9. UNDEAD

**The mana in my mana core had grown significantly stronger than before, pulsing with a newfound energy that felt like it was just waiting to be unleashed.**

"Hey, Lumeria, I've gained affinities for different elements. Can I use them now?" I asked, my voice filled with hope. The strength surging through me made me eager to experiment, to tap into the powers that were now part of me.

"No, you can't use them yet," she replied, her tone steady and resolute. "You still don't have enough control over your mana. Elemental manipulation only becomes possible when you reach the R2 stage."

"So, no fancy tricks like those magicians, huh?" I muttered, disappointment creeping into my voice. "Guess I'll have to rely on my skills until I get there. Now, what should I do next? I don't even know the strength of the monsters in this area." I paused for a moment, thinking about my next move. "Should I practice today or go hunting instead?"

Just then, my stomach growled loudly, as though it had its own opinion on the matter, answering my question without hesitation.

"Alright, you win," I said with a wry smile, shaking my head. "Hunting it is."

Sometimes, I still find it hard to believe this is real. Maybe it's all just some elaborate dream, a vivid illusion of my mind. But after these past two days, the pain, the blood, and the injuries I've suffered make it hard to deny the harsh truth of this world. That wolf, in particular, had left me severely injured. If it weren't for the slime I'd absorbed and the minor regeneration it granted me, I'd still be struggling to move properly. The thought of it made me flinch involuntarily, the memory of the intense pain still fresh in my mind.

**Today's task: hunting.** I need to make progress today, to absorb a useful bloodline. So far, I've managed to gain affinities for nine different elements, but what I really need now is a space-type bloodline. That would help me carry the eggs I've been collecting. However, I'm not sure if the eggs would survive inside a storage space skill, and I'm not willing to risk testing it on them without being absolutely sure. They are precious birds with phoneix bloodline even if it is diluted

I began my hunt, walking cautiously for about an hour, staying alert with every step. In a place like this, you never know when you might run into a creature far stronger than yourself, and the last thing I wanted was to be caught off guard. My nerves were on edge as I remained alert to every sound, every rustle of leaves, every snap of a twig. Suddenly, the noise of a battle reached my ears, distant but unmistakable.

I hesitated, unsure if I should approach. A suffocating aura was emanating from the direction of the fight, a dark, oppressive presence that made me uneasy.

"Hey, Lumeria, should we check out who's fighting?" I asked, my voice tinged with uncertainty. I wanted to know what was going on, but my caution held me back.

"You can check," she said, her voice cautious, "but only if you conceal your presence. However, I think it's better to wait. I can sense the aura of an undead creature in that direction."

"Undead?" I echoed, a frown creasing my brow. "I remember reading about them in a post during my past life. But who would create undead here? Aren't they just skeletons and bones brought to life?"

The sounds of fighting continued for about half an hour before falling silent. Still wary, I decided to wait another thirty minutes to ensure the area was safe. I had no way to measure the exact time, so I started counting the seconds in my head, marking each passing moment with a silent mental tally.

When the additional half hour passed, I cautiously approached the site of the battle, keeping my movements slow and deliberate. The scene before me was nothing short of carnage—bodies and blood were scattered everywhere, the aftermath of a brutal fight. The stench of death hung in the air.

"Hey, Lumeria, what are these creatures?" I asked, scanning the battlefield with a mix of awe and caution.

"They're kobolds," she answered. "They mostly reside in mountainous regions."

"Then why would they be here?" I asked, frowning at the scene. Something didn't feel right.

"I don't know," she replied. "Maybe they came searching for food. It's not uncommon for creatures to wander into unfamiliar territory."

I looked around the battlefield, taking in the carnage. "Alright, there are plenty of kobolds here. Which one should I eat?"

"You can eat any of them," Lumeria said. "But avoid the kobold near that tree."

"Why?" I asked, curiosity piqued. There was something about that particular kobold that made her sound so certain.

"That kobold's cultivation stage before death was R1, and it possessed a strong bloodline. You won't survive if you try to absorb it."

"Got it," I replied, making a mental note to avoid the dangerous kobold.

I randomly picked one of the fallen kobolds and took a bite. The taste was awful, but I endured it, swallowing the bitter meat. *Fire wings...* I remembered. *Too bad I can't use them yet.* I should've practiced more before coming here.

After finishing my meal, I sat down to meditate. Absorbing the bloodline was critical; if I didn't focus and absorb it properly, the power would be wasted, lost to the ether. I needed every advantage I could get.

"Hey, Lumeria, what did I gain?" I asked, eager to know the results of my meal.

"You've enhanced your earth and fire affinities," she replied. "Both are now at mid-tier levels."

"And the skills?" I asked, my heart racing with anticipation.

"You've gained four new skills:

- **Burrowing**

- **Stone Throw**

- **Enhanced Digging Speed**

- **Seismic Awareness**."

I clenched my fists, feeling a surge of determination rise within me. *I need to grow stronger. I don't know when the skeletons will find me, but I need to be ready.* Every advantage mattered, and I wasn't about to let this opportunity slip by.

Now that I've eaten to my fill, I need to find more creatures and absorb their bloodlines to complete the 10 count. Once that's done, I can finally begin my cultivation.

"Hey, Lumeria, what should I do to reach the R1 stage?" I asked, my voice steady with resolve.

"First, you have to perfect your mana core," she replied, her voice firm and authoritative.

"And then?" I asked, not yet satisfied.

"Then, you need to find your life code. The life code is the intrinsic and unique aspects of a being. It details your elemental affinities and unique skills tied to your bloodline. It's what makes you... you."

"Okay, after discovering the life code, will I enter the R1 stage?" I asked, my mind racing with the possibilities.

"No," she said, her voice serious. "After discovering the life code, you will be bestowed a true name by the world will. Creatures always evolve at this stage, which is why you can't absorb their bloodlines anymore."

"Hmm, so their bloodline rank reaches a higher level?" I asked, trying to process the information.

"Yes," she confirmed.

"But how will I find the life code?" I asked, the question lingering in my mind.

"Don't worry," she assured me. "I'll help you do it."

"But what if I didn't have your help? How would I find it on my own?" I asked, the concern evident in my voice. The idea of being left to navigate this mysterious process alone was daunting.

"You can start by meditating," Lumeria explained, her tone calm and instructional. "The first step is to empty your mind completely. Let go of distractions and focus inward. Once your mind is clear, try to feel the elements you have an affinity for. These elements are intrinsically tied to your life code, and through deep meditation, you might be able to sense their presence. For some people, this process is straightforward and comes naturally, but for others, it requires patience and practice."

I frowned slightly, considering her words. "Is there another way?" I asked, hoping there might be an easier or more direct path.

"Yes," she replied without hesitation. "An awakening stone can also help you discover your life code. It's a tool designed specifically for this purpose, enabling you to bypass the need for prolonged meditation. The stone works by resonating with your affinities and revealing the structure of your life code."

"Alright," I said after a moment, nodding in understanding. If meditating didn't work for me, at least there was another option available.

I can't begin to fathom what other secrets this forest holds, but after witnessing the carnage left in the aftermath of the kobold fight today, it feels even more foreboding. Will I encounter other humans once I leave this forest? And if I do, how different will their culture be from the one I knew in my past life?