Darwin's footsteps echoed heavily through the final corridor, carved from pitch-black stone etched with ancient magical runes glowing faintly. The temperature dropped drastically, yet the sense of threat only intensified. A thick aura of death blanketed the air, making his skin crawl.
"This must be the final boss room," Darwin muttered, staring ahead. A massive stone gate loomed at the corridor's end, adorned with symbols of bones, skulls, and deathly incantations radiating hellish energy.
Clenching his fists, Darwin's body trembled slightly—not from fear, but from adrenaline and anticipation. "This pressure… incredible. But I won't flinch. Beyond this battle lies sunlight and... the home-cooked meal I've long dreamed of."
Zero sighed deep inside his mind. "Your priorities are kinda off... but fine. Let's take down that undead bastard."
With firm steps, Darwin pushed the stone doors open, the grinding sound echoing ominously. Black mist greeted them, followed by the faint toll of a death bell.
In the center of a grand, dark, and cold chamber—lit only by black torches burning with violet flames—sat the Lich. It looked like a skeletal figure draped in tattered robes, yet its aura radiated immense power. Glowing green eyes flickered in its hollow sockets, and a cracked crown sat atop its skull, signifying its nobility in the realm of death. Around it, piles of bones and shattered weapons lay strewn about—the remains of challengers past.
Darwin squinted. "By the way… don't you get tired sitting there for centuries? Seriously, ever thought of getting a hobby?"
Zero chuckled. "He probably would've died of boredom if it weren't for that eternal curse."
Suddenly, a raspy and deep voice echoed from the death-born figure.
"At last... you've arrived. I've been waiting... for a new body..."
The Lich chuckled eerily, the laugh rumbling through the walls. "Thank you for coming all this way... just to offer your body for free."
Darwin blinked. "Wait… you want my body? Don't tell me... you used to be a woman or something?"
Zero sighed. "Not exactly… but after centuries in a rotting corpse, it makes sense he'd want a fresh vessel. And you, Darwin, unfortunately, are the perfect candidate."
The Lich grinned wide. "Precisely, little parasite. I know you're in there, leeching off him. I've known of your presence in my dungeon all along… but I let you live. A pathetic insect. And now you cling to my future body? Hahaha… pitiful. Crawl out of my new vessel, and find yourself another host—like the bug you are."
Zero was silent for a moment. He trembled—not from fear, but from suppressed fury. "You'll regret not destroying me when you had the chance... you decaying corpse."
Darwin, now wearing a mask of anger, stepped forward. His eyes locked sharply onto the Lich. "Don't insult my partner. Without him, I wouldn't have made it this far. And because of him... YOU will die today!"
The Lich slowly rose from its throne. Death's aura surged wildly, making the floor tremble.
"Try me... if you can, boy."
A grin crept across Darwin's face. Flames began to flicker faintly from his body. "Let's go, partner. Let's beat the crap out of this walking corpse."
Zero chimed in, fired up. "Yeah. Let's show him what real power looks like!"
Without wasting a second, Darwin's body ignited in blazing fire—deep crimson and jet black. A sharp blast echoed as the ground beneath him cracked from the force.
〈Hellfire Armor〉—ACTIVE.
The fire flowed across his skin, forming a living armor that moved like molten magma, exuding an ominous aura. From his back and shoulders, flames erupted upward like demonic wings, turning the room into a boiling pit of hell.
"I'M COMING FOR YOU, CORPSE!!!"
Darwin shot forward like a meteor, leaving a burning trail behind him. His speed, amplified by 〈Speed Boost〉 and the resonance of the Hellfire Armor, rendered him nearly invisible as he charged.
But the Lich was ready.
"Rise… and serve once more, my army of despair!"
With a slam of his bone staff, the ground split open and dozens of undead crawled out—skeleton warriors, flesh-eating ghouls, and armed zombies filled the chamber.
Darwin ducked low, and—
〈Stealth〉—ACTIVE.
His body vanished in an instant, leaving only a trace of fire fading into the shadows. The undead looked around wildly, unsure of where the strike would come.
Darwin's twin daggers gleamed as he emerged from the dark, slashing clean through a skeleton's neck, scattering flaming bone fragments.
"Zero, little help here!"
"Already on it," Zero replied calmly. Within Darwin's body, the undead core he had absorbed earlier began to glow. That energy surged back into his system, rapidly healing his wounds.
〈Regeneration〉—ACTIVE.
A spear from a zombie struck Darwin's arm, but the wound closed as if it had never been there. He spun, driving both daggers into the snarling zombie's chest and ignited the flames.
〈Fire Slash〉—ACTIVE.
The cut burned with a searing heat that spread like a fire-plague, incinerating the zombie in a tortured shriek.
But the Lich wasn't finished. Raising both arms, he summoned WRAITHS—ghostly apparitions of green-black mist, shrieking curses as they floated toward Darwin.
Darwin paused for a moment. "I figured you'd call those guys out…"
He smirked, pulling a small white bomb adorned with mystical carvings from his pouch.
"Catch this, you damn ghost."
〈Flash Bomb〉—ACTIVE.
A blinding explosion of white light filled the chamber. The undead and Wraiths howled, shielding faces they no longer had. But Darwin was already behind one of them.
〈Hellfire Dash〉 + 〈Dagger Twin Slash〉!
He surged forward like a firestorm, slicing twice through the Wraith's side. Flaming gashes erupted, and the Wraith exploded from within.
Atop the altar, the Lich let out a furious scream. He began chanting his final incantation.
"Souls of the damned, flood this vessel! Oblivion Consume—"
But the chant never finished.
Darwin appeared in front of him in a flash, Hellfire Armor still blazing.
〈Strength of Flame〉—ACTIVE.
The fire roared louder, intensifying around him. His strength multiplied fivefold, the ground beneath him crumbling, the Lich's altar trembling under the power.
The first slash struck the Lich's chest.
The second shattered his bone staff.
The third—pierced directly into his soul core.
"You're finished."
With his full might and blazing inferno, Darwin delivered the final strike—
〈Infernal Break〉!
A devastating blast of fire exploded inside the Lich. The chamber quaked, dark light warped violently as the Lich's soul was torn from the world.
The Lich stared at Darwin with dimming green eyes. "...damn parasite… why did I... ever let it live…"
With that, his body crumbled into ash—leaving behind the Lich Soul Core, a pulsating crystal of eerie violet-green, beating like a dying heart.
Darwin exhaled deeply, then chuckled with sharp sarcasm.
"Take that, you fake god corpse."
Zero laughed softly within his mind. "You actually enjoyed that, didn't you…"
Darwin stood tall amidst the bones and flames, his breathing steady. The Hellfire Armor slowly faded away as he basked in the satisfaction of conquering the dungeon boss.
Darwin's body sat slumped beside the collapsed altar, his breathing beginning to slow, though faint embers from his Armor Hellfire still flickered at the tips of his fingers. He wiped the sweat from his forehead and leaned against the half-destroyed wall left by the earlier explosion.
"Damn… if I was just one second late, that Lich would've blasted me with that crazy spell," he muttered, rubbing the stiffness in his neck.
Zero responded coolly from inside his head, "I told you. Mages have to be cut down before they finish chanting. Their spells are powerful, but slow."
Darwin let out a small laugh—tired but relieved. "Yeah... but I'm pretty sure not all mages chant. Some just snap their fingers and boom—meteor."
"True. There are chantless spellcasters. They're usually high-class. Don't get overconfident."
Darwin gave a small nod. "Noted. Tear out their core before they can say a single syllable."
After catching his breath, he stood and turned to the only thing left on the altar—a large stone chest etched with faintly glowing runes.
But now...
CHRAAK!
The chest lit up with a blinding golden glow. A powerful aura burst forth, like a mountain of gold and secrets was hidden within.
"Ohooo… this has to be some real good loot."
Like a kid unwrapping a birthday present, Darwin gripped the lid with both hands and flung it open—welcomed by a triumphant glow of light.
Inside the chest, he found:
1. A black-silver crown with intricate engravings resembling tree roots and crystal fractures.
2. A pair of dark boots that looked light yet sturdy, their surface absorbing light like a void.
3. A crystal-like object pulsing gently, radiating an aura of detection.
And also several potions in shades of purple, green, and blue, each radiating restorative and buffing energy.
Two skill crystals: one silver-blue marked [Phantom Mirage], and another clear red labeled [Aim].
A pile of gold coins and gems, covering the bottom of the chest like a shower of riches.
Darwin stared, stunned. "Bro… this is… jackpot."
Zero chuckled. "The gear here is excellent. You got lucky."
He then casually explained:
"The radar detects traps. It'll save your life more than once."
"The boots enhance your speed and silence your steps. Perfect for stealth kills."
"The crown… I don't recognize it. Try it and see."
"Mysterious, huh? Alright."
Without hesitation, Darwin picked up the crown and—as always—let a drop of his blood fall onto the metal.
ZRRMMM—!!
The crown glowed brightly, then transformed into liquid light and shot straight into his forehead, right between his brows. It felt like cold water mixed with electricity was being poured into his brain.
A system notification rang in his mind.
(Divine Inventory] acquired.
Personal dimensional space unlocked.
Area size: 3 square kilometers. Expandable.
Darwin's eyes widened. "YO, WHAT?!"
Suddenly, the world around him vanished. He felt himself being pulled into another dimension—and when he opened his eyes...
He was standing in a quiet night meadow. Stars blanketed the sky above. A gentle breeze blew. This… wasn't a dream.
"This... a private world?"
Darwin wandered through the field. Time here seemed to match the real world. Night sky, full moon—everything felt real.
"If I build a house here, I won't ever have to pay for an inn again," he laughed. "Man, that's cost-efficient!"
He then called out, "Hey Zero, can you appear here?"
Zero didn't answer right away, but after a few seconds... a light appeared in front of Darwin, taking shape.
A ten-year-old child materialized—long black hair reaching the back, pale flawless skin, and sharp obsidian-like eyes. Their face was delicate, exuding an air of calm mystery—neutral, yet beautiful.
Darwin raised an eyebrow. "Uh... why do you look like a little girl?"
Zero folded their small arms. "This is the form visualized by my host's subconscious."
"So you're saying… this is what I chose?" Darwin pointed in disbelief.
"Correct. Perhaps you like something soft, mysterious, and… feminine?"
Darwin facepalmed. "My brain is so damn weird."
After laughing together and inspecting the inventory functions, Darwin moved everything from the chest into the private world, including coins, potions, and skill crystals. He neatly stored them in an area he named "Hell Vault."
Zero let out a sigh. "Finally… I'm not your walking backpack anymore."
Back in the real world, Darwin stood before the now-empty altar. There, the Lich's Soul Core shimmered faintly—pulsing like a cursed heart.
"Zero. Eat it."
Zero smiled faintly. "With pleasure."
A wave of dark aura filled the room. The core was consumed—and a spiritual shockwave slammed into Darwin's mind—
ZRAAK!!!
He gritted his teeth, enduring the searing pain stabbing through his brain. But afterward...
New Skill Acquired: [Necromancer]
Grants control over and ability to summon undead forces.
Darwin gasped, then laughed in triumph. "HAHAHA… JACKPOT!!!"
He clenched his fist.
"I've got an army now, bro. Necromancer?! This is gonna be wild!!"
Zero stood still, his black eyes expressionless. "...You're becoming dangerous."
Darwin turned, eyes glowing red, with a wicked grin. "Too late to notice now, partner."