The cavern stretched deeper than I had expected, branching into tunnels that pulsed with faint mana currents. Dripping water echoed, like the dungeon itself was keeping time.
Perfect training ground.
I crouched—or rather, coiled—at the edge of an underground chasm. My shadow form rippled like liquid armor, tendrils flexing, shifting between blades, whips, and spears.
"Okay, body… let's see what you can really do."
I launched a tendril like a lance. It slammed into a stalagmite, shattering stone with a sharp crack. Fragments tumbled into the abyss, vanishing into the dark. My shadow trembled with the recoil, like muscle building strength.
I repeated it again, faster, more precise. This time the tendril split mid-flight, branching into two spears. Both struck targets with pinpoint accuracy.
[Ability Growth: Shadow Splitter]
I grinned inwardly.
"Damn, I'm basically a one-man artillery squad."
Another experiment: I focused on density, solidifying a tendril until it gleamed like obsidian steel. I swung it downward—BOOM! A crater burst into the stone floor, dust erupting upward.
"Okay… need to work on collateral damage. Wouldn't want to crush… interesting mages… by accident."
I caught myself smirking at that thought. Images of Elara fumbling with her robe earlier flashed in my mind.
"Focus, idiot. This is training, not fanservice hour."
Still, my mind wandered as I tested movement. My form melted into mist, then surged upward, clinging to the ceiling like a phantom spider. I skittered silently across the stone, my body adapting, flowing, growing more fluid with every second.
[Ability Growth: Shadow Mobility]
A low rumble shook the cavern. From a side tunnel, a hulking armored beast lumbered into view. Its body was plated in jagged crystal, glowing faintly with stored mana. Its steps cracked stone, every movement radiating raw power.
I grinned.
"Test subject acquired."
The beast roared, charging. Its crystal horn lowered like a lance. I dissolved instantly, shadows whipping aside as it slammed into the wall. The impact sent shockwaves through the cavern, dust raining down.
I reformed behind it, tendrils lashing like whips. Sparks flew as shadow blades scraped against crystal armor. Tough—too tough for raw slashing.
The beast swung its tail, a spiked crystal club tearing through the air. I ducked low, sliding under, tendrils anchoring me to the floor. The tail whooshed overhead, smashing into a stalagmite with a deafening crack.
My core thrummed. Instinct surged. I extended tendrils beneath the beast's feet, spreading like roots, then solidified spikes upward. Shadows pierced its underbelly, where the crystal plating thinned. The beast shrieked, legs buckling.
I lunged forward, molding both arms into massive cleavers, and struck down in an X-shaped slash. The shadow blades carved through weak points, splitting crystal apart.
The beast toppled, screeching one final time before dissolving into motes of mana that sank into me.
[Ability Acquired: Crystal Armor Reinforcement]
My shadow thickened, edges gleaming faintly like embedded shards of obsidian. I flexed, feeling the raw resilience spread through my form.
"…Stronger. Faster. Harder."
My voice echoed through the cavern, deeper now, resonating like a growl.
For a moment, silence returned—broken only by the faint sound of voices, echoing from the tunnels. Elara and her party.
I melted back into the wall, watching as they cautiously approached the beast's shattered remains.
The warrior knelt, inspecting the crystal shards.
"What… could have done this?"
The rogue muttered, uneasy.
"No blade I know of leaves marks like this…"
Elara stayed silent, her staff glowing faintly as she studied the shadows. Her eyes narrowed.
And then, as if speaking directly to me, she whispered:
"…You're still here, aren't you?"
I froze.
"This girl…"
A thrill ran through me, sharp and electric.
"She's fun."