Chapter 7: The Little Bone's Badge

It was Xiao Yang, the Xiao Yang swinging from a rusty chandelier. He scooped up Little Bone in one motion, and together, human and skeleton spun through the air, narrowly evading the impact of the bone sphere.

The bone sphere sailed past them and slammed violently into the stone wall at the end of the passage with a deafening crash. The wall collapsed, revealing a new corridor, and the sphere continued along this newly smashed path until it vanished from sight.

The metal chandelier, unable to bear the weight any longer, snapped from its chain with a piercing screech. Xiao Yang, still clutching Little Bone, landed hard on the ground with a heavy thud.

"Hiss!"

Xiao Yang’s backside went numb, and he sprang up from the ground instantly. Fortunately, both he and Little Bone had survived.

Little Bone, held by Xiao Yang, lifted its head and stared blankly at him. If there were a favorability prompt, Xiao Yang would surely have received a notification that Little Bone’s favorability had increased.

It wasn't necessary, of course—Little Bone was just a summon—but Xiao Yang had done it instinctively.

The danger had not subsided. That low, rumbling vibration returned, signaling that the bizarre bone sphere was approaching once more. Xiao Yang did not attempt to turn back.

The chandelier had collapsed, and if the door he had entered through remained locked, staying here to cross paths with the bone sphere would be a death sentence.

He had no choice but to head forward into the passage carved out by the bone sphere.

Ignoring the pain in his backside, Xiao Yang hurriedly pulled Little Bone along and rushed forward.

As they charged into the pitch-black opening, the first thing they felt was the stagnant air, thick with a faint, putrid stench. Unexpectedly, Xiao Yang’s talent activated.

[Congratulations to the player for entering a hidden dungeon area. You have completed a successful dungeon breach!]

Several blurred boxes appeared before Xiao Yang’s eyes. It was time to claim rewards, but Xiao Yang had no interest in them just yet. Not far away, at the end of the dim tunnel, the bone sphere had successfully turned around and was rolling straight toward him.

Closer still was a room glowing with firelight—a safe house!

In a frantic sprint, Xiao Yang yanked open the iron door of the safe house, dove inside, and slammed it shut behind him. The bone sphere whistled past the door and faded into the distance once more.

Saved again.

Xiao Yang finally had a moment to catch his breath. He reached up to wipe away the sweat—he had worked up a real lather during that mad dash.

At that moment, Little Bone approached him and held out its hand again. This time, it offered a small, lustrous white skull badge.

Xiao Yang was taken aback by the badge Little Bone had suddenly produced, but he took it nonetheless.

"Is this for me? Thank you, little guy!"

He reached out to pat Little Bone’s head, but just as his hand descended, Little Bone darted away and vanished from his sight.

Xiao Yang scratched his head, puzzled by its behavior. Only then did he turn his attention to the small skull badge in his hand.

[Little Bone’s Badge]
[Quality: Common]
[Type: Accessory]
[Effect: Agility +2]
[Description: A highly meaningful gift, given to someone Little Bone likes!]

Looking at the description, Xiao Yang rubbed his nose and smiled. Without hesitation, he pinned the small skull badge to his chest.

In the darkness nearby, Little Bone’s silhouette appeared. It seemed to have been watching Xiao Yang secretly the whole time. As soon as Xiao Yang put the badge on, the soul fire in its eye sockets flickered intensely.

Next came the choice of one of three rewards for the dungeon breach.

Before Xiao Yang appeared two items and a gift box. It seemed that because he had entered a hidden area, one of the items was a blue-tier piece of equipment, and the gift box was also blue.

[Traveler’s Portable Tent]
[Quality: Rare]
[Type: Sundries]
[Effect: Provides 'Full of Energy' status]
[Description: An incredibly comfortable portable tent. Open it up and get some sleep—it keeps you feeling refreshed even in the wilderness!]

[Squawking Chicken]
[Quality: Superior]
[Type: Consumable]
[Effect: Throw it to confuse and draw the aggro of enemies within range.]
[Description: It’s a chicken. A chicken that squawks. Who could possibly look away from it?]

[Superior Gift Box]
[Quality: Superior]
[Type: Consumable]
[Effect: Open the box for a high probability of obtaining an item of equal quality to the box, and a low probability of obtaining an item of a higher quality.]

Xiao Yang desperately wanted the Traveler’s Portable Tent for the sake of a good night’s sleep, but the thought lasted only a fleeting moment.

As a competent gamer, one should always choose rewards that either boost combat power or open up new tactical possibilities. In the game, his character had always survived on rotting wooden beds and grilled steamed buns; a comfort item like a tent that didn't boost combat effectiveness was simply too wasteful.

He forced himself to look away.

As for the gift box—well, the low-probability chance of getting a higher-quality item was tempting, but one can be a gambler, yet one cannot be a gambler forever.

In the end, Xiao Yang chose the blue Superior-quality crowd-control consumable: the Squawking Chicken.

The hidden area of this skeleton dungeon was likely quite difficult; at the very least, the bone sphere at the entrance was enough to make anyone prepare for the worst. It was better to have something that could turn the tide in a critical moment.

Though the "opening kill" of this hidden area was memorable, the spoils were equally bountiful. Beyond the choice of three, there was also the gift left behind by Mr. Robert the Explorer.

Xiao Yang walked to the long table in the center of the safe house, where a pair of leather boots sat quietly beside a letter.

[Adventurer’s Long Boots]
[Quality: Rare]
[Type: Equipment]
[Effect: +2 Agility, +1 Defense]
[Description: Long boots favored by adventurers; they are lightweight while providing a degree of protection.]

Xiao Yang quickly put on the long leather boots and nodded with satisfaction. Mr. Robert truly was a fine predecessor!

Xiao Yang’s current stats were:

[Player: Screaming Emperor]
[ID: 1]
[Affiliation: Plane No. 33214]
[Race: Ordinary Human]
[Level: 2]
[EXP: 380/400]
[HP: 10]
[Strength: 3]
[Defense: 6]
[Agility: 9]
[Talent: Dungeon Breacher]
[Retainer: Skeleton Petty Thief]
[Items: Little Bone’s Badge, Wilderness Hatchet, Darkness-Repelling Lantern, Adventurer’s Armguards, Adventurer’s Long Boots, Squawking Chicken]
[Rating: A weakling rookie adventurer.]

With the boost from his various pieces of equipment, Xiao Yang’s stats had improved significantly from the uniform "all 3s" he started with upon entering the skeleton dungeon, especially in agility.

One could even say his stat sheet was more luxurious than that of a Skeleton Warrior.

Though, compared to a Skeleton Warrior, having a better stat sheet didn't seem like much of a feat.

Yet, Xiao Yang still felt a great sense of accomplishment.

Especially when these stats were truly reflected in his physical capabilities and movements, which he could perceive clearly.

Even though he was essentially an "equipment warrior"—the type who would be reduced to his base self the moment he took his gear off—being an equipment warrior was a skill in itself. After all, he was the possessor of the unique, seven-colored talent "Dungeon Breacher," and he was destined to be fully geared up!