Chapter 2

Simon scrambled away on all fours.

I did not go after him. I had regained the fifth level of Arcane Refinement, but I had only just had my Supreme Bone ripped out. My foundation was still unstable. It would be unwise to get into another fight.

More importantly, the Life-Stealing Book had given me an even bigger surprise.

[Novice Quest Complete: First Life Stolen.]

[Reward: One damaged fragment of the Supreme Bone.]

[Description: This fragment can be fused with the host’s body and temporarily replace the original Supreme Bone.]

[Warning: The host’s body may reject the fragment. The blood essence of high-level magic wielders must be absorbed regularly to suppress the reaction.]

I stared at the bone fragment in my hand. It was only about the size of a fingernail. Dark red blood still stained it.

Whose bone was this?

The system did not say, but I could feel it. The power inside this fragment was even more overwhelming than my original Supreme Bone.

I pressed the fragment into the bloody hole in my chest.

A wave of excruciating pain hit me again. It was ten times worse than when my bone had been ripped out.

I clenched my teeth. Cold sweat soaked through my back. The fragment seemed almost alive. It pierced into my flesh and forced its way into my damaged energy channels.

I had no idea how much time passed before the pain finally faded. I took a deep breath and tried to channel my spiritual energy.

The air around me trembled. The energy flowed several times more smoothly than before. It also carried a strange dark red tint that reminded me of blood.

Was this the power I had stolen?

I clenched my fist and felt the immense power surging through my body.

Faint shouts and explosions came from somewhere above the Abyss of a Thousand Bones. The school must have discovered that something was wrong with Martin and Simon. They had sent people down to investigate.

The Life-Stealing Book had given me the Concealment Technique. I used it as I climbed up the rock wall like a ghost.

The corpses scattered throughout the abyss gave me the perfect cover. Torches swept across the rocks above me, but no one noticed the extra “dead man” hidden in the shadows.

By the time I climbed out of the abyss, dawn was breaking.

I hid behind an old locust tree and looked at the gates of Skycrest School in the distance, surrounded by mist.

That place used to be my home.

Three years ago, I joined the school as a low-ranking student. My incredible talent helped me rise through the ranks until I became the top student among the junior ranks.

Everyone called me a once-in-a-century genius. Even the headmaster took me on as his personal student.

Back then, Rebecca’s eyes always lit up when she looked at me. She used to say she was the happiest woman in the entire school because her fiance was destined to stand at the very top.

The very top? I could not even set foot inside the school anymore. The school’s protective barrier would kill any traitor on sight.

The second page of the Life-Stealing Book slowly turned. New words appeared.

[Main Quest Unlocked: Take Back Everything That Belongs to You.]

[Current Objective: Infiltrate the market district outside Skycrest School and make your first fortune.]

[Hint: The annual auction will take place in the market district three days from now. A large number of magic wielders will gather there.]

My eyes narrowed when I read about the auction.

In my past life, a Soulmend Herb appeared at that auction. That herb helped William fully stabilize his power and secure his position as the school’s top senior student.

This time, I was going to take that herb for myself.

I found a stream in the woods and washed the blood off my body. Then, I tore a strip from my clothes and made a simple face covering. The clear water reflected a pale, gaunt face. My eyes were deeply sunken, but they were frighteningly bright.

Three days was more than enough time to get plenty done.

I turned toward the market district. A piercing bird cry came from the direction of the Abyss of a Thousand Bones. It sounded like an ominous warning.

However, I did not care. From this day forward, I was the omen itself.