I couldn't ignore the strange feeling that washed over me after defeating that first shadow. The place was unnaturally quiet, but I knew this silence was just a deception. I felt the air grow heavier, as if something was watching me from the shifting shadows in the corners of the room.
I wasn't alone here.
I took a step back, staring into the darkness stretching ahead of me. It didn't take long before I saw it—the creature that seemed like it was part of the darkness itself. It had no clear shape, twisting and shifting constantly, but what caught my attention the most were its eyes. Those glowing red eyes that watched me intently, devoid of any expression except pure hostility.
A cold shiver crawled up my spine, but I didn't allow fear to take hold of me. I had just fought my first battle, and I knew I would face worse. This world wouldn't allow me to rest, and I wouldn't allow myself to fall.
[Warning! A dark entity is attacking you. Prepare yourself!]
Before I could take a step, the monster moved with unexpected speed, surging toward me like a black wave, as if the darkness itself wanted to swallow me. I barely managed to dodge its first attack, but I felt the heavy pressure of the air passing beside me—its force strong enough to shatter small rocks on the ground.
It was fast. Faster than I expected.
I turned quickly, trying to counter, but a dark fist emerged from its shifting body, heading straight for me. I couldn't fully evade it, and I felt it brush against my shoulder, draining the warmth from my body. The pain was searing, as if something was trying to pull my energy away.
"Damn it…" I muttered through clenched teeth, stepping back quickly before I found myself cornered.
I took a deep breath, trying to focus. I could feel the energy flowing inside me, but I didn't know exactly how to use it to its full potential. I had to learn, and fast.
[Tip: Use your newly acquired skill "Energy Control - Level 1."]
I felt it instantly, as if the system had awakened something inside me. I raised my hand, attempting to channel the energy I sensed outward, and without thinking, I fired a beam of light toward the moving shadow.
It was enough to push it back for a few seconds, but it didn't fall. The shadow moved swiftly again, but this time, I was ready.
The Battle Ignites
I didn't need to wait for its next attack. I focused on the energy within me, summoning that power that was becoming clearer to me. This time, I didn't fire a single beam—I allowed the energy to gather in my hand before unleashing a series of consecutive strikes.
The first hit landed in the middle of its shifting body, causing it to tremble and recoil. The second strike pierced through one of its dark limbs, making it quiver as if in silent agony. I didn't stop—I advanced forward, determined to end this before it could adapt to my attacks.
I launched one final attack, stronger than anything I had tried before. A concentrated beam of energy pierced through its dark form, and with it, the creature began to fade. There was no scream, no terrifying sound—just a slow disappearance, as if it had never existed in the first place.
And then, as expected—
[Mission Completed: Defeat the Dark Entity. +30 Energy Points.]
[Special Reward: New Skill - "Light Chain."]
[Bonus: "Energy Control" upgraded to Level 3.]
[Bonus: Unlocked Hidden Ability - "Shadow Extraction."]
Rewards and New Power
A warm surge of energy flowed through me, as if the system itself was reinforcing my body. I looked at the list of skills that appeared before me and focused on "Light Chain."
This new skill allowed me to fire multiple energy beams at once, increasing my offensive capabilities. I was no longer limited to a single strike—I could now launch a continuous, rapid attack.
As for "Shadow Extraction," it was an entirely different ability. According to its description, I could absorb part of the power of defeated shadows and convert it into my own energy source—or even use it to create something new. I wasn't sure about the details yet, but it could be my trump card in the future.
Moving Toward the Unknown
I took a deep breath and looked at the spot where the monster once stood. There was nothing left but the remnants of our battle and a few fading traces of shadow.
I had taken another step forward in this strange world. I had grown stronger, but I knew this was just the beginning.
Ahead of me lay a new path and new missions waiting. There was no time to stop.
I moved forward, ready for whatever came next.