Chapter 25: The Whereabouts of the Precious and the Dangerous Partner 2
2456 Words
The scenario shows a pitch-black colored Crow roaming the sky until he landed above the head of a cheerful little boy riding at the back of a wagon. The boy gave him treats and the Crow squawk loudly in delight. Then, the scene shifted. The Crow now is trying to comfort the same boy as he grieves over losing his loved one due to war. He watched him cry, he listens as he scream curses, and felt his rage as it brew to form a firm conviction.
Moving forward to several years, the Crow now rest above the shoulder of a gallant young soldier. The cheerful little boy had now grown up into a fine man, an admirable warrior who protects the innocent and fights for peace. He was the Hero and Crow was his sidekick, and together they fought and won several wars as brother in arms.
And then…in a fateful day, during one of their combats, the duo was overwhelmed by the power of their enemies. They fought courageously but their power wasn’t just enough to grant them victory. Crow was taken down and in the verge to be struck to his demise. However, his partner shielded him, receiving the blow meant for him.
His partner’s sacrifice then bath Crow with blood, the Blood of a High Human. And at that moment, Crow’s true nature was awakened and the memories of his past life came rushing down in him.
He is the fabled Night King, the Beast who governs the Dark Heavens.
And upon his awakening, Crow devoured and obliterated all of those that are defying them and saved his partner’s life.
Decades had passed. His partner is now a King that Rules Everything Underneath the Heaven. He no longer reaches for Crow’s power nor requires his presence in the battlefield. All he’d ever asked during those final years of his life was to have him at his side, like they always did when they were still children.
And then, the Final Day came. His partner is now being called to Ascend to the High Heavens. And due to his nature as a Creature of Darkness, he cannot follow to where he is heading.
“Shed no tears, my Brother,” his partner, Halcyon said. “I may depart this world but my dreams will live on. One day, someone like me will come and fulfill everything that I didn’t. And I hope that when that day comes, you will stay at his side and cherish him, the way that you’d had with me.”
And then He was gone.
Years, decades, and then centuries had come and go. Crow kept his promise to his friend and stayed at Loki’s side, waiting for the worthy Successor that the Knight had vowed to search.
However, a hundred years ago, Crow’s current lifetime had ended. He lost his body and his consciousness faded into a state of deep slumber. His Soul split into fragments and was scattered all over the Forest of Illusion.
Powerless to do a thing, Crow placed everything back to fate, hoping that the unseen force will create another means to bring him back like it always does in his previous lives. He wanted to be reborn, to start anew, and be there to welcome the second coming of his cherished friend.
◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆◇
Ting!
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QUEST COMPLETED: THE NIGHT KING’S REVIVAL
Now that you had arrived, Successor of the God King, the King of the Dark Heaven, Shadow Crow had found a new purpose to ascend the sky of the earthly realm once again.
Fame has risen by 1,200 points (+1,200FAME)
Your Level has risen
Your Level has risen
Your Level has risen
Your Level has risen
Your Level has risen
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And after the announcement of the quest’s completion, the surroundings slowly lighten up with the darkness that was scattered by the fusion of the fragments now gathers back to his open palms.
The assembled darkness then formed into an egg and began to c***k.
“Caw! Caw!” A cute baby crow with fluffy feathers broke free from the shell. His wide round eyes stared at Grimm as he squawked merrily, greeting him.
“It’s nice to meet you too, little guy,” Grimm smiled, petting the top of the baby Shadow Crow’s head. “Welcome back.”
“Caw, caw.”
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Please give the baby Shadow Crow a Name.
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“A name?” ‘What will be a good name for you?’ Grimm mused and then decided, “How about Specter? Are you cool with that?”
“Caw,” he cheerfully replied.
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The baby Shadow Crow accepted the Name you’ve given.
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Ding!
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Specter
After successfully uniting his scattered Soul and his Darkness, the Shadow Crow now began a new life.
The Shadow Crows are a notoriously strong breed of beast that had been governing the realm of the night since the beginning of time. They are incredibly fast fliers, capable of flapping their wings with great strength and speed and can ride the air currents with absolute swiftness and precision, moving so fast that even the sharpest of human eyes could not be able to keep track. Legends even said that the fastest Shadow Crow in existence had even breaks the speed of light.
However, their most notable aspect is their parasitic nature that enables them to merge their Essence to the Soul of their Master, as well as their ability to devour the souls of other living beings. This specific ability of their infamous race is what truly makes the Shadow Crow overwhelmingly fearsome.
Level: 1
Race: Shadow Crow
Maturity Level 1 (0.00%)
Attribute: Pure Darkness
Personality: Loyal and Highly Affectionate
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Afterwards, Specter’s eyes glow, sending a stinging sensation on Grimm’s chest.
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Specter is initiating [Soul Fusion]
Do you accept?
[YES] [NO]
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“Yes.” Of course, Grimm accepted. Not just because he’s lusting after the power that he might bestow. But also, there’s no way that he’ll resist this adorable little creature.
Upon the confirmation, Specter’s body morphed into that of a black gem and melted into Grimm’s left hand. Removing his gauntlet, he watched as the melted gem wound around his body, completely dyeing his whole arm and half of his shoulder black.
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Soul Fusion has been Completed
Specter had merged his Essence to your Soul.
As a result, you had learned Shadowclad and Soul Eater.
Specter’s Maturity Level and STATS has risen
STR, DEX, and AGI has risen by (+25)
VIT and INT has risen by (+15)
LUK has risen by (+5)
Health and Mana has risen by (+200)
From now on, 10% of all EXP gained will be allocated to Specter.
Soul Synchronization had been added to Specter’s Stat Window.
Soul Synchronization enables you, Specter’s Master to identify your degree of harmonization with the Shadow Crow.
Current Synchronization Percentage: 2%
The higher the Synchronization, the greater power both of you can extract from each other.
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New Skill Acquired
Shadowclad [Active: Beginner (0.00%)]
The power of the darkness which enables you to perform the ultimate deception.
Shadowclad is an ancient and forgotten ability which allows its user to morph his own image into the form of another being.
Effects and Restrictions:
1. Enables you to transform into the physical appearance of a user and NPC.
2. Must engage physical contact to the person you wish to imitate and recite the word “Copy.”
3. Changes in physical and outfit appearance only. Levels, Stats, Skills, and Gears remain the same.
4. Shadowclad also enables you to change you own attire and slightly modify your original appearance, a perfect option if you simply desires to lay low instead of disguising.
Alternative effect through Pandora’s Grimoire: Instead of physical contact and narration of the word “Copy.” All of the Outlanders and Avelonians registered inside the Pandora’s Grimoire are viable to be imitated.
Cost: 500 Mana
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New Skill Acquired
Soul Eater [Active: Beginner Level 1 (0.00%)]
Specter is still a baby. Therefore, he shared this ability of his to you so that you can assist him in finding his food.
Using your Pure Darkness Clad Left Hand, you can devour the souls of all living beings.
Restrictions:
1. The Health of the target must be 5% or less of your Maximum Health.
2. Consumption success is not guaranteed, some targets especially Special and Boss monsters might enact resistance.
3. Monsters and NPCs only. The Immortal Souls of the Users are immune to the devouring effect of the Soul Eater…for now.
Mana Cost: Zero
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Specter then resurfaced from his palm in a form of a black chick again. “Caw, caw!”
“Thanks buddy,” Grimm said to the little chick as he strokes his neck and beak. “These things will surely come in handy.”
Actually it’s more than just handy. Grimm had been having thoughts about it since he exited Loki’s Spirit Realm. His appearance due to the Mythical Detective’s Persona is cool, badass, and all especially that it bears a lot of resemblance to one of his most favorite fictional character. However, he found it to be too intimidating, flashy, and eye-catching. With this kind of presence and appearance, anyone can notice him even from miles away which is not a good thing if he desires to blend in and to lay low.
But now, with the power of the Shadowclad that Specter gave to him, he now has the option to alter his outfit and appearance in order to conceal this flamboyant form.
Grimm then placed Specter above his head, reequipped his gauntlet, and readied himself to activate the Shadowclad. However, before he could proceed further, another stinging sensation had surfaces from within his chest.
Ding!
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Specter has devoured the Essence of the Sacred Light.
Due to their conflicting natures, the Beast of Darkness, Specter and the Illuminating Power of the Sacred Light could never coexist. Therefore, they are compelled to fight one another for supremacy where the victor will prevail and defeated will be devoured.
Specter Won.
Now, the Illuminating Power of the Sacred Light will be no more.
However, the Sacred Light has a very firm foundation that even the devouring darkness of the Shadow Crow cannot erase. So instead of devouring it to destruction, the Sacred Light is being distorted into a new existence by the Pure Darkness of Specter.
[Conversion Progress: 1%]
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“Oh? What’s this?”
Grimm read the information window with an intrigued expression. Due to the several inflows of new functions into his Game Avatar, he had overlooked some details regarding his abilities specifically the potential discrepancy between the nature of the Sacred Light and the nature of Specter.
Grimm failed to consider that those two are Light and Darkness, two opposing forces that are by default, programmed to subdue the other. So of course, conflict is guaranteed if they are retained in a same place.
Well, though it’s regrettable that the Sacred Light is gone, the end result it didn’t turn out into something which is completely disastrous. So there’s no point worrying about it. Who knows, it might result into something more interesting once the conversion is completed.
‘Alright, I hope there wouldn’t be any more surprises.’ Not that he’s complaining, growth is not something to be complained about but he really, really needs to get started now.
“Now then, Shadowclad!”
When the skill was activated, black slimes emerged from Grimm’s left hand which swiftly crept all over his body, covering him.
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Shadowclad has been Activated!
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And then, an Avatar Setup Window similar to the one presented to him when he first connected to the game appeared, except that this time, the bottom part has new section where the pictures of Basche, Loki, and other users and NPCs that he’d identified through the Eyes of Knowing could now be found.
Grimm then formed an image in his head as he modifies his image in the setup window. He imagined his former appearance before he becomes the Mythical Detective. And then, he designed the attire that he desires. He want something simple but presentable, and most of all comfortable. After deliberating, he decided to have a pair of dark green cargo pants tucked inside a pair of black boots, and a slightly loose white shirt underneath a tan jacket.
When the arrangement was completed, Grimm answered ‘Yes’ to the Game System’s usual ‘Are you sure?’ question before the black slime altered his appearance. When the transformation ended, lists of reminders were then presented before Grimm.
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Due to the changes you’ve conducted on your body some skills and abilities related to your Race and Profession were Sealed.
*Mythical Detective’s Persona has been sealed.
*Soul Devourer Blades and Field Perception has been sealed.
*The Deathbringers were sealed and unequipped.
*Your Race changed from High Human to Human. Except for the unrestricted items and gears usage, everything else related to being a High Human were sealed. All Stats decreased by 20%.
*All the Sealed Gears and Weapons will be automatically reequipped once the Transformation is released. If ever you’re using a new set, that set will be unequipped to give way to your Original Equipment.
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Closing the window, Grimm checked his appearance and nodded in satisfaction. Aside from his still pitch black left arm which is unchangeable due to that it’s the the source of the Shadowclad’s power, his hair, his eyes, and his attire had reverted back to its former appearance when he wasn’t yet the Mythical Detective. And though he had lost several of his abilities due to the Transformation, it’s a small price to pay if in exchange he can move more freely.
He then used Shadowclad again to create bandages in which he wrapped around his left arm to conceal its dark color. And once he was done, he rubbed Specter’s head who is now resting comfortably against his hair.
“You ready to go now, buddy?”
“Caw, caw,” the little crow chirpily replied.
Grimm smiled before looking seriously to the distant land below the mountaintop where he stood.
From his Spirit Realm, Loki had dropped him off above the tallest mountain within the border that intersects between the Kingdoms of Komina, Liones, and Reyner with his destination being Reyner, the Kingdom where the City of Varkas is located.
“This is going to be a long trip.”
Grimm said as he jumped off the cliff, heading towards his next adventures.
[END OF THE FOREST OF ILLUSION ARC]
- Writer
