Bond

Jin Mo leaned back on his chair, a thoughtful expression on his face. He suddenly recalled the skeletons, Chol Mo and Geol Mo, and decided it was time to check on their progress.

"Let's take a look at how they're doing," Jin Mo said, opening a portal with a wave of his hand.

The swirling portal materialized before him, shimmering with dark energy. He stepped through, and as the familiar graveyard realm came into view, his eyes widened in astonishment.

The land, though still desolate, looked much better than before. The broken houses that had once littered the area were partially repaired. Crumbling walls were now reinforced, and debris had been neatly cleared away. The realm, while still eerie, had an air of improvement that Jin Mo hadn't expected.

"Wow," Nyx remarked, her voice filled with surprise. "It looks different. Almost… livable?"

Jin Mo nodded, a smile forming on his lips. "Yeah, it really does. They've been working hard."

Just then, the two skeletons, Chol Mo and Geol Mo, noticed their master's arrival. Spotting him from a distance, they dropped their tools and sprinted toward him, their bony limbs clattering noisily as they ran. It seemed as though they were competing to see who would reach Jin Mo first.

"Looks like they missed you," Nyx teased, chuckling softly.

Both skeletons skidded to a halt in front of Jin Mo and bowed deeply.

"Alright, alright. Stand up," Jin Mo said with a laugh, waving them up. He surveyed their work with pride. "You've done a great job here. The place looks much better than before."

Chol Mo and Geol Mo seemed to blush—or at least, they gave off the impression of doing so—their skeletal bodies radiating a strange happiness at their master's praise.

"Good," Jin Mo continued. "From today onward, you'll start training. The repairs are nice, but I need you both to become stronger so you can protect me when the time comes."

Hearing this, the fire of determination seemed to ignite in the hollow eye sockets of the skeletons. They nodded vigorously, their bodies trembling with excitement and purpose.

"They're so eager. It's kind of cute," Nyx observed.

Jin Mo smiled. "They're good workers. I'll make sure they're rewarded when the time comes."

With that, Chol Mo and Geol Mo began their strict training regimen, sparring and honing their combat skills under Jin Mo's watchful gaze. Satisfied with their progress, Jin Mo stepped back through the portal, returning to his room. The portal shimmered briefly before disappearing.

Back in his room, Nyx suddenly spoke up. "Oh, right! Do you remember that tool you got when you defeated Chol Mo and Geol Mo? It's still in your inventory."

Jin Mo tilted his head in thought before realization dawned on him. "Oh yeah, I remember now."

He opened his inventory, a holographic interface appearing before him, and selected the Silent Tool. The sleek, dark object materialized in his hand, its design minimalist but exuding a mysterious aura.

"What do you think it's for?" Jin Mo asked.

"Why don't you use your Soul Perception to analyze it?" Nyx suggested.

"Good idea." Jin Mo activated his Soul Perception, and a glowing status screen appeared above the tool.

Status:

Name: Silent Tool (2-star)

Type: Utility Tool

Durability: 99/100

Cost: 10 Qi per minute

Description: A specialized tool that allows the user to silence their movements completely. Ideal for infiltration, espionage, or stealth combat.

Effects: Suppresses all noise created by the user and their immediate equipment. Negates sound-based detection methods within a small radius. Enhances the effectiveness of stealth-based skills or maneuvers.

Drawbacks: Requires continuous Qi consumption to maintain.

Jin Mo's eyes gleamed as he read the description. "This is amazing! It'll be perfect for stealth missions."

Nyx agreed. "Yeah, it'll definitely come in handy. Just be mindful of the Qi cost. You don't want to drain yourself at the wrong time."

Jin Mo nodded. "Of course. I'll use it wisely."

He stored the Silent Tool back in his inventory and stretched. The day had been eventful, and he was starting to feel the weight of fatigue settle in.

"Time to get some rest. Tomorrow might bring even more challenges," Jin Mo said, climbing into bed.

Nyx's voice was soft as she replied, "Goodnight, Jin Mo."

"Goodnight, Nyx."

With that, Jin Mo closed his eyes, letting sleep take him as he prepared for whatever awaited him next.