[{"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-44":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},1080808,1399,"Chapter 44: Blood, Betrayal, and the Gate Opens.","global-survival-i-have-endless-skeletons-chapter-44",44,"\u003Cp>Arin and Thoren moved away from the gathered crowd, putting a fair distance between themselves and the mass of awakeners assembled before the ancient gate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"So,\" Arin said at last, his voice lowered to a solemn murmur, \"you’re saying you saw a blood sacrifice inside the palace?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thoren nodded slowly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His expression was grim, the usual calm in his eyes clouded by a faint, lingering heaviness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Not only that. The human stone statues have awakened. They’re no longer inert. They’re killing every human still inside the city.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For a brief moment, Arin found himself unable to respond.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since entering the ancient city, he had felt it, a constant sense of wrongness clinging to his skin like damp fog.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The silence, the ruins, the eerie preservation of structures that should have long since collapsed... none of it sat right with him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet among all those unsettling details, the lifelike human stone statues had left the deepest impression.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Too lifelike.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Too real.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Still, when news of rare treasures spread through the ancient city. He had no choice but led the guild elite team to check it out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Advancement on the first floor to the second floor was no simple task. Killing beasts endlessly could only take an awakener so far.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To ascend to the second floor, one needed more than experience.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Powerful weapons.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rare potions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Skill scrolls and ancient inheritances.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These were the cornerstones of true growth, and opportunities to obtain them were few and far between.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The uncharted territories were dangerous, yes, but they were also where miracles were born.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was why he had summoned his courage and brought his elite team.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet now...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At what cost?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Arin clenched his jaw.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He might hold the title of Guildmaster on the first floor, but he was painfully aware of the truth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the grand structure of the Crimson Arc Guild, he was little more than a capable field captain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If he lost his people here...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The thought alone made his chest tighten.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Watching Arin remain silent, Thoren could easily guess the thoughts weighing on his mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unlike him, a lone wanderer who answered to no one, Arin carried responsibility.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Every decision he made affected dozens, perhaps hundreds, of lives.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"There’s more,\" Thoren added quietly. \"The Silver Crest Guild attacked some of your members earlier. I suggest you remain cautious around them.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Arin’s brow furrowed instantly. \"Are they alright?\" Worry flashed across his face before he could suppress it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"They’re fine,\" Thoren replied calmly. \"The Silver Crest Guild members who attacked them are dead.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Arin exhaled slowly, a mixture of relief and restrained anger passing through his features.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Thank you,\" he said, nodding with genuine appreciation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Our guild and the Silver Crest have had conflicts before. Don’t worry, I’ll handle them.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A faint trace of killing intent flickered in his eyes before disappearing just as quickly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thoren nodded in acknowledgment but did not comment further.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had done what he deemed necessary, offering goodwill and warning.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What came next was for Arin to decide.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a brief pause, Thoren spoke again. \"Do you know anyone capable of doing something this... inhuman?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His voice was steady, but curiosity, and disgust, lurked beneath it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Creating a blood sacrifice on that scale was no simple feat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He couldn’t even imagine how many lives had been used to fill that boiling pool beneath the palace.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The abyss itself was humanity’s greatest enemy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It threatened their world relentlessly, spreading corruption and death across the surface.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet instead of uniting to fight it...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Humans were sacrificing one another.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For selfish gain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For power.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For survival at the expense of others.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The realization only reinforced Thoren’s long-held belief: trust was a luxury he could not afford.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Strength was the only true safeguard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With enough power, no one would ever be able to use him as a pawn.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Arin studied Thoren for a moment before answering. \"The future of the human race hangs in the balance,\" he said slowly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Many believe the abyss cannot be defeated...that it will only continue to spread.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He clenched his fist. \"I’ve heard rumors. Some humans are attempting to form alliances with the races that dwell within the abyss.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His voice darkened. \"Selfish bastards.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thoren froze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What?\" His eyes widened in disbelief.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Forming alliances with abyssal races?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The very beings responsible for countless deaths?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That single revelation sent a chill through his spine.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How could they even consider such a thing?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Every awakener who had died fighting the abyss... every innocent sacrificed to hold the line... all of it would be rendered meaningless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And for what?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To cling to their pathetic lives a little longer?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This wasn’t survival.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was betrayal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If such alliances succeeded,it would hasten humanity’s destruction.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rage ignited in Thoren’s chest, burning hotter with each passing thought.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His fists clenched tightly at his sides, knuckles turning white.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing the fury written so plainly on Thoren’s face, Arin shook his head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It gets worse,\" he said quietly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"On the surface, humanity still appears united. But beneath that façade... alliances are shifting. Some have already pledged themselves to powerful entities beyond the first floor.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Our enemies,\" he concluded grimly, \"are not only the abyss...but fellow humans.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thoren drew in a slow, steady breath, forcing himself to regain control.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Letting rage consume him here would accomplish nothing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"So,\" he asked after a moment, \"do we have any idea who’s behind this?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Arin shook his head. \"None. Whoever they are, they’re well-hidden. For now, all we can do is grow stronger and watch our backs.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Silence fell between them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sounds of the gathered crowd drifted faintly from afar, whispers, nervous shuffling, the subtle clink of armor and weapons being adjusted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Each of them was lost in his own thoughts, contemplating the danger ahead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Finally, Arin broke the silence. \"You believe this so-called ancient treasure is a trap.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thoren nodded without hesitation. \"It couldn’t be more obvious.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"But you also think there are real rewards behind that gate,\" Arin continued.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thoren nodded again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why else would someone go to such lengths?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why sacrifice thousands of lives if there was nothing to gain?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The ancient gate held answers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Perhaps power.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Perhaps knowledge.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Perhaps something even more dangerous.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a gamble.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But retreating now?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Neither of them believed that was an option.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their gazes met, and in each other’s eyes, they saw the same thing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Firm determination.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Slowly, they turned and walked back toward the gathered crowd.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Arin rejoined his guild members, issuing quiet instructions and subtle warnings.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thoren took up a solitary position nearby, standing apart yet unmistakably present.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Around him, several undead Mad Dogs lingered, their hollow eye sockets burning with yellowish soul fire.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The oppressive aura they emitted caused many nearby awakeners to shiver unconsciously.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The burly young man glared at Thoren with naked hostility but said nothing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His companions stood behind him, faces cold and guarded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A few meters away, the Silver Crest Guildmaster cast a brief glance toward Thoren and his undead before turning his attention back to the ancient gate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Others watched Thoren with a mixture of fear, curiosity, and calculation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone was waiting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Second by second, the atmosphere grew heavier.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Weapons were gripped more tightly. Breathing became shallow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The runes carved into the ancient gate began to pulse, radiating waves of power that made the ground tremble faintly beneath their feet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Time seemed to stretch unnaturally.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Suddenly, nerve-grating ghostly cries echoed from the dead forest behind them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Many shuddered instinctively.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Some whispered in panic.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>’I think we should leave.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>’Something is wrong.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>’What’s coming?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>’I don’t care about treasure...I want out.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fear spread like wildfire.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet Thoren did not move.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His eyes remained fixed on the ancient gate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He already knew what lurked behind them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The tension became unbearable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Creak.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The mountain trembled violently.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The ancient gate, sealed for untold ages, began to open.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The gate is opening!\" someone screamed.\u003C\u002Fp>",1311,"2026-06-03T10:41:31.485Z","2026-06-03T10:41:38.326Z",1,"novelbin.me","5bcb193f3300837f57847bb62c7b43c82cbfadce4dceeb2b71fc7560aae83174","global-survival-i-have-endless-skeletons-chapter-45","global-survival-i-have-endless-skeletons-chapter-43",326,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fglobal-survival-i-have-endless-skeletons-cover.jpg"]