeah, our tests were like that. Now I remember a little bit.]

At around that time, the skeleton had completely lost its fighting spirit. It inspected Lee s.h.i.+n Woo and when it subsequently turned to look at its own body, which was likewise composed of only bones, it muttered miserably.

[Our test ultimately failed. We couldn't stop ourselves from turning into undead... In the end, that foolish Emperor tried to prevent disaster by calling an even greater disaster!]

Those words felt as though Lee s.h.i.+n Woo had just been hit by a straight punch. It had clearly recognized that it was an undead, and was also aware of the pa.s.sage of time!

Was this perhaps an effect caused by them performing tests within the sewers? If that's true, then in the Empire...!? Lee s.h.i.+n Woo did his best to conceal his astonishment no matter what, and replied to the skeleton.

”However, you're better off than the guys outside. Since the guys outside have lost their reason and are going wild.”

[Is it a half success...? Come in, comrade. If I think about it, you, who knows the code for the Anti-Skull, can't be my enemy. It seems as though I had also lost my reason until just a little while ago. Since all I did was despair alone from within here...]

”Thanks.”

Anti-Skull, huh. It definitely had a connection with the skull pattern drawn on the door lock. There was a small chance that it was just a code name, but there was a high chance that it stood for the organization of their group as well. Lee s.h.i.+n Woo decided to remember that word.

[Did you move around by yourself? If not, are you acting based on General Seagald's orders?]

”No, I'm acting based on Gerrit's request. I need to collect all the research materials so that it can't be misused.”

[Ah... I see. Those precious materials are spread about in this kind of place. That's certainly an important task.]

It was really easy to handle the skeleton. Was it because it had just regained its reasoning, or was it due to its memories not being completely intact? If it's not that either, then was it due to his Acting skill? If he could handle him as he pleases, then it didn't matter.

Lee s.h.i.+n Woo collected all the materials that remained intact despite the pa.s.sage of dozens of years. The skeleton even helped him with his task. In the end, he made this request.

[There may be some of our comrades still out there. Could you help search for them?]

”Alright. Since I need to collect all the materials anyway.”

He was patiently sitting in his seat, and though he really wanted to inspect the materials, the current situation wouldn't allow him to. However, the moment Lee s.h.i.+n Woo nodded at the skeleton's words, the mana in front of him slightly shook.

[A quest has occurred!]

[Those who uphold the spirit of a ruined nation.]

[You have found traces of those who still resist in the Empire, and came in contact with them. No one knows how this attempt will turn out in the future. But what's certain is that it will be an extremely difficult challenge.]

[Quest goal: Find and aid the Poison Skeleton's comrades.]

[Quest reward: 1 permit for G.o.d's secret shop, and 1 Lv3 medicine.]

'This... does this mean that G.o.d is interested in this place too?'

It would be really unconventional as a hero to listen to their circ.u.mstances and act without killing them. However, on the contrary, G.o.d wouldn't punish him for it and instead encouraged him do so, which was really interesting.

Of course, regardless of whether G.o.d liked it or not, Lee s.h.i.+n Woo would act as he pleased!

[How are you going to deal with all of those?]