Chapter 24: Siege of Flaming Bones

Charlie could barely walk, and she was armed with nothing but two small throwing knives. Luke didn’t know exactly how skill knowledge worked for skeletons, but it was obvious—Charlie wouldn’t wield those knives like he could, just as he couldn’t properly use a bow or a greatsword.

She needed to level up her race. He had to get her to that regeneration bonus, or she’d be dead the moment a real fight broke out.

A rattling noise echoed through the rustic, stone corridor.

Three skeletons emerged from the shadows.

Luke swallowed his fear—and engaged.

***

[You have slain a Cursed Skeleton – Lvl 7]

The last skeleton dropped.

Luke had been wandering this floor for hours now. It resembled some kind of crypt, long and winding. Most enemies were weak—rarely above level 5—but they attacked in swarms.

Charlie followed close behind, now wielding a sword she’d taken from one of the fallen undead.

“Let’s keep moving,” Luke muttered, eyes scanning ahead.

He had to worry about both of them—especially Charlie, who was still critically low on HP. He’d considered leaving her in the elevator, but she needed EXP to recover.

He let her land the killing blows whenever he could, to boost her experience gain. But when the mobs started stacking, he had no choice but to finish them himself.

“Stay sharp,” he warned her. “Don’t fight more than two at once. If things go bad again—run.”

Charlie nodded.

The corridor was lit by wax-dripped candles in old iron sconces. Faded chandeliers hung overhead, swaying slightly. Red carpets lined the stone floor, while ancient paintings of forest scenes covered the walls—but every portrait featured skeletons. Stone busts decorated the alcoves, each one depicting a skeletal noble.

Luke pushed forward. He needed to find the crystal—fast.

At the end of the corridor, a wide chamber opened. He crouched, pulled a throwing knife from his belt, and tossed it inside.

A skeleton immediately lashed out, swinging at nothing.

“I knew it…”

Two skeletons charged from the room. A third stepped out behind them—carrying a crystal.

Luke didn’t hesitate. He threw both kukris. The first skeleton spun into a dodge, the second leapt. Both closed in, wielding axes.

Charlie ran forward, her sword glowing with a faint yellow light. Her form surged with energy—she activated Charge.

She slammed into the enemies like a freight train. They went flying.

The aura burst around her like a shockwave. The way she moved—shoulder down, full weight behind the hit—it was like a bull breaking through a gate.

[Princess Charlie has slain a Cursed Skeleton – Lvl 4]

[Princess Charlie has slain a Cursed Skeleton – Lvl 5]

Luke sprinted toward the skeleton holding the crystal—but a fourth enemy stepped out, wielding a bow.

Arrows flew. Luke deflected them with a kukri, then hurled it in return—right between the archer’s ribs. The other kukri struck the crystal bearer, knocking it down.

He and Charlie quickly dispatched the downed enemies and rushed into the chamber.

Coffins lined the room. Stone sarcophagi and burial urns filled the walls. The crystal had fallen to the ground, glowing faintly.

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But that was when the real threat emerged.

Dozens of skeletons began to rise from the tombs.

Luke’s eyes narrowed. They wouldn’t be allowed to simply grab the crystal and leave. Not this time.

“Stay close to me,” Luke said. “But if your health drops near zero—you run. No hesitation.”

Charlie nodded in understanding.

Suddenly, arrows whistled through the air. Luke deflected them one by one with his kukris, his Perception allowing him to track the volleys with deadly precision.

He hurled one kukri at a skeleton, then tossed three throwing knives skyward. They duplicated midair. Blades rained down, striking skeletons and shattering bone. Luke kept throwing and duplicating, dismantling the front lines.

One skeleton lunged at him—but his kukri returned, spinning, and struck it clean through the spine. He and Princess Charlie finished off the downed ones, smashing skulls before the bones could reassemble.

BAM!

Behind them, a gate slammed shut. Metal bars dropped from the ceiling, blocking the exit.

Luke froze.

This was new. Never before had they been locked into a chamber like this.

The skeletons halted.

Stone grated in the distance. A tomb cracked open. Its lid slid and crashed to the side.

Silence.

A skeletal hand emerged—then another. A figure pulled itself from the tomb, dressed in ancient robes, wearing a tall ceremonial headdress.

Luke’s stomach dropped. His Identify skill triggered.

[Guardian of the Burning Crypt – Lvl 12]

The skeleton screamed.
“AAARGH!”

Its hands ignited in flame, and a massive fireball launched toward Luke. He dove aside just as it exploded, sending burning fragments flying through the room.

A mage! A powerful one!

“AAARGH!” the Guardian roared again, eyes glowing with firelight.