The Mad Alchemist and the Baby Ghoul
Before diving into serious ghoul hunting, I asked Gular first.
"So, what kind of skeleton are you?"
"Clack?"
Gular was huge. Especially his head—it was ridiculously oversized. Nothing like a regular skeleton. My gut told me right away: this guy had a Star too. Just like I was a Fallen Knight, Gular must have some special class or job!
And my hunch was spot on.
"In life, I was an alchemist of a certain kingdom."
Gular's voice suddenly shifted to that of an enlightened old man. His expression grew distant, like he'd slipped back into the past, and he began his tale.
"Back then, I focused solely on results and goals, charging forward without hesitation, even if it meant abandoning my humanity. I used living humans as materials, but I succeeded in changing the world. In the end, though, my research was discovered, and I was burned at the stake."
A concise summary of Gular's life. Watching him gaze wistfully into the distance, I thought:
So, you ran human experiments, huh?
"Clack?"
Had I ever seen a crazier skeleton? Even if he was one now, he'd clearly been human once. And he'd experimented on his own kind? Disgusting trash.
"Ahem! Human experiments? They were noble sacrifices for the advancement of humanity!"
Bullshit. You think the victims saw it that way? Even if they consented, that doesn't make it forgivable. No wonder he got burned. Using humans as lab rats? This guy was a total psycho.
My evaluation of Gular, which I'd just downgraded to the lowest threat level, shot straight back up to maximum.
'No, seriously, what kind of skeleton are you?'
"Clack."
I'd just asked a simple question, not really caring about his past. All I wanted was some casual chat about his class. Gular answered my sideways glare.
"Twilight Alchemist Gular. That's my epithet."
Just as he'd explained from his human days as an alchemist, even as a skeleton now, Gular was still one. No wonder he'd fixed that door so quickly earlier—it wasn't normal. Fragments of his past lingered even in death.
Come to think of it, a skeleton knight must've been a knight in life too. Was that how it worked for all undead? Talents and skills carrying over beyond death.
'Then what about me...?'
I'd been a plain old skeleton from the moment I woke up. Right up until I inherited Fallen Knight. I'd been someone back in life, or so I thought. Felt kinda pathetic not getting any recognition for it.
'100 ghoul fangs, right?'
Anyway, work was work. I'd agreed to his request for various rewards—I wasn't forgetting that. Standing up, I struck a pose, slinging my bones over my shoulder like a badass, then turned coolly.
'I'll be back soon.'
"Clack."
Gular stared at me like I was ridiculous.
"...Why's he acting like that?"
I ignored the comment from behind me.
According to Gular's info, this was the 4th floor of the dungeon. I'd gone way deeper than planned. No wonder level 30 ghouls were swarming. I'd panicked when I first dropped here—the maze-like twists and sudden high-level monsters. But not anymore. Because now I had a map!
"Clack!"
Letting out a cheerful laugh, I checked the 4th-floor map Gular had given me. A tangled mess like a labyrinth. But every maze has a path.
'Let's check that side first.'
Heading right from Gular's room, I followed the map around the corner to a long corridor. The map marked it as a dead end. Plan was to clear them out from the end, one by one. Keeping an eye out for sudden shadows, I moved slowly.
Finally, the dead end. At the far wall sat a lone small skull. Not a skeleton—just bones. Judging by the ragged clothes, some adventurer who'd gotten lost and died. I approached eagerly and touched them.
re:bone
Replaceable parts: Left wrist, Right shin
Inherit skills from the soul essence?
It works? Not just skeletons—any bones! I nodded eagerly. Soon, my left wrist bone emitted a faint glow.
What's the skill this time?
I checked, brimming with anticipation.
Spinning Slash Lv. 1
Quickly spin forward to attack a wide area.
A wide-area attack? AoE skill get! Classic type, straightforward description. Skeleton-friendly. I danced in place with joy.
Rattle-rattle.
Stopped quick 'cause of the noise, though.
Dash Lv. 1
Dash forward at high speed.
Right shin didn't give evasion again. Might stick with evasion for that one. I knew skills leveled up with use, and new bones started at 1. Time to focus on one and grind it? I knew better than anyone how strong a level 100 slash was. Higher levels meant more power.
'Wanna find a ghoul quick. Where are they?'
"Clack."
New AoE skill. Even hordes of ghouls wouldn't scare me now. Body itching to test it. And right on cue, prey appeared.
"Grraaah?"
As always, ghouls in a pack. They stared blankly at me, then snarled viciously.
"GRRAAAH!"
Grotesque bastards. Ugly alone, worse in groups. As they rushed close, I shouted.
'Spinning Slash!'
Whirr-whirr-whirr!
Skill triggered—my body spun wildly. Bones extended long, whipping around.
'Eyes wide open!'
"Clack!"
Spinning at insane speed, the strike hit the lead ghoul's head with inertial force.
Crack!
"Krrk!"
It flew off, bloodied and pathetic. First impressions? Solid. Great impact, satisfying feel. No dizziness either—brainless perks. This was awesome!
Stopping, I rambled about my new Spinning Slash, then looked ahead. The ghouls looked terrified. I raised my bones again. Plenty left.
"Clack!"
Hunt time.
The corridor was littered with ghoul corpses, blood pooling everywhere. I squatted, counting fangs in my sack.
'98, 99... 100!'
Exact count. Quest complete. Hand 'em to Gular, claim rewards—done! What would he give? Alchemist, so probably something good. Excited, I stood. My white bones were splattered red now. Undead like skeletons didn't dirty up much, and Wanderers dissipated clean in blue smoke. But ghouls...
'Ugh! Blood stench!'
"Clack!"
Air thick with it. Ghouls were monsters like those wolves I'd fought—messy kills. Head back before the blood coagulates. Sick of the grime, I shouldered the fang sack and turned toward Gular's place.
Grab!
"!!"
Something clutched my hand. I looked down. A tiny creature with clear eyes stared up, gripping me tight.
A... ghoul? Sharp fangs and claws matched, but tiny. Only waist-high. Baby ghoul, I realized.
As I tried prying its hand off—
Suddenly? Baffled by the random message. Skill up? I checked my skill window quick.
Soul's Eye Lv. 2
View opponent's status in detail via physical contact.
Does not activate on much higher-level foes.
More detailed status info available.
Detailed info? I looked at the tiny ghoul still holding my hand.
A Star by the name. Like me, a nameless beast chosen. Its clear eyes stared blankly, emotionless. Just sucking its fingers like it was starving. We gazed at each other for a long moment.