Chapter 6: Return
The skill "Summon Skeleton" clearly showed the number of skeletons I could currently summon. Although I didn't yet know how to increase that number, I was confident I'd discover the way with time.
I looked at the glowing words accompanying the skill; it was classified as a "Black Skill." From the name alone, you could tell it was an overwhelming—perhaps even terrifying—ability. Added to that, it was listed under the "Death" category, which meant it wasn't just an isolated skill, but part of a broader skill branch, all sharing one common trait: death and its dominion. That only strengthened my belief that the skill could evolve in the future—and maybe, someday, I'd be able to summon an entire army of skeletons. But that remained just a guess… time would be the judge.
After finishing my analysis of that intriguing skill, I turned my gaze to the "Healing" skill, which was classified under the "Holiness" category. It seemed similar in structure to the summoning skill; also part of a broader category that likely included other abilities with a radiant or spiritual nature.
So, I summarized what I had discovered so far: the "Death" and "Holiness" categories each contained a number of branching skills, such as "Summon Skeleton" and "Healing," each representing an aspect of its type. It was merely a preliminary conclusion, and it could be right or wrong—but only the days ahead would reveal the truth.
As I reflected on these classifications, I noticed they supported different roles: summoner, warrior, and support. It might seem like a strange mix, but in this world, nothing was truly impossible. Power didn't always follow logic. It didn't matter how things worked, or why they existed the way they did. What mattered was: do they work? That's all that counts.
I kept staring at the screen shown by the "Third Eye" skill, then decided to check my main status window—and I immediately noticed a new change:
> [Strength]: Wall Level
[Speed]: 30
[Agility]: 25
[Talents]: Language Learning
[Traits]: None
[Skills]: Strength (Level 1), Light-Speed (Level 1), Healing (Level 1), Summon Skeleton (Level 1)
A new section for skills had been added, listing all the abilities I'd acquired so far. It wasn't exactly surprising—in fact, it should've appeared from the beginning. It was strange that it didn't show up after acquiring my first skill, especially since the description of the "Third Eye" skill claimed it could display such details.
I gazed at the screen for a few minutes, enjoying its elegant design. Then I deactivated the skill and looked around me.
I was searching for a way out of this place. I scanned the area and noticed a faint thread of black smoke quietly drifting from a particular direction—barely visible.
I didn't hesitate. I followed the smoke's trail as if I had no other choice.
I kept walking along the path from which the smoke emerged, and noticed the black mist growing thicker and more defined with every step I took.
The smoke and I walked side by side through a radiant white space—like a paradise of light that enveloped everything. Then, I saw a massive black dot on the horizon.
A strange excitement surged through me at the sight of it. I didn't hesitate or freeze in awe—I walked toward it with steady steps. With each step, my pace quickened, and the dot began to grow larger in my eyes.
It was a massive gate, pitch black in color, emanating a strange sensation that was hard to describe—a mixture of dread and allure, as if it was calling my name… a name I couldn't remember. It wasn't just a rift in space; it felt like a living entity, pulsing with its own energy, silently watching all who approached.
The closer I got, the more I felt the air around me changing. The white light that filled the space began to fade, as though the gate's shadow was consuming it mercilessly. I had the impression that this gate didn't just lead out—it led to an entirely different world, one I might never return from the same.
And when I was just a few steps away, I felt like a faint insect before it—like a small human standing next to a giant that could crush him effortlessly… But this giant, thankfully, was inanimate and incapable of action.
I stood there in awe, gazing at the magnificent structure, then stepped into it with strange confidence, as if I knew it would take me out of this place.
I entered the black gate, leaving the realm of blinding light behind, stepping into a chaotic void—and then the transition began.
Passing through the gate was unbearably painful. It wasn't just physical pain—it felt like my entire being was being torn apart. It was as if my body was tied with ropes and each limb was pulled in the opposite direction… It wasn't a simple transition—it was torture.
I clenched my teeth tightly, trying not to lose consciousness from the sheer agony. It lasted only seconds, but it felt like an eternity.
Then suddenly… the scene went black. And in the next moment, I found myself standing in a familiar place—the same place I had been before entering the first white gate.
I drew a deep breath into my lungs, then exhaled slowly. The air had a special taste—a taste mixed with the scent of wreckage and fire… the taste of destruction.
I opened my eyes slowly to look around—and was shocked by an indescribable sight.