Chapter 3. The Three Energies

I, Jared fayner, A bronze level adventurer, was eaten by a <{[dragon]}> that suddenly appeared. When I woke up, I was reborn as a <skeleton>

And now... There is something that might happen if I continued to defeat monsters. Because after recalling my chat with Lorraine I decided to make my goal "EXISTENTIAL EVOLUTION". My first aim is the evolution of <skeleton> , <ghoul>, But this body is harder to move than I imagined.

Well of course, I'm Just a bones. Without muscles I can't move freely. Then why are we moving, you ask? That conjecture is the essence to my survivability. The bones ligaments are probably there but... There seems to be slight ammount of <magic> holding them together.... And among men and monsters, there are three energies including magic.

<MAGIC>

If one possess magic, one can create fire, cause wind, bring forth water and move earth.

If one becomes a strong magician, one can do various complex things. An extremely convenient power.

<VITALITY>

Next is vitality,though it can also be called chakra or plana. The power that uses a life force as a basis. If accessible, one can strengthen their physical abilities and obtain inhuman stamina.

<SPIRIT>

Lastly is spirit, though this has no association with the ordinary man. Through the favour of gods or spirits, it is recognised as a quite rare special power. The majority of them are said to be relegious personnel.

I only had blessing. Something that is more useful for living than battle. That's the reason for me having remained bronze class adventurer.

At first glance, <skeletons> only have small amount of <MAGIC>... However, even after becoming <skeleton> , I still have my memories and equipment from when I was human.

Which means I can use <VITALITY>. If I can override my a physical abilities with <VITALITY>, against another skeleton.....

It means that I'm stronger.

While I was thinking hard a cracking noise came from my left side. There I found a skeleton, who knows what he was doing. But without second thought I started running towards him and while running I activated my VITALITY and after overriding it with my physical abilities my speed doubled and I swing my sword toward its head and

'Bammm'

His skull cracked.

After taking a glance at him I breath in satisfaction.

Fuuu.... First victory.. Seems like easier than I thought.

At that moment the skeleton who's skull I cracked with my sword started glowing. I know what was going on because, after defeating monsters you can collect it's magic energy and absorb it to become powerful.

But after absorbing it , I became speechless.

This is a complete different absorption efficiency from when I was human. So this is what a monster's "EXISTENTIAL EVOLUTION" is like....Still, it doesn't seem like I've become a ghoul.

That's obvious. If evolution was that easy, the world would be burned in monsters. I have to defeat an equivalent amount, of something of equal strength... I guess.

That's right.. nothing's changed.

I keep doing what I am able to do. Thinking so, I decided to explore labyrinth.

It seemed I was right in thinking I'd get stronger with every defeated monsters.

After that I defeated a number of skeletons, but the absorption was still the same. Even the one–hit using <VITALITY>. At first I was barely able to split a head of skeleton but, now if I go all out, I can shatter its skull to pieces. Now I can finally hunt it... My next prey.... A slime.

After defeating four slimes, my thoughts..

" The fifth one.. I want finish it quick but... It's so pretty..."

The slime is weaker compared to SKELETON, but that doesn't mean it can made light of.

[ACID BLITZ] That's one of slime's attacks..

it creates an acidic substance from its body and shoots it. It's a simple thing that can dissolve

things depending on acidity but, depending on individual, it can be powerful enough to melt the ground. And one more thing... It has an unstable liquid like form, because of this physical attacks aren't effective. From my experience, spells are best way to defeat it but, there are other ways.

After dodging it acid blitz I picked and threw a rock at its core. And guess what? it worked.

Yes, that's right. Another way to defeat slime was aim for the core. If it looses it's command center, the core. It no longer able to maintain it shape. And it will crumble apart like soul that's been there the whole time had left.

After I checked on slime that I killed. Being able to use acid blitz make it dangerous slime,but acidity is strangely low. From the fact that it made my hands smooth, it could be useful in women's beauty products. Slime's bodily fluids are also treasured for being used for potions and other healing items. However, that's only for those in good condition.. Slime's exist to capture and digest other monsters and small animals within the labyrinth.

From when they appear, their bodily fluids begin to congeal as time passes. One that has spawn are extremely precious and rare. And the slime is hard to fight solo, it's common practice to hunts with companions. Of course, the rewards are split up. Defeating it by yourself and selling it to the Guild would give you few days of luxury.

If only I could get outside 'like this'...

For now that's impossible. But I might able to go someday. I can't afford to give up.

While collecting Slime's fluid in glass flask that are within my bag when I was human, luckily my bag was safe. While collecting Slime's fluid in glass flask, one of the flask broked and it reacts with me.

' What ..is this?'

That's what EXISTENTIAL EVOLUTION is for.

But while absorbing it's magic power it feels different when I defeated things before...

Could... already be time?

In one or two days, I've defeated about 5 skeletons and a slime... That rate would take me a month when I was a human. I've never truly felt myself getting stronger like this before.

I don't know what's gonna happen... I'll take off my armour..I guess?

"Whooaaaaaa!", Wha- what's happening to me?

Flesh like strips started rapping around my bones.

This is.... EXISTENTIAL EVOLUTION

After some time I finally managed to become a Ghoul.

Good riddance to bones.... My longed for flesh.

Still.. It's like withered meat sticking to my bones.... feels like dride, dead body. Even so, I somehow got flesh body now....

I want to try it out.

"Gho....gho...Ha-Hagho....hag,ho,oo-....Ghooddg..

Moan.!!!!... Haa,Haghoo"

After trying several times I came to conclusion.

Hmmm.. I can kinda speak, but I couldn't call it fluent. But it's way better than when I couldn't say anything as a skeleton. Maybe if a person comes into the labyrinth, we can come to an understanding.

While I was trying to speak I heard a metal slashing sound.

" There's no mistake! They are fighting with the sword..! which means... Nearby.. there's a person!?