The Echo Of Shadows

Chapter 6: The Echo of Shadows

Wolfgang's blood froze.

The shadow rising from the Crimson Tyrant's corpse writhed and expanded, growing taller and darker with each passing second. It had no shape, no form—only an oppressive, living void. The faint glow of the shattered crystals flickered one final time before snuffing out completely.

The system chimed softly in his mind, and this time, it was different.

[New Entity Detected: ???]

Level: Unknown

Danger: Extreme

The warning was ominous. Even the system, which so far had fed Wolfgang all the information he needed, refused to give details about the thing that now loomed over him.

"What in the hell are you…" Wolfgang muttered, his voice low, dagger held tightly in his grip.

The shadow rippled like ink dropped into water, its form shivering as it began to whisper. The sound was faint at first—a chorus of voices, speaking in tongues Wolfgang didn't recognize.

"You took what was not yours, mortal."

The words clawed at his mind, digging into his thoughts like cold fingers. Wolfgang's vision blurred, darkness closing in around the edges of his sight. He shook his head violently, forcing himself to focus.

"Shut up," he growled. "You're dead. Just a remnant."

The shadow ignored him. Its whispers grew louder, the voices overlapping, each one speaking something different—rage, sorrow, and pain twisted into a maddening cacophony.

Wolfgang's body tensed. It's trying to break me down. He wouldn't let it.

The thing surged forward. A tendril of black shadow shot toward him like a spear, cutting through the air faster than Wolfgang could react. He barely activated Shadow Step, vanishing into the void and reappearing on the far side of the ruined arena.

The ground where he had stood cracked and burned, the stone eaten away by the tendril's touch.

"Wonderful," Wolfgang muttered, gritting his teeth. "It's stronger than the boss."

The Fight for Survival

The shadow moved, flowing like a living tide of darkness. Tendrils lashed out in every direction, snapping at Wolfgang with terrifying speed and precision. He darted between the attacks, weaving through the chaos, but the effort drained him quickly.

His breaths came fast, his muscles screaming with exhaustion. Each activation of Shadow Step sapped more of his limited mana, and he couldn't keep it up forever.

Another tendril came for him, and this time he couldn't dodge. It slammed into his side like a hammer, sending him skidding across the ground. Pain erupted in his ribs, and his vision swam.

[Health: 20/150]

Wolfgang coughed, blood staining his lips. His fingers shook as he pushed himself to his knees.

Think. He had fought his way through this dungeon by being smarter—by using everything at his disposal. This was no different.

His eyes darted to the shattered pieces of the Crimson Tyrant's crystals scattered across the arena. Faint remnants of their power still pulsed weakly within them.

"The crystals," he murmured, his mind racing.

The shadow surged toward him again. Wolfgang forced himself to stand, dodging a tendril by sheer instinct. He sprinted toward the nearest crystal shard, his movements desperate and erratic. The shadow screamed, the sound high and unnatural as it pursued him.

Wolfgang slid to the ground, scooping up the shard. It pulsed in his hand, cold and alive. He had no time to think—only to act.

He gripped the shard tightly and thrust it forward as the shadow lashed toward him.

"Shadow Flare!"

The ability activated, but instead of darkness, the crystal amplified the flare, releasing an explosion of crimson and black energy that tore through the arena. The force slammed into the shadow, splitting it apart as it let out an ear-piercing screech.

Wolfgang stumbled back, gasping for breath as the light died.

[Warning: Entity Weakened.]

The shadow rippled violently, its form destabilizing. Wolfgang didn't hesitate. He darted forward, Shadowfang blazing with energy.

"Soul Rend!"

He plunged the dagger into the shadow's core, driving it deep. The shadow convulsed, its form unraveling as the energy was ripped from it. Wolfgang gritted his teeth, every nerve in his body on fire as the stolen power surged into him.

[Soul Rend Successful: Intelligence +5, Mana +20]

The shadow let out one final scream before shattering into nothingness. The arena fell silent. The oppressive weight that had filled the room lifted, leaving only the sound of Wolfgang's ragged breathing.

He sank to his knees, the dagger slipping from his fingers as he stared at the spot where the shadow had been. The system's voice chimed softly.

[Quest Updated: Escape the Dungeon.]

Objective: Return to the surface.]

Wolfgang tilted his head back, exhaling slowly. He was alive. Battered, broken, but alive. And stronger than ever.

He opened his status window, his gaze sharp as he scanned the changes.

[Status Update]

Level: 6

Strength: 20

Agility: 18

Intelligence: 22

Mana: 120/120

New Ability: Shadow Infusion

• Envelops your weapon in dark energy, increasing damage dealt.

Wolfgang chuckled softly, his voice hoarse. "That's more like it."

He picked up Shadowfang, the blade now humming faintly with newfound power. Slowly, he rose to his feet and turned toward the far end of the arena, where a faint light beckoned him forward.

The system chimed one last time, a new message flashing before him:

[New Notification: Surface Guardian Awaiting.]

Wolfgang's grin faltered slightly as he stared at the light.

"Of course there's more."

He stepped forward, his footsteps echoing through the ruins, the promise of freedom—and more danger—pulling him onward.

End of Chapter 6