Chapter 11: Shadows in the Dark
Riven crouched behind a jagged rock, eyes narrowing as he observed the cavern ahead. The 16th floor was unlike anything he had encountered so far. The air was thick with humidity, the ground slick with moisture. Strange bioluminescent fungi lined the cavern walls, casting an eerie blue glow over the terrain.
More importantly, his enemies weren't immediately visible.
SYSTEM NOTIFICATION
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◆ Enemies Detected:
Lurking Shadows (x5) – Stealth-type predators, masters of ambush.
Venomfang Spiders (x8) – Highly toxic, web-based hunters.
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"Lurking Shadows…" Riven muttered, his grip tightening on his dagger. These creatures weren't just hiding in the darkness; they were the darkness. He had read about them before—monsters that could merge with shadows, striking only when their prey least expected it. A single misstep could mean death.
His Goblin Shaman Shadow stood at his side, waiting for orders. His Hobgoblin Captain Shadow remained completely still, its red eyes scanning for movement. Riven's entire army of 30 shadows stood at the ready, but even they couldn't fight what they couldn't see.
"Alright…" Riven exhaled, thinking fast. He needed a strategy.
◆ Step One: Flush them out.
"Shaman, cast Firebolt into the darkness. Archer, cover it with ranged support."
The Goblin Shaman Shadow raised its staff, and a bright Firebolt erupted from its tip, soaring into the deeper parts of the cavern. The moment it struck the ground—
SCREEEECH!
Dark figures writhed in the sudden light, their shadowy forms recoiling from the flames. Five Lurking Shadows materialized from the darkness, their elongated limbs twisting unnaturally as they let out piercing shrieks.
"Now! Arise!"
The moment they were exposed, his Goblin Archer Shadow loosed a barrage of dark arrows, striking two of them clean through the head. His Hobgoblin Warrior Shadow lunged forward, its axe cleaving into another before it could retreat.
Three down.
The last two Lurking Shadows darted toward him, moving unnaturally fast. Riven barely had time to react before—
◆ Step Two: Counterattack.
"Barrier!" he commanded.
A shimmering shield appeared just in time. One of the creatures slammed into it, hissing in frustration. The other tried to flank him—
But Riven was ready.
He twisted his body, his dagger flashing in the dim light as he drove it deep into the creature's skull. A shadowy wisp escaped from its body as it collapsed.
The final Lurking Shadow turned to flee—
"Not so fast."
Riven extended his hand.
Arise!
The fallen creatures twitched. Black mist curled around their remains, and moments later, three new shadows emerged from the ground, their glowing red eyes locked onto their former ally.
Riven smirked. "Kill it."
They descended upon the last Lurking Shadow, tearing it apart in seconds.
◆ Step Three: Control the battlefield.
The spiders were still hiding. He needed to draw them out before they struck first.
"Shaman," he said. "Set the webs on fire."
The Goblin Shaman Shadow raised its staff again, releasing a stream of Firebolts into the webs above. The moment the flames touched them—
HISSSSSSSS!
The Venomfang Spiders screeched as their nests ignited. Eight of them dropped from the ceiling, their long, spindly legs moving at terrifying speed.
"Formation!" Riven barked. His shadows immediately repositioned, forming a defensive line in front of him.
The battle began anew.
◆◆◆
Thirty minutes later.
Riven stood victorious, his shadows surrounding him. The cavern was now silent, the only remnants of battle being the charred husks of spider corpses littering the ground.
SYSTEM NOTIFICATION
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◆ Enemies Defeated:
Lurking Shadows (x5)
Venomfang Spiders (x8)
◆ EXP Gained: 250
◆ Level Up!
◆ Shadow Extraction Available
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Riven exhaled, rolling his shoulders. His army had grown again. His Shadow Soldier Count now stood at 35, and he was beginning to feel the strain of controlling so many.
Still… the 16th floor was cleared. The path forward was open.
He turned toward the next passage, his heart steady. He was getting stronger.
But he knew this was just the beginning.
To be continued…