Chapter Nineteen: Endless Pursuit
The shadows were entities of the abyss that Dusken couldn't control for some reason. There had once been a faint bond between them, but it shattered the moment Dusken forcibly subjugated the shadows during his battle with Ashahell.
Ever since then, using the shadows was impossible, and it was like they had banished him.
As Dusken's mind raced with complicated thoughts, his eyes widened slightly. The shadow of the dead creature before him wasn't like the others.
It called to him, and even regarded him as its master. Dusken didn't linger. Once again, he tried to control the shadow, relying purely on instinct - an instinct that seemed to have come from nowhere.
The shadow of the dead creature remained still... but not for long. Slowly, like a child learning to walk, it began to move.
It crept across the ground, fluid and swift like flowing water. Yet Dusken could feel something within him being drained at an alarming rate.
The magical energy coursing through his veins was rapidly diminishing as the shadow drew nearer.
The shadow's movements were both swift and labored, as though something unseen hindered it.
Each advancement it took drained him further, leaving him gasping for breath.
Dusken had no explanation for this inefficiency, but a sudden thought flashed across his mind.
Pausing briefly, he focused. He decided to try sensing what the shadow could feel. Narrowing his eyes and furrowing his brow, he leaned into his instincts.
A tugging sensation spread across his mind and body, urging his actions. He obeyed the strange pull, and, to his astonishment, his perspective changed.
He could see through the shadow's "eyes." The world unfolded before him - the trees, the battlefield, even himself - all from the shadow's viewpoint.
He could also perceive its other senses: the smell of blood in the air, the warm breeze brushing against its form. It was as though the shadow had become an extension of himself, one that he couldn't fathom.
Excited, Dusken tried the same with his own shadow. However, It failed.
With black lines visible on his forehead, he attempted to sense nearby shadows, and unsurprisingly, it didn't work.
The shadows of trees, rocks, and other inanimate objects all ignored him like he didn't exist, they stubbornly resisted.
No matter how hard he concentrated, they remained beyond his reach, making him choose to give up.
'The shadows… aren't meant for me. Darkness is.' He thought with a resolute look in his eyes.
Shaking himself free of these distracting thoughts, Dusken resumed his efforts.
The shadow he controlled came closer to him, and when it finally reached his own shadow, it merged seamlessly. By then, Dusken was almost completely drained of energy.
Suddenly, a series of notifications resounded in his mind:
[You have bonded a shadow.]
[Congratulations on reaching a milestone: Binding a shadow.]
[Magical energy evolving...]
[Evolution complete. Magical energy has evolved into Abyssal Energy.]
Dusken froze, wide-eyed. He felt energy surging through his veins once again, but this new force was unlike anything he had experienced.
It was cool, soothing, alien yet oddly familiar to him. Questions raced through his mind as he squinted.
'What is Abyssal Energy? What does this evolution mean? Will this happen every time I bond with a shadow?'
But there was no one to answer him. Looking down at his shadow, he tried to manipulate the newly merged entity.
To his amazement, the sluggishness was gone. The shadow moved with ease and no longer drained him as before.
Dusken's gaze shifted to the battlefield. The creatures were all dead, their carcasses scattered across the ground.
Only the beastmen remained, locked in battle with one another. Most of the enslaved humans had fled, leaving only a few behind.
Dusken decided it was time to leave. However, he still decided to test things out. He tried manipulating the shadows of other dead creatures and he found out that he couldn't.
'Perhaps… I can only manipulate the shadow of those I kill?' He thought, understanding the extent of his power.
Dusken turned and ran deeper into the forest, moving between trees.
As he advanced, an idea struck him, so he left the bonded shadow behind, using it to observe his surroundings while continuing to run.
The experience was strange yet euphoric. Sensing through the shadow felt like a new dimension of perception.
But just as he crossed a fifty-meter radius from the shadow, his connection severed. His shared senses vanished entirely as though it hadn't been there.
Dusken halted, with a raised eyebrow. Stepping back, he re-established the link.
It seemed fifty meters was his maximum range of control.
So he decided to call the shadow back. He watched as it flowed effortlessly through the other shadows until it reached him.
As he resumed running, a chilling voice reached his senses from the shadow. It was Gartan - leader of the Naga clan that attacked Dusken - speaking to Guro - the Nura clan's king.
"You know, our clan is weakened, and the slaves have escaped. I have a plan to resolve this feud between us," Gartan said with a mischievous chuckle while disengaging from combat.
Guro stopped fighting, and spoke in a suspicious voice: "What plan?"
"We've both suffered heavy losses," Gartan continued. "How about a game? We each select an equal number of warriors and send them to hunt the human children. Whichever clan captures and eats the most children wins. The loser will forfeit half their territory."
Guro paused, considering the offer carefully. However, his tone was laced with skepticism when he spoke:
"Why shouldn't I believe that you don't have forces waiting to harm those children?"
"Guro my friend, we're both on the same level and we'll watch the show together. I won't cheat, this, I promise on my clan's dignity." Gartan said in a solemn tone.
"Even so, you'll have to promise the same."
Guro nodded with a calm expression and then he laughed cruelly:
"A good plan. I do love the taste of human children. But we'll join the hunt last. It wouldn't be fun for the children to die too quickly."
Their laughter echoed through the forest, sending a chill down Dusken's spine. Watching through his shadow's eyes, he saw the two leaders summon their warriors, selecting five beastmen from each clan.
Every hour, five more would join the hunt until the kings themselves entered the fray.
"An endless pursuit…" Dusken muttered, excitement flashing in his eyes. A cold, dark intent filled his heart.
If the beastmen wanted to hunt, then so be it. Whoever came after him would die. Their shadows would become his tools, and he would grow stronger.
He continued running, aware that the beastmen's sharp noses would eventually lead them to him.
But his newfound stamina carried him far. Despite the distance, his legs showed no sign of tiring. This was one of the advantages of becoming a level one.
Time passed, and Dusken had no idea how long he had been running - only that the dense forest trees around him stretched on endlessly.
Just as he was about to curse his luck for always ending up in places that seemed endless, his instincts screamed.
A swooshing sound filled the air. Dusken sidestepped at the last moment, evading the fatal attack.
He came to a halt, his hand clenching into a fist. From behind the trees, two beastmen emerged, their cold gazes fixed on him.
"You've got nowhere to run, human child," one sneered, its laughter held deep confidence.
The other beastman nocked another arrow and sighed slowly.
"It's a shame you had met us of all groups. Today is your last, boy."
Dusken's expression darkened slightly.
"Shut up and come at me, you mixed-blood filth."
He felt his blood rush in excitement at the prospect of fighting two level one awakened beastmen, so he couldn't delay.
Without hesitation, the battle began as the winds howled. One beastman charged forward while the other fired arrows.
Dusken summoned his material and spell cards, dark particles swirling around him… it was time to test the full extent of his powers.
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A/N: I wish to sincerely thank all those who have read to this story till now and has supported the book in many ways.