Chapter 25 : The First Clash
The sky remained broken.
Dark clouds swirled violently above the town, and the giant portal continued to expand slowly, as if something enormous was trying to break through.
Arif stood in the middle of the ruined street, his eyes locked on the massive figure inside the sky.
The Shadow King.
Just looking at him made Arif's heart beat faster.
The pressure in the air was overwhelming.
Even the monsters below stopped moving, as if they were afraid.
The Shadow King slowly stepped forward, his body made of flowing darkness.
Every movement felt heavy, like the world itself was trembling.
"So… you are the new host," the Shadow King repeated.
Arif tightened his grip.
"You're the Shadow King?"
The figure smiled faintly.
"Yes. The first master of shadows."
Arif felt cold sweat run down his back.
The first Shadow System user…
That meant—
This person had far more experience.
Far more power.
The Shadow King tilted his head slightly.
"You are weaker than I expected."
Arif frowned.
"I just got my power back."
The Shadow King chuckled softly.
"Excuses… are meaningless in battle."
Suddenly—
The Shadow King raised his hand.
Dark energy gathered above him.
Arif's eyes widened.
"Already?!"
A massive shadow spear formed in the sky.
Then—
It fell.
Arif reacted instantly.
"Shadow Step!"
He disappeared and reappeared on the rooftop.
The spear crashed into the ground.
BOOM!
The entire street shattered.
Dust and debris filled the air.
Arif stared at the destruction.
"That was close…"
The Shadow King looked impressed.
"Good reflexes."
But suddenly—
The Shadow King disappeared.
Arif's eyes widened.
"Where—?!"
A voice appeared behind him.
"Too slow."
Arif turned—
Too late.
The Shadow King punched him.
Arif was thrown across multiple buildings.
He crashed through a wall.
Pain shot through his body.
"Cough…!"
Arif struggled to stand.
"He's… too fast…"
The Shadow King slowly walked toward him.
"Is that all the new host can do?"
Arif clenched his fists.
"I won't lose…"
He raised his hand.
Dark energy gathered.
"Shadow Blade!"
He rushed forward.
The Shadow King blocked the attack easily.
"Predictable."
He pushed Arif back effortlessly.
Arif jumped backward.
His mind raced.
He's too strong…
Even with the system…
Suddenly—
A message appeared.
[New Ability Unlocked]
[Shadow Armor]
Arif blinked.
"Now?"
Dark energy surrounded his body.
A thin armor made of shadows formed around him.
Arif felt stronger.
Faster.
The Shadow King smiled.
"Interesting."
Arif took a deep breath.
Then he rushed forward again.
This time—
He moved faster.
Their blades clashed.
Dark energy exploded around them.
Arif attacked repeatedly.
The Shadow King blocked each strike.
But this time—
Arif wasn't being pushed back.
The Shadow King's smile widened.
"Good… you're learning."
Suddenly—
The Shadow King jumped back.
He raised his hand.
The portal behind him expanded.
More monsters began to emerge.
Large shadow beasts.
Flying creatures.
Giant warriors.
Arif's eyes widened.
"So many…"
The Shadow King looked down at him.
"This is just the beginning."
The monsters began attacking the town.
People screamed.
Buildings collapsed.
Arif looked around.
"I can't fight him… and protect everyone…"
The Shadow King spoke calmly.
"Choose."
Arif clenched his teeth.
Damn it…
If he focused on the Shadow King—
The town would be destroyed.
If he protected the town—
The Shadow King would escape.
The Shadow King smiled.
"A difficult choice."
Arif looked at the frightened villagers.
The injured guards.
The burning buildings.
He made his decision.
He turned away from the Shadow King.
And rushed toward the monsters.
The Shadow King watched silently.
"Ah… you chose the same path."
Arif moved quickly.
Shadow Blade flashed.
Monsters fell one by one.
Guards looked shocked.
"He's… stronger than before!"
Arif fought continuously.
But the monsters kept coming.
Suddenly—
A giant flying creature attacked from above.
Arif jumped.
"Shadow Step!"
He appeared mid-air.
Then he slashed.
The monster split in half.
He landed smoothly.
But then—
The Shadow King spoke again.
"You have potential."
Arif looked up.
The Shadow King began fading.
"Wait!" Arif shouted.
The Shadow King smiled faintly.
"But you are not ready yet."
The portal slowly began closing.
The monsters also started disappearing.
Before vanishing completely—
The Shadow King spoke one last time.
"I will return… soon."
The sky slowly returned to normal.
Silence fell over the town.
Arif stood still.
His breathing heavy.
The system screen appeared again.
[Warning]
[Shadow King Threat Level: Extreme]
Arif looked at the message.
This was only the beginning.
The real war…
Had just started.
To Be Continued…