Chapter 36

**Side Story? An Extra Chapter?**

I will post one episode today. I will post the main story later in the evening, so there will be two episodes today. Thank you for your support.

"..."

In the dark, damp cave, he wondered why he was born and what the reason for his existence was. For hours since his consciousness had awakened, all he had done was check his own body. Other than that, he had just leaned against a rock.

"A, A..."

This was his very late, very late cry. But his body felt incredibly heavy, his stomach was empty, he wanted help, and he was scared. These were the only thoughts racing through his mind.

"...Oh, what a cute little one. Are you all alone?"

"...?"

"Oh, you don't understand words yet? Nice to meet you, little Skeleton?"

Even though he didn't understand himself, he felt a vague sense of happiness at no longer being alone. The woman who appeared before him held a large staff and wore a black robe. She reached into her pocket and took out several stones.

"A...?"

"Here, have some. You must be hungry, right?"

He could sense it instinctively. His body was heavy, but his stomach was empty. Using the last of his strength, he bit into the stone she had taken out.

"You were really hungry, weren't you? Look, there are still plenty left. You can eat them all."

He bit into the stones with all his might. He couldn't taste anything, and the stones he ate fell through the gaps in his bones. But each time he bit down, he felt a sense of fulfillment that he couldn't put into words.

"A! A...!"

Though he couldn't speak, he could somehow express his joy. The heaviness in his body was gone, and he felt incredibly light.

"Are you a slave? A small child shouldn't be alone in a place like this. The cave must have collapsed during last night's earthquake, and you were left behind and turned into a monster."

The woman was saying something, but he couldn't understand her. The only thing he knew was that she had helped him.

"Poor thing. You were left all alone."

She said this and hugged him. The sound of bones clattering echoed through the cave. Though he didn't understand what was happening, he felt a vague sense of happiness. A strange, indescribable emotion began to circulate within him.

"Come on, let's go together? We don't have a specific destination, but it will surely be less lonely than being alone."

And he followed the woman in the black robe. The small Skeleton began to walk behind her, the sound of his bones clattering as he went.

* * *

They left the cave and walked a long distance. They crossed mountains for days, crossed rivers for days, and finally reached a large forest after more days.

"Full... stomach."

"Yes, you ate well, didn't you? Let's rest today, then."

The two of them arrived at a flat, open area with few trees and sat down to eat. The small Skeleton bit into the stone he had received from her. The woman in the black robe leaned her large staff against a nearby tree and ate some preserved food to satisfy her hunger.

Each time he ate the stone she gave him, he felt his body becoming stronger and slightly larger. He began to understand the words she spoke and could even repeat them.

"We'll walk a lot tomorrow, so make sure you rest well and prepare for the next day."

Even as a Skeleton, he could recover his strength by resting. The small Skeleton had little stamina, so each night's rest was crucial.

"Ai...!"

He replied awkwardly and lay down, wishing that he and she would have a safe journey the next day. He fell asleep very quickly. She could tell he was asleep within a few minutes.

"To grow so well in such a short time. What a good child."

She stroked his head and muttered to herself. The stones she had given him were magic stones. There are several nutrients that monsters need to grow, but magic stones are the most effective. As an Undead, he didn't eat meat or other foods, so he basically ate magic stones.

The stones she gave him were relatively valuable, but it wasn't particularly difficult for her to obtain them. She had lived for a long time and had never had a family, nor had she ever lived with something to look forward to.

In such a situation, she met the small Skeleton. The reason she helped him was trivial; she felt a little sorry for him and gave him a magic stone, which he bit into with all his might. Seeing this, she somehow found him cute and suggested that he come with her.

Over the few days they had traveled together, she was surprised to find herself enjoying it. Watching him eat was the happiest thing for her. Though she was a monster, she wondered if she had a maternal instinct. She couldn't find an answer, but she knew that the present was a "good time," so she felt it was a minor issue.

"Tomorrow, we'll have to keep walking. I'll rest now, too."

The journey had no specific destination, but she decided to take the small Skeleton to various places she remembered from her memories.

"By the way, I should give you a name. What should I call you...?"

Having a name is meaningful for a monster, as it opens up the path to evolution. Having a name doesn't necessarily make one stronger, but it is important for future potential.

To her, the small Skeleton was very important. She decided to give him a name, as it would be a special thing to do.