'If an ordinary Wanderer encountered danger and ate their treasured warp berry, only to find themselves transported here… they'd probably be driven to suicidal despair.'
The forest was utterly silent, with only the sound of the wind rustling the skeletons and leaves.
The trees were alive, and so were the skeletons, as their health bars above their heads revealed.
Whispering sounds reached Yang Tao's ears. The fact that he could hear them meant these weren't mental interferences, but actual voices.
Listening intently, he quickly pinpointed a direction and walked towards it. As he approached, the voices gradually became clearer.
It was two skeletons, relatively close to each other, conversing in hushed tones.
They were discussing how long he would survive here.
Yang Tao appeared on a tree branch, right behind the two skeletons, with a speed akin to teleportation.
"Huh? Where'd he go? Did he leave?"
"So decisive! If only I had been that decisive back then, I wouldn't be hanging here now."
"You? Heh heh, even if you weren't hanging here, you'd be dead of old age by now. What's the difference between being buried in the dirt and hanging on a tree?"
"Buried in the dirt, at least I wouldn't have to guard you every day! Look, those guys are all looking at us!"
"What do they want to do?"
Yang Tao: "They're probably looking at me. Would you two care to tell me about this level?"
The skeletons on this level seemed quite interesting.
However, upon hearing his words, the two skeletons immediately shut their mouths, not saying a word, pretending to be dried skeletons that had died many years ago.
Yang Tao chuckled and shook his head. No matter how much they pretended, skeletons couldn't deceive a normal Wanderer. After all, what legitimate skeleton could remain connected without muscles?
Just as he was about to forcefully inquire about the Skeleton Queen's location, he heard a song echo through the forest.
Accompanied by a beautiful melody, the skeletons began to sing stories of a resurrected departed god, lamenting the fall of their Empress, reciting tales of their world being torn and shattered where it connected to the next, and other stories from the past.
They spoke of the arrival, demise, and rebirth of a new era…
Clearly, this was the Skeleton Queen's past.
A figure emerged from the depths of the forest. She wore a Victorian-era orange gown, her face was pale, but her hair was dark and lustrous.
Her gaunt face was covered in rouge, and her makeup seemed a bit too heavy.
Her name was Bailey.
According to M.E.G.'s data, she was the only constantly wandering Entity in the entire level.
Bailey did not speak, but she led Wanderers, like a siren luring prey, to follow her.
If Wanderers followed her until she left their sight, they would soon witness her other form—the Skeleton Queen.
She stood quietly on the ground not far from Yang Tao, looking up at him. Her dark eyes held no emotion, giving Yang Tao a terrifying feeling, like that of a doll.
Seeing the true master appear, Yang Tao lightly leaped down from the tree. Bailey, like a shy maiden, turned and walked deeper into the forest.
Upon seeing this, Yang Tao's face revealed a lewd… friendly smile.
'The Skeleton Queen doesn't recognize me!'
This was good news, but her Bailey form only had 100 health points, showing no signs of a second stage.
Yang Tao recalled a description of the Skeleton Queen: 'If you respect her, she might let you go, but if you disrespect her, she will immediately order the surrounding trees to tear you to shreds.'
Thinking of this, an idea popped into his head! A brilliant idea!
Following behind Bailey, the two walked deeper and deeper, but as time passed, Bailey's figure moved further and further away from him.
Inadvertently, Bailey disappeared behind an oak tree covered in skeletons.
Seeing this, Yang Tao stopped.
Turning around, the Skeleton Queen had already appeared behind him. She was very tall but gaunt, wearing a tattered black dress.
Health: 1,700,000 / 1,700,000
Aside from Yue and the Red Knight, whose true health was not revealed, the Skeleton Queen was the strongest being he had ever seen.
"Hello, your Majesty, the esteemed Skeleton Queen."
Yang Tao, very much a gentleman, placed his hand on his chest and, mimicking nobles from TV dramas, bowed slightly to the Skeleton Queen.
As soon as he finished his bow, the previously oppressive atmosphere of the forest seemed to lighten considerably.
"Ah, what a gentleman. You look very young. There are so few young people like you who are polite."
The Skeleton Queen's voice was low. She walked towards Yang Tao step by step, her feet making no sound as they stepped on the leaves.
"So, tell me, young man, is there something you need, entering my territory?"
Looking at the Skeleton Queen, who was now close at hand, Yang Tao had to tilt his head slightly to see her three-meter-tall body.
"I apologize, your Majesty, the Skeleton Queen. I accidentally stumbled into your territory after eating a warp berry, which also means I came in such a hurry that I didn't prepare a proper gift."
Yang Tao subtly flipped his wrist, and a vibrant red poppy appeared in his hand: "I only have this never-fading poppy to offer to your Majesty."
The Skeleton Queen looked at Yang Tao's sincere eyes and smile, which showed no hint of falsehood, and extended a bony claw to take the poppy from Yang Tao's hand. Her previously low voice now held a hint of joy:
"You truly are a gentleman!"
"To be honest, I would very much like to keep you by my side forever, but I imagine that would be a very difficult matter for you."
"A handsome young man to chat with me, I can grant you one request and then send you out of this forest. How does that sound?"
Yang Tao tilted his head slightly, as if considering what request would be best. The Skeleton Queen showed no signs of impatience, standing silently in front of Yang Tao, waiting. A moment later, Yang Tao made his request.
"Your Majesty, I prefer to chat while eating, so my request is, would you be willing to have dinner with me?"
As his words fell, a table appeared in the forest, followed by chairs, delicious food, and red wine…
Moonlight, wine, a handsome man, and a skeleton!
A very bizarre scene.
Yang Tao, ever the gentleman, pulled out a chair and gestured for her to sit.
The Skeleton Queen stood still for several tens of seconds, watching Yang Tao without moving. Just as Yang Tao was wondering if he hadn't been gentlemanly enough, the Skeleton Queen finally moved. She sat down in the chair and said softly:
"Thank you."
"It's my pleasure."
Yang Tao opened a bottle of red wine and poured some for the Skeleton Queen.
"Young man, what is your name?"
"Yang Tao."
"I would love to have dinner with you, but as you can see my current appearance, honestly, I feel somewhat ashamed to welcome a gentleman like you in this form."
The Skeleton Queen's voice grew a little somber. Clearly, she felt that not being able to eat was a very impolite matter.
"Yang Tao, if you don't mind, I can tell you my past stories. You can enjoy these foods while listening to the stories."
"I am a special being, so my food is naturally very special. If your Majesty trusts me, you can pick up the wine glass and imagine you are drinking… I believe you will truly enjoy it."
Upon hearing this, the Skeleton Queen reached out and picked up the wine glass on the table. A peculiar sound echoed.
The red wine in the glass gradually diminished with the sound.
A story banquet officially began.