Alpha_Ruby

After Earth collapses into dimensional entropy, billions of people are scattered across broken worlds and forced into a brutal survival game known only as the Shattered Trial. Each player gains a random class. Most wield magic, swords, or elemental power.

But Iden Virel, a former engineering student, is given something else.

A black ring. A broken interface. And the command:

[SUMMON: Skeleton – Worker Class]

With a system unlike any other, Iden can summon and assign skeletal minions to tasks—miners, scouts, warriors, mages, builders, and more. These skeletal followers don’t sleep, don’t eat, and never stop improving. The longer they work, the smarter they get.

Together with his sister Rael—a rare Sanctum Channeler who can empower and evolve allies—Iden must lead his growing skeletal force through monster-infested zones, hostile player factions, and ancient ruins... all while preparing for the apocalyptic battle known as the Final Judgment.

In this world, only one law remains:

Build. Adapt. Conquer. Or be erased.

Endless March: Skeleton King Ascends

The morning after the victory over Ironrest was warm—too warm for what Iden had planned.

The bones of the dead were supposed to rest.

Kael was in the process of testing the reaction time of the raised Candidate summons when it happened.

The one who had been the warrior-type—a hulking beast of a man in life—jerked forward mid-routine, glowing veins of violet mana coursing through his reinforced ribcage.

[Unit XP Threshold Reached – Evolution Trigger Available]

Kael stumbled back, nearly dropping his obsidian ledger.

The system window opened again, this time not just for Kael.

[Notice: Revived Unique-Grade Units can progress and evolve using combat, training, or command chain exposure. Restrictions lifted due to necromancer affinity level.]

[Evolution Available: Dreadknight Remnant]→ A pseudo-living undead knight retaining combat instincts and execution-type skills. Enhanced leadership traits.

Kael muttered under his breath. "They can... level up?"

Iden, now beside him, nodded slowly.

"We've changed the rules, Kael. Make sure you change with them."

System Quest Update: Legacy Forged

[Quest Complete: Break the Chain of Oppression (Rare Event)]

Rewards Claimed:• +1 Class Slot (Summoner Only)• +2 Skill Tokens• +1 Special Territory Integration Bonus

New System Effect: Domain Authority Unlocked

A soft hum pulsed through Iden's core, and then the world around him clicked into something... more.

Villagers tending to crops suddenly flinched. Crafters looked at their hands as if they were no longer limited by habit.

[Effect Applied: Domain of Bonekeeper]→ All living members under your protection are now integrated into the system.→ Each registered member has a low chance of unlocking a Secondary Class over time based on role, training, or affinity.→ Control radius expanded. Territory marked as Sovereign.

That same hour, Rael gasped, dropping her potion vial mid-pour. Liri, the herbalist girl, caught her hand.

"No. I just saw something. A vision. A spark. The system... it connected to me."

Kael looked out toward the training fields, where three civilians had collapsed—only to rise seconds later, flushed with golden light. One of them, the old carpenter, held up his shaking hands. Sparks danced between his fingers.

"I... I think I just became a Runecarver," he whispered.

He stood atop the center tower, overlooking the evolving village—his village. Not just a camp now. Not just survival.

With a system that had stopped treating him like a candidate—and started treating him like a ruler.

"This is what it means to ascend," he said to himself. "We're not just building a force. We're building a civilization."

Chapter 45 — Those Who Still Rise