《Re: Rock》


 Old Grimlore and His Tale

Life.


    This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.

 Day 1 - Knowledge (1)

    There was nothing for the lost soul. Without anything to exist upon he could not feel the torrent of time tearing away at the world. First it was years, then decades, then centuries - yet still he lay silent. Milleniums past, hurdling even the greatest of forces to be washed away into the midst of nothingness. He, however, still laid without a notice.


    <table width="688">


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td>


    [Error] Alchemy Spell: [Genesis] has been altered. Merging of the item [Grimlore''s Soul] with [The Medium] complete.


    ...


    ''[Error] NaN.exe'' has been born''


    </td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    -


    The nothingness ended. First there was ignorance, awake but presuming sleep. Then there was the slow realization that reality had inturrupted what was the null. Still, however, the dream and reality wtill interwove into an illusion of memory, where the soul still could not distinguish anything.


    Finally, there was the awakening. There was opening of the eyes, and with it, the mind. It shocked the soul into existence and at last, after the end of countless ages, he woke.


    <table>


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="text-align: center">


    Congradulations!


    You have been born into the world as a [Rock Golem]


    Would you like to proceed with the tutorial?


    [Yes]


    [%MISSINGFILE%.exe]


    </td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    ''What?''You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.


    The soul was still groggy and tired. He could barely comprehend anything at the moment, but his mind worked fast and efficiently, and after only a few brief seconds he remembered everything.


    ''What happened? The experiment, the creation! Did I mistakenly seal myself into the Rock Golem?''


    He pondered the blue screen, looking through it before being utterly confused by the ending.


    ''What is MISSINGFILE.exe? Something doesn''t sound right there. I definitely should not touch that, not after the whole experiment fiasco. ''Yes'' it is.''


    <table>


    <tbody>


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    <td style="text-align: center">


    Welcome to the world of [Alezerania]!


    This is a world of a single continent known as [Terra], and around it are surrounded by a massive ocean called [Immensae]


    Inside it, the land is divided into many subgroups, where many [Races] rule over a part of it. The [Races] are divided into two types:


    [Humanoids] and [Monsters]


    [Humanoids] level up to increase their [Class], which can bring them to perform better at the class-specific tasks!


    [Monsters] level up to evolve, obtaining the traits of other slain races to assimilate into their own, so that the strongest survive.


    Note: [Races] between the two have different meaning depending on the usage. [Races] refering to [Humanoids] refers to the different types of [Humanoids], not the distinction between [Humanoids] and [Monsters]. [Races] refering to [Monsters] also share this.


    [Continue to the next section]


    </td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    ''This is... interesting. This is all standard knowledge, but I need to see if there is more to this.''


    He pressed on.


    <table>


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="text-align: center">


    Individuals of [Races] have [Levels] which increase their ability in general.


    A higher [Level] generally indicates that they are stronger, while a lower one would indicate the opposite.


    When one levels up, they gain [Attribute Points], which can be assigned by the user to improve different aspects of themselves.


    Individuals also have a [Ranking] which determines the ability or potential of their [Race] or [Class]. They are, from lowest to highest:


    [F]  [E]  [D]  [C]  [B]  [A]  [S]  [SS]  [SSS]


    This [Ranking] also determines rarity, and as a general rule of thumb higher [Ranking] means that they are more dangerous.


    [Continue to next section]


    </td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    The soul looked at the screen with a great smile. While the general knowledge was rather plain, it did however give off a crucial point. It confirmed the existance of the [SSS] Ranking, while also confirming that it does determine rarity. These had been huge points for debates when he still resided in the damned kingdom and his arguements at this was one of the reasons he was expelled.


    ''Take that, dim-witted fools!''


    It certainly felt great to be right. Even if the others were dead and could not care about it less.

 Day 1 - Knowledge (2)

    <table>


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td>


    An Individual of a [Race] has an overview of their current abilities, stats, and other effects called the [Status Screen]


    It consists of many different aspects of the Individual and is usually restricted for only the Individual to view.


    Would you like to see your current [Status Screen]?


    [Yes]


    [No]


    </td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    The soul chose ''Yes'' without hesitation. Why wouldn''t he? The soul needed as much information as he could get right now, and this blue screen was a gold mine.


    <table>


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="text-align: center">Name: [NaN]</td>


    <td style="text-align: center">


    Level: [1]


    Experience: 0/10


    </td>


    <td style="text-align: center">


    Race: [Rock Golem]


    </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="text-align: center">Status Effects: [None]</td>


    <td style="text-align: center">Titles: [Breather of Life], [Transmutant]</td>


    <td style="text-align: center">Ranking: [E]</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="text-align: center">Health: [30/30]</td>


    <td style="text-align: center">Mana: [785/785]</td>


    <td style="text-align: center">Health Regeneration: [1 per minute]</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="text-align: center">Mana Regeneration: [26 per minute]</td>


    <td style="text-align: center">Strength: [8]</td>


    <td style="text-align: center">Vitality: [15]</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="text-align: center">Agility: [2]</td>


    <td style="text-align: center">Intellect: [133]</td>


    <td style="text-align: center">Wisdom: [109]</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="text-align: center">Dexterity: [2]</td>


    <td style="text-align: center">Elemental Affinity: [Pure Life]</td>


    <td style="text-align: center">Age: [1 Day]</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="text-align: center">Abilities: [None]</td>


    <td style="text-align: center">Possible Evolution Routes: [None]</td>


    <td style="text-align: center">[Display Appearance]</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    It took him a long time to fully comprehend his current stats. First, he noted, the weird ''NaN'' for his name, and concluded that it had something to do with the previous ''MISSINGFILE''. The next oddity was his Titles, as these two Titles, he had never seen before. Then there was the absolutely ridiculous amount of Mana and Mana Regeneration, coupled with the insane amount of Intellect and Wisdom. To finish, then he possessed [Pure Life] affinity, which he had never heard of. Hopefully, the blue screen will answer all his questions.Unauthorized use of content: if you find this story on Amazon, report the violation.


    <table>


    <tbody>


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    <td style="text-align: center">


    Would you like to have the details explained?


    [Yes]


    [No]


    </td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    ''Yes''.


    <table>


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="text-align: center">


    [Name] is what you are referred to, or what you decide to call yourself.


    [Level] is the total amount of [Experience] and power gained.


    [Experience] is gained from killing monsters or completing quests, and when you reach a certain threshold you will level up.


    [Race] is what kind of creature you are.


    [Status Effects] are current temporary afflictions upon you, and could be positive or negative upon your stats.


    [Titles] are passive boosts that are gained from achieving great or unique tasks.


    [Ranking] is the level of power or potential of your race and your stats.


    [Health] is the amount of damage you can take before you die.


    [Mana] is the fuel for Magical abilities. If it runs out you do not die but gain heavy penalties to your stats.


    [Continue to next section]


    </td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    The soul was very interested in the differences between the ''Humanoids'' and ''Monsters'' Status Screen. For the ''Humanoids'', the screen lacked nearly half of the stats given for monsters, and there was never an option to have it explained. Throughout their history, they had to get the answer through trial and error.


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    <tbody>


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    <td style="text-align: center">


    [Health Regeneration] is the rate where you will naturally regain [Health].


    [Mana Regeneration] is the rate where you will naturally regain [Mana].


    [Strength] is the amount of physical power one possesses. It affects physical abilities and their damage.


    [Vitality] is the amount of physical endurance one has. It affects both total [Health].


    [Agility] is the physical speed one possesses. It affects the speed and time one takes to do physical tasks.


    [Intellect] is the knowledge and Magic power one possesses. It affects the total Mana one has and the effectiveness of Magical abilities.


    [Wisdom] is the control and prowess of Magic and oneself. It affects the accuracy, control, and cast time with Magical Abilities.


    [Dexterity] is the physical finesse one has. It affects how fast you can respond to stimuli and how proficient you are at efficiently use your body.


    When you level up, you gain 3 attribute points that can be spent to upgrade the above.


    [Elemental Affinity] is the elements your [Race] is affiliated with.


    [Age] is the amount of time you have spent being alive.


    [Abilities] are skills that you gain. They can be passive or active, and they can be used for combat or for utilities.


    [Possible Evolution Routes] are the paths you potentially could take to evolve. They are usually gained by simply leveling up to a certain threshold, but they can also be gained from accomplishing unique tasks or actions.


    [Display Appearance] displays your current physical appearance.


    </td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    The soul murmured to himself as he looked through and memorized the descriptions. Most of these he had already had a basic idea of, but what truly peaked his interest was the [Possible Evolution Routes]. It meant that he had a completely natural way of modifying and improving his body without using complex [Alchemy] like he did ages ago. It meant an infinite amount of possibilities - and thinking this, his he felt himself grow estatic. What potential laid within this body! The anticipation of everything that he could do felt just as good as the moments before his failed experiment!


    But if it had failed, then what about the [Titles] he had?

 Day 1 - Knowledge (3)

    The Soul quickly asked the Blue Screen for information on the Titles he had.


    <table>


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="text-align: center">


    [Title] Breather of Life


    Description:


    Throughout the ages, many have tried to manipulate the world to their will. They have wrestled with nature and magic to fulfill their petty needs. Even so, many taboos still remain of fighting with the most ancient and sacred of them all. You, however, have challenged and succeeded in breaking the chains of creation. Life, the giver of all, bows to you.


    Requirements:


    - Have used only Magic and objects/items from the World [Alezerania].


    - Created/Obtained a non-living object (cannot have been previously alive).


    - The object must have been changed from a previously non-living state to living.


    - The body must contain a sensitive, sentient [Soul] after this change.


    Effects:


    +20 to [Wisdom] and [Intellect] stats (Scaling with +1 to both per [Level]).


    15% total bonus to [Wisdom] and [Intellect].


    You gain 50% more [Experience] from all sources


    Gain [Pure Life] Affinity.


    </td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    The soul stared in shock at the effects of the [Title]. It was an incredibly powerful boost to his stats currently, but it was more of a ''ramp up'' type of effect. As he leveled up more, the effects become more prevalent and they become more and more significant. Take, for example, the direct [Wisdom] and [Intellect] boost. It would initially be better than the +1 per level, but when his level was in the hundreds the per level boost would outstrip it to a ridiculous degree. But he was still very confused with many details of the Title. What was the [Pure Life] affinity? He knew what elemental affinity was obviously, and he knew what [Life] affinity was, but [Pure Life]? He had never heard of it!


    Then, there was the fact that he had never created life, so he should have never gotten this [Title]. The experiment was as much of a failure as possible, and he had been trapped in this body, so there could not have been a new so-If you encounter this tale on Amazon, note that it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.


    Something clicked inside the soul as everything was pieced together. He once again read through the requirements of the [Title], and he suddenly burst out into laughter.


    ''HA! So I didn''t need to create new life to get this [Title]! All I needed was the body to have become host to a soul after the change, and since the creator and the body are now the same things, I get the [Title]! Which fool made such a mess!?''


    The soul laughed hard for many long minutes until he could not laugh anymore and his abdomen hurt like something was smashed into it. Then, he proceeded with the final [Title], [Transmutant].


    <table>


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="text-align: center">


    [Title]: Transmutant


    Description:


    MISSINGFILE.txt is missing.


    Requirements:


    ERRORMESSAGE.exe executed


    A mistake has been found, please continue on.


    Effects:


    Retain 20% of previous [Intellect] and [Wisdom]


    </td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    This was... disturbing, to say the least for the soul. It gave insanely valuable information while at the same time giving nothing. The effects were pretty straightforward, giving him a nice headstart with magic related abilities and Mana pool, but nothing else too earth-shattering like the previous one. The other part of the text, however, was both intriguing and horrifying at the same time. The text used... words? Symbols? Whatever they were, it used them at the end for a totally unknown reason, but the content before basically told the whole story.


    MISSINGFILE.


    ERRORMESSAGE.


    The screen was flawed. The screen was not all-knowing. It was such a horrifying revelation because all existence in the world based their powers on the fact that the screen was essentially a god, and that it could never be wrong. And it had never been wrong. Until now he had realized. Even previously, when he still was not fully aware there was the ''%MISSINGFILE%'' that he had dismissed as something he didn''t care about, was now damning evidence.


    ''HOLY SHIT! Does this mean it can be circumvented? That we could cheat ourselves outside its influence? That we ca-''


    The soul stopped himself. There was no need to think so intensely about something he couldn''t even touch right now. It was nearly time to get out into the world. But first, one more question.


    ''What is [Pure Life] affinity?''


    <table>


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="text-align: center">


    ERROR:


    MISSINGFILE.txt is missing


    </td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    ''What? Even this? Why am I not that surprised anymore...''


    But if even the screen didn''t know, then why would he bother for now. The whole world awaited him, and he was ready for all the blood, glory, and excitement it offered.


    <table>


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="text-align: center">


    The tutorial is nearly over. Before you get into the world of [Alezerania], please decide upon a name to call yourself. Please note, this cannot be changed under normal circumstances.


    _________


    </td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    The soul pondered for the longest of time. What to do, what to do. He thought and thought, then a word echoed through his mind. He knew it was the one. It was everything he aspired to be, everything that would resound through history as his achievement.


    <table>


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="text-align: center">


    Your name has been changed from [NaN] to:


    Immorta


    </td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Immorta - The immortal one.


    <table>


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="text-align: center">


    Tutorial has finished.


    </td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>

 Day 2: Operation Escape (1)

    As soon as the blue screen abruptly closed, Immorta found everything to be dark. Darker than dark. Pitch black in fact. It was if a blanket of nothingness had pinned itself to the sky. He turned his head. Black. He turned his head the other way. Still black. Immorta tried to move, but he felt something of great weight pin him down from the chest.


    ''Gah! Where in the world am I? Shouldn''t I be in the god damn experiment room?''


    He tried to shuffle away from the great weight upon him, but it held relentlessly forcing him down. After a minute of trying to get away, Immorta quickly grew frustrated and tried to push the great weight away. His arms were brought to the base of the weight, and he tried to position his fingers to get a grip.


    Keyword tried.


    Instead, he felt nothing happen. Immorta nearly felt the phantom presence of his precious fingers, but it was like trying to move an amputated limb. You swear you could feel it alive and there, but it was far and away gone.


    ''Shit! Do I not have fucking fingers?!''


    Then, he paused to remember what he had designed the golem to be like. Grimlore had little to none experience with stonemasonry and carving, so he had used random stones and boulders fashioned into a grotesque amalgamation with just the bare humanoid figure. It didn''t have fingers, and it certainly didn''t have toes. No hands, nor feet existed, but he had spent a lot of time carving out two holes for eyes. Thankfully, it did have arms and legs.


    ''What the hell? This is ridiculous! How am I supposed to get out of this situation? And I spent a lot of time making this shitty body anyways...''


    Now with very little choices left, he did what seemed to be the stupidest and worst option. Immorta started to smack at the weight against him, hitting it as hard as he could.


    Smack.


    <table>


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="text-align: center">


    Ability: [Bash] learned


    Type: [Physical]


    Does medium [Physical] damage to a close opponent. Critical Hits have a 100% chance to stun for 2 seconds.


    Current damage: 10 - 16


    </td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    <table>


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="text-align: center">[Boulder] took 13 damage!</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Oh. It seemed that he had already learned his first ability. To a fucking boulder.


    Immorta kept smacking the boulder again and again with both of his arms. It was one of the most embarrassing things he had ever done. He was made essentially useless by a single god damn rock! And he had to do such ridiculous things like flailing his arms around to have even the most basic idea of getting out. Magic had come to mind to do such things, but it would be exceptionally dangerous to try out magic in such an environment. One mistake, and he''d be dead.


    Smack.


    <table>


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="text-align: center">[Boulder] took 14 damage!</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Enjoying the story? Show your support by reading it on the official site.


    Smack.


    <table>


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="text-align: center">[Boulder] took 11 damage!</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Smack.


    <table>


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="text-align: center">[Boulder] took 16 damage!</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    ...


    The smacking was brutally torturing. His golem body did not register pain like a human did (thank the heavens for that!) but the repetitiveness of the task was mind-numbing to the extreme. And the boulder never seemed to have any signs of breaking.


    Smack.


    <table>


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="text-align: center">[Boulder] took 15 damage!</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Ding!


    <table>


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="text-align: center">


    Ability: [Bash] has leveled up to level 2


    New effects:


    Damage: 14 - 20


    </td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    ''Oh. At least I''ll break this stupid piece of garbage faster.''


    And so began the horrendous day that he would never wish upon even the worst of his enemies.


    ...


    Smack.


    <table>


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="text-align: center">[Boulder] took 20 damage!</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Ding!


    <table>


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td>


    Ability: [Bash] has leveled up to level 3


    New effects:


    Damage: 18 - 24


    </td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    ...


    Smack.


    <table>


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="text-align: center">[Boulder] took 34 damage!</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Ding!


    <table>


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td>


    Ability: [Bash] has leveled up to level 5


    New effects:


    Damage: 30 - 36


    </td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    ...


    Smack.


    <table>


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="text-align: center">[Boulder] took 50 damage!</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Ding!


    <table>


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td>


    Ability: [Bash] has leveled up to level 8


    New effects:


    Damage: 48 - 54


    </td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Smack.


    <table>


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="text-align: center">[Boulder] took 48 damage!</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    CRACK!


    As soon as the hit landed, a massive boom resounded through the area. A massive sense of euphoria rushed through Immorta, and he continued to hit the now cracked boulder.


    Smack!


    <table>


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="text-align: center">[Boulder] took 54 damage!</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Smack!


    <table>


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="text-align: center">[Boulder] took 51 damage!</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Smack!


    <table>


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="text-align: center">[Boulder] took 49 damage!</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    The cracks and booms now resounded with every single hit, and he felt the boulder now shake on top of him as he smashed it. Immorta felt the rush of power pump through him, and he slammed the rock like a madman.


    Smack!


    <table>


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="text-align: center">


    [Boulder] took 52 damage!


    [Boulder] has been destroyed!


    </td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    The rubble of the boulder tumbled around him. Immorta fumbled up (nearly falling down in his haste) and managed to fully stand up in the room.


    ''Take that bitch!''


    He looked around and saw the light that had been previously covered by the boulder shine in through a crack. The experiment room was in complete ruin, and the roof had finally given way to the earth above to collapse into the room.


    ''Guess that time does wear down everything, eh? And it seems that the roof collapsed, so that''s why there was a boulder crushing me.''


    Immorta glanced around again.


    ''Did I just spend my glorious entrance back into the world smacking a fucking rock?''

 Day 2: Operation Escape (2)

    Immorta, now finally free of the damned boulder that held him down for so long, now had a chance to have a full grasp on his surroundings. The experiment room was in complete tatters, with more rocks and earth having destroyed the other parts of it. The door too was blocked by boulders, but unlike the one he had destroyed, it was far worse.


    There were literally tons of boulders stacked there, in all their earthy terror. And they were huge, some nearly twice his height! Earth and mud were mixed between them, and they had fused the boulders with themselves to create a massive wall covering the door, which was unfortunately designed to be the only way out.


    He wasn''t going to smack his way out again, because not only would that send him to insanity, it would probably take him years of hitting to even break a single one of those gigantic rocks. And they were fused together, making them even stronger as all the force would be spread out against his smacks.


    So long story short, there''s no way for Immorta to physically destroy those boulders. He looked around again, trying to see any point where he could escape the room, but he knew there was little hope. The experiment room was buried deep underground, where it was the last chamber in a huge complex he had made after decades of work.


    Ding!


    <table>


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="text-align: center">


    Quest obtained: [Get Out]


    Requirements:


    Get out of the [???]


    Rewards:


    ???


    </td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    ''Oh great. More unhelpful blue screens. At least it aligns with my damned goals...''


    Immorta sat down, and thought for a long while about this very task, before realizing that he had something else he could use.


    ''Wait, don''t I have...''


    He stood up with haste.


    ''Show current status screen:''


    <table>


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="text-align: center">Name: [Immorta]</td>


    <td style="text-align: center">


    Level: [1]


    Experience: 0/10


    </td>


    <td style="text-align: center">


    Race: [Rock Golem]


    </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="text-align: center">Status Effects: [None]</td>


    <td style="text-align: center">Titles: [Breather of Life], [Transmutant]</td>


    <td style="text-align: center">Ranking: [E]</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="text-align: center">Health: [30/30]</td>


    <td style="text-align: center">Mana: [785/785]</td>


    <td style="text-align: center">Health Regeneration: [1 per minute]</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="text-align: center">Mana Regeneration: [26 per minute]</td>


    <td style="text-align: center">Strength: [8]</td>


    <td style="text-align: center">Vitality: [15]</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="text-align: center">Agility: [2]</td>


    <td style="text-align: center">Intellect: [133]</td>


    <td style="text-align: center">Wisdom: [109]</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="text-align: center">Dexterity: [2]</td>


    <td style="text-align: center">Elemental Affinity: [Pure Life]</td>


    <td style="text-align: center">Age: [2 Days]</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="text-align: center">Abilities: [Bash]</td>


    <td style="text-align: center">Possible Evolution Routes: [None]</td>


    <td style="text-align: center">[Display Appearance]</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.


    ''Aha, Magic! That''s it! I have so much mana because of my ridiculous [Intellect]! I should be able to destroy those rocks with a good ol'' long-range spell. My [Wisdom] stat should easily be able to control such an attack too.''


    Immorta started to walk towards the back of the room like a typical human would, but he found himself instead trodding there so slowly that it took nearly eight times of what it would have taken a normal person to get there. It took one second to lift his leg up and down, and every time it landed there was a ridiculous bang that ringed out throughout the room. The shock of his weight needed even more time to disperse, which altogether created a stupidly slow speed that he nearly despised as much as the horrid ''Rock smacking''. It made perfectly good sense, however, as his [Agility] stat was a mere 2, which was so low that a rock was probably the closest thing to his speed.


    When he finally got to the back of the room, Immorta pressed his back firmly against the boulder sitting there, so that any recoil would be taken by it.


    The spells in [Alezerania] were divided into groups from [F] to [SSS] classes, similar to someones [Ranking], and as the classes got higher the spells got higher in Mana cost and power. An [E] Ranking magician would need to be able to cast 2 [E] Spells, while a [D] Ranking magician would need to be able to cast 2 [D] Spells and so on and so forth.


    The spell Immorta was going to cast was a [D] Class one, which was the minimum for an offensive spell. It was certainly a beginners spell, with its low damage and power in comparison to the others, but it was cheap in Mana cost and so he could use it many times over to blast away at the boulders. Immorta didn''t dare to use a spell of a higher class, not because he lacked the Mana for it (if there was one thing that was going for him, it was that he had tanks of Mana) but because the body he currently had was too unfamiliar to him. It was a hunk of rock too heavy and clumsy for his liking, and his mind still had not gotten used to being so large and cumbersome. If there was going to be an accident with anything, it would be now, and so that must be prevented at all costs.


    He lifted up his arms, with space in between them being purposely extended so that there was around ~1 meter of distance between them (this rock body, after all, was huge). Since he had no hands or fingers, he would have to improvise a focus point for the magic to take place, and so the area between his arms would have to do.


    Immorta let the Mana in him flow through his arms, and materialised it into a large ball, around 10 centimeters in diameter. It glowed with a brilliant blue, and wisps of white Mana came fluttering out of his arms and into the spell. As it absorbed the Mana, it grew bigger and bigger until it broke 30 centimeters, then Immorta started to ''drag'' the ball back with Mana. It got closer and closer to his chest until it nearly touched him. Then, he let go.


    BANG!


    <table>


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="text-align: center">


    Ability: [Mana Bolt] learned.


    Type: Magical


    Affinity: [None]


    Unleashes a small ball of Mana onto an opponent, dealing [Magical] damage based on length of charge.


    Current damage: 10 - 68


    Mana cost: 7 - 58


    </td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    <table>


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="text-align: center">[Boulder Wall] took 66 damage!</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    The magical ball had shot itself straight into the wall, landing with such force that a large hole could be seen on the side. There were black burn marks all over the area, where the Mana had scorched in the sudden explosion.


    ''There we go! That''s much more fun then smacking it!''

 Day 2: Operation Escape (3)

    As Immorta constantly battered the boulder wall, he found the [Mana Bolts] getting stronger and stronger as it leveled up. It was so much more efficient to use magic that he nearly cried everytime he was reminded of the ''Boulder smacking''. As the boulder wall kept getting blasted and more and more worn, the entire thing was getting covered in ash from the intense heat of the bolts.


    Bang!


    <table>


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="text-align: center">[Boulder Wall] took 170 damage!</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Ding!


    <table>


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="text-align: center">


    Ability: [Mana Bolt] has leveled up to level 7


    New effects:


    Damage: 50 - 198


    Mana Cost: 38 - 176


    </td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Of course, the damage he was doing was actually ridiculous considering the spell was the most basic, weak, and useless of all offensive spells. Immorta''s offensive abilities outstripped his defense by so much that a single, uncharged [Mana Bolt] dealing minimum damage would destroy him. He was a glass cannon, dishing out boat-loads of firepower but so fragile that a single scratch could bring the whole thing down. And all this damage at level 1! He was unbelievably unbalanced, and Immorta basically will never need to spend any attribute points on increasing his magical abilities because of the insane start and [Title] gain. His body, on the other hand, was pitiful to the point where only the most meager of creatures like goblins could be worse.


    The rock body was slower than a snail, possessed no hands or feet, and could barely walk without tumbling. Perhaps the only things good about this body is that it had high health for a level 1 monster and that it functions. That''s about it.


    ''What a stunning resume, eh?''


    All this time blasting gave Immorta plenty of time to think because he had gotten proficient at the [Mana Bolts] so fast that now he didn''t need to devote much attention to charging and unleashing it. He needed to plan out what to do after he got out of here, but he simply had no idea as after countless ages Immorta had no idea what was the state of the complex. All he could do really was to figure out what to do when he leveled up (and he had no idea when that was going to happen either).


    Bang!


    <table>


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="text-align: center">[Boulder Wall] took 180 damage!</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Ding!


    <table>


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="text-align: center">[Boulder Wall has been destroyed!</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Boom! Boom!


    The final [Mana Bolt] had struck a critical position in the wall, and the great blast had caused a great chain reaction for all the boulders to come tumbling down. Ash and debris were thrown everywhere, but Immorta was standing too far away for it to reach him. It took a few seconds for the dust to settle, but when it did he smiled with great delight.


    The path was open.


    ''Now that was satisfying! That was much better!''


    Immorta lumbered forward, using again that ridiculous snail''s pace to get across the room (it was certainly less satisfying than blasting the rocks). The exit was the remanents of some destroyed door, where splinters of the wooden door crushed by boulders remained scattered amongst the new rubble. There was no light shining through the tunnel, and only an eternal darkness could be seen, endlessly digging into the void.Unauthorized usage: this narrative is on Amazon without the author''s consent. Report any sightings.


    He stumbled out without much thought into the beyond.


    <table>


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="text-align: center">


    Quest: [Get Out] complete!


    You receive:


    500 Experience


    Bonus:


    As a result of your successful escape and previous knowledge, the current state of the [???] is now known to you.


    </td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    ...


    Level up!


    Level up!


    Level up!


    Level up!


    Level up!


    Level up!


    Level up!


    Level up!


    <table>


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="text-align: center">


    You have leveled up to level 8!


    You now have 24 Attribute points to spend on your stats.


    You have gained +8 to [Intellect] and [Wisdom] as a result of [Breather of Life]


    </td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    ''Oh. Damn, that''s a lot of points. 50% more experience is certainly... very powerful to say the least.''


    A wave of information also hits Immorta. The entire complex is suddenly known to him, where every change and state is within his mind. He decides to deal with that later and to right now assign his points. His physical state was currently the most lacking, and so Immorta desperately needs to fix it.


    Immorta, looking over his stats again, decides to invest 13 points into [Agility] to move faster than a snail, 6 points into [Strength] to be physically stronger, and the remaining 5 into Vitality so he would die slightly slower.


    <table>


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="text-align: center">Name: [Immorta]</td>


    <td style="text-align: center">


    Level: [9]


    Experience: 10/100


    </td>


    <td style="text-align: center">


    Race: [Rock Golem]


    </td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="text-align: center">Status Effects: [None]</td>


    <td style="text-align: center">Titles: [Breather of Life], [Transmutant]</td>


    <td style="text-align: center">Ranking: [E]</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="text-align: center">Health: [40/40]</td>


    <td style="text-align: center">Mana: [812/812]</td>


    <td style="text-align: center">Health Regeneration: [1 per minute]</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="text-align: center">Mana Regeneration: [26 per minute]</td>


    <td style="text-align: center">Strength: [14]</td>


    <td style="text-align: center">Vitality: [20]</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="text-align: center">Agility: [15]</td>


    <td style="text-align: center">Intellect: [142]</td>


    <td style="text-align: center">Wisdom: [118]</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="text-align: center">Dexterity: [2]</td>


    <td style="text-align: center">Elemental Affinity: [Pure Life]</td>


    <td style="text-align: center">Age: [2 Days]</td>


    </tr>


    <tr>


    <td style="text-align: center">Abilities: [Bash], [Mana Bolt]</td>


    <td style="text-align: center">Possible Evolution Routes: [None]</td>


    <td style="text-align: center">[Display Appearance]</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Even with the very nice boost to stats, he was still very troubled with his now slightly higher [Health]. A sneak attack against him would almost certainly instantly kill him, or even some lucky strike from a pitiful goblin would leave him hanging. But even so, he couldn''t do anything right now but be careful about his surroundings.


    Immorta continued down the dark corridor and contemplated the complex. He built it with 5 levels, but the first one had now completely collapsed under the erosion of time, while the second was crushed by the rubble of the first. Already, Immorta felt a wave of frustration come upon him as he thought how he would remove it without it further collapsing downwards. He read the information further and saw the third was slightly damaged, but still in decent shape and the fourth was preserved almost perfectly.


    Immorta was nearly out of the corridor now, and now about to exit into the proper fifth floor as the experiment room had been an offshoot of it. He continued to read, and as he stepped into the proper fifth floor, Immorta froze with a sudden shock and terror.


    <table>


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="text-align: center">


    Entering [SSS] Ranked Dungeon:


    GRIMLORE''S NECROPOLIS


    The ancient alchemist Grimlore was killed in the most devastating experiment in [Alezerania]''s history. Here, he was buried with the treasures and power that gods would envy. However, the sheer magical power contained would serve catalyst to another, darker cause...


    [WARNING]


    THIS IS AN AREA OF EXTREME DANGER. YOU HAVE CURRENTLY [NaN] PERCENT CHANCE TO SURVIVE.


    LEAVE IMMEDIATELY


    </td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    The fifth floor was a single gigantic cave, where contained in its rock walls were the treasures he had taken with him his entire life, but the sprawling gold and Mana crystals were gone. Instead, a pulsating mass of chaotic energy suffocated the room, and beings of disfigured mass whispered unintelligible words into the darkness. Suddenly, as Immorta stepped out, they snapped their necks towards him, eyes staring hauntingly without blinking.


    <table>


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="text-align: center">


    [Void Abyssal] Level 875


    [Void Abyssal] Level 987


    [Void Abyssal] Level 567


    [Void Abyssal] Level 878


    [Void Abyssal] Level 824


    [Void Abyssal] Level 678


    [Void Abyssal] Level 683


    </td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    ''What the utter fuck?''

 Day 2: Operation Escape (4)

    The [Void Abyssal]''s stopped their mysterious whisperings as soon as Immorta appeared. Instead, an eerie silence replaced it, and their soul-less eyes drilled deep into him. Their disfigured bodies, made entirely out of the same chaotic energy he sensed in the air, twisted out and swished together in some horrific act of transformation. Did he also mention they were 700 levels stronger than him?


    Two words repeated through Immorta''s mind:


    "I''m fucked I''m fucked I''m fucked I''m fucked I''m fucked..."


    He was so terrified of these [Void Abyssal]''s that he literally could not bring his body to move in any way. Immorta stood so straight and still that a passerby could mistake him for a pile of rocks. The [Void Abyssal]''s watched him like prey, their gazes shocking and paralyzing and he continued to stand just as still. Then, to his massive relief, one of them turned away, now losing interest in whatever ''that'' was, and a chain reaction ensued. A second one left, then a third, then a fourth, until one by one they all were back to their whispering and as if nothing had ever changed.


    Now seeing that they lost interest in him, Immorta knew that there could only be one way to go - forward. Going back to the experimental chamber would gain him nothing, as he would have to again go through these terrifying creatures. Slowly, he inched forwards, going around the inner circumference of the cave, hugging the wall to be as far away as possible from the [Void Abyssal]''s sight.


    A few minutes passed, and Immorta still had barely moved from his original entrance corridor. But progress was still progress, even though it may take an entire day to get halfway across.


    Now, at this moment, came one of the many great coincidences of the world. Such a moment happened only once in a lifetime for a normal person, or never at all in most. Whether it was good or bad, you couldn''t tell, but Immorta - for a very long time indeed - would say that this was the greatest odds he succeeded in.


    A dent in the floor, and a bad [Dexterity] stat was all that he needs for a scrape with death again. Immorta''s leg, slowly sliding across the ground, was not expecting such a steep drop, small as it may be. And the weight he had on it, now suddenly dropping into the dent, created such a noise that caught the attention of the [Void Abyssal]s. If that wasn''t bad enough, Immorta also slipped, and at this point, he could have flopped forwards or backward. But here lay the pure chance that saved him - he slipped backward.


    As one of the [Void Abyssal] lept towards Immorta, it twisted its arm into a horrifying claw that shot like a bullet towards where he had just slipped.


    <table>


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="text-align: center">[Void Twister] Missed!</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    The thundering blast was so close to hitting him that there was only about a centimeter of distance between the impact and his body. Immorta managed to use one of his arms to stop himself from smashing into the ground, but his troubles were far from over. The [Void Abyssal] that had tried to strike him dashed over, bearing fiercely over him. It''s head twisted and mashed together into something resembling a shark''s jaw. Its head was close enough to Immorta that he could hear an erratic gushing sound inside the [Void Abyssal]. It was if their body was mutated solely out of this black, void-like matter.Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on Royal Road.


    Immorta had basically accepted his death from the [Void Abyssal] already - the difference in power was too great to even compare! He waited for the final crushing bite that would end him, but it never came. The [Void Abyssal]''s murderous eyes darted to and fro, looking around the general area of his body, yet it never focused. Immorta was still being extremely still at this point (you would be too if a terrifying otherworldy beast intended to kill you) and had not moved since he saved himself from falling.


    "Ha... ha..."


    The [Void Abyssal] let out a panting noise, and then its jaw imploded back into its head. It was still looking in the same direction as it backed off, but it had discovered nothing.


    ''What!? How the fuck did I get out of this one!?''


    As the particular [Void Abyssal] turned its back and started to whisper, Immorta slowly brought his arm back up and into a standing position. As he looked at his arm against the wall, however, he realized what had saved him.


    Ding!


    <table>


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="text-align: center">


    Ability: [Camouflage] learnt


    Type: [Physical]


    Affinity: [None]


    Effects: You are hard to see against a particular background.


    Current Effects: +7% chance to be unseen when hiding or still


    </td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Immorta''s body was a hunk of rock, and against a wall of rocks, it was hard to tell them apart. Of course, anything smarter than a goblin could tell that a random protrusion of rocks was abnormal, but he had also realized these [Void Abyssal] did not possess any high-level thinking judging from their behaviors. It clearly appeared that these things could only really fight, and when he accidentally ''hid'' from them they became completely oblivious to his existence.


    Inside, he still was trembling from the fear of the sheer power of these beasts, but it also gave him a new resolve to become strong. Immorta found himself determined to gain so much power that he could crush these creatures him a single blow. However, he still had the ''minor'' problem of getting out of this horrific deathtrap.


    Again with his completely stupid strategy, Immorta slid on against the wall, closer and closer to the next corridor leading upwards into the fourth floor. With his new [Camoflage] ability this became quite a lot easier, but he still was on high alert from his previous slip up.


    <table>


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="text-align: center">Ability: [Camouflage] gained 7 experience!</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    ''Oh? So hiding from enemies gain you experience? That''s very nice.''


    <table>


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="text-align: center">Ability: [Camouflage] gained 7 experience!</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    <table>


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="text-align: center">Ability: [Camouflage] gained 7 experience!</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    <table>


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="text-align: center">Ability: [Camouflage] gained 7 experience!</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    <table>


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="text-align: center">Ability: [Camouflage] gained 7 experience!</td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    ...


    <table>


    <tbody>


    <tr>


    <td style="text-align: center">


    Ability: [Camouflage] leveled up to level 2


    New effects:


    +14% chance to be unseen when hiding or still


    </td>


    </tr>


    </tbody>


    </table>


    Immorta slowly slid around the corner of the wall. He had done it - he was out of this hellhole! In the dark corridor, there was no way that the foul creatures could sense him anymore, as they didn''t respond to him when he arrived through the other one. He was now no longer in the cave, but he still had to be very cautious as to not make any noise.


    ''Thank the heavens I raised my [Agility] so much. If I made a thud for every single movement, then I would have been dead hundreds of times over by now!''


    Unknowingly as he trekked on through the corridor, another day had passed.