045 Advancement

While Karen was inspecting the attributes, Little Green and the Ironbone Skeleton had already started fighting. In truth, the Ironbone Skeleton was a reclusive and peaceful undead. Unable to leave the graveyard, it spent most of its time holed up inside its tomb, rarely emerging except at night to admire its beloved flowers. It remained utterly still, never bothering to attack goblins burying corpses or anyone else, nor did it ever assault humans or goblins. But when Little Green touched its most guarded possession, it could not tolerate anyone disturbing its flowers.

Thus, Little Green’s luck ran out. Caught off guard, it was slammed to the ground, and as soon as it managed to stand up, the Ironbone Skeleton lunged and launched a fierce assault. Worse yet, this particular skeleton had been buried clutching an iron ore; upon its transformation into an undead, the iron ore became a shovel-shaped weapon. As it attacked Little Green, Karen's "Insight Eye" reacted to the skeleton’s weapon as well.

Ironbone Skeleton’s Mining Shovel
Category: Mining Shovel
Quality: Common
Skill: Iron Ore Sense (Able to detect iron ore within a five-meter radius)
Description: Clearly, this is a miner’s best companion. With this shovel, mining efficiency would be vastly improved. Of course, it’s also highly effective for fighting!

Upon seeing the shovel’s attributes, Karen’s brow furrowed. Although the undead’s rank was merely "Second Tier Trash," the graveyard’s buffs elevated its combat power far above that of an ordinary second-tier undead. Coupled with the handy weapon, the Ironbone Skeleton’s fighting strength was truly astonishing, chasing Little Green all over the place.

Yet, Karen was equally surprised by Little Green’s performance. Since its transformation, Little Green had rarely fought. Karen’s understanding of its strength was solely based on its attributes: its rank was "First Tier Excellent," with combat ability comparable to the second tier. However, the extent of its power had always been uncertain. This little creature had spent its days acting cute and seeking affection, leading Karen to underestimate its capabilities. Now, faced with the Ironbone Skeleton, it held its own remarkably well. Despite being at a disadvantage, it was far from helpless, and its speed and strength matched the skeleton’s.

"It seems this little guy’s combat ability truly is exceptional, but alone, it might not be enough to deal with the Ironbone Skeleton!"

Having learned all he needed, Karen stopped spectating and, sword in hand, summoned his 'Spendthrift' companion to help Little Green. No matter what, Karen had his eye on this graveyard and the Ironbone Skeleton—since they had appeared, he would take them for himself!

Karen had studied under the Masked Woman for over a week. Though her main focus was on Mudnymph, Karen still learned much from her, most crucially, combat techniques. Before, Karen’s fighting was chaotic and relied solely on brute force and his "Heavy Strike" ability to overpower foes. With the Masked Woman’s arrival, he systematically learned various techniques and routines. Thanks to his talent, even after only a week, his fighting skills had improved greatly.

He stealthily approached as the Ironbone Skeleton chased Little Green, then struck before the skeleton could react, swinging his iron sword with a level 10 "Heavy Strike" at the skeleton’s leg bone.

“Clang!”

As Karen’s sword landed, the Ironbone Skeleton instantly activated its "Ironbone" skill; its previously dark bones turned metallic. The sword hit with a harsh, piercing sound of metal on metal, and a powerful recoil forced Karen back several steps.

Still, Karen’s attack was not without results. Though the skeleton’s skill burst forth, its leg bone was gashed, and the joint was dislocated.

Karen’s sudden assault enraged the Ironbone Skeleton. It abandoned Little Green and lunged at Karen, swinging its iron shovel viciously down.

It seemed the undead was aiming for Karen’s head, but its short legs—barely a meter and a half—couldn’t reach. In the end, the shovel came swinging toward Karen’s lower body.

That single blow made Karen break out in a cold sweat. Never mind the force—it was enough that even a child wielding an iron shovel could cripple someone with a hit in that spot.

Luckily, Karen had ‘Spendthrift’ at his side. As the Ironbone Skeleton counterattacked, ‘Spendthrift’ triggered its ‘Swift’ skill, speed surging as it rammed the skeleton, knocking it over and dislocating its already damaged right leg joint.

However, the price for such a fierce charge was steep: ‘Spendthrift’ crashed headlong into the skeleton’s iron shovel, and as it toppled the Ironbone Skeleton, its own skull was shattered.

In that instant, Karen felt his connection to ‘Spendthrift’ disappear.

Karen’s eyes instantly reddened. He had spent 170 domain energy to convert this subordinate, and it hadn’t lasted even a day—his heart ached!

“Give me back my domain energy!”

Red-eyed, Karen rushed forward, sword raised. At that moment, Little Green, too, turned and seized the opportunity. As the Ironbone Skeleton’s shovel was pinned by ‘Spendthrift,’ Little Green grabbed it, grappling fiercely with the undead.

Karen seized the moment, lunging forward and thrusting his sword into the skeleton’s eye socket.

His attack easily pierced the eye socket, but Karen soon realized his battle energy seed hadn’t activated; his strike could not harm the skeleton’s soul-fire or break its skull.

Instead, his attack further enraged the Ironbone Skeleton, which released its grip on the shovel and, with its metalized bones, seized Karen’s sword, flinging Karen—sword and all—aside.

Seeing this, Little Green became furious. How dare this undead attack his master—it must be destroyed!

In a burst of rage, blood-red runes appeared on Little Green’s right hand bones. He swung the shovel violently, smashing it onto the Ironbone Skeleton’s head.

Empowered by the runes, Little Green’s strength surged. The blow shattered the skeleton’s skull, and as it happened, black light began to emanate from Little Green, as if it was about to advance to the next stage…