《Skeleton Path - Progression Fantasy》 Chapter 1: A New Chance in Death
David was sitting in a corner, savoring his coffee, when the sound of tires screeching filled the air. Before he could react, a deafening crash and a wave of impact threw him to the ground. Everything went dark in an instant. When he opened his eyes, David noticed something strange: he didn¡¯t feel pain, but he also didn¡¯t feel anything familiar. He was in a completely white place, an endless void that seemed to have no end. ¡ª Welcome, David. The voice came out of nowhere, deep and filled with an unsettling calmness. He turned and saw a man who seemed to have stepped out of a Renaissance painting: dark tied-back hair, with a serene smile. ¡ª Who are you? Where am I? ¡ª My name is Donatello ¡ª the man answered, tilting his head slightly. ¡ª I am one of the supervisors of the system, specifically in the part that prepares souls for reincarnation. ¡ª System? Reincarnation? Donatello raised his hand, as if to present an invisible slide show. ¡ª When you died, your soul was supposed to be directed into the reincarnation cycle. However, there was... a small problem. I blinked, stunned. ¡ª Problem? ¡ª Your soul was mistakenly caught in a divine summoning process. A collection of disembodied souls to become heroes in a world that needs help against the Demon Lord. The issue is that you were not one of those souls meant for this. This caused... a bug in the system. This book is hosted on another platform. Read the official version and support the author''s work. The IT technician inside me immediately reacted. ¡ª A bug in the system? Are you saying errors can happen in this process? Donatello chuckled. ¡ª In a way. But that doesn''t matter. What matters is that we''re here to fix the situation. I was dazed, still trying to process everything. ¡ª And how exactly do you plan to fix this? The man gestured, and two options appeared in the air, glowing like holograms: Reincarnate with your memories erased in a random world. Reincarnate with your memories intact in the same world where the heroes were sent. ¡ª Before you choose, I must make an observation. Your past life was not... particularly memorable. No heroic deeds or grand achievements, so your reincarnation options will be random. David stayed silent, unsure of what to say about this whole situation, but in the end, he managed to focus enough to ask. ¡ª So, if I choose the second option, could I end up as anything? ¡ª Exactly ¡ª Donatello confirmed. ¡ª But you¡¯ll have your memories, which is a considerable advantage. I looked at the options floating in front of him. The first seemed safe, but it would erase everything he was. The second... well, it was risky, but there was something tempting about starting over with the consciousness of who he was. ¡ª I¡¯ll choose the second one. Donatello smiled, as if he had already expected the answer. ¡ª Very well. Now, pick a card. Thousands of cards appeared from nowhere, floating around Me like leaves in the wind. Each one had a different glow, pulsing with energy. I extended my hand and picked one randomly. As soon as he touched it, the card spun in the air, revealing its face: Undead - Skeleton. ¡ª Seriously? ¡ª That was your choice, and it cannot be changed ¡ª Donatello said, with a voice so gentle it was almost irritating. ¡ª Welcome to your new life, David. May you find... peace. Before he could protest, the white world around him began to crumble. His vision blurred, and he felt as if he were being pulled by a whirlpool.
Chapter 2: First Steps The sensation was like being dragged through an endless whirlpool. I tried to scream, but discovered that my new body had no voice. I fell ¡ª or at least felt like he was falling ¡ª for what seemed like an eternity. Finally, the fall ended, and woke up with an uncomfortable weight surrounding me. Trying to move, realized I was buried. In a shallow grave, judging by the smell of damp earth and the thin roots that touched his bones. After a clumsy effort, managed to emerge, standing up in what seemed like an ancient battlefield. The place was vast, a desolate prairie marked with rusted weapons, broken armor pieces, and what remained of human and non-human bodies. The clothes I was wearing were simple and made of leather, somewhat torn and stiffened by time and the elements. As I removed one of the leather gloves, I looked at my hand and saw the clean, white bones that made it up. ¡ª So... it was all real. My voice echoed across the prairie, hoarse and cold, as if rising from the depths of an empty well. I raised a hand to my face, and upon touching it, I realized there was no flesh¡ªonly the rigid contours of a skull. Something about my senses felt off. Though I could faintly perceive the touch, everything was numb, distant. For several minutes, I explored my new body, cautiously moving my hand, adjusting to the eerie reality of being a walking skeleton. There were no muscles to contract, no pain to feel¡ªjust joints that moved with surprising fluidity. With no clear direction, I began walking across the prairie. Each step sent the crunch of broken bones and the scrape of metal beneath my feet. I knew staying out in the open wasn¡¯t a good idea, especially now that the sun was setting. The orange twilight cast long, unsettling shadows over the desolate landscape. After some time wandering, I came across what seemed to be a small cave. Cautiously, I checked inside before stepping in. Nothing but rocks. Relieved, I sat against the wall, finally able to collect myself. Beside me, a pool of clear water reflected the faint light from outside. Curious, I leaned in, gazing at my reflection for the first time. A hollow skull stared back at me, small orbs of bluish light flickering in its eye sockets. This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere. ¡°¡­It¡¯s going to take some time to get used to this.¡± And yet, something within me accepted the situation far more quickly than I expected. I felt nervous, worried, yes¡ªbut not panicked. My mind felt... clearer, less burdened by human emotions and anxieties. I wondered if this was an effect of being undead. In many games and stories I knew, undead creatures were resistant to mental attacks and didn¡¯t experience emotions the same way humans did. ¡ª That would make sense... I¡¯m accepting all of this way too easily for it to be normal. To test the "system" Donatello had mentioned, I spoke aloud: ¡ª Status. A translucent panel appeared before me, filled with glowing blue text: Status Race: Skeleton (Undead) Level: 1 HP: 100/100 Mana: 100/100 Stamina: Infinite Immunities: Poison, Fatigue Resistances: Mental Attacks Abilities: Night Vision I examined the information with curiosity. Infinite stamina was a welcome surprise¡ªI remembered that in many games, undead creatures didn¡¯t need to rest or sleep. The immunities were useful, but what truly caught my attention was the Mana stat. ¡ª If I have mana... does that mean I can use magic? Excited to test it, I began chanting words I recalled from my favorite games and books, making dramatic gestures. Nothing happened. After several failed attempts, I sighed. ¡ª Of course, it wouldn¡¯t be that easy. I decided to try a different approach. Sitting in a comfortable position, I crossed my legs and closed my eyes, as if meditating. I must have spent hours like that, focusing on what I believed to be my inner energy. At first, I felt nothing¡ªjust emptiness. But over time, something changed. A faint sensation began to stir, like a distant warmth within me. With effort, I concentrated on that warmth, realizing I could control it. It was like an invisible river flowing through my bones. When I finally opened my "eyes," a system notification appeared before me: New Skill Acquired: Meditation. Description: The skill [Meditation] allows the user to access higher states of consciousness and connect with their inner energy. I smiled, satisfied with my progress. ¡ª This is a good start. Looking out through the cave entrance, I watched the silver moonlight illuminate the desolate prairie. ¡ª This new life in this new world... might be better than I thought. Chapter 3: The First Battle The sun finally rose, painting the horizon with a soft golden hue. I stepped out of the cave, ready to start a new day. It was strange not to feel tired or sleepy after staying up all night. My body didn¡¯t need rest, but my mind? Well, it still seemed to function somewhat like before. Maybe that¡¯s why I felt something akin to boredom. Meditating and trying to conjure magic for hours had been frustrating I needed to do something different. "Alright, time to do something new before you go insane." As soon as I left the cave, I realized something obvious that I should have thought of earlier I had nothing to defend myself with, no weapon at all. Mentally slapping myself, I glanced around. Finding something useful in the battlefield ruins shouldn¡¯t be too difficult, right? I spent some time rummaging through the wreckage. It looked like a war had taken place here long ago remnants of armor, broken swords, rusted spears, and scattered bones everywhere. Most of the weapons were ruined, but with enough time and patience, I managed to gather a few things that still seemed functional. I equipped myself with a boiled leather armor, two daggers strapped to my belt, a small sword in a makeshift sheath, and a spear as my primary weapon. I also found a simple backpack, throwing everything that could be useful inside. I even tried to see if I had the famous inventory system from games, but of course, nothing happened. Maybe it was something I needed to unlock later, like a spell or a special item. As I explored, I marked parts of the terrain to remember my way back to the cave. That¡¯s when I realized just how vast this battlefield was. Compared to my memories of Earth, it was immense almost absurd. Of course, this was a fantasy world, but it still caught me off guard. "I really hope undead aren¡¯t treated as monsters here. If they are, my life well, my existence is about to get much harder." My train of thought was interrupted by a strange noise. Something was moving near a pile of corpses. Instantly alert, I tightened my grip on the spear. Peering from a distance, I saw what looked like a rat a massive rat, about the size of a dog. Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings. "Way too big to be normal¡­ disgusting." The creature seemed to be sniffing around, possibly searching for food among the bodies. But when it turned towards me, I realized how wrong I had been. Parts of its body were missing rotting flesh exposed its bones and muscles beneath. "Great. A zombie rat. Just what I needed to start my day." Before I could react, it saw me and charged without hesitation. I held my spear with both hands, positioning it the way I had seen in games and movies back on Earth. When the rat lunged at me, I instinctively thrust the spear forward. The tip grazed its side, tearing off a chunk of rotten flesh, but it wasn¡¯t enough to stop it. The rat turned quickly and lunged again. I tried to dodge, but it was faster than I expected. Its sharp claws raked across my left side, ripping through the leather armor and striking my ribs. The impact sent me tumbling to the ground, and a loud creaking noise echoed through my bones. "Argh, damn it! That hurts¡­ wait, I can still feel pain?" I clumsily got back on my feet, gripping my spear tightly. The pain was strange not like when I was human. It was more of a sharp discomfort than something truly crippling. The rat wasted no time and charged again. This time, I waited until the last moment before dodging and swung the spear in a wide arc. The strike landed squarely on the rat¡¯s side, making it stumble. Seizing the opening, I lunged forward, driving the spear deep into its body. The rat thrashed, trying to break free, but I pushed the spear in even further, using my full weight to pin it down. When it collapsed, I twisted the weapon hard, tearing through its insides. After a few spasms, the creature finally stopped moving. I panted or at least I thought I did. I kept forgetting I didn¡¯t breathe anymore. Looking at the dead rat, I felt a mix of disgust and relief. "Well, congratulations, David. Your first battle¡­ and you almost lost to an undead rat." I glanced at my side where it had hit me. A visible crack ran along one of my ribs. No blood, of course, but the pain was still real. I needed to remember that even as a skeleton, I wasn¡¯t invincible. That¡¯s when a notification appeared before me: [New Skill Acquired: Basic Spear Combat] I stared at the message for a few seconds, feeling genuinely happy about it. "Okay, almost dying to a rat was nearly worth it for this reward." After retrieving my spear and adjusting my gear, I focused on my surroundings again. Now, more than ever, it was clear that I needed to learn more about this world. After all, if a zombie rat almost took me out, what else could be lurking out there? Gripping my spear tighter, I resolved to prepare myself better for what lay ahead. This new life wouldn¡¯t be easy, but maybe¡­ just maybe, it was exactly what I needed. Chapter 4: Strategy and Training After recovering from the shock of my first battle, I continued checking the notifications. [You have defeated: Putrid Rat] [Experience gained] I stared at the messages for a moment. Experience. So, it really is like a video game. This made me think about my future¡ªhow much I could grow and become stronger. When I turned to look at the rat''s body again, I noticed it was decaying far too quickly to be normal, as if something were corroding the rotten flesh. In the spot where it had fallen, a small stone appeared, resembling a raw crystal. "Is this... loot?" I picked up the stone and examined it closely. It was irregular, glowing with a faint green light. I had no idea how to use it, but I decided to store it in my backpack. "I need to be smarter and plan my next steps. That battle caught me completely off guard." I sheathed my spear and started heading back to the cave. The way back was uneventful, with no more unpleasant encounters. I noticed something interesting¡ªthe cracks in my ribs, caused by the rat''s attack, were slowly disappearing. My HP seemed to be regenerating on its own. Maybe that was another advantage of being an Undead. When I arrived at the cave, I felt safer. Apparently, no monster had yet claimed this place as its territory, so for now, it was peaceful. I sat near the entrance, using the time to reflect on everything that had happened. "Okay, let¡¯s organize this:
  • I can gain experience by defeating opponents, which helps me level up and grow stronger.
  • The system seems to reward me for repeating actions or accomplishing important things, like gaining skills by fighting or meditating.
  • If I really want to become strong, I need to focus on training and increasing my options. Especially magic. Being able to use magic would be a game-changer."
I decided that I had experienced enough adventure for today. The rest of the day would be dedicated to training. My goal was clear: unlock a mana manipulation skill that I could use without having to meditate constantly. I sat in a comfortable position on the cave floor, leaning my back against the wall. I closed my eyes¡­ or at least imagined that I did, since my empty eye sockets had no eyelids. I started breathing slowly¡ªor rather, mimicking the sensation of breathing¡ªto focus. First, I entered a meditative state. The familiar feeling of calm enveloped my body, and I began to sense the mana flowing within me. It was like a silent river, winding through my bones. "Okay, I can already feel it. Now, how do I control it?" I imagined the mana as a glowing liquid, spread throughout every part of my body. My goal was simple: move it. I concentrated on pushing the energy toward a single point, like my hand. At first, it was frustrating. The mana seemed to resist, like water trying to escape through cracks. After several attempts, I managed to move a little to my right hand. It was a warm sensation, almost comforting, though dulled by my lack of real sensitivity. I opened my hand and tried to release the energy, but nothing happened. I realized I needed to be more creative. Simply pushing the mana wasn¡¯t enough¡ªI had to guide it with intent. This time, I visualized a sphere of light forming in my hand. It was a visualization exercise I remembered from RPG books I used to read on Earth. The narrative has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the infringement. Focusing intensely, I began to feel the mana react. It was weak, almost imperceptible, but I knew it was working. I maintained my concentration for several minutes until, finally, I felt warmth emerging in the palm of my hand. I opened my eyes and saw a faint bluish glow flickering there. "Did... did I do it?" The glow quickly faded, but it was enough to excite me. This proved that I could shape mana in some way, even without meditation. Determined, I kept practicing. I repeated the process several times, trying to form the sphere of light. Sometimes, the mana slipped out of my control and dispersed; other times, I could barely move it. But each attempt seemed to slightly improve my precision. After hours of practice, a new notification appeared: [New skill unlocked: Mana Manipulation.] I let out a relieved sigh. This new skill meant that I no longer had to rely solely on meditation to access my mana. I could use it actively and, over time, create spells. "Okay, David. You have a lot to learn, but it looks like you''re on the right path. Let¡¯s see what else this world has to offer." I decided I needed something more concrete than just manipulating mana¡ªsomething that would truly give me a chance to fight or defend myself if another "Putrid Rat" or something worse crossed my path. My first idea was to project mana outward. I focused on the energy in my hands, trying to push it out like a wave. At first, it seemed to work, but controlling the shape and direction was impossible. Every time the energy left my hands, it dispersed into the air, vanishing before doing anything useful. "This isn¡¯t going to work like this..." I went back to the basics. I re-entered a meditative state, using mana manipulation to better understand how this worked. I closed my "eyes" and, instead of just focusing on the energy within me, I tried to expand my senses. If mana was like a river flowing inside my body, could I feel other rivers around me? At first, I felt nothing. Everything seemed empty, a void where only my own mana existed. But I persisted, deepening my concentration. After long minutes¡ªor maybe hours¡ªof effort, I sensed something¡ªa faint breeze, like a distant wind, flowing around me. It was so subtle that, for a moment, I thought I was imagining it. But the more I focused, the clearer it became. The sensation started to change, becoming something more tangible, as if the air itself around me was filled with tiny, vibrating particles. That¡¯s when I received two system notifications: [Skill: Enhanced Meditation.] [New skill acquired: Mana Detection.] I felt a wave of satisfaction. My efforts were paying off, and the system recognized it. When using the meditation skill, I noticed subtle changes¡ªI could focus faster, and my connection to mana was clearer. As for the mana detection skill, it was like unlocking a new sense. When I activated it, I could "see" or, more accurately, "sense" the energy currents around me. I still didn¡¯t know how to manipulate them, but recognizing them was already a big success. With renewed hope, I decided to try something more ambitious¡ªcreating a spell. I moved away from the cave to avoid drawing attention. I knew that magic, even the most basic kind, could attract unwanted attention, and the last thing I wanted was to lure in enemies. My first idea was to recreate common spells from games, like lightning or fireball. However, I quickly realized I had no idea how to transform my mana into elements. It was like trying to cook without knowing the basic recipe. So, I thought of something simpler and more practical. Magic Missile was a classic in almost every RPG, and theoretically, it seemed to be just condensed mana fired at a target. I could start there. I began focusing mana into my hand. Now, with the mana detection skill, I could feel the energy around me and use it to help with control. I visualized the mana gathering in my palm, shaping it into a sphere. The energy felt hesitant, as if reluctant to take the form I wanted. Every attempt resulted in the sphere dissolving before stabilizing. I kept trying, adjusting my focus, my simulated breathing, and even my posture. After several failed attempts, I decided to use my mana manipulation skill to feed the energy more steadily instead of forcing it all at once. I concentrated on a constant flow and visualized a small projectile in the shape of an arrow, made of pure energy. This time, the mana responded. The projectile began to take form, glowing with a faint blue hue. When it seemed stable enough, I aimed at a nearby rock and released the energy. A soft buzzing sound filled the air as the projectile shot forward, hitting the rock with a small impact that left a visible mark. It wasn¡¯t exactly devastating, but it was enough to make me want to jump in excitement. At that moment, a notification appeared: [New spell acquired: Magic Missile.] "Now we''re talking. Let¡¯s see what else I can do." Chapter 5: Hunting and Level UP The acquisition of my first spell changed everything for me. After learning Magic Missile, something new appeared in my interface: a section for spells. As soon as I thought about it, all the information surfaced in my mind almost automatically: Magic Missile
  • Mana Cost: 10
  • Range: 15 meters
  • Overall Damage: Moderate (pure impact, no elemental properties).
As I absorbed these details, I fell into deep thought. I spent some time internally debating, trying to understand the difference between spells and skills. The best conclusion I could reach was that spells seemed to exist as a stored memory, something I could consciously access. Skills, on the other hand, were deeper, engraved into the essence of my soul, almost like a natural reflex. After equipping myself with my spear and backpack, I decided it was time to hunt again. I needed more combat experience and, more importantly, XP to level up. I headed in the same direction where I had previously found the putrid rat. Caution was my priority. I moved forward slowly, observing my surroundings and keeping my spear always at the ready. After some time, I spotted a lone rat. The creature was rummaging through the remains of a corpse, completely unaware of my presence. I moved slowly, taking light steps, trying to avoid any noise that might alert it. Once I reached what I considered an ideal distance about ten meters I prepared Magic Missile. I concentrated my mana in my right hand, feeling the energy flow and condense into a bright projectile. I aimed at the rat''s head, holding my breath out of reflex. "Come on, I just need a perfect shot..." I fired. The spell whizzed through the air and hit the rat but not where I intended. The projectile struck the creature¡¯s body, making it let out a horrible screech and spin around in confusion. I cursed internally but didn''t waste time. I gripped my spear firmly and dashed toward it before it could react. The rat, stunned by the impact of the spell, took a moment to realize my approach. I used this to my advantage, thrusting my spear directly into its side. The tip pierced through with ease, and with a quick twist, I brought the creature to the ground. It struggled for a few seconds but soon fell still. "One more for the count. That was easier than I thought." Of course, saying that out loud invited bad karma. Before I could savor my victory, I heard a sound behind me a low, menacing growl. I turned quickly, but not fast enough. Another putrid rat was there, having been drawn by the noise of the previous fight. It lunged at me with an unexpected leap, its claws slashing at my back with force. "Damn it!" I hit the ground, feeling the impact of its claws tearing through my leather armor and scratching my spine. It was a sharp pain, mixed with the unpleasant sound of bones scraping. The creature tried to bite my neck, but I rolled on the ground, barely escaping. I got up quickly, gripping my spear with both hands. The rat growled again and charged. This time, I was ready. It leaped at me, and I spun the spear shaft, using it like a bar to push it away. The rat tumbled to the side, but before it could recover, I channeled another Magic Missile in my right hand. "Let''s see if you like this." I fired the projectile straight at the rat. The energy struck its chest with a strong impact, making it stagger. I took the opening to rush forward with my spear, driving it into the rat with force. The creature screeched, but with one final push, I brought it down. This time, it didn¡¯t get up. I took a few steps back, breathing deeply out of habit even though my body didn¡¯t need it. I touched my back and felt the cracks where its claws had hit me. The pain was annoying but bearable. Before I could reflect further, a new notification appeared: [You have defeated: Putrid Rat x2.] [Experience gained.] [You have leveled up.] I felt something change within my body. It was like a wave of energy coursing through my bones, reinforcing them, making me stronger. A new panel appeared before me: [Level 2 Reached!]
  • HP increased.
  • Mana increased.
  • Base stats slightly improved.
I stood there for a moment, looking at the interface and feeling the impact of this evolution. Even without flesh or blood, I could clearly feel that I was tougher, faster, and somehow more skilled. Help support creative writers by finding and reading their stories on the original site. An internal smile formed. "This is getting really fun." After checking the loot from the rats two more stones similar to the raw crystal I had found before I decided to head back to the cave. I needed to rest and plan my next steps. This world, with all its threats, was starting to feel like a place where I could truly enjoy myself. "Now I just have to keep going. Every battle is a step closer to becoming stronger." The Tower With my goal clear, there was no reason to hesitate. The tower stood before me, an imposing presence on the horizon. Something inside me called me there. Perhaps it was instinct, perhaps a force I had yet to understand. But I couldn''t ignore it. I adjusted my spear in my hand and moved forward, attentive to the path. The terrain was rugged, covered in dry vegetation and scattered rocks. As I advanced, more putrid rats crossed my path. But now, they were just a passing nuisance. My strikes were faster, my battle efficiency had improved. They barely had a chance to react before being eliminated. Each fight made me feel more agile, more prepared. But then, when I had already traveled half the way, something different appeared. At first, I thought it was another rat, but a distinct sound echoed through the air: metal scraping against stone. My hollow eyes fixed on the figure emerging from the shadows. Another skeleton. It looked like me, but carried no traces of clothing or equipment, only a worn-out shield and a rusty sword. Its posture was erratic, but its empty eyes seemed locked onto me. I could have avoided the encounter, but I decided to face it. I kept a firm step, not hiding my presence, prepared to react to any hostile movement. As soon as it saw me, it attacked without hesitation. Its sword cut through the air, a direct and brute strike. My instincts kicked in. I raised my spear and intercepted the attack. The impact of metal echoed through the dry field. Its attack was strong but predictable. With each exchanged blow, I realized the big difference between us. I thought. It didn¡¯t. Its attacks were repetitive, without strategy. It didn¡¯t dodge, didn¡¯t vary its movements. It was like the rats, attacking purely on instinct. I took advantage of that. With a precise spin of my spear, I struck its sword, disarming it. The skeleton staggered backward, vulnerable. Without giving it space to recover, I knocked it down and attacked. My spear pierced its chest. But it still moved. "So, piercings aren¡¯t effective..." I gripped my spear tightly and aimed directly at the skull. With a strong and precise strike, I pierced its head. Its body trembled for a moment before crumbling into dust. A notification appeared before me: [You have defeated: Skeleton.] [Experience acquired.] [You leveled up.] A slight tingling sensation ran through my body. Level 3. I picked up the loot¡ªanother green crystal, slightly larger than the previous ones. I still didn¡¯t know what they were for, but something told me they were important. I moved forward. As I advanced, I spotted other skeletons in the distance. But something was wrong. They weren¡¯t fighting each other. On the contrary, they wandered in pairs and trios, moving in sync. If they were like the one I had just defeated, they shouldn¡¯t have enough intelligence to act in groups. But there they were, moving together as if following an invisible command. That worried me. "If one was already a balanced challenge... facing two or three at the same time could be a problem." I would need a strategy. If I wanted to face them, I would have to use the terrain to my advantage. Separate them, create opportunities for quick and precise attacks. For now, I kept my distance. The goal was still the tower. And it was getting closer and closer. As I approached, the calling intensified. It was as if something inside me was reacting to the presence of that ancient structure. The tower was immense, made of dark stones covered in moss. Its cracks revealed its age, a relic forgotten by time. But up close, I noticed something unsettling. Its presence was suffocating. There was power inside. Something dormant, waiting. I circled the structure cautiously. I needed to understand what awaited me before entering. Then I found the entrance. It was a stone arch adorned with ancient runes. The passage opened into darkness, a corridor deep as an endless abyss. I took a step forward. The moment I crossed the entrance, a new notification appeared. [You have entered a Dungeon.] My hollow eyes widened. So that was it... A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation. This tower wasn¡¯t just an abandoned ruin. Dungeon Dive The doors of the room slowly opened, revealing two paths ahead of me. One led back down the corridor from where I had come. The other revealed a spiral stone staircase, ascending to the next floor of the tower. I paused for a moment, weighing my options. I could return to the cave, organize my thoughts, and better plan my exploration. Or... I could keep climbing and discover what else this tower concealed. It was tempting to go back, but something told me that this dungeon was different from what I had imagined. Looking around, I noticed something important: no more monsters appeared in the room. Since I had defeated the skeletons, no new enemies had emerged. This meant the dungeon did not spawn creatures infinitely¡ªat least, not here. "So, this room is safe... for now." With that realization, I decided not to advance immediately. I would take the moment to recover my energy and test a few ideas. I began to enter a meditative state. The mana within me flowed smoothly, coursing through my bones like an underground river. I already knew that meditation helped me regenerate mana faster, but I wanted to understand this process better. That was when I decided to try something new. Carefully, I started circulating the mana within my body, guiding it as if refining my own energy. At first, it seemed pointless, but then... I noticed the difference. My mana regeneration increased. It was a subtle improvement, but real. By entering a deep state of concentration while simultaneously manipulating my internal mana, my body restored energy more quickly. "This is useful... very useful." I spent some time refining this process, experimenting with different ways of controlling my energy. That was when, during my meditation, my pending notifications appeared before me. I began analyzing them. The first thing I noticed was that I had not leveled up. This left me slightly frustrated. After facing four armed skeletons, I had expected a greater reward. But then... I stopped to reflect. I couldn''t expect to level up after every fight. That was an important lesson. Growth wouldn¡¯t happen with every battle. I needed to accumulate victories, defeat multiple enemies, and keep progressing to evolve. I sighed internally and continued checking my notifications. That was when I saw something that excited me: [Skill slightly improved: Spear Combat.] This meant that my experience using the spear was being recognized by the system. I hadn¡¯t learned a new skill, but my technique with the weapon was gradually refining. This showed that skills could be improved through constant practice. With this discovery, I continued my meditation until I felt my mana fully restored. The genuine version of this novel can be found on another site. Support the author by reading it there. While still immersed in meditation, my mind expanded. The sensation was strange, as if my senses were becoming sharper. I began to feel the mana within the dungeon. And I noticed something... different. The mana here was not like that outside. It was thicker, denser... more potent. "What does this mean?" I thought for a moment and reached a possible conclusion: this dungeon had its own flow of mana, separate from the external environment. But then, my concentration was interrupted by an even stranger sensation. Something was with me in the room. My perception turned toward this presence. At first, I couldn¡¯t identify exactly what it was. But the more I focused, the clearer it became. The dungeon itself was alive. Not like a monster or a physical enemy, but rather... as an entity that permeated the entire space. I couldn¡¯t tell if it was sentient, but it was definitely there. The tower was not just a place. It was a being. This made me uneasy, but also curious. If the dungeon was alive, how did that affect the things inside it? Unfortunately, there was no way to discover this just by meditating. I needed to keep exploring. I stood up and adjusted my spear. As I advanced toward the staircase, new enemies appeared in my path. Three skeletons. This time, they were armed only with swords and didn¡¯t seem as organized as those in the previous challenge. When they saw me, they attacked immediately. The fight was quick. With my growing experience, I dealt with them efficiently, needing only a few well-calculated strikes to defeat them. My training was definitely starting to make a difference. Wasting no more time, I continued walking until I finally reached the new door leading to the second floor. It was similar to the first but larger, and the runes on it seemed more complex. I looked up. I was ready to continue. I took a deep breath. The dungeon¡¯s true challenge was only just beginning. The heavy stone door opened with a low, echoing creak, revealing the new room on the second floor. I stepped forward, gripping my spear firmly, expecting an immediate attack¡­ but nothing happened. This time, there were no enemies in sight. My eyes scanned the environment. The room was unlike any I had explored so far. It was large and circular, with walls adorned with ancient symbols and worn inscriptions. In the center, a strange stone pedestal stood tall, and floating above it, four orbs hovered in the air, each emanating a different glow:
  • Red, pulsing like a living flame.
  • Blue, shining softly, like moonlight reflecting on water.
  • Green, radiating a vibrant, earthy energy.
  • Yellow, flickering like contained electricity.
Behind the pedestal stood an imposing door, sealed by a shimmering magical barrier. "A puzzle." Atop the pedestal lay a stone plaque with engraved text in an ancient language. I touched its surface, and to my surprise, the words began to translate in my mind. "The four elements are in balance, but only one yields to the touch of the arcane. Choose wrong and pay with your life." "What does that mean?" I pondered for a moment, analyzing the four floating orbs. The riddle mentioned "the touch of the arcane." That made me think of mana, magic, raw energy. Perhaps the goal wasn''t simply to pick an orb at random but to interact with magic correctly. To test, I extended my hand toward the red orb. The instant I touched it¡ª CLANK! Metallic sounds echoed through the walls. Small compartments opened in the ceiling, and arrows shot toward me! I threw myself to the ground, rolling away as the projectiles embedded themselves in the stone floor. "Great. Every mistake activates a trap." I quickly got up, feeling a small cut on my rib¡ª the result of an arrow that had grazed me. Taking a deep breath, I looked at the remaining orbs. If this was a magic-based puzzle, then I needed to think like a mage. I approached the pedestal again and, this time, activated my Mana Manipulation. I focused my energy and slowly tried to sense each orb instead of just touching them. And then I noticed it. The mana flowed differently in each one.
  • The red orb vibrated explosively, aggressively.
  • The yellow orb pulsed irregularly, unstable.
  • The green orb felt solid and immovable.
But the blue orb¡­ It was the only one that reacted to my mana. Its energy flowed smoothly, adapting to the subtle touch of my own magic. "This is the one." Carefully, I touched the blue orb while channeling a bit of my mana into it. For a moment, nothing happened. Then, a bright glow filled the room. With a sharp crack, the magical barrier sealing the door vanished. I had solved the puzzle. I let out a sigh¡ªpart relief, part realization. This dungeon didn¡¯t just want to kill intruders with monsters. It wanted to wear them down. Accumulate injuries, drain them slowly, force them into mistakes until they could no longer fight. A cruel strategy. But for me¡­ it didn¡¯t matter as much. My regeneration was already handling the cut from the arrow. Any human adventurer would carry these wounds forward, but for me, they were just temporary inconveniences. "Maybe this is the greatest advantage of being undead." I stopped dwelling on it when I noticed something forming at the center of the room. A magical light shone brightly, taking the shape of a chest. The reward for solving the puzzle. I walked toward it, ready to see what awaited me. battle for the 3rd floor After solving the second-floor puzzle, the chest appeared before me in a magical glow. Even before opening it, a notification popped up before my empty eyes: [Skill Upgraded : Mana Manipulation.] A slight satisfaction grew within me. I had already noticed that manipulating mana during meditation accelerated my regeneration, and now the system acknowledged my progress. This meant I was improving not only physically but also in my control over magical energy. I turned my attention to the chest and slowly opened it. Inside, a pair of lightweight metal gauntlets rested. Their surface was dark, engraved with subtle arcane inscriptions that faintly glowed. As soon as I picked them up, I felt a flow of mana emanating from them. "This equipment is enchanted." Without hesitation, I put the gauntlets on. The moment I equipped them, a tingling sensation ran through my arms. My connection to mana became clearer, more natural. I tested my Magic Missile and immediately noticed: the mana cost had been slightly reduced. It wasn¡¯t an absurd improvement, but it was noticeable. With this, I could cast more spells before exhausting my reserves. Satisfied with my new acquisition, I proceeded to the third floor. As soon as I climbed the stairs, I noticed an immediate and drastic change. The atmosphere became more oppressive. The walls seemed narrower, the shadows denser. The very air was thick with malevolent energy. The message was clear: the dungeon¡¯s difficulty had increased. I walked slowly, keeping my senses sharp. Then, I entered a massive hall. Before me, the ground was littered with ancient corpses fallen warriors, skeletons still gripping their rusted weapons. At the far end of the hall, a massive door stood sealed with arcane markings. "This is definitely a trap." And as if to confirm my suspicion, the bodies began to move. Skulls lifted. Bones realigned. Armor groaned as the dead returned to "life." Armed skeletons emerged in droves some wielding basic weapons, while others carried sturdier swords and armor. I could defeat them¡­ but something was wrong. As soon as I cut down the first group, they simply stood back up. "So that¡¯s how this room works. They just keep coming back." Looking around, I noticed the arcane seal on the door. Necromancy. That meant someone or something was sustaining this resurrection magic. I kept fighting, cutting down more and more skeletons, until I noticed a pattern. The enemies weren¡¯t just rising randomly. They resurrected in a specific rhythm. Every few seconds, necromantic energy flowed across the floor, reanimating the fallen. I followed the mana flow until I found a hidden rune among the remains of a fallen warrior. "This is the source." Without hesitation, I channeled Magic Missile and fired directly at the rune. On impact, a pulse of dark energy surged through the hall, and all the skeletons collapsed at once. The room fell silent. I had won. The sealed door slowly opened. Before leaving, I picked up the shattered necromantic rune. It still radiated a faint energy. "This might be useful later." With that, I continued exploring the dungeon. The corridors grew even darker, and the malevolent presence intensified with each step. Something was waiting for me. I arrived at a vast circular chamber. And there, at the center of the room, it was waiting. A floating black armor wielding a spectral longsword. The Phantom Knight. The mere presence of this entity brought an invisible pressure to the room. Find this and other great novels on the author''s preferred platform. Support original creators! There was no body inside the armor only a blue-green glow emanated from the empty helmet. The air turned cold. It moved. The Phantom Knight wasted no time. In an instant, it lunged toward me, its sword flickering through the air. "Fast!" I tried to dodge, but its movement blurred through space. A sharp pain pierced my chest. I looked down and saw a translucent mark where its sword had struck. Soul Cut. The attack ignored armor and struck directly at the target¡¯s essence. That meant my physical resistance was useless. "If I don¡¯t find a way to counter this, I¡¯m dead." I stepped back, gripping my spear tightly. The Phantom Knight vanished again. But this time, I was ready. I focused and fired a Magic Missile the exact moment it reappeared. The projectile exploded against its chestplate. It staggered slightly a sign that magic worked against it. "So that¡¯s how I defeat it." I used my mana to fire Magic Missiles in quick succession, forcing it to keep its distance. But it wasn¡¯t just a strong enemy it was intelligent. Sensing my attack pattern, it used its Phantom Charge to quickly circle around me. Before I realized it, I was being forced against a wall. It raised its sword for a final blow. "Now." Instead of retreating, I advanced. I dodged at the last second and used my spear to push it against the wall. The ghostly armor triggered one of the room¡¯s traps. Energy lances shot up from the ground, piercing its mana-based body. It screamed in fury, struggling. I didn¡¯t waste time. I charged my final attack. "Magic Missile!" The projectile fired, striking its empty helmet. The glow within its helmet slowly faded¡­ and the armor fell to the ground, empty. The room fell silent. The oppressive pressure vanished. I had won. Suddenly, system notifications flooded my vision. [You level up.] [You level up.] [Level 5.] [Level 6.] [New Skill Acquired: Inspection.] Inspection: Allows analyzing creatures, objects, and magic. The greater the level difference between David and the target, the fewer details can be seen. [New Skill Acquired: Necrotic Touch (Active).] Necrotic Touch: A sinister ability allowing David to channel necromantic energy through his touch. Depending on the type of target, the effect varies. Once I regained my bearings, I was thrilled with my new rewards and eager to test them out. But first, I had to defeat the boss. The door at the end of the room slowly opened, revealing the entrance to the final boss chamber. The ultimate challenge of the third floor stood before me. And I was ready to face it. The door creaked open, revealing a vast circular hall. The floor was polished stone, covered in scars from ancient battles, as if countless warriors had perished here. At the far end, atop a throne of time-worn bones, a towering figure waited patiently. I used Inspection but it only showed the name. That meant he was far too strong. [The Unholy Commander.] Even seated, his presence exuded authority and absolute control. His blackened, corroded armor bore signs of long-forgotten wars. A faded emblem on his chest suggested that, in life, he had been a feared leader. Now, even in death, his influence persisted. His hollow eyes glowed faintly as he gazed at me. He did not move immediately. Instead, he raised his hand, and in that instant, metallic echoes filled the room. This wasn¡¯t a direct battle. He wouldn¡¯t fight alone. I was facing an army. The moment he lifted his hand, armored skeletons emerged from the shadows. Skeleton Knights, clad in ancient steel plates, each wielding heavy swords and impenetrable shields. Behind them, Spectral Archers, their translucent figures gripping shadowy bows glowing with necromantic energy. This was a full-scale battlefield. "Damn. He¡¯s not messing around." The first arrow sliced through the air. I barely dodged in time. Before I could recover, the knights were already upon me. The fight had begun. The first strike came from a skeletal knight, his sword descending toward my head. I swung my spear horizontally, parrying the attack with a deafening metallic clang. At that moment, another enemy lunged from the side. There was no time to dodge. I raised my newly acquired gauntlet and blocked the blow with my forearm. The force of the impact made my bones vibrate. I needed to counterattack. I spun my spear in a sweeping arc, aiming for the joints of one of the knights'' armor. The spear¡¯s blade slid across the steel and found a gap under the armpit. With a strong thrust, I pierced through his lifeless body and sent him flying backward. But before I could continue, the archers fired again. This time, I was hit. A spectral arrow embedded itself in my shoulder, sending a cold, numbing sensation throughout my entire body. "Damn it. If this keeps up, they''ll kill me." Looking at the Commander, I noticed something. He wasn¡¯t just waiting. He was directing the battle, giving orders to his soldiers like a strategist in the midst of war. "So that''s it... He''s not just a warrior. He''s a real commander." If I wanted to win this fight, I needed to dismantle his forces little by little. I had to take out the archers first. I quickly channeled my mana. "Magic Missile!" Two blue projectiles shot from my palm, striking the spectral archers. The first was destroyed on impact. The second was forced to retreat, giving me space to advance. But the knights wouldn¡¯t let up. Two of them surrounded me again. Feigning a frontal attack, I took a step back at the last moment. The two knights lunged together, and without balance, they crashed into each other. I seized the opportunity. With a spinning strike, my spear pierced through the joint of the first knight''s helmet, and with a second thrust, I impaled the skull of the other. Both collapsed in a cloud of dust and bones. That left only two archers and three more knights. The Profane Commander didn¡¯t seem troubled. On the contrary¡­ he was studying my fight. As soon as the last archer was destroyed, something changed. The Profane Commander rose from his throne. His presence intensified. The dark aura around him expanded violently, making the remaining skeletons roar with newfound strength. He was sacrificing his own energy to strengthen them. The remaining knights became faster, more aggressive. I could no longer afford to wait. If I didn¡¯t finish this fight now, I¡¯d run out of mana before reaching him. I took down the last knight with a precise strike to the spine. Now, only he remained. The Profane Commander slowly raised his sword and pointed it at me. At that moment, I felt a crushing force invade my mind. It was as if invisible tentacles were trying to wrap around my thoughts, dragging me into darkness. He was trying to dominate me. Control Aura. "You are inferior." His voice echoed inside my head, reverberating with overwhelming weight. My vision darkened for a moment. My body froze. My very being was starting to be dragged into his will. The sensation was suffocating. If I gave in¡­ I would become just another of his soldiers. But¡­ I am not just any undead. I am no one¡¯s slave!!! And no one controls my mind. With all the strength of my will, I resisted. Slowly, I broke free from his hold. The connection shattered, and the glow in the Commander¡¯s eyes flickered for a moment. That was enough. With all my remaining mana, I fired one last Magic Missile. The blue sphere shot straight into his chest. The impact was devastating. His armor cracked. His body trembled. He tried to raise his sword once more¡­ But I was already upon him. With one final strike, my spear pierced through his armor and impaled his spectral core. The entire hall trembled. The light in his eyes faded. His body crumbled into dust and steel. Silence filled the room. I stood there, motionless for a few seconds, feeling the weight of the battle. I looked at my body. I was in ruins. But I had won. Before me, where the Commander had fallen, a magical chest began to take shape.