Chapter 34: Chapter 34: Bone Fist and Skullbreaker In Action (part 2)

But these two.

They don’t breathe hard.

They don’t bleed properly.

They don’t react to vital strikes.

And that weird person just stands there, waiting.

His grip on his blade tightens until his knuckles turn white.

For the first time since this fight began, real fear takes hold.

Whatever these three are…

They aren’t normal.

Aiden isn’t just standing there for show.

He watches every movement, every shift of weight, every opening.

The moment he senses the balance of the fight tipping, he raises one hand slightly.

Undead Reinforcement.

A faint ripple spreads through the air. Dark energy threads itself into Bonefist and Skullbreaker, seeping beneath their clothes and into their bodies. Their posture straightens. Their movements grow sharper. Even their footsteps sound heavier against the dirt.

The man feels it immediately.

His brow furrows as he blocks Skullbreaker’s next strike and shoves Bonefist away with a shoulder check.

“They got stronger…”

But even with the sudden boost, he holds his ground.

He twists between their attacks, blade flashing in short, efficient arcs. He lands another clean hit on Bonefist’s ribs, then drives a kick into Skullbreaker’s chest, forcing the undead back several steps.

Aiden clicks his tongue softly.

This guy is good.

Too good for an 80 gold coins bounty.

The man presses his advantage, charging straight at Skullbreaker. His weapon whistles through the air as he commits to a powerful horizontal swing, aiming to crush Skullbreaker’s head in one clean strike.

That’s the opening.

Aiden lifts his hand.

“Bone Shield.”

With a sharp crack, pale fragments burst out of the air in front of Skullbreaker. In an instant, they assemble themselves into a curved shield of interlocking bones.

The man’s weapon slams into it.

Bang!

The impact echoes through the clearing.

His eyes widen.

“What—?!”

He staggers back half a step, staring at the shield in disbelief. He’s seen techniques, floating weapons, even strange pills and talismans.

But this?

A shield made of bone appearing out of thin air?

For a heartbeat, his mind goes blank.

And that heartbeat costs him everything.

Skullbreaker doesn’t hesitate.

The undead steps forward and swings its spiked club in a brutal upward arc.

The club crashes into the man’s face.

There’s a sickening crunch.

His head snaps to the side, blood spraying across the dirt as his body lifts off the ground and slams hard onto his back. Dust billows around him as he skids several meters before coming to a stop.

He tries to rise.

His hands tremble.

One tooth drops from his mouth and lands softly beside his cheek.

His vision swims, ears ringing, the world tilting sideways.

From the back, Aiden lowers his hand, calm as ever.

“That’s what happens,” he says quietly, “when you give me an opening.”

Once the man stops moving, Aiden waits a few seconds longer, just to be sure.

Then he steps forward.

He crouches beside the corpse and searches it quickly, practiced and efficient. From inside the man’s robe, he pulls out something, along with a small pouch of coins. That’s enough proof. The guild won’t argue once they see this.

Aiden straightens and exhales softly.

Bonefist and Skullbreaker stand silently behind him, masks tilted toward the fallen body like executioners awaiting their next order.

Aiden looks down at the corpse.

“Let’s see if I get lucky this time too.”

He raises one hand, and use the Lord of the Dead skill.

The air grows cold.

Shadows gather around his palm, condensing into a small black orb that floats above the man’s chest. The orb pulses slowly, like a second heart, releasing faint wisps of dark mist that crawl across the corpse’s skin.

First attempt.

The black light sinks into the body.

For a moment, the man’s fingers twitch.

Aiden leans forward slightly.

Then the corpse goes still again.

Nothing.

Aiden clicks his tongue.

“Tch.”

He steadies his breathing and tries again.

Second attempt.

The orb reforms, darker this time, spinning slowly as it descends. The dead man’s chest rises faintly, as if drawing a shallow breath that never fully comes. His jaw quivers. The ground beneath him creaks.

Aiden holds his focus.

Seconds pass.

Then the dark energy disperses, evaporating into the air like smoke.

Failure.

Aiden’s shoulders tense.

Only one chance left.

He stares at the corpse for a long moment, jaw tight.

“…Last try.”

He used the skill again, heavier than the previous two. Even Bonefist and Skullbreaker seem to react, their bodies subtly turning toward the corpse as the pressure in the air thickens.

Black veins spread across the man’s skin. His eyes snap open for a split second, empty, unfocused, before rolling back. His spine arches, then collapses.

Aiden holds his breath.

One second.

Two.

Then the energy fades.

The body slumps, lifeless once more.

No movement.

No response.

Aiden lets out a slow breath.

“…Damn.”

He straightens, rubbing his temples as the disappointment settles in. Three attempts. All failed.

Looks like his luck finally ran out.

He glances at the corpse one last time, then turns away.

After that, Aiden heads straight back to the city.

The walk feels shorter this time. His mind is already on the reward.

By the time he reaches Breim City, the afternoon crowds have begun to swell. Merchants shout from their stalls, hawkers push carts of steaming food through the streets, and practitioners in sect uniforms pass by with arrogant expressions. Aiden keeps his hood low and moves through it all without drawing attention.

The bounty guild stands near the central square, a solid stone building with iron-framed doors and a weathered sign hanging above the entrance.

He steps inside.

The interior smells faintly of ink, dust, and old paper. Several people stand in line near the counter, mercenaries, and lone practitioners turning in minor jobs. Aiden waits patiently, then approaches the desk when his turn comes.

The clerk looks up lazily.

“Submission or registration?”

“Submission,” Aiden replies, placing something and blood-stained proof on the counter.

The clerk reaches out, ready to go through the usual motions.

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