Old Dynasty's Tomb (2)
I hate creepy things. Especially if they look anything like humans.
But aren't you a skeleton? Pfft, skulls are different. Pure white, slender bones aren't that disgustingly gross. Once you get used to them, they even start feeling kinda cute. Why else would every school science lab have one? That's how mainstream they are.
Zombies, though? No way. Unlike me with just bones left, they still hold onto some twisted human shape—and that's what makes them way creepier. Just looking at them flips your stomach inside out, even if you didn't have one to begin with.
“Uuuooohhh.”
And their breath? Nasty as hell. No nose on me, but that stench hits vivid and raw. Would be nice if I couldn't smell it at all. No nostrils to pinch shut, so I figured I'd just hold my breath.
“……”
...Huh?
How have I been breathing this whole time...?
Realizing that suddenly made "breathing" feel off. At least I don't have to worry about tongue position or anything.
While I was reeling from my own self-inflicted debuff, the zombies shuffled up with their signature sluggish gait. Right in front of me.
They reached out with hands even a kid could've dodged.
Zombies aren't scary just for their gross looks. Get bitten, and you turn into one too. Infection. Numbers explode until they overrun the world.
Which raises a question: What about me?
I've got nothing but bones. No flesh, no blood. Zero infection vectors on this bony frame.
Curiosity piqued, I didn't dodge the zombie's grabby hand. Just stood there.
“Uuuooohhh.”
“……”
A sloth moves faster. I waited patiently until it finally gaped its stinking maw at me.
Clack!
That wasn't me. It was the sound of its teeth clamping my arm.
Those fangs, sharp enough to pierce soft flesh, slammed into my solid bone and stopped dead. Filthy drool dribbled down, soiling the bone.
Chomp chomp.
Mystery solved. Being pure bone has perks! I'm immune to zombie infection. In a zombie apocalypse, I'd be invincible!
Basking in smug pride—
Ptooey!
The zombie that had been gnawing my arm forever spat it out with a grimace.
“……”
This bastard?
The way it acted like I tasted bad? Ego bruised. Sure, no meat left on these bones, but still!
It poked the sleepy beast. I scooped up my bone club again.
Clack.
You're all dead.
***
The fight ended anticlimactically fast. Zombie corpses rolling headless across the floor.
So slow. Even in death.
I kicked aside the cluttering heads and scanned the room again. No obvious exits. The entrance I'd come through? Sealed by a massive stone slab, not a crack in sight.
In stories like this, dead ends hide secret rooms. Dungeon basics: every cul-de-sac has a hidden passage!
I roamed, tapping walls.
Thud. Nope.
Thud. Not here.
Tonk.
“……?”
Was that different? I tapped the same spot.
Tonk!
'Jackpot!!'
“Clack!!”
Hollow echo beyond. Definitely off. A real secret passage!
Conviction surging, I hefted my signature bone club.
Crash!
No resistance—the wall crumbled. Revealed: a long, straight corridor stretching into darkness.
Hidden route unlocked! I'm lucky as hell. Straight into the dungeon and boom, secret path.
“Clack!”
Grinning with bony glee, I plunged into the shadows without hesitation.
But maybe too excited, a bit careless.
Click!
Didn't check my footing—stepped right on a super suspicious button.
Whizz—!
Head snapped up at the sharp hiss. Arrows streaking from the dark.
'Crap!'
Too late to dodge. Skill? Space too tight.
Cornered. Arrow closing in, I froze, bracing for pain.
But.
Whizz!
It sailed right through me.
“……?”
Through me. More precisely, between me.
Finally got it. Slipped between the ribs of my skeletal frame. Stuck in the wall behind.
...Talk about overreacting!
Put on a brave front, but my legs were still shaking. Gotta be more careful next time.
Steeled myself, proceeded with exaggerated caution.
Luckily, no more arrows. Tension high, kept going... until a vast open chamber appeared.
Poked my head out, scanned carefully.
...Okay! Nothing suspicious.
Confirmed safe, stepped in gingerly.
Chamber was barren. No weird decor, not even the usual stray skulls littering tombs.
Except one thing that caught my eye.
'What the hell is all this...?'
“Clack...?”
The vast walls enclosing the space brimmed with unfamiliar script. Couldn't read it, but the intricate carving screamed advanced civilization.
Not just letters. Wall murals depicted intriguing scenes.
Empty plains filled with humans farming. A king-like figure emerges. Peaceful vibes follow: hunting beasts, foraging woods.
Human progress chronicle.
Then tone shifts hard. Monster invades the kingdom: horns on head, massive wings—dragon.
The classic "dragon" devours people. Humans resist at first, then submit quick.
Next panel: dragon chomping a live baby. People cower on the ground, too terrified to fight.
And that's the end.
Doomed, huh. Can't beat baby-munching demons. They probably celebrated surviving today, but population crashed, slowly faded away. Monsters everywhere—no manpower left.
'But wait, can't the humans here all resurrect?'
Question bubbled up. Thought they auto-revived. Some restriction? Only elites? Limited revives? Maybe all of the above.
Either way, not the infinite respawns I imagined.
Savoring the murals, I pressed on. Finally spotted a door.
Had to crane my neck fully to see the top. Massive.
Instinct screamed: something's here.
Sensing the ominous aura, I flung it open without a second thought.
Come on!
Entered. Thick fog billowed. Pushed through—interior revealed.
Vaster than the mural room. Center: ornate throne. Skeleton clad head-to-toe in priceless armor lounged there.
“An intruder has arrived.”
A talking skeleton! All the ones I'd met before? Brainless grunts.
Proper skeleton kin—felt a rush of camaraderie.
“Leave this place immediately.”
Clank!
Armor rattled as it rose slowly. Epic knight vibe, straight out of a hero saga. Full height? Easily double mine.
“If you do not...”
Its eye sockets glowed murderously in the gloom, a warning.
But nothing registered.
“This will be your grave!”
Craving
My eyes locked solely on the gem embedded in its chest.