Chapter 124

Chapter 124: Chapter 124 Clayton felt deeply uneasy as a stranger approached him in his current condition. He immediately tried to stand—at the very least, to avoid appearing completely defenseless when the person arrived. With great effort, he pushed himself up, ordering his mini skeletons to form a protective circle around him. Rumble! But before he could fully rise, a violent tremor shook the ground, sending the already weak and unsteady Clayton crashing face-first into the dirt. "Arghhh!" he growled, gritting his teeth against the now all-too-familiar pain. Lying prone, he instinctively shielded his head. The tremor had caught him off guard. Was another giant skeleton about to emerge? But after a tense few seconds, no monstrous enemy appeared. Instead, what approached was the unmistakable presence of a Six-Star Apprentice Mage. Realizing this, Clayton’s anxiety spiked. Under normal circumstances, he could potentially take on a Six-Star opponent, thanks to his assets. But now was clearly not the time for a fight. Unfortunately, he was too late to act. The figure had already arrived—silently surveying the area and scanning Clayton from head to toe. Even though the person hadn’t spoken a word, their cold, assessing gaze made Clayton feel small and insignificant. All he could do was lower his head and stay still, hoping his passive demeanor might earn a shred of mercy. To his relief, the figure turned and walked away without a word, seemingly losing interest. Clayton let out a long, quiet breath. But when he glanced up—more from instinct than curiosity—he was surprised to see the intimidating presence belonged to a female trainee knight. Her gleaming armor and the massive sword strapped to her back left him both awestruck and uneasy. They locked eyes for a brief moment before Clayton quickly looked away, fearing that even a hint of curiosity might provoke her. He sat down and began to recover his strength, shielded by his loyal mini skeletons. But the fear of another unexpected encounter pushed him to find a more hidden spot. There, he managed to rest undisturbed for a few peaceful hours. Growing bored, Clayton began observing his surroundings. Strangely, he saw no signs of life—no animals, no plants. The area was barren, filled only with bones and gravestones. He wandered briefly, confirming there was nothing to gather or use in the immediate area. Once he felt somewhat recovered, he decided to follow the path the female knight had taken—because, honestly, he had no better plan. With his energy returning, his mind grew clearer. He started to wonder: why had the woman approached, only to leave without a word? Why hadn’t she killed or robbed him? The questions circled endlessly, but no answers came. As he traveled, Clayton realized just how disorienting this place was. He had no map, no landmarks—only instinct and faint traces to guide him. Occasionally, he encountered weak skeletons, but they were easily dispatched. By late afternoon, despair began to creep in. If nothing changed soon, he’d be stuck here overnight. Though the sky showed no sun, Clayton checked his watch—it was nearly evening. He didn’t want to risk spending the night in his current state. Falling asleep just as an enemy arrived—or running out of energy mid-battle—could be fatal. He decided to stop and instructed his skeletons to take turns standing watch. Just as he was about to set up camp, a loud explosion echoed in the distance. Clayton’s head snapped up. Now he faced a dilemma—should he investigate or steer clear? Curiosity clashed with caution. After a few seconds of internal debate, he made his choice: he’d check it out. Camping near an unknown threat would be like setting up a bed inside a bear trap. He sprinted toward the sound. At first, it seemed close—but it turned out to be farther than expected. On the bright side, that meant he had been relatively safe up until now. Now halfway there, turning back felt pointless, so he pressed on. Eventually, he reached a dim, gray area—less dark than the rest of the dungeon. From a distance, he could make out several shadowy figures standing guard. Clayton slowed his pace and moved with caution. He didn’t want to attract attention. But in a world of magic and sword, the strong are rarely unaware. A few of the individuals sensed his presence immediately, though most remained indifferent. Clayton approached with a neutral, respectful posture, keeping his guard up while silently observing everything around him. The air reeked of scorched earth, damp stone, and raw, natural decay—clear signs of a fierce battle. From the damage alone, Clayton could tell a serious fight had recently taken place. What he didn’t know was what caused it... or why it had ended. As he quietly replenished his energy, the truth slowly dawned on him: these people were gathered here to access the true dungeon. Why "true"? Because beyond the gate was a transport portal leading to another realm—a place where real combatants would face deadly trials and potentially earn powerful rewards... if they survived. Unlike earlier, when all he got from killing skeletons were brittle old bones, this place offered something real. Clayton’s curiosity burned hotter. He didn’t want to just watch—he wanted in. But no one moved. Everyone stood frozen, watching each other with suspicion. No one wanted to be the first to step forward. Clayton frowned. The uncertainty was maddening. All this time, he’d been drifting along, reacting to events without understanding them. It left him frustrated and restless. After thinking it through, he made a bold decision. He carefully prepared himself—then calmly walked toward the gate. The moment he moved, tension rippled through the crowd. Dozens of eyes locked on him. But Clayton didn’t flinch. With his mini skeletons by his side, he became a strange but unforgettable sight. As his face came into full view, a few people began to sneer and whisper: "Seriously? A Three-Star Apprentice Mage wants to enter the dungeon? You think your seven little skeleton dwarfs are gonna save you in there?!" "This kid’s too young... too naive. The world isn’t some fairy tale." "Where’s this brat’s father? Someone take him home before he gets himself killed!" Though mocking, their tone held a trace of caution—just in case Clayton was bait for something more dangerous. Every step he took was measured. He could feel the weight of their stares, their suspicion... but he didn’t stop. He reached the gate—and walked through it. The crowd froze in disbelief. Most had assumed he was just a decoy, but he had gone in alone! Some, unwilling to lose their chance, lunged after him—trying to stop him at the last moment. As if triggered by instinct, several figures bolted toward the gate. Clayton had felt proud of his decision—until now. Caught in the rush, he muttered under his breath: "Damn it, these people are ruthless! Didn’t they just call me a clueless kid? Then why the hell are they chasing me like their lives depend on it?! Wouldn’t it be easier to just let me free?!"