Chapter 13
That afternoon, Clayton was carefully tending to the fields with the help of his skeletons. The wheat was beginning to bow, the grain heads full and heavy—clear signs that harvest season was drawing near.
Seeing this, Clayton couldn't help but feel a swell of satisfaction in his chest. Though the land wasn't his, every stalk of wheat stood as a living testament to his struggle to adapt and assimilate into this strange and magical world.
After finishing his work, as usual, Clayton received his payment—twenty sand crystals. In a good mood, he walked home with a light step. But his carelessness got the better of him, and he accidentally bumped into someone.
Looking up, he saw a familiar face—Equus.
Their eyes locked. In Equus's arms was a bundle of items: weeds, pests, and a few plants—likely destined for the market. Clayton didn't care. He merely scoffed coldly and walked past without a word.
Equus paused for a moment before continuing on his way. As Clayton walked home, a strange feeling tugged at him. Not only had Equus not reacted with anger, but he also looked troubled—like he was hiding something.
Clayton wondered, "Is something wrong with him?" But after a moment of thought, he shrugged it off. Maybe he's just stressed because his crops failed during the drought.
Once home, Clayton began practicing Water Circulation Armor, a technique from the Sky-Swallowing Whale Body Forging Manual. He ordered his seven skeletons to strike him with wooden sticks. Each hit caused small ripples on the watery shield surrounding his body.
Then, one of the skeletons swung a dagger—one previously dropped by Hank—directly at him.
Swoosh!
The dagger hit the water shield with a muffled sound. Though it pierced fairly deep, the shield held strong, protecting Clayton from injury.