Silence.
It blanketed the forgotten shrine like a burial shroud. Arata Alexander stood still, one hand wrapped tightly around the hilt of Shadowfang, the other resting on his chest as he felt the rhythm of his newly awakened heart.
It was... slower. Heavier. Like it ticked in sync with something deeper than time.
He looked down at the floating system panel before him:
[Status – Arata Alexander]
— Level: 2
— Shadow Points (SP): 108
— HP: 100/100
— Titles: [The Fallen One]
— Active Skills: Shadow Step (Lv. 1)
— Weapon: Shadowfang (F+)
— Shadow Perk Tree: Assassin Path Unlocked
— Stat Points: 5 Unassigned
He frowned slightly, then navigated to the Stat Allocation menu with a thought. A transparent screen shifted into view:
[Available Stat Points: 5]
Strength: 10
Agility: 11
Endurance: 8
Perception: 6
Shadow Affinity: ???
Luck: 3
His eyes narrowed at the Shadow Affinity line — hidden, unreadable.
"Mystery on top of mystery," he muttered.
He allocated his points quickly: +2 to Agility, +2 to Perception, +1 to Endurance. He needed to move faster, see better, survive longer.
The moment he confirmed the changes, a familiar sensation returned — like dark smoke coursing through his veins. It wasn't painful… just cold. Grounding. Like something was rooting deeper inside him.
[Stat Distribution Complete]
[Passive Trait Activated – Predator's Focus]
— +5% damage to unaware targets
Arata allowed himself a faint smile. Small gains, but he'd take them.
Then he turned toward the obelisk.
The shrine was carved from obsidian stone and etched with runes that pulsed faintly. He stepped forward and placed his hand on the surface.
It responded with a low hum.
Shadow Point Bound: Abyssal Altar
— You may return here through Shadow Realm anchoring
— Limit: Once every 24 hours
Would you like to enter the Shadow Realm?
A choice.
He hesitated — the term Shadow Realm carried weight. Power… and risk.
But staying in the open too long wasn't an option.
"Enter," he said aloud.
[Shadow Realm – Inner Sanctum]
Darkness surrounded him — but this time, it was comforting. The world around him shifted into an empty space lit only by glowing lines that sketched out terrain — like a 3D wireframe built from night itself.
In the center, a floating obsidian platform.
On it:
A throne of shifting black stone
A crystal interface
A swirling shadow mist that felt... alive
The system chimed:
Welcome to your Shadow Realm
— Time Ratio: 2:1 (One hour outside = Two inside)
— Realm Level: 0
— Functions Unlocked: Inventory, Meditation, Shadow Storage
— Locked: Summoning, Shadow Cloning, Spirit Binding
Arata slowly approached the crystal, pressing his palm against it.
The mist swirled and displayed his current gear: dagger, worn robe, and nothing else.
"No potions. No armor. No allies."
He exhaled. "Right. Day one."
But that wasn't what caught his eye.
It was a faint silhouette standing at the edge of the platform — just within the mist. Featureless. Humanoid. Watching.
The system didn't react.
Arata narrowed his eyes. "A shadow construct?"
It didn't move.
"Not aggressive... yet," he muttered.
He turned back to the crystal and sat cross-legged. His instincts from years of martial training kicked in: calm the breath, center the mind.
He selected Meditate.
Dark energy swirled around him. The system entered a soft, pulsating mode.
[Meditating...]
+5 SP per minute
Shadow Affinity slowly increasing...
Shadow Echo trait: Forming...
After thirty minutes, he ended the session.
+150 SP Gained
Shadow Echo [Passive] Unlocked
— Chance to repeat basic attacks (10%)
Realm Note: Your shadow grows stronger.
He opened his eyes. The mist... was thicker now. The silhouette? Gone.
He wasn't alone anymore.
[Back in the Abyssal Fringe]
He stepped out of the Shadow Realm, emerging once more into the ruin of the shrine. The air was still. The beasts had fled, but that wouldn't last.
A new prompt greeted him:
New Quest: Clear the Fringe
Objective: Eliminate 10 Shadow Beasts (Level 1–2)
Reward: 100 SP, Basic Equipment Crate
Bonus: No damage taken = Bonus Title
Arata grinned.
"Let's see what you've got."
He moved like water — smooth, silent, unstoppable.
Shadow Step activated in perfect rhythm, carrying him behind his first target: a crouching crawler beast licking at old blood.
He slashed once — the blade hummed.
Critical Hit!
+12 SP
Shadow Echo Triggered — Bonus Strike!
+8 SP
The beast twitched, then collapsed silently.
[1/10]
He didn't stop.
He became the predator now — striking from above, below, even through thin cracks in the cavern walls. He discovered a trick: using Shadow Step on the edge of torchlight made him nearly invisible.
Two hours later, all ten were down.
Quest Complete
+100 SP
Bonus Objective Achieved: No Damage Taken
Title Gained: Ghost in the Dark
— Passive: +5% evasion against lower-level enemies
Reward Unlocked: Equipment Crate
A black cube appeared in front of him. He opened it.
Inside:
[Shadow Hooded Cloak – Rank F]
Slightly enhances stealth, muffles footsteps
[Graveleather Boots – Rank F]
Improves movement speed by 2%
[Obsidian Ring – Rank F]
+10 SP capacity
Arata equipped everything without hesitation.
He looked down at his new gear — nothing flashy, but it felt right. He was becoming what this world feared.
And the whispers?
They were louder now.
Not hostile... not yet. But they knew his name.
He turned toward the deeper caves.
One last screen appeared:
Shadow Evolution Path Unlocked – Tier 1 Choice Approaching
Warning: Evolution choices may permanently alter your body, mind, and soul.
Countdown to Choice: 3 Levels Remaining...
Arata's eyes narrowed.
"So the real game hasn't even started yet."
He stepped into the dark, blade in hand, and vanished with the shadows at his heels.