The Power of the Undead Unleashed.

[Your choice is "Spectral Familiars" with a combination of the dark attribute of the Lowest Loss. You have unlocked the power of the Undead. Soulbound Connection skill allows you to summon the souls you've previously absorbed and transform them into scouts. In the initial stages, this combination may not grant you direct power in battles. However, it enables you to observe enemies or allies, discern their locations, and gather information about their surroundings. As you reach level 100, you will unlock the true potential of harnessing the power of ghosts.]

As the explanation unfolded, the box disintegrated, revealing a small lizard no larger than my palm. Its yellow eyes opened wide and locked onto me.

"Scouts?" I repeated, realizing the value of having my own set of eyes and ears, especially within the confined and secretive confines of the Arena.

[You can deploy up to 5 Spectral Familiars simultaneously, considering the limits of your Stamina and Intelligence.]

[I see. When using Spectral Familiars, will it deplete my stat points?]

[It depends on the target. Against a significantly stronger opponent, you could expend hundreds of points within a minute, but against opponents of your level, the cost would be lower. Against weaker targets, the skill could last for weeks.]

[Is there a distance limit?]

[One planet's span. If the target ventures into anomalous zones or travels to another star, there is a high chance of losing track entirely.]

[Excellent. How can I train this skill?]

[Unfortunately, you'll have to reach the surface. Training this skill requires focusing on another creature to accumulate points and progress to the next level.]

What a disappointment.

"Begin the battle," I commanded, shifting my attention to the ongoing clash between the pale green silhouette and the crimson figure.

Turning towards another field, I surveyed my inventory.

What had the Caretaker bestowed upon me?

I also wished to delve into the events of my first Transformation.

Eight drops remained, allowing for eight more Transformations.

I used one on myself and another on the Lower Loss to evade the radar of death.

I needed to conserve as much elixir as possible to learn the most advantageous skills.

The blue inventory shimmered with an assortment of artifacts, and fruits. Taking a bite of the apple, I glanced at a rectangular, silver-glistening plate, pondering its significance.

The sour taste in my mouth made me grimace. What was it exactly?

It had seemed important at some point, but now... weren't there countless similar objects scattered throughout the Arena?

The blue cat settled down beside me, stretching its neck and clicking its tongue.

[I didn't anticipate it being a mere trinket. But what does it say on the back?]

Indeed, small indented letters adorned the corner of the plate, but their size significantly hindered legibility:

"A... P... E... R... T... A? Aperta?" (open).

A blinding light seared through my retinas, causing tears to well up in my injured eyes. The plate plummeted to the ground, transforming into a weighty chest.

[Have you become the master of the treasure?] the plump cat inquired, cautiously tapping the square lid with its paw.

Inhaling deeply, I rubbed my eyes, directing my gaze towards the golden chest, and let out a low whistle. Was I entrusted with safeguarding the prosperity of an entire nation?

"I don't know," I responded honestly, my voice tinged with a mix of uncertainty and curiosity. "But I suppose the only way to find out is to open it."

---

A few hours later...

Grasping the lid of the chest, I exerted all my strength to pry open the treasure, but even in my Dragon Scale form, the cursed lock proved insurmountable, resisting acid and blows weighing several tons.

Wiping the sweat from my forehead and panting heavily, I kicked the chest with frustration, but it didn't budge an inch.

"Tough nut to crack," remarked the cat, lazily wagging its tail as it observed my futile attempts.

Engraved on the chest were intricate depictions of creatures and beasts, while a small keyhole remained securely sealed by entwining vines. I even attempted to decipher other incantations in the fragmented language of monsters.

[Eh. Looks like we need a key.]

[Yeah, but she didn't provide you with one.]

Cursing under my breath, I returned the chest to the inventory and slumped down to rest. What good is a treasure that you can only gaze at but not touch?

---

As I rested, I engaged in video playback, observing my battle in the corridor against grotesque monsters:

"My clone" sat on the ground, staring blankly at a looming figure in the dark corridor. Shaking his head uncertainly, he opened his mouth, and a thunderous roar reverberated through the corridor.

Approaching him was a towering giant with brown skin and oval earrings, driven almost to the bone through his cheek. Bright flames flickered within his empty eye sockets, yet the orange fire failed to melt his supple flesh.

The giant growled at my replica, pulling another blade from behind his back with a resounding clang of steel. He forcefully hurled the weapon at the clone, who was still on the ground, and then leaped forward like a frog.

The blade pierced the left shoulder of the clone, nearly pinning him to the floor. He spat out purple blood, desperately trying to utter something. While the assailant, towering to his full height, coiled my clon's maroon tail around his fist and began to drag the pinned body closer. The blades tore through flesh and muscle.

The red eyes of the clone gleamed brighter as he extended his hands, summoning the Dark Threads. The attacking monster's scratched skin halted its attempt to lift the body. Instead, it raised a leg and began delivering savage blows to the skull of the fallen one.

With each sickening crunch, the convert's desperation grew. Despite his broken jaw, he growled even louder, until the first signs of Ignition began to flash.

Suddenly, more repulsive monsters appeared, grotesque enough to cause discomfort just by looking at them.

Rewinding the video, I witnessed the half-dead convert being led deeper into the corridor and how a three-legged giant jolted me awake with a punch to the stomach.

That was how I ended up assuming the body of a Lower Loss. Smiling bitterly, I cast a glance at the pale green silhouette.

I know that at that time I was teetering on the brink of death, and I was fully aware that I had exhausted all possible means to ensure my survival. But now I was overwhelmed by a wave of grief for the creature that met its demise instead of me. Clenching my fangs, I rose to my feet and issued a commanding order:

"Attack me."

Stepping onto the battlefield, I intercepted the onslaught from both sides with my bare hands. Activating the second level of the Dragon Scales, I engaged in a fierce battle against my two Transformations.

Seizing the writhing tail with my fingers, I swung the crimson carcass toward the approaching green one. The sonic attack grazed my left cheek as I swiftly retreated to safety. Wiping away a drop of purple blood with the back of my hand, I found myself ensnared by Dark Threads coiling around my waist and legs.

A leg materialized above my head. Seizing the moment, I opened my mouth and unleashed a Sound Attack.

[Your opponent Achias is dead.]

[Your opponent Garr has sustained severe injuries and cannot continue the battle.]

[Full restoration of the two Transformations begins.]

[I will continue to absorb the energy of the Spiritual Stones.]

Releasing all my worries, I made my way to another field, fatigued, and commanded the fight to carry on without me.

[As you wish,] replied the blue cat, perching on a small platform overlooking the two battling silhouettes.

---

[The time has come. In one minute, you will enter the Lower Arena of the Surya Empire.]

"Very well."

After placing the three remaining stones in my inventory, I stood up and examined the updated statistics.

[Name: Participant 137.

Race: Humanoid.

Grade: 4 (42/100).

Strength: 3600.

Dexterity: 4490.

Endurance: 3630.

Magic Resistance: 3530.

Luck: 3.

Mana Perception: 2973.

Intelligence: 3460.

Mental Strength: 2965.

Regeneration: 4950.

Health - 14 900.

Skills:

Melee (full-green), Dragon Scales (Level 3), Iron Stomach (middle-red), Bone arrows (full-green), Fiery Threads of the Abyss (Level 1), Ignition (Level 5), Shadow Strike (middle-yellow).

99/200 - to the next level.]

[Race: Lower Loss.

Rank: 0.

Power: 250.

Dexterity: 190.

Endurance: 400.

Magic Resistance: 9.

Luck: 1.

Perception of manna: 12.

Intelligence: 95.

Mental Strength: 12.

Regeneration: 320.

Skills:

Hardy worker (initial-red).

Melee (initial-yellow).

Sound Attack (medium-red).

Soulbound Connection: Spectral Familiars. (level 0).]