Emperor Bonet’s Lowly Servant
[ Name : None ]
[ Tier : 0 ]
[ Level : 1 ]
[ Race : StarGold Clusterfly ]
[ Inv. Status : --- ]
...
[ Skills ]
[ StarStore ]
The tube at its end stores StarGold paste which when accumulated for two days can be injected into the abdomen and thorax to boost overall stats by 120% for an hour. However, this tube links directly to vital organs and if damaged, can lead to shock with a high possibility of death.
~~~
....
"UUUUUUUUOOOOOOOH!" Skullius roared into the sky as a burst of power shot through him, an intense shimmer cascading through the entire area. Even the bright gold aesthetic of the Territory was temporarily overshadowed by the light the skeleton emitted.
Azila watched this with a ponderous expression. It hardly fazed him.
He could have obliterated the little skeleton right then, but one thing made him hesitate.
Just now, he had noticed it. This little Undead actually had the qualification to be accompanied by the Voice Of Worlds!
As a higher-ranked being, it wasn't too difficult for Azila to notice this as many perks came with his tier and level. However...
What were the odds?
He decided to see what would happen next and judge from there, after all, the little Undead was still in his Majestic Territory.
Skullius' frame began to change.
His height increased significantly, bringing his entire frame to almost 2 meters. His once burnt bones became clean and their density increased significantly, a luster that was a few shades from proper silver adorning them.
The flame in his sockets flared, its hue becoming a dark blue one that glowed with a fierce, stable intensity.
Skullius felt the sensation of pain and ecstasy at the same time; quite the devious mix.
The light show soon died down. His figure looked nothing like the dreadfully pitiful Undead from a few seconds ago.
[Congratulations, you have evolved from a 'Standard Undead' and have begun the new path of Lifelessness, professionally termed, Null Life. Would you like to proceed with all the following steps immediately?]
Skullius was dazed for a few moments. He had evolved twice without any breaks. He felt rather drained and...excited.
'This is...' he thought as he felt the changes in his body. He felt a greater depth of strength than before, and the clarity in his thoughts had improved.
What was this amazing sensation?
[I can't believe your atrocious luck took a U-turn at the last second...].
'Ah.. so you're still here, you sockethole!' thought Skullius angrily.
[Well you're still alive...so...].
'...'
"What is the meaning of this?" the booming voice of Azila shook Skullius once again. Even after his evolution, he still felt a tremor in his core from the power of his host.
'Damn it! I almost forgot that I was still here...!'
He looked at the giant Ape. Those eyes of his now showed a bit of interest.
"Uhmm..." Skullius mumbled, thinking of what to say. In the next moment, his socket flames brightened as he provided an answer.
A bit of confidence could also be detected.
"As I said before, O Great Azila. I'm not an Undead..." he said sheepishly.
At first, Azila thought to dismiss this nonsense he had heard from Skullius before, but when he focused his sense on the little skeleton, he was perplexed.
The repulsive energy that coiled around Skullius just a few seconds ago had completely vanished!
What he felt from him at this moment was... nothing!
The skeleton standing before him while scratching its head had no signs of Undeath at all!
"What are you?" he asked while narrowing his large eyes.
"Uhmm....ahhh," Skullius stammered. What convincing argument could he make? The notification had told him that he had graduated from Undeath, so he technically wasn't lying.
He then remembered a grand detail.
He was the great fibbler - the bullshitter - who had once convinced his skeletal brethren that he had coxed the great Somanda into caressing his skull!
How could he not utilize this natural gift he had to swindle with words?
Surely he could wiggle out of this with a lie, right? Right?
With his mind clearer than ever, he formed a chain of lies that were about as stalwart and unshakeable as shivering straw at best. He presented them to the giant Ape shamelessly.
"O Great Azila. I am but the lowest servant of the great Emperor Bonet. I was sent to scour the lands of the dead under a spell that forged my appearance into that of a common Undead. I have returned to report to the great Emperor all that I found after fleeing from a Lich who had grown suspicious of me."
"Hmmmm." Azila narrowed his eyes. "Who is this... great Emperor Bonet?"
"I'm afraid I cannot tell you any more than this as I am under a spell that keeps me from giving away too much. I was to be in enemy territory for a long while, so another spell was cast on me so I wouldn't say more than was necessary. Please, allow me to return before I face Emperor Bonet's great wrath," Skullius said with a pathetic bow.
"Hmmm," the deep hum of Azila's voice echoed through the forest.
'I searched him with [Gargantuan's Scrutiny] and found nothing of note within him. He truly was merely a pitiful Undead before. Is this Emperor Bonet's magic that strong to be able to convince even I, that he is an Undead? Why does he still look like an undead even after his escape then?' Azila thought.
Skullius waited while trying not to look suspicious. It could be excused that he was shivering as he was in the presence of a powerful beast, but any more than that would attract even scrutiny.
As he waited, a notification appeared before him.
[You are under 'Gargantuan's Scrutiny'. You are practically naked before the Great Mane Mountain Ape]
'Again?!' Skullius thought.
He was screwed!
Or so he thought.
Azila was taken aback.
He couldn't find anything of note now with his advanced skill!
To make matters worse, he couldn't identify anything about Skullius except his level! His race was unknown as well as all the important details!
'Hmmmm... who is this Bonet? I have never known any of the beings on Aigas to have Emperors. Is this Bonet perhaps not human? I have never traveled outside Feinheath, after all.' The Ape hummed. 'Creating an oddity like this little skeleton wouldn't be too hard for the Mages. Perhaps he is telling the truth and is indeed under a spell of secrecy that bars my own magic.'
Many thoughts spiralled within Azila's head. He hadn't expected to be convinced like this.
'Perhaps I should leave it be. I might offend a power I cannot contend against.'
"Very well. You may leave. I shall forgive your trespassing and the blatant murder of my lanterns as a gesture of respect for your... Emperor Bonet. Be on your way," Azila said.
"Thank you, O Great Azila," Skullius bowed as he slowly backpedaled.
He walked slowly, then briskly, feeling the dense presence of Azila vanishing from behind him.
Soon he was out of the golden area that represented the Territory of the Great Mane Mountain Ape.
He seemed calm on the surface, but within...
'I SURVIVED! I DID IT! SKULLIUS STRIKES AGAIN! AS IF! I was scared out of my skull! I can't believe he actually bought that!'
[I'm... speechless...].
VOW's voice rang in Skillius' head.
'Hmph! Don't underestimate me, VOW bro. I have more redeeming qualities than you think... Wait, that didn't come out right.'
[Sure.. says the one who evolves twice by killing a single LV1 Clusterfly].
'Now that I think about it, just how weak was I to get this strong from killing just two of those annoying fliers?'
[What part of Moronic Undead did you not understand? If you had paid attention to your status you would know that you had no level and no Tier. Gaining cumulative experience of any kind would push your strength to higher levels... as it did just now. You should also be grateful that since your evolution is new, and you have yet to proceed with its full activation, Azila couldn't find anything suspicious with his advanced skill].
"I see..." The little skeleton had really dodged a bullet there. "I'm... really not an Undead anymore though.'
[Nope. I advise you to inspect the changes for yourself].
Skullius was quite excited. He felt great.
He had just escaped from a powerful beast and was about to enjoy a new path that offered different evolutions and powers.
What could possibly go wrong?
HUMPH! HUMPH!
He heard the sound of hooves scraping against the ground.
A short figure covered in a red, glaring mass of energy was glaring at him.
It was the damn boar!
Skullius was shaken at the sight. He fell out of his excitement and lost his glee.
"Bro, you're still here?! Get a life, will you!" he screeched.
[Atrocious!] VOW remarked with a hint of amusement.