Chapter 288 - 158: Physical Skeleton (3)

’Well now, it really does get stronger the more it’s attacked. Compared to how frail it was before, it’s really starting to look like a proper tank.’

But he hadn’t found its limit yet. Time for another test. Next up were the Hammer Soldiers.

The Barbarian Hammer Warriors and Giant Skeleton Warriors took turns attacking it. This time, the evolution was even more obvious—it had a massive growth spurt.

When it was first summoned, the Physical Skeleton was only about five-foot-seven. After a good hammering, its height shot up to over eight-foot-two. The tibia and fibula in its shins fused together, just like its radius and ulna had, and its entire frame became exceptionally thick and sturdy.

At the same time, its Shields changed again, growing into massive plates that could cover its entire body. It looked as though two door panels were hanging from its arms.

’Not bad, not bad at all. Setting aside its actual Defense Power, its appearance alone is pretty intimidating. Having an Undead like this standing guard would bring a lot of peace of mind.’

The effectiveness of the Barbarian Hammer Warriors and Giant Skeleton Warriors in strengthening the Physical Skeleton was diminishing. Of all of Li Ziyu’s troops, only the Ox Demon and the Elite Heavy Hammer were left to try.

’Alright, let’s see what happens!’

Li Ziyu summoned an Ox Demon and ordered it to attack the Physical Skeleton.

The Ox Demon was even taller than the Physical Skeleton, to say nothing of the Totem Pole in its hands. It charged right in, using the Totem Pole as a battering ram.

Because Li Ziyu was watching, the oafish Ox Demon used its absolute maximum Power for the strike.

Seeing that the Ox Demon meant business, the Physical Skeleton immediately brought its two Shields together, planting them vertically in front of itself. It supported them with its arms, dropped into a lunge with its feet planted firmly on the ground, and braced hard against the Shields.

THUD!

The Totem Pole slammed into the Bone Shields, letting out a deep, explosive sound. Mixed in with the boom was a distinct CRACK.

Li Ziyu froze. He looked toward the Shields planted on the ground and saw that a tree-like pattern of cracks had branched across their surface. The Ox Demon’s Power was so immense that a single hit had been enough to make them crack.

Furious that it hadn’t managed to shatter the Shields, the Skeleton Ox Demon gripped its Totem Pole, pulled it back, then swung it forward again. It used the momentum to slam the Totem Pole into the Shields with even greater speed and force.

"Stop—"

Li Ziyu tried to call it off, but he was a step too late. The Totem Pole had already smashed viciously into the Shields.

THUD!

There was another deep, explosive sound. This time, the Shields weren’t so lucky. Under the reinforced blow of the Totem Pole, they shattered into several pieces. The Physical Skeleton hiding behind them didn’t escape either; it was sent flying into the White Bone Wall, where it scattered into a pile of bones. Its skull was flung away, rolling to a stop at Li Ziyu’s feet.

Li Ziyu face-palmed. He looked down at the Physical Skeleton’s skull. The faint, earthy-yellow Soul Fire within was staring blankly up at him, as if it had been knocked dizzy and hadn’t processed what had just happened.

The Skeleton Ox Demon, on the other hand, looked quite pleased with itself.

Li Ziyu waved a hand, dismissing the Skeleton Ox Demon. The Physical Skeleton finally reassembled itself. But its Shields were broken. It looked at its now-empty arms, then at the shattered pieces on the ground. It silently walked over and picked up the two largest fragments.

’Huh?’

’What’s it trying to do?’

’They’re smashed to pieces. Does it think it can put them back together?’

Curiosity filled Li Ziyu’s eyes. He watched as the Physical Skeleton stood in place, holding the two Shield fragments. The Soul Fire in its skull suddenly flared intensely. The two fragments in its hands acted like magnets, pulling all the other pieces toward them until they snapped back together.

’It can do that?’

Li Ziyu’s eyes went wide. He was even more shocked than the first time he had seen an Undead fall apart and reassemble itself.