Chapter 286 - 158: Constitution Skeleton

The Demonized Creatures trickled into the tunnel. Killing them this way was naturally different from a large-scale battle, but the numbers added up, and the losses were minimal. This made it more suitable than a massive engagement.

Besides collecting the corpses of the Demonized Creatures, the Dark Skeletons also wanted to use this opportunity to grow. Most Tattooed Skeletons like them grew through combat, though their specific growth conditions differed.

Dark Skeletons could absorb Dark Energy. Anything from shadows to pure darkness could fuel their growth, and the Demonic Qi from Demonized Creatures was also a type of Dark Energy. This was the Dark Skeletons’ true motivation.

Frenzied Skeletons, on the other hand, were combat-oriented. They could absorb Frenzy Energy on the battlefield—an energy that was quite common in such places, generated by the intense emotions of Humans and other humanoids.

Each type of Tattooed Skeleton had its own unique and distinct energy system, but without exception, the battlefield was like a giant cafeteria for them, fueling their evolution.

Corpse after corpse of the Demonized Creatures was carried out of the underground cavern. Li Ziyu checked the system notifications; the Undead had suffered few losses, and he was very satisfied.

’It seems sending the Dark Skeletons and Frenzied Skeletons out was the right choice,’ he thought. ’But I can’t summon too many of them. I’m still worried they’re not as easy to control as the Skeleton Undead.’

’But since the Tattooed Skeletons are so effective, shouldn’t I try summoning the others?’

The idea was certainly appealing. Each Tattoo corresponded to a type of Tattooed Skeleton. He had only summoned Dark Skeletons and Frenzied Skeletons so far and had yet to try summoning any others.

Taking stock, he currently had six types of Tattoos at his disposal: Darkness, Frenzy, Plague, Power, Constitution, and Speed.

’I’ll summon one of each of the other four types and see what they’re like.’

Since the Dark and Frenzied Skeletons weren’t around, Li Ziyu decided to be cautious. He would start by summoning one that sounded less aggressive, like a Physical Skeleton.

[Physical Skeleton]

[Introduction: It’s a meat shield. High HP, high defense. The more attacks it endures, the faster it grows.]

[Requirements: 1 Demonized Skeleton, 30 Mutated Soul Energy, 500 Soul Energy]

The Introduction was simple and straightforward, but it made Li Ziyu’s eyes light up. ’This is great! This one only knows defense. There shouldn’t be a repeat of what happened with the Sharp Clawed Burst Bear.’

Deciding to see for himself, Li Ziyu immediately selected the summon option in the system. Soon, an Undead walked out of the Alien Tomb.

He eagerly called the Physical Skeleton over. The moment he saw it, Li Ziyu froze.

’This... is a Skeleton Undead?’

In Li Ziyu’s imagination, the Physical Skeleton was supposed to be a brute with thick, dense bones. It should have looked reassuringly tough—not necessarily tall, but at least sturdy. After all, the system’s Introduction had called it a meat shield. It was official.

But the Undead before him was a far cry from the Physical Skeleton he had imagined. In fact, his guess had been completely off.

It was about 170cm tall, with a normal Human skeleton, looking almost identical to a Skeleton Undead. The differences were in the details: its Soul Fire wasn’t a pure, ethereal blue, but had a faint yellowish tint. Its bones were whiter and smoother than an ordinary Skeleton Undead’s. Also, it had a Shield strapped to each arm.

’That’s it?’

’This is a meat shield?’

’This is the Physical Skeleton?’

Li Ziyu was baffled.

’I bet this Physical Skeleton couldn’t even take a single punch from a Frenzied Skeleton,’ he thought. ’Judging by its appearance, it doesn’t look tough at all.’

Calling a Skeleton like this a meat shield was kind of a joke.

’Did the system glitch? Did I summon a fake Physical Skeleton?’

Sitting on his White Bone Throne, Li Ziyu tilted his head and studied the Physical Skeleton. No matter how he looked at it, it just seemed like any other Skeleton Undead. It completely lacked the dynamic presence of the Dark and Frenzied Skeletons, appearing just as dull and simple as a regular Skeleton Undead.

He clicked his tongue, beckoned two Skeleton Undead over, and pointed at the Physical Skeleton. "Attack it."

A little test would show whether it could really act as a meat shield.

The two Skeleton Undead dutifully walked toward the Physical Skeleton. They didn’t use Weapons, instead simply raising their fists and striking with full force.

The Physical Skeleton didn’t dodge or evade, simply standing its ground and taking the blows. After being hammered a dozen or so times by the Skeleton Undead, it fell into a pile of bones with a CLATTER.

Li Ziyu facepalmed. ’It really can’t take a damned punch,’ he thought. ’Those were just Skeleton Undead! Only two of them! It fell apart after just a few hits, and this thing is supposed to be a meat shield?’

He waved for the Skeleton Undead to back away. The moment they retreated, the Physical Skeleton’s bones reassembled, and it stood in its original spot once more.

Li Ziyu stroked his chin. He suddenly felt the Physical Skeleton seemed a little different, though he couldn’t quite put his finger on how. Frowning, he ordered the two Skeleton Undead forward again to continue their assault while he watched intently.

This time, he saw it clearly. With every punch the Skeleton Undead landed, a faint, earthy-yellow light spread across the Physical Skeleton’s body.

And while the two Skeleton Undead had shattered the Physical Skeleton in a dozen or so hits before, this time it took them several dozen blows to reduce it to a pile of broken bones again.

Oh?

’This thing really does grow fast.’

Li Ziyu raised an eyebrow. He was starting to understand. This was a Tattooed Skeleton that started out very weak but grew rapidly. ’Now this is interesting,’ he thought. ’I just wonder what it will look like once it’s fully developed.’