The big skeleton’s condition was stabilized.
But as time passed, a new problem surfaced.
“I’m starting to worry about something else—those trace-element oral solutions won’t last long,” Shen Ye said, arms crossed.
“Then go buy more!” the big skeleton urged, clearly panicking.
“I’m broke,” Shen Ye replied matter-of-factly.
“What currency do you use now?” the big skeleton asked.
“Digital currency. Paper money works too,” Shen Ye said.
“What about gold?”
“You have gold?” Shen Ye asked back.
“I’ll give you some gold. Get more materials, and whatever you do, don’t let me die.”
“You have gold? Then what are we waiting for? Hand it over!”
By 4:30 in the morning, Shen Ye had finally sorted things out.
Luckily, the Martial Arts Group had a currency exchange system, and there was even someone on night duty.
Large corporations truly operated differently.
The attendant checked the gold’s purity without asking too many questions and smoothly completed the transaction.
With money in hand, everything became easier. Even in the middle of the night, Shen Ye managed to acquire materials and upgraded the fish tank.
Not only did he add water plants, but he also stocked it with a group of fish.
“I remember you can grow stronger by eating, right?” Shen Ye said, seated on his trusty stool outside the door, watching the fish swim around.
The big skeleton replied, “Yes, consuming things can restore some strength, but these fish—”
“Don’t be picky. I went through so much trouble to get them in the dead of night. Eat up,” Shen Ye said.
The skeleton hesitated briefly, then opened its mouth to bite one of the fish.
Crunch.
Its front tooth broke.
Not only did its tooth break, but a crack extended along its jawbone.
“Indigestion?” Shen Ye was startled.
“My damn tooth nearly flew into my skull! Which part of this looks like indigestion to you?” the skeleton shouted, both shocked and furious.
“How can you not even bite through a fish? You’re wasting all my good intentions,” Shen Ye scolded.
“These fish have shells that are way too hard. Can’t you get ones without shells?” the skeleton complained.
“Improve your habits: Softshell turtles provide incredible nourishment,” Shen Ye retorted.
“No matter how nourishing, I can’t bite through them!” the skeleton was about to lose its mind.
“Other fish can’t survive in calcium solution,” Shen Ye muttered as he grabbed a net to scoop out the turtles.
By the time everything was settled, it was already past 5 a.m.
“Shen Ye,” the big skeleton suddenly said.
“What?”
“You saved me this time. Once I recover, I promise you won’t regret it.”
Shen Ye looked at the skeleton and saw the determined soul fire burning in its eye sockets.
But it was missing a front tooth.
It had broken earlier trying to chew on a turtle.
That missing tooth completely ruined the seriousness and sincerity it was trying so hard to convey.
“Words mean nothing. Recover first, then talk,” Shen Ye said.
Outside, the faint light of dawn was beginning to show.
Oh no.
He had gotten so absorbed in his tasks that the entire night had passed, and he had accomplished nothing but setting up a fish tank.
By the way—
This skeleton’s vitality was absurdly strong. It was still alive.
Boom.
A loud thud echoed.
Shen Ye jerked his head up, staring at the tightly shut door at the end of the hallway as it shook, sending dust cascading down.
“What’s going on?” he immediately asked.
“Outside is the fifth position on the Dusky Highlands. Humans and elves are launching a fierce assault—”
In a flash, the big skeleton opened its mouth and spat out a ring, shouting urgently:
“Quick! Put the ring on!”
“Why?” Shen Ye caught the ring and couldn’t help asking.
The skeleton rapidly explained:
“This is actually a secret passage. Outside is a battlefield, and the war isn’t over yet.
“—I can’t fight right now!”
Before its words fully settled, it muttered a chant under its breath.
In an instant, the big skeleton, along with the entire fish tank, was sucked into the ring.
Boom!
The door at the end of the hallway shook violently again.
Shen Ye nervously gulped.
What now?
Was he supposed to face the unknown enemies bursting in?
—This had nothing to do with him. Why should he deal with this mess?
Without hesitation, he shut the door and muttered,
“Dismiss.”
The door vanished.
Shen Ye turned around, opened the fridge, and grabbed some snacks and drinks to enjoy.
It was already past 6 a.m.
Skipping breakfast was bad for his health.
After eating, brushing his teeth, and washing his face, he even did a set of eye exercises. By then, the clock read about 7 a.m.
Fortunately, thanks to wearing Nature’s Blessing bracelet, his mental strength had increased by 0.1.
Now, his total mental strength had reached 0.9.
Shen Ye cleared his throat and spoke to the ring in his hand:
“Hey, why did you retreat into the ring?”
“After all that waiting, that’s what you ask?” The large skeleton couldn’t help but shout.
“I needed time to prepare. Now, answer me,” Shen Ye replied.
“A spatial ring can’t store living creatures, but luckily, I’m not alive—I’m undead. Most people wouldn’t think of that,” the skeleton said.
Shen Ye snorted. “You sure know a lot. Ever since the elven village, I’ve been suspicious of your identity.”
“After all, who gets escorted by three of their own kind to assassinate an enemy leader?”
“That said, I don’t like prying into others’ business, nor will I boss you around. But I need you to know one thing—”
“You must help me with everything you’ve got.”
“Help you? What for?” the skeleton’s voice echoed in his mind.
—It seemed to be a form of telepathic communication.
“I need to visit your world today, and I can’t do it without your help,” Shen Ye said.
“Our world is ravaged by war. Tens of thousands die on the battlefield daily. Going there is suicide,” the skeleton warned.
“I have to go.”
“…Fine. You don’t ask about my identity, so I won’t ask why you insist on going. But I’ve already used up my strongest treasures. What I can offer now is very limited,” the skeleton said.
Shen Ye glanced at the contract on the door.
The skeleton’s contract name read: “Dark Bone Mother, King of Ghouls, Fallen Lord of the Nether, Micteticahsiwa’s Fifth Division Battlefield Collector.”
“What’s a battlefield collector?” Shen Ye asked.
“I pick up spoils from the battlefield,” the skeleton explained.
It added, “Don’t think I ever score any real treasures. The truly powerful items get seized by the enemy the moment their owner is defeated.”
“The only things I manage to gather are broken weapons, armor, and soldiers’ belongings.”
Shen Ye pondered for a moment and said, “Do you have any undead soldier gear, especially something that can mask my presence?”
He had to enter the nightmare world.
If the other side of the door led to a hidden passage, and the passage exited onto an undead stronghold—
Then he could disguise himself as an undead soldier, walk the battlefield briefly, and return to the real world.
That should be enough to gain a new trait!
“Something to conceal your presence? Let me see.”
After a few moments, the ring stirred, and a tattered suit of leather armor appeared in the room. It fell apart the moment it hit the ground.
“Could you stop bringing out garbage?” Shen Ye said, exasperated.
“Give me a moment to find something better.”
This time, a scratched black leather chest plate, a bow, an empty quiver, dusty boots, and a cavalry tag appeared.
The tag bore the words:
This tag allows the bearer to request a skeletal warhorse for message delivery purposes.
Shen Ye donned the black leather chest plate, strapped the bow to his waist, slung the quiver over his back, and pocketed the cavalry tag. He pulled on the boots, too.
The gear exuded a deathly aura, making him look like a wandering undead soldier.
—Only his face still appeared human.
“I once picked up a centurion’s faceplate. It should be perfect for you,” the skeleton said.
“Will it work? Won’t they see through it?” Shen Ye asked.
“The faceplate carries a high-level death aura. Other undead won’t see through your disguise,” the skeleton assured.
Shen Ye put on the faceplate.
—Now, no one would recognize his true identity.
Everything was ready!
“Any flaws left?” Shen Ye asked.
“None. You look like a proper undead warrior,” the skeleton replied.
“If I go over now—”
“As long as you’re in our stronghold, other undead won’t harm you. If you handle things right, you might even get a skeletal warhorse!”
Shen Ye’s eyes lit up at the prospect.
Riding a skeletal warhorse through an undead battlefield and retreating at the first sign of danger—
He could surely earn a “Phantom Rider” trait or something similar!
“Alright, I’m going!”
Shen Ye took a deep breath.
“Please don’t die! If you do, your ring will get looted, and I’m doomed!” the skeleton warned.
“I’ll try my best to stay alive,” Shen Ye said.
He placed a hand on the wall and silently thought, Door.
A door materialized.
Through its glass window, he could see the desolate hidden passage.
At the far end of the passage, a door was broken, its edges splintered.
Shrieks, clanging weapons, shouts, and the booming of spells filled the air in a cacophony.
Time to go!
Shen Ye took a deep breath, opened the door, and stepped into the passage, striding forward.
The floor was littered with bone fragments, covering the ground entirely.
As he advanced, the sound outside surged like a flood.
The battle was fierce!
Gathering his courage, Shen Ye pressed on.
Boom!
The door was blasted off its hinges, landing in the passage.
Someone was coming!
And it wasn’t just one person!
Shen Ye assumed the stance of an undead soldier and shouted, “Don’t attack! I’m one of you!”
Figures emerged all around him.
They weren’t undead!
A dense throng of human soldiers filled the passage, weapons pointed at him, shouting in unison:
“Don’t move!”
