Chapter 3: Names Are Earned, Not Given

The two skeletons walked through the endless hallway yet again.

"Brother, how do humans get their own names?" The awakened one asked.

"They are given their names by their elders as soon as they take their first breath. This practice makes me feel disgusted, Brother." Doorman answered.

This knowledge indented a sense of hatred in the newly awakened skeleton; the fact that humans did not need to earn their names. This truly made the skeleton despise all who showed pride in their given names, for they did nothing to receive such a treasure; a treasure which their society has taken lightly.

"Brother Doorman, are the hallways endlessly long to train our agility?" The awakened one asked.

"Good question brother. I believe that it is indeed a feature of the tomb that the Supreme Beings put a lot of effort into. Everything They do are for good reasons, from the length of the hall to the aesthetics of the walls; everything was intended."

"I see."

"Today we shall discuss the situation of the tomb."

Doorman stopped at a green door and opened it.

"Today thou shall be gathering along with some other brothers."

Doorman pointed towards an open area within the room, with 100 or so other skeletons gathering there. These skeletons ranged from the lowest of strength to those that were adorned in silver armor. These skeletons seemed to all be waiting for Doorman's command. The awakened one then quickly walked towards the group and faced Doorman.

"Greetings, brothers! This week we have gained 5 more brothers, this is a truely excellent step to building our forces. I, Doorman The Iron Wall, have important information from one of our scouts."

"According to the scout, we have been transported to a new world! we are currently situated in the north-east border of the Re-Estize kingdom. This world is weak in terms of strength, but we are still not strong enough to claim it for the Supreme Beings! Brothers, until then we must gather our strength, and bring glory to the Supreme Beings when the time comes."

"The scout has reported that a basic skeleton brother is only equivalent to a novice fighter. A skeleton warrior is the equivalent of an 'iron' adventurer. An old guarder can fight against a 'mythril' adventurer, and the master and elder guards can hold off against adamantite adventurers."

"This is not enough brothers! Even I cannot win against a level 35 warrior."

"We need to build our strength, and produce warriors that Nazarick can be proud of. GLORY TO THE SUPREME BEINGS!"

The awakened one understood the majority of what Doorman had just announced, but still did not fully understand who the Supreme Beings are. Perhaps they were the architects of skeleton society? The awakened one didn't ponder long about it, the skeleton only wished to get stronger. Doorman had stressed the importance of becoming powerful, the tomb depended on the strength of its defenders, but the awakened one truly wanted to become stronger for a chance to earn a name. In the eyes of the awakened one, a named skeleton was the equivalent of a hero, someone to truly respect. The skeleton longed for the chance to earn itself a name, and perhaps become a true champion of Nazarick.

"Brother, come with me." Doorman said to the skeleton.

"Brother, thou art on the verge of being able to change your racial class, we must evolve thee as soon as possible."

The skeletons walked towards an even larger door situated a few minutes away. The door was a Black double door with many locks.

"Brother, behind this door is a platinum ranked adventurer, this human scum murdered 3 brothers, but was captured soon after."

"How could the adventurer kill them?"

"It happened outside the tomb entrance." Doorman grimly stated.

"What would you have me do, Brother Doorman?" The awakened one asked.

"Execute him, and take his soul. With that one soul, thou should advance 6 levels. However, be careful, the way thou kills him will also determine which classes thou gain levels in."

"I understand." The awakened one answered.

"He is bound, so do not rush, Brother." Doorman stated.

Doorman opened the door, revealing the adventurer bound in the dimly lit room. The room was filled with cobwebs and cages, lacking moisture. The adventurer was strapped to a wooden chair and was facing the awakened one. the skeleton approached its prey, slowly and steadily.

"Damn you Bones! I know you can fucking hear me! If you don't let me leave, the Guild will look for me! I am Damian Fenix! I am a very important person!" The adventurer shouted.

"Your name has no meaning here. You did not earn your name, you are as good as nameless." The awakened one coldly spoke as it approached the prisoner.

"I KNEW IT! You skeletons can speak! If you know what is good for you, you will let me leave now! My name has significant standing in the guild!"

"What guild? We are not part of a 'guild', why should we care?"

"You humans speak of your names like they are something to be proud of, but you did not earn them. They were given by people who were also given their names, and so on."

"You have no name here, you are just a dead man talking."

"You can't kill me! Lowly skeleton!"

With the skill of the ones that the awakened one had slain, the skeleton drew its new sword and put all of its strength into a horizontal slash."

"Martial Art: SLASH!"

The sword effortlessly cut through the neck of the adventurer, leaving no room for error. The man was frightened to the very end, his face still showing the emotion of dread. The blood dripped down from the skeleton's sword as it looked to the body of adventurer.

"Take your name and leave this world."

The skeleton then proceeded to walk back to Doorman.

"Brother, that was splendid! Thou hast even learnt a 'martial art'!"

Doorman walked up to the body followed by the awakened one.

"This will be the last time I demonstrate, watch closely brother."

Doorman raised his hand straight over the heart of the corpse, facing his palm to the ceiling. Immediately a dark red orb flew out of the corpse.

"It is as simple as that, Brother."

The awakened one then proceeded to consume the orb.

A bright red light radiated from the awakened one. The light grew larger, fully engulfing its body to the point that all that could be seen was a broad outline.

"Splendid."