[{"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-43":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},1080807,1399,"Chapter 43: Pawns Upon the Altar","global-survival-i-have-endless-skeletons-chapter-43",43,"\u003Cp>A few miles away from the mysterious ancient city, a group stood atop a small hill formed from broken bones, shattered weapons, and remnants of rusted armor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Each member of the group was clad in thick black robes that draped heavily over their bodies.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The fabric was dense and unnatural, concealing every inch of their form from their heads to their boots, leaving no hint of skin, shape, or gender.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their hoods hung low, casting deep shadows over their faces, shadows so dense that staring into them gave the unsettling illusion of gazing into an endless abyss.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With such identical attire, it was impossible to distinguish one from another.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They stood as if molded from the same template, their presence cold and uniform, like manifestations of a single will rather than individuals.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For a long moment, the group remained motionless, resembling statues carved from darkness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A heavy silence blanketed the hill.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even the wind seemed reluctant to pass through the space they occupied.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Time itself appeared to stretch, lengthening until seconds felt like minutes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At last, one of them broke the silence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"So... the hunt begins?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The voice was hoarse and hollow, stripped of age and gender, as if filtered through something inhuman.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes. It has begun,\" another replied, their tone identical, dry, rasping, and emotionless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Once more, silence fell.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A strong wind swept across the hill, tugging at their robes, yet the fabric did not flutter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It did not even shift by an inch, as though the robes were anchored to something far heavier than flesh.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Finally...\" a third voice murmured. \"I hope the ancient legend is true.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Silence followed again, thick and suffocating.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"We have already gone beyond hope,\" another voice answered calmly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Everything has been prepared. The sacrifice has begun. At this point, belief is irrelevant. Results are all that matter.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No one responded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>None of them moved.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was no way to read expressions hidden beneath those shadows, no way to tell what thoughts lingered behind the abyss-like hoods.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I heard rats have begun sniffing around our trail,\" someone said suddenly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Rats will always be rats,\" another replied dismissively. \"What can they possibly do?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The atmosphere shifted subtly, as if the group collectively accepted that statement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I heard a new specimen has arrived,\" a voice said, smoothly changing the subject.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This time, there was a faint ripple among them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I heard the same,\" another said. \"The Federation is desperately trying to hunt him down. As if they are capable of such a thing.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A dry chuckle followed. \"Not while we are watching. We must secure him. He alone could reduce our burden significantly and eliminate the need to request additional... resources.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The others remained silent, but their stillness spoke of agreement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That won’t be possible,\" one voice finally said, pausing deliberately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"He is already part of the sacrifice.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Silence descended once more.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"At the very least, he will still be useful,\" someone else added calmly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Another chuckled softly. \"A pity. It would have been interesting to study his talent.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Who cares about talent?\" a voice scoffed. \"No matter how gifted he is, he remains nothing more than a pawn destined for sacrifice.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Enough,\" another interjected. \"Our focus should be on what comes after. Once the sacrifice is complete, everything will change.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That is correct,\" a voice agreed. \"This entire floor will belong to us.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>While the robed figures quietly discussed their anticipated rewards, unaware or unconcerned of the blood already soaking the land, the ancient city itself had begun to stir.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Within its streets, stone men and women now walked freely where silence once reigned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their movements were rigid yet purposeful, weapons clutched firmly in stone hands.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Every step echoed with solemn inevitability.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The air grew heavy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oppressive.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>An ominous energy saturated the atmosphere, as if something ancient and monstrous had begun to awaken from a long, restless slumber.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thoren moved steadily deeper into the ancient city, his undead minions flanking him in disciplined formation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After rescuing the Crimson Arc Guild members earlier, he had parted ways with them, offering only a brief warning before leaving.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whether they heeded his words or not was no longer his concern. He had done what he deemed necessary.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His steps were firm and measured, his gaze fixed forward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Along the way, he witnessed countless deaths.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Awakeners were slaughtered by human stone statues with ruthless efficiency.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Weapons shattered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bodies were torn apart.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Blood stained the ancient streets anew.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The brutality of the statues was enough to send chills down the spine of even the most hardened warrior.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet Thoren remained composed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had already seen the heart of the ancient palace.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had witnessed the boiling blood sacrifice, the pulsating carvings, and the horrifying ritual at work.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was no coincidence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A conspiracy was unfolding.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And those behind it had already been marked as life and death enemies.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fear did not take root in his heart.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If anything, it was anticipation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Still, he did not rush.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was no need.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He wanted to understand what had drawn both the Crimson Arc Guild and the Silver Crest Guild into this cursed place.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he ventured farther, the buildings gradually thinned out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The ancient cobblestone roads beneath his boots faded into cracked earth, then into barren soil.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Soon, he arrived at a desolate path lined with dead, twisted trees.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their branches clawed at the sky like skeletal hands frozen mid-scream.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thoren paused briefly, his gaze lingering on one of the trees, before continuing forward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The number of dead trees increased, forming a forest of decay.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Beyond it, a massive mountain rose into view.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The mountain bore the scars of forgotten time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Deep spiderweb cracks spread across its dark surface, as though it were on the verge of collapsing under its own age.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet Thoren’s attention was drawn not to the mountain itself, but to the ancient gate embedded at its base.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The gate was colossal, engraved with countless runes that pulsed faintly with ominous energy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The air around it churned inward, warping space slightly, as though something on the other side was drawing everything toward it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before Thoren could study it further, a cold, condescending voice rang out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You must be the Necromancer who has been stirring up the abyss.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thoren turned slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Around the gate stood multiple groups of people, all watching him with open hostility.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fresh blood stained the ground at their feet, bodies lying discarded like trash.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A burly young man stepped forward, his expression twisted with disdain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thoren merely glanced at him before shifting his gaze elsewhere, toward a familiar figure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"My friend,\" Arin said with a broad smile as he approached with the Crimson Arc Guild’s elite team. \"You finally made it.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Guildmaster,\" Thoren said calmly, turning fully toward him. \"What is going on here?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The burly young man’s face flushed red with anger.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You dare ignore me?\" Veins bulged on his forehead as he laughed harshly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Fine. Let’s see how you plan to leave here alive.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nearby, the Silver Crest Guildmaster frowned deeply, his eyes narrowing as he studied Thoren.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They failed?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How is that possible...?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Another group watched from a distance, their irritation toward the Silver Crest Guildmaster barely concealed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bounty hunters lingered as well, their gazes sharp with greed and anticipation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Schemes layered upon schemes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet at the center of it all, Thoren remained unmoved.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unfazed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Like a calm eye in the middle of a brewing storm.\u003C\u002Fp>",1233,"2026-06-03T10:41:31.485Z","2026-06-03T10:41:38.326Z",1,"novelbin.me","4bc1ec6847deaf1e0402342b013e54c02a825b0d3bb475cc54e8b1d845332eeb","global-survival-i-have-endless-skeletons-chapter-44","global-survival-i-have-endless-skeletons-chapter-42",326,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fglobal-survival-i-have-endless-skeletons-cover.jpg"]