Should I use it now? No! I can do this!
"Rise!"
At Noah's command, nine of the fallen rats were engulfed in a dark cloud. As it dissipated, their flesh melted away, leaving only skeletons that began to rattle and move. Bony tails snapped, claws scraped against stone, and hollow sockets stared blankly ahead.
The skeletal rats formed a protective ring around Noah, responding instinctively to his will. Without hesitation, they charged forward, weaving through the enemy lines like arrows. Claws clashed with flesh as the rat skeletons tore into the nearest monsters. Their teeth, sharp and cold, sunk deep, shredding skin and tendons. The monsters howled in pain, striking back with brute force, but every hit only cracked bones that quickly reformed, as if death had no hold on them.
Noah's heart pounded in his chest, and sweat dripped down his face. He gritted his teeth, eyes locked onto the horde surrounding him. His skeletal minions were buying him time, but he knew it wouldn't last. He focused his energy into his legs, crouching low. The tension built, his muscles coiling like springs.
Now!
With a powerful leap, Noah shot forward, his body a blur as he cut through the fray. His sword slashed through the nearest monster's neck, the blade meeting little resistance. Blood sprayed into the air, and the beast fell, gurgling its last breath. But Noah didn't stop. He twisted his body mid-air, narrowly dodging a claw swipe aimed for his back, and drove his blade into the next attacker.
The battlefield was a chaotic blur of limbs and gnashing teeth, but Noah's focus never wavered. He moved with deadly precision, each strike aimed to kill, each motion calculated. The monsters were relentless, surrounding him on all sides, but his blade danced between them, cutting down anything that dared come close. The rat skeletons fought viciously alongside him, biting and tearing at the enemy's weak points, drawing blood and creating openings for Noah to exploit.
One of the larger monsters lunged at him, its jaws wide, ready to crush him whole. Noah pivoted on his heel, ducking under its massive maw, and slashed upward. His sword cleaved through muscle and bone, splitting the creature's skull in two. The beast collapsed in a heap, but even before it hit the ground, Noah had already moved on to the next.
Fiery adrenaline coursed through his veins, pushing his body beyond its limits. Each strike sent more blood spilling onto the ground, painting the battlefield in deep crimson. His arms burned, every swing of the sword heavier than the last, but he couldn't afford to stop. Not yet.
Come on... just a bit more...
A group of smaller monsters surged toward him, their eyes gleaming with murderous intent. Noah gripped his sword tightly, bracing for the impact, but before they could reach him, the skeletal rats intercepted them. Bony jaws clamped down on their throats, snapping with an audible crack. The beasts struggled, clawing at the undead rodents, but the skeletons held firm, dragging them to the ground.
Seeing the opening, Noah gathered the last of his strength. He lunged forward, his blade flashing in the dim light, severing limbs and cleaving through flesh. His body moved on instinct, fueled by raw survival, and before he knew it, the battlefield fell silent.
Noah stood alone amidst a sea of bodies. Blood dripped from his sword, pooling at his feet. His breath came in ragged gasps, and his vision blurred. He could feel his muscles trembling, every part of him screaming for rest. His arms hung limp at his sides, slick with blood, both his and the monsters'.
I... I did it... Damn... I hate this...
The thought barely formed in his mind before his body gave out. He collapsed atop a pile of corpses, too exhausted to even think about moving. Blood and sweat soaked into his clothes, mixing with the dirt beneath him. His vision swam, and a heavy darkness pulled at the edges of his consciousness.
Then, nothing.
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When Noah awoke, it was with a sharp, painful intake of breath. He wasn't sure how much time had passed—hours, maybe days. His body ached all over, stiff and sore from battle. Groaning, he slowly pushed himself upright, swaying on his feet.
I think I nearly bit off more than I could chew.
He let out a slow breath, shaking the grogginess from his mind.
Now let's see if it was worth it... Status!
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CONGRATULATIONS! YOU HAVE GAINED 800 EXPERIENCE POINTS!
CONGRATULATIONS! YOU HAVE GAINED 800 COINS!
CONGRATULATIONS! YOU HAVE RECEIVED THE TITLE "DUNGEON EXPLORER"
CONGRATULATIONS! YOU HAVE RECEIVED THE TITLE "KILLER STRIKE"
CONGRATULATIONS! YOU HAVE FORCIBLY CREATED THE SKILL "MARTIAL ARTIST [EX]"
CONGRATULATIONS! YOU HAVE REACHED LEVEL 10!
AS A REWARD FOR THIS MILESTONE, A JOB-EXCLUSIVE SKILL WILL BE RANDOMLY GENERATED! CHOOSE CAREFULLY!
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Before him, a series of cards floated in the air. Each one had the same intricate design on the back, but their colors varied. Most were white, some blue, fewer still red, and one—a single, glowing gold card—caught his eye.
That's... a legendary skill?!
Without hesitation, Noah reached for the gold card.
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CONGRATULATIONS! YOU HAVE RECEIVED THE SKILL "DEATH FLAME"
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Name: Noah Gallagher
Gender: Male
Level: 10
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Jobs:
First Job: Reincarnation of Thanatos
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Titles:
.......
Dungeon Explorer - one who discovered and conquered a dungeon alone. Increased luck in item drop rates.
Killer Strike - exceptional ability to identify an enemy's weak points. Attacks on weak points deal double damage.
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Stats:
Strength: 23 (+4) (+2)
Agility: 36 (+4)
Intelligence: 47 (+4)
Stamina: 37 (+4)
Magic Power: 48 (+4)
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Skills:
CORPSE RESURRECTION (great commander) LV. 2 - the power to resurrect and command the dead. For each level, the number of slaves under your control will increase.
Number of slaves: 10/20
- Proficiency = 0.00%
MARTIAL ARTIST [EX] - an exclusive skill. Reaction times, movements, and combat abilities are greatly enhanced.
DEATH FLAME LV.1 - a flame from the underworld. It doesn't burn with heat, but with an icy chill. Anything it touches is incinerated.
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COINS: 2800
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It's time.
Noah sat cross-legged, pulling the Night Orb from his inventory. The small, star-like orb glowed between his fingers, illuminating the cave. He closed his eyes, shielding them from the intense light, and without a second thought, swallowed the orb whole.
Urghhh!! I can't... miss this chance!
Few knew the true power of the Night Orb, but Noah did. In his past life, he'd discovered its secret by accident. Now, armed with the knowledge from his regression, he was ready to harness its full potential. The moment the orb entered his body, a wave of mana exploded inside him, overwhelming his senses. Pain shot through him, every nerve on fire, but he gritted his teeth and forced the energy to circulate through his veins.
The mana flowed through him like molten lava, burning through his body. His skin seared, muscles tore and rebuilt themselves in an endless cycle of destruction and regeneration. It was agony—pure, unrelenting agony—but Noah endured.
I can... do this!
He clenched his fists, pouring his will into controlling the flow of energy. The pain began to subside, replaced by a warmth that spread through his core. His body trembled, soaked in sweat and impurities, but he knew he had succeeded.
Noah opened his eyes.
Every scar, every mark on his body had disappeared, leaving his skin smooth and unblemished.
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CONGRATULATIONS! YOU HAVE FORCIBLY UNLOCKED THE SKILL "MANA CIRCUIT [EX]"
Mana Circuit - The mana circuit is a construct that bridges the physical world and the soul. Flexible and malleable, it can be altered at great risk. This subject has succeeded in creating the perfect circuit.
Magic Power (+10)
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"It's time for the next dungeon."
Noah said, standing tall as he headed for the exit.