The Shadow Echo's formless body began to solidify. Where before it had been a vague humanoid shape made of smoke and shadow, now it was developing definition.
Limbs became more distinct—arms, legs, a torso with actual muscles visible beneath the darkness. Its hands formed fully, no longer just hint of claws but actual fingers with sharp, blade-like nails.
Then the armor began to appear.
Black metal—darker than night, seeming to absorb light rather than reflect it—materialized across the Shadow Echo's body. Shoulder pauldrons formed first. Then a breastplate covered its chest, elaborately designed with patterns that looked like flowing shadows. Gauntlets encased its hands, and shin armor protected its legs.
The armor wasn't bulky—it was smooth, form-fitting, designed for speed and agility rather than heavy defense.
The Shadow Echo's face, which had been blank before, developed features. A helmet materialized, covering most of its head but leaving the lower face visible—a jawline of pure shadow, but with more definition than before. And its eyes...
The purple glow was gone, replaced by brilliant blue flames that burned in the eye sockets of the helmet. Cold, intense, intelligent.
The transformation completed, and sound rushed back into the world.
The entity that stood before Max was no longer just a shadow. It was a warrior.
[CONTRACT EVOLUTION COMPLETE]
[Your contracted entity has evolved!]
[Shadow Echo (Rank D) → ??? (Rank C)]
[Your entity requires a name to complete its evolution]
A prompt appeared in Max's vision:
[Name your contracted entity]:
Max stared at the transformed being before him. It stood at his height now, maybe slightly taller, its armored form radiating power and presence. Through their bond, he felt something new—not just obedience and loyalty, but identity. It was becoming more than just a spirit, more than just a tool.
It deserved a name.
Max thought of the darkness it embodied, the way it moved like a shadow, the blue flames that now burned in its eyes like cold stars in an endless night.
"Night," Max said aloud. "Your name is Night."
The entity—Night—tilted its head slightly, as if considering. Then it placed a fist over its chest and bowed.
[Entity named: NIGHT]
[Evolution complete]
A new status window appeared:
[CONTRACTED ENTITY: NIGHT]
[Bond Rank: C]
[Entity Level: 10]
[Type: Shadowbound Warrior]
[Stats]:
[STR: 24 | AGI: 28 | INT: 18 | VIT: 22 | LUK: 12]
[HP: 480/480]
[Armor: 65]
[Abilities]:
[Phase Shift (Rank C) – Become intangible for 5 seconds, cooldown reduced to 8 seconds]
[Shadow Claws (Rank C) – Enhanced spectral attacks]
[Drain Touch (Rank D) – 15% lifesteal on successful hits]
[Umbral Presence (Rank D) – Enemies within 7 meters: -15% accuracy, -10% attack speed]
[NEW: Shadow Armament (Rank C) – Night can equip weapons and armor, gaining their stats and effects]
[SPECIAL: Night can now equip one weapon]
Max's eyes widened. "You can equip weapons?"
Night said nothing—it still couldn't speak—but Max felt affirmation through their bond. The entity held out one gauntleted hand expectantly.
Max's mind raced. He had just bought the Shadowsteel Blade yesterday for 32 gold. It was his primary weapon, his main source of damage. But if Night could equip weapons...
He opened his inventory and looked at what he had:
[Shadowsteel Blade] – Attack +42, Agility +4, Critical Chance +5% (Currently equipped)
[Rusty Shortsword] – Attack +5 (His old starter weapon)
[Iron Dagger] x2 – Attack +8 each (Looted from bandits)
The rusty shortsword was worthless to Max now. But for Night...
"Here," Max said, pulling the rusty shortsword from his inventory and offering it to Night.
The shadow warrior took the weapon, and the moment its fingers closed around the hilt, the sword transformed.
The rust disappeared, replaced by the same black metal as Night's armor. The blade lengthened slightly, its edge becoming razor-sharp. Purple-blue energy traced along the edge, pulsing with power.
[Rusty Shortsword has been absorbed by Night]
[Night's weapon has transformed: Shadowforged Blade]
[Attack +35, Agility +8, Darkness Damage +20]
Night's status window updated:
NIGHT – Level 10 Shadowbound Warrior
HP: 480/480
Attack Power: 95 (base 60 + weapon 35)
Agility: 36 (base 28 + weapon 8)
Special Damage: +20 Darkness Damage
Max stared in disbelief. Night's attack power had nearly doubled. Its agility was higher than Max's own. And that darkness damage modifier...
"Holy shit," Max whispered.
Night swung the transformed blade experimentally, testing its balance. The movements were fluid, practiced, like the entity had been training with a sword for years. Through their bond, Max felt Night's satisfaction, its eagerness to test its new power.
A group of Void Watchers spawned nearby, unaware of what was about to happen to them.
Max drew his Shadowsteel Blade. "Let's see what you can do."
They charged together.
The difference was immediately apparent. Night moved faster than before, its armored form somehow more agile despite the added weight. Its sword strikes were devastating—each hit carved through Void Watcher bodies with brutal efficiency.
-127 HP! (Night)
-134 HP! (Night – Critical Hit!)
-52 HP! (Max)
Night was dealing more damage than Max now. Significantly more.
The Void Watchers fell in seconds, their health bars evaporating under the combined assault. Night's drain effect kept it at full health, and its enhanced phase shift let it dodge attacks with contemptuous ease.
[Battle Complete]
[EXP Gained: 150]
Max checked Night's experience bar. It was synchronized with his—they would continue leveling together.
He pulled up his own character sheet:
[MAX THORNE – Level 10 Soulbinder]
[HP: 300/300]
[MP: 350/350]
[Stamina: 250/250]
[Attack Power: 77 (base 35 + weapon 42)]
[Contracted Entity]:
[NIGHT – Level 10 Shadowbound Warrior]
[Attack Power: 95]
His contracted spirit was stronger than him.