[Name: Noir Valenhardt]
[Race: Undead]
[Class: Normal Skeleton]
[Level: 6]
[HP: 155/245]
[MP: 60/80]
[STR (Strength): 24]
[AGI (Agility): 19]
[VIT (Vitality): 20]
[DEX (Dexterity): 16]
[LUK (Luck): 1]
EXP: 45/200 (Next Level)
Noir stroked his chin, trying to think about which stat he should increase using his +15 stat points. He considered three things: Strength, Agility, or Dexterity.
If he increased Strength, then his basic attacks would deal more damage. That was a solid choice, especially since he used a sword as his weapon.
One point of Strength equals one extra damage. That's what the system in front of Noir just explained to him.
"Looks like I should go with Strength," he said.
He had already raised his hand to increase his Strength. However, Noir hesitated slightly and looked at the screen again.
"But if I raise Agility, then my movement speed will increase. That's useful when fighting against large groups of enemies."
He felt like Agility was the best choice. He took a deep breath and nodded, but just as he was about to press the 'enter' button, Noir pulled his hand back.
Dexterity also looked good because of its excellent utility. The higher the Dexterity, the greater the accuracy of his attacks. On top of that, Dexterity also helped to speed up hand movement.
With that, Noir could launch two attacks in a short time. That was more efficient.
"But if my hands are fast but my feet are slow, then everything would be pointless," he sighed.
Noir had been sitting on top of a pile of goblin corpses for nearly an hour. The hardest part was making this kind of decision.
He didn't know if he could reset his stat points later if he made the wrong choice. If possible, that would help a lot—but Noir wasn't sure such a thing was allowed.
Noir nodded; he had made his decision. This time, he was truly certain.
"Alright then. I'll put five points into Dexterity and ten points into Agility. That sounds fair," Noir said after thinking for one hour and eleven minutes.
Noir turned his head toward the Hound of the Abyss, still asleep. Noir was determined to defeat that monster and walk through the door behind it.
He believed there was a powerful monster and a massive treasure behind that door.
Noir was absolutely convinced.
***
Noir stood and gripped his sword tightly. Ahead, a damp stone corridor stretched forward, dimly lit by pale crystals on the walls.
Click... click... click...
A strange sound echoed from the end of the corridor. Noir quickly crouched behind a rock, trying to hide. He looked toward the source of the sound. Though technically, he had no eyes. But he could still see.
Then appeared the enemy he had been searching for.
[Rotclaw Lizard – Lv. 25]
The creature was a giant lizard with claws and a long tongue dragging across the ground. Its eyes glowed red, a sign of high aggression. Behind it, two more followed.
Three against one. Noir clenched his sword handle and whispered, "Time to test out my new stats."
He stayed quiet for a moment, trying to gather confidence. He was still a level-six skeleton, and the enemies were level 25. This wasn't going to be easy.
"When I was level one, I managed to kill a level 20 monster. This should be easier," Noir said, convincing himself.
He nodded and stood up. Facing the three Rotclaw Lizards walking toward him, Noir charged without hesitation.
The first Rotclaw Lizard lunged, its tongue lashing out like a spear. But with his reflexes greatly enhanced by the +10 AGI, Noir ducked left and swung his sword sideways.
SLASH!
The lizard's right claw was severed. The creature shrieked and staggered backward.
"My movements... are way faster," Noir gasped. "And... my slashes are more precise."
Seeing their injured companion, the two other lizards didn't hesitate.
They attacked Noir together. Noir leaped back and slashed twice—two swings in a single breath. Rusty Slash. Something that had been impossible before now felt natural.
SLASH! SLASH!
One of the lizards took a hit to the neck and collapsed. The other came from the right, but Noir jumped to the wall, bounced off, and thrust his sword into the creature's back.
CRIT!
[Low LUK, but high DEX causes Critical with accurate positioning.]
The last lizard roared and tried to escape. Noir didn't let it. With his boosted speed, he dashed forward and swung a horizontal slash at its neck. Blood spurted as the beast dropped.
Noir had defeated all three Rotclaw Lizards with relative ease.
[EXP +125]
[EXP +125]
[EXP +125]
Noir panted, but a faint smile appeared on his skeletal face. "This... is fun." He kicked the lizard's body out of the way.
[LEVEL UP!]
Level 6 → 8
Noir was no longer surprised by the notification. Now, he had to level up even more. It still wasn't enough.
He had to kill more monsters—but starting from the weakest nearby. Taking unnecessary risks wasn't a wise move.
Noir didn't want to die so soon.
"Alright, let's go kill..."
Noir's eyes widened as he sensed a very familiar presence. When he looked around, dozens of other Rotclaw Lizards appeared.
Not two or three—but twenty of them.
"Looking for revenge? Come on then!" Noir challenged them without a hint of fear.
It was a risky situation, but he knew that Rotclaw Lizards had a major weakness: slow movement.
Even if their tongues were corrosive, as long as he didn't get hit by them, he would be fine.
Noir grinned. "You're going to help me level up again.
"I'll slaughter every one of you!"
The Rotclaw Lizards leapt from all directions and began to attack Noir. The attacks were troublesome—but Noir wasn't afraid.
In fact, he was even more excited.
***
[LEVEL UP!]
Level 14 → 15
[Congratulations!]
You have reached the evolution threshold for base class [Normal Skeleton].
"Evolution?" Noir was surprised this time. He thought he had to reach level fifty to evolve. Apparently, he was wrong.
He saw two options on his system screen. Two choices, both very tempting.
[Skeleton Mage]
[Skeleton Warrior]
Two evolutionary paths, both hard to choose. Skeleton Mage had a path that led to the Lich class—a type of monster known to be very powerful with the ability to summon other skeletons.
Noir nodded. "Alright then. I choose..."
[Skeleton Warrior has been selected]
[Evolution in progress]
[Loading...]
"I know Skeleton Mage was tempting, but I have to fight the Hound of the Abyss, and Skeleton Warrior is the right choice for now," Noir said.
He didn't know whether this was truly the right decision—but he would make the most of it.
"I won't lose here!"