A peculiar, human-like skeleton emerged from the world of the dead. Arjun felt an inexplicable connection to it.
Special Skeleton Level 1.
Strength: 10 (10).
Agility: 10 (10).
Vitality: 10 (10).
Stamina: 10/10 (10).
Spirit: 10 (10).
Endurance: 5 (10).
Skills: Bone Manipulation Ability.
The skeleton gazed at Arjun before swiftly moving to a nearby zombie that Arjun had killed. It plunged its arms into the corpse. A black light emanated from the zombie, lasting about thirty seconds. When it dissipated, the Special Skeleton held a 1.2-meter-long bone axe, extracted from the zombie's body, which then dissolved into a puddle of putrid black pus and blood.
Suddenly, the sound of a fierce collision came from outside. A claw pierced through the wooden door, shaking it violently. Within moments, the door burst open, and four zombies with lifeless white eyes shoved their way into the dorm room. A window shattered, and another zombie attempted to crawl inside.
Arjun surveyed the scene with a wry smile and commanded, "Special Skeleton, kill those zombies!"
Special Skeleton obeyed, striding forward and delivering a powerful blow to a zombie's head, sending it flying in a spray of foul blood. Almost simultaneously, three zombies swarmed the Special Skeleton, pulling and biting, its bones being ripped off one by one. The skeleton's HP plummeted as one zombie firmly grasped its axe-wielding right hand.
As Arjun watched the struggle, he stepped forward with a stick, smashing the head of the zombie holding Special Skeleton's arm. A white light flew from the zombie's body into Arjun, who then took the opportunity to free Special Skeleton's arm. The skeleton swiftly decapitated the nearest zombie.
Despite the danger, Arjun noticed the skeleton's resilience. Special Skeleton grabbed another advancing zombie, pulling it to the ground. Arjun struck the zombie's head with his novice staff, and another ball of white light entered his body.
"You have advanced to level 2. You have earned 2 points. Please distribute the points!"
Arjun didn't hesitate. "Distribute to strength and stamina!" he commanded.
Exhausted from the battle, Arjun felt warmth flow through his body as his strength and stamina began to recover. His stamina had plummeted from 8 points to 3, and it took great effort to dispatch each zombie.
"Congratulations, you have survived and destroyed the monsters. The system wants to reward you with a basic skill. Please select a skill: Skill 1 – 'Eyes of Perception,' which discerns information of monsters up to 5 levels higher. Skill 2 – 'Language Proficiency,' allowing mastery of any language."
Without hesitation, Arjun chose, "I select 'Eyes of Perception.'"
A bronze-colored rune formed in his mind. Concentrating, Arjun used 'Eyes of Perception' to examine a zombie.
"Preliminary Infection level 1 – these beings are eroded by a virus, driven by a desire for flesh and blood. Viral Infection Skill – a cut on the skin can cause infection, turning the body within 3-10 minutes. With current medical standards, it's incurable for at least a decade."
Realizing the gravity of their danger, Arjun's fear deepened. The remaining two zombies staggered toward him. Special Skeleton, wielding its axe, decapitated one zombie. The other lunged at the skeleton, tearing off a bone from its chest. Arjun seized the moment, smashing the zombie's head with his stick.
"What is this?" Arjun wondered, seeing a ball of white light fly from the zombie into his body. "Could this be what's making me stronger?"
Arjun summoned Special Skeleton to his side.
Special Skeleton (White Bones) Level 2.
Strength: 11 (10).
Agility: 11 (10).
Vitality: 11 (10).
Stamina: 9/11 (10).
Spirit: 11 (10).
Endurance: 6 (10).
Skills: Bone Manipulation Ability.
Arjun felt a new sense of purpose. The journey had only just begun, and he knew that with Special Skeleton by his side, he could face whatever horrors awaited in the God and Devil World.