I felt empty, but somehow, that felt… normal.
No guilt. No hesitation.
No fear.
The realization was settling in, cold and quiet.
I had just killed something with my own hands, yet the only thing I felt was just a dull acceptance.
Was it because I was a monster now?
Was it because the skeleton attacked me first, and I had only been defending myself?
You know what? I don't care why; I am a monster now, and my only goal now is survival.
----------------------------------------
[Target Defeated.]
[More Experience Gained for Defeating a Stronger Opponent.]
[Species: Witherling Zombie Lv. 1 → Witherling Zombie Lv. 2]
[Skill: Wither’s Claw Lv. 1 → Wither’s Claw Lv. 2]
[Skill: Night Vision Lv. 1 → Night Vision Lv. 2]
[Trait: Undead Body Lv. 1 → Undead Body Lv. 2]
[You Have 3 Stat Points.]
----------------------------------------
I leveled up?
The knowledge was already there, buried in my mind, yet the details felt… hazy.
I knew the Akashic System existed and I knew its purpose, but the actual mechanics of it? How leveling worked? How experience was calculated?
That part was harder to recall. It was like trying to remember the rules of a game I never played but only heard of in passing.
Still, it made sense, right? Before, I was at Level 1, so logically, I should be able to level up.
I clenched my fingers, flexing them experimentally, there was something else now—a lingering sensation beneath my skin, like an unseen force recalibrating my body in real time.
All the wounds I had sustained from the battle were healed
Was this what leveling up felt like?
There was a euphoric instant surge of completeness. It wasn't really a dramatic transformation, but I could tell something was different.
Perks of being a monster, I guess.
I felt closer…felt like I was on the right track of something, but I didn’t know what.
Was this also somehow related to my new monster instincts?
Or was this also just an effect of the system?
I decided to table this thought and check on the stat points instead.
Akashic Record
----------------------------------------
Name: [][][][][][]
Race: Demonic Beast
Species: Witherling Zombie
Rank: Spawn
Class: None
Level: 2
Titles: None
----------------------------------------
Strength: 7
Intelligence: 9
Endurance: 7
Vitality: 5
Agility: 4
Stat Points Available: 3
----------------------------------------
Skills:
Night Vision - Lv. 2
Wither’s Claw - Lv. 2
Mana Perception (Passive) - Lv. 1
####### ####### - Lv. Locked (Fragment - Unusable)
----------------------------------------
Traits:
Undead Body - Lv. 2
----------------------------------------
I stared at my updated stats, my confusion only growing.
"So, I get three stat points per level... and all my stats increase by one automatically, too?" I muttered, trying to piece it together. That was a better growth rate than I expected. Not that it made up for the whole turning me into a rotting corpse thing.
"I still won't forgive you for that, system, but at least you're trying," I grumbled.
My eyes drifted to the three unallocated stat points. Moving my decaying limbs felt slightly less awful now, probably thanks to my small increases in endurance and agility. It was barely noticeable, but it was something. If even a single point made a difference, then focusing on agility and endurance seemed like the obvious choice—strength, too, just in case.
After all, if there was one thing a Witherling Zombie needed, it was the ability to run. Survival wasn’t about fighting—it was about knowing when to not fight.
I nodded to myself, feeling my whopping nine intelligence patting me on the back for my brilliant deduction. I doubted I could be wrong.
"Yeah... I’m definitely onto something here," I mumbled, mostly to myself.
[+2 Agility]
[+1 Vitality]
As soon as I allocated the points, I felt it. A subtle shift. The dead weight in my limbs lightened, my movements smoothed, and—most importantly—I no longer dragged my feet like some half-broken marionette.
I glanced down at my ragged, barely-holding-together body and sighed. Still a corpse. But at least now, I'm a slightly more functional one.
I took a step. Slow, deliberate.
Then another. And another.
It wasn’t fast. It sure as hell wasn’t graceful. But for the first time since waking up in this rotting husk, I could move with purpose. And for now, that was enough.
For now.
Testing my newfound agility, I pushed into a light jog.
Which immediately became an uncontrolled stumble straight into a cave wall.
THUD.
"...Ow."
Correction—I could move with purpose. I just sucked at it.
Peeling my half-decayed face off the stone, I groaned.
New goal: learn to walk before attempting to run.
----------------------------------------
I walked forward, my steps steady, though my body still felt foreign. The cavern stretched before me—silent, vast, its jagged stone walls scarred with deep cracks. Glowing stone pillars jutted from the floor and ceiling casting an eerie dim light barely bright enough to illuminate the surrounding.
The air was cold, thick with dampness and the faint scent of rot.
I narrowed my milky, undead eyes, scanning every detail.
For all the strength, durability, and resilience monsters had—if I didn’t even know where I was, I might as well already be dead.
No map.
No guides.
No memory.
If this place was as dangerous as I suspected, wandering around blind was just a slow, stupid way to die.
Since the moment I started walking, I’d been watching. Studying. Trying to piece together any clue that might tell me where the hell I was.
With no memories, the effort felt pointless, but I kept at it. I was building something—a mental map of where I’d been, where I was going.
And yet, nothing looked familiar. There were no markers, no signs, and no indication of where I was or where I was going. Just endless stone and shadows.
Yeah…, the first step is to figure out where the hell I actually am.
If I could at least do that, maybe—maybe—this situation wouldn’t feel so damn hopeless.
----------------------------------------
A latent talent has surfaced. Skill [Inspect] acquired.
Processing Complete.
----------------------------------------
I froze.
“…Wait, what?” That was new.
I glanced back at my Akashic Record, and sure enough—
----------------------------------------
Akashic Record Update
General Skills:
Inspect - Lv. 1 (Newly Acquired)
Did you know this text is from a different site? Read the official version to support the creator.
----------------------------------------
Inspect?
[Inspect]
* Allows the user to analyze a target, revealing basic details such as name, species, and general strength. Higher levels provide deeper insights.
And to think I… just got it.
By thinking about how much it sucked that I couldn’t tell where I was?
I exhaled slowly.
Latent talent?
What did that even mean? Was the Akashic System trying to buy my forgiveness?
It was unsettling that I had no answers, just more questions—but at least this would be a useful skill.
Then again, if it was handed to me this easily, maybe my situation was even worse than I thought.
I pushed that thought aside. No point in spiraling. Might as well test it out.
My gaze fell on a jagged rock nearby. Something simple. I focused.
----------------------------------------
[Inspect - Lv. 1] Activated
[Rock]
A rock.
----------------------------------------
I blinked.
…
I rubbed my temples.
Alright, maybe I set my expectations too high.
I turned to a nearby cavern wall, placing my hand against it, feeling the rough, uneven surface.
“Alright… let’s try this again.”
----------------------------------------
[Inspect - Lv. 1] Activated
[Wall]
It is a wall.
----------------------------------------
I stared.
Then I stared harder.
…So this was Lv. 1 Inspect.
Absolutely useless.
I sighed, dragging my rotting hand down my face.
Guess I’m gonna have to level this thing up before it actually tells me anything useful, huh?
I sighed.
Look at the bright side.
I was fortunate to even have a skill to complain about now.
I took one last look at the rock before kicking it forward.
It tumbled a few feet, bouncing off another rock.
I activated Inspect one more time just to see if I was missing anything.
----------------------------------------
[Inspect - Lv. 1] Activated
[Rock]
Still a rock.
----------------------------------------
I stared.
Then I nodded.
“Yeah. I hate this skill.”
And with that, I decided to keep walking deeper in the cavern.
I had planned to use Inspect on everything I saw if it would help level it up.
At a higher level, the skill would be able to offer better assistance and would eventually become invaluable… even if right now it sucked.
So, I walked forward, activating Inspect on whatever was available.
Which, unfortunately, was nothing much.
----------------------------------------
[Wall]
[Rock]
[Floor]
[Rock]
[Stone]
[Rock]
----------------------------------------
I continued walking, mindlessly activating Inspect, until I spotted two silhouettes in the distance.
I squinted.
Humanoid?
I hesitated, then activated Inspect.
----------------------------------------
[Inspect - Lv. 1] Activated
[Imp]
Imp.
----------------------------------------
I stared.
Then I stared harder.
Ok, this might be the most help I will receive from this skill for now.
But what should I do?
The imps moved closer now to the point where I was able to fully see them with the help of night vision.
There are two imps in front of me. Should I avoid them for now, or should I risk my life and try to fight them?
…
Yeah, easy answer.
I decided a tactical retreat would be my best bet for now but the moment I shifted my weight to retreat, the two imps locked onto me, their small, wiry frames twitching with anticipation. Their beady, red eyes gleamed in the dim cavern light, sharp claws flexing as they prepared to lunge.
I barely had time to react before the first one darted forward, its movements erratic but quick. It wasn’t mindless—there was calculation in the way it moved, cutting off my path with a sudden burst of speed.
Damn it.
The second imp screeched, its jagged teeth bared as it flanked me from the side. There was no time to think, no plan—I just moved.
I swung my clawed hand wildly, aiming at the closest imp—
[Wither’s Claw]
My fingers raked across its shoulder, and for a split second, I felt resistance. Then came the sickening sight of black veins spreading from the wound, necrotic energy crawling over its flesh like a living sickness. The imp howled, staggering back, clutching at the spreading decay with frantic, clawed fingers.
The second imp took advantage of my attack, lunging in low. I tried to twist away—
Too slow.
Its claws raked across my side, tearing through decayed flesh with ease. A sharp, hollow pain radiated from the wound, but there was no blood, just the dull sensation of my body taking damage.
I gritted my teeth. I wasn’t going to win a battle of speed.
But maybe…
The wounded imp was still reeling from my attack, its movements sluggish as the corruption drained its strength. That left me with one real opponent for now.
I turned toward the second imp, dropping low before lunging forward, swinging both arms—
[Wither’s Claw]
My claws sank into its chest, fingers digging deep, and I felt something crack beneath my grip. It screeched, flailing wildly, trying to pry me off, but the rot spread too fast. Its struggling slowed, movements becoming weaker—
Then, with one final jerk, it went still.
One down.
I barely had time to react before the first imp recovered and lunged at me in a frenzy, shrieking in pain and fury. It moved wildly, unpredictable, desperation overriding whatever cunning it had before.
I tried to dodge—
Its claws slashed across my arm, deep enough to carve through rotting flesh, deep enough that I felt my bones tremble under the impact. My vision wavered for a second, a strange, pulsing haze overtaking my senses.
I didn’t have the luxury of hesitation.
Forcing myself forward, I slammed my clawed hand into its throat, pushing with every ounce of strength I had left.
[Wither’s Claw]
Its body convulsed, spasming as the necrotic energy surged through it. Its screech turned to a gurgle as its own body turned against itself, the life draining from its frame.
----------------------------------------
[Target Defeated.]
[Experience Gained.]
[Species: Witherling Zombie Lv. 2 → Witherling Zombie Lv. 3]
[Skill: Night Vision Lv. 1 → Lv. 2]
[Skill: Wither’s Claw Lv. 2 → Lv. 3]
[Skill: Inspect Lv. 1 → Lv. 2]
[Skill: Mana Perception Lv. 1 → Lv. 2]
[You Have 3 Stat Points.]
----------------------------------------
I stood there, panting, watching as the final remnants of the first zombie crumbled under its own decay.
That was hard…but still easier than I thought.
I’d thought my best bet on a 2 against 1 was death but the fact i was still here not breathing I wasn’t going to take for granted.
My wounds already started to heal, but I could feel like it would be a while before I was fully healed.
I checked Inspect, and I'm curious how much better it has gotten.
I used it on myself.
----------------------------------------
[Inspect - Lv. 2] Activated
[Zombie - Lv. 4]
A lesser undead.
----------------------------------------
I stared.
“…Thanks. Really working at full power, huh Inspect.”
I shook my head and checked the zombies again.
----------------------------------------
[Inspect - Lv. 2] Activated
[Zombie - Lv. 3]
A basic undead.
----------------------------------------
Alright, now we’re getting somewhere.
It still wasn’t great, but at least now I could see levels.
That was something.
I pulled up my stats.
----------------------------------------
AKASHIC RECORD UPDATE
Stat Points Available: 3
[+2 Agility]
[+1 Strength]
----------------------------------------
I took a deep breath—or at least mimicked the motion.
I could move more naturally now.
My strikes were smoother, and my reaction time was sharper.
It wasn’t dramatic, but the difference was noticeable.
I clenched my fists.
This was working.
I kept moving.
And I made the unlikely decision to spend the next several hours hunting.
I decided to only target enemies that were my level or lower and that were alone.
I used the fact that not all the monsters in the cave had night vision because of their reliance on the glowing stones.
My hunting tactic was staying in the shadows and getting ambush kills with [Wither’s Claw]
They were weak and were free of experience.
They didn’t fight back until I attacked.
I mean, they couldn’t. How could you fight against something you couldn’t see?
They were too slow to keep up once I increased my agility.
One by one, I tore through them, using Wither’s Claw to weaken them before finishing them off.
[Skeletal Walker Defeated.]
[Experience Gained.]
[Venomfang Snake Defeated.]
[Lesser Experience Gained.]
[Skeletal Walker Defeated.]
[Lesser Experience Gained.]
[Chitterfang Imps Defeated.]
[Experience Gained.]
[Gloom Crawlers Defeated.]
[Lesser Experience Gained.]
Then—
----------------------------------------
[Target Defeated.]
[Experience Gained.]
[Species: Witherling Zombie Lv. 3 → Witherling Zombie Lv. 4]
[You Have 3 Stat Points.]
----------------------------------------
[+2 Agility]
[+1 Vitality]
----------------------------------------
I immediately allocated my 3 stat points and paused, feeling my body shift slightly.
I could move faster now.
My limbs responded without hesitation.
My movements felt natural.
I grinned.
----------------------------------------
[Skill: Night Vision Lv. 2 → Lv. 3]
[Skill: Wither’s Claw Lv. 3 → Lv. 4]
[Skill: Inspect Lv. 2 → Lv. 3]
[Skill: Mana Perception Lv. 2 → Lv. 3]
[Trait: Undead Body Lv. 2 → Lv. 3]
The system has recorded your comprehension.
acquired
Processing Complete.
My attention to my skill that had leveled was short-lived as my attention immediately went to inspecting my new skill.
----------------------------------------
[Skill: Unarmed Combat]
Details: [Enhances the user’s proficiency in hand-to-hand combat, improving striking power, speed, and technique when fighting without weapons.]
----------------------------------------
That made sense. I had been fighting unarmed since the beginning—the system must have recognized my progress.
Good. My plan was to grow, and the acquisition of a new skill proved my efforts were paying off.
The skill seemed perfect for my current hunting tactics and could help me with facing enemies without ambushes.
I started to think of the best way to test this new skill when I heard a sound that put a pause on my thoughts.
In the distance in front of me, I heard the sound of tapping growing louder.
I reflexively used inspect on the area where the sound was growing from
[Inspect - Lv. 3] Activated
[Chitterfang Imp - Lv. 5]
[Small, feral humanoids with elongated limbs, clawed fingers, and needle-like teeth that never stop chattering. They skulk in the dark, using echolocation to hunt, and their erratic movements make them hard to hit. While individually weak, they sometimes travel in hordes, overwhelming prey with sheer numbers and relentless ambush attacks. Bright light can scatter them, but once they’ve marked a target, they rarely stop hunting.]
I exhaled slowly. Another imp.
The prospect of an another imp approaching me didn’t scare me, they were a bit tricky to deal with, but not a threat by themselves so far.
However, the question of the growing tapping sound still was unanswered. They sounded a bit more like fast marching now and were more rythmic.
At that moment I felt a wave a fear wash over me as I reread the description of the Chitterfang Imp more carefully but quickly.
And then I saw it.
“—While individually weak, they sometimes travel in hordes, overwhelming prey with sheer numbers and relentless ambush attacks.”
Shit.
I adjusted Inspect's range, targeting the entire area where the sound originated.
[Inspect - Lv. 3] Activated
[Chitterfang Imp - Lv. 4]
[Chitterfang Imp - Lv. 5]
[Chitterfang Imp - Lv. 3]
[Chitterfang Imp - Lv. 8]
[Chitterfang Imp - Lv. 4]
[Chitterfang Imp - Lv. 8]
[Chitterfang Imp - Lv. 7]
[Chitterfang Imp - Lv. 5]...4 more.
Even though I was dead, my stomach dropped.
Shit.
I turned and ran.