Eternal Rest

After the intense skirmish with the wolves, Bones decided to take a well-deserved break. While not strictly necessary for his skeletal form, he embraced a moment of reprieve. His mana reserves were nearly depleted, and his health gradually recovered. The loss of an arm and a leg had significantly diminished his health points, leaving him with only a fraction of his original vitality. Deep scratches and cuts adorned his skeletal frame, reducing his health to less than half. An unsettling thought crossed his mind – what would happen if his health dwindled to zero? Would he face unforeseen consequences, or perhaps welcome the embrace of death once again? Shaking off such morbid musings, he entered a state of meditation to expedite his recovery. In this contemplative state, he focused on reviewing several notifications detailing the level-ups gained in the aftermath of the chaotic wolf encounter.

Combat experience gained

*

*

Level up!

Congratulation, you are now level 6

Level up!

Congratulation, class Bonemancer is now lvl 2

Level up!

Congratulation, class Bonemancer is now lvl 3

Level up!

Congratulation, you are now level 7

*

*

Level up!

Congratulation, class Bonemancer is now lvl 4

The mental exertion was palpable, but Bones found satisfaction in the results. Two levels in race and three in class achieved in just under two hours – a remarkable pace. Who wouldn't be pleased with such rapid progress? Yet, amidst the triumph, a lingering sense of unease crept in. What if he had encountered a pack of level 6 direwolves this time? The direwolves were clearly leaders of their respective packs, and the potential dangers loomed large. It struck him that he could have utilized trees to his advantage, a strategic consideration for future battles. A fleeting concern surfaced – could wolves climb trees now? "Hope not..." he mused, pondering the evolving dynamics of the magical world he traversed.

“Status.”

Status

Attributes

Name: Bones

Race: Undead Skeleton lvl 7

Class: Bonemancer lvl 4

Profession: ???

Hp - 83/170

Mp - 37/210

Sta - ∞

STR: 11

AGI: 5

END: 5

VIT: 17

INT: 21

WIS: 5

Free points:

Restoring his mana through a swift investment in INT, Bones pondered a more practical approach to bone usage. Carrying a collection of bones at all times seemed unwieldy, and he had already abandoned the ones fashioned during the wolf pursuit. The thought occurred to him: "It would be silly if I could use my bones as a spear… Couldn’t I!?" Intrigued by the idea, he attempted to separate one of the bones connecting his hand and elbow. Despite feeling a strain, the bone remained immobile. Contemplating an alternative, he considered using Bone Spear without a material. While it would reduce the damage, the faster casting time might compensate for the drawback.

Resting against a tree, Bones, now fully healed and recharged, took the time to catch up on the notifications he had missed during the battle. The leveling progress was impressive – Mana Sense, Mana Vision, and Mana Manipulation had all gained notable enhancements, improving his awareness and control. Meditating had been a slower climb, but each level brought incremental boosts to regeneration. The most satisfying advancements were in Bone Manipulation and Bone Spear, reaching basic level five and four, respectively. The constant use of these skills and the addition of a new spear with increased mana cost contributed to their swift progress. Reflecting on his leveling speed, Bones acknowledged that, considering only two days had passed, he was progressing at an impressive rate in both his race and class. With no benchmarks to compare himself to, the sense of fast development was gratifying.

The night settled in, casting an eerie atmosphere as the growls of nocturnal creatures sent a shiver down Bones' skeletal form. Creatures of the night emerged, and as the darkness deepened, Bones observed the activities of various beasts in the area where the slain wolves lay. The night unveiled a different world, with unknown creatures and unfamiliar sounds echoing through the forest.

Balancing on the thick branches of trees, Bones navigated the canopy, leaping from one vantage point to another. The night was alive with activity, and he encountered both familiar and unknown beasts. One silhouette, in particular, caught his attention – a feline panther moving silently through the darkness. Each step seemed calculated, leaving no disturbance on the forest floor. However, Bones sensed a powerful surge of mana emanating from the panther, realizing that taking it on was beyond his current capabilities. When the panther briefly turned its gaze in his direction, Bones understood that his mana presence had been detected.

Adapting quickly, Bones suppressed his mana, deliberately slowing down the flow to diminish his presence. The panther, no longer detecting his aura, resumed its silent prowling through the night. Reflecting on this encounter, Bones recognized the necessity of mastering the art of suppressing mana. He likened the process to regulating his breathing, drawing a parallel between calming the mana flow within him and achieving a state of serene control.

Continuing his journey westward, as dawn approached, Bones reached a clearing and witnessed a new sight – a group of fully geared individuals engaged in a fierce battle with a massive boar. It seemed he had encountered his first adventuring party.

Facing the formidable Steel Tusk boar, a level eight, a young man took a defensive stance, clad in full body armor with a shield in front of him and a mace poised forward. Positioned behind him, on his left, a mage charged a fiery projectile the size of a fist, while on his right, a female archer, adorned in a leather set of armor, skillfully prepared arrow after arrow. At the rear of the party, a support mage, garbed in pristine white attire with golden embellishments, contributed to the group's strategy.

The boar, towering over the frontline adventurer, focused its attention on the defender. Singed fur adorned the boar's head on its left side, and a few arrows protruded from its right, not deeply penetrating the tough flesh. The battle between the party and the massive Steel Tusk boar unfolded in the clearing, setting the stage for a confrontation of strength and strategy.

In the midst of the confrontation, the defender skillfully employed a taunting skill, diverting the boar's attention to himself while the others unleashed their attacks. However, the party's lack of experience became evident as the boar charged unexpectedly, knocking the defender aside and reaching the vulnerable mage. Despite the mage's attempt to evade, he was struck by the charging boar and sent sprawling. The boar then shifted its focus to the fourth member at the rear of the party.

Before the boar could charge again, the defender successfully redirected its attention, preventing further harm to his party members. Meanwhile, a few meters away, the injured mage struggled to stand, only to be aided by the support mage who rushed to his side. With her hands on his shoulders, she enveloped him in a healing green light, tending to his injuries and providing a crucial lifeline in the midst of the intense battle.

Perched safely on a tree, Bones observed the unfolding battle with keen interest, particularly focusing on the healing abilities of the girl tending to the injured mage. The healing process was swift and impressive, accompanied by a distinct and slightly unsettling crunching sound as bones mended, and wounds visibly closed. The healer, left visibly fatigued, bore the physical toll of her mending abilities, evident in the drops of sweat adorning her face.

While the mage was significantly healed, the shock of his injuries still hindered him from immediately rejoining the fray. The remaining duo in the fight displayed more adeptness, with the archer skillfully drawing the boar's attention and evading its charges, thereby easing some of the pressure on the defender.

The relentless struggle against the Steel Tusk boar continued, with the healer having to intervene again when the defender made a critical mistake and was impaled by the boar's tusks. Despite the challenges, the party pressed on, inflicting numerous wounds on the formidable beast. In the end, the boar succumbed to the bleeding and injuries it sustained during the fierce battle. The party, visibly exhausted yet satisfied, stood amidst the clearing, taking a moment to recover. Since Bones had arrived and started observing, a mere ten minutes had passed, but the intensity of the continuous combat had made it feel like a substantial stretch of time.

With the party recuperating after their arduous battle, Bones seized the opportunity to approach the weary yet triumphant party. Mindful of the potential danger due to his skeletal appearance, he descended from a tree and proceeded cautiously, emerging from the cover of the forest and walking into the clearing with his hands raised. His slow and deliberate movements were meant to convey a non-threatening demeanor as he sought to engage the party in conversation. The need for answers and information about the system and the unfamiliar world drove Bones to take this calculated risk.

“Greetings, adventurers! I didn't mean to startle you, but could I ask you a few questions?”

“Monster!” The defender screamed the moment he saw a skeleton approaching. He sprung into a defensive position, drawing his mace and a shield.

“Woah woah, hold on now…” Bones tried to defuse the situation from escalating, but the party was already up and ready for another battle.

“Everyone, battle formation!!” The defender commanded, raising his mace and pointing onwards.

“Now wait here, see I'm not-” before Bones could finish a sentence, the defender charged.

“Why you little shit!”

Bones deftly sidestepped the defender’s charging attack, urgently yelling at the adventurers to cease their assault. Unfortunately, his words failed to reach their agitated minds. The party, still fueled by the adrenaline from their recent battle and unnerved by Bones' unexpected appearance in scanty cloth, remained hostile. Although there was a brief moment of hesitation, they succumbed to the intensity of the situation.

Seeing that his attempts to ease tensions were in vain, Bones decided to take a more direct approach. He dashed towards the young man, who defensively raised his shield in anticipation of an impending strike. However, Bones sidestepped, eluding the expected hit, and continued his sprint toward the healer positioned further behind. The mage struggled to cast a spell, but the archer swiftly reacted, drawing an arrow and aiming to intercept the approaching skeletal figure.

In a nimble display of agility, Bones abruptly halted in front of the archer's arrow, narrowly avoiding the potentially lethal shot. Simultaneously, he unleashed two bone spears, one from each side, aiming towards the healer at the forefront. The healer, reacting instinctively, evaded the first spear but unfortunately moved directly into the path of the second. The projectile impaled her head, ending her life in an instant.

Internally cursing his miscalculation, Bones had intended for the spears to graze the healer, creating a tense realization without causing harm. However, his error had now escalated the situation, risking a deadly confrontation between the parties involved. The delicate balance he hoped to maintain seemed on the verge of collapsing.

A haunting scream erupted from the young man, his sanity shattering at the sight of the healer's demise. Gripped by grief and rage, he lost all semblance of control. The mage, already disoriented, found himself further overwhelmed, struggling to comprehend the chaotic turn of events. In his befuddled state, he faltered in casting his spell.

The archer, however, maintained her composure, continuing to unleash arrows at Bones while expressing her frustration with colorful profanities. Bones winced at the choice of words, appreciating the diverse vocabulary presented in this new world.

Bones circled the lifeless body of the healer, giving it a solemn glance. An arrow found its mark on his back, chipping away at the bones and grazing his ribcage. Despite the wound, Bones turned towards the archer, with the defender hot on his tail. The archer, bewildered by the unexpected turn, took off, creating distance and firing arrows in desperation. Bones skillfully avoided the projectiles and intermittently hurled spears to disrupt the mage's attempts at casting. The chase unfolded swiftly, creating a tense atmosphere that belied its short duration, lasting only a dozen seconds.

The Mage finally completed his spell, conjuring a fist-sized ball of fire aimed at his target. An opportunity presented itself a second later.

Bones, leading the defender on, abruptly changed directions, placing his back in direct line with the mage. Recognizing the chance, the mage seized it and unleashed the fiery spell. Sensing the incoming projectile, Bones swiftly turned around and ran backward, maneuvering skillfully. The defender, oblivious to his surroundings in his blind pursuit, positioned himself unwittingly between Bones and the oncoming fireball.

The spell struck true, sending the guardian tumbling forward where Bones awaited, armed with a bone spear. He aimed at the defender's sternum, and although the armor slowed the spear's trajectory, it managed to pierce through, reaching the flesh beneath. The wound, while perhaps inconsequential for a seasoned warrior, brought the young man to the ground, effectively removing him from the fight. Spent, exhausted, and now humiliated, all he could do was stare daggers at the skeletal adversary.

Another arrow, empowered this time, struck the skeleton, finding its mark and severing one of Bones' arms. Undeterred by the loss, the experienced undead pressed on. Ignoring the seething hatred of the young man he had humiliated earlier, Bones rushed towards the archer. He attempted an attack, missing the mark, while simultaneously sending another spear in the opposite direction, aiming at the nearly-forgotten mage.

The mage, caught off guard, was filled with dread as he looked down at the spear firmly embedded in his guts. The spell in his hands fizzled, and he collapsed to his knees, clutching his stomach. With the healer gone, it was only a matter of time before the mage bled out. Meanwhile, the archer was visibly disturbed, left alone to confront the stationary skeleton who observed her every move with an unyielding gaze.

For a fleeting moment, Bones contemplated halting his actions, but the realization that he would likely be hunted down for this deed dispelled any notion of mercy. Moreover, gazing into the unyielding resolve behind the archer's eyes triggered a surge of undisputed rage within him. Like a bolt of lightning, an undeniable fury washed over Bones.

He extended a hand, sending the spear flying with a feigned miss by a few centimeters. In a swift motion, he retracted his arm with a pulling gesture. The archer, though momentarily grasping the hand gesture's meaning, proved too slow to react. Bones deliberately missed, using bone manipulation to strain and pull the spear back, penetrating the archer's back and piercing through her heart. She crumpled, still clutching her bow tightly.

Turning his attention to the squirming defender on the ground, Bones first dispatched the mage to end his suffering. With a deep exhale, he then approached the young man, whispering, "Sorry lad," before ending his existence.