Raymond groaned as the pounding in his head subsided. The last thing he remembered was lying in bed after another long shift at the hotel, indulging in one final quest in Dark Realm Online, the game that had consumed countless hours of his life. Now, he felt the chill of stone beneath him and the hollow echo of his own breath—or at least, what should have been a breath.
Opening his eyes, he jolted upright. Bony hands—his hands—clad in the heavy black armor of his game character stretched before him. No flesh, no warmth, just the skeletal frame of his dark knight. Panic surged through him, followed by the sting of disbelief. He stumbled to his feet, his steel boots scraping against the ground.
Raymond surveyed his surroundings. A dimly lit clearing bordered by towering trees and whispering shadows stretched out before him. The world was vibrant and unreal, a living image of the game map he knew so well. But the air was different; the silence hummed with a sense of reality that no game or VR headset could ever replicate.
"So… this is real?" His voice, deep and resonant, echoed from the hollow chamber of his skull. He reached up and felt the cold curve of his helmet. A nervous chuckle escaped him, tinged with hysteria. "I'm a skeleton. A dark knight skeleton."
The weight of realization sank in. He was in his game character's body, fully armed with the heavy armor that not only represented his class but also concealed his undead identity. The thick plates of his armor covered most of his bony form, making him appear more like a fearsome warrior than an animated skeleton. Yet, with this came the nagging fear: what would this world, so similar to the game yet so dangerously real, think of him if his true nature were discovered?
He took a deep breath, feeling the weight of his new reality settle over him. The armor felt heavy but solid, the smell of metal and leather comforting against the strange new sensations coursing through his body. He had the strength of a tank, the power of a dark knight. Now he needed to learn how to wield it.
Raymond scanned the area, spotting the remnants of a familiar path winding through the trees. Memories flooded back—quests, battles, and epic loot runs. This place felt like a nostalgic dream, yet the urgency to act was all too real. He knew he needed to find civilization, to understand this new world and perhaps discover the reason behind his reincarnation.
He took a tentative step forward, the armor clanking softly as he moved. Each stride filled him with a mix of excitement and apprehension. He would need to be careful; he could easily attract unwanted attention with his skeletal appearance.
As he ventured along the path, he recalled the mechanics of his dark knight class: high defense, powerful curses, and the unique skill that turned damage into devastating counterattacks. He had always excelled in battles, but now he would have to adapt to a world where every encounter was potentially life-threatening.
After walking for some time, he noticed the path leading toward a cluster of buildings nestled against the horizon. A village. That would be the first step in his new adventure. Just as he began to pick up his pace, the faint sounds of laughter and shouting drifted through the trees. Curious, he followed the noise, drawing closer to the village's outskirts.
Suddenly, his keen ears picked up another sound—muffled voices, low and conspiratorial. He slowed his pace, moving stealthily through the underbrush. Peering through the dense foliage, he spotted a group of three rugged men gathered around a campfire, their clothes tattered and their expressions grim. They were bandits, he realized, the type he had fought in the game countless times.
Raymond's heart raced with adrenaline. This was the perfect opportunity to test his skills. He could use them to adapt to this new world, learning how to fight and strategize against real opponents. He had no idea how his abilities would translate to this reality, but he was determined to find out.
With a deep breath, he stepped into the clearing, the heavy clink of his armor announcing his presence. The bandits turned, eyes widening in surprise as they took in the sight of the imposing dark knight before them.
"Who the hell are you?" one of them growled, reaching for the dagger at his side.
Raymond smirked behind his helmet, a thrill of excitement coursing through him. "I'm your worst nightmare."
The bandits exchanged nervous glances, their bravado faltering under the weight of Raymond's imposing presence. He stood tall in his heavy black armor, a skeletal figure of defiance against the dimming light of the campfire. They had expected an easy target, a traveler perhaps, but here stood a true warrior—a dark knight ready to test his strength.
"Get him!" shouted the largest of the three, a burly man with a jagged scar running down his cheek. He lunged forward with a rusty sword, aiming for Raymond's chest, confidence radiating from his bulk.
Raymond didn't move. Instead, he let the sword collide with his armored form, the sound of metal scraping against metal ringing out through the clearing. The impact sent a jolt through the bandit's arms, but Raymond stood there as if carved from stone. The sword had barely scratched his armor, leaving only a faint mark.
"Is that all you've got?" Raymond taunted, his voice echoing from the hollow of his skull, creating an eerie effect that sent shivers through the bandits.
The bandit faltered, eyes wide with disbelief. "What are you?" he stammered, taking a step back as the reality of their situation began to sink in.
Before they could regroup, the second bandit—a wiry figure with a crossbow—fired a bolt at Raymond. The projectile struck him in the shoulder, but it bounced harmlessly off the heavy armor. Raymond felt the impact, but it was little more than a nuisance, a mere tickle against his toughened skin.
"Pathetic," he said, his tone dripping with disdain. "You'll need to try harder than that."
In a panic, the third bandit—a mage cloaked in tattered robes—began to chant an incantation, his hands crackling with arcane energy. "I'll show you real power! Fireball!" he yelled, launching a blazing sphere toward Raymond.
The fireball exploded against his chest, a burst of heat and light that illuminated the clearing. The bandits held their breath, anticipating the dark knight's fall. Instead, the flames flickered away, leaving Raymond unscathed, not even singed. He remained rooted to the spot, unyielding as a mountain, and a cruel smile spread across his skeletal face.
"Seriously?" Raymond chuckled, amusement lacing his voice. "You think flames can hurt me?"
The bandits looked at one another, terror dawning in their eyes. This was not just any traveler; they had awoken something far more dangerous. Raymond took a step forward, the ground rumbling slightly beneath his heavy boots, each footfall resonating like the tolling of a bell.
"Let's make this interesting," he said, his voice lowering to a threatening growl. "You wanted to test your might against me, right? Well, I'll give you a chance."
With that, he began to absorb their attacks deliberately, letting their weapons strike him. They slashed, shot, and blasted him with every ounce of strength they could muster, but to Raymond, it felt like nothing. Each blow reverberated through him, empowering him as he tapped into the unique skill of his dark knight class.
As the bandits grew more frantic, the scarred bandit lunged again, this time aiming for Raymond's leg, hoping to bring him down. But Raymond simply sidestepped, the bandit's momentum causing him to stumble and fall to the ground, his face planting in the dirt.
Raymond's laughter filled the air, a sound both mocking and victorious. "Is that really your best effort?" he jeered, relishing the feeling of invulnerability.
"Why won't you fall?!" the scarred bandit shouted, fear creeping into his voice.
"Because I'm not just a dark knight," Raymond replied, feeling the surge of power course through him. "I'm the dark knight."
With a roar that echoed through the trees, he retaliated. Raymond swung his arm in a wide arc, channeling the energy built from their attacks into a single, devastating counter. A wave of dark energy erupted from him, slamming into the bandits like a tidal wave. They were thrown backward, crashing into the trees and the ground, stunned and disoriented.
The mage struggled to regain his footing, shaking his head in disbelief. "This can't be happening," he muttered, his confidence shattered. "We're just bandits!"
As they struggled to rise, it became clear that they were no match for him. They were mere pests, desperate thieves against a force of nature. Raymond stepped forward, feeling the exhilaration of power coursing through him. He was reborn, and with each fight, he would grow stronger.
"Get up!" the scarred bandit yelled, trying to rally his companions as they pushed themselves off the ground. But panic had taken hold, and the fight had left their eyes.
"Then perhaps you should choose your targets more wisely," Raymond said, his voice cold and menacing. "Now, run while you still can."
They needed no further encouragement. The bandits fled into the woods, abandoning their weapons and pride as they scrambled to escape the terrifying figure that had so easily dismantled them. Their shouts and curses echoed through the trees, but Raymond felt no pity.
As he watched them disappear into the shadows, a grin crept across his skeletal face. He had tested his skills, and he had won. This world would be his to conquer, and he would become the top adventurer, not just for himself but to uncover the truth behind his reincarnation.
As why he let them go, it's because he wasn't sure killing them, here's once human from modern era so killing is a bit much for him
With a new sense of purpose and confidence, he turned back to the path leading toward the village. His journey was just beginning, and he would carve his legacy into this world—one encounter at a time.
As he walked, the night enveloped him, the stars twinkling above like distant lanterns guiding his path. The thrill of battle still coursed through him, a reminder of the power he wielded. He was a skeleton, yes, but he was also a force to be reckoned with.
His thoughts drifted to what lay ahead. Challenges, enemies, and allies would come in time, but for now, he reveled in the victory of his first true test. The adventure awaited, and he would seize every opportunity to grow stronger, uncover secrets, and, perhaps, discover why fate had chosen to give him this second chance.
With determination burning in his hollow chest, Raymond forged onward into the night, ready to embrace whatever challenges awaited him.
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To be continue.....