How to Raise Your Skeletons

Chapter 126: Aranballon vs. the Giant Magic Dragon (3)

[‘Space Separation’ (SSS-rank) is activated.]

—Vweeeeeeng!

Intricate magical formulas filled the air as a deep thunk echoed. The ground beneath us rose, isolating the area where my team and I stood. It felt like we were transported into another dimension separate from the rest of the battlefield.

[For 30 minutes, the designated area will be isolated.]

[No physical laws from the outside will affect this region.]

The violent winds subsided. The suffocating pressure, the killing intent emanating from the dragons, even the shards of debris flying toward us couldn’t reach us. It was like watching a scene on a giant TV screen of two colossal dragons locked in battle.

—Thud! Ping!

Any stray projectiles that came near bounced harmlessly off the magical barrier.

“Wh-What… is this?” Olena gaped in awe, her eyes wide.

The rest of the hunters glanced at the message in shock.

“SSS-rank…?”

“Team leader, is this your doing?”

The notification was visible to everyone.

[Time remaining: 00:29:40]

“W-We’re alive? Are we actually alive? This skill guarantees absolute defense for 30 minutes, right?”

“Team leader! I knew you had a plan! You’re not reckless at all. How did you learn such a skill?”

“Truly incredible!”

My teammates erupted into cheers. A skill of this caliber combined with their near-death experience naturally brought overwhelming relief and joy. For the moment, they could take some time to breathe. Even in this desperate situation, a spark of hope flickered in their eyes.

“The magic formula… This is…”

However, not everyone’s excitement stemmed from survival.

“Hoon, what is this? It’s utterly insane! These equations are revolutionary! To think someone could conceptualize such magic… Wow!”

Olena’s fascination reached new heights. Her eyes roamed over the glowing symbols surrounding us. She twirled in amazement, taking in every detail like a child seeing an aquarium for the first time.

“If only the Tower Master were here… Oxford’s prestige would take another step forward with this discovery!”

Was it really that remarkable? Then again, it was SSS-rank magic—an achievement any magic practitioner would marvel at.

But this wasn’t the time for admiration as the real focus lay ahead.

—Kaboom!

The two dragons’ energy beams crackled, readying to release their breath attacks.

—Whoosh!

The Giant Magic Dragon launched into the sky, its massive wings creating gusts of wind.

“Hrrrrmph!”

Opening its jaws wide, it aimed a terrifying beam of black energy at Aranballon. The dark energy surged downward, distorting space as it traveled—a breathtaking yet deadly spectacle.

Not to be outdone, Aranballon braced itself, planting its legs firmly on the ground. It tilted its head upward, aiming like an anti-aircraft gun.

“Kuaargh!”

A beam of brown energy erupted from its maw, colliding with the Giant Magic Dragon’s attack. It was a clash of two dragon breaths. The impact was instantaneous.

—KABOOM!

The sheer force of the clash lit up the battlefield like a storm of lightning strikes.

In an instant, the team members were left gaping in shock.n/ô/vel/b//jn dot c//om

“Uh, uh, huh?”

“…Crazy.”

Words failed to form into complete sentences. They could only watch in silence as the black and brown energies collided violently, grappling for dominance.

The intensity was overwhelming. As if electrified, dozens of flashes lit up the space each second. All surrounding material melted away. Even the ground vanished, leaving us suspended in the air.

“Hmm,” Vladimir said, “This isn’t something to celebrate just because we dodged their breath attacks, is it?” He glanced downward.

The ground had been carved so deep it was barely visible.

“In 30 minutes, won’t we all just fall to our deaths?”

At his shout, I spoke up. “Mr. Vladimir.”

“Yeah?”

“Do you have any energy left?”

“Hmm, a little. Why?”

“In 30 minutes, can you transport everyone here onto the dragon’s body?”

“What?” Vladimir’s eyes widened. “Up there?”

“Yes. We came here to hunt the dragon, didn’t we? To kill it, we need to face it directly.”

“That’s true. But…” He shook his head, seemingly at a loss. “Geez, lately, I feel like talking to you is scary. I never know what kind of wild idea you’ll come up with.”

“There’s a saying that birds of a feather flock together. By joining this dragon hunt, we’ve all admitted we’re a bit crazy.”

Looking back, it was true. To face madness, one had to be mad. Without becoming lunatics ourselves, we wouldn’t be able to reach the rankers’ level. Rankers were hunters who had endured brutal trials to rise to the top.

“Well, you’re not wrong. We’re all nuts. I mean, is there anyone who wouldn’t lose their mind after going through something like this?”

“So, is it possible?”

“Yeah, it’s doable. Sure, why not? To where exactly? Aranballon? Or the Giant Magic Dragon?” Vladimir muttered as if resigning himself.

“Hold on a moment.” I looked back to the two dragons clashing.

The battlefield was a horrific spectacle. Between the colliding energies, the once-durable dragon scales melted grotesquely. Both creatures bled profusely.

“Graaahhh!”

“Die!”

Their conditions were disastrous. Still, if I had to choose one side…

The Giant Magic Dragon has the upper hand.

Its energy reserves seemed more plentiful. Aranballon’s expression also showed more strain. The snowball effect of us clearing out the dragon’s minions had built to this point, tipping the scales.

“My friend, are you really planning to fight those absurdly monstrous beings?” Observing the scene, the Spear of Judgement approached me.

—Step, step.

Oddly enough, though there was no ground, it felt like there was. It felt as if I was walking on an invisible surface.

“Of course we have to fight it. What is it? Are you getting a little scared?”

“It’s not fear, but…” He gripped his spear firmly. “I’m excited. I never thought I’d see a dragon, let alone fight one.”

“Does this mean we’ll all become dragon slayers if we succeed?” Olena chimed in with a grin.

“I only just learned that dragons really exist, and now we’re hunting one,” Vladimir chuckled as well.

Listening to me, the team members raised their weapons one by one. Even faced with such a monstrous being, no one faltered. Instead, they trusted me and burned with determination.

“…”

As we silently watched the dragons’ battle, the team members steeled themselves.

After some time had passed…

[Time Remaining: 00:03:00]

Only three minutes left.

The dragons’ breaths had ceased. Even after expending all their energy, they relentlessly pushed each other, locked in combat.

—Boom! Bang! Crash! Boom!

—Gulp.

I swallowed. At the same time, I switched my weapon to a spear.

It was time.

“Get ready.”

Simultaneously, I activated my trump card. I summoned the only being who could advise me in such a dire situation—my mentor.

[Using skill ‘Teaching of All Techniques’ (S-rank).]

[Consuming 20 energy.]

[Summoning ‘Master of All Techniques.’]

“You lunatic…” The old man muttered as soon as he took in the situation, “Why is it every time you summon me, you’re in some ridiculous scenario?”

Oh, c’mon, Elder! You say that, but I know you enjoy this kind of excitement too, don’t you?

I grinned. Though tension gripped my body, I decided to enjoy it. After all, the worst-case scenario was death. And I’d already faced countless life-threatening thrills over the past year. By now, I was used to it.

I looked at the old man. “Do you think I’ll survive this time too?”

“Tsk, why are you asking me? You should be asking the heavens, which seem quite fond of you.”

“Then I’ll take that as a yes.”

“…You’re a strange one.”

Heavenly luck—yes, if such a thing truly existed… The heavens had always smiled upon me.

[Time Remaining: 00:00:30]

[Warning!]

[‘Space Separation’ (SSS-Rank) is nearing its end.]

[Be cautious of reconnecting spaces!]

“Vladimir.”

“Yes, team leader! Don’t worry. I’m ready. We’re heading to the black dragon’s back, right?” Vladimir grinned and swung his staff in an X-shaped motion.

I looked around at the other team members. “Everyone ready?”

[Time Remaining: 00:00:20]

“Yes, team leader. We’re ready.”

“I’ll give it my all. Even if I die here, know that it was an honor to have been able to fight by your side.”

“Let’s do this.”

If everything up until now was just a warm-up, the real battle was about to begin.

[Time Remaining: 00:00:10]

Only ten seconds left.

The tense silence swallowed the space.

[Time Remaining: 00:00:05]

Now. With that dreadful dragon before us. The true fight would begin.

[Time Remaining: 00:00:04]

This time, I wasn’t fighting alone. I wasn’t solving this alone.

[Time Remaining: 00:00:03]

With my team. With my comrades.

[Time Remaining: 00:00:02]

[Time Remaining: 00:00:01]

We’re doing this together.

We’d take it down together.

[Time Remaining: 00:00:00]

Finally, the time hit zero.

I gathered all my strength.

[‘Space Separation’ (SSS-Rank) is ending.]

—Thump!

The once-separated space began to close, and the strange sensation vanished.

—Whoosh!

A strong wind battered my face. The overwhelming presence of the two dragons surged through me again.

[Reconnecting separated spaces.]

The curtain rose on the true battle at last!

“Vladimir!”

“Got it!”

At that moment, Vladimir Lodygin’s spatial magic unfolded.

—Flash!

The world flickered.

I opened my eyes. Directly below was a black surface. No, it wasn’t the ground. It was the Giant Magic Dragon’s skin.

—Thump!

My comrades and I landed lightly on it.

As expected of Vladimir, his spatial magic was precise and meticulous. Though it was a short distance, he managed to move so many people precisely onto the Giant Magic Dragon.

“Team leader! We made it!”

“Great!” I shouted, “Grab onto the scales, everyone!”

Falling off wasn’t a concern as the Giant Magic Dragon was so massive that even if you rolled to the side, you’d still be on its back.

But that didn’t mean we could just stand idly by. The Giant Magic Dragon was still clashing with Aranballon.

“Do your best! We’re taking this thing down!”

—Whoosh!

I swung my spear. And at the same time, my summoned skeleton army appeared again. Bones materialized midair and landed on the dragon’s back.

“Hmm?”

Perhaps sensing the intrusion on its back, the Giant Magic Dragon grimaced as it continued to fight.

“What’s this? Weren’t you all dead? How did you manage this without revealing a single trace of your presence?”

“That’s none of your concern.”

—Crunch! Crack!

In that instant, the skeletons began attacking the Giant Magic Dragon in unison. My team members also unleashed their full power, pouring out their skills.

I thrust my spear with all my might. Perhaps not due to my brute strength, but my weapon’s sharpness seemed to do the trick.

—Squish!

Though it was tough, the attack seemed to work.

“You wretches! Earlier you helped me, and now you’re siding with that one?

“…You didn’t complain when we teamed up before and accepted the benefits. You should’ve expected this!” I drove my spear even deeper.

“Silence! No matter how wounded I am, your attacks are nothing more than a tickle… Ngh?”

The roaring Giant Magic Dragon suddenly fell silent.

“Haha, looks like it’s taking effect already.” The old man beside me nodded.

I grinned as well. “Good thing you’re here to help with this one.”

Yes. Through the gash pierced by my spear, I injected the poison mist into the wound like a mosquito.

—Drip! Drip!

In truth, I didn’t even ask it for help. It was simply so excited by the massive prey before it that it rushed in. And I didn’t stop it.

That’s right, poison mist. Get in there and devour it from the inside.

“Y-You! What are you doing to my body?”

The Giant Magic Dragon roared in panic.