Upgrade?

[Forbidden Forest-Shadowveil Catacomb-Obsidian Bastion]

In front of the archway leading to the Obsidian Bastion ruin, Bernard, Bowen, Sarah, and Sophie were breathing rapidly. When the Shadowed Altar was destroyed, they narrowly managed to get out of its influence. So, they weren't injured.

"Hah, so what should we do? Is Heizen dead?" Sarah said in a sad tone. 

Everyone's mood dropped to the bottom. When they decided to explore the catacomb, they did think there would be danger. However, they never thought they would be dragged into such an inexplicable situation and had to sacrifice their companion to save their life.

"Maybe he didn't die? He should have a plan." Bernard said uncertainly. 

When the angry roar of Melaphine shook the dungeon, they ran even faster. So, they didn't see what happened at the Altar. Whether Heizen succeeded in his plan or if he was still alive. 

"This is the worst." Sarah couldn't control herself anymore. She crouched down and cried sadly. She never thought a fun adventure would become her tragic experience. 

Sophie was also feeling emotional. She knew that there was very little chance of saving life when it came to the lord-level existence. But she still had a glimmer of hope. 

"Thud," just when everyone was getting sad, a body fell inexplicably in front of them. 

"Ouch," Heizen cried as his back hurt due to the rough landing. 

"It seems that my plan worked," Heizen said as he looked at his companion.

"Heizen," Sarah looked at him in bewilderment, ran towards him, and jumped into his arm crying. She was really scared this time.

"I am fine, I am fine," Heizen awkwardly patted her back while trying to console her. This girl was really simple. She tried to save him in his vision and was now crying in his arms when she thought he died. 

Everyone looked at this situation in amusement. They never thought Sarah was this emotionally attached. 

"Ugh," Sophie couldn't just let her get carried away. She coughed awkwardly just to remind Sarah. Otherwise, she would pester her in the future. 

Listening to the cough from Sophie, Sarah finally came to her senses. She jumped away from the Heizen's arm and said in a low voice, "It is good you are fine." 

Her cheek and ears were all red. She was ashamed of her previous actions in front of her friend.

Looking at the rapid change in her emotion, everyone laughed. Well, at least, this cleared the sad atmosphere.

"Ok, let's leave this catacomb as soon as possible. We don't know if we will encounter another dangerous situation." Heizen said. He was exhausted and didn't want to waddle here anymore. 

"Hmm, we were also thinking the same thing." Bernard agreed. 

Heizen quickly walked behind his team in the corridor. He had many thoughts and he required time to sort out his thought. So, he asked them to give him some space.

First, he looked at the System prompts in his mind. 

[Ding!]

[Your body is getting assimilated with Shadow.]

[Increasing Absorption speed of Origin Power.]

[Sytem Recovery: 4%..4.5%..]

[Warning! Your body and soul are unable to bear the Authority.]

[Absorption of Origin Power is completed.]

[Warning! You did not survive the assimilation. You are dead.]

[Activating the Temporary Life Authority.]

[Activation successful.]

[Congratulation, you are resurrected.]

[Warning! Your use of Authority may get detected by the divine.]

Heizen looked at the lengthy prompts in his mind and breathed a sigh of relief. Everything was as he had expected.

Also, it seems that the Goddess of Life couldn't immediately lock him after using the Authority. He just needed to be careful in the future. That's good news. 

Just then, System prompts began to refresh automatically. Heizen felt that the white light in his mind was rotating slowly which was covered with a blue tinge in the corner. 

[Ding!]

[Congratulation, System Recovery process: 5%]

[Recovery Effect:

>Analytical function is upgraded.

>Increased Search Range.]

Heizen glanced at the prompt, showing neither happiness nor sadness.

[Ding! It is detected that you lose the temporary authority over insignia.]

[Do you want to use it as a basis to make an insignia of Shadow Authority?]

[Reminder: Stealing a Lord's Authority will turn you into a life-and-death opponent. Please be careful.]

Heizen was pleasantly surprised. He thought, besides repairing the System, he would get nothing this time. Now, this was a big gift.

He immediately ordered in his mind, "Make it."

As for being a life-and-death opponent of Melaphine, he didn't care. He was already on her blacklist, so using her power was completely justified. 

[Ding! Preparing the insignia of Shadow Authority.]

"Swoosh," suddenly the insignia below the white light in his mind moved to the previous location in his arm.

After that, a suction force from the sigil began to absorb the dark aura from all over his body. Only then did Heizen find out that he was covered with such energy.

After the collection was completed, the leaf-like insignia on his arm disintegrated in an instant and began to form a skull-shaped tattoo. After that, it disappeared from his arm just like a shadow in the darkness.

[Ding!]

[Congratualtion! You got a Insignia Of Shadow Authority.]

[Insignia Of Shadow Authority:

The seal of Authority that was created by stealing the power of Mistress Of Shadows-Melaphine.

Effect: Shadow Domain, Shadow Step, Shadow Resurrection, Umbral Vault.

Warning: Use of the Authority can increase hostility from the divine.]

Heizen took a deep breath and looked at the effects of the insignia with anticipation. 

[Shadow Domain: Envelop the 100 meters around you in shadow. 

Effect: Use of any kind of unauthorized spell is canceled within the range.]

[Shadow Step: Use this ability to move between shadows within 60 meters.

Warning: Depends heavily on your mental power.]

[Shadow Resurrection: Resurrect the entity you have killed in the form of Shadow. 

Availability: 0/5

Warning: Depends heavily on your soul power. If the shadow is too powerful, it may disobey your order.]

[Umbral Vault: Pocket dimension attached to the shadow realm. It can be used to store items or the summoned shadows. 

Potential: Upgradable.]

Heizen was quite satisfied with the effects. If he used them well, he could be extremely powerful.

Finally, the pain of death and suffocating darkness seemed all worth it. Well, he could only console his poor soul like this. 

"Heizen." While he was distracted, someone suddenly called him.