A skeleton and a skeleton horse; both of them were heroes. They definitely had a lot of questions for each other, such as ‘What the hell did you ask the goddess for?’, or ‘Were you a horse to start with?’.

However, it wasn't the best time for introduction. Lee Shin-Woo suppressed the urge to grab his fellow skeleton and interrogate it. He looked at the horse, which seemed like it wanted something from him, and said simply, "Thanks for helping. Shall we talk about the rest after taking that bastard down?"

"A-Alright!"

The Skeleton Horse sounded a little anxious, but that wasn’t Lee Shin-Woo’s concern. Right now, the only thing Lee Shin-Woo was sure about was that the Skeleton Horse had equal strength as the Ghoul; it was able to send the Ghoul flying by ramming into it. There wasn't a more dependable ally than a level 4 hero!

[Kugaaaaaah! Again, you're nothing but bones...!]

Meanwhile, the Ghoul had rolled to a stop after getting kicked by the Skeleton Horse. Seeing its attacker seemed to infuriate it greatly. The moment its temper flared, and it tried to pick itself up, however, Lee Shin-Woo attacked it again with Catapult; his index finger shot out and burrowed deep into the Ghoul's forearm. Right as the Ghoul opened its eyes wide, the finger exploded!

"Attack!"

[Kahak...!]

Seizing the moment the Ghoul toppled to the floor, Lee Shin-Woo closed their distance with Combat Sprint. The explosion brought about by Self-Destruct had partly severed the Ghoul’s forearm. Lee Shin-Woo finished the job with Bone of Thunder Lasting, imbuing his Power Slash with the power of Bursting Thunder! His attack looked like a blue streak of lightning.

[Critical Hit!]

[Kuaaaaaaahk!]

No matter how far apart their levels, the Ghoul wouldn't come out unscathed after getting hit by Catapult, Self-Destruct, and the following Power Slash in quick succession. It let out an awful scream as its tough and sturdy forearm dropped to the ground.

"Eeek, Die!"

The Skeleton Horse rushed over and kicked it once again. It didn’t seem to be using any skill. Given its frightening speed despite the short running distance, though, its attack was impressively powerful. Still…

Why is it so clumsy?

Lee Shin-Woo had consumed countless skeleton and monster bones, leveled up, and gained their combat abilities, so from his point of view, the Skeleton Horse was moving crudely, even when considering the difference in species. Moreover, the Skeleton Horse looked visibly distressed by the Acid Ghoul’s splattering blood and the Acid Poison mixed within. It was acting very much like a newbie.

Wait, high leveled heroes could be newbies. Moreover, since there's no way that it really was a horse, it may not have gotten used to its new body yet.

He decided he would calmly talk this over after the battle's conclusion. In any case, toppling the Acid Ghoul was his top priority.

"Stay back for now unless you have a skill or equipment that repels Acid Poison!" Lee Shin-Woo yelled at the Skeleton Horse, which was going for another attack even while suffering from the Ghoul’s Acid Poison.

"But..."

"I'm not telling you to run away. Attack it when I tell you to!"

"...Got it!"

Fortunately, the Skeleton Horse retreated obediently as Lee Shin-Woo instructed. He wouldn’t know what to do if someone unskilled decided to be stubborn, but thankfully, he was able to avoid the worst case scenario.

[You clowns, I'll crush you into powder!]

The Ghoul stood up and swung its severed arm around like a weapon, spewing Acid Poison everywhere. It smelled smoky with the flames blazing all over its body.

[You have been exposed to the Acid Ghoul's strengthened Acid Poison extensively. Though Low Rank Acid Resistance is lessening the damage, it doesn’t seem very effective!]

"Ugh... Yeah, I'll cut off your other arm soon."

[A feeble skeleton...!]

Contrary to its words, the Ghoul had been moving with much more wariness than its appearance would suggest; it seemed to consider Lee Shin-Woo a dangerous opponent. It made Lee Shin-Woo think that the Ghoul must have been an immensely experienced fighter before death, especially with the way it swung it wielded its arm as a weapon while keeping a reasonable distance between them.

[Heh...]

"!?"

That was a miscalculation on his part, however. In the split second while Lee Shin-Woo warily refrained from making a move, the Ghoul shoved its severed arm into its gigantic mouth.

[Kuaaaaaah!]

"You crazy..."

Noticing the explosive growth of the Ghoul’s mana, Lee Shin-Woo regretted not severing its other arm sooner. Then again, he obviously couldn’t afford the risk, nor did he have an opening to do so.

"You dirty bastard!"

[I'm a Ghoul, you stupid skeleton!]

Eating the arm didn’t allow the Ghoul to grow its severed limb back. However, the moment it swallowed its own arm, the Flames of Revenge blazing its skin went out, and its remaining arm swelled dramatically. It was obvious that the Ghoul had become even stronger.

"You’re not even a boss monster, you asshole! How could you enter the second phase?!"

[Die!]

As soon as it finished consuming its arm, the Ghoul charged at Lee Shin-Woo. It was astonishingly fast, so much so that it made its previous self seem like a snail! Lee Shin-Woo didn't act with reckless bravado, and immediately activated Combat Sprint. However, just as he thought he'd gotten far enough away, the Ghoul's arm lengthened in a bizarre way and smashed him!

"Urgh!"

[Kyahahak!]

This is where it seized the momentum. It pursued Lee Shin-Woo as he rolled across the ground and attacked him again.

[Die! Break!]

"Tch, keuhut...!"

Lee Shin-Woo listened to his instinct and rolled again to dodge the Ghoul’s arm, which it had been swinging like a whip. Whenever the arm crashed into the ground, though, some of the Acid Poison would splatter onto him and melt his body.

[Low Rank Acid Resistance is now Lv3.]

The potency of the acid was made clear by the fact that his Low Rank Acid Resistance had leveled up so soon after its ascension to low rank. Unfortunately, Lee Shin-Woo didn’t have the luxury to celebrate the progress since things weren’t looking good for him. Panting, Lee Shin-Woo regenerated his body and gritted his teeth. Maintaining Flames of Revenge was continuously draining him of mana, and now, he didn't really have that much left to spare.

Should I call out for the Skeleton Horse now? No, he'll just get even more hurt… Well then.

It was time to use the method he had been saving to turn the situation around. Lee Shin-Woo mentally braced himself and leapt into the air with Combat Sprint, narrowly avoiding the Acid Ghoul’s whipping arm! He reinforced both his arms with Harden before holding tightly onto the Ghoul’s outstretched limb.

[Heut!]

The Acid Ghoul seemed to think that Lee Shin-Woo had given up his life, as it pulled him in with a wicked smile. His arms began to melt even after being applied with Harden, but Lee Shin-Woo didn't have any intention of using Regeneration. He calmly waited for the distance between them to decrease. The moment the Ghoul was sure of its victory was the perfect moment to strike back! A life for a life...

"Ei... Eit!"

What now!?

Someone else interfered when Lee Shin-Woo had resolved to sacrifice a life. To be exact, a javelin had quickly cut through the air and pierced the Acid Ghoul's arm.

[Kuaaaaaahk!]

The effect was amazing! The spear burrowed deep into the Ghoul's arm, and the deep tear tormented the Acid Ghoul with horrific pain whenever it contracted its muscle. It was an impressive hit, especially with the way the cutting mana spread from the tip of the spear at contact.

"Huhp!"

[Kuhwak!]

While Lee Shin-Woo stood in awe, another mana-infused javelin buried into the Ghoul's arm. The speed and accuracy gave him goosebumps! He couldn’t help but laugh when he saw who had joined the battle.

Ye Jin-Jin?

It was none other than Ye Jin-Jin. He thought she had run off on her own since he hadn't seen her, but that turned out not to be the case.

"Hoo, hoo..."

She was still wearing fabric that was more rags than clothes, and she looked as though she would immediately collapse and burst into tears at any time, but she pursed her lips and endured; she then got ready to throw another javelin, and it didn’t seem like she would run away again. Lee Shin-Woo got a better look at her. Even when rotten, an herring is still an herring. At least at this very moment, the look in her eyes befitted that of a hero.

[Prey!]

"Where do you think you're going?"

Things were different now. Lee Shin-Woo had on his side a Skeleton Horse, who possessed the strength of a level 4 hero even though its technique was sloppy, and a level 3 coward, who was still a hero talented in throwing sharp objects... He had a chance of winning without giving up one of his precious lives.

"Hubp!"

[Kuhak!?]

[Beginner Power Slash is now Lv8. The activation speed of the skill has become faster.]

Before getting flung to the ground, Lee Shin-Woo twisted the Ghoul’s arm with all the might he could muster. He had wondered if he could utilize Power Slash with his body as well, so he gave it a try, and it seemed to be partly successful.

[How dare you, insect!]

"Hey, hey you!"

"Y-Yes!"

Lee Shin-Woo avoided the infuriated Acid Ghoul's Acid Poison and retreated, calling out to Ye Jin-Jin simultaneously. It wasn’t time for him to keep pretending that he couldn’t talk, and there wasn’t a reason for him to do so, either. Ye Jin-Jin responded without missing a beat; she seemed to think that she wasn’t in any position to question him.

"How many more times can you attack it like that!?"

"Two more times!"

"Do it when I instruct you where to hit!"

"Yes...!"

[I won't let you!]

"Ha!"

The javelins must have caused quite the pain, as the Ghoul had shifted the target of its aggression to Ye Jin-Jin and was now charging at her, ignoring Lee Shin-Woo. Lee Shin-Woo blocked its path head on, raising his left hand and setting it ablaze with black flames.

"Why don't you try blocking this?"

[Not... a chance!]

Lee Shin-Woo's finger trembled, and the instant he got ready for Catapult, the Ghoul swung its arm, seemingly having predicted the trajectory of his attack! However, it realized belatedly that nothing had hit it.

[Huh...?]

"It was a feint attack, you dumbass!"

When the Ghoul was still disoriented, Lee Shin-Woo was already drifting in the air, aiming his index finger at the Ghoul. He had taken a leap while the Ghoul’s vision was obscured by its own swinging arm.

[Kuahk!?]

It was too late for the Ghoul to withdraw when it noticed him. As soon as it opened its mouth wide to shriek, Lee Shin-Woo launched his index finger without delay!

[Beginner Catapult has advanced to Low Rank. Agility has increased by 5. Continuous Catapults have become possible.]

[Kuaaaaaahk! I'll kill you!]

Lee Shin-Woo detonated his index finger the moment it lodged into the Ghoul's head. Even after losing 20% of its head, the Ghoul swung its arm at Lee Shin-Woo again without faltering. It did stagger a bit from the various injuries it had sustained, but the brutal force put into its attack was as great as ever, making an unpleasant hum as it split the air.

Damn it...

Lee Shin-Woo would’ve shot his bones continuously like the Ratman if he could, but he didn’t have enough mana to do that. He could use Catapult two more times; one, if he was to scale up his attack. Lee Shin-Woo couldn't afford to waste another chance. As he fell powerlessly from the air, he gritted his teeth and yelled, “Help me!”

"I’ve been waiting!"

The Skeleton Horse was as spirited as Superman. It appeared out of nowhere and charged with a speed that seemed quick enough to dodge lightning, ramming into the Ghoul with great force!

[Kugaahk!]

"Hoo."

With its aggression locked on Lee Shin-Woo, the Ghoul foolishly suffered the same attack and got knocked onto the ground. Lee Shin-Woo seized the opening to land safely.

Still, we can't kill him like this.

Putting his sword into his inventory, Lee Shin-Woo took a deep breath and scrutinized the Acid Ghoul. Although the Ghoul had been hit with a bone bullet imbued with Flames of Revenge, two javelins, and even the Skeleton Horse's weighty, full strength charge attack one after another, it was still able to pick itself up.

"Go ahead and rest now. I'll go back to you after finishing it."

"I came over to help... Sorry."

"No, you did good."

The Skeleton Horse’s once dignified appearance had deteriorated substantially from the Acid Poison after colliding with the Ghoul. Still, it was worth it. It had not only saved Lee Shin-Woo's life, but created a fatal opening for him.

"You, over there!"

"My name is Ye Jin-Jin!"

After hardening his left arm, Lee Shin-Woo looked sharply at the Ghoul as it struggled to stand up and called out to Ye Jin-Jin. She seemed really nervous, but she had already taken out another javelin, and was ready to throw it.

"Ready?"

"Yes!"

"Good... Let's go!"

Lee Shin-Woo immediately charged at the Ghoul with Combat Sprint. At the same time, the Ghoul seemed to be making a last-ditch effort and forcefully spewed its Acid Poison in all directions. Even while it was under the effects of the Flames of Revenge, it moved as if unhindered; likewise, Lee Shin-Woo continued to charge at the Ghoul despite the Acid Poison melting away his ribs and legs. His hardened left arm remained intact. It was good enough as long as he didn’t fall before reaching the Ghoul.

[Guwaaaaaaaaaaaah!]

The Ghoul seemed to have gone completely mad as Lee Shin-Woo charged at it. Its arm wriggled in a dreadful manner and gathered all the Acid Poison in the vicinity before shooting it at Lee Shin-Woo like a laser beam!

The Ghoul had an unexpected trick up its sleeve even at the very end. Were all level 4 and up elite monsters like this? It didn't matter. This was exactly what Lee Shin-Woo had told Ye Jin-Jin to prepare for.

"Arm!"

"Hmph!"

[Kuhak!]

As soon as he gave the command, Ye Jin-Jin threw her javelin, and it pierced through the Ghoul’s arm, knocking the trajectory of the Acid Poison awry. The acid ended up hitting the ground, and the sight of it melting away was truly horrific, but the sprinting Lee Shin-Woo remained focused on the Ghoul. Once he was within firing range, he ordered, “Head!”.

"Hah!"

Ye Jin-Jin's spear throwing technique was almost a work of art. At his order, the javelin flew sharply through the air and burrowed into the Ghoul’s open mouth, which was facing Lee Shin-Woo! It must have been trying to spew out Acid Poison from its mouth, but the timely spear throw from Ye Jin-Jin stopped it short.

[Guahk! Ahgaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!]

"Eat the bones you hate so much!"

Lee Shin-Woo shoved his hardened left arm into its mouth with all his strength, piercing through rotten flesh and muscle. The instant his arm burrowed deep within its head, the Ghoul opened its eyes wide and bit down. It was an instinctual reaction on its part as it was left with nothing but malice and viciousness.

[Guaaaaaaaaah!]

"Self-Destruct!"

And that right there was the moment Lee Shin-Woo had been waiting for.