Pain. That was all I felt when the stalactite pierced through me. I wanted to scream, but no sound came out as it dragged my body backward.
I didn't want to die yet. Not now. I had just been granted abilities by a god and had only begun to experience the thrill of using them. Dying now felt like a cruel joke.
The last thing I heard was Amara shouting my name before everything went dark.
When I opened my eyes again, I was back in that strange void. Like before, I couldn't see or feel anything. Before my mind could wander, a system screen appeared in front of me.
[Requirements met. New skill unlocked.]
A skill? What kind of skill required me to die to unlock? And how would I use it now that I was dead?
[Skill: Immortality (Rank: ???) (new)]
Description: As long as your soul is not destroyed, you will always return from death.
Before I could react, Chibi Thanatos materialized in the void, smirking like he had been waiting for this.
"Congratulations! You've unlocked your first skill," he said nonchalantly. "Took you long enough."
"As the description says, no matter how many times you get killed, you'll come back," he explained. "But be careful—soul attacks are the exception. If you die to one of those, you're done for."
Great. I'm basically DP, but without the charming avocado face. "How do I go back, then?" I asked.
"Also," he added, ignoring my question, "every time you revive, your stats get a little boost."
The system screen appeared again before I could respond.
[Reviving in process.]
I felt myself slipping away.
'So that's how it works,' I thought before everything went black.
---
My eyes snapped open, and I gasped for air. Turning my head, I spotted the blood-covered stalactite lying nearby.
Looking down at my stomach, I was shocked to find the wound completely gone. Only the hole in my uniform and the blood stains remained.
I stood up, feeling strangely energized, and summoned my status screen.
[Status:
Name:Alex
____________
HP: 100/100
MP: 100/100
LV: 1
Exp:0/100
Blessing: Thanatos' Chosen
_________
Stats:
STR: 30 | AGI: 60 | STA: 50 | INT: 60 | END: 60 | LUK: ???
_______
Free stat points: 0
_______
Abilities:
Nyx's gift (new):
Blessing of the night (Rank A) (new)
Description: The user's stats ar doubled at night. The user's Abilities gain a boost when used at night.
Mana cost: 0
Shadow manipulation (Rank S+) (new)
Description: It allows the user free control over shadows.
-----sub abilities ---
Cloak (Rank A)
Description: While in the shadows, user can completely conceal themselves and others.
Mana cost: 10.
Shadow constructs (Rank S)
Description: User can create anything he can imagine from shadows. These constructs will be solid and can be moved into the light.
Mana cost: 10
NB: mana cost increases for more complex constructs.
NB: shadow constructs used in the light have lessened power and dissolve quicker.
[Level up to unlock more shadow abilities]
Thanatos' abilities
Immortality (Rank: ???) (new): Return from death unless the soul is destroyed.
????????? (Rank: ???) Locked
Description:????? (Meet requirement to unlock)
Requirements: ??]
No wonder I felt energized. And a little boost? my stats had doubled and he calls that 'a little?'.
(Immortality? This early? Seriously, Author? What are you planning to put me through?)
{Would you believe me if I said I gave it to you just because?}
(Nope.)
{Sigh...}
Shaking my head, I turned back to the others still battling the golems. Mia and Blaze were fighting the rock golem, while Jun held his own against another, though one of his clones had already vanished.
I rushed toward Amara, who was struggling against the sand golem.
"A-Alex?" she stammered as I attacked the creature and landed beside her. Her expression was one of shock, and I couldn't blame her.
"I'll explain later. Let's deal with this thing first," I said, brushing off her concern. Now wasn't the time for questions.
Amara nodded, and we fought in sync. I dodged the golem's clumsy attacks, countering with precision. My shadow blade sliced through its legs with ease, causing it to stumble.
Mia seized the opportunity, launching a destructive energy ball that tore a hole in its chest. With one final burst of speed, I beheaded the golem, watching it crumble into dust.
[Sand golem slain. Exp will be granted after test completion.]
Amara and I turned to check on the others, only to find that they had finished their fights as well.
The team gathered around me, questions in their eyes. Before anyone could speak, the remains of the defeated golems began to stir.
"There are stages to this test?" Jun asked, his tone incredulous.
The rocks and sand fused, forming a massive golem—a towering boss monster.
"I guess questions will have to wait until we're out of here," Blaze said, gripping his weapon tightly.
"Agreed," I replied, readying myself.
The colossal golem roared, its voice shaking the ground beneath us.
"It's mad," Jun quipped. "Maybe because we killed its babies."
"Focus!" Blaze barked, cutting him off.
Before anyone could act, Jun charged forward recklessly, dragging his staff behind him. He leaped high, aiming for the golem's head, but it swatted him aside like a fly.
Jun, who had handled a golem all alone, was being swatted like that. How would l fare.
'Delete those thoughts Alex, you're Immortal now and you're stronger than a few minutes ago. You can do this' I said giving myself a vote of confidence.
Though I couldn't help but think, 'This is going to be much harder than before.'
------
Chapters I owe you guys: 2/4