“R-Right! Sorry, it’s my first time seeing spells this close up.” Borik coughed, trying to maintain some sense of dignity. Admittedly, his body almost caught on the wooden spikes sticking from the ground.

  Mason was the same, though Snezana's body language was noticeably milder than the other two.

  Oh? They know about spells? Ulrich was a little intrigued, but not shocked. It’s only natural that people are more accustomed to the supernatural elements in this forsaken land than in Belham.

  After all, different upbringings naturally nurture different mindsets. Thinking so, he blinked, returning his vision to normal.

  Ugh, I need to find a new weapon… At this point, he’d guessed that half, if not a third of his Vital Rune was filled with lesser runes. With that, his spirituality expanded, and so did the effects of all his spells.

  Even then, the consumption from a spell in combination with his shadow vision drained him no less. In the end, it was better if he didn’t rely on his spells for every single enemy.

  Facing unexpected danger, every bit of power can make the difference, and Ulrich hated being unprepared.

  Praise the mother, at least I have this Blessing of the Shadows! He mused.

  Quickly, Borik, Mason, and Snezana checked the skeletons’ corpses.

  “Nothing useful, just bones and dust.” Borik nodded, expecting as much. Checking the remains wasted a minute, but better to look than not know.

  Often, it would be nothing. But in the past, they’d occasionally found gems, jewels, and other valuable items from the scattered bones of skeletons. Perhaps, it once belonged to some great noble or individual of status; either way, once dead and cursed, these items lost their owner.

  And as such, they are free for the living to plunder.

  After checking the skeleton's corpse, Borik adjusted the sword to his back, allowing him to move more easily. Normally, he’d carried a sword and shield, but knowing that they would most likely fight more skeletons, it was better to use a morning star mace.

  Snezana did the same, tucking her dagger tightly on her back for ease of movement, then equipped the small mace.

  Unfortunately, Mason couldn’t do that. Bows and arrows, they were all he knew, and his skill was not suitable for close-quarter combat.

  “Just stay back and watch for the timing. A moment of distraction from these skeletons and monsters is enough for us to kill it!” Borik said, patting Mason on the shoulder.

  Hearing this, Mason wryly smiled, though it was difficult to see because of his black cowl.

  Snezana nodded. “It’s just another routine, cheer up!”

  Even at this moment, their voices were low, movement sluggish. It wasn’t due to fatigue, that’d be ridiculous. In a ruin filled with monsters, it was best to keep their noise level six feet under.

  And so, they walked quietly, hugging the side of the castle wall. Each step barely left an echo, and each breath was deep to avoid making a sound.

  At this moment, Ulrich raised his fist in the air.

  “Watch your steps, there are archers on the tower,” Ulrich whispered, his breath deep as he swallowed the foul, rotten air.

  “…”

  They turned their head toward the nearest tower, yet there was nothing. Not a movement or sound.

  Nothing there… If it were anyone else, they’d find it ridiculous, believing it’s a fraud trying to be mysterious. However, recalling the first two monsters they’d encountered after entering the ruin, their expression dimmed.

  At this moment, they stopped moving forward, and after about a minute, a sound came from the tower. It was a clank, a thump, or both.

  But it sounded like a hollow footstep, burdened by heavy weights. Soon, a shadow peered over the tower, and from there, appeared a tall skeleton in steel armor, holding an exaggerated-size bow—a war-bow, perhaps.

  Great Archer Skeletons! Borik hissed. If that skeleton had spotted them earlier and shot from that distance, even he was not confident in blocking the arrow with his iron shield.

  What a good thing we weren’t spotted. Their admiration and respect for Ulrich grew with each passing moment.

  Those fifty shards, why do I feel like it was too cheap…? Snezana thought. She was glad that Ulrich went with them.

  “…”

  They waited until the skeleton moved, and only then did Ulrich say:

  “It’s gone, hurry and move!”

  By this point, Ulrich's words became a divine decree. If he said stop, they’d stop, and if he said go, they’d go.

  As they explored deeper, Ulrich imagined this place was once heavily guarded with at least a hundred guards. Warriors on the grounds and stairways, archers on the moss tower. And even after death, the archers remained, looming over the wall like a cursed sentry.

  The story has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.

  The entrance to the castle was left ‘open’, no—more like it had crumbled and was eaten by erosion. And it was only because of this that they were able to enter so easily. Otherwise, climbing the high, stone wall was the only choice.

  What’s more, if climbing the wall was the only choice, then they’d basically be climbing the stairway to the spirit world.

  Fortunately, with his shadow vision, he’d already spotted its presence, allowing them to avoid unwanted attention and meaningless battles. An outcome that will certainly attract more enemies.

  After avoiding the watchful gaze of the Great Archer Skeleton, as well as many wolves and skeletons, the group finally made their way past the entry point—finding themselves standing at the half-destroyed drawbridge.

  This bridge was the final ‘hurdle’ that separates the outer walls from the inner wall. By crossing the bridge, they’d reached the inner courtyard of the ruin, moving closer to the Castle Keep.

  Ulrich glanced at the bridge, his eyes flickering with hesitation.

  “There are no skeletons, wolves, or anything in sight.”

  Borik smiled. “That’s good, we’ll be safe here!”

  Buddy, in my eyes, this bridge is definitely not ordinary. It feels like we’re entering a boss area!

  Ulrich wasn’t much into games on Earth, often busied with work. However, teaching young students allowed him to get involved in some activities he’d otherwise avoid. One of these activities was games, though he only indulged a little.

  Books are more relaxing—those games can’t compare.

  Suddenly, the group felt a breeze lightly caress their armor, and then something moved in the darkness on the other end of the bridge.

  “…”

  Gripping the brace of the shield tightly, Borik prepared for the worst. Next to him, Snezana bent down and stepped back, raising her mace toward the bridge. Mason did the same; however, he backed even more, gaining some distance.

  Ulrich stood, his eyes narrowed, trying to see the end of the bridge.

  Did I jinx myself?

  Through the shattered, ruined gate that stood before them, Ulrich swore he saw a veil of darkness covering the frame. The wind grew, and eventually, the ‘veil’ obscured even his shadow vision.

  There was a stench of death, rot, and malice that pierced through the air, making his nose itchy.

  I can’t see it. This is not normal!

  Gradually, the darkness parted, revealing a tall, humanoid figure. ‘It’ entire body was draped in armor—ancient steel armor—engraved with intricate designs and symbols, ornate with golden lines that wrapped its helmet, down to its boots.

  Fuck. I wanted to hunt for more runes, but not this badly. Ulrich tapped his chest thrice.

  Looking at this thing, it had to be at least three meters tall!

  Borik, Snezana, and Mason's hearts jolted as beads of sweat covered their palm. Just the sheer aura emanating from this armored figure wore down their feet. In that moment, their sense heightened, and their blood raged with adrenaline.

  “I—It,” Borik swallowed, “It’s a Great Fallen Knight!”

  Great Fallen Knight? A rank higher than a Fallen Knight?

  Just as there are ordinary archer skeletons, there are Great Archer Skeletons. Ordinary skeleton warriors have their ‘Great’ and ‘Armored’ variant, like the one they'd encountered before.

  As a matter of fact, these characteristics apply to most monsters, creatures, and undead in the shadow realm.

  “Do we fight?” Snezana whispered, though her voice was audibly shaken. This was unlike her feisty, battle-craved behavior.

  Fallen Knights themselves are already dangerous, something they’d often avoid confronting. And to think that they are currently standing here, facing a Great Fallen Knight directly, it’s absurd!

  If not for the fact that Ulrich was standing next to them, perhaps they’d already make a run for it. In fact, if they knew Ulrich's true thoughts in this moment, they’d certainly call him a madman.

  A Great Fallen Knight is definitely stronger than ordinary skeletons. I’m curious how many lesser runes it possesses...?

  Thinking so, he asserted his stance.

  “We fight.”

  “…”

  For a moment, no one spoke.

  The Great Fallen Knight's behavior was strange, merely standing in front of the inner castle gate. It displayed no intention of attacking the group, as though it were waiting for something.

  Seeing this, Ulrich's eyes glint with realization.

  Skeletons are like spirits, formed from resentment and lingering regrets, combined with certain malevolent energies that give them ‘living’ characteristics…

  The knight before them was probably the same. In that sense, it was not ‘alive’ in the same way that people are; thus, it cannot make logical decisions. If that’s the case, on what basis does ‘it’ make decisions?

  Instinct!

  “It’s an animal,” Ulrich said blankly.

  “What? Animal? What do you mean?” Borik blurted.

  “Have you noticed that ‘it’ hasn’t moved despite noticing our presence?”

  They turned their head, staring directly at the menacing knight standing in front of the inner gate.

  He’s right!

  “I believe it’s restrained, and it can’t move away from its ‘post’. It’s like a programmed monster.”

  Snezana tilted her head, confused. “Programmed? What is this word?”

  Right. This term is unfamiliar in this world.

  Ulrich gestured in the air. “Imagine a dog, what does it do when it hates someone?”

  “It barks!”

  In that moment, Borik and Mason glanced at each other, not knowing where Ulrich was going with this. But they believed he must have his reason.

  “That’s right, a dog barks when it doesn’t like someone. This is ‘programmed’ behavior."

  Saying so, he raised his finger and pointed at the tall, intimidating Great Fallen Knight:

  “And this knight is just like a dog.” He took a step toward the bridge. Behind them, a deep howl echoed through the ruins.