The monster moved.
Fast.
Too fast.
Before anyone could react, it slammed its massive arm into the ground—
BOOM!
The impact shattered the floor, sending debris flying in every direction.
"Arghhh!!"
Two hunters were thrown back like ragdolls.
"Hold formation!!" the leader shouted.
Spells were cast. Blades struck.
But nothing worked.
The creature was overwhelming.
Stronger. Faster. Relentless.
---
Then—
Its glowing red eyes locked onto one person.
Yassin.
---
"…Why me?"
His breath hitched.
His body refused to move.
Fear gripped him like chains.
"MOVE!!" someone screamed.
But his legs wouldn't listen.
---
The monster lunged.
Claws slicing through the air.
Death was inches away.
---
And then—
A voice.
Cold. Absolute.
---
Mission: Survive
Hint: Kill the target
---
Kill…?
Him?
This monster?
"…You've got to be kidding me."
---
The claws came down—
And at the last second—
Yassin moved.
---
He threw himself sideways.
CRASH!
The ground exploded where he had stood.
---
He rolled.
Coughed.
Struggled to breathe.
But he was alive.
---
"I'm not dying here…"
---
Suddenly—
Something changed.
---
Skill Unlocked: Shadow Step (Level 1)
---
The world slowed.
Everything became sharper.
Clearer.
The shadows around him began to move.
Twisting.
Stretching.
Listening.
---
"What… is this?"
---
The monster attacked again.
But this time—
Yassin reacted.
---
He stepped forward—
And vanished.
---
For a split second…
He wasn't there.
---
Then—
He reappeared behind the monster.
---
"What?!"
"Did you see that?!"
"That's impossible!"
---
The hunters froze.
Shock filled their faces.
---
Yassin's hand found a broken dagger on the ground.
His grip tightened.
His heart pounded.
But his eyes…
Were calm.
Cold.
Focused.
---
"Kill… or die, right?"
---
The monster turned—
Too late.
---
Yassin moved.
Fast.
Precise.
---
STAB!
---
The blade sank deep into the creature's neck.
Dark blood spilled.
The monster roared—
A terrifying, dying scream.
---
Then—
It collapsed.
---
Silence.
Heavy.
Unbelievable silence.
---
"You have killed your first target."
Reward granted.
New ability unlocked: Shadow Extraction
---
Yassin stood still.
Breathing hard.
"…I did it?"
---
The voice returned.
---
Do you wish to extract shadow?
---
He looked at the corpse.
Then… smiled.
---
"…Yes."
---
Darkness spread from beneath his feet.
The monster's shadow trembled.
Distorted.
Pulled upward like something being dragged out of reality.
---
"What the hell is he doing?!"
"Is that… a skill?!"
---
The shadow rose.
Slowly.
Twisting.
Taking shape.
---
And then—
A figure stood.
Same size.
Same form.
But made of pure darkness.
Eyes glowing faint purple.
---
Shadow Soldier acquired
---
Yassin stared at it.
His first.
His power.
---
"…Stand."
---
The shadow obeyed.
Without hesitation.
Without question.
---
And in that moment—
Everything changed.
---
End of Chapter 2