There were three key differences this time.
First, the timing. The Shadower appeared six minutes earlier than expected. While the reason was unknown, it wasn't significant enough to worry about. This was within the margin of error.
Second, the target of the ambush.
'Normally, it attacks Layla first.'
This time, it targeted Kim Ihyeon. It was likely trying to reduce their numbers early, deeming Kim Ihyeon easier to handle than Layla.
The most defenseless would be Pavel and the professor, but the Shadower's goal wasn't total annihilation. It intended to deal with the lesser threats before addressing its main objective.
Lastly, the third change.
Swish!
Two daggers flew through the air, aiming for the Shadower's face and right leg, targeting the parts where flesh was exposed instead of shadows.
There was no exploratory dialogue.
As soon as the figure appeared, Ghost threw his daggers, and Layla prepared for battle instead of asking obvious questions.
Shadows. Ash Wolves.
A spell-wielding ability user.
Even if Kim Ihyeon hadn't mentioned it the previous night, they would have guessed as much. However, discussing it openly made them recognize the 'enemy' clearly.
Buzz!
A pitch-black wall rose from the ground at the Shadower's feet, deflecting the daggers. The shadows had physical properties.
By the time the result was evident, Ghost was already sprinting. He kept his torso low, sliding towards the Shadower as if gliding.
When he was close enough, Ghost abruptly changed direction and lunged. He aimed his kukri at the Shadower's exposed side.
Crack.
The blade was thwarted by the darkness. The Shadower's body was now entirely shrouded in shadow.
Ghost swallowed his frustration and leaped back. Sharp shadows sliced through the empty space where he had just been.
Several exchanges occurred in an instant.
'Damn… I thought he was going to take it down alone.'
Kim Ihyeon was stunned, unable to even properly see what had happened. Ghost was indeed an elite agent.
But it was clear there was a significant gap between them.
'Ghost is completely outmatched.'
It was a matter of compatibility.
Ghost's physical prowess was extraordinary, but the Shadower's spell rendered physical superiority meaningless.
A foe that was essentially a nemesis to close-combat agents. He wouldn't win in a one-on-one fight even if he died ten times and came back.
From the start, there was no need to fight head-on.
"Stop wasting time and run!"
Kim Ihyeon began to sprint in the opposite direction of the Shadower, without even drawing a weapon.
This wasn't a fight they could win. Not one-on-one, and not even with all four of them against it.
The idea that Ghost managed to injure it in the game? That was only because the Shadower let its guard down, thinking Ghost was dead.
Right now, it was a futile endeavor. Without some massive area attack, there was no solution.
"Hyun, Hyun?"
"Follow me, quickly!"
"Has he finally lost it…?"
Pavel, damn it. One day I'll make sure you're sent back to the mines. I won't accept any work bonuses as long as you're exempted for even ten seconds.
"Follow Hyun! I'll buy some time—"
"Why are you stopping, you idiot!"
I made five batches of pancakes at dawn to save Ghost. I thought I was vomiting blood instead of stomach acid. It's a miracle I didn't pass out.
'If he dies a meaningless death, I'll be damned upset too.'
I had to save him no matter what!
Kim Ihyeon rushed toward the garage he found the previous night. He remembered the location well.
Finally, the agents started following. Layla, Ghost, then Pavel. Someone, obviously Pavel, muttered curses under his breath.
"You have a plan, right!?"
"Yes! So shut up and focus on running."
"Got it!"
Ssss.
The Shadower didn't just stand by. His body melded with the shadows, the mass of darkness crawling after the group.
Pavel lagged behind, having started late with the professor on his back. A tendril of shadow shot towards his leg.
Bang, bang!
Two gunshots.
Ghost pulled out a hidden pistol and fired. One bullet aimed at the shadow near Pavel, the other at the Shadower.
Both hit their targets, but the results were vastly different.
The thin shadow chasing Pavel disintegrated upon impact. Conversely, the bullet aimed at the Shadower crumpled against the shadow.
'There's a difference in durability too.'
The loss of the kukri was painful. His remaining weapons were a dagger, two throwing knives, and the pistol.
While Ghost pondered the need for a slashing weapon,
"Ghost, use this!"
Kim Ihyeon tossed him a machete as he ran. It wasn't the time to complain about the rough handling of the blade.
[Caries].
A 1-star special weapon that decreases physical resistance by 1% for 10 seconds with normal attacks, up to a maximum of three stacks. It may seem overpowered, but it's essentially trash.
However, even trash can be useful if the blade is sharp.
Ghost quickly grabbed the handle and swung it in reverse. The machete cut through the thick shadow tendril.
As he deflected the attack, Ghost naturally took up the rear. He ran forward, twisting his body to thrust the machete backward.
It was a far cry from his solo combat prowess. Polaris's developers would foam at the mouth if they saw this.
'But survival is more important, right?'
Kim Ihyeon had no time for leisure.
Even if things were going according to plan, the Shadower's power was more threatening than expected.
'Is this even possible? That's a normal attack?'
Bosses in Polaris had skills like the agents. The first boss, the Shadower, was no exception. It just hadn't used them yet.
'It must be frustrated too.'
The Shadower couldn't just charge in recklessly. Its special attacks affected a wide area.
If they were to use it carelessly, it could lead to a total wipeout. That wasn't the Shadower's goal.
'I don't know how long its patience will last, though…'
Its approach wasn't particularly fast. The Shadower could graft shadows onto beasts or create radars, but there were limitations to directly manipulating shadows.
That's why it was merely tailing them now.
'A weakness revealed in Episode 6.'
What's the harm in using it early?
'We have to get there before it gets serious—'
Heat.
Kim Ihyeon felt the rising heat. He didn't stop running but glanced back.
And he saw it.
—Fwoosh!
Black flames licked out. Everything they touched was consumed by shadows. Not just debris, but even the asphalt melted.
That crazy bastard! Does it really intend to kill us all?
"Don't touch it!"
Kim Ihyeon shouted urgently. Ghost halted his machete mid-swing, and Kim Ihyeon felt a pang of fear seeing that.
'That was close.'
If Ghost's strength dwindled, even Kim Ihyeon couldn't be sure of his survival.
A sacrifice like in the game? The moment the Shadower used that, such an option was off the table.
Special attack 'Flare'.
The principles behind it were overly complex and far-fetched. Something about compressing sunlight in shadows, a nonsensical setting.
But the effect was simple.
It dealt massive magical damage to all enemies within range. Even a fully developed 6-star tank struggled to last ten seconds.
'Tanks are already undervalued in the game.'
In reality, it's even more pronounced. No matter how thick a shield, a person is still a person. If shot in the head while sleeping, they die.
Anyway, the Flare's power was undeniably threatening. From a newbie's perspective, the difficulty of 0-5 was despair-inducing.
Once the strategy is known, it's just a Shadower, but for now, caution was paramount.
We had to reach the garage and survive.
Screech.
The base of a telephone pole melted and slowly toppled. Dilapidated buildings collapsed. Black flames clung everywhere.
'It's so hot…!'
It felt like his back was burning. He imagined his shirt melting into his burnt skin.
Even if it wasn't that severe yet, a single misstep would make things much worse.
"Hyun, I can't go on…!"
Layla was out of breath. She was highly dependent on spells, so it wasn't surprising that she lagged behind physically.
Damn it. In a pinch, it's Ghost.
"Ghost, take her!"
There was no need for him to guard the rear anymore.
Ghost, understanding instantly, sped up and caught up with Layla. He grabbed her by the scruff and adjusted his grip to carry her properly.
Layla was sorted. Now for Pavel and the professor.
'Those incompetent bastards.'
At least Pavel was a 4-star and was running well despite carrying the professor. The problem was the professor's face. He looked in pain from the heat.
…A decision had to be made.
'I have a way to draw the Shadower's attention.'
But it would make them suspicious. Even if they didn't interrogate him, it would be a bothersome experience.
Might as well part ways cleanly. He had to live his own way.
'Looks like joining the lab is out of the question.'
The decision was swift.
"Pavel, go that way."
"Huff, h
uff! What are you saying…!"
"Go, if you don't want the person on your back to die!"
The Shadower. Whatever that crazy bastard was thinking, the professor could be in danger. Even if he didn't die, if he suffered long-term effects?
'It'd be problematic if he collapses during a mission.'
He was already set as weak. The player had a lot of responsibilities in the future. This can't go wrong just because of the tutorial.
"…Damn it!"
In the end, Pavel turned. As the group split into two, the shadows paused.
They were deciding. If they followed this side, they could escape.
If not…
'Just as expected.'
The Shadower chose the professor, sticking to its original purpose. Pavel looked devastated.
Don't worry. You're set to die of overwork in the mines, not here. When I get back to reality.
Kim Ihyeon muttered to himself,
"Karib!"
He shouted the Shadower's real name.
"This way! I have 'EDA-031'!"
The reason the Shadower attacked Layla's group. It was all because of the professor. In the past, he was forcibly implanted with the 'Factor' as a test subject.
That powerful spell? It was gained because of it. But as a side effect, he constantly felt excruciating pain.
He later learned through an organization that the professor was the one who created the Factor in his body.
No wonder the Shadower was fixated on him.
And now…
Boom!
The flames became visibly fiercer. The Shadower ignored the professor and chased Kim Ihyeon.
This was ideal. The brief pause had widened the gap.
"Hyun, what are you saying…?"
He pretended not to hear.
He had no response ready, and now he had to focus more than ever. A careless mistake could cost him his life.
The garage was near.
"Huff, huff!"
How long had they been running? 10 minutes? 20?
'Is this even an exercise a normal office worker can handle?'
He sprinted full speed and screamed his lungs out. Maybe his physical abilities were enhanced because he became a 1-star agent.
Whatever the reason, it didn't matter.
What mattered was, he felt like he was about to collapse, his back was numb, and he was panting like a dog… but still.
He made it somehow.
Bang!
He kicked open the pre-checked door and entered the garage.
A sealed indoor space. From the outside, it seemed like he was walking into a death trap.
Yet Ghost followed him. Not out of trust. Kim Ihyeon's earlier words had made Ghost suspicious.
Therefore, he believed more strongly. He thought there might be a plan to turn the tide.
"Huff, huff!"
Kim Ihyeon panted heavily. Drool ran unchecked, and his insides churned.
He ignored it. There was no time to tend to his body.
"Ghost, get ready."
He handed Ghost a [Glitch Knife]. It was similar in performance to [Caries]. As a weapon, it was enough.
Kim Ihyeon's gaze fixed on one spot. Not the entrance, but the garage shutter. He was certain the Shadower would come here.
Shadows are clearer in stronger sunlight. In this case, the Shadower would likely go for a large area. To maximize sunlight exposure.
Ghost checked the shutter and swallowed.
"What is this?"
Green paint was meticulously applied. Not just the metal sheet, but the floor and ceiling showed green too.
Splattered marks were visible everywhere. It looked like it had been sprayed all over.
Boom!
A loud noise echoed from outside. One second, two, three. The sound of destruction grew closer by the second.
To Kim Ihyeon, it sounded like the crackle of a campfire. His breathing resonated in his skull, his heartbeat pounded. Everything else was just noise.
—Beep!
A moment of tinnitus. It felt like the world had gone silent.
Boom!
Shadows collided with the shutter. With a loud crash, the thick metal began to melt. Inevitably, the shadows touched the paint.
[Sticky Brush].
A ridiculously named 1-star special equipment. At the same time, an item many players owed their lives to.
'Overpowered for a 1-star.'
A newbie favorite for boss fights due to lack of agents. Especially in 0-5, it was almost essential.
[Sticky Brush]
[Grade: ★]
[Type: Support Gear]
[Description: Once per mission, you can apply sticky paint to one square. The first enemy to pass through it receives a 10% slow effect for 10 seconds.]
And here's the trick. You can stack sticky paint on the same square.