Chapter 11:Shadows of the Night

I took a quick nap till midnight and then sneaked out of the house. I gathered up my newly fashioned knife and a few other things, then I crept out my window discreetly. I wrapped a scarf around my face and utilised Shadow Step to fly through the dark without making any noise.

I had noticed several low-level creatures nearby earlier that day when gathering some herbs from Soren Mountain. I got the notion to go back to the mountain and challenge myself because of this.

Since being grown up in a mountainside community and had naturally developed a powerful physique. With my knowledge and abilities, I was sure I could take on monsters in ranks E, which encompassed nearly all creatures at level 1.

On the basis of their combined power and intellect, monsters are rated from E to S. Although certain exceptional cases may score higher than these owing to unusual characteristics or situations, the majority of level 1 monsters fall under grades E and D.

The monsters are categorised into levels 1 through 5, based on similarities rather than evolution, as most people believe. However, no monster has ever been observed to evolve; instead, humans have only ever categorised the monsters based on how they appear, with some monsters not having levels 4 or 5 because no other similar monsters with the same appearance have ever been found.

Compared to monsters, humans have levels ranging from 1 to 10. With each rank up humans become 100 to 1000 times stronger. A level 10 human is as strong as an SS-class monster, while a level 9 matches up with an S-class. Level 8 corresponds to an A-class, and level 7 to a B-class.

After that, the levels are grouped together: levels 5 and 6 are categorized as C-class, while levels 1 and 2 E-class. This categorization exists because some level 2 humans can defeat D-class monsters, but not most of them. The same logic applies to the other levels above.

The reason for the SSS category is attributed to the founder of our nation. Using his Gemini power, he managed to defeat three level 10 opponents during his time, demonstrating strength far beyond anything we've ever known.

His unmatched power set a precedent for the highest level of strength, which is why the SSS category exists today.

These creatures are believed to have emerged from towers and dungeon breaks, gradually increasing their numbers with new dungeon breaks. Due to the impact of their surroundings, monsters may exhibit differences that make them especially uncommon or formidable when they change from being a certain element to something other.

Due to their abundance of magic, duongens are created by gradually absorbing enough magic particles in random locations and certain set locations. Magic, also known as Starforce, is the mystical gift of the cosmos—our primary source of power, a cosmic energy that powers not only growth but the very essence of all beings.

All organisms expand and transform because of this cosmic energy, which also shapes our capabilities and capacities as we go through our evolutionary phases.

A cry of wolves could be heard from my right side as I got closer to the mountain. Since this would be my first bout following regression, I was a little anxious.

I made my way to the source, hopping across branches. I noticed a small pack of wolves while I was around ten meters away. Two level 1 wolves and a level 2 advance wolf with a dark form were among them, suggesting it had picked up a dark skill and been affected by its surroundings, taking in the state's copious amounts of black magic.

The three were deep in concentration as they devoured a level 1 orc.

The aura of the level 2 wolf was more powerful. It seemed like a shadow come to life because of the way its silky, black fur seemed to absorb the moonlight. Its eyes glowed with predatory hunger, and every movement was smooth and silent.

In contrast, the level 1 wolves were smaller, with less fur and no special abilities. They were E rank , while the level 2 wolf was larger and capable of using the Shadow Step skill, giving it a rank D.

I blended into the shadows using the Shadow Mantle {details at the end of the chapter}. Using a thread I took from Grandpa Kaewon's workshop, I knotted the knife so that I could use my assassin's archery abilities to toss it. I threw the knife from ten meters away, killing one of the level 1 wolves instantaneously by hitting it in the neck. The level 2 wolf became cautious as the abrupt attack awoke the other wolves.

"Whoooo! Awoooo!" The woodland resounded with the howls of the wolves.

I swiftly retracted my knife and launched another attack. My blade sliced through the darkness and struck the neck of the second level 1 wolf. The level 2 wolf, alerted by the movement, began to close in on me. I drew the string taut with my left hand and unsheathed my Scorpion knife with my right.

With a quick flick of my knife, I attacked again. My sword cut through the shadows and slashed the second level 1 wolf in the throat. The movement aroused the level 2 wolf, and it started to closing in on me. With my left hand, I pulled the taut thread and with my right, I took out my Scorpion knife.

Earlier, I had asked Grandpa, "Can I take the Scorpion knife with me? I would want to observe the workmanship on it."

Yes, but take caution and don't try to utilize it. You shouldn't do it."

"Understood, Grandpa." And therefore, I have the Scorpion knife at this moment.

The wolf drew closer with a Shadow Step. Shadow Stepping, I moved sideways, its jaws slamming shut where my neck had been a moment earlier. I cut into its side with a knife. A terrifying sound that sent shivers down my spine resounded across the forest: a cry of anguish.

With a swipe of its claws, the wolf scratched my arm in retaliation.

"Shit," I clenched teeth and murmured.

Even though I was in pain, I continued on. I rolled beneath it, taking advantage of my tiny stature to feel the rush of air as it roared above me. Targeting the monster's vulnerable area, I stabbed at its guts.

The wolf staggered, providing me with the necessary opportunity. I pounced on it and jumped atop its back. I sliced through the thread binding its front legs and sank my last knife into its throat. The wolf raged beneath me, its strong body bucking, but I held fast. It moved slowly to nothing, and the woodland became quiet again.

Panting and covered in blood, I stood there, having defeated the rank D beast. With the exception of the far-off rustle of leaves and the waning echo of the wolf's last howl, the forest was silent once again and this task was harder than I anticipated. My system screen suddenly appeared.

[System: Serpens Noctis Level 1 --> Level 2 ]

[System: Shadow Mantle Level 1 --> Level 2 ]

[System: Assassins Archery Level 1 --> Level 2 ]

[Race: Human

Star: Gemini

Sub-star:  Serpens Noctis

 Void Singularity

{Screen 1}

Star: Serpens Noctis: Level 2 | Level 1 —> Level 2 |

Common skills:

Starforce vision: Level 1____*see details*

Eagle Vision: Level 1____*see details*

Venomcraft: Level 1____*see details*

Special skills:

Shadow Mantle: Level 2____*see details*| Level 1 —> Level 2 |

Assassins Archery: Level 2____*see details*| Level 1 —> Level 2 |

Spectral Harbinger:  Level 1____*see details*

Shadow Steps: Level 1____*see details*

Assassins knife: Level 1____*see details*

--------------------------:Level 1____*see details*

--------------------------:Level 1____*see details*

{screen 2}

Star: Cosmic Abyss: Level 0

---------(9/10 SOULS ACQUIRED)

---------(1/10 KEY ACQUIRED)

< [Shadow Steps (Level 1): Enhances the user's speed by 20% in light conditions and 80% in darkness.] >

< [Shadow Mantle (Level 1): Reduces the user's aura presence by 50%.] >

< [Shadow Mantle (Level 2): Reduces the user's aura presence by 70%.] >

< [Assassin's Archery (Level 1): A skill that increases the precision of throwing knives by 40%.] >

<[Assassin's Archery (Level 2): A skill that increases the precision of throwing knives by 60%.]>