The sensation was like being dragged through an endless whirlpool. I tried to scream, but discovered that my new body had no voice. I fell — or at least felt like he was falling — for what seemed like an eternity. Finally, the fall ended, and woke up with an uncomfortable weight surrounding me.

  Trying to move, realized I was buried. In a shallow grave, judging by the smell of damp earth and the thin roots that touched his bones. After a clumsy effort, managed to emerge, standing up in what seemed like an ancient battlefield.

  The place was vast, a desolate prairie marked with rusted weapons, broken armor pieces, and what remained of human and non-human bodies. The clothes I was wearing were simple and made of leather, somewhat torn and stiffened by time and the elements. As I removed one of the leather gloves, I looked at my hand and saw the clean, white bones that made it up.

  — So... it was all real.

  My voice echoed across the prairie, hoarse and cold, as if rising from the depths of an empty well. I raised a hand to my face, and upon touching it, I realized there was no flesh—only the rigid contours of a skull. Something about my senses felt off. Though I could faintly perceive the touch, everything was numb, distant.

  For several minutes, I explored my new body, cautiously moving my hand, adjusting to the eerie reality of being a walking skeleton. There were no muscles to contract, no pain to feel—just joints that moved with surprising fluidity.

  With no clear direction, I began walking across the prairie. Each step sent the crunch of broken bones and the scrape of metal beneath my feet. I knew staying out in the open wasn’t a good idea, especially now that the sun was setting. The orange twilight cast long, unsettling shadows over the desolate landscape.

  After some time wandering, I came across what seemed to be a small cave. Cautiously, I checked inside before stepping in. Nothing but rocks. Relieved, I sat against the wall, finally able to collect myself.

  Beside me, a pool of clear water reflected the faint light from outside. Curious, I leaned in, gazing at my reflection for the first time. A hollow skull stared back at me, small orbs of bluish light flickering in its eye sockets.

  The tale has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.

  “…It’s going to take some time to get used to this.”

  And yet, something within me accepted the situation far more quickly than I expected. I felt nervous, worried, yes—but not panicked. My mind felt... clearer, less burdened by human emotions and anxieties. I wondered if this was an effect of being undead. In many games and stories I knew, undead creatures were resistant to mental attacks and didn’t experience emotions the same way humans did.

  — That would make sense... I’m accepting all of this way too easily for it to be normal.

  To test the "system" Donatello had mentioned, I spoke aloud:

  — Status.

  A translucent panel appeared before me, filled with glowing blue text:

  Status

  Race: Skeleton (Undead)

  Level: 1

  HP: 100/100

  Mana: 100/100

  Stamina: Infinite

  Immunities: Poison, Fatigue

  Resistances: Mental Attacks

  Abilities: Night Vision

  I examined the information with curiosity. Infinite stamina was a welcome surprise—I remembered that in many games, undead creatures didn’t need to rest or sleep. The immunities were useful, but what truly caught my attention was the Mana stat.

  — If I have mana... does that mean I can use magic?

  Excited to test it, I began chanting words I recalled from my favorite games and books, making dramatic gestures. Nothing happened. After several failed attempts, I sighed.

  — Of course, it wouldn’t be that easy.

  I decided to try a different approach. Sitting in a comfortable position, I crossed my legs and closed my eyes, as if meditating.

  I must have spent hours like that, focusing on what I believed to be my inner energy. At first, I felt nothing—just emptiness. But over time, something changed. A faint sensation began to stir, like a distant warmth within me.

  With effort, I concentrated on that warmth, realizing I could control it. It was like an invisible river flowing through my bones. When I finally opened my "eyes," a system notification appeared before me:

  New Skill Acquired: Meditation.

  Description: The skill [Meditation] allows the user to access higher states of consciousness and connect with their inner energy.

  I smiled, satisfied with my progress.

  — This is a good start.

  Looking out through the cave entrance, I watched the silver moonlight illuminate the desolate prairie.

  — This new life in this new world... might be better than I thought.