"Life—what does it mean?"
It's a question humanity has obsessed over for generations. Some chase answers in abstract thought, others through devoted work in practical fields. But what would the meaning of life be... to a rock?
Within a world of shadows orbiting a black sun, there shimmered a small spark of light—dull, dim, yet persistent.
"That's right. I'm a rock. How and why did I become a rock? Well, I haven't a clue.
See, I used to be human. Yeah, really—a human. But not from this world.
Back in mine, I was a university student. Took a few sketchy part-time jobs, made some bad choices... ended up dying because of it.
Well, not entirely true. Let's just say my world got done dirty by a zombie outbreak—Z-Dih.
Wait, that probably made no sense. Basically: zombies go burrr, I need cash, I take a job, I get bitten, I go bye-bye."
The small shimmering orb explained its situation to no one in particular—maybe out of boredom, maybe as a coping mechanism. Most likely boredom, though.
Suddenly, the orb glowed brighter than usual and shifted through worlds. It was no longer drifting in the dark sea lit by a lonesome black sun. Now, it hovered inside a massive room built in a strange, elegant mix of Greco-Roman, Gothic, and Renaissance cathedral architecture. A place meant for a priestess, or someone important.
"Hmm... why did the enchantments change? Memory shouldn't act like that... unless..."
A slim, pale youth stood nearby. His face was more pretty than handsome, almost doll-like. With shoulder-length black hair and layered dark clothes, he looked like a assassin manhwa character—despite clearly not trying to.
"Memory? Attributes? And this guy... he seems like... nah, no way. It can't be.
But after a zombie apocalypse? Anything's possible.
So, transmigration?
Am I in Shadow Slave?
Nah, that's crazy...
Still, at least I don't have to fight. I mean—I'm just a rock, right?"
Ironically, the rock didn't say any of this out loud.
"Who are you?"
"…What the hell? Did I write that line in...? I don't really remember…" Sunny's confusion was clear on his face.
"Shut yo bitch-ass up, man. I'm asking you—who are you, and where am I? What am I?"
The rock had already formulated a few plans to move forward. Letting Sunny know it had awareness was key. It didn't want to be a mere tool—besides, Sunny might even be able to Weave it a human form.
"Wait... you're alive? Damn, did I talk to a rock so much it gained sentience?"
"Well, I don't know. Can't you check the runes?
And before you ask—yeah, I've got some strange understanding of what's going on. Like, I know who you are, what you are... and the fact that you're basically my master.
Ironic, huh? A slave's slave."
"...So you do know. Don't you dare say it, or I'll smash you myself."
Sunny summoned his runes.
From what the rock could tell, Sunless was scanning over them—checking for any deviations. As his eyes passed over the rock's new inscriptions, his tense expression softened.
"So, what runes do I have now, boss?"
"Boss, huh? I guess that works.
You've gained three new enchantments since I last summoned you—besides [Not Really], you've now got [Ego], [Hungering for More], and [Growth]."
"From what I can tell," he continued, sounding like a showman at a magic fair, "
[Ego] is what gives you your sense of self.
[Hungering for More] means you feel hunger—and need blood to sustain your soul.
And last, but definitely not least—[Growth]. It basically says that, like all living things, you can evolve and change... if the conditions are right."
"So I can grow stronger… What use is that if I'm literally a rock?
...Ugh, I can already feel the hunger. Boss, think I could taste a little of your blood?"
The rock's voice sounded uncannily similar to Sunny's own.
Sunny stood in thought for a moment. Then, without a word, he summoned a kunai—leaf-shaped—and nicked his palm. Before his [Blood Weave] could heal the wound, he smeared the blood on the rock's surface.
The red smear shimmered, shifting into a mossy texture before being slowly absorbed.
Sunny checked the rock's runes again—and this time, his face twisted with shock.
"What... the hell?"
The rock couldn't tell why until Sunny voiced his surprise.
"That [Growth] enchantment really is busted, huh?
Little Rocky, you just gained two more enchantments—or, I guess, attributes.
One is [Child of Shadows], which acts like a stealth boost—familiar enough.
But the other... I've never seen before.
[Shadow Kin].
It says you're... considered a child of mine?"
"…Bro, I haven't even been on a date and now I'm a dad?!"
Sunless practically shouted—but kept his voice hushed. Their neighbour, a gigantic Knight, might overhear, and that would spell doom.
"So... should I call you father, then?"
The rock asked, a little too smugly.