[To survive, I had to slay my own dreams and feed on my nightmares, for in this dark world of deceit, dreaming held no meaning. In a realm where illusions and false hopes only served to deceive and entrap, I was forced to confront the harsh reality that my aspirations could not endure. My existence demanded a sacrifice: the very essence of my dreams had to be extinguished.
To protect others, I wielded this same harsh truth. I extinguished their dreams as well, for their aspirations, however pure, were but fragile illusions in a world driven by shadows and falsehoods. By severing their hopes, I aimed to shield them from the cruel reality that awaited beyond their dreams.
In this bleak and unforgiving world, where even the light of truth is often obscured, the only way to endure is to embrace the darkness fully and accept that the path to salvation is paved with sacrifices. For in this land of shadows and deception, survival means becoming the harbinger of truth, however bitter it may be.
— Holy Duke Adams Bulldog]
The beast opened what could be considered its mouth, though it was more of a void in its shifting form. It spoke in a deep, resonant voice that seemed to echo from the depths of the darkness.
[Beast]: "This nameless Shadow greets the Master."
I felt a mix of curiosity and apprehension. Did this creature refer to me as "Master"? To confirm, I opened my status window:
I looked at the detailed list of skills and abilities, taking in the full extent of what the Shadow Master class offered. The variety and power of the abilities were impressive, but there was also a stark contrast in the skills related to different races.
[Skills:
Summon Shadow {1}: Allows summoning of shadowy minions with abilities such as stealth and surprise attacks.
Shadow Magic {1}: Enables manipulation of shadows to cast powerful spells and curses.
Curses {1}: Afflicts enemies with debilitating curses, weakening and impairing them.
Passive Skills:
Essence of Darkness: Increases resistance to light-based attacks and empowers shadow-related abilities.
Dark Cloak: Enhances stealth and evasion, making the Shadow Master harder to detect.
Arcane Symbols: Boosts the potency and range of spells and curses.]
[Titles:
Abandoned One: Symbolizes resilience and strength despite great loss and abandonment.]
[Race Skills:
Calm Mind of a Warrior (Orc): Maintains composure in battle.
Silk Maker (Moth Man): Produces silk for various uses.
Bull Power (Ox Man): Grants immense physical strength and endurance.
Racist (Human): Reflects innate biases and prejudices.
Berserk (Orc/Ox Man): Enhances combat abilities through rage.
Weapons Master (Orc): Expertise in wielding a variety of weapons.]
The imbalance struck me immediately. The human skill "Racist" seemed to highlight a negative trait, and it felt disheartening that this was the only race-specific skill provided. In contrast, Orcs had several powerful skills that could significantly impact combat and survival. The Calm Mind of a Warrior explained why I was able to remain composed despite the traumatic events I had witnessed, like my mother's beheading.
I let out a growl, feeling a gnawing hunger deep within me. The sound that escaped was a curious mix of baby babble and a more primal, guttural noise.
[Adds]: "I am hungry."
The realization hit me—had I just spoken? In my new form, as a "baby spook," it seemed that even in my infancy, I was capable of expressing my needs.
The shadowy beast, sensing my hunger, responded with a silent nod.
[Beast]: "This nameless Shadow will feed the Master."
With that, the shadowy creature darted off into the darkness, its form melting into the inky blackness of the forest. The sounds of the forest grew distant, replaced by the faint rustling of leaves and the occasional eerie chirp of nocturnal insects.
Moments later, the shadow returned, cradling a bizarre and unsettling creature in its arms. It was a grotesque hybrid of a rabbit and an insect. The creature had six spindly legs, with two of them bearing a resemblance to the sharp, predatory limbs of a mantis. Its skin was a patchwork of textures, with strange, translucent membranes stretched between its legs. Its eyes, numerous and insect-like, were bulging and unblinking, reflecting the faint light from the shadow's presence. Its mouth was a horrifying, gaping hole lined with jagged, spear-like protrusions that glistened menacingly.
The shadowy beast set the Duskrat before me, its grotesque form squirming as if in protest. It spoke in its deep, resonant voice:
[Beast]: "This one offers a Duskrat to the Master."
My instinct took over, and I found myself speaking:
[Adds]: "Just feed me the blood."
I was surprised by my own words.
The beast, unfazed, took the Duskrat and crushed it near my mouth. The taste of its blood was a dark, metallic richness that seemed to ignite a primal hunger within me. I craved more, but I quickly reminded myself that I was still just a baby, albeit one controlling a powerful shadowy entity. My thoughts shifted to the two men who had brought me here, their presence still lingering in my mind.
Suddenly, a cry pierced the darkness:
[Men 2]: "MONSTER, YOU KILLED MY BROTHER! DIE!"
I turned to see the second man charging toward the beast with a spear aimed at its back. The shadowy beast responded with a swift, brutal motion. It opened its mouth wide and bit the man clean in half. The upper and lower halves of the man were separated in a single, horrifying bite. The beast then moved swiftly to the fallen man, devouring him entirely, leaving no trace behind.
The gruesome scene left me strangely calm, despite the horror of witnessing a man being consumed in such a manner. My head ached with the weight of everything happening around me. The sight of such violence should have been overwhelming, but it felt distant, almost unreal.
I decided to focus on immediate concerns. I needed rest and to ensure my safety. I issued a command to the beast:
[Adds]: "Beast, take me to the wagon and bring the two glowing torches."
[Beast]: "Being given a name is an honor, Master. This beast will faithfully follow your commands."
Both the shadowy beast and I found ourselves inside the wagon, our new sanctuary amid the chaos of the forest. We began to search through the wagon's contents, hoping to find something useful. Our efforts yielded five days' worth of food and several water bags filled with mysterious substances, along with a collection of sealed books bound in iron. I was unsure of how I knew these details, but the beast clarified.
[Beast]: "Master, according to the memories of the men I consumed, this caravan was engaged in illegal activities. Its purpose was to supply poison, dispose of bodies, and handle heretical books. Additionally, it transported dark glass, weapons, shadow fruits, various potions, and other such contraband."
I turned my attention to more immediate concerns.
[Adds]: "Beast, is there anything to eat?"
[Beast]: "Master, I can drain the blood from the bodies of the men. It will provide sustenance."
The idea was unsettling, but my hunger was pressing. I needed to eat. However, I was also curious about the fruits.
[Adds]: "What about the fruits?"
[Beast]: "Master, the shadow fruits are particularly dangerous. They are parasitic in nature. They can change their appearance to resemble other fruits. When consumed, a seed will germinate in the intestines, growing into a tree within the body. This tree will either burst through the victim's mouth or rear end. The process is incredibly painful and lethal."
[Adds]: "Can this situation get any worse?"
[Beast]: "Yes, Master. The shadow fruits are designed to keep their victims alive through the entire process. Even when the tree grows and breaks through the body, the victim remains alive and endures excruciating pain. The fruit's roots will dig into the flesh, ensuring that the victim remains conscious of every agonizing moment."
The grim details left a bitter taste in my mouth. I needed more information to understand our resources and potential threats.
[Adds]: "What about the potions? Can you tell me about them?"
[Beast]: "The potions in the wagon include a range of effects: mind control, hunger suppression, plague induction, rapid growth, death, addiction, love enchantment, unholy transformations, and disfigurement. Each potion has its own unique and often sinister purpose."
I was taken aback by the variety of potions. The mention of growth potions especially intrigued me.
[Adds]: "Growth potions? What do they do?"
[Chapter end]