A torrent of data poured in, overwhelming the screen like a tidal wave, gradually coalescing into an attribute panel:

Name: [Sulu Boteli]
Occupation: [None]
Rank: [0]
Title: [None]
Strength: [1.1], Agility: [1.2], Constitution: [0.9], Spirit: [1.5]

Skills: [None]
Passive Abilities: [Common Hebrew Lv3], [Basic Physics Lv4], [Demon Hunting Knowledge Lv1], [Ancient Hebrew Lv2]
XP: [0]

[Ding!! Detected skill book “Corpse Princess Creation.” Learning requires the following prerequisites: Ancient Hebrew Lv2, Spirit 1.4! ...Conditions met! Would you like to spend 50 XP to learn it?]

A cold, mechanical voice echoed in Sulu’s mind.

“Is this... the character interface from that ridiculous online game I used to play before my sudden death in my past life?”

Sulu let out a powerless sigh. “A golden finger, years too late... My entire worldview is shattered... Completely shattered... There’s no saving it...”

His mind was starting to piece things together. The memories that had just resurfaced likely signified a full integration with Sulu Boteli’s life, or perhaps, a fusion into this world itself. The golden finger must have appeared in response to this transformation.

Of course, the black magic book could very well have been the catalyst for triggering the attribute panel.

Everything was shrouded in mystery.

“Corpse Princess Creation? …Since even the attribute panel recognizes it as a skill, then it’s clear... extraordinary powers do exist. But why would this body’s older brother, Rod, entrust such a sinister black magic book to his younger brother? Where did it come from? Could it... be dangerous?”

Sulu’s face grew serious, his expression taut with focus. His instincts told him there was some hidden scheme afoot.

A brother, absent for four years, suddenly sends a letter with a vile black magic book inside. How could that not raise alarms?

“More importantly... XP? Experience points? How am I supposed to have any? Do I need to go slay monsters or something?”

Sulu’s face was contorted in confusion.

In the game, of course, one could freely wreak havoc, with experience points pouring in endlessly. But this was, after all, a real world. He had lived here for four years and had no desire to plunge headfirst into a blood-soaked sea of corpses.

As he hesitated, an icy, ethereal current suddenly emerged from the black magic page in his hand, seeping through his fingers and into his body, making Sulu shiver.

Almost immediately, the light screen before him flickered, and the numbers next to his experience points began to rise rapidly: +1, +1, +1...

"Ah, I see it now!"

Sulu's eyes lit up with understanding. "This is just like that online game. Experience points can be earned not only by slaying monsters and completing quests but also through reading and practice!"

He suspected this was the case, but it was also possible that the attribute panel had absorbed some kind of power from the page itself.

With a serious expression, Sulu tried again: "System! Xit system?!"

"Task bar?"

"Where are the quests...?"

"Damn it, so it turns out only the attribute panel came through? Gold finger rating: totally useless!!"

After a bit of experimentation, he finally concluded that his "gold finger" consisted only of the character data panel—nothing more.

As for a task system, a permanent companion, or an artificial intelligence... well, sorry, none of that!

"Fine, if there's nothing, then there's nothing."

Sulu muttered to himself, feeling a little relieved. Though, as Sean had put it, he "looked expressionless but was actually sharp-tongued," he had a heart that longed for freedom and had no interest in things like an ever-present companion or mandatory tasks.

After fiddling with it for a while, his XP slowly increased to 50, and the ethereal energy from the page was entirely consumed.

Su Lu took a deep breath. "I have to give it a try."

He pulled up the previous prompt and decisively selected "Yes!"

"Confirm learning the skill: Corpse Bride Creation!"

With a flick of his mind, the experience points at the end of the attribute bar were instantly drained, returning to zero.

At the same moment, Su Lu let out a muffled grunt, feeling as if a heavy stone was being forced into his skull. A torrent of knowledge surged into his mind, all of it related to the dark necromantic art of Corpse Bride Creation.

...

"The Corpse Bride is a basic creation of dark necromancy, requiring materials: a female corpse and the caster's blood... Note, the corpse must be female; a male one will not suffice!"

"When drawing the magic circle, be mindful of the positioning of the pentagram. The star points must align with the dark celestial constellations above, increasing the likelihood of success..."

"The Corpse Bride lacks intelligence and possesses low combat power. Among dark wizards, they are typically used as servants... However, by elevating the caster's level, powerful necromancers can create enhanced versions of the Corpse Bride for battle."

...

Su Lu held his head, a sharp pain radiating through his temples. This was entirely different from the fleeting memories he'd experienced before.

Those previous memories were the original ones of his body—forgotten over time, but still lingering deep within his mind.

This time, though, it felt as though someone had taken an axe to his skull and forcefully stuffed foreign knowledge inside!

The pain was unlike anything he had ever felt.

Su Lu gritted his teeth, barely managing to suppress a scream.

"Ha... ha..."

After a few minutes, he finally began to calm down. As he looked back at the black necromantic page, the once murky sections now flowed smoothly, making perfect sense. In fact, it sparked a surge of excitement within him, a desire to put the knowledge to use.

As Sulu checked his attribute bar, he noticed a change:

[XP 50 consumed, Black Sorcery: Corpse Queen Creation learned, Current Level: lv1!]

A sub-entry immediately appeared under the skills section: [Corpse Queen Creation lv1].

With a gentle thought, Sulu activated it, and more information appeared: [Corpse Queen Creation lv1: Through a specific ritual, temporarily revives a female corpse. The success rate is low.]

"It's real!"

Sulu murmured to himself, his hands tightening into fists.

He took a deep breath, carefully folded the black sorcery paper, and placed it back into the envelope. Afterward, he methodically gathered the rest of his belongings and stood up.

He surveyed the area. A few other students were scattered across the lawn. The closest one, about ten meters away, was lying in the sun, snoring loudly.

More than fifty meters away, a couple sat on a blanket, enjoying a picnic and each other's company.

Sulu glanced up. The sun still blazed down from the sky.

No one knew that just moments ago, a classmate had confirmed the existence of sorcery right next to them.

"This world... is really about to change!"

Sulu thought silently, walking away without looking back.