The moment the creature noticed him everything changed around him.
The air inside the house twisted unnaturally as if something unseen had begun pressing down on the space itself. Shadows stretched across the walls and it was no longer still and no longer bound by light.
The shadows moved slowly at first and suddenly all at once jumped towards him.
But Kael didn't release the villager. His grip tightened as he pulled the man back with a sharp motion.
"Move."
The villager stumbled, collapsing behind him, scrambling toward the corner in blind panic.
The creature didn't follow the villager and It didn't even look at him again.
Its entire attention had locked onto Kael.
For a moment silence stretched between them.
The thing stood there its body flickering like smoke barely held together. It had a humanoid outline but no clear structure. Even though it had body outline Kael couldn't see any limbs or face.
The only thing which can be seen is just dense darkness which constantly shifts and looks unstable.
And yet It felt aware of the surroundings.
Kael's eyes narrowed slightly.
"…So, you're the one causing all the disappearances."
But there was no response.
But the shadows around it pulsed faintly. Then It disappeared suddenly.
Kael's eyes sharpened instantly.
"Behind!!"
The wall behind him distorted. A ripple ran across the surface. Then the creature emerged from it its arm stretching unnaturally as it lunged.
It was fast, faster than any normal creature.
But Kael didn't step back. He stepped forward, Kael closed the distance.
The elongated limb passed through the space where he had been a moment ago.
Kael's hand snapped forward and caught it.
The moment contact was made the creature's form flickered violently.
Its entire body was disrupted like smoke being disturbed by a sudden gust of wind.
Kael heard a low distorted sound and it echoed. The sound which he heard which is between scream and voice.
"…I thought cannot be touched or caught, but this entity can be touched, thanks to my talent" Kael muttered.
But behind him the door burst open.
Rodric entered first blade already drawn. His strike was clean, precise but it passed through the creature's body like cutting through mist.
The shadow split and then reformed instantly.
Rodric clicked his tongue.
"I cannot do any damage do it body because its body it's just covered with shadow mist, but how are you catching it my majesty."
"I have the talent which is boundary and erasure where I can capture this shadow"
Veyron stepped in next. The temperature dropped the moment he entered.
His presence alone felt heavy which was cold and dead.
"…Then it is not bound to a stable body."
Dark energy gathered around him as chains formed from necrotic essence shooting forward and wrapping around the creature.
This time It reacted violently.
The shadows erupted outward lashing against the walls, cracking wood, distorting space within the room.
The house trembled but Veyron didn't move. The chains tightened. Holding it in place.
Kael stepped closer in a calm manner, he observed the shadow.
"…You're don't look like some ordinary creature."
The creature thrashed again.
"…But the way I see it someone is controlling this creature from behind."
A pause.
"…And that entity created this creature and making the people disappear."
Shen Yao stood at the doorway, watching carefully.
"…Kael like you said I can sense the source like thread to somewhere deep."
Kael didn't look at him.
"I know that's why let's get to know what this is exactly."
He extended his hand slightly. A faint glow formed.
[Authority Activated: Appraisal]
A translucent screen appeared before him.
[Target Identified]
[Name: Shadow summon
Type: Summoned Entity
Rank: B
Description: A partial manifestation of a shadow-based summon created by a higher entity. Lacks independent will. Operates under command and limited behavioural patterns.
Core Traits: Intangible body (partial), High mobility through shadow surfaces, cannot exist without source connection
Weakness: Destruction of summoner or core source, Prolonged isolation weakens structure]
Kael's eyes narrowed slightly.
"…As expected, what I thought actually it was true."
Rodric glanced at him.
"What is it? My majesty?"
"This is the summoned entity."
A pause.
"It's not a natural monster from the wild or some dungeon, this is the created shadow entity."
Veyron's grip tightened.
"Then we are dealing with a summoner, right?"
Kael nodded.
"Yes."
He looked directly at the struggling creature.
"…And this is just one among the many entities which the summoner has summoned."
The shadow pulsed violently again, Almost like it understood by what Kael said.
Kael straightened.
"Release it."
Rodric frowned.
"But my majesty we must end this monster right now".
Kael didn't hesitate.
"End and do what search and wait for another shadow entity, that won't work."
A brief pause, then Veyron loosened the chains.
The moment the pressure lifted the creature burst apart into shadows and fled. It did not attack or hesitate to attack, it just ran away.
Kael was already moving.
"Let's follow it"
Kael and its group, they moved fast. Through the empty streets. Past silent houses. Into the forest beyond the village.
The trail wasn't visible to normal sight, but Kael could see the faint distortions. Residual shadows clinging to surfaces.
It showed a path.
Shen Yao kept pace beside him.
"You're certain this leads to the source?"
Kael didn't slow down.
"It has to."
Rodric followed closely behind.
"If this is a trap my majesty"
"It is a trap, do you think is it so easy to follow a shadow entity this openly, I don't think so, the summoner is luring us in" Kael replied calmly.
A pause.
"But that doesn't change anything ultimately we will catch it."
The deeper they moved into the forest the colder it became. The silence grew heavier.
Even the wind seemed to avoid this place.
Then Kael stopped abruptly.
"…We're here."
Ahead stood a structure which was half-buried and it looked ancient. It was collapsed in places but still standing. Darkness seeped from within like smoke.
Shen Yao's expression sharpened.
"…An ancient ruin."
Rodric frowned.
"This wasn't reported in the easter region map."
Kael stepped forward.
"It wouldn't be because someone deliberately who is influential is hiding it on purpose"
Veyron's gaze fixed on the entrance.
"…My majesty I can sense the dark energy coming out from this ruin and yes this is the source."
Kael nodded once.
"Stay alert."
And stepped inside.
The moment they entered the temperature dropped sharply. The air felt thick and heavy.
Like something unseen was pressing against them.
The walls were covered in markings which was faint and old.
Shen Yao ran his fingers lightly across one of them.
"…These things aren't random."
Kael didn't respond. His focus was ahead. He observed a movement.
Shadows were gathered and dozens of them no hundreds of them.
The shadows were watching and waiting.
Then all of a sudden, they moved all at once and rushed towards them.
Rodric stepped forward instantly.
"Form up!"
Steel flashed as he cut through the first wave.
This time the shadows didn't reform immediately.
Veyron raised his hand dark energy surged outward.
The shadows weakened under its presence. Their movements slowed and became unstable.
Kael stepped forward.
[Authority Activated: Appraisal]
[Target Identified]
Name: Shadow Spawn
Type: Summoned Undead Entity
Rank: C
Description: Lower-tier constructs created through shadow necromancy. Bound to summoner's will. Weak individually, dangerous in numbers.
Weakness: Light-based disruption, Source elimination]
"…These are the low-level summons compared to the one which was higher one" Kael said.
Rodric exhaled.
"Then we push through."
Kael nodded.
"Yes, no need to hold back."
What followed was one-sided. Rodric moved like a wall with every swing was precise and every step controlled. The shadows couldn't break through him.
Veyron advanced slowly with every step he took the shadows weakening and fading. Breaking apart under the pressure of his presence.
Kael moved through them he did not waste any energy and he wanted to finish it without rushing. Each movement was efficient and with each strike they didn't stand a chance.
Within minutes the ruin fell silent again. Only remnants of shadows remained which was dissolving.
Kael didn't stop.
He walked deeper "…The core is ahead."
The space opened up and they looked a large chamber which was dark.
At the center a figure stood which did not look like a shadow summon or some other creature.
But Kael could see a man wearing dark robes and he was surrounded by faint, lingering shadows that moved like extensions of his will.
He turned slowly.
His eyes landed on them. Then on Veyron.
A faint smile formed.
"…Interesting."
Rodric stepped forward immediately.
"State your identity."
The man ignored him.
His gaze remained on Veyron.
"…That human I can sense it, it's an Undead but its in a human form. HAHAHAHA How interesting how an undead look like a human, I want it, I want it, give it to me give it to me!!!!!"
"…How did you do this share it, share it!!!."
Veyron didn't respond.
'What a crazy guy'
Kael stepped forward.
"Hey necromancer, cut the crap looks like you're the one behind the disappearances."
The man's attention shifted he recognized Kael instantly.
"To the king."
A slight bow but in a mocking way.
Kael didn't like it, he hated this kind of random character, he just wanted to finish this issue and move on to the next floor.
"…Iam Shadow, a shadow necromancer."
He didn't give a name. He introduced it with just a title.
Kael's eyes narrowed slightly.
"Why?"
A simple question.
The necromancer smiled faintly.
"Why?"
He gestured lightly.
The shadows around him moved.
"…You know power requires resources."
A pause.
"…And what the resources is required is Hehehe the Living ones."
Shen Yao's expression darkened and everyone's faces were darked after hearing from the shadow necromancer.
"You what the hell are you saying, that means you kidnap them and harvest them and don't tell me!! You turn them into shadow monsters, You Lunatic!!!!."
The necromancer didn't deny it.
"You don't know anything about them, they serve a greater purpose."
Rodric's grip tightened on his sword.
"There is no justification for this my majesty, let's just execute this person once and for all."
The necromancer chuckled softly.
"Morality is a luxury of the strong."
Then his gaze shifted again which was back to Veyron and he seems to be interested in Veyron from the start.
"…But you…I don't know how you turned into human form, but since it has come to this, I will capture you and know the secrets myself and the remaining of you, ill add you guys into my collection"
The shadow necromancer stepped forward "Come join me, you don't belong with them."
The shadows around him reacted differently now.
"…You are very closer to me than to them."
Veyron remained still and silent.
The necromancer extended his hand.
"Join me."
A pause.
"…I can make you stronger and along with me we can rule the world."
Silence filled the chamber. Rodric glanced at Veyron. Shen Yao watched carefully. Kael didn't interrupt.
Because he wanted to see Veyron's decision.
The necromancer continued,
"You are wasting your existence serving that king who is utterly useless for this kingdom."
His voice was calm and convincing.
"You were made for my command."
A long pause. Then Veyron moved one step forward.
The shadows around the necromancer stirred in response.
"…Good that's the good choice, come on join me" the necromancer said softly with a wide smiling face thinking he won this battle.
But then Veyron stopped and turned slightly toward Kael.
His voice was calm and Steady.
"…My majesty."
Kael met his gaze.
"…I will handle this."
Silence.
Then Kael nodded.
A single simple motion "Do it."
Veyron stepped forward again.
This time not as something being tempted. But as something choosing between shadow necromancer who sees humans as some cattle to be slaughtered and Kael whom he serves who made him from an idiot of a skeleton to the commander of sovereign of bone legion army and served only justice.
The air shifted. The shadows reacted. The necromancer's smile faded slightly.
"…So that is your answer."
Veyron's presence expanded which was cold, Dominant and unyielding.
"…Yes."
The chamber fell silent.
The tension reached its peak.
And Kael Watched in a calm manner and he was certain.
Because this was no longer his fight.