The white tree that guards the Illusory Paradise.

The symbol of the giants stronghold and the foundation of all barriers, this tree was a holy relic that emitted a massive amount of magical power just by its existence.

Naturally, monsters attracted to the magical power would gather, and as a result, even without the giants protection, the tree had its own means of defending itself from intruders.

Dont underestimate it just because the giants dont pay attention or youll pay the price.

To avoid repeating that mistake, this time I needed to prepare thoroughly.

[1 Litre of Sweet Fairy Acacia Honey 1,000 coins]

[Breath of the Tree 5,500 coins]

[100 Litres of Oshium Mountain Glacier Water 2,250 coins]

[Discovered Prehistoric ??? Bone 0.349365 Kg 10 coins]

[Discovered Prehistoric ??? Bone 349.365 Kg 10,000 coins]

Jinhyuk quickly scanned through the ingredient-type items he had purchased from the coin exchange.

Although there were countless possibilities, the one certainty to break through this place was to buy these.

Well then, shall we get started?

Jinhyuk dropped the Discovered Prehistoric ??? Bone on the floor.

Before its actualization, the item was a random gacha-type, and it was impossible to know what kind of monster bone it was.

But there was one trick.

A loophole that allowed seeing behind the curtain.

You buy the bones twice.

Only by purchasing bones of different weights with precise decimal places would the condition be met.

It was information he had learned by spending every last coin he had earned while engrossed in gacha.

[Hidden conditions met!]

[You can choose one of three bones!]

[Ixus Species Ketchalkoatlus 1]

[Marine Species Tidalos 1]

[Ancient Soldiers 10]

A golden status window unfolded.

Jinhyuk grimaced bitterly.

Damn, this just brings back terrible memories.

He remembered the time he spent all his money, even the cash for triangle kimbap, on such gambles.

Going hungry all day was usual and without bus fare, hed walk ten subway stations.

It was then he gained notoriety as PK, frequently killing Cheon Yuseong and extorting bounties.

It was the only time he provoked Cheon Yuseong first.

So thats why he held such a deep grudge?

After a moment of thought, Jinhyuk shook his head.

No way a guy would hold a grudge over something like that. The more important thing was choosing the right monster bone.

Here, quantity trumps quality.

He still lacked the ability to control undead monsters other than T-bones.

Instead of trying to summon difficult ones, it was better to have obedient, albeit weaker, ones.

Jinhyuk activated his skill toward the pile of bones.

[Lv1 Undead Manufacture activated!]

[Summoning Ancient Soldier!]

[Ancient Soldier]

Level: 3

Strength 20 Agility 20 Vitality 20 Magic 20

Details: Soldiers of an ancient beastman kingdom whose names are now forgotten. Loyalty to protect their king and kingdom even in deathif directed toward you, the Ancient Soldiers could become a formidable force.

Note: Due to the casters lack of proficiency, their size is limited to about 50cm. Their intelligence is significantly reduced.

They looked like SD characters from a fraction.

Skulls with sharp single horns suggested they were from unicorn species

They dont even have 10% of their original abilities.

The Archmages Robe obtained from a European Lich and Merlins Staff acquired from a corridor helped, but this was his limit.

Though less efficient, he didnt plan to abandon the undead.

Among all species, they were the only ones free from the strongholds barriers.

Where am I?

Back to life.

The revived Ancient Soldiers looked at their dry bones.

The dark pupils and white skeletons matched well.

Ahem! Ahem!

Jinhyuk cleared his throat.

I am your master

Master?

Enough chattering. From now on, Im your master

Master? Is that something to eat?

Master. Master.

It seemed endless.

Sigh. I cant do everything, including teaching them. I dont have the time anyway.

Jinhyuk then called T-bone through his subspace inventory.

Master, you summoned me?

They will be your subordinates from now on. While I prepare for other things, train them well.

Yes! Leave it to me.

T-bone smartly saluted.

Then with a peculiar gleam in his eyes, he approached the Ancient Soldiers.

Welcome. I am T-bone, your senior. Clink.

Just by how many days hed been there, he acted high and mighty.

What are you. The same. Undead.

Why do you try to give orders?

The reason is simple. I come from a noble bone. Created in the sky, unlike you buried in the dirt. Think of me as descended from holy bone. Clink.

In fact, he was made from an in-flight meal tray.

Ever heard of the Ancient Kind and our great vampire lady master? Probably at least once, right?

Ancient. Kind.

True Ancestor Clink.

Magnificent beings.

Yes. And directly serving the five elemental spirits. In other words, Im a bodyguard captain far above you.

Sweet potatoes and Ellis too, whod have thought?

Hmm.

It wasnt entirely false, but there was a lot of exaggeration.

Like claiming to raise a dragon while owning a poodle next door.

Who would fall for such nonsense? However, newly born undead were gullible.

Wow!

An impressive skeleton.

First time witnessing such a high-flying undead.

Undead King! We follow!

Low intelligence could be so sad.

They blew trumpets even for such nonsensical boastfulness.

Well, it did make it easier for those in command.

While T-bone played the leader with his arms raised, Jinhyuk began synthesizing the rest of the purchased items.

He blew Breath of the Tree into the Sweet Fairy Acacia Honey. Then he mixed the sticky honey into the Oshium Mountain Glacier Water.

[Successfully synthesized Heavenly Fragrance.]

[All plants will be enticed by this scent.]

[Resistance is reduced by 10%. The influence of curses due to barriers decreases by an additional 10%!]

[Special effect Provocation is forcibly activated!]

At that moment

Roaaaaar!

The white tree reacted to the scent.

It began.

Jinhyuk readied himself.

Whooooosh!

Stststst

Hundreds of noises assaulted his eardrums.

What appeared to be the petals of the white tree took flight in unison.

Butterfly-like insectoid monsters.

Their stark white wings and blue eyes nearly blinded him as they filled the sky.

On the ground, large centipedes with black carapaces moved swiftly.

So many hidden away.

Despite their number, the combat strength of each was not ordinary.

Well, that must have been why the giants could leave with ease.

The butterflies and centipedes dont matter. Just interrupt the pathing of those large insects.

Will you be alright on your own, Master?

No point worrying. Theres no other way.

Though the support of Ellis or Wolyeong would make things easier, they had their own duties to fulfill.

And besides

Even if it werent the white trees body or the giant king Ograkun, it was too soon to fret.

Thats when it happened.

Squeeeek!

A rhinoceros beetle the size of a house erupted from the foliage.

Despite its length of 4 meters, it was only medium-sized.

Its pincers opened to cleave Jinhyuks body in two.

However

Crunch!

They were stopped by two pillars of bone.

Master. Dont worry about the small fry.

Oh? A good ploy. But evidently not good enough, eh?

Ha! As if I Ah! Its breaking! Its breaking!

Snap!

Crack!

The pincers easily shattered the bone, making T-bone retreat in alarm.

Praise them a little and this always happens

Tsk, tsk.

Jinhyuk clicked his tongue and left T-bone as he thrust off the ground.

Ancient Soldiers bravely blocked another beetle and a pair of large armor bugs that had appeared.

Theyre not bad with a bit of training.

More and more allies appeared, including sweet potatoes, elemental spirits, T-bone, and Ancient Soldiers. He couldnt help but feel secure.

Vroom!

White light gathered at the tips of the fangs.

The air dried, the moisture evaporated.

[Lv9 Daylight activated!]

Kaboom! Kaboom! Kaboom!

The concentrated light shot forward.

Even the insectoids sturdy exoskeleton couldnt withstand the point-blank AOE Daylight attack.

A path was cleared straight to the white tree.

Before long, Jinhyuk held a longbow instead of fangs.

The Crimson Magic Bullet pierced through the air, replacing the arrows.

Flash!

Thwack! Thwack!

Keiiik!

Kkeeeek!

Windholes were made in the abdomens of butterflies scattering dust above.

17 in total.

Except for one, the remaining butterflies plummeted to the ground.

Why leave one alive, Master?

T-bone did not comprehend.

He couldnt tell him he was slightly confused because it had been a while since he fought under a curse.

The dignity of the company president mattered.

Jinhyuk replied curtly.

Humanity.

Even the experienced have a human touch.

It looked more like you got the direction wrong to me.

Say that again? I didnt quite catch that.

That is, it appears you shot the arrow entirely in the opposite direction

Hey.

Yes?

Dont doubt uselessly, or Ill use your bones as arrow substitutes. And if you let even one follow me, Ill sell you all to a soup restaurant as bone broth ingredients.

T-bone and the Ancient Soldiers shivered slightly.

Then, a thought crossed T-bones mind.

Whether it was the master or the lady master Do they become similar when together?

The grand hall in the center of the fortress.

The small bonfire in the middle was the only source of light in the vast space.

Giant figures blurred beyond the flames.

Ograkun. The enemies assault is no small matter.

One giant began to speak heavily.

Indeed.

In the late hours moving into dawn when everyone was awake and gathered here

It was to devise strategies against the oncoming foes from all sides.

All eyes turned to the throne at the edge of the hall.

The dark iron throne, the white tree banner behind it, and

The figure seated upon the throne was Ograkun, king of the giants.

Amidst everyones anxiety, Ograkuns expression was undisturbed.

Instead, he seemed bored, slowly rotating his wine glass clockwise.

King! The humans have acted upon the barrier. The gates might fall.

The empire pressed with Titans and various siege weapons, while the martial world slowly targeted the walls with peak masters.

.

Yet, Ograkun remained unresponsive to the urgent news.

Do something. If we do nothing, the siege will tighten and the gate will teem with their forces.

Thats to be expected.

What do you mean? Just stand idle till the enemy grows stronger?

Thats exactly what I mean.

What?

Lets do nothing and simply wait. If we do, this battle will end in our victory once again.

Ograkun downed the contents of his goblet in one gulp.

The wine running from his warped mouth

was vivid, bloody red.