LOCUST: SKELETON SOLDIER (C)

[Name your Summon: ]

It was uncommon for summoned or tamed monsters to be inquired a name by the system itself. Usually, owners resorted to casual naming to easily identify their pets.

Alab was yet to realize the oddity in the notice. He had been in this other world for only 10 days and was never acquainted with other summoners. He was oblivious to the norms.

The lunging [Owl Bears] gave him no time to think further as their claws were directed in his direction.

In an instant, Alab called out for his upgraded summon.

"Skeleton Soldier"

As his words fell, a skeleton that was not that different from the [Skeleton Apprentice] in terms of appearance rose from the ground.

It crawled out with its denser bony arms from the dark pit, clinging unto a dark iron broad sword. In an instant, it crawled its entire skeleton out, unraveling the dark metallic armor that adorned its rib cage.

A faint scent of graveyard wafted through the air. Vicious aura of the undead slithered through its bones.

"Fierer. Taller. Tougher. It is a great improvement.", Alab was satisfied with the augmentation. However, the little changes in its appearance could not compare to its advancement in terms of status.

Consequently, Alab clicked on the skill's information. A translucent screen filled his sight.

[Skeleton Soldier Summoning (C)

Description: The power of death crept deeper into you. The Skeleton has regained a part of its sovereignty. It evolved into Skeleton Soldier and possessed valuable power.

MP Cost: 99

Cooldown: None

Skeleton Soldier (C)

Description: A skeleton that is not inferior to prodigies among humans. Can be revived with no limits.

Level: 24 (Same level as the summoner)

HP: 91,200 / 91,200 (10 × Constitution value × level)

MP: 38,400 / 38,400 (10 × Intelligence value × level)

< Attributes >

Strength: 15 (×20 buff from upgrade)

Dexterity: 18 (×20)

Constitution: 19 (×20)

Intelligence: 8 (×20)

Skill/s:

Slash of Demise (C)

Description: Slash with a considerable power of death.

Effects:

+ 500 physical damage

MP Cost: 99

Cooldown: None

Instant Revival (C)

Description: Revives at the exact spot it died in an instant.

MP Cost: 99

Cooldown: None

Death Point (C)

Description: The ability to see through an opponent's fatal points.

MP Cost: 99

Cooldown: None]

There were myriad boons from the advancement.

Before Alab could digest every detail, a turbulent air erupted before him. The rotten taste of blood splattered on the clamoring jaws of the [Skeleton Soldier], filling the air with the pungent and metallic scent of blood.

*swoosh*

The moment its sword confronted the enormous claws, it effortlessly sliced through its shaggy coating, severing the sharp claws of the owl bear.

It didn't let the thrill die out as its eyes glowed with simmering crimson flames. It crackled its jaws as it centered its strength on its left foot.

The momentum let the [Skeleton Soldier] descend on the owl face of the monster. At this point, its augmented feet jabbed right into its eyes.

*HOOOTT!*

The owl bear groaned in pain. Similar to the previous owl bear, it lost its sanity along with the loss of senses.

Its greatest strength was once more turned into its main weakness. The monster turned ferocious.

It whacked its paws to its head but the skeleton had long pulled back, landing on another plunging monster, and soon brandished its sword downward, puncturing the eyes of another owl bear.

Alab began to think that he had overestimated the [Owl Bear]'s intellect. They just couldn't grow accustomed to the varying attack patterns of the skeleton soldier.

In no time, the 4 [Owl Bears] were driven to madness, blinded, and disoriented.

"Strong..."

The [Skeleton Soldier] didn't deliver the finishing blow decisively as it pulled back and reinstated beside Alab.

It flicked its sword off the blood and consequently stretched open its jaws. Somehow, Alab could infer that the [Skeleton Soldier] was yawning.

"Are you bored?"

Alab asked with disbelief.

*nod*

The skull moved up and down as it appeared to gesture its affirmative. Alab couldn't believe what he just saw.

It took him a few more breaths to come to terms with the reality. He had already speculated that the skeleton would birth an intellect but he didn't expect it to be this sooner.

'Is it a good thing, I guess'

The skeleton tilted its skull as it loitered for Alab's next words.

It had lost its thrill in fighting the owlbears.

They were just like training dummies with substantial Hit Points. However, no matter how many thousands its HP would get, the definer remained the same - it was still a dummy.

If there was a difference, it was that these erratic dummies had lost their sanity.

Unlike the skeleton soldier, Alab made a rational decision. The eruption of frantic hoots and pungent scent could entice unwarranted guests.

More [Owl Bears] could draw into the area.

Therefore, Alab wasted no more seconds as he shortly commanded the [Skeleton Soldier] to slaughter the monsters.

[You have dealt 800 damage!]

(500 from Death Slash + 300 from base damage)

The damage might not be trivial but at this rate, it would take a long time before it could kill the monsters.

Earlier, when the skeleton battled the owlbears, Alab was also not idle. He kept on analyzing the monster and he came up with 4 realizations.

Firstly, the [Owl Bears] were nearsighted, unlike the typical owls. That was why the owlbear from earlier had to peek through the crevice earlier.

Second, their weakest part was their rather soft eyes. It was too soft that a blunt knife could penetrate it with ease. This method could also deal lethal damage to the monster, depriving its senses.

The [Skeleton Soldier] had verified this speculation of Alab. It utilized its skill [Death Point (C)] and as Alab inferred, a deep black coloration dotted its eyes.

"It was its lethal point"

Vague greyish dots also dappled its delicate neck.

Lastly, he figured out that when puncturing these dappled spots, the dealt damage was more fatal! Attacking the neck doubled the dealt damage whilst damage to its eyes was critical, bolstering the damage by five times!

[You have dealt 4,000 damage!]

The [Skeleton Soldier] punctured deeper into their bloodied eyes, a tinge of red splattered through its tedious skull.

The crimson flames were dimly lit in its eye sockets.

A while later, it finished its dreary mission as four bodies produced a tremor as it fell on the ground.

[You have killed a level 30 Owl Bear (C)!]

[You have killed a level 30 Owl Bear (C)!]

[You have killed a level 30 Owl Bear (C)!]

[You have killed a level 30 Owl Bear (C)!]

[You have leveled up!]

[Exp: 18%]

[You have received a Copper Coin ×200]

[Drop item obtained! Nocturnal Eyeglass (C)]

[Nocturnal Eyeglass (C)

Description: The eyes of the nocturnal Owl Bear.

Effect:

- mild night vision

- charm +1

- enhance vision]

Alab felt that luck was on his side at the moment. He had killed only 5 Owl Bears and an item had already dropped.

A rimless eyeglass with dusky brown temples and a bridge materialized in his hand. Its transparent rectangular-like lenses were adorned with a light golden tinge on the corners.

"It looks good"

Exquisite was not enough to describe the eyeglass!

Alab tried its effects. Resting the bridge on the top of his nose, the enigmatic Alab glowed with vibrant charm.

The dusky brown hue further enhanced his glamour. It was a single increase in charm but in the case of Alab, it was akin to a speck drifting in a sea of charm.

The eyeglass appeared tailored to himself!

"Its effects are good"

Still, Alab didn't care about such matters. His scrutiny was pinned on its effects.

It was deep in the night and Alab could see through things concealed in the darkness. It was mild night vision but it was better than nothing.

Now, he didn't have to squint, peering through the dusk.

"The effects would be better once upgraded", Alab took note to keep the item and upgrade it when he had the chance.

"Let's go now"

Alab mustered his enigmatic expression once more after taking the mana crystals, indifferent as he planned his next action.

Now that he had upgraded the skeleton summoning to C-rank, Alab could finally take his time catching up with the ranking.

'Getting a higher ranking is great as there could be rewards but not too high to attract unnecessary troubles'

Alab knew that eventually his power would be revealed to others. With this, he planned to remain lowkey for a longer time possible.

At last, Alab dashed to the deeper part of the dungeon. The pungent odor no longer trailed him.

He secondly avoided the oncoming participants who were attracted by the turmoil. They were looking at the tragic death of Owl Bears, rotten scent wafted from the dried blood on its hollowed eyes.

"Who did this?", they were flustered.

Hours later, in the depth of the dungeon, Alab glanced at the [Skeleton Soldier] before him. It was no longer coated with murky fog but a faint smell of graveyard emitted from its dead frame.

His eyes shifted to the system notification that he dismissed earlier.

[Name your Summon: ]

Alab had never contemplated for a name. It was useless to come up with a name as he didn't have a good naming sense anyways.

With this, he decided to just think of a person, celebrity, or whatever, and just name the skeleton after him. But above all, Alab had to ensure something...

"Are you a boy?"

The skeleton had no genitals...

*clang*

The [Skeleton Soldier] tilted its head, seemingly confused. It glanced at his lower part and it clang once more as realization seemed to hit his skull.

*smack*

The skeleton skull smacked itself!

Somehow, Alab could feel that he was remorseful for not having genitalia.

'It isn't remorseful, isn't it?'

*nod*

The skeleton nodded its head in affirmative. It was a man.

With that settled, Alab skimmed through his memories for a male celebrity or anyone back on Earth. A name or so appeared on his mind but Alab felt that the skeleton would skull-smack itself once given such names.

Well, nothing was bad at trying...

"Batungbakal?"

*face smack*

Indeed, it hated the name.

Somehow, Alab felt that naming in its sense was the hardest thing he did since entering this other world.

He scrambled for some more names only for the skeleton to skull smack and even yawn in disapproval.

Of course, Alab could just name it whatever. But, somewhere in his soul was urging him to give it a good name. The name that would befit its prospect of glorious feats.

A name that would bring horror deep into the spine.

A name that would cast dominance.

"Unruly. Vicious. Battle Maniac.", Alab recalled the traits of the [Skeleton Soldier].

And it was at this moment that a vague silhouette of a boy drifted into his mind. The boy stood before him, his upright back facing Alab.

Alab couldn't ponder why the boy who was the same age as him was oozing with confidence and a domineering aura. The boy turned his head toward Alab but Alab couldn't see through his face.

Murky clouds obstructed his face.

The clouds trembled as the boy spoke.

"Alab, don't worry, I am here. No one can hurt you now", the distant memory of Alab ended with that line and then Alab found himself with wistful eyes.

"Locust...", a name escaped his mouth.

[Ding! You have successfully named your summon: Locust]

The skeleton affirmed the name...

Locust, the undead who will rule over several planets was born on this day.