The dim light of the cave was thick with a suffocating silence, broken only by the grotesque sound of something being devoured. Wet, raw chewing echoed through the still air.

"Am I... still alive?" Kaito’s thoughts were a jumbled mess, his consciousness clouded by confusion. His body felt like it was moving on its own, his hands buried in something wet and sticky. "The hunger... it’s gone, but... what’s happening to me?"

His vision was foggy, as if a dense haze covered everything. Slowly, the world began to sharpen, revealing a scene that sent a chill down his spine. He was kneeling, hunched over a corpse. His hands clutched the remains of a giant ant, and his jaws were moving—chewing the flesh with mechanical, mindless precision.

—No... way... —he whispered, his voice barely audible as he dropped the chunks he was holding, his wide eyes locked on the grim sight before him.

Kaito scrambled backward, his arms shaking as he tried to distance himself from the remains. His mind raced, piecing together the grim reality: "The hibernation state… it’s nothing more than losing my mind and… turning into a full zombie."

A shiver ran through him, but his thoughts were abruptly interrupted by a strange sensation in his leg. He glanced down, his trembling hands reaching out hesitantly. The leg he had lost… was back, whole, as if it had never been severed.

—How… is this possible? —he muttered, his voice quivering with shock and disbelief. His fingers ran over the newly regenerated flesh, feeling its solid, unbroken surface. "This… is unreal."

Though he had escaped the wasps, the cost of his survival weighed heavily on him. Something dark within him had awakened—something he couldn’t ignore.

Kaito stood up slowly, brushing the dust off his tattered clothes, his movements cautious and deliberate. With his hunger momentarily sated, his mind became clearer, allowing him to piece together the fragments of his harrowing journey so far.

He paused, furrowing his brow as the memory of the strange system flickered in his thoughts. Taking a steady breath, he muttered:

—Health status.

A translucent window materialized before him, hovering in the air. The data displayed within made his heart—or what remained of it—sink slightly:

Kaito IshidaRace: Human (Undead)

Status: Cursed - Zombie

Vitality: 0 / 0

Mana: 950 / 1300

Stamina: 280 / 300

Hunger: 10 %

Fatigue: 0 %

His eyes scanned the numbers, his lips moving as he processed the information:

—So… vitality proves I’m not alive. This body must rely on mana, stamina, or both. I can’t afford to run either of them dry... —He placed a hand over his chest, feeling the stillness where a heartbeat should have been. His fingers tapped nervously against his ribs—. And fatigue... I can’t let it hit 100 % again. Losing my mind could mean the end.

A sudden voice, light and feminine, pierced the stillness:

—Hey, you! You’re not from around here. What’s a zombie doing in this place? —The voice was sharp and oddly vibrant, echoing through the cave as if it came from everywhere at once.

Kaito turned sharply, his eyes scanning the darkness.

—Who are you? Where are you? —he asked, his voice clumsy, the words spilling out like a half-forgotten skill.

—What? —The voice replied, this time with evident surprise—. You can talk? I’ve never seen an undead that could speak... Are you mutated or something?

Kaito’s gaze caught a faint glimmer near the earthen ceiling, a flicker so faint it felt like a trick of the light. Squinting, he focused, and a translucent window appeared over the glow:

Clara of the Caverns - Level 5 (Pixie)Power: 500

Passive Skill: Super Speed

—Your name’s Clara? —he whispered, raising an eyebrow in disbelief—. So, monsters have names too? —His voice, barely above a murmur, was laced with both surprise and curiosity.

Kaito froze as the small, winged figure descended gracefully in front of him. Her delicate, green wings shimmered faintly in the dim light of the cave, resembling freshly sprouted leaves. Her features were fine and distinctly feminine, but her posture exuded an overwhelming confidence.

—Did you just call me a monster? —the figure said, crossing her tiny arms and raising a sharp, delicate brow—. And how do you know my name?

Kaito, startled by her appearance and abrupt accusation, stumbled over his words. Finally, he blurted out:

—You’re… really small.

The words escaped before he could stop them. He immediately regretted it.

—Do you think calling me small is an insult? —the pixie retorted, puffing out her tiny cheeks in indignation—. For your information, being small is an advantage! Nobody can see me, and I’m incredibly agile. —Her voice rang with pride as she straightened herself, her minuscule chest puffed out.

Kaito tilted his head, attempting to sound neutral:

—But I could see you.

The pixie spun around, her luminous hair swishing like a gleaming streak in the dark.

—That’s only because I let you see me, dummy! —she shot back haughtily. Then, casting him a fleeting glance, she added—: Now you’ll never see me again, ugly zombie.

Before Kaito could respond, the pixie vanished in a flash of green. Her sudden departure left him standing there, a mix of exasperation and bemusement washing over him.

—Unbelievable... —he muttered, scratching the back of his head as his shoulders slumped—. The last thing I needed was a tiny creature to insult me and vanish just like that.

Shaking his head, he pressed on through the winding cave passage. After some time, he encountered more ants, but this time he defeated them with relative ease, thanks to his growing understanding of combat.

After hours of walking, Kaito arrived at a broader chamber. The ceiling stretched high above, adorned with stalactites dripping slow, rhythmic droplets of water. The soft plinking echoed throughout the space, filling the damp air with an eerie cadence.

Cautiously, Kaito scanned the area. Several paths branched off from the chamber, but his attention was drawn to the humanoid figures standing near the center.

A new window materialized before him, its words floating ominously:

Skeleton - Level 5 (Monster / Undead)Power: 800

Skeleton - Level 5 (Monster / Undead)Power: 600

Skeleton - Level 7 (Monster / Undead)Power: 1000

Kaito stared intently at the skeletons, his lifeless but determined gaze analyzing every movement of the creatures.

—So… having the same level doesn’t mean the same power —he muttered to himself, his face set in concentration.

He moved slowly toward the skeleton that was farthest from the others, trying to minimize the noise of his steps. However, his zombie body wasn’t exactly stealthy; a faint crunching and dragging sound betrayed his approach. The skeleton turned its hollow skull toward him, its empty sockets exuding a silent menace, and charged at Kaito with a wild, unsteady sprint.

—Damn it! —Kaito muttered, retreating hastily as he raised his arms to shield himself.

The skeleton’s strike landed with force, but Kaito’s arms managed to block the blow.

"You have successfully blocked"

A floating message appeared before him, but Kaito barely had time to glance at it. He noticed the skeleton staggered back slightly from the recoil, leaving its chest exposed.

—Now! —Kaito shouted, and without hesitation, he swung his fist with all his might. His punch struck the creature’s torso, shattering its ribcage in an instant.

"You have landed a critical hit""You have gained light experience""You have obtained Bone Dust""You have leveled up"

The sound of bones collapsing echoed through the air, and Kaito took a step back, staring at his hand.

—That was… easy —he said, almost in disbelief—. It’s so different from fighting those damn wasps. —He let out a brief laugh, which quickly faded as he noticed the other two skeletons closing in on him.

His eyes darted around the area, quickly spotting a couple of rocks near his feet. He picked them up, weighing them in his hands.

—Let’s see if this teaches you a lesson… —he murmured, hurling one of the rocks at the nearest skeleton.

The rock hit the creature’s knee, fracturing it and causing it to limp. The second rock flew toward the other skeleton’s skull, striking it with a loud thud but failing to take it down.

—They’re still moving… —Kaito gritted his teeth—. I guess I was too optimistic thinking rocks would be enough.

He watched as one skeleton limped forward while the other, slightly unsteady, recovered from the blow to its head.

—Fine. I’ll take down the one that’s more damaged first.

Kaito gritted his teeth as he charged toward the stunned skeleton. His fist slammed into the creature’s skull, sending it stumbling back a few steps. But something felt off. The skeleton’s bones emitted a faint orange glow.

—What is this? —he muttered, stepping back, his eyes narrowing—. Is it using magic?

The skeleton quickly recovered and lunged at Kaito, landing a solid strike to his face.

Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

"You have taken 5% damage. Remaining health: 85%"

Kaito staggered, clutching his face.

—This won’t be easy… —he growled, retaliating with another punch.

But none of his blows were effective. The orange glow continued to surround the skeleton’s bones like an invisible shield. Frustrated, Kaito leapt back, putting some distance between himself and the creature as the second skeleton, limping, drew closer.

—What the hell is going on? —he muttered, pulling up an analysis window.

"Skeleton - Level 7 (Monster / Undead)""Power: 1000""Status: Enraged""Buff: Spirit Shield Grade B"

Kaito scowled.

—There’s no way I can beat it like this… —he murmured, scanning his surroundings for a potential escape route.

Then, a sharp, high-pitched giggle echoed from the cave walls. Kaito’s head snapped toward the sound, his gaze locking onto a barely perceptible glimmer.

"Clara of the Caverns - Level 5 (Pixie)""Power: 500""Passive Skill: Super Speed""Status: Hidden / Happy"

—Wait a second! —Kaito thought, fury bubbling within him—. Is this that damn pixie’s doing?

Without hesitation, he grabbed a couple of bones from the ground and hurled them toward the tiny figure.

—Hey! What are you doing? How can you even see me? —the pixie squeaked, darting around to dodge the projectiles.

—I told you, I can see you, remember? And since you’re with the skeletons, that makes you my enemy. —Kaito kept throwing bones, his anger evident in every movement.

—Wait! I may be fast, but I get tired too! Let’s call a truce, please! —the pixie pleaded, her voice trembling as she narrowly avoided another throw.

—No, thanks. —Kaito’s voice was cold and calculating—.I want to know how much experience I’ll gain and what items I’ll get if I eliminate you.

—No, no, no! It was just a joke! —the pixie cried, desperate—. Fine, I’ll remove the skeleton’s buff, but please stop!

Kaito paused, glaring at her skeptically.

—Do it. Quickly.

Panting, the pixie extended a tiny hand toward the skeleton. The orange glow faded instantly.

Kaito didn’t waste a moment. He charged at the skeleton and delivered a devastating punch that shattered it on the spot. Without stopping, he grabbed some bones and hurled them at the limping skeleton, damaging it further. Finally, he crushed it with a brutal stomp.

"You have gained experience""You have obtained Bone Dust"

Kaito turned sharply, his gaze locking onto a specific part of the cave.

—Come out. —His voice was low but commanding.

From the shadows, the pixie emerged cautiously, hovering in the air.

—So it’s true… No matter how I hide, you can pinpoint where I am. —Her tone was a mix of disbelief and resignation.

The tiny pixie hovered in front of Kaito, her wings fluttering nervously. Her expression, once smug and playful, now showed genuine regret.

—I’m really sorry… —she murmured, clasping her hands together in front of her chest—. I didn’t realize you were actually in trouble. I just… wanted to have some fun.

Kaito crossed his arms, eyeing her skeptically.

—And now what? Trying to justify yourself? —he said dryly, though his shoulders relaxed slightly as he sensed she wasn’t a threat.

The pixie nodded quickly, her face lighting up for a moment.

—Yes! I want to explain why I’m here. I collect herbs… —she pulled a small cloth bag from behind her back and shook it—. To make brews.

Kaito raised an eyebrow, intrigued but still cautious.

—Brews?

—Yes, potions, ointments… that kind of stuff. —The pixie fluttered in small circles, pointing at various plants scattered across the cave floor—. This place has rare plants that are perfect for my mixtures. But I’m not strong, so I use my spells to protect myself, like that spiritual shield.

Kaito studied her closely as she spoke. Her tone sounded sincere, and her tiny, delicate form reinforced the impression that she was more harmless than anything else.

—And that’s all you do here? —he asked, still unsure.

—Yes… well, that and running away from the bigger monsters! —she added with a nervous giggle.

Kaito sighed, rubbing his forehead with one hand.

—So you’re harmless… and weak. —He glanced at the pixie, who puffed up her cheeks indignantly at his words—. But you have powerful magic, like that spiritual shield. That’s interesting.

—I’m not weak! —she shot back, though she quickly shrank under Kaito’s gaze—. Well… maybe just a little.

After a brief silence, the pixie tilted her head curiously.

—By the way, what are you doing here? It’s rare to see someone like you in this place… a… zombie?

Kaito scoffed, looking away for a moment.

—It’s a long story. —After a moment of hesitation, he continued—. But I guess there’s no harm in telling you a little…

And so, Kaito began to recount parts of his story. As he spoke, the pixie’s expression shifted from curiosity to surprise, and then to a mix of empathy and fascination.

In the castle’s training grounds, the morning air was filled with the dull sounds of wooden swords clashing and idle chatter. Under the warm sunlight, Raiden Kazama stared intensely at his hand, as if searching for answers in his fingers.

—Boss, why have you been staring at your hand all day? —Ikuto asked lazily, swinging a wooden sword with little effort. His slouched posture and bored tone made his lack of enthusiasm obvious—. Also, you know I hate training. Why are you forcing us today?

Raiden turned to him, his brows knitting in fury.

—Shut up, Ikuto! And stop calling me boss. Do you want everyone to figure out we’re thieves? —His sharp glare carried an unspoken warning—. Besides, I’m sure you wouldn’t want to taste the poison they gave that guy, right? Call me Raiden Kazama. No exceptions.

Ikuto raised his hands in mock surrender, a mischievous grin spreading across his face.

—Alright, boss… I mean, Raiden. —He resumed his half-hearted swings before glancing around as if searching for someone—. Hey, boss, where’s Yurei?

Raiden’s expression darkened, his frustration boiling over.

—Raiden, you idiot! —he snapped, stepping closer to Ikuto.

—Sorry, Raiden. It’s just… hard to get used to it —Ikuto replied with a nervous chuckle, shrugging.

Raiden gritted his teeth, raising his wooden sword threateningly.

—If you call me boss one more time, I’ll break this sword over your head.

Ikuto shrank back slightly, though his curiosity remained undeterred.

—What about Yurei? I don’t see him here…

Raiden let out an irritated huff, running a hand through his hair as he lowered the sword.

—That useless guy has mage skills. Swinging a sword or spear is pointless for him. He’s probably in the library, studying with some pretty teacher. That bastard… when I see him this afternoon, I’m going to hit him.

Ikuto waved his hands in protest, trying to calm him down.

—Boss, I mean, Raiden, don’t. It’s not his fault…

Unable to hold back, Raiden swung the wooden sword and smacked Ikuto on the head with enough force to make a loud crack echo through the training grounds.

The snap of the broken wood was quickly followed by Ikuto’s cry of pain as he clutched his head, looking up at Raiden with teary eyes.

—That hurts, boss!

—RAIDEN! —Raiden roared, his frustration now fully evident.

In a dark and forsaken corner of the kingdom, the air was thick with a stench so foul that even seasoned soldiers covered their noses with scarves or gloves. Near the edge of a massive pit filled with corpses, a group of people stood, their attention focused on a young, frail-looking man who appeared to be struggling to stay upright.

—Old man, why the hell are we here? This place reeks! —Yurei complained, his face contorted in disgust as he stepped back, waving a hand in front of his nose.

The elderly mage beside him, clad in worn robes and gripping a staff adorned with glowing runes, chuckled hoarsely, as though the young man's complaint was nothing more than background noise.

—You're too young to understand, boy. But you have a rare ability. In fact, so rare that if you weren’t human, I’d say you were a demon or perhaps an elite goblin shaman.

Yurei clicked his tongue in irritation, glaring at the old man.

—Yeah, whatever you say, old man. But this place is disgusting. I’m not staying here.

The mage turned to Yurei with a grin that was more insanity than warmth.

—You know, physically, you’re the weakest of the three heroes. Short, skinny… and you can barely stand after a simple walk. —He laughed under his breath, tapping his staff on the ground—. You’re lucky the carriage brought us most of the way. But, Yurei… that doesn’t matter. Your real strength lies in your dark magic. Here, in this place, you’ll learn to wield it. That’s why we must go down.

The old man’s grin widened, a flicker of madness in his eyes that made Yurei take another step back.

—Hey, you’re creeping me out. I don’t want to go down there… —Yurei stammered, his eyes darting around, searching for an escape.

Before he could move further, the mage raised his staff and chanted in an unfamiliar language. A spell enveloped them both, lifting them off the ground.

—Wait! I don’t want to go! Stop! —Yurei shouted, kicking uselessly as he floated alongside the mage toward the dark pit.

The descent was slow yet terrifying. The sunlight faded bit by bit, replaced by an oppressive gloom and a stench that grew stronger with every meter. When they finally reached the bottom, Yurei was met with the sight of a horrific mound of human remains: corpses, bones, and decayed flesh stacked like a grotesque altar.

The smell hit him like a wave. Unable to control himself, he fell to his knees and vomited, his body trembling as the mage watched with a twisted smile.

The stench of the pit grew increasingly unbearable, thickening the air until it was almost suffocating. The old mage strode through the corpses with calm, deliberate steps, his gaze scanning the remains as though searching for something specific. Suddenly, he stopped, his attention fixed on a lifeless body. His expression twisted with disdain.

—What a disappointment. I was expecting to see the corpse of the fourth hero here. It should’ve been in plain sight. —He muttered, nudging aside some broken ribs with his staff—. But instead, I recognize this one. A farmer… wasn’t he the one who insulted the king?

Yurei, keeping a cautious distance, frowned. His face had turned pale, and a nervous edge crept into his voice.

—What are you saying? They threw the body of the fourth hero down here? —he asked, his words trembling with disbelief and unease.

The old man nodded slowly, though his expression betrayed indifference.

—That’s right, though it seems it’s no longer here. Perhaps some creature devoured it. —He paused, shifting a skull aside with his foot—. Strange that it didn’t take this body too, but it doesn’t matter.

—What if he’s alive? —Yurei insisted, his voice quivering as he stepped closer, searching the grotesque mound for any clues—. Maybe that poison wasn’t enough to kill him…

The old mage chuckled darkly, a sound laced with mockery.

—Ah, now I see why you were blessed with magic abilities. You think of possibilities. Smarter than those two idiots you call comrades. But let me spare you the false hope: that hero is dead. —His tone grew grim, and a repulsive smile spread across his face—. I cut him open myself and took his heart for my experiments. When I was done with him, I tossed him here like garbage.

Yurei’s face went ashen, his eyes wide with terror. He raised a trembling hand without thinking.

—And now, why are you raising your hand like that? —the old man asked, one brow arching.

—I… I want to leave —Yurei stammered, barely audible.

The old mage burst into laughter, a harsh, cruel sound.

—Heh, that’s not going to happen. You’d better get started if you want to sleep in the castle tonight. Because if you don’t complete your training, you’ll sleep here… with them. —He gestured dramatically toward the corpses.

Yurei swallowed hard, his body stiffening in fear.

—No… no, not that. Fine. What… what do I have to do?

—It’s simple —the old man replied, lifting his staff and pointing at the farmer’s body—. Use your necromancer ability. Bring it back as your servant.

Yurei clenched his fists, visibly uncomfortable, but he knew he had no choice.

—Fine… though I don’t know how this will turn out —he muttered, extending a hand toward the corpse—. Rise.

A translucent window materialized before his eyes, glowing faintly with bright letters:

"You have activated the skill: Dark Servant (1/1)."

The farmer’s corpse began to move immediately. Its fingers twitched unnaturally, and then the entire body jerked upright with clumsy movements until it stood still, awaiting Yurei’s command.

Yurei took a step back, staring in horror at the lifeless figure now bound to his will.