Endless Evolution As A Skeleton In A Game-Like World

[Player, your game has only just begun...]

—

[THE AWAKENING PROCESS WILL NOW BEGIN!]

After reading the last message, Ark’s vision was clouded with darkness. He lost all sensation in his body, and for a second, it was like he was nothing but a husk of himself.

And then the world opened before him.

He was floating in the sky, surrounded by a sea of black, endless stars dotting the area. At a distance, likely thousands of miles away from him was what looked like a ruptured star.

The rays of light erupting it bathed him with a warm, light blue light. The place... it was beautiful.

Ark had read about it in books, he had been taught about it in the academy. The realm of awakening, a sub-space that hung between Venaris and Eden.

But even with their ample descriptions, nothing could have prepared him for such a breathtaking sight.

He smiled as he ran his hand through his head. ”Amazing...”

[Welcome to the realm of awakening, Player]

[Your awakening has begun]

’Alright, here it comes!’ Ark had been waiting for this very moment since the day he was born.

Although his race had been a hitch on his path, as long as he got a decent class, he still had a chance to grow strong!

”Keh—!!”

Ark suddenly shook as a jolt of pain coursed through his body. It was as though all his arteries, nerves and bones were being melted then reconstructed in real time.

’What the— what the hell is this?!’

Sure, there was meant to be pain, but this was nothing like what was mentioned. It was meant to be a light sting, what the heck was happening?’

Ark gritted his teeth so tightly that he heard a snapping sound, and yet the pain did not stop. Every part of him felt like it was set on fire, the rays of the fallen star rushing into his body.

Unable to contain it any longer, Ark opened his mouth and screamed at the top of his voice.

[ERROR! AWAKENING FAILED!]

The pain ceased and Ark heaved a breath, his bones still shaking from the experience.

”Wh...at the hell?” He said breathlessly as he stared at the notification, feeling so much dread that he felt like shrinking into himself.

”Awakening failed?” That was not even possible!

Ark checked his arm, the point just underneath his elbow. Even in his skeleton form, the mark was still there, the symbol that confirmed that he was indeed an awakener.

Why then had his awakening failed?! Not once has a failed awakening ever been registered!

Ark felt a deep wave of dread swallow him whole. Was this how it was going to be? Was he really destined to be second fiddle in this world?

But his thoughts were interrupted by another screen that appeared in front of him.

[Error detection system active!]

[Error detected! Anomalous system state detected! Host’s soul is not compatible with this plain]

[Determining a solution for this unique issue.]

[Loading... Loading...]

[The Unnamed has intervened]

[A conclusion has been decided on! Host will now awaken a race specialisation to twist their soul and anchor their class!]

”Twist my what?!” The blue light in Ark’s eyes glowed fiercely, his non-existent heart twisting with dread.

”What even is a race speciali—” Ark’s words ceased as even more vulgar pain twisted his bones. It felt as though something within him had been passed through a furnace.

The pain persisted for longer than Ark could keep track of. And just when he was on the edge of losing his mind, another notification appeared before him.

[Race specialisation, REAPER, successfully awakened!]

[Rank, Unholy]

[The system will now proceed to class awakening.]

’Wait, Unholy?!—Argh!!!’

Another wave of pain filled his body

[Class, MAGE, has been awakened successfully!]

[Congratulations, Player Ark! You have successfully awakened!]

[Climb the tower, clear the dungeons, explore Eden, save the world!]

[The tutorial will begin shortly!]

After the system’s final words, a screen appeared before him.

•••

[Name: Ark Karras]

[Race: Skeleton (common)]

>Race effect: A skeleton has no needs.

Not affected by normal, physiological or nutritional needs, nor status effects like (heat), (cold), (humidity), (thirst).

Ps. But if a skeleton wishes to grow taller... the only nutrient needed is calcium.

[Race Specialisation: Reaper (unholy)]

>Perks: Dark Harvest. Skills? Stats? Traits? Loot? Treasures? Thrust your scythe and reap what you desire, for the time of harvest is at hand!

[Class: Mage]

>Class effect: Skillforge. Can combine two independent skills to form a greater skill.

[Skills: Fireball (F-rank).]

[Traits: Nil]

-

Strength: 1

Mana: 100/100

Agility: 1

Defense: 2

-

Stat points: 0

[Rank: Copper]

[Level: 1 (0/100)]

[Inventory: Basic starter kit, enchanted rusty crowbar (F-Rank).]

Once Ark finished reading everything, his mouth dropped wide open.

”What the hell?”

Unholy grade?! This was by far the most shocking thing he had ever seen. Just that alone meant that he would be heads above his class!

And that was not all. He had awoken a decent class as well, and his class effect, Skillforge! Was he dreaming?!

’Okay, calm down Ark...’ he took a deep breath, or rather pretended to, then he closed his eyes and counted to seven.

When he opened it...

”It’s still there...” the system tab had not changed. Ark giggled like a baby as he tried to caress the screen, only for his hand to pass through.

He had never felt so satisfied in his entire life. Having [Dark Harvest] meant he would not have to suffer the slug-like progress that most people in the common class suffered.

Normally, it would have taken him ages to get anything reasonable when it came to stats, but now? Now, he could put his life in his own hands and hustle the stat points himself!

And that was not all. What did it mean he could steal skills and traits? That means he could just sit back and let others bust their asses to grow stronger, then snoop in and snatch their efforts for himself!

A dark chuckle escaped his mouth as a myriad of thoughts flowed into his mind, countless ways he could efficiently use this blessing.

Although... he stared at his skill tab and frowned.

”I guess you win some, you lose some...”

Most mages would have awakened with four or even five spells, but he got only one.

And not only had he gotten the most basic mage skill, fireball, which could be easily purchased by buying a skill stone... he had also not gotten any traits which were a lot harder to obtain.

Ark smirked. ”Let’s not be greedy now, I can work with this...”

After all, he was never planning to be hard carried by whatever class he managed to awaken...

There was still something bothering him, the unnamed, this was the first time he had heard of them. But Ark decided to ignore it for now.

His eyes rested on his inventory.

— Enchanted rusty crowbar.

”It looks like that old crook was right.”