Reincarnated as a Princess's Pet: With Trash Stats, but SSS-Rank Skill

Max adjusted his grip on the hammer. He looked at Azael. Then at Abby. And back at him again.

"...listen, Azael."

He scratched the back of his head.

"...I think it’s best if I take her to the guest room myself."

Azael raised an eyebrow.

Max continued.

"...my companions don’t know anything about the deal we made."

Azael smiled.

"...and if they find out..."

He shrugged.

"...some of them might actually try to kill you."

Azael watched him for a few seconds, then nodded. Not surprised.

"...that’s to be expected."

He slipped a hand inside his suit.

"...in that case..."

He pulled something out.

A dark necklace. With a small ring hanging at its center. Made of bone. It looked like the rings he wore on his fingers.

"...I’ll leave this with you."

He held it out.

Max looked at it curiously.

"...and what is this supposed to be?"

Azael took his hand and placed the necklace on his palm.

"...it’ll make it easier for you to carry my sister to your room."

Pause.

"...I don’t expect you to return it."

Max raised an eyebrow.

"...you sure?"

Azael gave a faint smile.

"...consider it an investment."

Max didn’t hesitate. He put on the necklace, and in that instant, a blue screen appeared before his eyes.

[Item detected: Bone Ring Necklace]

[Rank: Ultra Rare]

[Effect: Allows the summoning of 1 Skeleton Knight (Level 1) / The knight will obey all of the wearer’s commands]

[Effect Duration: 60 minutes]

Max blinked.

"...okay..."

He smiled.

"...this already looks pretty good."

But then, another window appeared. Brighter. More intense.

[Skill detected: Applying magical item enhancement]

Max frowned.

"...let’s see how this goes..."

[Enhanced Effect]

[Effect Duration: UNLIMITED]

[Summon Limit: 10 Level 1 Skeleton Knights]

Max froze.

And suddenly—

"...—ghk!"

He choked, coughing and spitting into the air.

"...WHAT?!"

Azael looked at him, slightly confused.

"...everything alright?"

Max raised a hand, coughing.

"...y-yeah..."

Another cough.

"...more than alright..."

He took a deep breath, trying to steady himself.

"...don’t worry about it..."

He looked at the necklace, still in disbelief.

"...seriously..."

A small laugh.

"...thanks for this."

Azael nodded, brushing it off.

"...it’s nothing."

His expression hardened again.

"...just don’t forget."

Max looked at him.

"...when you face the real Dante..."

Azael pointed at the whistle he had given him earlier.

"...use that."

Pause.

"...and I’ll show up as fast as I can."

Max nodded without hesitation.

"...of course."

He tightened his grip on the necklace and closed his eyes for a second.

"...let’s see..."

He extended his hand and activated the ring. A dark magic circle appeared on the ground, and from it, a skeleton knight emerged. Fully armored. A sword at its side. Empty eyes. Waiting for its master’s command.

Max looked at it and smiled like a kid with a new toy.

"...carry her, please."

The skeleton obeyed without hesitation. It picked Abby up with surprising care.

Max twisted the ring on his finger.

[Absolute Silence Ring — Activated]

Sound vanished. The space around him became mute. His footsteps. His breathing. Everything silenced.

Max looked at Azael one last time. Nodded. And without saying a word, he stepped into the corridors. Moving in complete silence.

Straight toward the guest room.

***

Max carefully closed the door. The ring’s effect faded. Sound rushed back all at once.

His breathing was heavy. Sweat ran down his forehead. He had to avoid guards and servants. All without making a sound. And still, he made it to his room.

"...phew..."

He leaned against the door for a second, catching his breath.

He looked at the skeleton knight. Then at Abby.

"...thanks."

He snapped his fingers lightly. The skeleton disappeared, dissolving into dark dust.

Max held her. Carefully. Adjusted her in his arms.

He looked at her pale face. Gently, he brushed the hair from her forehead.

"...it’s over..."

His voice softened.

"...you’re safe now."

But Abby didn’t respond. She was still completely unconscious.

Max swallowed and opened the door.

The scene hit him immediately.

Dorian, kneeling. His hands glowing. Healing.

Varis lay back, covered in blood.

Moon was by his side. Worried. Tense.

But the moment the door opened, Moon turned.

She saw him. Her eyes widened.

"...DAD!"

She ran to him without hesitation and threw her arms around him.

"...you’re alive..."

She hugged him tightly, trembling.

"...Varis saved me..."

Her voice broke.

"...I don’t want him to die..."

She tightened her grip.

"...that dwarf is a great man..."

Max held her with one arm, still carrying Abby.

"...easy, Moon..."

He gently pulled her back.

"...it’s okay."

He walked to the bed and carefully laid Abby down on the sheets.

Only then did he look at Varis. He was full of wounds. Bites on his face and torso.

Max frowned.

"...what happened to him?"

Dorian didn’t even look up. His hands kept working.

"...I’m more surprised how you managed to rescue Abby alone."

A soft light flowed over Varis’ body.

"...don’t worry about him."

His eyes faintly glowed.

"...they’re superficial wounds."

He breathed calmly.

"...with a few healing sessions and rest..."

Pause.

"...he’ll be fine."

Max let out a breath, relieved. He looked at Varis and nodded.

"...thanks."

More sincere this time.

"...really."

Varis slightly turned his head and smiled, despite the pain.

"...it’s what a man does."

Moon lowered her gaze, clenching her hands.

"...some men jumped me..."

Her voice was low.

"...I didn’t know what to do..."

Pause.

"...Varis pushed me."

She took a deep breath.

"...so they wouldn’t attack me."

Dorian shifted position and moved toward Abby. His hands began to glow again.

"...and she didn’t just stand there."

Max looked up.

Dorian continued.

"...she froze and burned those undead."

He smiled.

"...she saved Varis."

Moon blinked, surprised.

"...I..."

Dorian kept speaking, focused.

"...we saw another Dante."

Silence.

"...but he escaped."

His expression tightened slightly.

"...he locked us in a hall..."

He didn’t stop healing Abby.

"...with all those corpses."

Max took a deep breath and, without saying anything, hugged Moon again. This time softer. Calmer. He stroked her hair.

"...it’s over, Moon. We’re okay."

Another gentle stroke.

"...you did really well."

Moon closed her eyes, holding onto him.

Dorian, without stopping, spoke again.

"...she doesn’t look good."

He looked at Abby, frowning.

"...and she smells way too bad."

His eyes shifted to Max.

"...in what condition did you find her—?"

But he didn’t finish the sentence.

A dull thud.

Max collapsed to the floor. Unconscious. Again.

"...Max?"