How to Survive Restructuring

[Translator - Night]

[Proofreader - Gun]

Chapter 99: The Ownerless Room (3)

For office workers, it's said that everyone tries manual therapy at least once.

I had an intense course of it during my rehabilitation.

"Oh! My bones… feel so light…!"@@novelbin@@

"Commander… you're the best…!"

…To think I'd end up adjusting skeletons' bones.

Who knew I'd become the "Manual Therapist of Death"!

[Initiating 'Bone Customization'!]

The title itself was utterly bizarre, but it worked.

‘Increased movement speed, recovery, and defense by 10%.’

It was a chance to maximize their potential.

A 10% increase.

Not a fixed number like 10 or 100 but a percentage, which made it even better.

The more they grew, the greater the value of that 10% would become.

"This is the last one… # 10, right?"

"Yes…! I can't wait either…!"

After sending off the previously worn-out but now energetic soldiers, I grabbed the last one's shoulder.

[Customizing the skeletal structure of Soldier #10!]

Using the message window in front of me as my signal, I reached between #10's ribs.

Crack-crack-crack!

I adjusted the spacing and alignment of ribs one through twelve, and soon the messages followed.

[Customization in progress… 25%, 26%.]

"Ahhhh… Is it done yet, Commander?!"

"Not even close."

Next, I removed the skull, cleaned the cervical vertebrae, and reattached it properly.

"Arghhhh…!"

I twisted an unbroken arm high above the head, then bent it backward, detached it entirely, and reassembled it.

[Customization in progress… 49%, 50%.]

Snap!

[Customization in progress… 71%, 72%.]

After meticulously working through the shoulders, neck, spine, hips, and legs, the final adjustments were nearly complete.

Crack!

Thud-!

Crack-crack-crack!

Amid the sound of snapping bones, an unusual noise emerged.

'Huh? Just now… something….'

Thud-

It sounded like a dense droplet hitting the ground.

The air in the cave grew thick with a putrid stench.

And then…

Sssssssss! Click!

Sss! Ssssssssss- Clack!

A massive green body dragged itself across the ground.

'!!'

It was here.

The same creature I'd painstakingly trapped last time with poison-coated spear tips inside the cave.

[Defeat the 'Super Millworm'!]

The enormous worm, as big as a freight train, squeezed its way into the cave.

Its rancid odor was overwhelming.

Thud!

"Commander…!"

[Your unit senses imminent danger.]

[The skeleton soldiers await the commander’s orders!]

Only one millworm had entered the cave.

Last time, the sheer number of them had required strategic tactics, but this time, that wasn't necessary.

"Summon."

Before it could ram its body into us, I could take care of it.

Or so I thought, before suddenly pausing.

"Commander…! Orders, please…!"

"Should we charge?!"

Their confidence-filled faces caught my eye.

"Just you guys?"

"Yes! We can do it…!"

From their hollow sockets, an intense light glowed.

Despite being empty inside, they exuded a determined air as if ready to take on a monster brimming with energy.

It wasn’t bravado or a thirst for glory.

[The skeleton soldiers wish to prove themselves!]

These creatures were mere experimental constructs of necessity, and yet…

They, too, had a desire to prove their worth.

In that case…

"Prepare for battle!"

I wouldn't intervene.

Rattle!

"Numbers 1 through 5, left flank! numbers 6 through 10, right flank! Attack simultaneously. Understood?"

"Yes…!"

Instead, I'd guide them.

Open the most effective path for them to perform to their fullest.

"You’ve grown stronger, haven’t you?"

Rattle!

"Show me what you’re capable of."

"…!"

"Commander…!"

[Your leadership skill (Lv.2) inspires your troops to act.]

"Charge! Forward!"

Rattle-rattle-rattle-rattle!

"Left side…!"

"Right side…!"

The soldiers split into two groups and charged.

Clack! Clack-clack-clack! Clack-clack-clack!

Their skeletal feet hammered the cave floor.

Despite their clumsy structure, their determination was unwavering.

Even from my vantage point, their resolve was palpable.

Thud!

The millworm slammed its body forward.

[You’ve obtained the 'Millworm’s Shell Carapace'!]

The carapace, sturdy enough to craft armor, collided with one skeleton soldier’s empty body.

The sheer bulk of its body could crush those brittle bones in one gulp.

Rattle-rattle-rattle!

But just as Soldier #4’s arm began to shake dangerously, the voice rang out.

"Number 4! Dodge!"

"Ahhh…!"

It was dangerous.

The bones would crumble like a child’s sandcastle struck by a heavy hammer.

But.

“Grooo… Krrk.”

It endured.

Its arm bones shattered, its ribs dislocated, yet it held on.

Seeing it like that, I saw my injured self reflected in it.

“You’re fine!”

I shouted without realizing it.

“Fight as much as you want. I’ll carve out a rock and fit it in if I have to.”

“...!”

Tremble!

#4 shook.

Not just from clashing with the millworm.

No, it was a deeper, heavier tremor, rising from within.

“Understood…!”

Creak-!

Millworm’s attack tore off # 4’s shoulder.

But.

Clatter!

It ran to pick it up.

Craaaack!

With the dislocated arm in hand, # 4 fought on.

Perhaps inspired by its display, the others began to radiate a fierce glow in their eyes.

“There’s soft flesh between its shell! Stab there, it’ll go through!”

“Between… the shell…!”

“Focus your attacks…!”

# 3 grabbed onto the creaking arm of # 4.

And in that opening, concentrated strikes poured in.

Clang! Clank! Thud-!

The old, worn swords of the soldiers dug into the massive millworm.

Most failed to penetrate and bounced off the shell, but they didn’t give up and kept charging.

Stabbing, colliding, stabbing, colliding—the intense battle raged on for a long while.

Splurt-!

The millworm’s insides burst open.

“!!”

Its fluids spewed out.

Covering the skeleton soldiers from head to toe.

The stench was overwhelming, like rotting food waste in midsummer, but the soldiers cheered.

“Uwooooooh-!”

“Grrrraaah-!”

[Congratulations!]

[Your unit has defeated the ‘Super Millworm’!]

[Command (Lv.2) skill proficiency increased!]

[+1%]

It was done.

“!!”

“It… It’s dead…!”

“Wooaaah…!”

For skeletons that once relied on bone bombs and self-destruction, wielding swords and fighting head-on wasn’t easy.

Feeling proud, I added a word.

“Well done.”

“All thanks… to you, Commander…!”

[Loyalty has reached its maximum!]

[The skeleton soldiers dedicate all their achievements to their commander!]

2. Defeat moving enemies (19/50)

My stagnant performance suddenly…

2. Defeat moving enemies (20/50)

…improved.

‘…Huh?’

* * *

The hunt began.

Thanks to the soldiers who didn’t spare themselves, battles unfolded without hesitation.

“Numbers 1, 2, 3 to the left flank! numbers 4, 5, 6 to the center! numbers 7, 8, 9 to the right flank! # 10, follow me!”

“Yes…!”

Swooosh-! Crash-crash-crack!

“Gaaaah…!”

A massive green pillar struck the skeleton soldier of # 9.

Even with a 10% defense buff, its bones scattered and fell apart.

‘Without that buff, it would’ve been pulverized.’

Weak.

Their running speed is slow, and their lack of strength makes their attacks weak.

Even Jieun, Jaehyuk, or even Yeojin outside are stronger.

But.

“We… can still move…!”

Their recklessness, refusing to dodge even when their bones might shatter.

Their blind, almost foolish faith in their commander.

And their tenacity to raise their swords with bodies missing parts here and there.

Clatter! Thud! Squish-!

[You’ve defeated a Drosera!]

[Command (Lv.2) skill proficiency increased!]

[+1%]

[5 hours of lesson time have elapsed!]

‘Five hours here… equals five minutes outside.’

Considering the time spent in the laboratory, I still had about 2 hours and 40 minutes left until midnight.

In this world’s time, that would be…

‘160 hours.’

Close to a week.

[Target Lee Eunho, ‘Resurrection’ perk activated!]

[Thanks to Complete Regeneration, recovery rate has greatly increased.]

[Fatigue barely accumulates.]

With the Resurrection perk, I didn’t need to eat or sleep, leaving me with a full stretch of usable time.

‘I’ll return by 11. Who knows what might happen.’

After finishing my calculations.

Buzzzzzzzzzz—!

I led the soldiers into a giant hive of bees.

The droning of thousands of giant bees’ propeller-like wings.

The vibration shook not only my body but also the ground.

[Defeat the ‘Giant Bumblebee’!]

“B-b-bees…!”

“Stay calm. Take it slow.”

“Understood…!”

We could do this.

This time, we had the numbers and plenty of time.

Clatter-!

We approached cautiously.

The wings of the creatures flapped so fast they were almost invisible.

Buzzzzzzzz—!

Not just my ears but my whole body felt numb.

The windstorm from their wingbeats grew stronger the closer we got, pushing against us.

Buzzz! Buzzzzzzzz—!

Did it sense the faintest hint of movement?

A few giant bees guarding the hive turned their bodies toward us.

One, two, three.

A total of three.

"Should we... split into three groups... Commander...?"

# 1 asked.

It seemed they were determined to handle them somehow.

Perhaps they'd even thought of splitting up and luring one bee each.

"Admirable, but it's still too much for you."

Giant bees were on a completely different level compared to carnivorous plants.

I had realized this when I barely escaped with the wild honey last time.

Even with acceleration, we had just managed to outrun them—their speed was terrifying.

And their pitch-black, extremely poisonous stingers, dripping venom, were as hard as steel.

They could stab repeatedly without pulling out, burying their stingers in any intruder who dared to invade.

They even mistook mealworms for cacti in their zealousness to attack.

They spared nothing.

Which is why...

"Summon."

It was clear that I had to step in.

Swish-

A breeze stirred on my open palm.

It felt like someone who had been holding ice in their mouth was now exhaling cool air on a hot day.

A single strand of wind became a line, then a pale mass, and finally a slender, elongated rod.

Fwoosh!

It turned into a blazing, golden arrow.

▣ Restored Brahmastra

-A legendary arrow said to have been used by ancient gods.

It relentlessly pursues the designated target until it strikes.

...

This weapon became fully mine after Iro fell into purgatory.

Vroom-vroom-vroom!

The three bees charged toward us with tremendous vigor.

Their wings whipped the air like motor engines, and the force was so intense I almost stumbled forward.

Clatter!

"# 6...!"

"Go on... without me...!"

One of the soldiers had already fallen long ago.

"# 1! Take care of # 6!"

"Yes...!"

"The rest of you, lure away just one! I'll handle the other two!"

Now it was my turn.

"Activate!"

【Activating 'Restored Brahmastra'!】

【Select your target!】

Shinggg!

The arrow floated in response to my command.

The arrowhead and tail radiated dazzling light, shimmering in brilliance.

For a moment, I was mesmerized by its glow.

"Pierce that bee!"

I shouted hurriedly and dashed forward.

At the same time, the blue spear materialized and shot upward alongside the soaring arrow.

【ACTIVATE!】

Swooshhhhhhh!

The arrow flew toward the bee.

Its target: the massive eye, as large as my own body, beneath its fluffy head.

"So fast!"

I involuntarily gasped.

The power was so overwhelming that I momentarily forgot the other bee I was supposed to be rushing toward.

Fast.

Even if I had accelerated 30 times over, I couldn't confidently say I could dodge it.

'If that had been an enemy's attack...'

I shuddered.

The arrow tore through the air like paper, sending chills down my spine.

At the same time, I felt relief that the unfortunate victim of that arrow was not me.

Crack!

The blazing arrow shattered the bee's right eye as it drilled in.

Squelch!

It penetrated through the creature's tough exoskeleton, nerves, and viscous fluids.

[Congratulations!]

[You have defeated 'Giant Hornet,' an unparalleled combat sentinel!]

[First kill rewards have been granted.]

[Acquired: 'Giant Hornet's Stinger']

The arrow's speed surpassed the bee's might.

And that victory was entirely mine.

[The Skeleton Soldier unit attributes their extraordinary achievement to their commander's leadership!]

[Leadership (Lv.2) skill proficiency has greatly increased!]

[+10%]

[First kill and class bonus effects have significantly increased Basic Swordsmanship (Lv.3) skill proficiency.]

[+10%]

But it was too early to celebrate the flood of messages.

Because.

〔Class Objective (Eunho Lee)〕

Eliminate rooted enemies: (1/100)

Eliminate mobile enemies: (20/50)

Eliminate flying enemies: (1/10)

I had only just taken down one.

There was still a long way to go.

"Accelerate!"

* * *

[Class time elapsed: 9 hours!]

[Class time elapsed: 15 hours!]

[Class time elapsed: 22 hours!]

A day had passed.

3. Eliminate flying enemies: (10/10)

I finally managed to take down 10 giant bees.

[Class time elapsed: 30 hours!]

[Class time elapsed: 39 hours!]

[Class time elapsed: 47 hours!]

Two days had passed.

Eliminate rooted enemies: (27/100)

I had smashed every Drosera plant near the cave.

"Huff... Are you okay... Commander...?"

"Whew... I'm fine. What about you guys?"

"Still standing... Commander!"

And then...

[Class time elapsed: 73 hours!]

After three days and an additional hour.

[Basic Swordsmanship (Lv.3) skill proficiency has reached its maximum!]

['Basic Swordsmanship' skill level has increased. (Lv.3 → Lv.4)]

With the skill level up, I lowered my sword.

"Let's call it a day."

"Understood...!"

There’s always tomorrow.

"Commander… while you’re away… I’ll take care of them all…!"

Moreover, some of them were boasting that they’d finish the remaining targets themselves.

"Don’t overdo it. You remember what I told you earlier, right?"

"Yes! First impressions… are important…!"

"Good."

As we made our way back to the cave, a familiar face approached from afar.

[Heh… I was wondering how far you’d go. Why not just settle here?]

A face that looks exactly like mine, shaking his head in disbelief.

"Oh, I was just about to call you. Perfect timing."

[How amusing. Who’s calling who here?]

The nameless instructor.

He had shown up.

And at just the right time.

"Take care of them for me, will you?"

[Take care of them? What are you even talking about…?]

"I want to finish my targets, but I’m a bit busy."

[Don’t tell me… you’re asking me to take care of those skeletons?]

The instructor clicked his tongue and ran a hand through his hair, clearly baffled.

He looked like he wanted an explanation, but I didn’t really have the time.

"Just check in once in a while to see if they’re alive or dead. I’ve already explained it to them."

[What kind of nonsense is that…]

"Isn’t that right, # 1?"

Cutting off the instructor, I asked # 1 instead.

And just as I’d taught him, he replied confidently.

"That’s correct…! Squad leader… Trainee reporting… to the instructor!"

[What are you doing right now?]

"All units… salute!"

Clatter—!

"Victory… guaranteed!"

And even a perfectly executed salute.

"That’s settled, right? I’ll be heading off now."

[?!]

Swoosh!

I arrived at the cave before long and turned the cold handle of the iron door.

"Take care. Think of them as friends."

Click!

"If you get bored, teach them some swordsmanship. How does that sound?"

[W-Wait! Are you seriously leaving these guys here?!]

The instructor’s voice faded through the crack of the door.

"Raise them well."

[You’ve got to be kidding me…!]

Whoosh—!

[Lesson dismissed!]

[Subject 'Lee Eunho,' returning to base!]

[Translator - Night]

[Proofreader - Gun]