Before I could fully strategize, a volley of fireballs hurtled toward me. Though not particularly fast, I could sense the raw power behind them. Without hesitation, I transformed the blue orb into a large shield, big enough to cover my entire front, and braced myself. The fireballs collided with the shield, and while it held firm, I felt the intense heat and force behind each impact. The Skeleton King was already preparing for another attack.

The green orb's analysis confirmed my fears—the Skeleton King saw me as the main threat, not Strong One. "Yozak, is this what you call mindless creatures?" I muttered, realizing the god’s nonchalant attitude towards these powerful foes.

The blue orb could protect me from the attacks, but I needed something more—something that could help me break through the horde and get to the Skeleton King. I couldn’t just defend; I needed a way to close the distance and take the fight directly to the source.

I had a flash of inspiration—a wild idea that might just work. What if I could fuse the Three Moons into a single, powerful weapon? Something that could give me both protection and the ability to strike from the air, where I’d be harder to reach. The concept was simple: green orb for flight, blue orb for armor, and red orb for weaponry.

It was a long shot, but I had to try. I summoned the Three Moons and focused on the image in my mind: a flying armor equipped with guns. As I concentrated, I felt the orbs responding to my thoughts. They began to merge, their energies intertwining, and within moments, they fused into my body.

I was encased in a sleek, armored suit, with wings formed from the green orb and a powerful gun mounted on my arm from the red orb. The blue orb had solidified into a tough, flexible armor that covered me from head to toe. It had worked. Now, with this new form, I was ready to take on the Skeleton King.

As I’m flying toward the Skeleton King, I catch a glimpse of Strong One from a distance. He’s grinning and gives me a thumbs-up. Seriously? How can you be doing that while fighting monsters?

Anyway, this fusion is working even better than I imagined. The green orb's scanner is a lifesaver, helping me dodge all these fireballs, arrows, and whatever else they’re throwing at me. I’m getting closer to the Skeleton King, and I can feel the intensity building up. But I’m ready for this.

"Welcome Child" the Skeleton King greets me as I land, his voice surprisingly deep and resonant. His appearance is even more imposing up close—a towering skeleton clad in dark, ornate armor, with a menacing crown perched atop his skull.

This guy really isn’t your run-of-the-mill undead.

Wait, it can talk? And I haven’t even tamed it yet? This is definitely off.

I’m not one for drawn-out dialogue, so while it’s still talking, I skip the RPG-style conversation and start aiming right away. Both guns locked on target, I open fire. A cloud of smoke rises from the blasts, but as it clears, the Skeleton King is just standing there... smiling.

"Now, now, how rude of you to skip introductions and attack right away," it says.

This isn’t the Skeleton King I imagined. "Uh, sorry about that. I figured it was best to take you down as quickly as possible."

The Skeleton King just laughs. "I’m sorry, child, but that’s simply not going to happen."

The Skeleton King conjures a fireball and hurls it at me with such force that I’m sent flying backward. As I struggle to get up, I can’t help but notice that the other skeletons are just standing there, not attacking. What’s the deal?

"Statistically, it's not possible," the Skeleton King mutters. Statistically? Did he just mention statistics?

Before I can process it, the Skeleton King teleports right in front of me. Instinctively, I cross my arms to block—just like I’ve seen Strong One do. The Skeleton King summons a sword out of thin air and slashes at me with it.

The force of the Skeleton King's slash sent me flying, my body slamming hard into the ground. "If we’re talking strength and skill, you are no match at all," he continued, his voice grating as he gloated.

I hate to admit it, but he’s right. This isn’t just some regular enemy—this thing is on a whole different level.

I quickly transformed the guns into a sword and charged at him, attacking relentlessly, slashing with all my might. I was desperate to land a hit, to pierce through his defenses—ugh! A sharp pain shot through me as I was suddenly kicked from behind. He teleported again. How is he doing this? He’s strong. "Strategically, you will also lose. Therefore, you are weak."

My ribs felt like they were shattered, but the green orb’s armor was slowly healing me. Not fast enough, though; the healing’s too slow in this form.

"Just give up, child, and become one of my army!" the Skeleton King taunted, his words cutting as deep as his sword.

"I can't." The words slipped from my mouth as I struggled to get back on my feet. "I have people I need to protect."

The Skeleton King stared at me, its hollow eyes unreadable, betraying nothing of what it might be thinking. I summoned the red orb and transformed it into a long, heavy sword. "I can't give up now!" With a burst of determination, I sprinted forward, catching the Skeleton King off guard. While I was rising, I had the blue orb transform the lower part of my armor into thrusters, giving me an incredible burst of speed as I charged.

This time, I was sure I could land a decisive blow—what? The Skeleton King caught my sword effortlessly, holding the edge between its skeletal fingers as if it were nothing.

"How dare you speak about protecting your loved ones if you are so weak!" The Skeleton King roared, its voice seething with anger. As it held my sword effortlessly, it prepared to deliver a devastating kick. I couldn’t even react in time. The impact crushed my ribs once more, and my vision started to blur.

Is this the end?

"Master!" Strong One’s voice rang out desperately. He had managed to break through the horde and was leaping towards me, ready to strike the Skeleton King. But before he could reach me, the Skeleton King unleashed a fireball that sent Strong One crashing back, his attack thwarted.

"I was happy to finally find a human, but this is not what I expected," the Skeleton King said, its tone filled with disdain. It seemed like he was preparing to leave, clearly uninterested in finishing us off. "If Yozak is going to send someone, that lazy god better make sure it's someone strong."

Wait, what? He knows Yozak? And he knows I'm human?

"How do you know Yozak and that I'm human?" I asked, struggling to stand.

"I know you're human because I was once one myself," the Skeleton King replied, his words revealing a surprising twist. Yozak had sent someone here before us.

"Did Yozak send you here?"

The Skeleton King ignored my question. "Prepare and train more so you can defeat me in the future," he said, as if he were dismissing me.

"I need your help! If you were once human, you must have a family in our world, right? It’s going to be attacked, though I don’t know when. Please, I know it’s selfish to ask this, especially after what Yozak did to you, but you’re strong. Please help us!"

"No," the Skeleton King answered abruptly. "You would need to defeat me first before I can assist you."

His words suggested he might be bound to this domain, only able to leave or act once he has been defeated. Taking this as a challenge, I resolved to overcome him.

"I will!" I declared, determined to defeat him. "I will defeat you. I promise!"

"Looking forward to fighting you again, child," the Skeleton King replied, turning away as his army began to retreat.

I wonder why he was sent here and what his story truly is. While I didn’t gain any soul energy from this battle, I did gain something more valuable—a crucial lesson. This encounter has reinforced the need for thorough preparation and the importance of building a strong team. I’m determined to defeat that Skeleton King in the future and hope that, in time, I’ll find allies who can help me in that quest.