[You have killed a level 1 zombie]
A panel appeared making him stopped in a daze, as he looked at the holographic screen. Then more words starting to appear.
[Congratulations, for killing your first opponent, you have been granted a unique skill, 'Eclipse Devourer']
Hearing the mechanical voice he was stunned, "A unique skill, is this a cheat like in the novels" he exclaimed with a surprised look.
Suddenly, a swirling shadow aura appeared around him, pulling as it engulfed the defeated zombie.
[Unique Skill 'Eclipse Devourer' Activated.]
[Absorbing Essence...]
[Experience Gained: +10 XP]
[Skill Fragment Acquired: 'Rotting Touch' (1/5 Fragments)]
[Energy Essence Absorbed: +2 Aether Core, +3 strenght]
[Reminder: Collect more fragments to reconstruct the full skill. And kill more enemies to level up]
Hearing this, he was happy a cheat, a real-life cheat. But he calmed himself down since this must be just a dream, but is a dream like this so real?
Asher decided to accept his nightmare as a reality for the moment to help him focus.
"Um, system, can you tell me what my unique skill is?" he asked.
[Sure thing host] - The system replied.
[Skill Name: Eclipse Devourer
Type: Passive/Active Hybrid
Description: The "Eclipse Devourer" skill allows the user to absorb the essence of defeated foes, including their skills, experience, and fragments of their power, to grow stronger.
Absorption Effect (Passive):
Experience Points: Gains the enemy's experience when they are alive. (This depends if their is really an experience that the foe accumulates in its lifetime)
Skill Fragments: Gathers fragments of the enemy's unique abilities, which can be reconstructed into full skills with enough fragments.
Energy Essence: Increased Aether Core and other related stats]
...
After reading the description, he was ecstatic since this skill is actually so powerful. Seeing that he had fragmented skills, he couldn't wait to acquire those zombie skills.
His hand still hurt from their touch, and if he had that ability. He wondered if he could decay walls, doors, and even beasts by just touching them.
But he can see that it was not so OP to kill someone since it requires a long period of direct touch.
Then, a growling sound was heard as the second zombie arrived. Picking up the rock, he was now more determined as he positioned himself.
The zombie then lunged at him as he got into a stance, but when the zombie was close to him.
He sidestepped while extending his leg into the zombie's foot, making it fall.
"What do you expect from a mindless zombie? " he thought as the zombie lay there with its back open.
Gripping the rock hard in his hands, then it came hurling in its head creating a heavy thud sound.
The flesh in his head caved in as green blood that smelled bad flowed out. The zombie growls in the ground, but Asher keeps smashing out until it stops moving.
Then, the shadowy aura engulfed the zombie, as his unique skill was activated.
[Absorbing Essence...]
[Experience Gained: +10 XP]
[Skill Fragment Acquired: 'Rotting Touch' (2/5 Fragments)]
[Energy Essence Absorbed: +2 Aether Core, +3 Strenght]
[Do you want to check your status?] - The system asked.
Seeing the notification, Asher nods his head as the holographic screen changes.
[Name: Asher Veyron
Level: 1 (20/100)
Aether Core: 4
[Note: After you reach 100, the core will naturally form to store this value]
Strength: 14
Speed: 10
Defense: 10
Constitution: 10
Skill: Rotting Touch(Fragments, 2/5) ]
Seeing his status, Asher can see that he had a strength of 14. How much power does 1 point carry?
"Now I know why I don't feel anything when I absorb the zombie's Aether core. It's because I have no core in the first place." He nodded, understanding it.
"For now, I need to kill more zombies and unlock a skill to protect myself," Asher said, looking at his hand squeezed, a slight smile curved on his face.
Since his dream to become an awakened is not ruined, the path is just different. He then picked up the rock to use as his weapon.
Because he had no techniques in the first place, the rock filled with zombie blood is worth it.
As he began to wander from the graveyard, he found a zombie, but this time, he saw that it was not wearing civilized clothes.
It looks like its wearing a martial artist clothes, even it is torned he can still see that logo. 'Bisaya Dojo' is what is engraved there.
But without any further ado, he rushed towards it. The zombie, who was just standing there, heard his loud footsteps.
It jerked off its head seeing food, it then rushed towards him like a bullet. Asher still had the same plan in mind, which was to trick him and kill him.
When it arrived close to him, he sidestepped and extended his leg, but he was surprised because the zombie stopped and shifted its body sideways as well.
It threw a punch radiating with energy that stumped him. Luckily, he fell on its leg in the ground as it whistled above his head.
Seeing that he missed, the zombie made a fist and wanted to smash him to the ground.
Knowing its intention, he rolled to dodge as the ground where he fell made a small crater.
"Why is this zombie so strong?" Asher exclaimed with sweat falling on his face.
He really thought all of these zombies were just the same, but actually, this zombie had experience in combat while he had none.