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With key scenes, character artwork, and even the shadow creatures Ethan has been summoning!
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Darkness spread across the lifeless body of the Ice Guardian, swallowing every fragment of ice and flesh until, at last, the three heads rose again—now cloaked in deep black, their eyes blazing with an icy blue glow.
[Shadow successfully extracted.]
[Special Summon Acquired: Cerberus, the Ice Guardian]
The ground shook as the newly reborn creature bowed before him. Ethan couldn't help but feel the weight of victory: he now had at his side one of the most powerful monsters he had ever faced.
But the System wasn't finished yet. A flash of blue light shone before him, revealing one of the ethereal chests suspended in the air. The chain snapped with a sharp crack, and the box burst open with a metallic roar.
Thoughtful, he stored one of the chests in his inventory, deciding to have a little patience, and then opened the second.
The surprise was a good one.
[Item Acquired — Devil Arm: Beowulf]
Category: S+
Type: Power Gauntlets
Attack: +500
Strength: +100
Agility: +100
Ability: Greatly enhances the user's Strength and Agility.
Allows impact strikes capable of generating shockwaves at a distance.
The light faded, and in Ethan's hands appeared the gauntlets and greaves of black steel, etched with glowing white lines that pulsed like molten veins.
As he equipped them, a surge of energy rushed through his body. His heart thundered, blood boiled in his veins, and his muscles vibrated like taut strings. It was as if his very flesh had been reforged.
He clenched his fist. The simple act made the air tremble, the dry sound echoing like a muffled thunderclap.
"Hmph… interesting."
His gaze fell upon one of the ice blocks left behind from the battle. It was massive, the size of a van, cracks running across its surface.
Ethan strode toward it, the snow crunching beneath his boots. He tightened his right fist, feeling the energy thrum like compressed fire, and then threw the punch.
The impact burst in a blinding flash.
The block didn't just crack—it shattered into hundreds of fragments, hurled in every direction like a storm of icy blades. The shockwave reverberated across the open field, making the colossal snow walls tremble.
Ethan lowered his fist slowly, watching the shards crash down around him, still completely stunned by the overwhelming surge of power.
One thought crossed his mind:
"I can't use this against just anyone. For now, it's better kept away."
With that, he stored the Beowulf gauntlets and greaves back into his inventory.
Turning, he set his gaze on the shadowy colossus that now belonged to him. Cerberus, standing at a towering ten meters, loomed above—its three pairs of icy blue eyes glowing like frozen stars as it awaited his command.
Ethan let out a short, ironic chuckle.
"Same as the gauntlets… I don't think I can really use you either, big guy. Ten meters tall…" he muttered. "It's not like I can just summon a beast this size in the middle of a city without drawing attention…"
The three heads turned slightly in his direction, as if they had understood the master's command. Six eyes locked onto him for a brief moment… and then, all at once, the creature's entire body flared with darkness, an aura of shadow rippling like an inverted flame.
Ethan instinctively took a step back, unsure of what was happening, moving purely on reflex.
When the light finally faded, the towering titan was gone.In its place stood a small, three-headed pup, its fur black as pitch, its miniature blue eyes glimmering like sparks. The creature wagged its shadowy tail, releasing a muffled growl that sounded more like a curious grunt.
Ethan blinked, startled—and then burst into laughter.The cerberus pup darted around him in circles, savoring the joy of its newfound master.
Ethan crouched down, running his hand over the creature's dark fur as he whispered.
"Hah… much better." he murmured, leaning in to study the miniature version of the Ice Guardian. "You're far more useful than I expected."
The little Cerberus answered with a chorus of growls from its three heads, as if in agreement.
Behind him, the return portal opened once more, swirling like a storm-tossed vortex, scattering bluish reflections across the ice.
The HUD chimed again.
[RETURN PATH UNLOCKED.]
[RIFT KEY ACQUIRED.]
Ethan exhaled, relieved. With a final gesture, he commanded:
"Return."
One by one, his shadows slid back into the darkness beneath his feet. Even the little Cerberus—still in the form of a three-headed pup—barked in protest, three muffled yips that sounded more like grumbles. Ethan raised an eyebrow and chuckled. In a flicker of shadow, the pup was pulled back as well.
Alone, Ethan closed his fingers around the Rift Key and stepped forward, crossing through the portal.
What he didn't expect was the scene that awaited him.
The vortex opened right in the middle of the hockey arena. And, to his surprise, the place wasn't entirely empty.
An elderly janitor was quietly cleaning the ice, whistling to himself. His eyes bulged in panic as the portal ripped open before him, shattering the silence in a burst of light.
"AAAAAHHHHH!" — the old man let out a terrified scream, collapsing on the spot, stiff as a board.
As Ethan stepped out of the portal, he spotted the janitor sprawled unconscious on the floor. He dragged a hand down his face.
"…Great. I just scared someone to death."
Grumbling, he moved toward the collapsed old man. A quick check confirmed he was still breathing—just fainted. Ethan sighed in relief, lifting him carefully and carrying him over to the bleachers. He set him down on one of the seats, the man's head slumping to the side.
For a moment, Ethan simply stood there, watching the old man—harmless, completely unaware of what had just transpired.
"Hope you'll be alright…" he murmured, exhaling before letting out a weary chuckle.
Adjusting his coat, Ethan drew in a steady breath one last time before leaving the arena. The iron doors were ajar, as if nothing had happened inside. The cold night air bit into his face again as he stepped outside.
His motorcycle was exactly where he had left it. Relief washed over him—though it didn't last long.
Strapped to the handlebars, a stack of papers flapped in the wind. Ethan approached, pulled one free, and frowned.
"Ticket for illegal parking… another for obstruction…" He flipped through a few more, scoffing. "…and even more for leaving it here overnight."
A tired, low laugh slipped from his lips.
"Nearly get myself killed by a giant hellhound… and this is what's waiting for me when I come back."
He crumpled the papers with disdain, stuffed them into his pocket, and ran his hand over the motorcycle's tank, as if it were the only reliable thing left in his world. Swinging into the seat, he turned the key, the engine's roar filling the silent night.
"Time to go home," he muttered, revving as he pulled onto the road.
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Hello again!
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