A/N: Good day everyone! I hope you're enjoying the story so far! For those who are not, I offer my apologies but most of the story has already been set in stone, so I offer them once again.

As always, thank you and hope you enjoy!

=====

“Master, please wake up.”

A voice penetrates my sleeping consciousness.

This voice gave off the impression of a calm man, not too young, not too old. A man in the prime of his life.

“5 more minutes……”

Grumbling in reply, I turn over on the bed.

“My apologies master, but you leave me no choice.”

The voice says back,

“”

Hmn? Magic?

“Wha?!”

Suddenly, my eyes open to see that the world has turned upside down. No, wait, it’s better to say that I’m the one who’s upside down.

I gaze at the arm-like protrusions holding me by my legs.

Like the name suggested, they were literally arms made out of the shadows in the room. No matter the size, the only requirement for its use is the existence of a shadow-like existence nearby.

However, this is not its only use. It can also be used for stealth, distractions and even combat. A multi-purpose spell, which is why it is considered a high-class spell. Difficult for even veteran mages to use.

“Can you put me down now? I’m very much awake Kuroga.”

Looking at me to ensure that what I said was true, Kuroga snaps his fingers and the arms dissipate into nothingness. Just before hitting the floor, I turn my body in the air and land on my feet.

Sighing from the rude awakening,

“Look Kuroga, I know I told you to wake me up at all costs. But there must have been a gentler approach.”

“I apologize master. But the only spells I know are for use in combat, thus it is very difficult for me to find a ‘gentle approach’ or anything of the sort.”

Bowing down, I sigh once again.

Dressed in a butler-like outfit with red hair which turns black towards the end is a man around his early 20s. Looking at me with his dark red eyes, I recount how we met and how I became his master.

===

Approximately 3 days after leaving the royal capital, which I learned about just recently, I was walking down the road through a forest. Of course, nothing was moving due to my skill, but halfway through the forest, I felt a tremendous amount of magic power.

Worrying that it might turn the nearby animals into miasmic creatures, I run towards the direction of the source of the magic power.

Apparently, what are usually called monsters in RPGs are called ‘miasmic creatures’ in this world, due to the fact that miasma is required to create them in any environment.

Running past several animals and very few miasmic creatures, I arrive at a single cave.

The opening looked natural but walking down further inside, I notice signs of it being artificial. Its interior was too clean, no rubble or debris of any kind and the smell you would usually notice in natural caves was nowhere to be found.

Continuing down the cave, a large steel door makes its way into my sight.

“No matter how you look at it, this gives off the feeling of a treasure room.”

Is what I had said back then.

Thinking back on it, wasn’t it more of a hidden boss kind of feeling?

Upon forcefully opening the door via magic, what greets me is a figure dressed in a black robe sitting on a steel throne. Surrounding it were piles of gold coins and treasures. Next to it was a gold chest.

Making sure that my skill was still up, I leisurely walked towards the gold chest.

The robed figure did not show any signs of moving. Opening the chest, I was left speechless.

Inside were various equipment designed for those different job classes in modern RPGs. Simplistic but beautiful magic staffs that emitted magic power, mage robes that looked like they belonged to the best mages in the continent, armor that looked and felt intimidating and indestructible, and a pitch black sword that seemed to suck in all the light striking it.

Immediately, I reach for the sword. Just a few centimeters from coming in contact with it, my body reflexively jumps back.

Bugush!!!!!

Shielding my eyes from the debris that were sent flying, I look in surprise.

The weapon was indeed surprising. A large curved blade struck the place where I previously was. The blade was connected to a long black pole, a scythe.

But what surprised me even more was the figure wielding the scythe. The robed figure who was not moving a few moments ago now stood with a daunting posture. Its head faced this way so I could see it clearly.

Staring at me was not a human face, it wasn’t even alive. A face completely devoid of any skin or organs, a skeleton. Bright red orbs replaced its eyes which gazed at me as if eating through my inner being.

Drawing back its scythe, it stood between me and the chest. The robe fluttered from the magic power that gushed out of its body.

You’ve got to be kidding me. It has more magic power than me! And it’s literally the god of death incarnate!

I shouted from the bottom of my heart. It did not leave my mouth however.

Moreover, it nullified the effects of my skill. But earlier, it did not even show any signs of moving. No, it could not even move at all. Did the chest have some kind of trigger that would allow it to move regardless of any magic or skill used on it?

It’s definitely stronger than Stephaly in her limit breaker state.

Taking a combat stance with my sword raised, the two of us wait for each other to make their first move.

The first one to make a move was the skeleton. Charging at a speed that surpassed even mine, its scythe was already going down when I raised my sword in defense.

“Gah!!!”

My body felt numb and pain from hitting the rocky wall behind me.

“Hah……..hah……..so this is what Stephaly felt…….no, this is much more painful……….”

Does this mean his level is much higher than mine?

In this world, just like most clichéd transported to another world stories, they have levels that define your growth and strength. This does not mean however that two level 100s can have the same stats. From the start, each person already possess different stats from the beginning. But this does not mean you can never bridge this gap. With enough training and experience, you can close the gap between you and someone with higher stats by simply raising your level.

“I should have had my status checked when I had the chance…….”

Status’s can be checked only through an ‘identity card’. There are many types, like ‘merchant cards’, ‘royalty cards’ and ‘adventurer cards’. These cards are impossible to duplicate by any means because they were gifts from the gods, or so they say.

I’ve been trying to at least slow his movements down, but as expected, it’s not working.

The skeleton simply watches over me. It’s probably wary of me after I survived his attack.

No choice, huh.

Okay, seems it still works if I apply it on myself. I didn’t bother changing the speed of my brain processes because it’s already at a speed normally impossible for humans.

Well, it’s not bothering me in any way so I leave it be.

Also at first, I thought that reflexes were also part of the brain processes so I had never thought about it before. But after testing various aspects of my skill back in the palace, I realized that it differentiates many of my body’s functions so I have to specify the ones I want to modify if there are substantial differences between them.

Now then, let’s see if I’ll be able to stand much of a chance this time around.

Taking a position that would allow me to defend myself, I put my sword in front of me.

“You………”

Eh? Did the skeleton just talk?

“Uwah!!!”

Rolling to the side, I barely avoided its scythe that made its way to my neck.

While it was busy raising its scythe once more,

“! ! !”

Aiming to limit its movements, I use my increased abilities to strike at him from various angles while my spells continuously subdued or damaged him from all sides.

With its health slowly being chipped away by the spells I casted or the hit-and-run attacks I inflicted on it, while dodging its counterattacks with my raised reaction time, I had become confident of my victory.

“Kukukukuku…………”

Is it…………laughing?

“HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!! Good! GOOD!!! To think that there would still be humans like you after a thousand years!!!”

What? A thousand? How long has that been here?!

“Let’s see if you will stand a chance against my final trump card!!!”

Hey, hey, hey! You’re plenty strong enough, don’t go spouting words like that!

“!”

A dark dome expanded in front of me. The source being the skeleton, I immediately back away. But I wasn’t fast enough and was hit by the winds caused by his spell.

Falling down onto the floor, my spells were dispersed with that one spell.

I haven’t read any kind of spell like that! Does that mean there are more spells aside from the ones in this country’s royal library?! But from what I’ve read, every country had formed a treaty to share all information between them to avoid secrecy and distrust. Could a country have been hiding knowledge from the others for a thousand years?!

“Kukuku! What do you feel now human? Fear? Regret? Or maybe joy? I did not expect you to be that kind of human, but very well!!!”

I tightened the grip on my sword.

“Hoh! You still plan to fight, I see. Very well! !”

Backing away, from the shadows inside the room, several figures clothed in darkness emerged. In the place where their hands are supposed to be were long blades. Aside from that, no other detail could be seen on their pure black bodies.

“Now, cower in fear! And perish in pain!”

Guess I’ve got no choice then. But honestly, this feels like an absolutely unfair way to win.

The black figures began their charge on me while the skeleton began chanting another spell.

Well, it’s too late anyway……….for them.

It worked. The previously standing figures were now lying face down on the ground.

Apparently no matter what magic or skill, they could not fight against gravity.

At first, I thought that my skill would not be able to manipulate anything without a speed factor. But then I remembered that gravity was used in various equations in my old world. The numerical value for gravity also changed depending on the planet, so didn’t that mean it technically had a speed, just that we never felt it.

Due to the immense weight suddenly brought down onto the Dark Spawns, one by one they turned into dust.

Soon, only the skeleton was left.

Pointing my sword at it,

“Now, talk undead. Speak of your purpose for being here.”

===

To summarize the painstakingly long speech the skeleton, who I found out was a man, recited to answer my question:

First, he was once a royal court magician. In fact, he was once their head. But because of the extremely long time since he has been called his name, he had long forgotten it.

Second, the country he once served crumbled due to a civil war. In his dying breaths, the king entrusted him with the country’s most prized treasures and sent him off to hide them so the invaders will not get a hold of them.

Third, in order to fulfill his duty, he turned into a powerful undead known as a ‘Lich King’, or more commonly known as a ‘Shinigami’ in other countries.

Fourth, through the course of hundreds of years, he has done nothing but train and perfect his magical prowess. In the process, gaining superhuman strength and speed.

And finally,

“For one as powerful such as yourself, this lowly undead only asks that I may become your servant from now on until your passing into the eternal light.”

Kneeling down and speaking in a formal and serious tone, I could only stare blankly without speaking.

Seconds pass without neither one of us moving nor talking.

Having come back to my senses, I found a problem with his suggestion,

“I would appreciate it. But I plan on passing by several human towns, so won’t your current appearance pose a problem? Or more like, it would incite a large panic……”

“Do not worry master!”

Master? He’s already calling me that……

“I have already prepared for this beforehand.”

From his hand, black smoke encircles it before an old-looking book appears.

“Hmn? This is?”

“A book containing every single forbidden spell my country had compiled. One in particular, subordination magic, aside from it being a variation of slavery magic, it has the side effect of bestowing an ability to the subordinate to transform into a form that belongs to the same race as the master’s.”

“Heh! Is that so?”

Taking the book from his hand, I skim through all the contents. Absorbing the knowledge and information written on it with unbelievable speed.

“Okay, let’s do it.”

“As expected of master, your abilities and intelligence know no bounds!”

It might be a bit too late to say this, but did his personality just do a complete 180 on me?

Also, what happened to the part about protecting his county’s treasures?

Not bothering to trouble myself with these questions, I perform the subordination magic and proceed to place all the treasure into my newly gained space magic, Extra Dimension.

===

“Master, pardon my intrusion.”

Taking my eyes off my reflection, I look at Kuroga who had slightly opened the door to the bathroom.

From a shini---lich king to a 20 something years old model, please give me my magic power back!!!

Yes, magic power. Since I used up almost half of my magic power, or in simpler terms MP, to enact the subordination magic on him.

“What is it?”

“Yes. What are your plans for today master?”

Hmmm……..plans, you say. Not saying that I didn’t have any plans, it’s just that they weren’t anything specific.

“I was planning to head out to the nearby forest and raise my level……or something like that.”

“Raise your level? But master, with your current power, would you not already be at the peak of your abilities?”

“Hmn? Peak? Nope, not at all.”

Kuroga was staring at me with confused eyes.

“Honestly speaking, I haven’t killed any miasmic creatures or anything of the sort. So I’m pretty sure that my current level is still at level 1.”

His face seemed to be saying that he had just learned a very surprising fact about me.

Well, it’s true though. This is the first time I’ve said this to anyone. And I only told him because he’s my subordinate, no, companion. So for me, he has the right to know.

Oh right, I don’t even know Kuroga’s level yet.

“By the way Kuroga, what’s your level?”

“My level, master? Hmmmmm…….”

He seemed to be thinking really deeply.

“I think the last time I had my level measured, it was around level 250……probably.”

“Heeeeeeeh……..”

Not being sure if that was high or low, I continued asking him,

“Is that already pretty high or?”

“During my time, it was one of the highest levels in the continent. Aside from the truly talented and heroes, where the most powerful one reached a level of 400. Of course, there were plenty of miasmic creatures with even higher levels, but I’m sure they were exterminated pretty quickly.”

That’s right. I forgot that Kuroga had been inside that cave for a thousand years.

Sighing from the fact that I didn’t gain anything much from that conversation, I turn back towards the mirror-like object in front me.

When I was transported here, Libreria said that I had died from riding a bus that crashed into a construction site. So I was curious if there were any scars on my body in this world.

Upon arriving in this town, I finally got the chance to check after renting this room in one of the local inns.

But not only were there no scars or scratches on any part of my body, my entire appearance from my old world was brought over to this one.

Average. That’s all you needed to describe me. Average black hair, average black eyes, average face and even an average build. The most noteworthy thing about me is my hair that’s eternally been in a bed head-like state and an above-average height for someone my age. I remember even being mistaken as someone older than my actual age from time to time before.

Well, since I was forced to stay at home due to various reasons, I never bothered to fix my hair or appearance. The day I died, yes, that was the day I, for the first time in years, left the comfort of my own home.

“Why did I even leave in the first place?”

Struggling to remember the moments after I left my house, I catch glimpses of a book store, a bus stop and…….

“Ugh!!!”

As soon as I recalled the two unfamiliar faces, my head began throbbing from pain. It was like my head was being banged against a wall over and over again.

“Master?! Are you okay?!”

Kuroga banged open the door and applied healing magic on me.

Seriously, how is he an undead that can use holy type magic?!

Seeing that I could retort now, I steadily stand up and face him.

“I’m alright now Kuroga. Why don’t you try getting used to the living again for today? Then we’ll meet back here on the 6th bell.”

In the town we’re currently staying in, there is a large bell tower in the center which they rang every 3 hours starting at sunrise, or in my case, 6 am. Which meant that our planned rendezvous time is 9 PM, more or less.

“As you wish master. May the gods keep watch over you.”

With those words, he leaves the room.

“May the gods keep watch over you……..huh. Yep, pretty weird to hear from an undead.”

After washing my face, I, too, leave the room and upon surrendering the room key to the inn keeper, head for the town’s nearest gate.

===

Gramsfer, the town we’re currently staying in, is about 9 days away from the royal capital by foot and 4 days by carriage. It would probably be shorter if one were to use a magical beast or magic, but few only use that method.

Ding! Dong! Ding! Dong!

The ringing of the bell resounded throughout the town, not a single area could have missed it since it is an important part of their day to day lives.

“This is the 3rd time, so it’s noon huh.”

Making my way through the crowded street of the western area of the town, I see several stalls set up. Filled with various items, accessories, food and even weapons. There were many races advertising their products, even some Succubi who were luring in male clients to their store down the road.

“Not good, not good. Better keep on track.”

Reminding myself not to lose to temptation, I arrive at one of the town’s many gates.

Normally, townspeople who are not adventurers, merchants or royalty would need to pay 2 silver coins to pass through.

But since none of the guards know me in any way…….

Looking around, not one soul was moving.

“I apologize, but I must be on my way.”

Saying my apologies to the unmoving guards, I pass through the gate and stretch my limbs.

“Ahhhh……..it feels good to just move your body uninhibited once in a while.”

Though Gramsfer and the people within its vicinity are subjected to my skill, thus making them immobile. The outside elements, like wind and wild animals farther away, were still moving and let out their voices through the air.

“Now, let’s set off on, as you would say in the RPGs of Earth, a grinding spree!!!”

Getting myself energized with those words, I gave no attention to the raging winds forming in the direction of the nearby forest.

Being ignorant to the reason these bellowing winds were growing fiercer and fiercer, my surroundings grew dark as I entered the maze of trees and removed the effects of my skill on the town of Gramsfer and its people.