The Beginning of The Monarch of Shadows

  "What?! I've only touched my intelligence stat to make my stats all the same number!" He commended awkwardly. "Necromancers are a subcategory of the mage class," Ultima began, "They're classified as 'dark magic' or something because they can command an army of the dead," it explained, "I'm not aware of a necromancer in the area, but they can summon beasts to fight their battles for them," Ultima continued. "I've been a mage ever since I was awakened. Aside from the two swords I used once or twice, despite that I've been using my daggers," Winter thought, "The skills I've attained have been similar to those used by assassins, so how is it that I've been placed in this class?" He asked himself in thought. "Dammit... If I had to choose one good thing about being a necromancer, it'd be that I get to summon myself an army," Winter mumbled, "But can I grow stronger, or will my stats become useless?" he thought.

~>System<{" [Notice!] Does The [Player] Accept This Job Assignment? [Accept], or [Decline],"}>it rang<~< p>

  "I guess I have a choice... If I decline, will I not be able to change jobs?" Winter asks, "Decline," he commanded.

~>System<{" [Warning!] Necromancer is a [Hidden Class]. Does The [Player] Still Wish to [Decline]?"}>It asks<~< p>

  "Oh c'mon! A hidden class? Are you trying to pull that shit on me?" He asks with annoyance. "Some Mythics can create powerful shields," Winter thought, "There are also Mythics that can give buffs to others, even though they aren't healers," he added. "There are even rumors that the master of the White Lion guild can transform into a magic beast," Winter continued, "So does that mean mythics with unique abilities are classified as a 'hidden class'?" He asks. "I wouldn't be so indecisive if I had the option to try out this necromancer job," he looked down, going over his options. He noticed the dead mages at his feet. "That's right, it's probably safe to assume that these mages have similar abilities to Necromancers," Winter thought, "It's as if it was being shown as an example!" He added in thought. "I don't know who's behind all this, but the intricacy of this System is interesting," Winter thought.

  "Unlike these mages, I possess fighting skills," he thought, "If I become a mage that only can engage in combat, but also the ability to summon an army under my command, I might be able to clear a B-rank dungeon or higher, all by myself!" Winter added. "This game is controlled by my skill level and ability stats. That means the beasts I summon will level up with me as well!" He thought to himself. "I won't be solo leveling anymore!" Winter laughed. "I accept," he commanded.

~>System<{" The [Player]'s [Job] Has Been [Decided]. [Player] is [Qualified] For a [Job Placement] in [High-Ranking Class] Due to [Promotions Points] Acquired. [Exceeded] [Estimated Playtime]. Awarded [Additional Points]. [Instant Teleportation Stone] Was Not Used. [Health] Above [50%]. Defeated [All Enemies]. Total Number of [Promotion Exceeded [Feat Limit],"}>it rang<~< p>

  The Shadows in the corner of the rooms grew in depth, gathering and rushing towards Winter, the darkness seemed to be alive, with a mind of its own, and it surrounded Winter. In smoke and ink like shadows.

~>System<{" The [Player] Has Been [Promoted] From [Necromancer] to [The Monarch of Shadows],"}>it rang<~< p>

"I'm a 'Monarch of Shadows'?! I've already been promoted?" He thought

~>System<{" The [Player] Has Learned [Job-Specific] Skills. Obtained [Bonus Stats]. [Title: One Who Overcame All],"}>it rang<~< p>

~>System<{" [Title: The One Who Overcame All]. This Title is Given to Those Have Valiantly Overcome Adversity. [Player]'s Stats Will Increase in Proportion Amount of Health Lost. (1% Stat For Every 1% Lost),"}>it explained<~< p>

  "I can't believe I'm getting a promotion and a new job in one go. I was probably able to undergo a promotion thanks to the additional points I was awarded," Winter thought. "I would've been stuck as a Necromancer for a while if I hadn't acquired all those additional points," he added in thought "Wait. I hear screaming. Sounds like they're in pain," he thought, looking around to see a shadow, inky smoke rising from the sea of knight corpses.

~>System<{" [Skill: Shadow Extraction] May be Used on These Target(s),"}>it rang<~< p>

  "I see, so this is my new ability! I'm pretty sure [Shadow Extraction] gives me the ability to animate corpses," Winter thought. "If the job of a necromancer is comparable to that of a commander, then that means," he looked over to the system.

~>System<{" [Notice]! Please, Specify A [Designated Command] For The [Skill: Shadow Extraction],"}>it rang<~< p>

  "A command?" He asks before thinking about a command. "Arise," he commanded, a wave of shadows rushed out from where Winter stood. From it, shadow knights reached out from the corpse's shadow, they glowed a deep aquamarine. They pulled themselves up as Winter stood in awe.

~>System<{" 30 [Skill: Shadow Extraction, Level 1]. [Type: Job-Specific]. No Mana Required. Can Be Extracted From a Lifeless Corpse to create [Shadow Soldier]. The Possibility of Failure Increases in Proportion Target's Stats And Time Since Their Death. [Extracted Shadows: 30],"}>it displayed<~< p>

~>System<{" 0 [Skill: Shadow Preservation, Level 1]. [Type: Job-Specific]. [Shadow Soldiers] Can be Absorbed And Preserved by The [Player]. Soldiers Summoned at Any Time, or Reabsorbed For Later Use. [Preserved Shadows: 20],"}>It displayed<~< p>

~>System<{" 100 [Skill: Monarch's Domain, Level 1] [Type: Job-Specific] Mana Per Minute Required. [Shadow Soldiers] Fighting Within The [Shadow] of [Player] Will Have a [30% Stat Increase]!"}>It displayed<~< p>

  "Does this mean I can turn any opponents I've killed into summoned beasts?" Winter asks, looking at some of the soldiers he's summoned, now. "I have 27 infantry and three mages," he thought, "I can make up to 30, but store 20 Shadow Soldiers," Winter added in thought, starting to pick and choose the shadows who were going to stay, and those who were going to leave. "Wait, what if I were to obtain the shadow of an A-rank or S-rank mythic?" He asks himself in thought, looking over to the corpse of Igris. "Then, I'll have the power of two shadows that are A-rank or higher!" He commented.

~>System<{" [Skill: Shadow Extraction] Can be Used on this Target,"}>it displayed over Igris<~< p>

~>System<{" [Warning]! To [Extract] New [Shadows], The [Player] Must [Terminate Extraction] on One or More [Shadows] to Return [Soldiers] [World of Nothingness],"}>it informed Winter<~< p>

  "I'll terminate 13 of the common soldiers. I want both Igris and the other mages," he added. "I guess I summoned some of you here for nothing, sorry," Winter turned to the knight infantry, "Terminate Extraction for 16 infantry," he commanded.

~>System<{" [Alert]! [Shadow Soldiers] That Have [Returned] to The [Nothingness] cannot be [Summoned] Again,"}>it explained<~< p>

  "Arise," Winter commanded the other mages. Just like before, they rose again, reanimated. "Now, for Igris... What if I made this guy a part of my army?" He asks himself, walking over to his corpse. "Arise," he commanded, the shadows beneath him rose but fell away. With a wave of mana, the shadows were pushed back.

~>System<{" [Alert]! The [Player] Has Failed to [Extract] This [Shadow],"}>it rang<~< p>

~>System<{" The [Player] Has Two Chances Remaining,"}>it explained<~< p>

  "What?!" Winter asks himself, growing frustrated under his white, skull-like mask. "This isn't easy. No wonder, because this guy's a boss, and it's been 4 hours since his death. Two factors that limit my skill," he commented. "This is going to be a tough one," Winter sighed. "Two more chances... Arise," he looked down at Igris. Just like before, the shadows attempted to consume Igris, but they were repelled by something. Another wave of mana pushed the shadows away.

~>System<{" [Alert]! The [Player] Has Failed to [Extract] This [Shadow],"}>it rang<~< p>

~>System<{" The [Player] Has One Chance Remaining,"}>it explained<~< p>

  "Damnit..." Winter sighed, gritting his teeth, he looked around in frustration. He noticed the empty throne. "The throne... The owner of that throne is long gone. Stop guarding an empty seat..." He Reached out to Igris. "How about protecting me? Someone who's standing right here?" Winter asks, offering his hand to the corpse. "Arise!" He commanded. The shadow began to consume the corpse. The shadow runs over the red armor, painting it black. With that, an explosion of mana rushed out from Igris's corpse. Igris raised his head, his hand reaching out and grabbing Winter's. With a big smirk, he watched Igris stand, for the first time after death. "Blood red, Commander Igris... No, that's too edgy. Ugh, cringe," Winter shivered. With the new colors, Igris stood with his sword in its sheath, and his cloak on his back. The daggers sat behind him, their hilts facing his right. "I'll just keep it simple, and call you Igris," he decided.

~>System<{" [Alert]! The [Player] Has Successfully [Enhanced] [Shadow]'s Power. [Shadow] Will Start at [Level: 7],"}>it rang<~< p>

~>System<{" [Shadow Soldiers] That Rank Infantry or Higher Can be Named,"}>it explained<~< p>

  "From now on, your name is... Igris," Winter watched the shadows rise off of him like smoke, with ink-black armor, and glowing, aquamarine eyes. The long, red hair-like ornament extending out of the back of his helmet like before, flowing.

~>System<{" [Shadow Soldier: Igris]. [Rank: Infantry],"}>it displayed<~< p>

~>System<{" The [Player] Have Successfully Extracted a Shadow,"}>it rang<~< p>

"I look forward to fighting alongside all of you," Winter smiled.