Eric hadn't forgotten to gather intel from the low-ranking succubi during the day. Knowing what Lucia's next experiment was about was crucial for him.

  Last time, it was only because he'd found out the experiment involved fire that he'd collected the relevant skills and made it through that demon's torment. After some diligent snooping, he finally got the scoop on the next experiment. This time, it wasn't fire—it was earth.

  He could keep using [Toughness], [Tough Bone], and [Self-Heal].

  What he needed now was [Earth Resistance].

  Finally, he spotted a cute LV6 skeleton with [Earth Resistance] and [Brute Force].

  Having two skills was pretty rare for a low-level skeleton. He didn't rush to take it yet; he still needed to use his [Stealth] for a few more nights to collect enough experience to level up.

  Last time, he'd made it through by spending his free attribute points wisely. It would be safer to level up one more time and get another free attribute point before Lucia got back. His Constitution was 5 last time; now it was 7.

  Maybe he could save those free points for later. In any case, he needed to prevent any surprises and be ready for risks.

  At night, he made his way to the skeleton he'd scoped out earlier. Flames shot into the eye sockets and chest, burning furiously.

  [Ding, killed a low-level skeleton, Experience +60]

  Then he started dismantling it, burning each piece and scattering the ashes.

  "The bone dragon has been sleeping a lot lately, my lord," came a voice that made Eric jump and scatter the last handful of ashes, pretending to wander around nonchalantly. He even stuffed the last finger bone into the seam of his arm bone.

  "Who's there!" a muffled, shrill voice called out. Sure enough, he'd been discovered. From around the corner, a succubus emerged, with a slime-like dark shadow crawling at her feet.

  "Just a low-level skeleton," the succubus said, letting out a quiet sigh of relief when she saw Eric. After all, who would worry about their conversation being overheard by a skeleton that only acted on instinct?

  Eric realized he'd stumbled upon something he probably wasn't supposed to hear.

  "My lord, it's getting late. If there's any movement from Pound, I'll let you know," the succubus said.

  "If there's no news, my lord should proceed with the plan to attack Pound in a month," she continued, bowing respectfully to the dark, slime-like shadow at her feet.

  Eric's spirits lifted. Attack Pound! This was the opportunity he'd been waiting for! He could bide his time, gather his strength, and then strike when the time came. He might just have a chance to break free from this mess.

  The dark slime at the succubus's feet wriggled for a moment, then disappeared into the shadows without a word. Maybe their arrangement only allowed the succubus to pass on messages without receiving any information. Even after the dark slime vanished, the succubus remained frozen in her respectful pose.

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  Eric casually changed direction and wandered off. Just as the succubus was about to look over, he put on a show and tripped, then got up and changed direction again. He played the part of a clueless, harmless low-level skeleton to perfection.

  After all, he'd been living among low-level skeletons, pretending to be one day and night. Right now, he was a low-level skeleton through and through.

  The succubus finally took her eyes off Eric. She had intended to take him out, since Lucia wouldn't miss one or two skeletons out of so many. But Eric was the only skeleton who'd made it through the first round of experiments. No one knew how much of an impression he'd left on Lucia, so she held back.

  He burned the last finger bone stuck in his arm bone to ashes and then called it a night. He expected Lucia to be back the day after tomorrow. He needed to take out the colleague with [Earth Resistance] tonight and level up to LV4.

  The next night, he went through the motions. He took out a skeleton first, burned it to ashes, then made his way to the one with [Earth Resistance]. Another round of burning.

  [Ding, Level up to LV4]

  [Free attribute point +1]

  He felt the rush of leveling up, the soul flame flaring up, and his mental fatigue eased a bit. He took off the left leg and attached it to his own left leg.

  It failed.

  He'd taken the [Brute Force] skill from the skeleton instead of [Earth Resistance].

  Damn it. He hated skeletons with multiple skills. He took off his right leg again, removed his own right leg, and installed the new one.

  [Ding, Acquired skill: Earth Resistance LV1]

  But the [Toughness] skill on his right leg was gone.

  Just in case, he needed to find another skeleton with [Toughness], take off his left leg, and install it on himself.

  He destroyed the remains in front of him, and a wave of exhaustion washed over him. He forced himself to search through the pile of skeletons, using [Appraisal] each time, which drained his spirit a little more.

  "Finally found it!" When he spotted the skeleton with [Toughness], Eric even let out a low "caw." He crept over and grabbed its head.

  "Burn!"

  [Ding, Killed a low-level skeleton, Experience +50]

  His spirit was almost depleted. He replaced the leg bone and didn't have the energy to deal with the remains. He just burned the skeleton with low heat to simulate bone deterioration from death.

  [Ding, Spirit +1]

  He found a corner, collapsed to the ground, and passed out. Just before losing consciousness, he faintly heard a notification sound.

  When he woke up, everything was as usual. The remains of the skeleton were gone, probably taken care of by the succubi as a case of bone deterioration. Lucia hadn't come back yet; it was still early.

  Eric checked his status panel. His Spirit had increased to 9 points. He had [Tough Bone], [Toughness], [Self-Heal], and [Earth Resistance], with a "whopping" Constitution of 7 points and one free attribute point left.

  Eric felt confident, even wanting to shout out, "Who can kill me now!"

  He was already looking forward to Lucia coming over and torturing him. He'd give himself some earth magic next time, and when he came back stronger, he'd give dear Lucia a taste of her own medicine.

  Sure enough, by noon, a bit of sunlight penetrated the deep valley. Lucia flapped her beautiful bat wings and descended to the valley floor. Her pretty, deep purple eyes scanned the skeletons, and she was about to give him the earth magic he'd been waiting for. She waved her hand, and two cute succubi sisters grabbed a skeleton—ah, that skeleton was him.

  It seemed Lucia still remembered him and brought him up right away. Looking at the skeleton in front of her, Lucia thought she saw anticipation in the soul flame in its eye sockets. She shook her head; it must have been her imagination.

  "Hope you can make it through this one," Lucia said.

  Then.

  "Aiolos' Wind."

  A whirlwind engulfed Eric. Every inch of his bones felt like it was being sliced by countless knives.

  "This damn bitch demon! Why is it wind?!"

  Eric cursed Lucia and all the succubi present. He felt like his soul was about to be blown out of his skeleton.

  The [Earth Resistance] he'd prepared now seemed like a huge joke.