[Ding—Strength +5, Constitution +5, Spirit +5][Skill Acquired: Swordsmanship Lv.2, Herculean Strength Lv.2, Iron Bone Lv.1]
At last, the system's chime sounded in his ears. His right arm settled obediently.
A surge of power welled from the depths of his being; his bones reshaped themselves, growing sturdier, smoother, and gleaming white. Simultaneously, his strength leapt dramatically, and the fire of his soul condensed, burning more vividly than ever.
In short, he felt his body brimming with power. He even imagined he could wrestle with Pond himself.
Yet, a chill wind swept by, and instinctively, he recoiled into Iru's embrace. Damn this icy wind! Five points of constitution felt utterly inadequate. He was, after all, still the same fragile skeleton.
With Lixuman's aid, the Ice-Sealing Sword seemed to recognize a familiar presence, its resistance waning as more of the blade emerged.
Meanwhile, Kate, like a general facing a formidable foe, began chanting spells, layering buffs upon himself: divine might, magical armor, enhanced agility, endurance, defense, and the Goddess of Light's protection. Each incantation dripped with devotion: "Great Goddess of Light…," "By the Goddess above…," "Your faithful servant, O Light…"
Lixuman thought wryly that if he were the Goddess of Light, this fool would earn a resounding slap. "Do not bother me, mortal."
With the layers of buffs, Kate's body shimmered in a kaleidoscope of colors, reminiscent of a pay-to-win MMORPG overlord. Extravagant gear overflowed from his character frame.
Whoosh! The biting wind ceased. The Ice-Sealing Sword was drawn, its crystalline blade dazzling as Iru gripped it with both hands. The legendary blade of Lantes, at last freed.
"Sorry, this sword belongs to the Church!" Kate charged, hurling a massive orb of holy light.
Iru bent her knees slightly, raising the Ice-Sealing Sword to intercept the orb, splitting it in two. Without pausing, she surged forward, colliding with Kate.
He conjured a massive blade of radiant holy light in his hands. The Ice-Sealing Sword met the holy blade with a thunderous clash, sending both combatants flying, evenly matched.
Kate faltered.
"Impossible! Even with that brat's help, a portion of your strength should have been sealed!" he shouted.
"Exactly why I exerted all my strength, leaving myself drained," Iru countered coolly.
Both men and skeleton exchanged bewildered glances—redefining what "frail" and "drained" truly meant.
"Hand over the Ice-Sealing Sword!" Kate demanded.
"It is mine!" Iru replied.
Again, their blades collided, golden holy light clashing with icy blue sword energy, shards of crystal scattering—threatening to shatter the entire palace.
Lixuman hastily retreated, escaping the demolition site. Not far behind, the palace collapsed, while streams of violet and gold light collided repeatedly, like celestial beings at war.
Why is it that every time gods clash, I'm always present? Lixuman muttered, recalling the old battlefield—though this time, former allies fought each other.
Boom! A tremendous impact sent Kate plummeting, shattering holy light and piercing a swath of crystal.
"You leave, I won't kill you, but this sword is mine. Fair competition—now I have won."
Iru landed gracefully, Ice-Sealing Sword poised at Kate's throat. Both had adhered strictly to the rules of fair play: no treachery, no exploitation of Lixuman.
"…Perhaps I should wish you a happy union," Kate groaned, shoulder impaled, wincing in pain.
"Ouch… that hurts!" he cried. "Alright, I'm leaving! Damn, the goddess above, it's like facing a tyrannosaur!"
"Listen, boy, you can't control this tyrant…"
"Fine, fine! I'm leaving!"
Kate grumbled as he departed, leaving only Lixuman and Iru behind.
"Thank you. Without your help, I couldn't have claimed this sword," Iru said gratefully.
She retrieved her own greatsword from the collapsed palace; remarkably, it bore no damage—a testament to its quality.
"Do you desire anything? Or perhaps a wish? Within my power, I will help you achieve it," she offered, her mood evidently light.
Lixuman had no needs—he had already profited immensely. Asking for gold now would be beneath him.
"Think it over. I'll be in White Bear City. Come find me at this address," she said, tearing a corner from her map, flipping it over, and writing down an address for him.
"Shall I carry you back to the fifteenth level?" she asked, motioning to lift him.
"Wait! No, I have my own way back!" Lixuman protested. Damn it, someone mustn't witness this—my reputation!
"All right, then I'll at least take you somewhere safe," she said.
…And so he was once again moved in what could only be described as a humiliating position. No pleasure derived, only the clash of his bones against her armored frame—pure torture.
At last, Iru set him down safely, careful not to crush him, given her strength and his fragility.
"See you in White Bear City," she said, waving as she departed.
Lixuman exhaled in relief; being near Iru was exhausting.
Now, it was time for business. He had promised Terdela to collect the octagonal fire crystals… though in hindsight, having Iru escort him to the higher levels would have solved it faster. Damn the detour.
Still, he was here to grind levels in the dungeon, and using Iru as a crutch didn't fit his self-imposed challenge.
Unfurling his bone wings, he flew toward the fallen palace. A brief flight brought him to the cliff where he had jumped. Only a few lizardmen patrolled; the Lizard King and his forces had departed, leaving only minimal guards.
Excellent—he would claim the experience.
With a swift beat of his wings, Lixuman lunged at a lizardman, drawing his bone sword through its throat, a torrent of scalding blood erupting.
[Ding—Fire Lizardman Lv.15 defeated, EXP +300]
Before the remaining lizardmen could react, he plunged his staff into the ground.
"Quagmire!"
A soil-toned magic circle sprang beneath their feet, collapsing beneath the weight of several lizardmen.
"First-tier spell, Fireball!"
One by one, fireballs engulfed the creatures. His spirit surged, boosting spellcasting speed, potency, and precision.
Satisfied, Lixuman hurled his staff at the last fleeing lizardman, pinning it to a stone wall, then raised his hand once more.
"First-tier spell, Fireball!"
[Ding—Lizardman Lv.15 defeated, EXP +300][Level Up: Lv.17][Constitution +1, Spirit +1][Free Attribute Point +1]