[Unnamed
Race: Unique Zombie
Strength: 23
Agility: 5
Dexterity: 7
Defence: 4
Skills: Assimilation (Unique) | Curse of the Undead (Common)
Titles: Unique One]
A little bit after seeing my rotten features I remembered what that god said and murmured 'status check'. This was what I saw printed on a translucent screen.
From the brief glimpses I took of games, I could tell that this seemed like something out of an RPG, but I wasn't really sure about what these values would mean for my abilities. I had no interest in fighting but being too weak would likely be a problem.
After looking at the numbers, my eyes were drawn to my unique skill. I somehow already knew how to use it, but I still didn't get how it worked or what it was supposed to do. While I stared at it, another screen popped up
[Assimilation (Unique)
??????]
'Well this sure is helpful.'
The hope I had that I would learn something about it, was quickly crushed, so I then moved on to my other skill. After focusing on it, a different screen popped up.
[Curse of the Undead (Common)
Anyone that is infected with the host's bodily fluids will turn into a similar creature as long as this skill is effective.]
It seemed that just like the movies, I could turn others into zombies. Not that I would go out of my way to do something like that. As long as no one bothers me I don't plan on bothering anyone either.
Finally, was the title.
[Unique One:
As someone who has been born as a unique member of a race, you will draw the animosity of those of the same race but will also attract those outside your race.
Increase in status growth potential.]
I grimaced at the explanation but the rest didn't seem too bad.
'I hope I don't have any neighbours here.'
Right as I messed with the sacred power of flags, not something I actually believed in, I suddenly realized that I couldn't move my leg.
"Ahh!"
When I looked down I saw a horrific figure knawing on my ankle. It was a sight that made me hope my face wasn't as bad while being grateful that there were no mirrors here. Maybe since I was zombie, I felt no pain despite the flesh that was torn from me, but there was some fatigue.
'I better take care of this before anything weird happens.'
I cautiously reached towards the zombie and grabbed its neck. It didn't put up any resistance so I was then able to squeeze and crush its throat. I was partially surprised by how strong I was but I didn't have much time to feel amazed as the head was still stuck to my ankle.
I didn't want to accidentally break my own ankle so I then grabbed the zombie's skull and squeezed. The brownish-grey fluid that slipped out from my palm would likely churn my stomach if it was still working properly. Right at this moment, I felt like it would work so I used my unique skill.
Then, the zombie's corpse(?) became turned into a faint gas that sunk into my body.
[Assimilation successful!]
[Strength +5
Defence +1]
[Curse of the Undead has become Curse of the Undead (level 2)]
In addition to feeling more energized, a vague memory popped up in my mind. It was just the same scenery that was before me repeatedly shown at different angles.
'Is this its memory?'
Based on what just happened, I believed that by using Assimilation I could steal a portion of both the abilities and memories of any creature that I killed. There wasn't much to figure out from one test but it was enough.
'As long as I don't have any bothersome neighbours this power should be enough.'
While people back in my old world might have hated me for giving up on exploring this new world, that was none of my business. Even if there was no true heaven and this place was more like hell, as long as I could spend my time in peace I didn't care.
All I had around me was dirt and a few broken tombstones but there was no need to pursue luxury at the moment. I used my hands to dig a small grave and then lied down in it. And then, I slept like one of the dead.
Every once in a while, a zombie or skeleton would rudely wake me up, but either I was rather strong or they were just weak because they were about as troublesome as flies. In other words, less dangerous mostly just annoying. However unlike those irritating little bastards, I could get something in return for beating these monsters.
[Unnamed
Race: Unique Zombie
Strength: 50
Agility: 12
Dexterity: 14
Defence: 46
Skills: Assimilation (Unique) | Curse Magic (Rare)
Titles: Unique One]
[Curse Magic (Rare)
Curse Shot: Fires a ball of curse-attribute mana.
Imbue Curse: Applies curse-attribute to objects through touch.]
The power that was coursing through me was good enough but I was definitely grateful for an upgrade on one of my skills. It was something I got after constantly absorbing them so unfortunately Curse Magic didn't seem to affect undead creatures, but there was nothing wrong with an extra card up my sleeve.
After a certain point, using Assimilation on zombies and skeletons no longer provided any changes to my body which was now looked similar to an extremely pale human body if the small areas of rotting flesh were ignored. And since I didn't get much information from the memories of my defeated enemies, I simply killed them and left them around. There was no need to worry about disposal since I couldn't use my nose or get sick. However, I should have known not to be complacent. Even if this was another world, how could I be allowed such a peaceful daily life?
Boom!
Though the moon waxed and waned it was always night so I couldn't be sure how many days had passed, but at some point I was awaken by a very loud alarm.
'What the heck is that?'
Since the sound repeatedly rang I cautiously lifted my head from my bed/grave and took a peek. Right in front of me, I could see my fellow undead being massacred by a group of four humans.
'Damn it! Did one of these guys go mess with them or something?'
As someone who once wished for world peace, I hoped that this violent scene wouldn't exist but this was no dream. Of the four humans, there was one at the front destroying my brethren with his bare fists and another one at his rear shooting balls of fire. I was glad that it wasn't as fast as a gun but if it hit my head it wouldn't matter. While it was obvious that I should surrender I probably didn't look pleasing to the eye so I would get killed before I could explain myself.
'Tch, they're getting closer. Why are these guys so weak? Can't you at least take care a few humans, you stupid undead?!'
Momentarily forgetting that I would have had more hardships if my fellow undead were stronger, I watched anxiously as the young man approached while using brute force to get his way. The undead that he missed, jumped at the other group that had two females and one male, but the swordsman among them made quick work of them.
Worried that I would soon have my head removed, I resolved to make my move.
'I at least need to make them back off.'
I felt stronger than I ever did as a human, but I had no idea how I would fare against trained professionals. But doing nothing would only get me killed.
I looked around and picked up a fallen skull and then used Imbue Curse on it before throwing it at the group of three. I was worried that my aim would be off when I needed it most, but my accuracy was perfect. Unfortunately, the swordsman smashed through the skull with a swing of his sword.
'Tch, he basically just scored off my pitch.'
Realising that my tactic wasn't going to work, I anxiously came up with another idea before my location was discovered. It was then that I noticed. A black gas remained after the skull was destroyed that sunk into the swordsman's arm.
"Abuzu! Abuzu!"
The swordsman shouted in some strange language while franticly swinging his arm but it did nothing to stop the gas. The woman beside him in a white nun outfit, raised her hands and murmured something with her eyes closed. Finally, the gas stopped entering his body but it didn't disappear.
"Cain!"
The magician woman called back the young man who had just crushed a skeleton's head, and the four then proceeded to retreat. Watching as they eventually left the area, I sighed in relief.
'I guess I managed to live this time. But next time...'