Chapter 8: Shadows vs. Titans
The forest clearing was eerily quiet. Word of the "Player" had reached the strongest hunters S and SS ranks had gathered to confront the legend themselves. Among them, Selene stood silently, analyzing Hayden's aura with icy precision.
Kael, the brash S-Rank hunter, stepped forward, sword in hand. "I'm not letting a dead E-Rank run around destroying dungeons alone. Show yourself!"
From the shadows, Hayden emerged, Abyssal Armor gleaming, Shadow Dagger of Eternal Night at his side. He moved calmly, almost lazily, but the system had already calculated dozens of combat scenarios in a fraction of a second.
[Level: 20 | Skills Ready: Shadow Step Lv3, Shadow Clone Lv2, Shadow Manipulation Lv2, Shadow Merge Lv1]
Kael lunged first, swinging his massive sword with the force of a battering ram. Hayden disappeared mid-strike, reappearing behind him with Shadow Step. With a flick of his dagger, he struck a precise, non-lethal blow, staggering Kael.
The other S-Rank hunters attacked, but Hayden's clones multiplied, attacking from multiple angles, confusing them and forcing them to defend rather than strike. Each movement was a dance of shadows, calculated and deadly.
Selene watched, her heart tightening with an unfamiliar feeling. Hayden's movements were flawless not just strong, but intelligent, adaptive, and frighteningly fast.
One of the SS-Rank hunters, Althea, tried to trap him with magic, conjuring a barrier of flames and ice. Hayden merged with the shadows, becoming nearly invisible, and reappeared behind her. With a precise strike of his dagger, he shattered the magical construct.
[Skill Activated: Shadow Manipulation | Full Control Lv2]
Althea's eyes widened. "Impossible… he's controlling shadows as if they're alive!"
Selene's gaze lingered on Hayden longer than she intended. He wasn't arrogant, he wasn't reckless he was focused, calm, and lethal. And yet, despite his overwhelming power, there was a strange humility in how he moved.
Kael and the remaining hunters realized they were outmatched. With coordinated attacks, they tried to overwhelm him, but Hayden's system predicted their movements. Shadow Clones intercepted blows, Shadow Manipulation deflected attacks, and Shadow Merge allowed him to dodge strikes no human should survive.
Finally, Hayden stepped forward, shadows swirling around him, and spoke:
"I don't want to kill anyone today. But if you attack, I won't hold back."
The hunters, panting and shaken, lowered their weapons. Selene, standing apart, clenched her fists slightly not out of anger, but intrigue. This young hunter, once weak, had become untouchable, and he had her attention like no one else ever had.
Aftermath:
The S and SS hunters withdrew, spreading tales of the "Player," the shadow-wielding hunter who single-handedly bested them all. Selene lingered behind, watching Hayden disappear into the forest, the system guiding him onward.
A small part of her felt drawn to him, curiosity and admiration intertwining. She didn't understand it fully, but she knew one thing: this hunter once the weakest of all mankind was someone she would not forget.
[New Task Unlocked: Prepare for S/SS-Rank Dungeons | Hint: Hidden Threats and Opportunities Await]Chapter 8: Shadows vs. Titans
The forest clearing was eerily quiet. Word of the "Player" had reached the strongest hunters S and SS ranks had gathered to confront the legend themselves. Among them, Selene stood silently, analyzing Hayden's aura with icy precision.
Kael, the brash S-Rank hunter, stepped forward, sword in hand. "I'm not letting a dead E-Rank run around destroying dungeons alone. Show yourself!"
From the shadows, Hayden emerged, Abyssal Armor gleaming, Shadow Dagger of Eternal Night at his side. He moved calmly, almost lazily, but the system had already calculated dozens of combat scenarios in a fraction of a second.
[Level: 20 | Skills Ready: Shadow Step Lv3, Shadow Clone Lv2, Shadow Manipulation Lv2, Shadow Merge Lv1]
Kael lunged first, swinging his massive sword with the force of a battering ram. Hayden disappeared mid-strike, reappearing behind him with Shadow Step. With a flick of his dagger, he struck a precise, non-lethal blow, staggering Kael.
The other S-Rank hunters attacked, but Hayden's clones multiplied, attacking from multiple angles, confusing them and forcing them to defend rather than strike. Each movement was a dance of shadows, calculated and deadly.
Selene watched, her heart tightening with an unfamiliar feeling. Hayden's movements were flawless not just strong, but intelligent, adaptive, and frighteningly fast.
One of the SS-Rank hunters, Althea, tried to trap him with magic, conjuring a barrier of flames and ice. Hayden merged with the shadows, becoming nearly invisible, and reappeared behind her. With a precise strike of his dagger, he shattered the magical construct.
[Skill Activated: Shadow Manipulation | Full Control Lv2]
Althea's eyes widened. "Impossible… he's controlling shadows as if they're alive!"
Selene's gaze lingered on Hayden longer than she intended. He wasn't arrogant, he wasn't reckless he was focused, calm, and lethal. And yet, despite his overwhelming power, there was a strange humility in how he moved.
Kael and the remaining hunters realized they were outmatched. With coordinated attacks, they tried to overwhelm him, but Hayden's system predicted their movements. Shadow Clones intercepted blows, Shadow Manipulation deflected attacks, and Shadow Merge allowed him to dodge strikes no human should survive.
Finally, Hayden stepped forward, shadows swirling around him, and spoke:
"I don't want to kill anyone today. But if you attack, I won't hold back."
The hunters, panting and shaken, lowered their weapons. Selene, standing apart, clenched her fists slightly not out of anger, but intrigue. This young hunter, once weak, had become untouchable, and he had her attention like no one else ever had.
Aftermath:
The S and SS hunters withdrew, spreading tales of the "Player," the shadow-wielding hunter who single-handedly bested them all. Selene lingered behind, watching Hayden disappear into the forest, the system guiding him onward.
A small part of her felt drawn to him, curiosity and admiration intertwining. She didn't understand it fully, but she knew one thing: this hunter once the weakest of all mankind was someone she would not forget.
[New Task Unlocked: Prepare for S/SS-Rank Dungeons | Hint: Hidden Threats and Opportunities Await]