Into the Deeper Depths
How the hell do skeletons hear things? Back when I was human, I had ear holes and all that. But now, my skull's just smooth as glass—no openings whatsoever. I know full well that if I start nitpicking the little stuff, I'll end up doing jack shit. But come on! No ears! I got earrings, but nowhere to put 'em!
Clack clack. I flailed my hands like mad trying to jam the earrings on, but it was all for nothing. Exhausted from the pointless attempts, I dropped my arms and took a moment to think.
Let's change my approach. How do you equip items in games? Right—drag 'em into the equipment slot. Games have slots for every body part, and you slot in the matching gear. Super intuitive and practical. So where's the slot for earrings?
'...The head!' Specifically, the helmet slot. Stuff like hats or helmets to protect your noggin.
I whipped my head around, scanning the area. Skeletons' gear and weapons were scattered everywhere—old helmets and such. Did I go too ham earlier? Not a single intact piece in sight. Amid the shattered bones and cleanly sliced armor, I rummaged for ages before spotting a helmet that looked halfway decent. The edge was busted, sure, but the shape held up. It wouldn't protect jack as a helmet, but whatever.
Clack. I slapped it on my head, and luckily, it fit perfectly. No message popped up, so it was probably some worthless junk with zero functions. I twisted and turned, checking for discomfort, then hooked the earrings onto the helmet's edge.
Would this actually work like I hoped? Holding my breath in anticipation, I waited—and then—
Skill Craving has been temporarily disabled due to item effect.
Jackpot!
The first-floor sweep was a roaring success. My re:bone skill even leveled up. And I snagged an item to control that nagging Craving that's been bugging me nonstop. If things keep going like this, am I about to become a total munchkin?
"Clack! Clack! Clack!"
The first floor was picked clean—no stone unturned, my belly metaphorically stuffed to bursting. In high spirits, I headed for the stairs leading down. Endless darkness pooled at the bottom, like peeking into the abyss itself.
"Clack clack..."
This the way down? The vibe was too spooky to just charge in. I'd thought I'd gotten used to being undead in the dark, but facing real pitch-black made me shrink back a bit.
Screw it! What's there to fear now? I steeled myself and stepped onto the stairs. But I regretted it instantly.
Crunch!
The ominous sound spread the moment my foot hit. Looking down, cracks spiderwebbed across the stone steps.
Regret always comes too late, huh?
'Should've been more careful.'
The floor gave way. In a flash, I plummeted below. How long did I fall without even screaming?
'Floor!'
"Clack clack!"
A gray surface flickered into view. Hold up—if I hit like this, I'm done for, right? Dread hit me. My fragile bones would shatter on impact without some shock absorber built in. And I sure as hell didn't have one.
...Absorb the shock? That's when it clicked.
Still risky, but better than turning to shards. Eyes on the approaching floor, I timed it.
Not yet. A bit more...
Right as the distance matched my height plus a smidge—
Now!
'Evasion!'
Evasion
Roll! My body curled instinctively, the skill kicking in perfectly. A massive impact loomed, but it never came.
Roll roll. Thud!
After tumbling with a racket, I slammed into a wall and stopped safely. Phew! Mission accomplished. Only then did I exhale in relief.
Whew! That was close. No pain, but the extra clacking in my bones said it was dicey. Pride swelling alongside relief, I stood and surveyed the area.
Where the hell am I? Nothing like the first floor's massive tomb vibe. No shattered pots or bone scraps littering the ground. A clean, unfamiliar open space with strange structures. Definitely not the second floor. Fall time-wise, probably third or fourth. Maybe deeper. Or maybe just my imagination.
A bone I'd dropped mid-fall lay scattered far off. That's my go-to weapon now—irreplaceable unless something god-tier drops. Perfect grip, weight, length—I'm hooked. No wonder swordsmen stick to their blades. New gear means retraining pains.
Familiar's best! I swung it around to check.
Whoosh.
'Good—no changes.'
"Clack clack."
All clear. My gaze settled on one end of the walled-off clearing: the sole exit leading to a passage. Gotta head there. No other options, especially with no way back up.
Gripping my fave bone, I advanced. Up or down, I needed to map this place first.
Exiting revealed a maze of twisting alleys. Maze-type now? First floor was straightforward with one path. A twinge of annoyance hit as I scratched my head—then—
"Grraaahhh..."
Huh? What sound is that? A phlegmy gurgle echoed from a corner where the alley split.
I crept toward it. Sharp right turn—and there, swarming with monsters I'd never seen.
Emaciated human-like, but no way in hell were they human. Long, razor fangs and claws screamed threat. Come on, where's the "human" in that? Straight-up monsters.
"Grraaahhh!!"
They spotted me and charged with feral howls.
'Hatred Charge!'
Hatred Charge
Ghoullv.30
Bam! I barreled into the lead ghoul. Info popped up on contact.
I jolted. Level 30?? After grinding humans nonstop, I'm barely 25, and these things are 30?
While I puzzled, the shoved ghoul tumbled back, blocking its buddies. Normally, I'd charge in for a slaughter fest, but—
'Too many!'
Hundreds visible already. Never seen a pack this huge!
My next move? Obviously—
'Run like hell!!'
"Clack clack!!"
I skidded to a halt and bolted. Way too many—even level 30 trash mobs! Even I can't handle that!
"Grraaahh!"
Ignoring their cries, I sprinted full-tilt down the dark corridor, eyes forward.
*
Silence blanketed the dungeon alleys. No sounds...
...Gone? I peeked out cautiously. Still quiet. They're gone, right?
After ages of double-checking, I emerged from hiding. Cowards relying on numbers—heartless ghouls. I gnashed my teeth (metaphorically). Not running, nah. Strategic retreat. Totally not spooked by the horde!
Rationalizing, I plopped down. Difficulty spiked just one floor down? Sure, individually they weren't deadly. A dozen? I'd slice 'em easy. But that's my weakness: no AoE. Ranged would be ideal. Slicing rocks, but melee range sucks. Get swarmed by zerg rushes like this? Big trouble.
Skill ups mean swapping bones. Left wrist bone's free—next one's gotta be AoE!
Hoping so, I slipped out, wary of more ghouls, scouting the maze. After wandering forever, I spotted a small door.
'Hmm...'
Enter or skip? Two choices: ignore or check inside.
My decision? Obviously—
'Screw it!'
After a beat, I raised my bone and smashed the door.
Come at me!
Bam!
"Wh-what?!"
A panicked voice erupted from the crumbling stone door. Striding in confidently, I faced a massive skeleton blinking at me through glasses, looking flustered.
A skeleton this huge? And glasses? Does skull-boy need vision correction?
"...A skeleton? How'd a skeleton get here..."
The bespectacled skeleton—himself a skeleton—gawked in surprise. My eyes locked on his chest: a gleaming Soul Stone.
Skill effect suppressed by item.
No frenzy this time. Why? 'Cause I've grown! (Okay, item carry, but gear counts as skill.)
"Why smash the door, you idiot! Dust everywhere!"
Unlike knight skeletons, zero hostility. But he clacked right into nagging.
"Sheesh, these young skulls nowadays—no manners."
"...Clack clack."
Similar clacks, but his felt... different? Or just me?