The surge of pain was unbearable.
Seed collapsed to the ground, clutching his body as if trying to hold every bone together. It felt like his skeleton was breaking apart—then reforging itself again and again.
The pain reminded him of the nightmare.
His eyes dimly glowed red.
His scream tore through the night.
"Seed?!" Pojay shouted in panic.
He didn't understand what was happening. His brother was on the ground, screaming in agony. Nina's UV light flickered—ten seconds left. His own wasn't much better.
But Seed was different.
Seed had turned off his UV light more than sixty seconds ago.
It was fully charged.
Pojay didn't know that.
He grabbed Nina and rushed toward Seed, planning to escape together.
Slowly, the pain inside Seed began to fade.
But every cell in his body still burned—alive, restless, powerful.
Breathing heavily, Seed reached up and turned off the UV light hanging from his collar.
Relief washed over him.
His body felt light.
Fast.
He stood up effortlessly.
A system screen appeared.
Congratulations
You have evolved into a Night Collar
A Skill Tree has been unlocked
More messages followed.
A Basic Night Creature has been consumed
A Basic Night Creature has been consumed
A Basic Night Creature has been consumed
You have gained 8 Attribute Points
Seed stared at the screen.
"So leveling up gives one point in every stat…"
Good to know.
STATUS
NAME: SEED
RACE: Night Collar
LEVEL: 2
EXP: 0 / 150
HP: 8 / 8 (+7)
STRENGTH: 10 (+1)
DURABILITY: 1 (+1)
STAMINA: 10 / 10 (+1)
AGILITY: 14 (+1)
Another panel opened.
Skill Tree Unlocked
Shadow Tab
Shadow Control – 1 SP
Shadow Manipulation – 1 SP
Shadow Digger – 1 SP
Shadow Dome – 1 SP
Shadow Swap – 1 SP
Shadow Clone – 1 SP
Available Skill Points: 1
Before Seed could decide—
Pojay's UV light went out.
The Night Creatures reacted instantly.
They ignored Seed completely.
Instead, one dropped to all fours and charged at Pojay like a hunting beast.
"POJAY!"
Seed screamed.
Too late.
Pojay shoved Nina aside toward Seed as the creature leapt.
The impact crushed him to the ground.
Pojay pressed his flaming hand against the beast's chest, fire roaring—but the creature didn't move. Hollow eyes stared down at him.
Is this it…?
If I die here, who will protect Seed?
A flash of steel.
The beast's head flew off.
Its body collapsed into shadow.
Pojay froze.
Seed stood beside him, sword dripping with dark blood, a wide grin on his face—like this was all just a game.
A Basic Night Creature has been consumed
Seed extended his hand.
"Get up, brother."
Pojay grabbed it, still shaking.
"Get ready," Seed said excitedly.
"This is where things get fun."
Then—
"Where's Nina?!"
Pojay turned in panic.
Seed pointed calmly.
"She's safe."
Nina lay on the ground, wrapped in shadows.
"You left her to die!" Pojay shouted.
"No," Seed replied. "Look closer."
Pojay did.
The shadows weren't attacking her.
They were protecting her.
Seed raised his hand. Purple-black mist flowed from his palm, spreading over Nina's body and the shadow beneath her feet.
"Shadow Control," Seed muttered.
Skill Unlocked: Shadow Control
Allows the user to raise and control shadows through direct contact
"I figured it out," Seed said quietly.
"The beasts couldn't sense me anymore. My shadow masks my presence."
He knelt beside Nina, keeping his hand extended.
"The condition is touch," he continued. "I need contact to control shadows that aren't mine."
Shadow Aura Active
MC Cost: 1 per minute
MC: 10 / 10
The shadow barrier around Nina thickened.
"My own shadow is easy," Seed thought.
"I can raise it directly from the ground."
A wall of darkness formed beside them.
STATUS UPDATED
NAME: SEED
RACE: Night Collar
ABILITY: Shadow
LEVEL: 2
EXP: 5 / 150
HP: 11 / 11
MC: 10 / 10
STRENGTH: 11
DURABILITY: 2
STAMINA: 10 / 11
AGILITY: 15
Available Attribute Points: 10
A low growl echoed.
One of the remaining beasts stepped forward.
Its shadow twisted—forming two axes.
Seed swallowed.
"That one's smarter…"
The creature dashed toward Pojay, axes raised overhead—
But the attack never landed.
The blades sank into a thick purple-black substance midair.
-2 MC
Seed exhaled slowly.
"That was close."
The beast snarled.
Seed straightened.
"I guess it's my turn to defend."
The shadows around him rose.