Congratulations! Your skill has advanced.

Shadow Weapon (Rare) has become Shadow Creation (Epic).

Shadow Creation (Epic)

You have embraced the shadows and imposed your will upon them, gaining control. Your shadows are shaped by your mind as if clay.

The durability of the shadows is determined by the relevant attributes.

This skill is limited by your ability to control your mana.

Others can use the objects you create.

Created shadow objects can exist on their own until the mana in them runs out.

Mimicking existing objects can allow the shadows to copy some of the traits of the original, but only if a certain level of resemblance is reached.

It was not [Monochrome Armor] that had advanced, surprisingly. This was good news too and Alan could see many applications of the new skill. However, he grew worried the more he read the description. [Shadow Weapon] had implicitly stated that he could continue to use [Shadow Slash], however, the new skill didn’t. It was currently his bread and butter and his only mid-range skill.

He didn’t count [Mana Zap] for obvious reasons.

It also didn’t mention the transference of enchantments. That was another big point.

Alan quickly took out his flaming dagger and activated the enchantment, ignoring the cost. This was too important.

Flames started licking the blade. Then shadows spread over it, turning it into a much longer dagger that was bordering on being a weird sword. The process was much faster and smoother and Alan even managed to give it some flair in terms of the details of the guard and the etching on the blade.

It was a bigger, more sinister version of the original. It was made of shadows that became as hard as steel, despite looking more intangible than ever.

He waited for a moment, then heaved a sigh of relief as the flames of the original covered the new shadow dagger. He could feel the heat of the flames and watched as the shadows consumed them too, creating a burning coating of darkness upon the blade. That was good.

Next, he swung the dagger and poured mana into it as he’d done so many times before. A shadow blade shot out slashing into the wall ahead, leaving a thin hole before continuing a bit further than before.

Can I increase my range by making the slashes more solid?

There was rumbling as the stone wall that had suffered in his experiment started collapsing. His eyes grew wide and he threw himself out of the window. He didn’t stop until he was on the ruins on the opposite side. Half of the small structure he had occupied moments before collapsed on itself.

Alan listened intently for any movements and looked around. The sounds of battle had grown further quite fast, considering that he’d only stopped to read his notifications and test a few things.

I certainly don’t want to get lost.

He rushed towards the fighting, deciding to find another moment of peace to put his attributes in place. If things worked similarly to before, then he could also test the new capabilities of the skill in combat.

A perfect testing dummy appeared before him soon after. A shifter that was half buried in the rubble. Alan appeared close to it and watched its weird wooden limbs digging into the stone blocks until it was satisfied, before attaching them to itself. It slowly covered itself with the improvised shell, and then turned into the spider form Alan had seen the first time.

The charged slash of shadows rammed into its still-exposed head and cleaved its open maw full of crystals apart. The blade remained lodged into the weird trunk of the shifter. The shadows licked at the shifter and its wooden flesh started splintering at the touch of Alan’s will. It cracked and broke like dry wood would under a force stronger than itself.

You have slain: Corrupted Treant Shifter (63)

The message came and went and Alan frowned. Not a single level. It was to be expected, but he’d gotten used to the leveling speed in this place. He understood why fractals were popular, especially if there were higher-tiered ones that offered the same speed. It would be like a cheat code if it was so.

He weaved through the buildings and ruins and caught up to the bulk of the melee. After seeing Zirida meditating in the center, he ran to her and sat down without a word. It felt like being in the eye of the storm. There were quite a few others taking rest nearby, probably having exhausted themselves or their skills.

Zirida broke the silence first as her eyes opened, “I cannot sense anything out of the ordinary. My sister isn’t here.”

Alan shrugged, “Maybe something’s interfering? I don’t know how your skills or connection works, but back on Earth, such things happened. I’d only imagine there are many more ways to disrupt such skills now.”

Zirida nodded, “True. How are you holding up?”

“Great. I’ve leveled a bunch and advanced skills, and I plan on putting in my attribute points now. I have quite a few.”

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“I’ll make sure no one bothers you,” she said and nodded her head toward a nearby group. Alan looked toward them and was greeted by a wide smile filled with yellowed teeth. The bone bastard was there, cradling a weird humanoid skull and grinning widely. “He creeps even me out.”

“Tell me about it. I wanted to speak with a fellow [Warlock] but honestly, it was a mistake.”

“Well, you can always kill him.”

Alan looked at the [Red Cleric]. She wasn’t joking.

Is it that simple? Killing a guy because he’s creepy? No, I can’t fall into that mindset.

He was certainly alright with murder now and even anticipated it. Whether it was fueled by Florence-related trauma or he had always been capable of it was a different thing. He was planning on quite a bit of a show when he finally managed to reach the Sanctuary. The days spent in the fractal were doing little to nothing to change his decision from back then.

However, killing a person simply because they were creepy was simply too much. Maybe?

Am I a hypocrite?

In his mind, he was justifying one type of murder while condemning another as bad, yet he freely associated with Kalyntha who had shown clearly that she held no scruples when it came to cold murder. He didn’t judge her or like her less, despite the things he had witnessed.

He rubbed the bridge of his nose and turned his attention to the free attribute points he’d managed to acquire in such a short time. If there was doubt before that he would be a force of nature back in the Sanctuary, it was gone now. Such speed would simply not be possible on Earth. Specifically, because he received a lot of quite frankly undeserved support since coming here.

Alan had gone from level 55 to level 71 in hours. That was 16 levels, or 16 points each to Mind, Will, and Magic. Then, he had 48 free points left over to divvy up as he saw fit, ignoring the three he kept in reserve.

Mind was the attribute that was lagging behind the rest the most, although it had finally reached 200 as well. The base was 177, and it received a flat +5 and a 10% bonus applied to the base from his title [Madcap].

However, it was also the attribute that was responsible for the bonus speed acquired by [Monochrome Armor]. Something he hadn’t focused on until now. With a large speed and his increased range, he could turn into a fast-moving mage that went into melee only when it was safer.

He was unsure what his new ritual skill would precisely do to him, but the current strategy of keeping the bases of Mind and Will was working well. Magic was doing great too, because of his newly enchanted skeleton, sitting at a comfortable 247.

With a thought 24 points went into Mind and 24 into Will. Bringing the base up to 201. A nice number before applying any bonuses. He felt the rush of strength and clarity of mind at the change. Larger boosts always felt best.

Next time I’ll focus more on Mind unless I figure out a way to grab another percentage bonus. They’re starting to weigh quite a lot.

INFORMATION:

Name:

Alan Morgan

Race:

Human

Class:

Warlock

Level:

71

Insight:

Flow;

Titles:

First Pathfinder; Madcap; Slayer; Friend of the Spirit World; Enlightened, Mercenary(F)

ATTRIBUTES:

3

Strength

80 (OBOM + 60.1) +5 [15 base

Dexterity

80 (OBOM + 60.1) + 5 [15 base

Vitality

5

Will

261 (+60.3 from %) [201 base

Mind

221 (+5) (+20.1 from %) [201 base

Magic

247 (R: EB +115) [132 base

TRAITS:

One Mind, One Body; Limited Vitality; Tongues of the Four Corners; Broken One’s Will; Shadow Mind; Oathbound

SKILLS:

Warlock’s Body Mastery; Synaptic Failure; Shadow Creation; Ritual: Enchanted Bones; Ritual: Infused Flesh; Mortal Peril; Monochrome Armor; Curse: Stolen Life; Mana Zap; Sacrificial Attack; Last Glimpse

BODY ENHANCEMENTS:

Shadow Space; Enchanted Skeleton; Rune: Myriad Tongues;

The physical bonus from [One Body, One Mind] always made him feel happy. It was like seeing the results of intense training without ever actually going to the gym. The larger it was the better his body felt.

“You’re changing fast,” Zirida noted from next to him as he finally opened his eyes. “It’s to be expected considering your low level when you came, but it’s fascinating to observe too.”

“Yeah, it feels great for me too. I’ve quite a few things to figure out, but I’m seeing a light at the end of the tunnel.”

“There are no shadows without light. And no light, without the darkness.”

Alan turned rapidly to the side. The whisper was clear as the ringing of bells echoed everywhere. He swore he could feel breath on his ear as the words chased everything else away.

“Did you hear that?” he asked.

Zirida hesitated, “There’s quite a lot going on around with the battle. What do you mean exactly?”

“No never mind. Must’ve been my imagination,” he said after a moment.

This was not the voice of the man from his vision. It had echoed clearly, etched into his mind, still echoing.

I hope this is the precursor of an (epic) skill advancement, otherwise, I’m going insane. Again. Won’t be the first time really, but it’s quite a bit scarier when we’re dealing with magic.

Alan stood up.

“I’ll rejoin the fight. I’m enjoying it quite a bit. Unless you need me to guard you while you try to sense whatever it is we’re searching for?”

Zirida shook her head, and a small smile played on her lips. “I’ll be alright. Go wild.”

Alan returned the smile and shot forward, testing his new limits. He felt like a human-shaped bullet flying through the air. All he had to do was touch the ground with his toes to send himself shooting forward.

Soon he reached the front line. Kalyntha was still there, ripping dolls apart and giggling through the whole process. There were quite a few others who tried to keep up with her.

Alan noticed a large man, a truly large man. Emerson was large for a human, but that man was large for two humans in a trenchcoat. His armor made him look like a tank, and the jagged sword he waved around sent wood chips and shattered parasite flesh flying with each swing. The giant was sending shy looks toward Kalyntha, while the giant woman Kalyntha had threatened earlier was further behind, sending angry looks toward the man.

I don’t want any part in this bullshit. Kaly will fucking murder everyone.

Alan put some distance between everyone that looked too scary, nothing where Bonez was too, and found himself at the edge of the right flank. He climbed the tallest ruin, finding himself jumping higher than ever before in the process, and looked around.

Far up ahead he saw a strange sight. The buildings in the distance were nothing more than polished stones, as if the void had taken bites of them leaving them smooth as mirrors. There was a large chasm surrounding a particularly even piece that looked almost like a nest, of sorts. Was it where the dragon spent its time?

I should get there first, and try to snag a few scales if there are any.

The horde of monsters was coming from the strange chasm. Its existence was illogical too, considering that the remains of the temple were simply floating next to the fractal. Where were they coming from?

[First Pathfinder] had been tingling, but it had done so the whole time since stepping into the temple, so Alan ignored it once again. Now though, it became much stronger.

A portal opened just next to the chasm. A door in reality. Then, tens of wolf-like abominations made of ancient-looking dark wood poured out and rushed toward them.

Alan’s eyes widened and he licked his lips. How many levels would the ugly puppies give him?