Two hours later, the notification Bones was waiting for arrived.
ding
You have learned a new Skill: Meditation
Eager to explore the details of this newfound ability, Bones delved into the system's description.
Meditation - Ability to enter a trance-like state. In this state resource regeneration is greatly increased. Improves concentration and deepens relaxation. Passively gathers and absorbs ambient mana into the body, strengthening it, and nurtures one's core by filtering impurities.
Satisfied with this revelation, Bones couldn't help but question the mention of a core. Curiosity piqued, he demanded more information from the system.
Core is a machination designed by The Creator to provide access to the system and provides a user with an easier path to higher power. All system records are stored within it. Core is created at birth as a seed and is a physical vessel where the soul resides. It grows by accumulating mana over a period of time.
Once the soul reaches the required threshold, dimensional space is unlocked. All in one, a package deal!
Bones grumbled at the vague description but acknowledged that his core was created at birth, particularly when his soul merged with the undead skeleton, as hinted at the beginning of his journey.
Attempting to locate his core within his skeletal frame, Bones couldn't discern a physical presence. Pondering the intricacies of his unique existence, he entertained the idea of feeling the core through meditation. As he focused on the mana flow, he uncovered a new notification.
Bones core (Unique) - a unique core created by fusion of ancient soul and an undead minion. The soul is weakened at the moment and is recovering within the core. Recovery time unknown.
Meditation recommended
Dimensional space (enabled)
Inventory unlocked
Core sustains and empowers the body with mana (active/deactived)
Empower cost: +1 mp/s per level in race
Empowered state (trigger) increases damage by 1% per point in INT and increases the mana cost of skills by 100% when in empowered state
Bones absorbed the information, noting that his soul was currently weakened and recovering within the core. Contemplating the implications of his core and its potential deactivation, he decided to conduct a brief experiment. Focusing on his core, he attempted to halt the sustaining flow. However, as the core went offline, he experienced a disconcerting emptiness. Stripped of control over his body and sensory abilities, only Mana Sense remained active. Overwhelmed by dread, Bones swiftly reactivated the core, feeling as if he had held his breath and narrowly avoided drowning. The mere thought of being unable to activate his core sent shivers down his skeletal spine.
Interrupted by unsettling gurgling sounds emanating from the camp, Bones shifted his attention. Inhuman noises hinted at the presence of someone—or something—else nearby. He attempted to extend his senses toward the camp but found his range lacking. Deciding to investigate, Bones leaped down from the tree, landing with the agility of his weightless form. Moving closer, he discerned screeching, rustling, and indistinct muttering.
Hiding behind a bush, Bones peered through and discovered the source of the commotion—goblins. Filthy little green pests, swarming out of the forest, numbering ten. A larger goblin, standing out within the group, directed them. Half of the group scattered to search the area, while the others rummaged through the Kobold bodies, preparing to set up camp. Observing this unfolding scene, Bones contemplated his next move, considering the potential threat posed by the goblin horde.
“Blasted goblins!“
Bones' skeletal fingers latched onto the passing goblin's throat, exerting a grip so forceful that they penetrated the creature's neck. With a swift, brutal motion, Bones tore out the goblin's throat, leaving it to bleed out on the forest floor. The life of the goblin came to an abrupt end within mere seconds, a testament to Bones' newfound strength and ruthlessness as an undead being.
It seems these goblins have adapted over time, growing in size and adopting a darker skin tone, thought Bones as he casually brushed off a notification. Retrieving a crude spear from the fallen goblin, he continued to observe the chaos in the camp. The creatures' swift yet frail nature hadn't changed much; they still preferred group tactics, a behavior consistent with Bones' past encounters. However, despite their adaptations, Bones considered them relatively easy to dispatch.
One of the nearby goblins snapped its head, glancing toward the now vacant spot where the dead goblin had stood just moments before. Narrowing its eyes, it snarled, signaling the others as they cautiously approached the bushes. As it drew nearer, the goblin poked its head through the foliage, its body twitching briefly before relaxing and slumping to the ground, blood oozing from the hole at the back of its head. The remaining goblins went on high alert, pointing their weapons and advancing slowly. The larger goblin lingered at the rear of the group, keenly observing the unfolding situation. Suddenly, the spear that had impaled the deceased goblin's head was withdrawn, revealing a skeleton emerging from the shadows of the bushes.
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Surveying each goblin before him, Bones endeavored to emanate as much intimidation as possible. His efforts proved effective; every goblin, including the larger one, tensed up. Some were even frozen in fear, paralyzed by the sight. As Bones sensed a silhouette charging at him from the side, he quickly glanced at the goblin in bold pursuit—a brave, yet naive move to charge blindly at someone twice your height.
Yet, Bones found solace in the fact that their intelligence hadn't improved. A smaller goblin with a shorter reach equaled a swift demise. Poking turned out to be more advantageous than Bones had initially thought. His bony fingers reached the goblin's head before its crude spear could find its mark. With sharp phalanges, Bones penetrated its eyes and, armed with the spear, impaled the goblin through the torso.
Retrieving his weapon from the lifeless goblin, Bones charged toward the nearest pair frozen in fear. He drove the spear's tip through one goblin's head and seized the other with his free hand. Releasing his grip on the spear, now embedded in the goblin's skull, Bones turned to the second one, swirling the finger of his free arm through its eye. Blood splattered across his skull, but Bones remained unfazed. Surrounded by gore and corpses wasn't a new experience, though usually, they were subjects strapped to his research table.
Focused on the goblin in front, Bones failed to anticipate a sneak attack from behind. Impaled through the back, he was caught off guard, looking down at the protruding blade and instinctively letting out a scream.
A strange, agonized sound escaped Bones' mouth as he slowly turned around, a rusty sword still impaled in his back. He fixed his gaze directly on his attacker—a terrified goblin staring back as if glimpsing into the abyss and finding it looking back.
The goblin believed it had slain a demon that had killed its tribesman, only for the demon to pivot, utterly unfazed by the sword lodged in him, and lock eyes with it, the hollow gaze sending shivers down its spine. Stunned, the goblin couldn't react to the fingers of death poking it into demise. The chaos in the camp unfolded swiftly, the battles ending in mere seconds as goblins struggled to thwart the relentless skeleton.
The larger goblin, slightly stronger and with a longer reach than the others, still fell short against the human arms' extended reach. The demon, having decimated a group of goblins, withdrew to the branch of the tree, taking a metaphorical breather.
Bones grappled with the aftermath, still processing the chaotic encounter. It had been ages since he moved so vigorously. While not a master of hand-to-hand combat or weaponry, he had the basics drilled down, moving mostly on reflex.
His new skeletal form proved adept at agility, dodging the majority of attacks. Hits that connected found only empty spaces between his bones, leaving mere scratches. The absence of pain during combat, Bones mused, was both an advantage and a potential drawback. Engrossed in the fight, he hadn't even heard the notifications dinging. With the battle concluded, he began sorting through them one by one, ready to assess the aftermath.
Combat experience gained
Combat experience gained
Combat experience gained
.
Level up!
Congratulations, you are now level 4
+1 STR, +2 VIT, + 2 INT
Combat experience gained
Combat experience gained
Level up!
Congratulations, you are now level 5
+1 STR, +2 VIT, + 2 INT
You have learned a new skill: Drain Mana [passive]
Congratulations on reaching level 5!
You have taken your first step toward infinite power, riches and fame.
Becoming a God, just a step away. All you need is to take the rest of the steps to get there.
Your first step is choosing your class. Choose wisely for it will define your path forward!
Going through over ten notifications, Bones discovered a multitude of kill notifications, a couple of skill level-ups, and a total of two gained levels! Amidst these, one unexpected notification piqued his interest the most. As he delved into it, he found himself intrigued by the option to choose his class. However, just before making that decision, he almost overlooked a passive skill that captured his attention— Mana Drain.
Mana Drain [passive] - Grants a chance to trigger a mana drain effect on your target on hit. Chance to apply the effect and amount of mana drained increases with skill level.
"That passive ability, Drain Mana, seems incredibly useful. And it's a racial ability? Imagine the challenge it poses for mages trying to battle against skeletons."
Shifting his attention back to the class selection, Bones couldn't help but feel a sense of excitement as he explored the available options. This time, he resolved to embark on a different path. He mused that perhaps the system could have termed it a "Path" instead of a "Class" to avoid confusion.
Classes available: 3
Rogue - You have proven yourself efficient in stealth and ambush tactics. Regardless of the choice of your weapon you have great potential as a rogue and the paths that follow.
Arcane Mage - You have a way with mana. Mana sense and mana manipulation as proof. Arcane Mage class leads to a variety of paths available. Should you choose an Arcane Mage class you will start with basic arcane spells at your disposal.
Bonemancer - You were born as bones and Bones you always will be. You can sense a mana coursing through your bones and empowering you. With bone manipulation learned, you have already begun your journey on the path of a Bonemancer. Bonemancer will give you means to bend, shape and mend bones and above all, golem creation. It wouldn’t be a mancer without minions.
Bones had a fair understanding of rogues and their typical tactics, with cloaks and daggers being familiar elements, although he wondered if they had evolved in any way.
However, the allure of becoming an arcane mage was too enticing to ignore. The prospect of wielding raw mana and casting arcane spells resonated deeply with him. Witnessing mages manipulate mana in its pure form, achieving feats beyond his capabilities, fueled his desire. Being an arcane mage wasn't a skill to acquire; it was an innate talent. Most mages were bound by their elemental affinities, but arcane mages transcended these limitations. Mastery of raw mana hinted at the potential to manipulate other types of mana, albeit with a steeper learning curve.
The Bonemancer class intrigued him, offering a unique blend of bone manipulation. As a being composed entirely of bones, the class felt almost tailored for him. The class description hinted at the ability to shape and mend, sparking thoughts of healing his skeletal structure and tending to the visible scratches he had accumulated in battle.
Considering the relentless nature of his combat style, mending bones would indeed be crucial for his survivability. Lastly, the idea of summoning minions or golems, while unclear to him, stirred memories of the moment he came into existence. Skeletons were everywhere, and he vaguely recalled a person, likely a summoner, kneeling nearby. The ability to summon minions appeared to be an extraordinary power, and the flashback emphasized the potential of such an outrageous ability.