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The Shabest clutched by the head-only skull yeti collided head-on with Codic's skull. Clack! It looked like fragile bone that would shatter at the slightest touch. Yet, contrary to expectations, it proved remarkably durable. Thanks to the skeleton's intervention, Bin escaped immediate danger. Stunned, Bin stared at it and spoke.
"You're... that skeleton from just now."
In response to Bin's words, Codic bounced excitedly in greeting.
"My lord! Use this opening to escape at once! Leave this place to sturdy old me, Codic—one who'd make even a Minotaur weep. A mere snowball like that? One finger snap is all it takes."
Codic demonstrated with his lone remaining bony arm. It was an attitude brimming with confidence, as if the yeti were nothing. But the sight of his scrawny, arm-only form inspired zero trust. Bin eyed him skeptically.
"Where exactly is the 'sturdy' part...?"
Bin was dumbfounded by the skeleton's words, oblivious to his own pitiful state with only an arm left. He dismissed it as bluster—but only for a moment—before questioning back.
"You—an Old Demon?!"
"Pardon?! My lord? It's hardly for me to say, but... well, such obvious truths..."
Codic scratched the back of his skull sheepishly, and Bin's eyes widened in shock. Old Demon. Bin had heard the term before his regression. Apex predators from ancient times among the monsters. And one such creature was following him as its lord. From this, Bin pieced together one conclusion: his black right arm, the black flames that had appeared before. It was all tied to monsters.
Then the one that showed up before... that has to be Bellatan.
As Bin sank into thought, Codic clenched his fist.
"My lord, from now on, I shall protect you from these newfangled demons."
Their exchange was cut short as the yeti swung Shabest at Codic. Thud! In an instant, the ground froze over with ice. The impact sent Codic tumbling backward, his arm detaching, leaving only his head—like an ostrich egg rolling away.
"A bag of bones like you!"
The yeti loomed before Codic's eyes, radiating fury. Excited, it drooled and shrugged its massive shoulders. It had missed the perfect chance to finish Bin, all because of this skeleton. Codic, sprawled on his back, rocked side to side and popped upright like a roly-poly toy.
"Urgh. If I had my original body, a punk like you..."
"Get lost, you bonehead!"
Ignoring the skeletal Codic, the yeti charged at Bin. Thump. Thump. Thump. Thump... Relentless tenacity born of hunger drove its terrifying speed. Bin's eyes bulged as Shabest closed in. In desperation, he grabbed it mid-swing with his black hand.
Relief at blocking it was short-lived. Something felt off.
"..."
The yeti smirked down at Bin's arm touching Shabest. It anticipated what came next: Bin's arm freezing solid. Then, white vapor hissed from the translucent blade. The yeti twitched its lips at the biting cold.
"Heh heh heh."
But contrary to its expectations, an astonishing sight unfolded. Black light erupted from Bin's right hand, overwhelming and smothering the white vapor. The yeti froze in bewilderment.
"...!"
Codic, meanwhile, beamed with satisfaction.
"To think that petty chill could freeze my lord's flesh? What a grave miscalculation."
The dumbfounded yeti couldn't even step back. Countless humans had invaded this Harpies' Cave, only to be frozen by Shabest—grazed or struck, mercilessly encased in ice. Yet this one before it stood unmoved. As the yeti stood rigid in shock, Bin seized the moment to retreat a step. He stared at his black hand in confusion.
How is this...?
Having escaped the crisis, Bin examined his hand before refocusing on the yeti. The beast heaved with every breath, its enlarged body draining its stamina.
"Huff... huff..."
A grin tugged at Bin's lips. He was certain now—he could win. His gaze fell on the crystalline blade of Shabest in the yeti's grip. Transparent crystal construction. Scratches marred its edge, flushing Bin's face with anger.
"Over your head. You wouldn't know the sweat of countless blacksmiths poured into a single sword."
Bin's sharp glare and barb made the yeti scowl.
"What would a meatbag know?!"
Furious, the yeti flexed, its arm swelling further. But Bin stood unflinching against the threat. He'd devised a plan.
If I can just wrest that Shabest away...
Bin gripped his sword in his right hand, pointing the blade at the yeti.
"Let's get serious."
Black light surged from his sword arm, enveloping the Bow Sword. Eyes shadowed by his long bangs, Bin advanced step by step. Tap. Tap. Tap. Tap. A chilling advance, ignoring the harpies fluttering overhead. His sole target: the yeti.
"...!"
Sensing the killing intent instinctively, the yeti recoiled a step. Thump! Pure survival instinct. Unfamiliar terror gripped it. Glancing around, it bellowed—a cry that shook the cave, as if calling for aid.
"Rooooar!!"
Then—Whoosh! A black sword wind sliced through, severing the yeti's hand and arm.
"Gaaah!"
As the yeti screamed in agony, dropping Shabest, Bin swiftly scooped it up and closed in. Tap. Tap.
Eek. Eeeek.
Harpies swarmed at the yeti's cries, encircling Bin—roughly one against twenty. Fully surrounded, the yeti roared.
"Now!"
Yeti and harpies lunged. Amid the peril, Codic cried out from the floor.
"M-my lord...!"
But Bin smirked at the onslaught. He was confident he could end it in one stroke. Raising Shabest, he spun it in a wide circle around himself. Blue light flashed, followed by the crackle of freezing.
Crack. Craaack.
Harpies and yeti before him were instantly encased in ice. Those airborne plummeted, shattering on impact. Crash! Shatter! Like glass figurines, the frozen harpies exploded on the ground. Bin's surroundings filled with the iced yeti and broken harpies. No more meat for the beast.
Staring it down, Bin's expression turned fierce.
"What does a meatbag know? This is my answer."
Codic, watching from the floor, shed tears.
To exact such refreshing vengeance on those who touched me... Your ocean-like magnanimity and mercy. I shall never forget it today, my lord...
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
A short while later, at the cave entrance. Bin emerged from the Harpies' Cave, ready to head back to Plentel Castle. His hands were laden with yeti bones, crystals, Shabest, and more.
As he took a step, a strange sound reached his ears. Bounce. Bounce. Bounce. Bounce. Oddly addictive. It was the head-only skull Codic, hopping after him.
"My lord! Sorry I'm late. Just a head now, but I can store everything here—I'll be useful!"
Bin responded.
"Who said you were coming?"
His tone was indifferent. Old Demon or not, Codic's over-the-top antics grated, and his eerie appearance sometimes sent chills down Bin's spine. But Codic wouldn't back down easily.
"Once I regain my true body, I'll be a great asset to you, my lord!"
Tap. Tap. Ignoring him, Bin walked on. Stunned momentarily, Codic bounced after him. Bounce. Bounce. Bounce. Bounce.
"My lord! My lord!!"
Codic overtook him, blocking the way. They faced each other. Bin set down his load and drew the Bow Sword. Its honed edge gleamed menacingly. Sensing the threat, Codic bowed his head.
"This body has lived solely for my lord all my life! If you deem me unnecessary... I shall obey."
Bin swung the Bow Sword at the closed-eyed Codic. Swish—swish—swish— In that instant, Codic's life flashed before him like a panorama.
"..."
A while passed. No pain came. Codic cautiously lifted his head. To his shock, a bony body stood before him—crafted from the yeti's bones, fitted perfectly to his skull. For a blacksmith like Bin, who'd carved countless monster bones, it was child's play. Not perfectly proportioned for Codic's large head, but functional enough.
Codic stared in bewilderment.
"..."
Bin spoke, noting his expression.
"Hey, skull. Consider that debt from earlier paid."
At those words, tears welled in Codic's eye sockets.
"M-my lord..."
Bin recalled his own one-armed days past. This was repayment to the one who'd saved him in crisis. Blinded by tears, Codic bounced to the body and merged. Instantly kneeling before Bin, he vowed.
"Until this body crumbles to dust, I shall serve you!"
Bin sighed at the dramatics.
"Overdoing it again."
Codic's excess still irked him. But he never imagined taking one of the Old Demons as a subordinate would prove a divine stroke in the future.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
Within the massive Plentel Castle, in Family Head Moden's mansion. Walls displayed various weapons and knightly armor dummies. Bin, in his crisp black uniform, headed to the family head's chambers. His purpose: the Bascon tradition of offering monsters, soon to rank them alongside his siblings.
With each step, a repulsive face came to mind.
Another loathsome mug.
Willie Bascon. He wouldn't just sit idle after Billy and Shirley's defeats. But Bin had no intention of yielding.
He gripped the bandaged Shabest at his waist, a cold smile forming.
If you come at me... I'll gift you the agony of a frozen heart.