How to Raise Your Skeletons

Chapter 121: Aranballon, the Dragon of Greed (2)

The mindset to challenge something—before delving into that, let me explain the conversation I had with Eldrin five minutes prior…

“Yes, Master?”

Passing the team cheering, Eldrin creaked her way toward me. She seemed pleased, likely because her prediction about Aranballon was right.

“See? I was right, wasn’t I? That’s just how dragons are. They’re incredibly strong, which makes them just as greedy. Honestly, when I saw the enormous fortress filled with treasure, I already suspected it.”

“Because it reminded you of the Giant Magic Dragon?”

“Exactly.” Eldrin slowly waved her right arm, her hand opening as black energy began to coalesce and swirl into a sphere. “The Giant Magic Dragon sealed in this orb was the same. For centuries, it enslaved the Forest and Rock Tribes, demanding tributes and treasure…” Eldrin stared at the black orb with a wistful gaze.

Everyone had something meaningful in their lives. Perhaps a music box that played a nostalgic melody, a cherished piece of jewelry, or a letter from a loved one. For Eldrin, this orb seemed to hold such significance—and that made sense. She had suffered for over 500 years because of it, after all.

“So, about that.” I smiled.

“…?”

My smile must have been unsettling because Eldrin instinctively hid the orb behind her back.

“What’s the matter, Master…?”

I couldn’t explain it, but the moment Theme 2 wrapped up so anticlimactically, a thought crossed my mind…

Is it really okay to end it like this?

Back in Theme 1, I approached the trial differently from others. The result was that I received rewards that were several tiers above everyone else. If that was the case, I figured that a similar approach would work for Theme 2. If I simply followed the standard path, the rewards would be standard too. To advance further, I needed to do something extraordinary. Specifically, I had to create a compelling reason for the system to reward me.

What if I not only upheld loyalty but also defeated the dragon?

Wouldn’t that be as sensational as devouring the poison mist and surviving? I didn’t know if it was possible, but I wanted to try. Nôv(el)B\\jnn

The problem was how to defeat the dragon.

“No way…” Eldrin shook her head in disbelief. “…You’re not thinking what I think you’re thinking, are you?”

“Say, that Giant Magic Dragon in your Orb of Restriction… Could you release it here?”

Yes, Eldrin. I’m thinking exactly what you’re thinking.

* * *

“Yes, you’ve defeated me completely. But you’ll never keep me sealed forever. Wait and see. One day, I’ll return to destroy you all! Grrraaaaah!”

The day we sealed the dragon, that’s what the dragon had roared. It warned that one day it would return to bring ruin upon us.

That “one day”…

It likely referred to the day the alliance between the Forest and Rock Tribes shattered since that was the condition of it being sealed. But I thought about it differently. If the dragon’s power was bound within the orb… And if it could be released, why not unleash it here? That would also eliminate any future risks. Besides, there couldn’t be two suns in the same sky. When two predators occupied the same cave, a fight was inevitable. And I could exploit that.

“…”

Eldrin’s expression hardened. “Master.”

“What? Isn’t it a good idea?”

“You’re as reckless as always. What if the two dragons don’t fight each other?”

“…”

“And what if their wrath turns solely on us?”

“You have a point.” I grinned even wider. “But we’ve already found Aranballon’s National Treasure. If things go south, we can just move on to Theme 3. It’s a win-win. Plus, we’d be leaving behind that troublesome Giant Magic Dragon here.”

At that moment, a message popped up.

[Having found the ‘National Treasure,’ the clear conditions are fulfilled!]

[The trial of ‘Theme 2’ will end.]

[You will be moved to the location of ‘Theme 3’ in 30 minutes.]

[Warning! Warning! Warning!]

[Do not touch the treasures from now on.]

[Severe consequences may follow.]

Just like in Theme 1, we were granted 30 minutes after clearing the trial. I had to decide if I’d leave peacefully or clash with the seemingly invincible dragon.

“Even if there’s no reward, I don’t care. What matters is trying. Just attempting to defeat the dragon will be an invaluable experience. And if that makes me stronger… I want to fight.”

“…”

Silence followed from Eldrin as she seemed stunned. Though her face was a skull, the aura around her made it clear.

“Haah, Master. Truly… you’re impossible. Your passion for strength is just…”

“That passion is what helped us seal the Giant Magic Dragon back then, isn’t it?”

“Haah. You’re right. It was all thanks to you, yes.” Eldrin nodded. “…I can release the seal whenever I choose. But my concern is…”

“That we’ll all be in danger within the 30-minute window?”

“Yes… precisely.”

“Then how about this?”

Aranballon wasn’t here—it only appeared when someone entered that white door.

“Eldrin, you take the orb and head inside.”

“…Excuse me?” she gasped, startled.

“I’m suggesting a layered strategy. You provoke the Giant Magic Dragon inside. If it spills out here, there’s a second layer of defense.”

“A second layer?”

“Yeah. The judges.”

The senior judges, including Lucas and Floa, along with other high-ranking hunters.

“Because they’re stationed here.”

Some might wonder, how did I figure that out? Just like in Theme 1, the 30-minute window existed so participants could access the shop.

“With all that in place, isn’t it worth the risk? And destroying the dragon instead of sealing it again—that’s something you want too, right?”

“…That’s true,” Eldrin trembled slightly.

She was both fearful and elated. Her long-suppressed anger toward the dragon was reawakening.

“And if you’re worried about the others, don’t be. I’ll explain everything and get their approval.”

“Alright.” Finally, Eldrin gave me a determined nod. “Let’s give it a shot, Master.”

And again five minutes later.

“Are you crazy?! Hey, team leader?” Vladimir looked aghast.

“Don’t tell me you’re not seriously planning to hunt that monstrosity, are you? That dragon?”

“…” I gave a small nod.

“Ugh, you madman! Did getting hit by those crossbows mess with your head? We barely survived, and now you’re throwing your life away? Are you out of your mind? Hey, everyone! Stop the team leader! He’s trying to commit suicide!”

I could have ignored my team’s opinion and gone ahead, but I couldn’t. Even with all the safety measures I thought of, everyone could still be at risk. This was still Theme 2, and I was their team leader.

Even if I told Eldrin a little forcefully…

I had only asked her about releasing the orb to confirm its feasibility. If even one person opposed fighting the dragon, I would abandon the plan. As much as I valued strength and as much as I desired this, I couldn’t pursue it at the expense of others.

“What’s going on?!”

“Vladimir, what’s the matter?”

“Did Hoon say he’s going to kill himself?”

Vladimir’s loud outburst brought the team members over. I summarized everything to them, from my experience sealing a similar dragon to my plan to confront this one.

“I want to fight the dragon. Just like I plunged into the poison mist in Theme 1, I want to try something like that again. But we can’t always do whatever we want. That’s why I want to know what you all think.”

“…”

The team looked at me blankly. Some had expressions that screamed, “What the hell is he saying?” Others rubbed their temples in disbelief. Either reaction was fine. Though time was running out, I didn’t rush them because this was a life-or-death decision.

“So you’re saying… that horrifying dragon Capu showed us earlier… You want to fight it…?” Olena murmured after a long pause. “Dear god. If my mentor, Silverstone, heard this, he’d suggest dissecting your brain. What kind of thought process leads to something like this?”

“Hmm. I think it’s fine.” Capu was the first to speak in favor.

“Huh?”

“What?”

Everyone turned to him.

“Honestly, when Olivia got shredded, it felt a bit satisfying. But James? Not so much,” Capu calmly explained.

“What are you saying?! James betrayed the team leader!” Olena exclaimed.

“Yeah,” Capu nodded. “But that’s all he was—a coward. He didn’t deserve such a brutal death. Honestly, I want to avenge James.”

“Hmm.”

He wasn’t wrong. But honestly, whether right or wrong, I supported Capu’s opinion because I wanted to fight the dragon.

“I’ll fight alongside the Skeleton King.” At that moment, the Speat of Judgment stepped forward.

—Whoosh!

He spun his spear dramatically.

“Whoever the opponent is, Skeleton King is my friend.”

I had no idea when we became friends, but I smiled and nodded. Alright, let’s be friends starting today, buddy!

“I think it’s a good idea too.” The third to agree was Myoi Hana. “The team leader proved himself in Theme 1. I believe in his potential.” She stood beside the Spear of Judgment.

Now, only three remained—Olena, the middle-aged hunter, and Vladimir Lodygin.

“What is this…?” The middle-aged hunter trembled. “…You’re all incredible. I’ve never met people like this in my life. This is unprecedented.”

“Hah, maybe it’s true that you have to be insane to become a ranker.” Vladimir shook his head. Then, as if he had no choice, he stood beside Myoi Hana. “If you’re all committing suicide, I can’t stop you. Crazy fools. If we’re dying, let’s die together.”

“I, too, shall follow as usual.” The middle-aged hunter nodded. “I think the team leader’s crazy, but he delivers results.”

“Ahhh!” Finally, Olena let out a scream. “What the hell is this?! Are you all really going to fight that terrifying dragon?”

“No.” I shook my head. “If you don’t want to, we won’t do it. This whole plan is just my selfish desire, after all.”

“That’s ridiculous! You’ve already set things up! Now it’s awkward to refuse!”

As she shouted, I smiled and approached her. “Let me say one thing.”

“What?”

“I’ve faced much worse situations than this at least three times. Each time, I survived and came out stronger. That’s how I’ve grown.”

“…”

“Trust me. Let’s take it down together.”

Olena flinched.

“If you’re aiming to become a ranker, don’t you want to be a stronger ranker?”

“Of course, but if I die, it’s all over…”

“Is that really what’s stopping you?”

“…”

“We’ve always risked our lives, and we’ll continue to do so. That’s the fate of hunters.”

“…”

“Olena.” I looked her in the eye. “If my guess is right, we’ll leave here as comrades. Comrades with an unbreakable bond. And I want my comrades to be the strongest hunters out there.”

“Strong hunters…”

“And I have no doubt that I’ll remain a strong hunter beside you.”

Olena’s lips quivered.

This wasn’t just a pitch; it was really how I felt. I wanted to become stronger. Initially, my dream was to be a ranker, but if I was going to do it, why not aim for the very top?

“Damn it.” In the end, Olena bit her lip. “Hoon.”

“Yes?”

“Fine. But next time, don’t stand so close when you talk. That’s cheating.”

“Pardon?” I blinked in confusion.

“I said we’re fighting the dragon. Let’s go!”

“Ah.” I smiled.

Everyone—not including me—had agreed.

At that moment…

“You lunatics! What the hell do you think you’re doing?!”

—Crackle!

Electric sparks lit up before me.