[NOTICE: LIVING SKELETON (2) SLAIN]

  [+20 XP; 20/350 XP]

  It's been a little over over eight hours, and it's been incredibly dull. The monotony of the dungeon's decor and colors alongside the minimal number of other Living Skeletons in such a large layout quickly leads to Kindle growing bored, in which they begin messing with whatever Living Skeletons they can find for a bit before breaking them to get XP. Of course, there's still the knawing thought of whether or not they have the right to in the back of their mind, but they still continue forward with no other direction to go.

  The next batch of fellow undead tense with pressure from the ///Undead Dominance (F)/// Trait can only struggle and fail to defend themselves as Kindle tries out combos like they're just training dummies. The higher Kindle's level gets, the harder it is for the others to even move, which adds a thin layer of guilt to Kindle despite their continued use of it.

  [NOTICE: LIVING SKELETON (6) SLAIN]

  [+60 XP; 80/350 XP]

  The boredom soon returns, with Kindle aimlessly wandering the labyrinthian halls of the dungeon with no semblance of a direction. There are other floors of the dungeon, with more undead and stronger foes, but they doubt it would be a good idea to do so unprepared, especially not after how easily they almost died the first time.

  Soon enough, Kindle finds another gang of Living Skeletons, five of them wandering together. But before Kindle can even approach, the first has an arrow fly through it's skull, and clatters onto the dark cobblestone floor.

  The next meets it's end to a sword, the wielder certainly not a fellow undead, but a breathing, fleshy Human girl in leather armor. The girl smiles as she cleaves through the next, her short brown hair swishing behind her as she twists, spotting Kindle in the corner of her eye. The fourth Living Skeleton is sniped by the archer around the corner, another Human girl with longer brown hair, and the fifth moves to attack the short-haired girl, only for it's punch to do little against the padded armor and higher-leveled swordswoman.

  She cuts it down in response, the sword only slowing at bony resistance a fraction as it cuts the Living Skeleton's skull open, before she turns to Kindle, who's already bolting. When she speaks, it's not like Obsidian's incorporeal and reverberating voice, but echoed nonetheless by the halls of the dungeon. "A Living Skeleton running away? When the hell were they smart enough to do that?"

  Despite her confusion, she gives chase, her companion not far behind and catching up faster. Kindle doesn't intend to fight an ememy they know nothing of, so they don't let up. There's no telling just how strong they are, and they're also armed, unlike Kindle. The sconces along the wall flick as the clack of Kindle's footsteps is followed by the thud of the two Human girl's own boots. Minutes of this pass, Kindle sprinting and turning through the dungeon in a panicked attempt to not get caught, not even daring to look behind them.

  When Kindle spots another group of Living Skeletons, they only dart towards them a bit faster, hoping that they will be able to slow the girls down. When they pass between the Living Skeletons, Kindle risks a glance back, only to realize the Humans are a bit farther back now, looking a bit sweaty.

  Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.

  "Gods," the archer pants, not exhausted but still slowing down. "That one's got too much stamina." She steadies her position as she stops to nock an arrow and aim at one of the other Living Skeletons. "Can we just hunt the others? This one's a waste of our energy."

  The swordswoman huffs as she nods, approaching the undead now coming towards them with murderous intent. "Yeah, I don't think we should spend our time on a single runner," she agrees while she slashes through one, then two of the others.

  Kindle doesn't bother watching or listening any more, simply continuing to run away from the direction of the Humans.

  [WARNING: SP BELOW 50%; 39/80 SP]

  When Kindle finally slows, halting around a corner and slumping against the wall, they feel the ache of the mana keeping their bones together, like the strain of musculature that's been well worked.

  It's apparent to Kindle just how vulnerable they are without weapons like the women had, and how easily they could have died if they hadn't run. With no real way to acquire equipment, they know how difficult their immediate future may end up being, especially if they meet another group of Dungeon Divers.

  After taking a breather (despite being unable to breath), Kindle gets up again, and begins heading in the opposite direction of the Humans while looking for more Living Skeletons to hunt, getting stronger the only way they know they can do right now.

  Five hours later, Kindle beats into the last Living Skeleton of a group until it collapses, and waits for the notification.

  [NOTICE: LIVING SKELETON (7) SLAIN]

  [+70 XP; 350/350 XP]

  [NOTICE: LEVEL UP; VITAL STATS RESTORED; +6 AP]

  [LV. 4 -> LV. 5; 30/450 XP]

  [NOTICE: LEVEL MILESTONE MET; EVOLUTION AVAILABLE]

  Kindle doesn't waste time at the mention of an Evolution, and opens their system window.

  [PLEASE SELECT AN EVOLUTION OPTION]

  [LESSER SKELETON MAGE]

  [LESSER SKELETON WARRIOR]

  [LESSER ZOMBIE]

  [LESSER SPIRIT]

  Kindle takes a moment to consider each option. Becoming a Lesser Spirit would allow them to exist without a corporeal form, but they would be far more vulnerable to magic, which is a risk they aren't willing to take. A Lesser Zombie will have actual muscle and be physically stronger, but that will mean having flesh, which sounds a bit off to Kindle.

  A Lesser Skeleton Warrior would certainly be an interesting option, as it would give them far more options as a physical fighter, and Kindle has been punching things this whole time anyways. However, Kindle's childlike curiosity returns at the consideration of becoming a Lesser Skeleton Mage, and being able to start with a natural affinity to magic sounds interesting. The ///Unified Form (F)/// Trait also gives them double the MP of something their level, and that seems like an opportunity one shouldn't waste.

  Kindle decides without hesitation, and the effect is immediate. While their form doesn't change, the way the mana holding them up coils tighter and forms a small core in the inside of their skull feels near-euphoric, and the transition ends with a notification.

  [NOTICE: EVOLUTION COMPLETE]

  [LIVING SKELETON -> LESSER SKELETON MAGE]

  [+TRAIT ///NATURAL ARCANIST (F)///]

  [+JOB CLASS "SIMPLE ARCANIST (F)"]

  A plentitude of information floods into Kindle's mind, the basic intricacies of a spell circle, the method of inputting MP into one, the basic modifiers that can be added onto it, and a few simple spells immediately become known to them, the sudden growth in knowledge feeling a bit nauseating.

  When Kindle fully recovers a few seconds later, they extend a hand out and form a spell circle for the "Torch" spell, input MP, and watch as a small, dark blue flame flickers to life in their palm above the circle. The result is exhilerating, fascinating and full of potential they cannot wait to test out.

  Hopefully, they don't blow themselves up in the process.

  NAME: KINDLE

  SPECIES: LESSER SKELETON MAGE

  SEX: N/A

  XP: 30/450

  AP: 0

  HP: 100/100

  MP: 99/100

  SP: 100/100

  CON: 5

  AGI: 5

  DEX: 5

  PER: 5

  INT: 5

  SIMPLE ARCANIST (F)

  ///BIOLOGICAL IMMORTALITY///

  ///UNIFIED FORM (F)///

  ///HEROIC POTENTIAL (F)///

  ///UNDEAD DOMINANCE (F)///

  ///NATURAL ARCANIST (F)///