A darkness so profound it instilled terror.
"Am I… dead?"Li Xiuman's fading consciousness struggled to form the thought.
On the very first day of his journey through another world, he had been slain by the breath of a bone dragon—surely the most tragic transmigrant to ever exist.
No. He refused to accept such an ending.
He had crossed into a realm of magic and fantasy; how could his story end so soon?
[Ding. Consciousness awakening…]
A faint light flickered within the abyss, forming a line of glowing text. Then, as if triggering a chain reaction, more luminous symbols emerged from the void—like fireflies dancing in the night.
[Ding. Your race has been converted into a Low-tier Skeleton][Name] Li Xiuman Pound[Race] Low-tier Skeleton[Level] Lv1 / Lv10 (Low-tier Skeleton level cap: Lv10)[Class] None[Strength] 4 / 10[Constitution] 4 / 10[Spirit] 8 / 10[Evolution Requirement] Reach maximum stats in Strength, Constitution, and Spirit to evolve[Skills] Bone Morph (Lv1), Appraisal (Lv1)[Status] Enslaved (Named and enslaved by the evil Bone Dragon, Pound); Bone Decay (Without the nourishment of flesh, bones deteriorate over time, reducing Strength and Constitution)[Experience] 0 / 100[Description] A frail, tattered skeleton whose only former advantage—a handsome face—is long gone. Enslaved by the wicked Bone Dragon Pound, this pitif
Light pierced the darkness.
An unfamiliar scene unfolded before his eyes.
At the bottom of a dim canyon, countless grotesque skeletons wandered aimlessly—a sight befitting the depths of hell.
"I… revived?"
Li Xiuman raised his hand—But instead of flesh and blood, he saw withered, yellowed bones veined with cracks, missing pieces, threatening to crumble at any moment.
"I've turned into a skeleton!"
His body trembled; his spirit wavered violently.
After a long while, he calmed himself, sitting down amidst the bone-strewn ground to think.
Though he had become a skeleton, his mind and consciousness remained intact. Compared to true death, perhaps this wasn't the worst fate. At least he was alive—and as long as he lived, there was hope.
He began to analyze his current situation.
He opened the familiar panel—something like a game interface—that had accompanied him since he arrived in this world. It was his greatest secret and his sole reliance.
Even after his transformation, the panel remained, offering him a slim chance at rebirth. He suspected that it was this mysterious system that had preserved his mind and memories despite his skeletal form.
His name now bore the surname "Pound"—likely a mark from the bone dragon who had enslaved him. Two new conditions had appeared: [Enslaved] and [Bone Decay].
If his Strength, Constitution, and Spirit all reached ten points, he would be able to evolve.
In other words, his goal was clear: level up, evolve, grow stronger.
"To level up, I need experience… meaning I must hunt other monsters?"
He turned his gaze toward the other skeletons nearby and used his skill—[Appraisal]—on one of them.
[Name] Pound's Low-tier Skeleton[Level] Lv3[Skill] Hardened Bones Lv1[Status] Enslaved, Bone Decay[Description] A low-tier skeleton enslaved by the evil Bone Dragon Pound. Its bones are sturdy—it might last two more years before collapsing.
In short—he couldn't win.
But not being able to fight didn't mean he couldn't outsmart them. After all, these skeletons had no brains—literally.
Silently, he crept after one of them. When its status displayed [Fatigued], it collapsed to the ground. Soon after, [Sleep] appeared.
Glancing around to ensure no other skeletons were nearby, Li Xiuman quietly lifted a large stone, positioning himself beside the sleeping creature.
Once more confirming its status, he raised the rock high.
His bony arms trembled under the strain.
"Hah!"
The stone came crashing down.
Clang!
The sound echoed through the cavern, making the blue soul-flames in his eyes flicker violently. Cracks spread across the target's skull; its state shifted from [Sleep] to [Unconscious].
That's what you call a deeper sleep.
Without hesitation, he lifted the stone again—his bones creaking under the effort.
Clang!
The second blow shattered the skull entirely.
[Ding. Low-tier Skeleton slain][Experience +30]
Li Xiuman raised his gaze warily, especially toward the direction of Pound.
He suspected that the death of a single skeleton wouldn't draw the dragon's attention—but a guess was still only a guess.
Time trickled by in silence. Nothing happened. Gradually, he relaxed.
The slain skeleton's frame looked sturdier than his own pitiful form. Li Xiuman crouched down and detached its right arm, weighing it thoughtfully. Then, he pulled off his own cracked, blackened arm—feeling only a faint tug, no pain.
He aligned the new arm to his shoulder and activated [Bone Morph].
The bones fit together perfectly. The replacement arm was slightly smaller, but with [Bone Morph], he easily adjusted its size and shape.
A faint surge of energy pulsed through the joint.
[Ding. Skill acquired: Hardened Bones Lv1][Constitution +1]
His entire body glowed faintly; the black hue of decay lightened, and several fine cracks healed.
He could gain skills this way!
The blue flames in his eye sockets flared brighter as a dangerous idea took root in his mind.
To escape the evil Bone Dragon Pound, he would need patience, timing—and most importantly, power.
Among the countless skeletons enslaved by Pound, many possessed unique and powerful skills.
This wasn't a dragon's lair—it was a treasure vault of abilities.
If he could collect enough skills and bide his time, he could one day break free from the dragon's control.
Then, the world beyond would be his to explore—an endless sky for him to soar.
Lifting his gaze into the cavern's darkness, the ghostly blue flames in his eyes burned with fierce resolve.