"It was efficient; flesh is so irritating." The skeletal creature of death explained as he kicked an undead rat off the corpse.

  "But you have lived with flesh all your life." I protested, still trying to wrap my head around his decision.

  We knew that becoming another race would have some jarring changes. But most of us chose humanoid bodies, allowing enough familiarity to adapt. However, Jane had chosen a partially immaterial race, so she would have a change period. Greg, however, seemed entirely acclimated to his new life as a skeleton. I supposed it matched up with the anime. Still, I would have expected him to keep his flesh.

  "I have never lived, Samael." He corrected while ordering his menagerie of deceased rats to drag the corpse away. "And it is not Greg anymore." He turned to me, arms wide.

  Embracing his inner theatricality, I could sense where he was going. Arms outstretched, long flowing robes billowing around his skeletal arms as he praised the roof. And with a booming voice he revealed his identity in all its magnificence and splendour.

  "You will do well to remember and tell everyone you meet. I am Azan Orl Drath!" he announced to thunderous applause from three undead rats.

  "Azan Orl Drath?" I tasted the name and found it quite palatable. "Not bad actually."

  He dropped his arms and looked at me, the firelight in his eyes burning more intensely. "You think so?"

  "Yes, it is a very Undead Overlord sounding name. Good job." I gave him a thumbs-up and marvelled at the size of my thumb.

  "Thank you, Samael, and together we shall oppose the heavens!" He proclaimed theatrically.

  I frowned at the odd declaration. Their technically was no heaven per se. There was such a realm, but we didn't have any interaction with that place. The deity that ruled it had beef with most of the multiverse gods. However, I heard he was so powerful that even the top-tier gods wouldn't oppose him lightly. That being said, there was no heaven to oppose. Was he talking about the company?

  "What heaven do you speak of, Gre... I mean, Lord Azan?"

  "Why, the heavens! That declared your birth heresy! Such an affront should not be simply tolerated!" He spoke with such fervour I nearly forgot he was a skeleton, absent a tongue to speak.

  Unable to fathom whether he was mad or just playing a prank. Quickly, I tried to parse his meaning. Did he think I was an actual Nephilim, an indiscretion of angelic procreation with mortals? Technically, I was at least in form not in origin. My mother was not mortal, nor was my father celestial. I was just a Nephilim that popped onto this world out of nowhere. I casually wondered how true Nephilim would perceive me?

  "What are you talking about?" I demanded, wondering why he was so animated about this.

  "Samael, I know it is a burden, to know the truth of your origin." He grabbed my shoulders with skeletal hands and looked up at me; he was very short. "But together we can rise above heaven or hell. None shall impede our rise to power!"

  I stared down at him, perplexed at the sheer energy a dead man could bring to this conversation, and at that moment I knew what he was doing. Sure, Greg was a quiet undead, but sometimes, rarely, he would become as theatrical as Joey himself, especially for things he loved. And while I only heard rumours of his predilections with gaming, I knew he was a role player. So I took a deep breath, ready to dive straight in. Because why not? It's not like we could tell anyone the truth of our origin. And if we are to lie, let the lie be epic!

  "Lord Azan." I placed a calming hand on his shoulder, which felt weird when he was just bone. "The heavens should not be trifled with. We have a new life, a new opportunity." I paused dramatically. "Should we not embrace it and leave the past behind?"

  The undead overlord fell silent; the fires of his eyes dimmed. I could tell even past the skull and bones that he was considering my plea. For the heavens were far above us. I partially embraced the act and let it carry me along towards something new.

  "Yes, you speak the truth, Samael. We can create a new world, a new dominion! Where even the heavens will envy our glory!"

  "No doubt, but first we must conquer this realm." I shifted him back towards more practical matters.

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  In truth, that was the plan — to conquer whatever dungeon we encountered. I had petitioned for an unclaimed dungeon, which should mean no outside force will send in delvers to plumb its depths soon. Someone would likely to discover this dungeon eventually. Hopefully, by then, we should cement ourselves as proper dungeon lords.

  "Then we must go forth and conquer!" He raised his fist.

  "Yes, we shall let nothing stop us!" Taken with his enthusiasm, I raised a fist in solidarity.

  The skeleton turned to the corpse of the giant rat and with a wave of his hand the smaller undead rats circled the corpse. I stowed my bow before inspecting the tableau with interest. The act had the feel of a ceremony or ritual. Some dark and profane rite to summon the dark powers. However, we at the company knew the truth. For the dark powers are merely just another application of the system, well within its rules. In fact, I was pretty sure it was all theatre for the gods' enjoyment.

  "Arise, my child, arise!" He chanted.

  Now I was pretty sure that wasn't necessary. I didn't correct him since he was having fun, and what was life without a little fun? He chanted a level one raise undead spell with ritual pomp. I had other considerations, such as my character sheet. Swiftly, I opened it in its entirety and inspected everything keenly.

  [Character Sheet]

  [Name: Samael]

  [Race: Nephilim]

  [Level: 2]

  [Class: Archer]

  [Level: 2]

  [Techniques]

  [Focused Aim. Description: Grants a temporary boost to sight and accuracy. Effects: Increased accuracy by 10%. Cooldown: 15s]

  [Overdraw. Description: Overdraw your bow for increased damage. Effects: Increased piercing damage by 10%. Cost: 15 Stamina]

  [Rangers Instinct. Description: Grants increased perception of your surroundings and ability to discern traps and enemies. Effects: Increased awareness by 5%]

  [Racial Traits]

  [Giantborn. Description: You are naturally stronger and more durable than mortals. Effects: +3 Strength, +4 Endurance]

  [Celestial Bloodline. Description: You bear the blood of the divine, being born from the union of celestial and mortal. Effects: +3 Constitution, +5 Wisdom]

  [Divine Surge. Description: You can draw upon your dormant divine blood. Effects: +30% Strength, +20% Constitution. Cooldown: 60s]

  After reading through my character sheet, I had to restrain my widened eyes and gaping mouth. Truly, choosing the Nephilim race was the wise choice. The race buffs primarily favoured strength, constitution, and wisdom, so the archer class was not a good fit on the surface. The Nephilim were better suited to close-quarters physical combat. Perhaps a warrior or a paladin would have been a better choice. However, this could cover my weaknesses if going for a dexterity and perception build.

  "Behold my latest creation!" Azan cackled, a strange sound accompanied by the gnashing of bone.

  Glancing over, I noticed the disfigured rat rising to its feet, held aloft by dark powers and undeath. I guess it was time to move on. "How many more can you reanimate?" I questioned.

  "My limit is three, but that will change."

  "Good, we'd best get going. Need to find the others." And with that, we left the small cavern.

  Bow in hand, arrow nocked and ready. A robed skeleton trailed behind as his small army of undead rats scouted ahead. The dungeon was feeling like a labyrinth or a maze. Filled with twists and turns, threatening to send us spiralling. We fought a few more rats along the way; an onslaught of their undead kin drowned a few while Azan cackled madly. But I wasn't idle. I had gotten better with my bow, utilising my skills.

  Activating Focused Aim, I felt my vision suddenly get substantially clearer and focused. The distance between a gigantic rat almost lessened as I took aim. Then, compounding the attack with Overdraw, I unleashed an arrow that ripped through the monster with ease. After several rat murders, I reached level three in my class. Gaining a few attributes to my perception and dexterity.

  "Originally, I thought my race was a poor choice for an archer. But with my attribute increases each level, I can compensate for my weaknesses with my racial build. My class raises my dexterity and perception, while my race handles strength and endurance." I explained to Azan as he added another zombie rat to the army.

  He too, had levelled up and was on his way to building a formidable rodent army. Turning another corner after killing a few more rats, we heard a familiar voice. It was apparently cursing someone out amidst screeches and squeaks of pain.

  "You're a rat; they shiv you in prison. These bars are so cold you better shut up and listen." The familiar voice dropped into a rhythm, words snapping out like a live wire.

  Every word seemed to put the monster in peril as it screeched in pain. We turned the corner to find a red-skinned and horned demon making a gang sign, spitting bars and sending a terrified rat monster into extreme stress. Only that wasn't the end as the demon unveiled his clawed hand. Cupped within was a flame, settled in the centre.

  "Bars on fire, you can't handle the heat. I raise hell, torching fools to the beat." With his new rap, the flame in his palm gorged itself on the lyrics before leaping the distance.

  Setting the rat's fur ablaze knocked the creature back from the impact. Peter is it could be no one else — thrust a fist in the air, his spade tip tail swaying from side to side. Despite his attacks, the rat monster remained resolute and charged, ignoring the flames spreading across its body. Raising my bow, I readied to shoot the bounding creature, only for a flame to descend from above and materialise into the upper torso of a woman wielding a scimitar. She sliced cleanly, severing the rat's head as it came in range.

  "Double team, baby!" Peter exclaimed excitedly.

  "Torching fools to the beat?" The half-fire, half-woman floated over the corpse, sheathing her sword into nothingness.

  "Come on, I was on the spot. It worked, right?" He defended.

  "I thought it was pretty good." I interjected, coming around to face my two comrades.

  "Dudes, you made it!" The demonic Pete jumped up and down, far more excitable than before.

  "Wouldn't miss it for the world." I declared, watching the headless rat gush its final spray of blood.

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