What is this? Actually, please don''t answer, I say to my non-existent partner. I''ve seen plenty of these to know exactly what it is.


    It''s a floating status screen. I don''t see it illuminating the trees, so it must be in my head. Have I finally lost it?


    I look at my skill <Ruler of One> and a tooltip appears:


    <Ruler of One: Unique skill. One who lives by his own will, and no other. Passive immunity to manipulation and mental impairment. Integrity growth bonus.>


    Oi, oi, oi! What''s with this 8th grader syndrome description!? I guess this is my cheat skill, but what the hell is "Integrity" used for? Do I get better at keeping promises and telling the truth?


    <Integrity: This stat quantifies the structural durability of the soul. Improves spiritual offence and defence. Affects the application and reception of abnormal status effects.>


    Aha, ahahaha...


    That is convenient, but I''m a lost cause, aren''t I? For the sake of my sanity, let''s say status screens are the norm in this world. Oh, there''s even an option icon...


    What the hell!? Isn''t this exactly like a game!


    Unfortunately, there is no exit command, but I do change the chime and set the notifications to display text without voice. It''s a personal preference of mine.


    This familiar action eases my heart, or at least it would if I had one. I know this world is not a video game, but at least it''s similar to an action RPG on hardcore mode.


    The rest of the stats are as expected, with resilience pretty much meaning "magic defence". Stronger than average my foot! I''ve only got 3 base attack points. HP, MP, and Integrity aside, I''m supposed to have high base Agility, but it''s worthless if my movements are still awkward. Seems like magic is out of the question too. I doubt I''ll be able to use whatever is in this book at level 1.


    While I look at my level, I realise there are no experience points. I guess that part is realistic.


    I also notice that I don''t have a name. Is the status conflicted between using my real name and this body''s name?


    Next, I turn my attention to the skill types:


    <Unique Skills: Skills owned solely by one in all of Garea. Cannot be taught or transferred while in possession.>


    Pretty obvious, but I''m more interested in the word "Garea". Is that the name of this world?


    <Innate Skills: Skills associated with the user''s being or class.>


    Basically, if I change classes, I can change my skill tree. I wish I could display it. I''m not sure what the "user''s being" is supposed to mean.


    <Extra Skills: Skills gained through external means or training.>


    <Magic Skills: Skills which rely on magic based stats.>


    <Custom Skills: Created skills without precedent. Classified as Custom for the creator.>


    The narrative has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the infringement.


    If a skill doesn''t exist, I can create it, huh? I guess this improves my chances of returning if I can invent the "Inter-Dimensional Transfer Spell".


    <Skill Points: Exchangeable resource for instant acquisition of skills from the World Stream.>


    Really!? This system is awesome! Where is this World Str... No, focus Tyler! You''re not planning to acclimatise to this world. You''re trying to leave it! Then again, my way home may already be up for sale. I hope it goes on discount...


    Well, moving along:


    <Affinities: Elements which give the user increased proficiency in acquisition and application.>


    At least there are no skill restrictions. Perhaps there are, but it''s not being displayed.


    Resistances and weaknesses are self explanatory, with the typical bane of skeletons: blunt attacks and holy magic. It seems resistances gained via skills, like <Ruler of One>, are also listed under its tag. Temperature Resistance is probably referring to my inability to sense heat, but I can still take damage from fire and cold. Nullify Metabolism and Nullify Fatigue removes the basic necessities of living, but I''m sure I need energy to move. How do I sustain my undead life?


    I move on to my Titles and Blessings:


    <Titles: Special privileges, bonuses and/or demerits assigned by the World Stream according to its judgment.>


    <Blessings: Special privileges and bonuses formed by a contract with another individual.>


    There is that word again, World Stream. By the way, it seems I can''t check it as it isn''t a stat, tag or skill name. Please don''t assume it''s common knowledge for an outsider like me!


    Putting that aside, what a dynamic system. If I hadn''t killed that necromancer, would I have gained his blessing? Not that I want such a thing. As for titles, I would be happy to have one, if not for the existence of demerits. I decide to check, just in case:


    <Worldfarer: One who has travelled between worlds. Retain existing memories of other worlds.>


    Retain!? That means it''s natural to lose them! That was close, otherwise I would be no better than my risen brethren. Is that why they were so lifeless? No, it''s probably because of my unique skill <Ruler of One> that I was able to break free. Still, at least I haven''t mentally regressed. Thank you World Stream.


    Time to check the rest of my skills. I''m glad there are so many tooltips, just the way I like it.


    <Night Vision: Increase visual perception in dim light.>


    So that''s why the night is so bright. I thought it was natural here.


    <Create Status: Mentally perceive select information to the user.>


    ...in other words, it''s a skill that makes you delude a status screen. The reason it''s so user friendly and RPG-esque is because it''s pulled straight from my head.


    So what it''s saying is after accepting the reality of status screens, it''s now directly telling me that I''m crazy. Oh joy.


    But I don''t understand how I could subconsciously know all this. There has to be some third party or higher power involved. Is there a god in this world?


    <Soul Core: Allows a soul to reside within an uninhabited body.>


    Uh huh. So this is why I''m prancing around in a skeleton. However, the fact it says "reside" gives me an ominous feeling...


    <Soul Eater: Absorb residual life force from deceased. Requires suitable containment to store soul of deceased.>


    ... But it''s nowhere near as foreboding as this skill.


    The reason I didn''t collapse after he died was because I literally took his life. It almost feels like cannibalism.


    D-does this means if I want to live, I have to keep killing others with my own hands?


    Must it be human? How much do I absorb? Do I have to take a life every day?


    These questions make me feel sick, yet I have no means of vomiting. All I can do is wipe my sword on my funeral clothes, and prepare for my next prey.