Chapter 7: Player of Shadows
Hayden emerged from the Abyssal Ruins, the legendary Abyssal Armor gleaming in the morning light. The Shadow Dagger of Night at his side pulsed with energy, almost as if it were alive, resonating with his will. His level had skyrocketed, his stats now rivaling seasoned S-Rank hunters.
[Level: 15 | Strength: 120 | Agility: 140 | Endurance: 130]
[Skills: Shadow Step (Lv3), Enhanced Reflexes (Lv3), Shadow Manipulation (Lv2), Shadow Clone (Lv2)]
The system blinked with new notifications:
[New Task: Explore Unknown Dungeons | Difficulty: A to S-Rank]
[Hint: Hidden treasures and powerful loot await.]
Hayden grinned. This was just the beginning. Every dungeon, every monster, every shadow he conquered made him stronger. He was no longer fighting for survival he was rewriting his fate.
[Dungeon Encounter: Forgotten Catacombs | Difficulty: S-Rank]
The catacombs were a labyrinth of darkness, filled with traps, spectral knights, and cursed beasts. A hunter who entered unprepared would never return. Hayden, guided by the system, navigated effortlessly.
[Skill Unlocked: Shadow Merge | Passive | Level 1]
[Description: Blend with shadows to become invisible to enemies, increasing critical strike chance.]
He moved through the dungeon like a phantom, taking down monsters that would have been lethal to the strongest S-Rank hunters. EXP and loot poured in rare weapons, enchanted armor, and items only whispered about in guild halls.
By the time he reached the catacombs' S-Rank boss a spectral lich commanding legions of undead Hayden was ready. Shadows swirled around him, clones attacking from multiple angles, while the Abyssal Armor absorbed some of the dark energy attacks.
The battle was brutal, but Hayden's mastery of the shadows made him untouchable. With a precise combination of Shadow Merge, Shadow Clone, and Shadow Manipulation, he struck down the lich, absorbing its energy into his System.
[Boss Defeated! Level Up: 20 → Stats Greatly Increased]
[Reward: Lich's Soulstone (Unique), Shadow Dagger Evolves → Shadow Dagger of Eternal Night]
Outside, Selene had been observing from a distance, her SS-Rank instincts telling her that this was no ordinary hunter. The raw power, the precision, the ability to single-handedly conquer dungeons far beyond his supposed rank it was unlike anything she had ever seen.
She hid behind a tree, watching him exit the catacombs, and something she didn't expect stirred within her. Respect. Fascination. Something more.
Selene shook her head subtly, denying the feeling to herself. "Curious… very curious," she whispered. But she couldn't tear her eyes away. Hayden's presence commanded attention without even trying.
Meanwhile, whispers of the "dead E-Rank hunter who became a Player" spread through guild halls. C, B, A, S, and SS-Rank hunters began taking notice. Some were intrigued, others cautious. But one thing was certain: Hayden was no longer weak. He was a force the world would have to reckon with.