How to Raise Your Skeletons

Chapter 40

Chapter 40: Forest and Stone (1)

A dungeon’s background usually matches its name. The dungeon where I encountered Sun Spear was called the “Ancient Desert.” True to its name, it was set in a sweltering desert.

And this time...

The dungeon I’m in now is called “Forest and Stone.” As the name suggests, the environment is straightforward.

“It’s a forest with rocks. Just as it says.”

I looked around. To the left was a dense forest so thick that even the midday sun couldn’t penetrate it.

And to the right...

A vast, rocky area spread out. The sound of strong gusts could be heard, making it appear refreshing on sight. Beyond the horizon were rugged stone mountains where no plants seemed to grow for some reason.

“Everyone...”

Once inside a dungeon, securing our safety was the top priority. I nodded and opened my mouth.

“Come forth and stand in formation!”

With a rustle, the skeletons from Boney 1 to Boney 6 emerged from the ground at my command. Among these six subordinates, the one in charge was none other than the Sun Spear.

“My lord.”

“Yes.”

“By the way, why did you summon Boney 6?”

“...”

Boney 6 was a production-type skeleton, so there was no need for it to be in the dungeon. However...

“Look at that rocky area.” I confidently pointed toward the rocky terrain.

“...?” Sunny tilted its head in question.

“Take a good look. Doesn’t it look like a mineral zone?”

“...Hm, does it?”

“Production workers always wonder what materials will be waiting, and it brings athem joy when they see such magnificent scenery.”

“...”

I’ve developed this habit while exploring C-rank dungeons lately. Boney 6, true to its blacksmith profession, has a keen sense for minerals.

Though it doesn’t have a mining skill.

If I kept it nearby, it would create a bone pickaxe and dig around randomly.

Anyway, the advantage of my skeletons is their ability to grow.

Just as the Master of All Techniques created skills through teachings, Boney 6 might obtain the mining skill if it kept mining recklessly. That’s what I thought.

“I didn’t know you were a production worker, my lord.”

“Boney 6 is the production worker.”

“...Aren’t you favoring Boney 6 too much lately?”

I looked at Sunny as if surprised. “Wait, are you jealous right now?”

Lately, I’d been exploring dungeons alone. Having frequent conversations with Sunny as a companion, we seem to have grown closer than before, seeing how it felt comfortable saying such things to me now.

“Not at all, my lord.”

“Sure you are.” I smiled.

No matter what Sunny’s past was, its favorability with me was important. They say bonding with a summoned creature, especially one that can grow, further enhances its potential.

“Then I’ll proceed with patrolling and reconnaissance,” Sunny swung its spear and murmured heavily.

Sunny was so reliable. When I was busy, it commanded the skeletons for me. It also personally handled basic chores like this.

—Creak!

They each took their positions.

[‘Bonehead 3’ used the skill ‘Secure Vision’ (Lv.9).]

Boney 3’s skill conveyed the surrounding scenery to me through sensations.

“Hmm.”

I closed my eyes and felt it fully. This place had a dense forest and a barren rocky area. Apart from that, there was nothing else in the dungeon. I couldn’t figure out where this was or what stages might exist; it was overwhelming.

“My lord, it’s a very wide area just from what I can sense. It might not be as vast as the desert lands I controlled, but it seems nearly comparable.”

“Hmm...”

“Don’t you think we have to choose between the two?”

“Wait a minute.” I didn’t open my closed eyes.

—Vwoom!

I tried to find something through the arrows in the air that Boney 3 shot. In any dungeon, there were always clues to solve it.

“Hmm?”

Then I felt an unusual sensation from a very distant place, at the boundary between the forest and the rocks.

Is this ki?

It was clearly a wave of intense ki. I could only perceive the ki’s movement because I had learned the Great Blue Heart Technique.

Boney 3’s ears clearly had bones. They weren’t conspicuously large, just about the length of a thumb.

“My lord, by any chance...”

“...Huh, could Boney 3 be an elf?”

The medium dungeon showed the past lives of my skeletons, just like Boney 2’s past in the Ancient Desert was the Sun Spear.

“Come to think of it, using a bow is just like an elf.”

Now that I thought about it, its body shape was also slender. It was different from the other skeletons in several ways.

“My lord, Boney 6 too...”

“Yes. We already knew that Boney 6 was originally a dwarf.”

In fact, even though I’d asked Sunny, my choice was already leaning toward the rocky area. With their short stature and hammers, they were clearly Boney 6’s race.

However.

That story would change if Boney 3 were an elf. Both Boney 3 and Boney 6 were my children. Choosing between the two was a painful problem.

—Crash! Boom!

The two races continued to fight. If I didn’t choose quickly, the stage would pass. I wondered if I could choose both at that moment.

[Assist one of the two races to resolve the conflict.]

[Warning! Warning! Warning!]

[If you fail to decide in time, a penalty will be imposed.]

[Penalty = Death.]

“What the f...”

I was just curious about what would happen if I didn’t choose, then the message kindly informed me that I’d die.

Dammit.

I got anxious. I had to choose something.

If I chose the elves, Boney 3 would grow. Living with and training with the elves would allow Boney 3 tremendous growth speed.

On the other hand, what would happen if I chose the dwarves?

Okay, wow.

I couldn’t help but be excited. What if they were all natural blacksmiths? That would be invaluable. It was hard to gain such proficiency, even with billions of money in reality. Here, there might be a chance to accumulate it for free.

“...”

The number of elves and dwarves was slowly decreasing.

“Ugh!”

“Ahh!”

Casualties occurred during the clash between the two races. I could see the hatred and conflict in their eyes.

“Alright, I’ve decided.” I nodded. I loved Boney 3, and I loved Boney 6.

But money...

Between the two I loved, what swayed me more was ‘money.’ And blacksmithing brought money.

For now, Sunny is enough for combat.

“Alright.”

—Whoosh!

I swung my staff.

—Clack!

Then the skeletons glowed and raised their weapons. They released their suppressed energy.

“I will choose the rocky side.”

[You have chosen the ‘Rock Dwarves.’]

[Favorability has changed.]

[Rock Tribe: 70]

[Forest Tribe: 30]

[Help the ‘Rock Dwarves’ drive out the ‘Forest Elves’!]

A system message popped up as I spoke.

Favorability?

It was a concept I was seeing for the first time.

“What? Who are they?”

“Who are you?”

There was no time to worry about that now. Both races recognized me as I appeared.

“Haah, my lord.” Sun Spear sighed lightly beside me.

“My lord, you really favor Boney 6, don’t you?”

“...”

It wasn’t that... Let’s just say the youngest is always the cutest.