Han Joon's bones rattled as he gritted—well, tried to gritted—his jaw.
I… I just need to survive… just need to run…
But before he could react, Clank!
A sword pierced through his ribcage, splintering bone and sending pain like fire through his whole body.
He froze.
"T-This dumbass skeleton killed our brother, bitch!"
Two hunters leapt forward, faces twisted with fury. They pounced on him, smashing, ramming, kicking—every blow felt like it was tearing through skin and flesh, even though he was just bones.
Pain unlike anything he'd imagined tore through him.
This… this can't…!
The last thing he saw was the hunters' angry eyes…
Then, darkness.
Han Joon awoke gasping.
He blinked—and realized he felt human again. Flesh, blood, heartbeat. Warmth. A body he hadn't had in days, or maybe years.
He looked around. A dungeon. Cold stone walls, torches flickering dimly. In front of him: three fires, burning softly.
One flickered—and blew out.
Two left…
A figure descended slowly from above. An old man, robed in flowing golden-yellow garments, eyes calm yet piercing, aura radiating wisdom and mysticism.
He floated down, landing lightly before Han Joon.
"How," the old man said, voice echoing softly but powerfully, "did you die at the easiest stage of cultivation? I mean… all you had to do was run."
Han Joon shook his head, still stunned, gripping his human chest.
"I… I…" he stammered.
The old man waved a hand, golden energy swirling like sunlight on fire.
"But… I will say this… impressive. You even got an option to evolve, which means you gained EXP. But it doesn't matter. This is cultivation to godhood. Once you reach it, you will be ready to ascend—and obtain godhood."
Han Joon's brain scrambled.
What… what does that mean?
"I… I don't understand!" he said, voice trembling.
The old man sighed, shaking his head with the faintest hint of disappointment.
"You just lost your first chance to obtain godhood. You only have two left. Goodbye… and good luck in your next one, you foolish fool."
Then, like a spark of golden light, the old man vanished, leaving Han Joon alone in the dungeon.
Two fires burned. Two chances left.
Han Joon swallowed. His heart raced.
…Two chances. Two.
And for the first time since waking as a skeleton, he felt something other than fear.
This… is serious. I can't screw this up again.
Han Joon blinked.
Wait… what the hell?
His skeleton body was gone. In its place: a smaller, quicker, sharper frame. Fast, but fragile.
He looked down. Green hands—clawed, nimble—gripped a knife. Reflexes were sharper, movements lighter.
I'm… a goblin?
The dungeon was dark, damp, and silent, dimly lit by flickering torches. He was alone.
He stepped carefully, testing his new body. Weak—but fast.
Unlike before, he was already wearing simple rags, rough but sufficient for basic modesty.
SYSTEM:Hello, Master.
A holographic display appeared in front of him.
STATS
Rank: E
Strength: C
Speed: B
Virality: D
Stamina: B+
Han Joon leaned forward, inspecting every number. His hands gripped the knife tighter.
Another panel appeared:
GOD POINTS
Use points to ascend stats. Reach thresholds to evolve into another race. Goblin Level Cap: 10. After that, evolve or remain stronger.
Level cap… evolve… I don't even know how to survive yet…
A low, sinister hiss echoed.
Torchlight flickered, revealing a giant snake, its scales shimmering as it perfectly blended into the floor and shadows.
Holy shit… what the hell is that?!
Han Joon dove behind a massive rock, heart hammering.
SYSTEM:This is a Camo Snake. It is practically blind. It senses prey through vibrations in the environment—footsteps, walls, objects. Its body can fully blend into surroundings. Be extremely careful.
His stomach growled, loud and insistent.
He froze mid-step, then an idea sparked in his mind.
Wait… the Camo Snake senses vibrations… it's practically blind… if I move carefully, I can sneak around it… maybe even…
HISS. The snake disappeared into perfect camouflage, nearly invisible.
A soft slither came from behind. Panic surged. Han Joon spun, knife raised.
The snake lunged, mouth opening wide. He jabbed at its eyes. Hit! Its scales flashed bright blue as it hissed and recoiled.
Adrenaline surged. Han Joon ran, stabbing repeatedly. The snake tried to strike, but its blindness and vibration reliance made its attacks inaccurate. Finally, with a desperate final slash, it collapsed. Dead.
SYSTEM:+35 EXP. Level Up! You are now Level 2 Goblin.
Another chime followed:
SYSTEM:Warning: Eating raw Camo Snake meat will poison the consumer and kill them within 3 days.
Han Joon froze, knife shaking.
I… can't even eat it? I just killed it…
He clutched his stomach, thinking frantically.
I have to… cook it… make fire… somehow… or I starve.
The dungeon stretched endlessly, dark and dangerous—but Han Joon had survived his first real test as a goblin.
One thing was clear: he needed to learn fast—or the next encounter might kill him for good.