Industrial Cthulhu: Starting as an Island Lord - Chapter 4: The Bastard Son

The most precious things in the world are priceless. Ordinary men tend to turn a blind eye to this fact. Apart from the treasured air, sunlight, and familial love, there is still one more thing that’s extremely valuable. It’s right beside you and can be easily obtained. But… I wonder whether you can see it?

Ezekiel recognized early in life that he didn't want to follow in his parent's footsteps and spend the rest of his days as a mere farmer. No, his eyes are set on a grander stage, a place where tales of monster hunters, mighty generals, and benevolent heroes hold court — A world of Magic and mysteries.One day, the opportunity he had been waiting for arrives. Without a second thought, Ezekiel throws himself headfirst into the adventure. However, not everything turns out to be as magical as he had dreamt it to be...THIS IS A SLOW BURN FANTASY PROGRESSION LITRPG STORY:Even though you are not going to see blue boxes from chapter one, I guarantee you that this IS a LitRPG story. This is, however, NOT a pure “game world”! Instead, I have tried to integrate the interface elements of a LitRPG into a world with a very thought-out magic & power system, which will be explored over the course of the first book.This world doesn't work like a game, where you can put '5 points in strength' and the body somehow changes magically into a stronger version of itself. It might take a couple of chapters for the world and magic to start to make sense, but I feel like a power system built on solid principles is a lot more rewarding in the long run (...and more IMMERSIVE!).

In a world where warriors and mages wield incredible power to battle monsters and conquer dungeons, Leon was just another hopeful teenager awaiting his awakening. At eighteen, he stepped forward to touch the Awakening Orb, dreaming of a legendary class—perhaps a powerful Mage or a fearsome Warrior.But fate had other plans.[You have awakened the F-Rank Class: Necromancer][Your subclass is: Zombie Lord]The world sneered. Necromancy was a taboo, a weak class fit for those who couldn't survive real combat. Zombies? Nothing more than mindless, slow-moving corpses. With no future in sight, Leon was cast aside as a failure.Until he actually used his ability.[Select Your Zombie Type]— Warrior Zombie— Mage Zombie— Healer ZombieUnlike traditional necromancers, Leon’s system let him create and customize zombies—giving them skills, equipping them with weapons, and even allowing them to evolve. With the right combination of magic, strategy, and firepower, his undead army could be unstoppable.Armed with a mana-powered magic gun, Leon fights alongside his growing legion of enhanced zombies, proving that an F-Rank class can become the most terrifying existence in the world.The dungeons will fall.The strong will kneel.And soon… the world will know the name Leon, The Zombie Lord

In this world, orphans or just anyone without any hope for this world can apply to become a “walking target”. Their sole purpose is to be a practicing dummy for the students of the sect who train to become “Demon Hunters”. These students need “walking targets” to test their training on living, walking beings of flesh and blood.
In exchange, they will be provided with food & shelter.
Their existence value is lower than a slave, but if they manage to survive a few years they can receive a life long pension.

Xiao Han is such a “walking target”. One time he witnessed a powerful Demon Hunter disposing a demon. When the demon died, a fragment of the demon that managed to escape entered Xiao Han’s heart. No one saw that, and even Xiao Han himself only felt some discomfort for an instant.

But that thing in his heart soon gave Xiao Han visions, and the first one is of a cultivation method which allows Xiao Han to absorb damage to enhance his body. A perfect cultivation method for a “walking target”.

- Description from Novelupdates