Chương 11: Skill Upgrade

Gryg's explanations were confusing and poorly delivered. Though clearly a genius in alchemy who had never faced real setbacks, she struggled to teach. Yet Alex, with his exceptional comprehension, followed her every step as she prepared a potion in a large stone cauldron. The herbs she used were ones she had gathered on her descent down the mountain.

"These are Spirit Grass, Azure Flowers, and Sky Mushrooms—basic ingredients for potions," she explained.

"Sky Mushrooms are the rarest. They grow mostly on high elevations like mountains, but they're rich in healing properties and quite tasty."

"I see," Alex nodded, watching attentively.

"And done!" After ten minutes, Gryg finished.

"This is a Low-Quality Healing Potion, Giant Style. I used to make these for the fools who worked under me. Now you try." She prepared a much smaller cauldron for him, handed over the ingredients, and added water.

"Very well." Had he still been alive, Alex might have hesitated or panicked. But as a skeleton, he felt only confidence. He moved with precise dexterity, fully committing himself to understanding, comprehending, and replicating the process. And he succeeded. At one hundred percent accuracy. Gryg stared in shock, her mouth hanging open as the skeleton produced a potion visibly superior to her own.

"Wait, what is that?!" The potion glowed with an eerie dark blue and black hue. The Nether he had added had transformed it into something entirely different.

"Isn't that more like a poison?!"

"It seems my Nether altered the potion's nature," Alex admitted.

"Perhaps I shouldn't have used it." Despite the unexpected result, Alex remained undeterred. He continued the process, boiling the mixture until it became a slimy, bubbling purple substance.

"Wow… it smells strong, but it's not poison?" Gryg looked perplexed.

"Did you just create a new potion?" Alex stayed silent as he analyzed his creation. Ding! [Congratulations, you have successfully crafted [Nether Potion (E+ Grade)]. A new kind of creation has been made. Bonus experience earned.] [Profession: Shamanistic Alchemist (F) has reached Level 2. Stat points allocated. +2 free points.] [Class: Soulweaver Necromancer (F+) has reached Level 8. Stat points allocated. +1 free point.] [Race: Undead Skeleton (F) has reached Level 10. Stat points allocated. +1 free point.] A warm glow enveloped Alex as four consecutive level-ups surged through him. His violet eyes widened with excitement. It seemed he could level up both his Race and Class through potion-making.

"Interesting. I can level up by crafting potions," he said.

"You can?!" Gryg exclaimed.

"Ugh, my Troll Race gains nothing from alchemy. We're mostly forced to fight and kill for experience."

"I see. So there are restrictions?" Alex wondered aloud.

"Then why is an Undead Skeleton gaining experience from this? It's bizarre, don't you think?" If you encounter this tale on Amazon, note that it's taken without the author's consent. Report it.

"You said you're a necromancer, right?" Gryg asked.

"Yeah, that makes sense. Necromancers are known for poisons and alchemy. But a skeleton? Unless… the potion is heavily tied to your race. And this weird brew is absolutely drenched in Nether."

"So it's because it's a Nether Potion?" Alex mused, rubbing his bony chin.

"Hmm, fascinating."

"Here he goes again…" Gryg sighed.

"Try the potion."

"I can't drink it," Alex replied.

"Can you test it?"

"What?! You want me to get poisoned? No thanks." She shook her head firmly.

"Hm…" Alex dipped his damaged hand into the potion. The liquid seeped into his bones and began mending them.

"Ah, it works on the Undead. That's the difference."

"You made a potion that works on Undead?!" Gryg looked utterly bewildered.

"Shall we make more?" Alex asked, clearly excited.

"I want to see how far I can push this. Oh, right—this too." Another notification appeared before his glowing violet eyes. [Congratulations, your Race has reached Level 10. You are now qualified to choose a Bonus.] Four options floated before him. [Bone Storage Upgrade +1: Bone Palace] Triples your Bone Storage and grants the ability to expand the interior into a Bone Palace.

[Brutish Force Upgrade +1: Elemental Charge] You can now enchant Brutish Force with Elemental Magic for greater damage and explosive effects. [Novice Swordsmanship Upgrade +1: Nether Blade] Infuses Nether Aura into the sword seamlessly for increased damage and range. Grants the ability to create Nether Swords from Nether Aura.

[Undead Evolution Upgrade +1: Nether Core] Grants the ability to harness and crystallize Nether in the chest to create a powerful Core, which will increase Nether Regeneration Speed and Reserves. Alex's eyes gleamed with intensity. It seemed Gryg's earlier words didn't fully apply to him. Instead of new skills, he was being offered upgrades to existing ones. He explained what he saw.

"Ahh!" Gryg sounded surprised.

"I forgot to mention that. Sometimes you get the option to upgrade existing skills instead. It's good too, though rare. But four options? You really are unique."

"I see." Alex considered his choices carefully, his glowing eyes narrowing. Nether Blade was tempting and would strengthen his swordplay. Nether Core, however, felt vital—something so delicate he might fail if he tried to create it manually. Elemental Charge seemed unnecessary, so he dismissed it. Bone Palace was fascinating too; his storage was growing cramped, and the idea of expanding it into an actual palace intrigued him. He wavered between Nether Core and Bone Palace.

Nether Blade could still be developed naturally through practice and Nether infusion. In the end…

"Nether Core it is." [You have chosen the [Undead Evolution Upgrade +1: Nether Core].] [Your Skill: [Undead Evolution – Tier 1: 35%] has automatically Ranked Up to Tier 2.] [Undead Evolution – Tier 2 (+1)] Your skeletal form can be upgraded through absorbed death energy, bones, or rare materials. No biological limits. No need for food, air, or sleep. Once upgraded, you will be able to "evolve" more than just bones.

At Tier 2, your ability to comprehend your own body has improved drastically, and you can now more easily assimilate and graft new bone parts into your main frame.

Upgrades: {Undead Evolution Upgrade +1: Nether Core}: Grants the ability to harness and crystallize Nether in the chest to create a powerful Core which will increase Nether Regeneration Speed and Reserves.

"Good," Alex nodded.

"Now…" FLAAASH! The moment he activated the ability, all his Nether rushed into his chest, gathering inside his ribcage.

"?!" The energy compressed rapidly and began to crystallize beautifully. Gryg stepped back from the intense, cold pressure radiating outward. Alex allowed the process to unfold. His Nether reserves nearly emptied, then Spirit and Mana flowed in to reinforce the forming Core. His Nether Aura surged, expanding until it was three times larger, taking the faint shape of floating ghostly skulls wreathed in phosphorescent flames.

Then the entire aura spiraled inward, compressing into the Core and leaving Alex nearly drained. He dropped to one knee.

"Incredible…" He looked inside his ribcage and saw a beautiful glowing crystal—purple and ghostly green—attached to the front of his spine, radiating noxious, ethereal energy. [Congratulations, you have successfully refined your Nether Core.] [Your Current Nether Core Realm is: [Nether Core – Rank 1: Initial Stage]] [You gained +30 Nether, +20 HP, +20 MP, +20 Spirit, +10 Wisdom, +5 Perception.] [Refine Nether while absorbing compatible resources and materials to Cultivate your Nether Core and ascend into higher Realms.] [You have Awakened the Nether Core Ability: [Nether Aura Nature: Laughing Skull Ghost Purgatory – Rank 1]]"!!!" Power coursed through Alex's body. He felt stronger, sharper, and far more focused. His aura flickered and twisted into laughing skulls of ghostly energy, spitting black fog and curses.

"Fascinating!" This world never ceased to amaze him—and this was only the beginning of his journey.