Chapter 40
The setting of a dungeon usually matched its name.
The one where I first met Sunny had been called “Ancient Desert.”
True to the name, it was a sweltering desert.
‘And now…’
The dungeon I stood in was called “Forest and Stone.”
And its backdrop lived up to it perfectly.
“Yeah, this really is just forest and stone.”
I looked around.
To the left, an endless thicket of trees.
So dense that even the midday sun barely pierced through.
‘And to the right…’
A vast rocky expanse.
The rushing wind there sounded sharp and cool.
Beyond the horizon, jagged mountains rose where no plants seemed able to grow.
“Alright, everyone…”
I nodded and gave the order.
“Summon and take formation!”
From Bone One to Bone Six—
Thud!
They rose from the ground at my command.
Among my six subordinates, the one acting as commander was none other than Sunny.
“Master.”
“Yeah.”
“Why summon Bone Six here?”
“……”
He had a point. Bone Six was a production type.
No real reason to bring him into a dungeon.
But—
“Look at those mountains.”
I pointed boldly toward the rocky zone.
“…?”
Sunny tilted his head.
“Doesn’t it scream mining grounds?”
“…Hmm, I see.”
“Listen, production-types can’t look at a sight like that without thinking—ah, what resources are waiting for me there? What treasures will I uncover?”
“……”
It was a habit I’d picked up after running a few C-rank dungeons.
Bone Six, as a blacksmith, had a sharp nose for minerals.
‘He doesn’t have a mining skill yet, but…’
If I led him close enough, he’d craft a bone pickaxe and just hack away.
‘And since my skeletons can evolve…’
Just like how skills formed under the old man’s training, maybe reckless digging would awaken “Mining” in him.
That was my hope.
“Master, I never knew you were a production man yourself.”
“Bone Six is the production man.”
“…Aren’t you favoring him a little too much lately?”
I gave Sunny a surprised look.
“What, are you sulking?”
We’d grown closer lately, chatting often during dungeon runs.
He was starting to sound more human.
“Of course not, Master.”
“Sure, sure.”
I smirked.
Whatever his past had been, closeness mattered.
Bonding with a summon that could grow only strengthened its potential.
“Then I’ll handle recon and formation.”
Sunny spun his spear and rumbled heavily.
Reliable as ever.
When I was too distracted, he took control of the skeletons himself.
Creak.
Each skeleton moved into position.
[‘Bone Three’ uses the skill, Vision Acquisition (Lv.9).]
Through Bone Three’s ability, I sensed the surroundings.
“Mm.”
I closed my eyes and focused.
Dense forest. Barren rocks.
Nothing else could be discerned yet.
No telling what stages lay ahead.
“Master, the terrain is vast. Perhaps not as endless as the desert I once ruled, but nearly comparable.”
“Hmm…”
“We may have to choose one side.”
“Wait.”
I kept my eyes closed.
Whrrr!
Through Bone Three’s arrows, I searched for anything unusual.
Every dungeon had clues to guide you.
“Ah?”
At the boundary of forest and stone—
I sensed a violent wave of Qi.
Had I not trained in the Supreme Azure Mind Method, I never would have noticed.
“Okay.”
I murmured, and Sunny nodded knowingly.
“We have our direction. Move that way. No need to rush.”
“As you command.”
We advanced carefully, wary of traps.
This was my first A-rank dungeon.
Caution was essential.
“Master, there are lifeforms ahead.”
At last, we reached our destination without incident.
But what we saw wasn’t comforting.
“…What the hell?”
I exhaled white breath.
“Pointy ears, short stature…?”
I didn’t read much fantasy, but I’d seen enough movies.
And more importantly, they were in the hunter monster encyclopedia.
“Elves… and dwarves?”
Forest and stone.
And the Root of Racial Conflict.
The true nature of the races here was revealed.
—
“Damn elves! Crush them with your hammers!”
“Stand fast, warriors of the stone!”
“Arrows? Magic? They tickle!”
The dwarves roared.
“Hmph, fools.”
“Do you think mere runts can withstand the scouts of the forest?”
“Greedy wretches—wasn’t metal enough? Now you covet nature’s beauty too?”
From the trees, elves fired arrows and cast spells.
A skirmish, a dozen or so on each side.
Pure hatred, blood spilling.
Clashing fiercely.
“…Strange creatures indeed.”
Sunny observed quietly from hiding, his jaw clicking in thought.
“All thanks to you, Master. To witness such a rare sight. But we needn’t worry.”
“Why not?”
“They’re weak. Against your forces, both sides could be crushed with ease.”
I frowned.
“Weak, huh.”
“Yes.”
He stroked his chin.
“I know what troubles you. This is an A-rank dungeon. You suspect a trap?”
“……”
That wasn’t it.
The scale of the place was vast.
Judging difficulty from a mere skirmish was foolish.
‘Still…’
[Ding!]
[Stage: Arena of Racial Choice]
[“Elves of the Forest” and “Dwarves of Stone”]
[Elves of the Forest are a noble race, long-eared like leaves. As forest fae, they excel at bows and elemental magic.]
[Dwarves of Stone are short but hardy. As mountain fae, they excel with metal and craftsmanship.]
[You have discovered their blood feud.]
[Choose one race to aid and resolve the conflict.]
“….”
So it really came down to a choice.
And in a dungeon, choices meant gambling your life.
“Hm, Sunny.”
“Yes, Master.”
“Which race do you like better?”
“…A profound question.”
Eh? Not really.
“Well, in terms of environment, both are paradise compared to my desert homeland. Trees, breeze, damp soil—all treasures unseen in the sands.”
“And?”
“Elves are swift, their ranged prowess like Bone Three’s. Actually—huh?”
“What?”
“Hmm?”
Sunny looked sharply at Bone Three.
Creak?
Bone Three tilted his skull.
“…Wait.”
I narrowed my eyes.
Skeletons had no ears.
Cartilage rotted away quickly.
But—
Bone Three had bones where ears should be.
Small, thumb-sized bones.
“Master… could it be?”
“…What, Bone Three—were you an elf?”
The medium dungeons revealed the skeletons’ past lives.
Bone Two had once been Sunny.
“And come to think of it, his archery was very elven.”
His build was slimmer too.
Distinct from the others.
“And Bone Six…”
“Right, we already knew he was a dwarf.”
I’d asked Sunny, but honestly, my mind was already leaning toward the stone side.
Short stature, hammer—clearly Bone Six’s kin.
‘But now…’
If Bone Three was an elf, that changed things.
Bone Three or Bone Six—both were mine.
Choosing between my children was agony.
Crash! Boom!
The two races kept fighting.
If I didn’t choose soon, the stage would pass.
I wondered—couldn’t I pick both?
[Ding!]
[Choose one race to aid.]
[Warning! Warning! Warning!]
[Failure to choose in time will result in penalty.]
[Penalty = Death.]
“…Shit.”
So that’s what happens if you don’t pick.
Death.
My chest tightened.
I had to choose.
If I chose elves, Bone Three would thrive, training among his people.
If I chose dwarves—
“…Damn.”
The temptation was strong.
If dwarves truly were master blacksmiths, that would be invaluable.
In the real world, people spent billions and still struggled to reach such proficiency.
Here, I could get it for free.
“……”
The elves and dwarves were dying before my eyes.
Their hatred, their conflict, laid bare.
“I’ve decided.”
I nodded.
I loved Bone Three. I loved Bone Six.
But between the two, money weighed heavier.
A blacksmith meant profit.
“And Sunny’s enough for combat power.”
“I choose…”
Whoosh!
I swung my staff.
Clatter!
The skeletons raised their weapons, eyes blazing.
Their suppressed aura flared outward.
“…The dwarves.”
[You have chosen “Dwarves of Stone.”]
[Affinity has changed.]
[Stone Clan: 70]
[Forest Clan: 30]
[Aid the dwarves to drive out the elves!]
The message confirmed it.
Affinity? That was new.
“What? Who are they?”
“An intruder!”
Both sides noticed me now.
“Master…”
Sunny sighed faintly.
“You really do favor Bone Six.”
“……”
Not exactly.
Just—what parent doesn’t dote on the youngest?