How to Raise Your Skeletons

“Drughan is powerful. It has enough might to destroy this world as we speak.”

Eldrin the Moonlight, the absolute ruler who once led the Forest tribe, always kept a watchful eye on the wicked dragon. Despite its immense strength, it tormented and plundered the two tribes slowly instead of destroying the world outright.

“We can’t just sit here and take this.”

Then, one day, she declared war against the dragon.

“We may not be able to kill it because of the vast difference in power, but if we combine our forces with the Rock Tribe, perhaps we can manage to seal it.”

The elves alone couldn’t stand against it. They needed the strength of the dwarves’ blacksmiths and alchemy. Thus, Eldrin was the first to extend a hand to the dwarves.

“We agree. We, too, grow weary of the dragon’s tyranny.”

Demir, the legendary blacksmith, readily shook hands.

“Do you need weapons? Magic enhancements? We’ll make them for you!”

This scene would later be known as the Great Alliance of the Tribes.

The synergy between the two tribes was incredible. Driven by the desire to avenge their suffering, they moved with fervor. The weapons made by the dwarves were supplied to the elves. In the meantime, the elves united under their queen’s command and fought even at the cost of their lives. And eventually they somehow managed to seal the dragon.

But the problem was this: why did the two heroes have to lose their lives? And also why were the two tribes still unable to unite?

Those were the secrets I needed to uncover in this dungeon.

* * *

“Ah, how magnificent.”

Dagnar’s eyes sparkled as he gazed at the two mystical relics, though he hesitated to approach them because I hadn’t made a move yet.

“May I check them first?” I asked politely.

The words were said kindly, but Dagnar also had no choice but to agree.

—Thud!

Sunny struck its spear on the ground and stared at him intently.

“O-Of course! We made it all the way here thanks to you! H-Haha! I’m fine!”

“Thank you for your consideration.” I nodded and stepped forward.

[You are at the bottom of the ‘Seal of the Magic Dragon.’]

It appeared to be an altar, and it even had an air of sanctity. A place seemingly made to offer sacrifices…

The two relics, the bow and the hammer, were displayed on it.

Let’s check the bow first.

When I approached the bow and looked at it, information about it appeared.

[Item: For Eldrin]

[Rank: S]

[Type: Bow]

[Description: A bow gifted to the eternal companion ‘Eldrin’ by the legendary blacksmith ‘Demir.’ It possesses tremendous performance.]

[Effect 1: All stats increase by 20.]

[Effect 2: Arrows shot with magic are infinitely retrievable.]

[Effect 3: Reduces skill cooldown by 20%.]

[Effect 4: Increases energy by 50.]

[Effect 5: Increases skill damage by 200%.]

[Effect 6: Usable only by ‘Eldrin the Moonlight.’]

Holy cow…

Its performance was incredible. Never mind the rest—an increase of 200% skill damage? Didn’t that mean every skill would be three times as powerful?

Even compared to the same S-rank item ‘Staff of the Fire Dragon,’ it was unparalleled. The Staff of the Fire Dragon was limited to a 100% increase in power of fire-attribute skills, only doubling it.

So this is the power of a bound item?

Bound items generally outperformed generic items. It seemed this item’s performance was elevated by binding it to Eldrin.

Next, the hammer.

I turned my attention to the other weapon.

[Item: Demir’s Hammer]

[Rank: S]

[Type: Hammer]

[Description: A hammer crafted by the legendary blacksmith ‘Demir’ to use for himself. It possesses tremendous performance.]

[Effect 1: Allows the use of production-related skills without external tools.]

[Effect 2: Embeds the ki of nature into the hammer, granting it the effect of magic enchantment.]

[Effect 3: Increases production speed by 500%.]

[Effect 4: Increases energy by 100.]

[Effect 5: Usable only by ‘Demir.’]

The hammer seemed impressive, even if I didn’t fully understand it. It could increase production speed and introduce a new enchanting concept.

—Slurp.

I couldn’t help but drool. If Boney 6 could use it, it would surely put it to good use. It was a pity that it was also a bound item.

“Hm?”

As I examined the two items, I saw something else—a black orb placed between the two weapons. It was mysteriously alluring, as if it could suck you in.

—Ring!

[You have discovered the ‘Orb of Restriction.’]

The Orb of Restriction? What could that be?

Curious, I leaned closer, but no further information appeared. However…

[Consuming 20 energy.]

[The skill ‘Memory Recreation’ (S-rank) has started.]

The all-too-familiar skill activated automatically. This meant there was a ‘deceased’ here whose memories I could read.

[Recreating the memory of the cursed soul ‘Eldrin the Moonlight.’]

[Recreating the memory of the cursed soul ‘Demir the Great.’]

[You will be transported shortly.]

What? Eldrin and Demir’s memories?

My eyes lit up. Instinctively, I knew the key to the dungeon lay here.

Let’s go.

Just as I clenched my fist, a brilliant light engulfed my entire body.

“…”

I felt weightless. Around me was a dark forest. Only my consciousness existed without a physical form, much like when I had read the old man’s memories.

But the problem was…

“Wh-What is this?”

“Huh?”

Dagnar was here with me.

“Y-You’re transparent! And I can’t see my own body! What kind of sorcery is this?”

“…”

I frowned.

I didn’t know how, but it seemed Dagnar being too close to me had caused this problem.

“Wh-Where are we? A forest? Was there such a forest in the elven territory?”

I gave him a brief explanation. “If my guess is right, this is a memory of this world from 500 years ago.”

I wasn’t sure what was happening, but I decided to think positively. With Dagnar here, at least I wouldn’t be bored.

“500 years ago?”

“Look over there.” I gestured with my eyes.

In the shade of the dark forest, an elf and a dwarf stood.

* * *

“Eldrin,” the dwarf called out to the elf quietly. His gaze lacked the hostility the dwarves held for the elves nowadays. “You’ve done well. The 100-year-long bloodshed ends today.”

“Yes, Demir. You as well.”

Both had expressions of resolve.

Silence filled the desolate space—a silence filled with complex thoughts and emotions. For tonight was the night they had agreed to risk their lives for a final battle with the magic dragon. No matter how heroic they were, they were still living beings, unable to rid themselves of the fear of death completely.

Eldrin’s breathing soon calmed.

“Thank you for extending your hand to us on the day our tribe decided to fight.”

“Don’t mention it. It was the obvious course of action.”

“Nothing is obvious in this world.” Her breathing was calm yet rough. “No living being in this world should have to die. While I, as the queen, may do so to protect my tribe, you don’t…”

“Tsk. Stop it. That’s enough.”

“Demir.”

“Hehe, remember the pact we made. Both you and I swore to fight for each other’s tribes. We managed to unite two incompatible peoples and made it this far. I have no regrets about that. So let me say it again.”

“…”

“Save those words.”

“Thank you.”

Eldrin raised her bow, a unique bow handcrafted by the greatest blacksmith in the world.

Demir also raised his hammer. It was not merely a tool of production but a hammer possessing almost identical magical prowess as that of a magic staff.

“Grrr!”

At that moment, the world darkened further. Beyond the forest’s horizon, the gigantic form of the dragon rose with an overwhelming aura of bloodlust. The ferocious wind made the earth and all living beings tremble.

All life held its breath at the appearance of the tyrant who had driven the two tribes to the brink—the Giant Magic Dragon Drughan.

“Demir.”

“…”

“Are you ready?”

“Always ready. If it means I can land a blow on that damned dragon, I’ll rip out my own heart. So don’t worry.”

“How reassuring.”

Despite the enormous monster before them, the eyes of the two heroes remained steady—the eyes of those prepared to face death.

“Gahaha! How amusing!”

The magic dragon laughed, and its laughter shook the world with a roar that echoed like thunder. Its power sent chills down one’s spine and made one’s skin tingle.

“Do you really think you can challenge me with the strength of two mere insects?”

The two heroes didn’t respond. They only moved.

—Clang! Clang!

Demir, the legendary blacksmith, struck the ground with his hammer, and a mysterious force imbued with alchemy and magic emanated from his strikes.

[You have acquired the item ‘Absolute Shield Scroll’ (S-Rank).]

A scroll was created in an instant.

“Use this.”

“Thank you.”

It was a scene that would shock anyone watching.

“What the heck?” I blurted out in disbelief.

Despite an S-rank magic scroll’s immense value, he just poofed it into existence out of nowhere.

“…So that is the ability of our ancestors.” Dagnar gasped in awe. “Indeed… A blacksmith who has reached the pinnacle. What I read in the records was true, seeing how he created a magic scroll with a hammer. It’s a breathtaking sight.”

That was the power of Demir, the blacksmith who could casually produce S-Rank items in regular supply.

Demir smiled.

We continued to watch.

“I’ll be building our grave here, so can you buy me some time?”

—Clang! Clang!

He struck his hammer again, creating something.

Eldrin also smiled in response. “Of course.” The queen aimed her arrow. “No one can take me lightly, even if it is the Giant Magic Dragon.”

She was the “Moonlight,” the mother of all elves, and the elves’ absolute ruler 500 years ago.

“How foolish!”

Drughan roared. Then it lifted its front leg.

—Boom!

Each stomp caused the world to shake, and the ground trembled.

“Queen of the Elves. I dare you to fire your arrows as much as you want. I promise it won’t even leave a scratch on my body.”

Drughan took one step, then another, toward the two heroes.

“I am the ruler of this world. I am the apex predator. The world is divided into predators and prey, yet why do you defy the will of the heavens?”

“Enough with your nonsense!”

—Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!

Arrows shot from Eldrin’s bow.

“If you truly are the predator, you must devour us all today.”

—Boom! Boom! Boom!

Arrows rained down from the sky like guided missiles, striking Drughan’s body. It was her skill, Moonlight Descent—the barrage of arrows falling like moonlight.

“Guh…”

The magic dragon frowned. It seemed to sense that her attacks were sharp.

Drughan felt like this: it could easily squash a wasp, but it hesitated slightly, fearing that the wasp might sting its eye.

“Are you scared, dragon?” Demir grinned as he watched.

—Clang! Clang!

His impressive hammering rapidly constructed something.

“Today, in exchange for burying our bones here, I will place a seal on you.”

“Stop your nonsense!”

The dragon felt uneasy, so it abandoned its conservative stance.

—Fwoosh!

Spreading its wings wide, it charged violently at the rulers of the two tribes.

However, Eldrin wasn’t idle either. She drew her bow as if she were a storm. A significant number of Demir’s scrolls tore responding to her. It was a magnificent display of magic.

The clash of these three colossal beings made the world scream.