That’s right.

It was at this moment that Skullius realised that he had fleshed up. Massively.

To stop Doom Factor 2 from catching up, he had to make sure he either found an expert to help him or to defeat Somanda within a year’s worth of time.

Skullius almost laughed at himself, making fun of his own previous uninformed self of how ridiculous his thought process had been.

Turning Somanda into a Moronic Undead and torturing him for the same amount of time he had been an undead didn’t seem like a possibility anymore.

Trying to steer his mind clear of the depressing topic, Skullius decided to ask about the other thing that he always wanted to know about. Serenity had even mentioned it just now.

“You already know about my atrocious luck, right? Where did it come from and why does it seem…”

“Inaccurate? Unsure?” Serenity finished Skullius’ words.

“Yes, exactly… uhm Serenity… bro,” Skullius said, unsure if that was the right term to use when addressing someone like Serenity who didn’t have an appearance he was used to and also… didn’t sound like a bro.

A deep sigh of resignation was heard from Serenity before she answered Skullius’ question.

“Your atrocious luck is actually related to Somanda. As a being near Divinity and a powerful undead, he had certain traits that permanently scar organisms he comes into contact with, dictating their very makeup. Super debuffs so to speak. Curses. Atrocious luck is the first curse you received when Somanda toyed with your soul. You and every one of your… bros, have your luck subdued. While it barely matters in Deadmanland, you can see how troublesome it can be here.”

‘Of course. It’s that socke-… guy again,’ Skullius thought to himself while feeling enraged as the way Serenity had spoken about his soul made him want to grind his teeth._.

“So why is it that I’m not always doomed? At some point, my status for luck changed too.”

“Indeed. <Sigh>. It’s hard to explain without overstepping boundaries. I can’t explain it fully at the moment but as I said before, Direction seems to favour you in a way that it does very few. Even back in your mundane life, it was even more so. Perhaps there’s a greater reason for it which I do not know but it’s this Direction that has started to counter this curse of atrocious luck with each leap you take, in direction, in mind and in strength. It’s not omnipotent though, as your Null Life can be snuffed out easily.”

“That… doesn’t make much sense,” Skullius said, recalling all the events where his atrocious luck had suddenly turned upside down.

It was all something to do with him? His mundane life?

This was all top peculiar.

‘So atrocious luck is actually a curse, huh? The first. Another problem I have to fix. Along with that second one I received.’

Skullius’ thought back to the other curse he had received from Somanda. UNCoddled.

He had yet to see what it could really do, but it was a curse for a reason. Bad things were bound to follow with it too.

It was all so overwhelming for Skullius’ mind, especially when he heard bad news after bad news. How was he to tackle all this by his lonesome. He couldn’t see a path where he didn’t perish midway.

“Skullius…” Serenity said with a warm voice. “Adversity moulds individuals into their strongest forms. The greater the odds, the brighter the blazing light of polish you will show when you overcome everything.”

“I believe you can make use of this strength to grow vastly stronger to help yourself and ultimately carry out the mission that must be undertaken with Null Life. I invested a lot into this but it all stumbled upon you. Whether there is a grander reason for that or not is no longer my concern. I am choosing to believe in you. Even the Voice of Worlds sees you favourably.”

“Wait! VOW bro does?!” Skullius exclaimed, feeling a surge of reassurance.

“… Uh yes. One of him does at least. The point is that the Voice of Worlds is also a piece I managed to rope in for anyone who managed to attain this power. For now, I need you to focus on grooming your stretch. Both of your strengths. Being able to literally live a double life is merely a dream for others. Null Life and Insurgency. Groom them to their most powerful forms.”

“How do I do that?” Skill asked worriedly. He didn’t have the best outline for how to grow. Mining yes, but fighting no.

“When you return, leave the Tremur Forest and explore the basics in Aigas. Learn from the humans and their counterparts the very foundations of magic. Absorb all the knowledge and experience you can with the time you have. When you reach Tier 4, you will be a force to be reckoned with and only then will I disclose your purpose as a holder of Null Life as well as the beauty of the things behind me,” Serenity said with a reassuring voice, moving her flame body to the side as if to make Skullius yearn to explore this vast world that was hidden behind an intense blur.

Skullius’ vision depicted his interest. He really wanted to know what this was all about. Yet, he already had a lot on his plate.

‘Tier 4? Benzard also said something about Tier 4 being when beasts start to truly become a problem. Oh right, there was Onumbassssss too,’ Skullius thought, recalling the large snake that had seemingly seen through [Flesh It Like You Mean It] but he doubted it.

Perhaps he would meet another fiendish serpent like that again and learn more about these beasts.

Leaving the Tremur Forest to explore the human world would be extremely dangerous as he didn’t know who recognised his disguising skill and who didn’t.

Suddenly, Serenity’s body began to flicker, beginning to disappear along with the vast blue world behind her.

“It seems our time together has come to an end. With an increase in your strength, there will be longer intervals for us to meet. I very much look forward to it,” said Serenity.

Skullius didn’t want to part so soon as he still needed more information, but it was no surprise that there was only a limited amount he could receive of it at a time.

“Well then, I guess I’ll have to get stronger to get more answers,” Skullius said.

“Indeed. Don’t be too crestfallen. You’ll see the benefits of your hardwork with each tier. They won’t disappoint you,” Serenity’s voice sounded with a smug tone.

“I hope so.”

Serenity’s flame grew smaller and smaller, her thoughts of Skullius being left to her and her alone.

‘Such a pure soul. I can see that he has been conditioned to be the reactionary type. Neither good nor evil. He simply responds to the treatment he receives. No wonder both of Fulgardt’s powers readily accepted his control,’ she thought. ‘I wish you well, Skullius. I hope I can see you in person one day and impart my will just as the Immoral has with his.’

….

Skullius found himself lying on the ground and facing up at the bland ceiling of the room he had entered.

He rose and looked around, later on recalling his conversation with Serenity.

Even though there was just as much bad news as good news, Skullius felt a sense of reassurance at least.

Someone was looking out for him.

He wasn’t naive enough to believe that it was simply because they had taken a liking to him but it was good to know that someone didn’t want him to perish just yet, unlike a few socketholes he knew.

VOW bro was also there for support apparently, and Skullius didn’t allow his pessimism to steal the twang of joy he felt at hearing the news.

Who knew that merely a few days could develop his character so much?

What was the need for a fast pace?

“Well, let’s see what this evolution has in store for me first. Serenity said it won’t disappoint and I hope that will be case. Enough strength to fight off the monsters outside would be great or even the power to escape at least. No one said I have to prove anything but fighting all those monsters!” Skullius said.

His guidance field flashed with a message that was a window for a myriad of data to be shared with Skullius concerning his first evolution.

[You have broken past many hurdles and reached LV10. You are now able to evolve into the First Tier of power. Do you accept?]

“Flesh yeah! No wait… that’s not right. Let’s evolve bro! Show me the good stuff!” Skullius exclaimed.

[Loading possible evolution option for ‘Null Lifeform (Boneman)’….]

[Possible evolution options available for Tier 1:]

—-

[Jabbing Junk Skellion]

Quickie! Quicks! Quick! Are you looking for speed? Are you desperately looking for that edge you need to last longer in prolonged activity? Then give the Jabbing Junk Skellion a try, getting the most out of every movement!

—–

[Fulgurant Bone Penetrator]

Penetrate! Penetrate! Penetrate! Only I shall penetrate the heavens! Only those that know the art of penetration are the honoured ones! Dump slash and blunt damage today!

—-

[Abominable Pelvis Man]

Pelvis Man! Pelvis Man! Does whatever a Pelvis can! A pillar of support? A streaking bolt? He’s none of those but a hardbone dolt!

—–

Skullius was… dumbfounded. The marketing descriptions were back.

“…Here we go again. I’m already starting to regret this,” Skullius said.