Icy Tundra

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(A/N: Is that a Power Stone I'm sensing? You should leave it here for safekeeping. Don't worry, I'll take good care of it.)

Word Count: 2158

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As Reiji's commanding voice reverberated through the blood-stained air, a profound silence fell upon the battlefield. The fallen Claw Bear, its once-mighty form marred by wounds and destruction, lay motionless amidst the scene of carnage.

In that fleeting moment, the atmosphere grew heavy with anticipation. The air crackled with arcane energy, like a gathering storm on the horizon. Shadows, thick and all-encompassing, slithered and coiled around the bear's lifeless body, embracing it with an ethereal touch.

The very essence of darkness seemed to respond to Reiji's command, lending its power to the transformation about to unfold. A surge of pulsating darkness coursed through the creature's veins, breathing new life into its battered form.

The once-hulking bear began to change, undergoing a metamorphosis that defied the boundaries of nature. Its massive physique retained its imposing strength, but now it bore the unmistakable mark of the shadows.

The elongated forelimbs, reminiscent of a bear's strength, crackled with supernatural power. Digits, once ordinary in size, stretched into elongated appendages, each adorned with razor-sharp claws that measured over thirty centimeters in length.

Gleaming obsidian talons glinted with a malevolent shimmer, yearning to rend flesh and bone with unmatched precision. A strange luminescence, like a whispered secret from the void, emanated from the creature's transformed fur.

The once-muted coat now shimmered with an iridescent obsidian sheen, as if it were a living embodiment of the night sky itself. Ethereal hues of amethyst danced along its surface, casting a mesmerizing glow that pulsed with an otherworldly radiance.

The bear's eyes, once filled with untamed ferocity, blazed with a penetrating amethyst light. The vibrant radiance, a reflection of the mystical forces that surged through its being, seemed to pierce the very fabric of reality.

They held wisdom beyond the mundane, a deep connection to the secrets of the shadows. With a grace that defied its monstrous nature, the formidable Claw Bear, reborn as a Shadow Soldier, bowed before Reiji. Its towering figure knelt, a gesture denoting unwavering loyalty and utmost reverence.

[Normal Grade: Claw Bear; Lv: 3]

A wide grin of satisfaction spread across Reiji's face, and he released a sigh of relief that echoed through the eerie silence. "It would have been truly embarrassing if this skill had failed," he admitted to himself, his voice laced with a mix of amusement and self-assurance.

"Shadow Extraction." It was a skill that Reiji had acquired during his recent level-up, a result of fusing his proficiency in Necromancy with his mastery of Shadow Manipulation.

This newly developed skill allowed Reiji to summon what he referred to as Shadow Soldiers, entities crafted from the merging of darkness and death. Yet, like any skill, it had its share of strengths and weaknesses, owing to its intricate and distinctive nature.

The power of Shadow Extraction bestowed upon Reiji the ability to resurrect deceased beings as formidable shadow soldiers. Activation of this skill required the utterance of a specific keyword and remarkably, it did not consume any mana, allowing for its usage without restraint.

Moreover, the range of its application was expansive, permitting the extraction of numerous shadows simultaneously, thereby enabling the formation of a substantial shadow army under the user's command.

However, alongside its impressive capabilities, Shadow Extraction possessed a set of inherent weaknesses. Foremost, it relied on the extraction of mana to construct a shadow body, rendering it ineffective on targets who did not emanate mana during their living state, such as ordinary humans.

Furthermore, mana gradually dissipated from the target's remains over time, imposing a limited window of opportunity for successful extraction after their demise.

Additionally, the effectiveness of Shadow Extraction was restricted when employed against adversaries significantly more powerful than the user.

The skill's potency waned in the face of overwhelming strength, making it challenging to extract shadows from such formidable individuals.

Lastly, the number of times Shadow Extraction could be utilized on a single target was limited to three.

Once this quota had been exhausted, the user's capacity to extract shadows from that particular source would be permanently depleted, emphasizing the importance of strategic planning and selective utilization.

Reiji's gaze shifted toward the pack of Twin-Tailed Wolves that had been patiently observing the previous events. The air thickened once again as his commanding voice echoed through the battlefield.

"Arise."

As if responding to an unseen command, the shadows enshrouding the lifeless wolf corpses stirred with newfound vigor. In a mesmerizing display, the once motionless bodies of the wolves began to convulse, their forms engulfed by the encroaching darkness.

From within the depths of the shadows, figures emerged, bearing an eerie resemblance to the fallen wolves. Their fur, once vibrant and untamed, now possessed an ethereal shade of midnight, a haunting reflection of the abyssal depths.

The twin tails, once symbols of their former lives, now writhed with otherworldly grace, their movements akin to serpents dancing in the darkness.

Eyes, brimming with an otherworldly glow, peered out from beneath the shadowed visages, gleaming with an untamed hunger for battle.

[Normal Grade: Twin-Tailed Wolves; Lv: 1-2]

The newly manifested Twin-Tailed Wolf Shadow Soldiers stood in perfect formation, their bodies exuding an aura of unyielding loyalty. With a unified motion, they bowed their heads in acknowledgment of their new master, Reiji.

At the forefront, the Claw Bear and the Twin-Tailed Wolf with the distinctive scar on its face knelt before Reiji, displaying their unwavering loyalty towards him. Reiji's gaze swept over his total of eight shadow soldiers, and a grin of anticipation formed on his face.

"Take good care of me," he uttered with a mix of excitement and confidence. One by one, the shadow soldiers obediently merged with Reiji's own shadow, their forms dissipating into wisps of darkness. As each shadow disappeared, Reiji could feel their presence merging with his own.

"What a convenient skill to have. Walking around with an army of shadow soldiers would bring too much attention to me if I hadn't had this ability," Reiji muttered in relief.

In addition to the acquired skill of {Shadow Extraction}, Reiji had unlocked another ability called {Save Shadow}. The name itself hinted at its purpose, but a more detailed explanation was necessary.

Through this skill, Reiji had the power to store specific shadows within his own, allowing him to summon and reabsorb them at will. However, this skill had its limitations.

With his business on this level of the Labyrinth concluded, Reiji made his way back to his burrow, gathering his belongings and arranging them neatly in a makeshift rucksack fashioned from the fur of the Twin-Tailed Wolves and string made from his clothing.

Ensuring the safety of the precious Divinity Stone nestled in his luggage, he hastened towards the exit he had discovered amidst the remnants of his battle with the Claw Bear.

***

Reiji stood at the entrance of the staircase, eyeing the path that lay ahead. Unlike the previous levels of the Labyrinth, this staircase resembled more of a bumpy slope than a proper staircase.

It lacked the comforting green glowstone lighting, shrouding the descent in darkness and creating an ominous atmosphere.

Undeterred by the foreboding darkness, Reiji wore a fearless grin, scoffing at the idea of being intimidated by mere shadows. This was his domain, his playground, and he had no intention of backing down.

With confident determination, he boldly stepped into the darkness, unfazed by the unknown that awaited him. As Reiji descended, the darkness closed in, enveloping him in its impenetrable veil.

On previous floors, soft glow stones had provided a faint but comforting illumination. However, Reiji was an exception to the rule. His innate power over darkness granted him natural night vision, allowing him to navigate the pitch-black surroundings with ease.

Soon, he spotted a glint in the darkness, deep within the passageway. His senses heightened, and he remained cautious.

Moving cautiously, Reiji sensed an unsettling presence approaching from his left side. Reacting swiftly, he leaped to the side, narrowly evading the danger that lurked. Extending his left hand towards the source of the ominous feeling, he uttered a single word, "Thunderbolt."

Crackling electricity surged within Reiji's hand, illuminating the surrounding darkness with a dazzling radiance. In that brilliant flash, a massive two-meter-long gray lizard came into view, its scales glistening under the sudden burst of light.

Its piercing golden eyes locked onto Reiji, challenging him silently. Without hesitation, Reiji unleashed the thunderous force of the lightning bolt, directing its power toward the formidable lizard.

Unexpectedly, the creature's eyes flashed with blinding brilliance, accompanied by a sharp cracking sound. Reiji's hand began to undergo a petrification process, transforming into solid stone.

Reacting promptly, he swiftly consumed Ambrosia from his container, hoping for a positive outcome. As anticipated, the petrification halted its progress, gradually reversing its effects down his left arm.

The thunderbolt struck the Basilisk with unrelenting force, creating a devastating explosion that tore through its torso. The impact was gruesome, leaving a gaping, charred cavity in its wake.

Blood and entrails splattered in all directions, mingling with the acrid scent of burnt flesh. The Basilisk, roaring in agony, lost its grip on the wall and plummeted to the ground below, lifeless.

Satisfied that the Basilisk posed no further threat, Reiji swiftly dissected its carcass, salvaging what he could before continuing his search. As he encountered and vanquished more adversaries, he eventually found the stairs leading to the next floor. Without hesitation, he descended further into the depths.

To his dismay, the new floor resembled a massive swamp, with the ground being a sticky tar-like substance. Each step proved arduous as his legs sank into the mire, impeding his movement.

Frowning at the difficulty, Reiji sought higher ground, clambering up a jutting boulder. From there, he activated his Aerodynamic ability, propelling himself through the air to navigate the treacherous terrain.

Pressing forward, Reiji remained vigilant, meticulously observing his surroundings. The bubbling tar beneath his feet caught his attention, prompting him to make a swift decision.

He realized the inherent danger of employing fire or thunder-based attacks in this environment, as they would trigger an explosive reaction, negating the healing properties of Ambrosia.

"It doesn't matter if I can't utilize fire or thunder. The power of ice, shadows, darkness, and my loyal soldiers will suffice. Even my close combat skills are more than enough. All that matters is victory," Reiji muttered to himself, resolute as he pressed onward.

Eventually, he reached a fork in the path, marking the wall before proceeding down the left-hand route. However, before he could move forward, a monstrous shark-like creature emerged from the tar, its mouth lined with countless rows of razor-sharp teeth. With lightning speed, it lunged toward Reiji, aiming for a devastating bite.

Reacting swiftly, Reiji skillfully evaded the imminent danger, executing a nimble cartwheel to create distance. Spear firmly grasped he poised himself for the inevitable clash, his gaze locked on the creature, waiting for its reappearance.

"I couldn't detect it, despite constantly employing {Sense Presence}," Reiji mused, frustration evident in his voice. "Seems like this one possesses an ability to conceal its presence, something I neither require nor desire."

Planting the butt of his spear firmly on the ground, Reiji closed his eyes and invoked the power of ice. An icy aura swiftly enveloped him, spreading to the surrounding area.

Just as the monstrous creature spotted an opening in Reiji's stance and lunged, its jaws wide open, it abruptly found itself frozen in place. As Reiji uttered the words "Icy Tundra," a frigid transformation swept across the surroundings.

The once murky and sticky tar floor became coated in a layer of frost, and small snowflakes descended gently from the ceiling, adding an ethereal touch to the scene. However, the intense heat from the bubbling tar proved too much for the ice to withstand.

Steam rose as the ice over the seething tar began to boil, creating an eerie combination of freezing cold and scalding heat. With each step, Reiji's feet crunched against the icy ground, the sound echoing in the frozen chamber. He approached the Tar Shark, its frozen form looming before him.

Retrieving his container of Ambrosia, he took a gulp, rejuvenating his mana. Releasing a contented sigh, Reiji clanked the ice encasing the Tar Shark, causing it to fracture into multiple jagged pieces. He carefully stowed the remaining meat into his bag before continuing his search.

Reiji's conquest of the Labyrinth pressed on.

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Author Words:

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