[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-global-survival-i-have-endless-skeletons":3,"chapter-global-survival-i-have-endless-skeletons-global-survival-i-have-endless-skeletons-chapter-37":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"english","Global Survival: I Have Endless Skeletons",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":20,"prevChapterSlug":21,"totalChapters":22,"novelImage":23},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":16,"volume":17,"translator":18,"content_hash":19},1080801,1399,"Chapter 37: Statues That Breathe","global-survival-i-have-endless-skeletons-chapter-37",37,"\u003Cp>Thoren walked deeper into the ancient city, his footsteps echoing faintly along the deserted street.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The eerie silence crept up his spine like cold fingers, tightening with every step he took.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Still, he maintained his composure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His movements were measured, deliberate, and filled with vigilance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Each step was placed with care, every breath controlled. His undead minions moved around him in a loose but deliberate formation, their presence forming a living—no, unliving—fortress.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was not ready to take any chances.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had already learned that this ancient city did not follow any common sense.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was prepared for whatever the mysterious ruins were going to throw at him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The wide ancient street stretched ahead, long and empty.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Too empty.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Too quiet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The only sound he could hear was the dull tap of his boots striking the hardened stone beneath his feet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That sound alone reassured him that the ground was solid, that he was still moving forward in the physical world and not slipping into some unseen illusion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet even that reassurance was fragile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The feeling of being watched grew stronger with every passing second, like unseen eyes drilling into his back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had attempted, repeatedly, to locate the source of that sensation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He expanded his perception, sharpened his awareness, and even used subtle detection techniques.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Every attempt failed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That alone tightened his nerves.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he moved deeper into the ancient city, something finally changed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In front of each building lining the street stood rows of human stone statues.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They were arranged neatly, as though placed with intention.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Each statue was unnervingly lifelike. Some depicted civilians clutching everyday objects, staff, baskets, books, while others wore armor and carried weapons, their expressions frozen mid-motion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The craftsmanship was beyond exquisite. Every crease of clothing, every strand of hair, every line of fear or resolve on their faces had been carved with terrifying precision.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For a moment, Thoren halted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His gaze fixed on the nearest statue, a civilian holding a wooden staff, his face twisted in what looked like panic.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thoren stepped closer, studying it carefully. He circled the statue once, then twice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"How could there be such a lifelike statue?\" he thought, his brow furrowing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Slowly, he reached out and placed his hand against the statue’s arm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was warm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His pupils shrank.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"How could this be?\" he whispered, his breath hitching.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That should have been impossible.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A statue should be cold.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Solid.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lifeless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Like stone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He touched it again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Warm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His breath caught in his throat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This—!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He gasped and withdrew his hand as if burned, stumbling back several steps.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His undead minions reacted instantly, shifting their formation defensively.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The statue was cold now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Stone-cold.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thoren stared at it, his face marred by a storm of emotions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shock.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Disbelief.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Confusion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And finally—wariness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"There’s something wrong with this place,\" he muttered under his breath.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He forced himself to turn away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was not ready to uncover the secret behind the statues, not yet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whatever lurked beneath this mystery was far more dangerous than he had anticipated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even so, retreat was not an option.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had already ventured too deep.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was no turning back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he continued onward, the number of stone statues increased dramatically.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tens turned into twenties. Twenties into entire formations. They no longer resembled civilians.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They looked like soldiers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ranks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Formations.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Battle-ready.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His heart pounded heavily against his chest. He tightened his grip around his weapon, drawing a sliver of reassurance from the familiar weight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The buildings slowly faded into the background, replaced by endless rows of stone warriors.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Were these real humans... before they were turned into statues?\" Thoren muttered, his eyes sweeping left and right.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Still, he pressed forward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Giving up had never been his way.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And he would not abandon this exploration now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thud.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thud.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sound reached his ears suddenly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Footsteps.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Behind him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Instantly, his body went rigid. Every hair on his body stood on end.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A chill surged up his spine.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He held his breath.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Waited.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Patiently.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His eyes stared straight ahead, his senses stretched to their limits, but nothing appeared.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even the wind was absent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everything was silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As if he were completely alone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet the sensation of being watched intensified.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It felt closer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Closer than before.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As though something was breathing just behind his ear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His heart slammed violently against his ribcage. Sweat gathered along his temples, sliding down his cheek.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Damn it,\" he cursed inwardly. \"This is killing me.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His palms were slick with perspiration.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He forced himself to inhale slowly, then exhale, fighting to regain control of his erratic breathing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Don’t think you can scare me into retreat,\" he sneered quietly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Straightening his back, he took one final glance behind him, then turned forward and continued walking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thud. Thud.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sound came again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This time, it was unmistakably close.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Right behind him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His scalp prickled violently.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His breath hitched.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now he was certain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Something was there.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Something unseen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He steadied his shaking hands, suppressing the urge to spin around immediately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If he was going to die here, he wanted to know what was strong enough to approach him undetected.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With iron resolve, he turned slowly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Prepared for the worst.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And yet...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nothing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The street was empty.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For a brief moment, his thoughts froze entirely, as though his mind had short-circuited.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was certain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Something had been following him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The street lay silent and desolate. His gaze swept across the statues, the buildings, the shadows between them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nothing moved.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Interesting,\" he murmured.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I see how it is.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Letting his expression relax, Thoren deliberately turned and began walking back the way he came, his steps slow and casual.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If you want to play games,\" he thought, \"then I’ll play along.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nothing happened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No footsteps.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No cold breath.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No pressure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everything felt normal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Too normal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He stopped.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Waited.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Still nothing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A cold smile tugged at the corner of his lips.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"So that’s how you want it,\" he muttered, turning forward once more.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The moment he resumed walking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The footsteps returned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Heavier.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Deeper.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Like the pounding hooves of countless horses.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The cold breath brushed his ear again, thick and suffocating.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But this time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He did not look back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He forced his nerves to relax.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Calm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Focused.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alert.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The tension thickened, pressing down on him like a physical weight. The silence became oppressive, suffocating.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Still, Thoren walked forward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unyielding.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And had he turned around.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He would have seen hundreds of shadows trailing him silently, their shapes twisted and indistinct, moving in perfect synchronization.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Watching.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Waiting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>*****\u003C\u002Fp>",1085,"2026-06-03T10:41:31.485Z","2026-06-03T10:41:38.326Z",1,"novelbin.me","e564bb985397c8666e8031e597ac6d95ca27fde5457136dcfccc2a2bc73157ab","global-survival-i-have-endless-skeletons-chapter-38","global-survival-i-have-endless-skeletons-chapter-36",326,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fglobal-survival-i-have-endless-skeletons-cover.jpg"]