Chapter 1: Reward Settlement
Returning to the base, Lu Li immediately instructed the shadow assassins to continue monitoring those carrying the masks. He took out the Claw Ghost mask, noting its increasing weakness against enemies. This time, it was completely annihilated by the flood dragon, with the mask even sustaining some damage.
The main reason for the Claw Ghost's inadequacy lay in its incompatibility with shadow attributes. Unlike the shadow assassin, whose abilities perfectly aligned with shadow properties, allowing it to maximize its potential, the Claw Ghost's primary strength was direct combat. However, shadow powers did little to enhance physical attributes, making the Claw Ghost ineffective as the monsters grew stronger. The Claw Ghost mask floated before Lu Li, one of its two spiral horns broken in half.
Lu Li touched the Claw Ghost mask, assessing its condition. The broken horn didn't significantly impact the mask's functionality. He used shadow magic to repair its structure, but the missing horn couldn't be restored.
Lu Li then brought out the Empowerment and Stabilization modules, placing another module, related to Zhou Chu, onto the Claw Ghost mask. Zhou Chu's strength stemmed from several factors: innate divine power, superior martial arts, fearlessness that negated most negative states, and a "calamity aura" akin to a protagonist's halo.
Comparatively, the Claw Ghost lacked in physical prowess and front-line combat ability, making it a low-tier version of Zhou Chu. Now, it seemed possible to upgrade it using the special module:
**Special Module: Breaking Aura: This unique module, combining Zhou Chu's calamity aura and fearless spirit, creates a special field that enhances various aspects.**
As the module integrated with the Claw Ghost mask, the mask underwent changes: its teeth turned ethereal, its empty eye sockets emitted black flames, becoming eerily sinister.
The Empowerment and Stabilization modules showed signs of breaking, indicating they might only withstand one more use. This wasn't a major issue, as Lu Li planned to acquire more modules from the market and forums.
The Claw Ghost mask radiated black flames, and a newly transformed Claw Ghost appeared before Lu Li. It bowed respectfully, though calling it a Claw Ghost now seemed inaccurate. Its legs turned into drifting black smoke, making it appear to float. Its body seemed enveloped in black, flame-like smoke, and its enlarged claws and eyes burning with black fire gave it a menacing look. Its horn had grown to nearly three meters, almost touching the ceiling.
Using his Detection Eye, Lu Li examined the new Claw Ghost, now dubbed Shadow Demon:
**Shadow Demon**
- **Physical Assessment**: 2.48 + 1.42; **Life Energy Derivation**: 0.2
- **Soul Assessment**: 2.78; **Mental Energy Derivation**: 2.56; **Shadow Magic**: 14.2 (with Shadow Mask's double bonus)
- **Special Abilities**:
1. **Shadow Field**: The more shadow magic, the stronger the physical attributes.
2. **Shadow Flame Body**: Greatly immune to physical attacks, all attacks carry shadow flames.
3. **Field Pressure**: The powerful field provides immense pressure, creating impacts.
- **Weakness**: Intense light and large amounts of positive energy.
- **Monster Evaluation**: A good mid-to-close range combatant, with shadow field potential yet to be fully developed.
"Attack that," Lu Li pointed to a plastic water bottle on the table.
The Shadow Demon swung its massive claw, releasing a pressure wave that sent a ball of black flame-covered air at the bottle, shattering it into melted plastic, the water evaporating instantly.
"Not bad. From now on, you'll be called... Shadow Demon," Lu Li decided after considering its appearance.
"Shadow Demon obeys your command," it replied in a deep voice before being stored back into the mask.
"With the Claw Ghost upgraded, it's time to consider enhancing the shadow assassins," Lu Li mused. The shadow assassins currently had no front-line combat capability, serving only as scouts.
Lu Li opened his panel to review his gains:
The dungeon clearance increased his permissions, though its effects weren't yet apparent. He also received 1000 game points.
For the three-stage mission, the first stage of eliminating the Southern Mountain Tiger yielded no visible reward, but Lu Li suspected it might have contributed to his evolving shadow.
The second stage, defeating the Yi Xing Flood Dragon, granted him a passive ability, Dragon Slayer's Aura, which deterred pests and attracted unwanted attention.
The third stage, defeating Calamity Zhou Chu, provided a special module now used on the Claw Ghost mask, evolving it into the Shadow Demon.
Other rewards included an enhanced oil-paper umbrella, a mutated heart, an altered shadow, a half-cursed spell, significantly improved close combat skills, and advanced shadow manipulation abilities.
Finally, Lu Li drew a card, which manifested into a giant spine bone from the flood dragon—a prime magical material.
While Lu Li sorted his rewards, the shadow assassins resumed their surveillance of the mask bearers...