[{"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-40":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},1080804,1399,"Chapter 40: Marked by an Ancient Will","global-survival-i-have-endless-skeletons-chapter-40",40,"\u003Cp>Thoren watched as one of the fallen stone statues trembled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At first, the movement was subtle, barely more than a faint vibration running through the fractured stone limbs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then cracks spread across its surface like spiderwebs, fragments flaking off as something unseen stirred within.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Its hollow eye sockets faced the sky.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Empty.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Vacant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A flicker of pale-yellow flame ignited deep within its sockets.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Soul fire.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The moment the flames stabilized, the statue’s rigid posture shifted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Its head tilted slightly, joints grinding as if rediscovering movement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Beneath the stone exterior, something ancient and obedient awakened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With the soul fire burning steadily, a semblance of intelligence emerged on its once-lifeless face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It worked...\" Thoren murmured.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A slow, satisfied smile curved his lips, sharp and restrained.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Undead Stonewall Tribe (Imperial Guard)]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Level: 10]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thoren exhaled softly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had expected resistance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Stonewall Tribe had not died naturally.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They had been transformed, sealed, turned into living statues through means far beyond ordinary death.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>By all logic, converting them into undead servants should have been impossible.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet here one stood.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Undead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Obedient.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alive in death.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That raises another question...\" Thoren muttered, his brows knitting together.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"How did they become stone statues without dying?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The question lingered, heavy and unanswered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He stared at the newly risen undead imperial guard, studying the faint traces of humanity still clinging to its posture.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The truth was buried deep within this ancient city, layered beneath blood, sacrifice, and forgotten secrets.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thoren shook his head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Guessing blindly would only invite disaster.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>More importantly, he knew his limits.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whatever secrets lay hidden here belonged to a level of power far beyond his current reach.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Not yet,\" he whispered to himself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Strength came first.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Answers could wait.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His gaze shifted back to the battlefield.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Confidence surged through him once more.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Continue.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Undead Summoning.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One by one, fallen stone statues trembled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Soul fire ignited.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Undead imperial guards rose from shattered stone, answering his call without hesitation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With each successful conversion, Thoren’s control solidified.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His undead army expanded, not merely in number, but in quality.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The battlefield changed instantly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The remaining stone statues faltered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They were no longer fighting an invading force—they were being dismantled from within.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The clash grew brutal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Stone shattered against bone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Steel screamed as weapons collided.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the center of the chaos, the Level 13 Stonewall Tribe warrior locked into combat with the Level 13 Skeleton Knight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Each impact sent shockwaves rippling through the ground.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cracks tore through the earth beneath them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chunks of stone exploded outward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet the Level 13 statue did not retreat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unfazed by damage, it raised its massive stone blade and swung with overwhelming force.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The air shrieked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The blow was meant to cleave the Level 13 Skeleton Knight in two.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whoosh!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Two Level 10 Assassin Skeletons erupted from the fog.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their blades flashed in perfect synchronization, slicing cleanly into the statue’s knees.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bang!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The statue’s balance shattered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It crashed to the ground with bone-rattling force.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before it could rise, the Level 13 Knight Skeleton lunged forward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Its blade seized the fallen statue.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bang! Bang! Bang!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Again and again, it slammed the statue into the ground, each impact gouging deeper craters into the earth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Stone fractured.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dust and debris filled the air.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The brutality was overwhelming.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nerve-shredding.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After several long seconds, the knight skeleton halted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The stone body lay motionless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cracked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Broken.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This time—truly dead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Without sparing it another glance, the Level 13 Knight Skeleton turned toward its next target.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Something went wrong.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The fallen Level 13 statue twitched.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Slowly, unnaturally, it began to rise.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Its movements were stiff, jerky, as if something resisted from within.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thoren’s heart clenched.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cold sweat drenched his back as he immediately attempted to assert control.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Undead Summoning.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pain exploded through his skull.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A crushing pressure slammed into his consciousness, ripping through his mental defenses like a tidal wave.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thoren screamed, though no sound escaped his lips.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Blood leaked from his nose.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From the corners of his eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His vision blurred violently as a foreign presence forced its way into his mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A voice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Deep.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ancient.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unintelligible.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"&%$#@HU*—\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The language was utterly alien.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Each syllable carried unfathomable weight, reverberating with authority older than time itself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was not sound.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was law.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Each word invoked power beyond mortal comprehension.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thoren’s thoughts shattered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His mind reeled, fragments of consciousness tearing apart under the pressure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His muscles locked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Veins bulged grotesquely across his temples.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His entire body trembled violently.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The connection to his undead army wavered, fracturing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the verge of collapse.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>’What should I do?!’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>’I need—something—anything!’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clinging desperately to the last thread of rationality, Thoren activated his second talent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[SSS-Rank Sub-Talent: Soul Lantern of Eternal Crypt]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A spectral lantern flared to life within his mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Golden light flooded his consciousness, forcibly stabilizing his shattered thoughts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The oppressive presence receded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not vanished.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But restrained.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thoren collapsed to his knees, drenched in sweat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His chest heaved violently as he gasped for breath.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Slowly... the voice became clearer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The words resolved into meaning.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You survive...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A pause.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Interesting.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Another pause, laden with amusement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Human child. My eyes are upon you now.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A chill seeped into Thoren’s bones.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Let us see how long you last.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Silence followed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The presence withdrew.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thoren remained kneeling, trembling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Every hair on his body stood on end.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His heart thundered painfully in his chest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>’What... did I just attract?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The realization struck him with terrifying clarity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This entity had noticed him because of the Stonewall Tribe.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because he dared to claim what had been sealed by something far greater.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Did he regret it?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thoren laughed softly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Never.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As a necromancer, undead power was his path.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And he would walk it, no matter the cost.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Slowly, he rose to his feet and wiped the blood from his face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then he froze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the back of his left palm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A mark had appeared.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dark.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Engraved deep into his flesh as if it had always been there.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The symbol writhed subtly, alive beneath his skin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It depicted a humanoid beast with a long, coiling tail.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Merely looking at it sent icy dread down his spine.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What have I dragged into my life...\" he whispered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For a long moment, he stood in silence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Calculating.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then his eyes hardened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If it can’t kill me now,\" he murmured, \"then it’s either sealed... or far away.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Either way.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He would grow stronger.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fast.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His gaze returned to the newly subdued Level 13 undead statue standing obediently before him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Confidence surged once more.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If you’re watching,\" Thoren said softly, a grin twisting into something cold and dangerous, \"then watch closely.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I’ll give you a show.\"\u003C\u002Fp>",1101,"2026-06-03T10:41:31.485Z","2026-06-03T10:41:38.326Z",1,"novelbin.me","bcf6acc524f440932f9e9c409b1942ef050b45133dc543579c2313f10a8d1411","global-survival-i-have-endless-skeletons-chapter-41","global-survival-i-have-endless-skeletons-chapter-39",326,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fglobal-survival-i-have-endless-skeletons-cover.jpg"]