A few weeks had passed since the battle with the Umbra Claw. I found myself in a small, private room, throwing my knife at a dartboard pinned to the wall. The knife, still covered in the dark and purple aura, sank into the bullseye with a satisfying thud. I had been practicing relentlessly, channeling my energy and refining my control over my powers.
The door creaked open, and the doctor stepped in, his grin as ever-present as his lab coat. "You're getting better," he remarked, glancing at the dartboard. "Your control over the psycho-kinetic aura is improving."
The girl, standing by the door, crossed her arms and looked at me sternly. "He still has more to do."
The doctor chuckled. "True, but it's time for him to take his first task."
He handed me a folder. "There's been a report of Shadowfiends at the train station. You need to investigate and deal with them."
As we prepared to leave, the doctor stopped the girl. "Let him handle this. He needs the experience."
She looked reluctant but nodded. We set out for the train station, the air tense with anticipation. The station was eerily quiet, the usual bustle replaced by a haunting silence. As we entered, the shadows seemed to pulse with malevolent energy.
The first Shadowfiend lunged at us from the darkness. Instinctively, I channeled my aura into the knife and struck it down with a swift, powerful blow. More Shadowfiends emerged, but each one fell quickly under my attacks. The girl watched, her eyes keen, but she didn't interfere.
Once the battle was over, we collected the monster cores from the defeated Shadowfiends. The girl led me to a hidden entrance that descended into an underground world—a bustling marketplace filled with vendors selling all manner of arcane items. The air was thick with the scent of incense and magic.
We approached a vendor who specialized in equipment and potions. "These monster cores," the girl said, placing them on the counter. "We need better equipment."
The vendor eyed the cores, then nodded. He handed me a new set of gear: enhanced armor, a more powerful knife, and several potions. Next, we visited a stall lined with cursed books. The girl picked out a few and handed them to me. "These will help you level your Psycho Trance."
I opened one of the books, feeling a surge of energy as the knowledge within merged with my own. The words seemed to pulse with dark power, each line drawing me deeper into the secrets of the Psycho Trance.
As we left the marketplace, the girl turned to me. "You've done well, but this is just the beginning. There are greater challenges ahead."
I nodded, feeling a mix of excitement and trepidation. The journey ahead was daunting, but I felt more prepared than ever. As we emerged back into the light of the train station, I knew that each step I took would bring me closer to mastering my powers and uncovering the mysteries that lay ahead.
The doctor met us at the exit, his grin widening. "Welcome back. I see you've made some progress."
"Yes," I replied, feeling a newfound confidence. "I'm ready for whatever comes next."
He patted my shoulder. "Good. You'll need that determination. The path you've chosen is fraught with danger, but also with great potential. Keep pushing forward."
I looked at the girl, then back at the doctor. "I will."
As we walked away from the station, the weight of my new responsibilities settled on my shoulders. But with the girl and the doctor by my side, I felt ready to face the darkness and uncover the light within.