The air in Kathmandu felt heavy with the scent of ozone and something rotten. I gripped the rusted dagger, my knuckles turning white. Below my apartment balcony, a creature that looked like a distorted, skinless wolf was sniffing the air.
[Target Identified: F-Rank Shadow Hound]
[Quest Update: Kill the Shadow Hound to proceed.]
My heart hammered against my ribs. "It's just like a game," I whispered to myself, trying to calm my shaking hands. "If I don't kill it, it's going to kill me."
I jumped from the low balcony, landing right behind the beast. It turned with a low growl, its red eyes locking onto mine. Before it could pounce, I lunged forward. The rusted dagger felt surprisingly light as it sliced through the creature's neck.
Black blood sprayed across the pavement.
[Level Up!]
[You have reached Level 2.]
[Skill Unlocked: Shadow Extraction (Level 1)]
A cold aura surrounded the dead hound. The System prompt flickered in front of me:
[Do you wish to extract the shadow of the defeated enemy?]
"Extract," I commanded.
Suddenly, the black shadow of the hound rose from the ground, taking a solid, ghostly form. It stood beside me, bowing its head in total submission.
[Shadow Hound added to your Shadow Army.]
[Current Shadows: 1/5]
I looked up at the dark portal swirling above the city. I was no longer the prey. With an army of shadows at my command, I was going to become the hunter.