Fourth Specialization (2)
"What... what the hell is this?"
I staggered awkwardly to my feet. My shadow, gripping a sword. No skin, no face, no hair. A real goddamn shadow. Its feet connected seamlessly to my toes, like a wall shaped exactly like my shadow had sprouted right in front of me. Bizarre. A fucking weird sight. What the shit is this? My own shadow standing there, clutching a sword.
I circled slowly around to the shadow's side. Its head turned to follow me, like it was watching. But this thing was just a shadow. No face, no eyes. Nothing but the sword. Truly fucking bizarre. Circling it, I saw it had a forehead and the back of its head, chest and back—everything a person would have. A 3D shadow. I'd never even heard of shit like this.
Shadow Warrior specialization. Not me becoming a Shadow Warrior, but one that forms a shadow warrior? With that question in mind, I slowly walked around my shadow. It just stared at me, no other reaction. Me staring at it, it turning its faceless head my way—we locked eyes in this eerie standoff.
But... how the fuck do I even use this thing?
Not taking my eyes off it, I slowly turned my head to point at the far side of the rooftop.
...It walks. The shadow starts walking. Faster than I expected? The rooftop was spacious. Widest at the three-story department store level, then tapering up like stacked towers. Big enough to lay down a decent plot of soil—not quite a full farm, but roomy. Roughly twenty-some meters? Maybe thirty? It stopped around there. Standing stock-still.
I swallowed hard.
...Controllable. I thought toward the side, 'Over there.'
...It moves. The shadow's head turns, torso swivels, legs step forward. And it walks straight to the exact spot I was looking at.
...Nice. Come back here. At that thought, the shadow whipped around toward me. It crouches, then zips back in an instant.
"Fuck, you startled me, shit."
It halted precisely one meter away, staring at me. So fast I could barely track it. Like Acceleration kicked in. Curious, I pulled up my status window—no Acceleration uses consumed.
Yeah, makes sense. Skills are mine to use; my shadow shouldn't burn them. This thing's just naturally that quick on recall.
"...Ha."
Right. It moves exactly as I intend. I nodded and extended my hand. The shadow perfectly read my intent, laying the sword in my palm. Then it vanished—like a sandcastle crumbling, like pixels dissolving. I grinned.
"...I like this."
Checked my stat window—no strength drain, no other stats consumed. Summoning it cost nothing. Like the Preservation Gloves always active, the Shadow Gloves' function was passive too. When conditions met, out comes the shadow.
My Shadow Warrior.
...So what're the conditions?
Might as well test more. I picked up my bow. This work too? Extended my hand holding it forward. Nothing. Earlier, it appeared when I dropped the sword. So... I let the bow fall. Thud on the ground.
"...Nope."
Tried the sword again. Dropped it. A faint whoosh of wind. Shwoop! Darkness flooded my vision as the shadow materialized. It snatched the dropped sword and slowly turned to me.
...Awaiting orders? That's the vibe. I laughed.
"...Haha."
I like it. Love it! Shadow Warrior... For now, bows are out. No bows means probably no other ranged weapons. It only reacts to melee. Specifically, melee that leaves my hand.
...Time for more tests. I glanced around the rooftop. The distance I'd sent it earlier—hard to gauge exactly, but under thirty meters. Decent range, but not great. Tough for bow-range sniping from hundreds of meters. So, it's a mid-range fighter centered on me. My guess? We'll see.
I summoned the shadow, took back the sword. It crumbled away with a hiss.
"Good."
Strapped on my lifting belt and headed down from the rooftop. Took the elevator to the fourth floor, then stairs down carefully. Sound matters. Muffled my footsteps as much as possible to the third floor, into the mart warehouse, straight to the office. Only windows here are in the office and bathrooms. Steel pipes jammed into silicone-sealed rings, wood boarded over glass with more silicone reinforcement. Looks like just silicone, but they'd used every adhesive available.
I slowly pulled out the pipe. Gripped the window and nudged it open. It swung. Not too wide—don't want to catch eyes. Perched on the desk to peer through the gap.
...Zombie wave. Fucking massive. Swarming fifteen meters below.
...Perfect height to test the Shadow Warrior's range and power.
I opened my status window, floated it in front of me, and slowly extended the sword out the window.
...Don't get spotted. No sound. Well, growls down there, but no change. I swallowed, eyeing the sword and the window gap.
Two things to test. Shadow Warrior performance.
...And.
"Hoo."
I released the sword.
Auto-cast: Acceleration
Shwoop! Black wind sucked out the gap like a vacuum. The Shadow Warrior clutched the sword, plummeting to the ground—to the zombie wave below!
I gritted my teeth and triggered the skill.
Acceleration.
Acceleration activated. This was my second test. Under Acceleration, everything slows. I speed up, sure. But the Shadow Warrior?
Outside, it landed. And moved. Through the zombie throng. Head up, staring at me. Movements clean, no wasted motion. Neither slowed nor sped—just normal speed.
It moves! Normally! Under Acceleration!
Excitement surged. My Shadow Warrior ignores Acceleration! No—it's synced perfectly with me!
"...Haha."
I laughed silently, just breath. Then commanded: Attack them.
The Shadow Warrior raised its sword high. Blade glinted off a streetlight. Then my shadow whirlwinded outward. Fluid, natural motions—no hesitation—slicing heads, stabbing, carving through human beasts front, back, left, right.
Status window floated before me. Strength dropping fast! From 46 to 40, 33, 25...!
My Shadow Warrior targeted only heads.
...This is it. The power of the strength skill. Residual Image—always hitting weak points!
I hadn't ordered headshots. Just attack. Yet it precisely severed and pierced only heads, erasing them. My Shadow Warrior is wielding Residual Image. Or rather, the Shadow Warrior embodies it. Melee skills made manifest.
That's the Shadow Gloves. And my Dalgarim Gloves!
I watched it whirl in all directions, mowing down zombie clumps. Blood sprayed slow-motion arcs. And I laughed.
"...Haha."
Thrilled. Fucking thrilled. Shadow Warrior and Residual Image. Endless uses. Pair with Hit and Residual Image? It'll diversify my combat insanely.
Fun. So much fun! A bright grin split my face unbidden. By then, strength hit zero. 46 kills already. Shadow halted abruptly.
Recall it? I paused.
...Wait. What happens when Acceleration ends? One sword... might not recover it, but worth testing. Eight Acceleration uses burned, no retreat planned—just pure slaughter for 46 kills.
Anticipation building, I watched below.
...Acceleration ended.
Fwoosh! Blood whipped everywhere. Severed heads flew like graduation caps. Brains splattered. Rumble, crash! 46 human beasts toppled at once, shaking the ground. The Shadow Warrior just stood there.
Then silence.
"...Hoo."
Smile crept back. No reaction. They don't react to my Shadow Warrior! Not a living thing—not human.
I clamped my mouth with my fist, laughing again. Stay quiet. This is insane. Got something huge. Shadow Warrior! That's what it is!
Laughed a bit, then peered out. Commanded: Come back.
Shadow looked up sharp. Crouched. Then bounded up the wall!
Wall-climbing too? Insane the more I see. Distance aside, height's no issue.
I held my hand to the open gap. Shadow thrust its arm up full force. Sword hilt slotted perfectly into my palm. Then it crumbled away.
"...Hoo..."
I exhaled deep, gently closed the window. Jammed the pipe back. Left the office, headed for stairs. Faint smoke wisped from the blade—Shadow Warrior's damage self-repairing.
I shook off the blood. Shwaa! Sheathed it.
Shling—click.
I smiled.
"...Perfect."