After summoning Nocta, Julian's sense of security increased, allowing him to breathe. Thanks to this comfort, he started checking the attributes of Nocta and Umbra at level 3 before deciding on what to do next.
'Let's see… Umbra first.'
Umbra • Shadow Spearwoman • 5 CP
• Level: 3
• HP: 40
• Attack: 6
• Defence: 2
• Speed: 5
• Magic: 1
• Total: 14
Abilities:
• Shadow Dash
• Triple Thrust
Julian noticed her attributes were higher than average, smiling for a moment before flicking the page to Nocta.
Nocta • Shadow Guardian • 5 CP
• Level: 3
• HP: 100
• Attack: 3
• Defence: 8
• Speed: 2
• Magic: 1
• Total: 14
Abilities:
• Threatening Presence: All Nocta's attacks and actions increase the chance of enemies attacking her over Julian.
HP increased by 20.
• Shield Slam: Nocta pours strength and Mana into her shield, slamming the enemy for 16 damage. (Cooldown 8 seconds) (Base Damage: 2 × [DEF])
'Wow'
Though her attack seemed extremely low, her defence made up for it, not to mention her passive ability and the damage her Shield Slam caused was based on her defence.
He then briefly checked his attributes, with the Wand of Shadows equipped, and nodded, the gained attributes from exercising also appeared.
Julian Pendragon • Shadow Mancer (SSSR)
• Level: 3 (120/400)
• HP: 40
• MP: 80
• Attack: 2
• Defence: 4
• Speed: 3
• Magic: 8
• Total: 17 (+3)
• Command Points: 12
"Let's get out of here, follow me and keep alert."
Julian didn't remain in the forest, or head the same direction he did with Sena, but chose the direction of the village.
The pair of shadows, one tall and imposing, the other swift and nimble, followed Julian's order while he crept away from the charred forest, heading for the southern village.
Ashvale Village was where Julian aimed to visit.
'In the regular game, it's a small tutorial hub, a place where the player gets quests until they reach level 8-10 and heads towards the capital to the west.'
"To Camelot…" A nostalgic and bitter place for Julian, but with vague memories, those feelings faded the longer he remained in the other world.
The journey wasn't long.
Through a broken farm where low-level hogs would normally be eating the farmers' yield, offering an easy quest to slay them before reaching the village. Normally, to give players an idea of how to fight in this game.
'There's nothing here…'
Not even the traces of the farmers' existence.
"Strange, keep your guard up."
Despite Julian's excessive worries, there wasn't a monster or ambush, causing his sense of danger to increase even more.
Because his time in this place was limited to his sleep, there wasn't any time to waste.
"The village is just up ahead, though we were okay until now, let's remain on guard."
Nocta and Umbra couldn't speak, but the way their shadowy mist moved and reacted to his words became clearer the more time he spent with them.
'It's amusing that Umbra seems a little different since Nocta came.'
Julian didn't expect them to be so intelligent because they were souls of the dead reborn as shadow warriors. He expected them to evolve and have personalities one day. That's why he tried to treat them with respect and dignity.
'Well, I hope it doesn't get worse.' He couldn't help but notice Umbra's gaze turned to him whenever he didn't look her way.
"Hmm, so this is Ashvale Village? Not very welcoming."
Woosh!
Umbra rushed into the city, her form able to avoid too much noise, checking the buildings one by one, while seeming to adapt to her role as their scout.
The once beautiful tutorial village filled with young and vibrant adventurers and gentle farmers and villagers vanished. Now devastated, like a ghost town, Julian couldn't help but swallow his saliva at the sight of charred bodies fused with the fallen buildings and the scent of decay.
Suddenly, Umbra returned, her arm pointing to a dilapidated building at the corner of the village. She seemed to have found something because the vibration of her shadows was intense.
'Should I compliment her?'
Julian followed her, while Nocta shifted behind him, her shield covering his entire back from a stray arrow or ranged attack.
When they arrived at the building and entered, he entered the dusty building with a musky scent. Umbra found a small chest with silver finishings.
"Good work, Umbra, you've done well."
Umbra's body pulsated.
She moved around his back, almost seeming to dance while floating. Julian found it rather lovely and couldn't help but curl his lips into a faint smile.
However, the moment he touched the chest…
Clack!
"!"
Nocta rushed to the door, and slammed her shield into the ground, before a loud bang followed.
Deng!
"What?"
Julian's eyes dilated, seeing a huge wooden log slammed against Nocta's shield. But that wasn't the issue here. He noticed the frayed rope attached to the log and realised this was a trap.
'I can't believe it!'
"Prepare for an attack!" Julian shouted, his hand sliding his ten-inch wand, and flicking it across the air, creating a flicker of shadowy aura.
"Grrr…"
"Arr…"
Moans filled the air, as corpses that looked half-eaten, half burned started to climb from the debris, with cold fire in their eyes as they swarmed towards the building.
'Such a sophisticated trap?!'
"Nocta, Umbra, we need to get out of the building."
Umbra's reaction lacked the power from before. Julian noticed her change and knew it was because she led him into a trap. From the subtle changes and movement of her aura, he was learning how to interpret their 'voice' and feelings.
Bang!
Before he could focus on the battle, Nocta's body rushed forward. The group of ten zombies blocking the front flew back the moment she used her Shield Slam on the leading monster, crushing his skull in a brutal attack, dealing 16 damage and denting its skull.
"Umbra, follow up."
Julian ordered her with a bright smile, trying to spur her into the battle, not wanting to lose again. He wouldn't accept his own shades holding him back.
Umba's cold eyes, a deep red gaze, focused on him for a moment. Her gaze softened before her body shot towards the fallen zombie. She twirled her spear and assaulting it with a brutal thrust, striking three times in the head.
Da-Da—Da!
The final blow bursting the monster's head as 36 damage hovered in bright bold font. Her critical damage caused the zombie to dissolve into a small square item. She also gave Julian the time to run out the door and avoid being swarmed.
"Good work Umbra, Nocta take the zombies on the left"
"!"
"!!"
Both shades seemed to be delighted. Nocta's massive shield slammed into the ground, causing a thunderous sound, causing the undead to focus on her, while Julian gazed at Umbra. The spear wielding shade twirled her spear with more enthusiasm, and with a smirk on his lips, he pointed towards her.
"Umbra, I'm counting on you to protect the right flank!"
—Rally Unit: Umbra
• Umbra's Attack Speed has increased by 20%
• Umbra's Attack has increased by 20%
Before he continued, his right hand suddenly wrapped in a dark shadowy aura, his veins bulging, pumping Mana into his palm, sucking it from his heart.
The moment he activated his special skill, his hand started to tremble with unstable energy. Shadows coiled tighter around the runes etched into the wand. The air crackled violently as the dark purple aura wrapped around his hand.
—Mana Enhancement Used!
• The next spell Julian casts will have double damage and Mana cost.
An intense pain wrapped around his right arm and chest, before his lips trembled.
"Shadow's Grasp!"
Umbra wasn't durable like Nocta.
Julian targeted the three zombies that were facing her as three shadowy hands tore through the ground. The spell wrapped around the thin, rotten limbs of the zombies and gripped them tightly, causing 36 shadow damage to each.
He placed his left hand on his chest, feeling the pain as if squeezed, before noticing Umbra's excited atmosphere.
'Good… it was worth it to pay attention.'
As if to answer his desire and expectation, Umbra's body became like a comet as she darted towards the zombies, her spear primed to strike.