The Shadow's Embrace

Itachi stood motionless, his dark eyes fixed on the translucent message floating before him. The blue glow of the system notification cast an eerie light on his stoic features as he read:

[You have been assigned to the 'Necromancer' class]

A faint smile touched his lips, a mixture of irony and acceptance. Since arriving in this new world, Itachi had learned much about its intricacies, including the nature of necromancers. They were not unlike the mages he had encountered, commanding armies of the undead with their arcane powers.

The reason for this assignment wasn't lost on him. The bloodshed that had marked his previous life, the lives he had taken in the name of duty and village, had followed him even to this new realm. It seemed fitting, in a way, that his past actions would shape his future path.

The system prompted him, asking if he wished to accept the job. Without hesitation, Itachi nodded, his voice barely a whisper as he said, "I accept."

No sooner had he accepted than a flurry of new messages appeared before his eyes, each one bringing news of his rapidly increasing power. The final two messages stood out starkly:

[Your total number of promotion points has exceeded the limit]

[You have been promoted from 'Necromancer' to 'The Monarch of Shadows']

Itachi's eyes widened slightly, the only outward sign of his surprise. He had expected to start at the bottom, to work his way up through the ranks of this new class. Instead, he found himself catapulted to its pinnacle. The implications of this higher class were not lost on him – with greater power came greater responsibility, and undoubtedly, greater challenges.

Before Itachi could fully process his promotion, another message appeared:

[Please specify a designated command for the shadow extraction skill]

Itachi closed his eyes, considering carefully. The command needed to be simple, easy to use in the heat of battle, yet meaningful. After a moment of contemplation, he opened his eyes and spoke softly, "Emerge."

The word felt right as it left his lips. It suggested a natural calling forth of the shadows, a quiet and effortless summoning that aligned with his preference for efficiency and subtlety.

As the word echoed in the air, Itachi noticed a change in his surroundings. Shadow-like figures began to rise from the corpses of the fallen knights and mages, their forms wavering and indistinct at first, then solidifying into more defined shapes.

Itachi's mind immediately began to analyze the tactical advantages of this skill. In prolonged battles, he could potentially turn the tide by converting fallen enemies into allies, creating an ever-growing army that would fight tirelessly at his command. It was a power that, if used wisely, could minimize his direct involvement in conflicts and preserve his strength for when it was truly needed.

His gaze fell upon the corpse of the Knight Commander, Igris. Even in death, the warrior's presence was commanding. Itachi approached, curious to see if he could summon the shadow of such a formidable opponent.

"Igris," he called out, then commanded, "Emerge."

Nothing happened. The knight's body remained still, showing no signs of responding to Itachi's power. Undeterred, Itachi repeated the command, but again, there was no reaction.

Itachi paused, considering his approach. This was no ordinary soldier, but a commander, a leader in his own right. Perhaps a different method was required. After a moment of contemplation, Itachi spoke again, his voice carrying a note of respect for the fallen warrior:

"Rest from your old path. Now, you walk in my shadow."

The words seemed to hang in the air, acknowledging the end of Igris's former life while offering a new purpose under Itachi's command.

Following these words, Itachi once again commanded, "Emerge."

This time, success bloomed before his eyes. A dark, smoky form rose from Igris's corpse, coalescing into a shadow version of the knight commander. The shadow stood tall, its ethereal armor gleaming with an otherworldly light.

Honoring his fallen foe, Itachi decided to name this shadow after its original form. "Igris," he said, addressing the shadow knight.

Igris, along with the other shadowy figures Itachi had summoned, bowed before him. Their movements were fluid, almost liquid, as if they were part of the very darkness surrounding them.

A small, satisfied smile played on Itachi's lips as he addressed his new shadow army: "I look forward to fighting alongside you." His voice was soft but carried an undercurrent of authority that seemed to resonate with the shadows.

With his new abilities confirmed, Itachi exited the dungeon, his footsteps echoing in the now-silent chamber. The cool air outside was a stark contrast to the stifling atmosphere of the dungeon.

He made his way home, his mind already strategizing how to best utilize his new powers. After a simple meal and some much-needed rest, Itachi saw his clone return from school. As the clone dispersed in a puff of smoke, Itachi received its memories.

He learned that Song-Yi had been insistent on going to a dungeon together. Her eyes had shone with excitement as she made the request, curiosity about Itachi's fighting style driving her enthusiasm. The clone had managed to placate her by promising that Itachi himself would choose the dungeon, buying the original some time to prepare.

The next day dawned bright and clear, a stark contrast to the events that were about to unfold. Itachi and Song-Yi stood before a dungeon gate, the magical barrier shimmering slightly in the morning light. Song-Yi fidgeted with excitement beside him, her eyes darting between Itachi and the dungeon entrance.

Itachi spotted Ahn Sangmin approaching. They exchanged greetings, Sangmin's voice carrying a note of curiosity.

"I was surprised to get your call," Sangmin said, his eyes twinkling with interest. "This is actually a practice dungeon for the White Tiger Guild. I've informed the other hunters about your presence."

Itachi nodded, his face impassive but his mind already assessing the situation. The presence of the White Tiger Guild added an interesting dynamic to their dungeon exploration.

An A-rank hunter named Kim-Chul, a tank class with broad shoulders and a determined set to his jaw, called out to his fellow hunters. "Alright, everyone! It's time to enter the dungeon. Stay alert and stick to the formation we discussed."

Song-Yi looked at Itachi, excitement shining in her eyes. "Is it time for us to go in too?" she asked eagerly.

Before Itachi could respond, Sangmin approached them, a hint of amusement in his voice. "Itachi, if you don't mind, please remain on the sidelines. Otherwise, this raid might be too easy."

Itachi nodded, his face betraying nothing of his thoughts. He was curious to see how the White Tiger Guild operated, and staying back would allow him to observe without interfering.

As the group entered the dungeon, Itachi and Song-Yi followed behind. The air grew cooler as they passed through the magical barrier, the light dimming to a soft, otherworldly glow. However, halfway through the entrance, Itachi's honed instincts flared to life. He sensed danger, a prickling sensation at the back of his neck that he had learned never to ignore.

Before he could react, the dungeon entrance turned an ominous red, the color of fresh blood. A loud, ominous thud echoed through the chamber as the entrance sealed shut, locking them inside. The atmosphere shifted instantly, tension thick in the air as the hunters realized they were trapped.

Meanwhile, in a plush office across the city, Baek Yoonho, the S-rank hunter and master of the White Tiger Guild, received an urgent call. His expression grew grave as he listened to the report.

"If what you're saying is true, then that means..." he trailed off, his mind racing through the implications. The situation was more serious than he had initially thought. With a determined set to his jaw, he made a decision. "I'll have to go take a look myself."

As he stood up from his desk, preparing to head out, Baek Yoonho couldn't shake the feeling that this was the beginning of something much bigger than a simple dungeon raid gone wrong. Whatever was happening in that dungeon, he was determined to get to the bottom of it and ensure the safety of his guild members.