The Awakening Of The Shadows
Chapter 39: The Shadow Predator

Chapter 39: The Shadow Predator

The silence that filled the forest was unnatural.

Lian felt a chill run down his spine as he scanned his surroundings. It wasn’t just the absence of sound, it was as if something had ripped all life from the area. Even the monsters that had attacked them minutes ago had vanished, as if they had sensed something even more terrifying approaching.

Royce and Erin were tense as well. Royce’s stance was rigid, his hand gripping his dagger tightly, while Erin glanced around, her magic-infused bow ready to fire at any suspicious movement.

"This isn’t normal," Erin whispered. "Monsters don’t retreat like this. They don’t have this kind of... fear."

Royce frowned. "Something made them flee."

Lian didn’t like the way those words sounded. He had felt this before, a presence that made his skin crawl, as if it triggered an instinctive response to danger.

His eyes scanned the dense vegetation ahead, and then he saw it.

A shadow moved between the trees. Unlike the irrational beasts that came from the portals, this figure was tall, humanoid, but in no way human.

Standing over two meters tall, its body was covered in dark mist, making its silhouette unstable, as if it was constantly dissolving and reforming. Its hands bore elongated claws, and its eyes glowed a deep crimson red.

But it wasn’t its appearance that made Lian instinctively step back.

It was the fact that the creature was watching him.

"You..." The voice that echoed from the being did not come from its mouth, it was as if it emerged from the air itself, carried by a distorted whisper. "The scent of darkness... but you are still weak."

Lian felt a surge of rage rise within him. He tightened his grip around Oblivion’s hilt.

"Who the hell are you?"

Royce and Erin turned to where Lian was shouting, finally noticing the silhouette of the monster.

"Are you stupid, rookie? Monsters don’t talk," Erin snapped.

Lian was confused. He had heard it speak.

"What’s going on? Am I the only one who can hear it?"

he thought, keeping his eyes locked on the creature.

The being laughed. The sound was distorted, filled with something that felt like a mix of amusement and contempt.

"You don’t know yet? How interesting."

"Stop getting lost in your thoughts, rookie," Royce said, stepping forward and raising his dagger. "Whatever this thing is, it won’t matter once it’s dead."

He lunged, moving with the speed of a trained soldier. His blade sliced through the air.

But before it could make contact, the creature dissolved into shadows.

In the blink of an eye, it reappeared beside Royce and, with a casual movement, struck with its claws.

Royce was sent flying into a tree.

"Royce!" Erin shouted, immediately firing multiple arrows with no hesitation.

The magic-infused projectiles shot through the air, striking the monster directly in the chest.

But they had no effect.

The arrows passed right through its body, as if it were made of vapor.

Before Erin could fire again, the creature disappeared and reappeared right behind her.

Lian reacted instinctively. His shadow shot across the ground like a serpent, wrapping around the creature’s arm and forcing it backward.

"Now I’ve got you!"

But instead of struggling, the creature simply looked at him. Its eyes glowed brighter, and Lian felt his connection to the darkness flicker.

For a moment, it was severed.

His shadow unraveled, as if it had been consumed. The monster smiled.

"Interesting... but far too weak."

And then, it attacked.

Lian barely had time to raise Oblivion, blocking the incoming claws. But the impact sent him sliding back several meters. The creature was absurdly strong.

"You want to know who I am, boy?"

it continued, its glowing eyes fixed on him. "I am the answer you fear. The fate that awaits when your darkness consumes you."

Lian didn’t know why those words affected him so deeply.

But he didn’t have time to dwell on it.

The monster attacked again, its claws striking from all directions, forcing Lian to move desperately to avoid being torn apart.

Royce tried to intervene again, but was effortlessly thrown aside. Erin fired more arrows, but none found their mark. Lian knew they were at a disadvantage.

But he couldn’t lose.

"Oblivion!" Lian shouted, channeling his energy to amplify his shadows.

His body became enveloped in a dark aura, and his blade became an extension of his fury.

He swung, a powerful slash that tore through the air. This time, the attack connected.

The blade sliced through the creature’s shoulder, and for the first time, Lian saw a different expression on its face. Not pain.

Satisfaction.

"Now we’re getting somewhere. But it’s still not enough."

The creature raised its hand and for the first time,

Lian felt fear.

He couldn’t react in time.

The black claws pierced his torso, sending him flying backward like a ragdoll.

He crashed against a rock, his body burning with pain.

His vision blurred.

"So this... is what it means to be weak?"

The creature approached slowly, staring at him as if he were a failed experiment.

"You could have been something great. But you are still just a mortal... playing with forces beyond your control. The Master will be pleased."

The monster raised its claws, ready to finish him off. Lian gritted his teeth, his vision hazy. He couldn’t die here. He couldn’t lose.

But before the monster could strike again.

A thunderous explosion erupted.

A massive magical projectile collided with the creature, blasting it backward. The impact shattered the ground, sending dust and debris flying. When the dust settled.

A tall, battle-worn figure emerged, holding a massive firearm still smoking from the shot.

His eyes locked onto the creature, as if he had faced something like this before.

Viktor.

"Good job, kid. You lasted longer than I thought you would."

A small smirk crossed his lips.

Lian, still on the ground, blinked, unsure if he was hallucinating.

The monster rose again, its form unstable, shifting as it reformed from the impact.

But now, its attention was on Viktor.

"Hah... looks like the fun is over for today."

It began to dissipate, its body melting into smoke.

But before it vanished completely, its eyes glowed one last time, locking onto Lian.

"We will meet again, boy. I hope you’re stronger next time."

And then.

It was gone.

Lian tried to stand, but his body refused to move.

The last thing he heard was the heavy footsteps of Viktor approaching.

Before everything went black.