Chapter Forty-Seven: The Terror of the Seven Bone Spikes

At that moment, the seven bone spines on the little skeleton’s back suddenly trembled with a screeching sound. Just as the hail of javelins, spears, and battle axes was about to strike the little skeleton, the seven bone spines detached from its back in an instant, spiraling outward. They whirled and interlaced above and before the little skeleton, forming a protective vortex.

The little skeleton stood its ground, bone knife in hand, its diminutive body twitching and flailing as if seized by a fit. Under its control, the seven bone spines seemed to be wielded by invisible hands, tracing mysterious arcs through the air.

A succession of sharp cracks echoed as the incoming javelins, spears, and axes were all shattered and knocked aside by the crisscrossing bone spines; not a single weapon managed to approach the little skeleton’s slender form.

Han Shuo pinched his own waist, feeling the pain and realizing that this moment was astonishingly real. Not only could the little skeleton wield its bone knife against enemies, but it could also command the seven bone spines on its back, turning them into deadly instruments. Han Shuo found the little skeleton utterly incredible.

The “Demonic Command Technique” was a method for controlling demonic treasures in combat. The last time Han Shuo had inexplicably transferred his memories to the little skeleton, he watched it command the bone knife to dance midair—a feat that had already stunned him. Now, the little skeleton could even manipulate the seven bone spines, thoroughly shocking Han Shuo.

To employ the “Demonic Command Technique,” one needed more than mere knowledge; a demonic treasure bound to one's life was required. Only when mind and treasure were united could the technique be executed flawlessly. It appeared that, unbeknownst to Han Shuo, the seven bone spines and bone knife, through the constant forging of demonic energy, had become the little skeleton’s exclusive demonic treasures.

Without a demonic treasure himself, Han Shuo had yet to activate the “Demonic Command Technique.” Unexpectedly, a mere skeleton—a dark creature—had already surpassed him, successfully mastering the technique ahead of him.

“My heavens! What on earth is this little skeleton?” Fubinen exclaimed, his voice a mixture of excitement and nervous awe, gaping in astonishment.

After the flying javelins, spears, and axes were all smashed and broken, the forest trolls were left stupefied. The seven bone spines, swirling around the little skeleton, suddenly shot outward, piercing the bodies of seven trolls standing nearby.

“A demon! It’s a demon in the form of a skeleton—run for your lives!”

A scream of terror burst from one of the forest trolls, his voice hoarse with fear. This was the signal to retreat; at the cry, the trolls scattered like frightened beasts, fleeing in all directions. Even their leader, who had previously boasted, fled wordlessly and blindly.

Events unfolded in the most unexpected ways. Han Shuo, who had originally planned only to break through and escape, never imagined that the little skeleton’s seven bone spines would possess such terrifying power. By the time Han Shuo gathered himself, there were only corpses of a dozen trolls around him; not a single living troll remained.

“Hahaha! Good boy, good boy!” Han Shuo suddenly felt a rush of triumph, laughing loudly and unabashedly.

Meanwhile, the seven bone spines spun once through the air and then returned precisely to the little skeleton’s back. The little skeleton straightened its legs and, bone knife in hand, began expertly looting the first troll’s corpse, taking everything but their clothing.

“Hand it over—the other hundred gold coins,” Han Shuo said with a smile, setting Fubinen down and turning to him to claim the remaining reward.

Even now, Fubinen’s gaze lingered on the little skeleton, and it was only when Han Shuo spoke that he snapped out of his trance. As Fubinen reached for the coins, a thought struck him. He glared at Han Shuo and said, “No, you used me as a shield while fighting the trolls! Such conduct is a gross violation of an employer’s interests. How dare you ask for another hundred gold coins?”

Han Shuo’s expression turned cold, his eyes chilling as he surveyed Fubinen. He casually picked up a nearby javelin and said, “Mr. Fubinen, are you trying to renege on your debt?”

On the other side, the little skeleton halted its looting, its hollow eye sockets fixed on Fubinen.

A chill ran through Fubinen, and he forced a nervous smile, retreating a few steps. “Just a joke, just a joke, haha. Here are the hundred gold coins, not one less. You’ve earned them.”

Han Shuo pocketed the coins with a curt nod, saying nothing more. A sense of exhilaration surged within him; having formidable power truly made all the difference.

“Noble warrior, those items on the trolls…”

“They’re mine—all mine.”

Han Shuo cut Fubinen off before he could finish, claiming the loot without hesitation.

Fubinen managed an awkward smile. “Of course, of course, all yours. What I meant was, I’d like to purchase the items you looted from the trolls.”

Han Shuo frowned, eyeing Fubinen skeptically, then smiled and bowed courteously, imitating Clark’s manner. “Mr. Fubinen, do you mean to buy these items with gold coins?”

Fubinen cursed at Han Shuo’s shifting demeanor but maintained his own smile. “Exactly. I am a merchant. I travel into the Dark Forest to acquire goods, then bring them back to the Empire for profit. The trolls are notorious bandits here, and they usually carry things I need. If you don’t mind, I’d like to buy them from you.”

At that moment, the little skeleton approached Han Shuo, eight pouches dangling from its bony hands. At Han Shuo’s command, the skeleton placed the pouches on the ground and opened them one by one with its bone knife. Han Shuo emptied his own pockets, adding his spoils to the pile, and waited for Fubinen’s appraisal.

“Eight fifth-level magical beast cores, six fourth-level, one third-level, three complete pelts of the Wind Blade Demon Wolf, three venomous lizard fangs, one egg from the Deepwater Venom Python, five stalks of Moonshade Grass. Altogether, I can offer you one thousand gold coins. How does that sound?” Fubinen categorized the items, calculated silently, then smiled at Han Shuo.

Han Shuo shook his head with a sardonic tone. “Not good enough. The Deepwater Venom Python is a third-level magical beast; its egg alone is worth plenty. Plus, a third-level beast core. You only offer a thousand gold coins—do you take me for a fool?”

Han Shuo knew third-level magical beasts fetched a high price, though he didn’t know the exact figures. He also knew merchants typically offered far below market price, so he wasn’t about to let Fubinen get away so easily.

“The Deepwater Venom Python is a third-level magical beast, but its egg is notoriously hard to hatch, and even then, it may never accept a master. So its price can’t be too high. I’ll offer fifteen hundred gold coins. How about that?”

Han Shuo said nothing, merely smiling at Fubinen.

“Two thousand gold coins—that’s my limit. If you’re unwilling, I’ll just leave!” Fubinen gritted his teeth and increased his offer by another five hundred.

Han Shuo judged the price fair enough, laughed lightly, and said, “Two thousand it is. The items are yours—where’s the gold?”

These goods would certainly fetch more in the Empire, but Han Shuo was still in the Dark Forest, and without a spatial ring, carrying them was inconvenient. Moreover, his identity was merely that of a menial at Babylon Magic Martial Academy; once in the Empire, selling them would be troublesome. It was much easier to hand them off to Fubinen now.

“This is a crystal card containing two thousand gold coins. You can exchange it for coins at any banking house. Oh, and your name? I can imprint it on the card for you.” Fubinen produced a thin, golden crystal card and asked Han Shuo.

“Bryan.”

“Very well, Bryan.” Fubinen took out a fine needle and deftly traced it along a tiny seam on the card’s corner. A faint golden glow flickered, and the card returned to normal.

Han Shuo, having spent some time in this world, understood that the crystal card was much like a bank card from his previous life. Gold, silver, and copper coins all had weight, and no one could carry thousands on their person. Crystal cards were essential for the nobility, allowing deposits and withdrawals at any banking house throughout the Empire.

“Here you are, Bryan. From now on, this crystal card is yours.” Fubinen handed the card to Han Shuo with a smile. “My name is Fubinen, from the Boost Merchant Guild. If you ever wish to buy or sell anything, you can find me at Boost. Here’s my address—keep it safe.”

The Boost Merchant Guild was one of the Empire’s largest, run by the Boost family. Even Han Shuo, with his limited knowledge, had heard of their power. Now, hearing Fubinen, Han Shuo carefully took the address card and smiled. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Fubinen. Perhaps I’ll trouble you in the future. The trolls won’t dare bother you again. Our business is done—farewell.”

With that, Han Shuo said no more, issued a command to the little skeleton, and together they quickly vanished into the distance.

“Hey, brave mercenaries! It looks like our business can continue!” Fubinen called out happily as he strode toward the mercenaries tending their wounds.