The Graveyard
The training grounds grew quiet as Jin Mo left, his mind a whirlwind of strategies and aspirations. The weight of Nyx's words and Sir Cedric's observations lingered—his path was long, and the challenges ahead would demand more than just talent.
Upon arriving at his chambers, he found a servant waiting with a neatly arranged tray of food: steamed rice, smoked fish, and pickled vegetables. The faint aroma of the meal filled the air, offering a moment of comfort.
Servant: "Young master, breakfast has been prepared. Will you be dining in your chambers?"
Jin Mo gave a faint smile. "Yes, thank you. Just leave it on the table."
The servant bowed and left, the door closing softly behind him. Nyx, ever-curious, hovered near the tray, her translucent form shimmering with mischief.
Nyx: "You humans and your obsession with eating. Have you ever considered living purely off energy? It's much more efficient."
Jin Mo chuckled as he picked up his chopsticks. "And miss out on this? No thanks."
As he ate, his thoughts drifted to the Graveyard, the eerie, desolate realm he had unlocked. He sensed untapped potential within it—not just as a resting place for his undead but as a stronghold, a foundation for something greater.
Jin Mo: "Nyx, I need to figure out how to expand the Graveyard. Right now, it's too small and too limited."
Nyx's teasing demeanor faded into something more thoughtful. "That'll take resources, both material and spiritual. Some techniques allow for expansion through rituals or by absorbing energy from powerful enemies. Maybe converting more foes into skeletons will help. But first, you need to test its limits."
Jin Mo nodded, determination lighting his gaze. "Let's check it out after breakfast."
Entering the Graveyard
After finishing his meal, Jin Mo activated the Graveyard skill. A dark portal twisted into existence at the center of his room, the air growing heavy with an unnatural chill. Without hesitation, he stepped through.
The moment his feet touched the ground, the familiar realm stretched before him—a vast, barren expanse littered with broken gravestones and twisted, leafless trees. The sky swirled in perpetual twilight, with ghostly auroras flickering faintly above.
Standing vigil outside the decrepit house were Chol Mo and Geol Mo, their skeletal frames motionless yet ever alert. At his arrival, they immediately kneeled, their hollow eye sockets glowing faintly with eerie reverence.
Jin Mo: "Rise."
The two skeletons obeyed, standing at attention as Jin Mo focused his will, summoning their status screens.
Name: Geol Mo
Race: Undead
Class: Skeleton Soldier
Rank: 2-Star
Health: ∞ (Regenerates through Jin Mo's Qi)
Qi: ∞ (Regenerates through Jin Mo's Qi)
Base Stats:
Strength: 30
Agility: 28
Endurance: ∞ (Immune to fatigue, pain, and most physical limitations)
Intelligence: 20
Perception: 25
Abilities:
Swordsmanship (Beginner): Retains basic combat experience from life, allowing for solid swordplay.
White Tiger Blade: A swift slashing technique that enhances cutting power through Qi.
White Tiger Step: A footwork technique that boosts speed and agility for quick maneuvers.
Name: Chol Mo
Race: Undead
Class: Skeleton Soldier
Rank: 2-Star
Health: ∞ (Regenerates through Jin Mo's Qi)
Qi: ∞ (Regenerates through Jin Mo's Qi)
Base Stats:
Strength: 35
Agility: 35
Endurance: ∞ (Immune to fatigue, pain, and most physical limitations)
Intelligence: 20
Perception: 30
Abilities:
Combat Instincts: Retains low-level battle awareness, allowing for improved reaction speed in combat.
White Tiger Blade: A swift slashing technique that enhances cutting power through Qi.
White Tiger Step: A footwork technique that boosts speed and agility for quick maneuvers.
Jin Mo exhaled, impressed. "It's incredible. They regenerate everything through my Qi."
Nyx smirked. "That's why I gave you the Dragon's Breath Technique. You'll need to work harder in the future to increase your Qi reserves."
Jin Mo smirked back. "Yeah, I will."
Turning his attention back to his summons, he tested their obedience through the mental link. He sent a silent command: patrol the area.
Instantly, the two skeletons dispersed, their movements sharp and efficient. They scanned their surroundings with methodical precision, their skeletal fingers gripping the hilts of their spectral blades.
Nyx observed them with a nod of approval. "Efficient. They're loyal, and their connection to you is strong. But they're still basic summons. If you want stronger undead, you'll need better materials—or better corpses."
Jin Mo smirked. "Better corpses, huh? That means stronger enemies."
As he wandered deeper into the Graveyard, something gnawed at him. The place felt... incomplete. Not just barren, but lacking, as if waiting for something to shape it.
Jin Mo: "Nyx, do you feel that? The Graveyard feels... hollow."
Nyx's expression grew solemn. "It's not just a storage space, Jin Mo. It's a part of you, tied to your power as the Death Apostle. As you grow, so will this place. Right now, it's a reflection of your current strength—barely developed. But someday, it could become a domain to rival even the gods' realms."
Jin Mo clenched his fists, a spark of ambition burning in his chest.
Jin Mo: "Then I'll make it grow. One step at a time."
Returning to Reality
Satisfied with his inspection, Jin Mo willed himself out of the Graveyard. The portal behind him shimmered and collapsed, vanishing in an instant. As he returned to his chambers, he felt a strange pull on his energy—maintaining the skill required a constant, low-level drain.
Nyx floated beside him, watching his expression. "Managing your energy is going to be key. You can't afford to exhaust yourself while relying on the Graveyard or your summons. Balance is everything."
Jin Mo exhaled, nodding. "I'll work on it."
His journey was just beginning. The Graveyard held limitless potential, but it was up to him to carve it into something formidable. And he would—step by step, corpse by corpse, until it became a kingdom of the dead worthy of his name.