"Max level reached. Evolution required."
Mortessa – Special High Zombie STR and VIT x2, AGI x4, INT x5, MP +5000
Morghul – High-Rank Ghoul STR and VIT x5, AGI and INT x2, MP +1000
Bloodling – Mid-Rank Vampire STR and VIT x3, AGI and INT x4, MP +10,000
"Vampire, huh...?" Sylvia muttered softly, stroking her chin. "Looks tempting… tons of MP and INT, perfect for spellcasting. But…"
She scrolled back up to the top option.
"Mortessa… the continuation of Noctira. Also a special class. STR and VIT may not be as high as Morghul, but AGI and INT jump way higher. And 5000 MP… enough for multiple spells."
She sighed. "Ugh… tough choice."
Her hand slowly reached for a small vial filled with a glowing purplish liquid. She had obtained it from Simurgh's inheritance chamber days ago—a unique item called the Zombie Core Essence.
Without hesitation, Sylvia popped the cap and drank the liquid. The metallic, cold taste of stale blood washed over her tongue, but her body absorbed it like a sponge.
Ding! Zombie Core consumed. All stats permanently increased by 15%.
She opened her status again, narrowing her eyes at the massive jump in numbers. Her HP now exceeded 24,000, and her STR and AGI had skyrocketed. The dark aura surrounding her body grew thicker, swirling like a mist that danced with her emotions.
"All right… I need a safe place before I decide," she said.
Her steps carried her deeper into the forest until her sharp eyes caught sight of a small cave hidden behind rocks and the roots of a massive tree. Without delay, Sylvia slipped inside and struck the cave's entrance with her fist—causing large stones to fall and block the mouth of the cave shut.
Silence.
The air inside was damp and cold, but she felt comfortable. It was the perfect place to seal herself away and… change.
"Okay," she whispered, sitting cross-legged in the center of the cave.
Choose evolution: Mortessa – Confirm?
with a serious expression her finger tapped the empty air, confirming her choice.
Ding! Evolution initiated...
Sylvia's consciousness began to drift. Her breathing slowed as if her body were sinking into black sludge. The cave's temperature dropped dramatically, and the presence of death began to seep from her skin. Death aura flowed from her pores, forming intricate patterns in the air that glowed with a deep crimson hue.
Between dreams and awareness, Sylvia found herself standing in a dark field littered with bones like autumn flowers. There, the figure of the Goddess Persephone appeared again—this time with a faint smile.
"You're getting more powerful, Sylvia. Your body is no longer just a normal undead—but the bearer of death's own will. Continue this path… and you will shake the world."
And then the world collapsed.
Sylvia's body convulsed as black blood oozed from her pores—only to be reabsorbed like roots searching for the earth. Her bones elongated, her form becoming more elegant and proportionate. Her hair grew longer, completely black, shimmering like dew-soaked midnight. Her skin paled, glowing faintly with a dim radiance.
The tattered dress she once wore burned slowly away, replaced by a regal black gown grown from her own blood—Dress of Death, an evolved form of her Blood Dress.
Dark chains extended from her arms—living chains, pulsating, breathing, and radiating intent. A weapon, a being, and a part of her.
After an uncertain passage of time, Sylvia opened her eyes.
Ding! Evolution successful.
Congratulations, you are now Mortessa.
She stood slowly, feeling her new body—light, fast, and brimming with deadly power.
[STATUS]
Name: Sylvia Hortensia
Race: Mortessa (Rank 3 – Special High Zombie)
Element: Death, Netherwood
Level: 1/50
Stats
HP: 48,960 / 48,960
MP: 5,000 / 5,000
STR: 5,852
VIT: 48,960
INT: 600
AGI: 2,400
LUK: ERROR
Active Skills
~ Infectious Bite (9/20)
~ Razor Toxic Claw (27/40)
~ Shadow Piercing (18/40)
~ Appraisal (1/10)
Spells
~ Gravebind – Forbidden Death Spell (Rank 4) – 1,500 MP
~ Nether Branches – Netherwood Spell (Rank 2) – 100 MP/branch – Summons Nether branches for AoE or crowd control
~ Void Steps (4/10) – Void Spell (Rank 5) – 2,500 MP / 5 km
Passive Skills
~ Killing Stroke – +5 AGI per kill, max 10 stacks
~ High HP Regeneration (20/40) – Heals 1,000 HP/second
~ Low MP Regeneration (1/10) – Heals 100 MP/minute
~ Toxic Affinity – Nerve, Bleeding, Corrosive, Wither (New)
~ Blood Instinct – +5% to all stats for 10 seconds/stack, max 5 stacks
Equipment
~ Dress of Death – Increases Death magic effects and physical resistance
~ Chains of Abyss – Living Weapon; used for attack or crowd control. Reacts to user's intent
Titles
~ Reincarnated
~ First Evolution
~ Second Evolution
~ Third Evolution
~ Blessing from the Goddess of Life and Death (Persephone)
Sylvia let out a long breath, a faint smile curling on her lips.
"So this… is my new form. Mortessa." She clenched her fists, and the black chains coiled around her let out a soft clatter, as if welcoming her. "So powerful. But… who was that voice just now? Was it… Goddess Persephone? Ah… I'll find out eventually."
She raised one hand into the air. From the cave floor, black branches sprouted—sharp and trembling like hungry roots.
"Void Steps is now a spell, with clear range info. And… my equipment is finally listed properly. Good. Looks like it's time to leave this forest…"
Without further delay, she activated Void Steps, teleporting five kilometers purely on instinct. She repeated the process several times, pausing between jumps to recover her MP.
Until at last, she arrived at a town.
From afar, her eyes caught a massive figure—around three or four meters tall—with a heavily muscled body.
"An object that's perfect to test my strength after evolving."
Without a second thought, Sylvia cast Shadow Piercing, launching herself at the figure with full force. The giant body was sent flying, smashing through three buildings in a row.
But just then, Sylvia realized… there were others here.
One of them she recognized.
That golden hair—there was no mistake. That girl from the military she despised.
Sylvia blinked in surprise, but only glanced briefly at her. Her focus was now locked on the massive creature she had just thrown.
The battle… was about to begin.