Embrace of the void

After three days, Michael had not left his house. He focused solely on training and consuming the monster meat Uncle Matt provided.

His techniques had advanced significantly; he was more than halfway through the beginner level. Realizing he might need to relocate to the continent of Frostholm, he decided to add three more techniques to his arsenal:

{Shadowscape Manipulation (Rare )}

Allows the user to manipulate, shape, move between, and hide in shadows.

{Nightfall Doom (Legendary)}

Enables the user to control darkness to create devastating attacks or use shields and vortices to absorb incoming attacks.

{Dimensional Redirect (Legendary)} 

Grants the ability to open a small dimensional portal to redirect incoming attacks, divert them to another dimension, or quickly move to a different area of space, allowing for evasive maneuvers or sudden approaches on opponents.

With these additions, Michael had acquired techniques for each of his elements, except for the void element. Even fourth-rank evolvers typically wouldn't possess as many techniques, aside from a few nobles, and this was all thanks to his parents.

Status:

{Name: Michael Nightshade} 

{Age: 15}

{Class: Voidcaller Necromancer}

{Bloodline: None}

{Rank: F}

{Strength: F}

{Agility: F}

{Stamina: F}

{Perception: F}

{Intelligence: F}

{Mana: F}

{Charm: F}

{Affinity: Lightning (S), Shadow (SS), Space (SSS), Darkness (EX), Void (EX)}

{Skills: swordsmanship (Beginner 60%), Archery (Beginner)}

Techniques:

Rare: {Voltblade Fury (Beginner 57%), Desolation Barrage (Beginner 55%), Shadowscape Manipulation (Beginner 15%)} 

Legendary: {Nightfall Doom (Beginner 20%), Dimensional Redirect (Beginner 13%)} 

Class Skills: {Undead Revival (Beginner), Undead Summoning (Beginner), Void Manipulation (Beginner), Shadow Veil (Beginner 5%), Necrotic Rift (Beginner)} 

{Innate Abilities: Eternal Evolution (Beginner)}

```

His stats had improved due to the intensive training, but it would become increasingly difficult to raise them further through mere training. Ranking up seems to be the most efficient path...

"Looks like I have to venture into the forest again," Michael thought.

After taking a shower, he left his house and headed toward the forest near the city to boost his stats. The Silverleaf Forest surrounded Arcadia City, and Michael lived on the western edge of the city. The entrance to the forest was not far from his home, and it took him about half an hour to reach it.

"I have to be careful. Although the nobles don't care about me now, if anyone discovers my class, I'll become a target."

Once inside the forest, he remained vigilant, using his senses to stay aware of his surroundings. After a short while, he heard a noise nearby. Activating his class skill, **Shadow Veil**, he moved stealthily.

He spotted two armed goblins hauling a rabbit's corpse. The goblins stood about a meter and twenty centimeters tall, green-skinned and grotesque, just as described in the novels he had read in his previous life.

"This will be my first kill. I have to make it legendary."

Michael unsheathed the sword Uncle Matt had given him, a sleek weapon with a black and white handle.

"Hello, idiots!"

The goblins turned quickly, drawing their weapons—one wielding a worn spear, the other brandishing a pair of daggers. They lunged at Michael, but before they could reach him, a spark of lightning shot forth, splitting their heads apart.

"That was easy. Damn, they're weak."

Michael shook the blood from his sword and sat down to examine the goblins' corpses.

"This is my first kill, but I don't feel anything. Is it because they're monsters, or is it just my affinity for death?"

He pulled out a dagger and opened one of the goblins' chests, searching for mana cores but finding nothing.

Sighing in frustration, he shifted his focus to the next step.

Michael prepared to experiment with his skill, **Undead Revival**. Concentrating, he recalled the information about how to use it.

"I just need to collect mana from the darkness and void and inject it into the corpse. This seems easy enough."

He attempted the process on one of the goblin corpses, but after a few moments, it exploded in his face, creating a mess.

"Damn it! What just happened? Good thing I didn't try that at home."

Reflecting on the mana injection process, he tried again on the other goblin corpse, this time reducing the amount of mana he injected. He leaped back, anticipating another explosion.

Fortunately, nothing happened.

Cautiously approaching the corpse, he commanded, "Get up, you damned thing!"

To his surprise, a black and purple aura enveloped the corpse, and it began to tremble.

Michael stepped back, watching as a headless goblin corpse rose and stood before him.

"Damn, that's creepy. Why did I have to decapitate it?"

He examined the revived corpse:

Name: ####

Race: Goblin

Rank: -F

Skills: {Dagger Mastery (Beginner)}

Weak to the forest.

Michael attempted to use his innate skill on the corpse.

Michael didn't want to use his innate ability or Undead Summoning skill on the goblin because he was too weak and already headless."Damn, I stink. I should level up a bit more and then leave this place."

"Okay, you bastard. Let's see what you can do."

Michael and the headless corpse set out to search for more prey

Michael and his new headless goblin companion ventured deeper into the Silverleaf Forest. The canopy above filtered the sunlight, casting an eerie glow on the forest floor. Michael felt a mixture of excitement and trepidation; this was a new world filled with dangers and opportunities, and he was determined to make the most of it.

As they moved cautiously through the underbrush, Michael used his heightened senses to detect any signs of life. The forest was alive with sounds—rustling leaves, distant animal calls, and the occasional snap of a twig. His heart raced as he spotted a movement ahead.

"Stay close," he whispered to the headless goblin, who seemed to understand its role without needing further instruction.

After a few moments of careful observation, Michael spotted a small group of goblins gathered around a makeshift campfire, their crude laughter echoing through the trees. They were cooking a meal, oblivious to the danger lurking in the shadows.

Michael formulated a plan. He crouched low, signaling for his undead companion to follow suit. With a swift motion, he activated Shadowscape Manipulation, enveloping himself and the goblin in darkness. They slipped silently through the trees, positioning themselves to strike.

When the moment was right, Michael unleashed a bolt of lightning from his sword, striking one of the goblins squarely in the chest. The creature was thrown back, its body twitching as it fell. The other goblins turned, wide-eyed with fear.

"Now!" Michael commanded his undead goblin, who charged into the fray with surprising agility despite its missing head.

The remaining goblins scrambled to defend themselves, but they were no match for Michael's combination of skills. He moved fluidly, striking with precision while directing his undead minion to distract and disarm the foes. In mere moments, the camp was silent, the only sound the crackling of the fire.

As he surveyed the aftermath, Michael felt a surge of euphoria washed over him. Each goblin he defeated brought him closer to attaining E-rank, offering him the opportunity to grow stronger. He needed to absorb the goblins' mana cores, as all the cores in his possession exceeded his current level. With purpose, he approached the fallen goblins, searching for mana cores and any useful items they might have.

To his delight, he found a small pouch containing a few silver coins and a couple of crude weapons. Among the goblins' belongings, he also discovered a map of the forest. It appeared crudely drawn, but it marked several interesting locations, including caves and rumored monster dens.

"Looks like we have more to explore," Michael said, grinning at his headless companion. "Let's see what else we can find."

They pressed on, following the map's indications. As they journeyed deeper into the forest, the atmosphere shifted. The trees grew denser, and the air became thick with an ominous energy. Michael could feel the presence of stronger creatures lurking nearby.

Suddenly, a low growl echoed through the trees. Michael's instincts kicked in, and he turned to see a massive wolf-like creature emerging from the shadows. Its fur was a dark, mottled gray, and its eyes glinted with a predatory hunger.

"Prepare yourself!" Michael shouted, readying his sword. The headless goblin, surprisingly agile, moved to flank the creature.

The wolf lunged, and Michael narrowly dodged its powerful jaws. He countered with a slash of his sword, sending a spark of lightning through the air. The wolf howled in pain but quickly recovered, turning its attention to the undead goblin.

Using Nightfall Doom, Michael unleashed a wave of darkness that enveloped the wolf, momentarily disorienting it. Seizing the opportunity, he commanded his undead companion to attack, and it lunged at the creature, biting at its hind leg.

The wolf growled furiously, trying to shake off the headless goblin as Michael closed in for the kill. With a well-aimed strike, he plunged his sword deep into the wolf's side, sending a surge of electricity coursing through its body.

The creature collapsed, its body twitching before going still. Michael took a moment to catch his breath, exhilarated by the thrill of battle. He had faced his first real challenge and emerged victorious.

As he inspected the wolf's body, he discovered a mana core pulsating with energy. He carefully extracted it, feeling a rush of power as he added it to his collection. This would surely aid him in his future endeavors.

Here's a polished version of your chapter:

Michael gazed at the lifeless body of the wolf, contemplating his next move. He had just acquired a mana core, but a new idea sparked in his mind. Determined to strengthen his arsenal, he decided to experiment with his Undead Revival skill on the wolf, hoping to create a formidable minion.

Focusing intently, Michael began the process of channeling mana into the wolf's corpse. He carefully regulated the flow, recalling his earlier mistake with the goblin. After a few tense moments, the wolf's body began to twitch, enveloped by a dark aura.

Suddenly, the wolf's eyes snapped open, and it let out a chilling howl. Michael instinctively took a step back, prepared for an attack. To his surprise, the wolf didn't lunge at him; instead, it regarded him with a mix of confusion and loyalty.

Michael examined his new companion:

Name: ###

Race: Wolf

Rank: F+

Skills: {Feral Strength (Intermediate), Pack Tactics (Beginner)}

Weakness: Lightning-based attacks

The wolf seemed to grasp its new role as Michael's minion. A grin spread across Michael's face as he felt a surge of accomplishment. He had successfully added a powerful ally to his team and was eager to witness Fenrir's performance in battle.

With the wolf and the headless goblin by his side, Michael felt an unprecedented confidence. He was ready to confront the challenges of Silverleaf Forest, and with his expanding arsenal of techniques and minions, he knew he could surmount any obstacle that lay ahead.