One of the skeletal soldiers promptly stepped forth, traversing the path lined with overgrown grass toward the shadow stones.

As the skeleton approached the gravestone, ready to retrieve the shadow stone, the ground of the courtyard suddenly trembled violently, akin to boiling water.

In an instant, decaying corpses teeming with maggots erupted from the earth.

"I knew it," Funhow whispered.

According to Dong Jua, when acquiring the shadow stone, they had encountered some spectral beings.

He had speculated that a similar occurrence might transpire here, and indeed, his thoughts had manifested into reality.

He called back the advancing skeletal soldier standing at the threshold, watching as the corpses clawed their way out of the ground.

How many years had these bodies lain buried, their disheveled hair was intertwined with blades of grass and dirt.

Their skin had long since rotted away, emitting a foul odor.

With eyes that had turned pale and mouth agape, they seemed to emit a chorus of furious roars.

At that moment, Fong Hao felt a twinge of relief that his troops were skeletal.

At least, they appeared clean and bore no scent of decay.

Decayed corpse.

Tier one.

Description: Cannon fodder of the Eternal Knight Legion.

Their bodies are fragile and decomposed, exhibiting low individual combat capability.

Hence they swarmed together posing a significant threat.

Eternal night.

The sound carried an air of authority.

In Fongo's contemplation, the number of decaying corpses had swelled to over a hundred.

Observing the undead brandishing weapons as they approached.

Fongo tentatively proposed, "We are all dead.

Shall we not sit down and discuss?" The corpses, however, offered no reply, quickening their pace as they lunged toward Fong Hao and his companions.

Engage them, Fong Hao commanded.

The skeletal soldiers charged forth while Fong Hao himself swung his sword to the nearest corpse.

To his astonishment, the decaying figure did not flinch as Fonggha's blade struck its forehead, cleaving a fissure in the skull.

Despite the damage, the creature remained unresponsive.

It retaliated with its own blade, but Fong Ho deafly evaded, thrusting his shield forcefully against the creature's head, executing a shield bash.

A resounding thud echoed as the corpse staggered, crashing to the ground, momentarily incapacitated.

Seizing the opportunity, Fongo unleashed a flurry of strikes with his iron sword, severing the head from its body, thus ensuring its demise.

The skirmish among the other skeletons was nearing conclusion.

As Fonggha strategy favored overwhelming numbers with the skeletal soldiers already outnumbering the foes, equipped with iron swords, wooden shields, and ample armor, the newly risen corpses stood no chance.

With a flurry of strikes, they eradicated all the decaying adversaries.

After the battlefield had been cleared, Fongo directed the collection of shadow stones and equipment.

The skeletons immediately set to work, gathering shadow stones, and stripping the corpses of their gear.

Soon, the spoils were amassed.

Five shadow stones, one trace of death, 122 damaged single-edged swords, and inner city key.

The acquisition of five shadow stones filled Fong How with delight, for they were vital materials for the construction of necroantic structures, far surpassing the value of mere equipment.

The precise function of the trace of death remained unclear.

It was a rare and special material.

In the successive battles, Fungha's side had relied on the tactic of sheer numbers to overwhelm their foes.

However, he also recognized a personal shortcoming, the low tier of his troops.

Typically, a tier 2 unit could contend with four or five tier one adversaries without faltering.

Thus, the tier of units proved particularly significant in combat.

The sole method to elevate troop tiers lay in upgrading the unit structures damaged single-edged sword category.

Weapon damage level one damage description corroded and damaged single-edged sword.

Handle with care to avoid tetanus.

Fongghao suddenly felt a swell of gratitude that neither he nor the skeletal soldiers were human.

Otherwise, as an ordinary human lord leading a contingent of human soldiers, the low damage coupled with bacterial attacks would be unbearable.

In this environment, how many possessed knowledge of healing arts? Should illness arise and infection set in, few would likely endure.

Key: Infong Fortress.

Category item.

Description: A key to the second level of Infong Fortress.

A place that has long been shrouded in silence.

Where the slumbering eternal night servants await your forthcoming game.

A game.

Everyone here is a villain.

It remains uncertain who is toying with whom.

Fungha remained unfaced.

While the adversary referred to it as a game, he too perceived this realm as a mere instance of a quest.

Possessing the essence of the skeleton soldiers.

He was in essence controlling a character to vanquish foes.

He was undoubtedly more entitled to employ the term game.

Assemble prepared to embark on the next map.

Fonghowo called out.

The skeleton soldiers gathered around him.

Ascending the stone steps, they arrived before the door leading to the second level.

He inserted the key and gently turned it.

The rust covered metal door creaked open.

They entered.

The first and second levels bore little distinction.

However, the passage to the next tier was not a mere city wall, but rather the grand entrance of an ancient castle.

This castle, characterized by its western architectural style, was entirely constructed of stone with white roses sprawling across its walls.

Some even encroaching upon the windows, adding to the eerie atmosphere.

With a determined stride, they advanced within.

This time they were not greeted by the decaying corpses of the first level, but by the undead wielding spears.

Zombie spear hand level two.

Ability, combat, skill, thrust, charge, resistance.

Description: The zombie spear hand is not a clumsy corpse.

They have undergone the baptism of eternal night and are devoted to their duty.

These zombies boasted more intact physiques than the decaying corpses.

Clad in long rotted armor, they clutched metal spears tightly.

Rising from their graves, they paused in silence before gradually aligning themselves, hoisting tattered banners, their designs long obscured.

Once prepared, they turned their gaze towards Fong How and his companions, brandishing their spears as they commence their advance.

Spread out, prepare for battle.

Chapter 24.

The bloodthirsty Batwolf.

The spear wielding soldiers were not as clumsy as decomposed corpses.

Although they remained somewhat rigid, they silently adhered to their former formations and tactics.

The scene before them was a testament to this.

The spear soldiers autonomously arranged themselves into a square formation, brandishing their long spears to create a formidable front.

It resembled a dimminionative or simplified version of the Macedonian failanks.

Spread out and encircle them.

Fonho commanded.

The skeletal soldiers momentarily taken a back promptly dispersed surrounding the zombie formation in the center.

The number of zombie spearmen was limited roughly around 300.

Upon seeing the enemy encircle them, they halted their advance.

Filled with confusion, the direction of their spears constantly shifted, akin to the hands of a clock pivoting in place.

Indeed, without a commander, chaos ensued.

Fong how mused.