Skar sat on his buttocks, studying the map, and without looking up, he asked his 'Brother Feng'.
"What's the name of the forest we're in?"
"Ashborn," the skeleton replied.
Skar quickly located his position on the map, marked by a few brown trees with a green symbol on top. "Green symbol must mean it has a guardian. Huh? Why does that feel familiar?" He tilted his head, trying to remember, but when nothing came to mind, he shrugged it off.
His eyes caught sight of a nearby river on the map, and on the opposite side stood a castle labeled 'Morgana City.' That would be his first destination.
"Yes, yes," the skeleton, Feng Bao, nodded while gradually backing away. But he froze when Skar turned to look at him.
Skar thought to himself, 'This guy is clearly not simple. I can't consume his bones, so it's better not to push him too far and make him an enemy.'
"Brother Feng," Skar said, "before you go, can you tell me about the demon realm?"
"… You seriously don't know?"
The miro shook his head. He could ask the system for information, but having a short chat with someone else wouldn't hurt. Feng Bao might be odd, but he seemed like a fun guy.
"Ha! Seriously, as expected of a monkey… Ahem, I mean yes, I'll be quick about it if you don't mind?"
"Owo, owo, it's okay."
"Basically, it started countless years ago when the evil god was active, and the whole world was shrouded in darkness. After a brutal battle, the celestial and demon gods finally managed to kill that wretch. But then…"
"The demon god betrayed the celestial god?" Skar interrupted.
"You are right," Feng Bao confirmed. "That fool thought she could defeat the celestial god but was instead defeated, humiliated, and enslaved, forever dooming the demon realm."
Skar's mind flashed to his "Contract Breaker" skill. 'Ah, I'd almost forgotten about that.'
"From then on, demons and monsters from the demon realm are summoned into the celestial realm, now called Mayvet, and they are forced to sign contracts."
"They cannot oppose?"
The skeleton burst out laughing. "No one can oppose a god's will."
"But obviously, things weren't that smooth in the early years, and there was friction throughout the realms. No one wants to be the servant of another," Feng Bao said, shaking his head in lament. "But after so many years, it has become the norm. Hell, many fools feel proud of being summoned and becoming so-called 'champions' of humans, demi-humans, or whatever they call themselves. Isn't it laughable?"
Skar remained silent. The fate of the demon realm was something he deeply detested, and he vowed never to experience it himself. Feng Bao, who had been so talkative, seemed to grow dejected as well.
But then Feng Bao shrugged his bony shoulders and added, "Anyway, it's not like anyone's going to summon a lowly skeleton like me. But Brother Skar, you're clearly different. Just hope no one summons a flare monkey to use as a bomb, and even if they do, pray you don't get picked up by that damned light."
"Mmh," Skar murmured in agreement.
Feng Bao asked to see the map again. He pointed to a bridge figure near Ashborn Forest, which was in a peculiar location, clearly away from the river.
"Go to this place. It's operated by Morgana City, so things should be easier for you. The other bridge near the river is controlled by a faction that opposes Queen Morgana. They'd cause trouble for you if they knew your destination."
Feng Bao gave Skar directions to the bridge and then left, gloom hanging over him. The silence that followed was abruptly broken by music. The beautiful sound spread throughout the forest, and birds and insects seemed to chirp back in response, creating a melody that lifted the spirits of everyone present.
'Huh? What's this? It's so calming.'
[+1 HP]
[+1 Mana]
The rate of mana regeneration and health gain also increased.
"Don't bother, Brother Skar," Feng Bao's skeletal head popped out of a nearby bush, "No one's been able to find the source of this music, so you're better off heading to your destination." He vanished back into the foliage. "Remember, the transportation only arrives at midnight, so you've got to hurry~."
Skar closed his eyes, letting the calming music seep into him as his health and mana continued to increase at a faster rate than usual. Unconsciously, he started moving in sync with the rhythm of the music.
'System, just who the hell is Mr. Zero?' Skar wondered. He had expected Mr. Zero to be extraordinary, but to think that this unknown man had done what almost everyone in the two realms considered impossible—he opposed the god's will.
No, he managed to break the curse. The "Contract Breaker" skill was proof of that.
[System has no information about the creator.]
"Alright then," Skar muttered. "Let me enjoy this music first, then I'll leave for the bridge."
He continued walking, thinking, 'Now I am sure that I need to hide the contract breaker and not let anyone even find it out. Feng Bao also pointed at a crucial thing—summoning.
I am immune to getting contracted but I am not immune to summoning, maybe that's where Morgana and rejecting that whatever voice comes into play? Hmm, only time will tell. I should only focus on leveling up.'
Time passed, and his peaceful thoughts were interrupted by the system's familiar ding. Skar opened his eyes, a bit annoyed, but any complaints died on his lips when he saw the notification.
[Congratulations on creating your first skill!]
[+10 Evolution Points]
[+1 Skill Point]
[You created a passive skill 'Calm Walk.']
[Calm Walk (Passive): While walking peacefully, willpower, soul power, mana, and health regeneration are significantly enhanced. This effect lasts as long as the state of calm is maintained.]
'A new skill? I must've gotten it because of Learning Mode. Hey, system, how can I spam this Learning Mode? I got 10 evolution points after all.'
[You cannot spam it. New skills can only be created through thorough repetition of an action and patience.]
Skar quickly pieced together how he had earned the new skill. Like any species, the Miro had a survival trait—the ability to enter a calm state of mind that could increase their lifespan.
He noticed that two suns had already set, while the last one cast a mysterious purple hue over the land. Looking around, Skar found himself in a denser part of the forest, his lips twitching in mild irritation.
'Oh well, let's find a way out now.'
He turned around and, just as he took a few steps, a notification appeared.
[You have entered a Mystical Space, the resting place of the Ashborn Guardian.]
[Your mana regeneration and willpower have temporarily increased by three points.]
[Amount of Evolution Points received in this space is significantly higher.]
[The ranks of creatures here are higher than in the Ashborn Forest.]
'Great.'
As if to greet him, Skar heard buzzing sounds. Moments later, purple bees the size of an adult skull emerged from nearby.
"Ch, ch, ch," he laughed sarcastically, "Even better."