Chapter 34: The Shadow King's Arrival
The wind stopped.
After the final shadow source was destroyed, the entire Black Mountain became unnaturally quiet.
No birds.
No movement.
Only silence.
Arif stood still, staring at the sky. His breathing was slow, but his heart was racing.
He knew what was coming.
Lina walked beside him, her sword still in hand.
"It's over… right?"
Arif didn't answer immediately.
Instead—
The system suddenly flashed red.
[WARNING]
[EXTREME THREAT DETECTED]
[SHADOW KING DESCENDING]
Arif's eyes widened.
"...He's coming."
Lina looked at him.
"The Shadow King?"
Arif nodded slowly.
Suddenly—
The sky cracked.
Dark lightning tore through the clouds.
The ground trembled violently.
A massive portal appeared above Black Mountain.
Dark energy poured out like a storm.
Lina stepped back.
"This pressure…"
Arif clenched his fists.
"It's him."
The portal slowly expanded.
Then—
A figure stepped out.
Tall.
Calm.
Terrifying.
The Shadow King.
Dark armor covered his body.
His eyes glowed deep purple.
The moment he appeared—
The entire mountain shook.
Even the air became heavy.
Arif felt his breathing slow.
"...He's even stronger than before."
The Shadow King slowly descended.
His feet touched the ground.
And everything went silent.
He looked at Arif.
Then smiled faintly.
"You've grown."
Arif stepped forward.
"I destroyed your sources."
The Shadow King nodded.
"I know."
Lina frowned.
"You're not angry?"
The Shadow King looked at her.
"Angry?"
He smiled calmly.
"No… I'm impressed."
Arif narrowed his eyes.
"Then why did you create them?"
The Shadow King stepped forward slowly.
"To test you."
Arif's expression hardened.
"Test me?"
The Shadow King nodded.
"I needed to see if you were worthy."
"Worthy of what?" Arif asked.
The Shadow King's eyes glowed brighter.
"Of becoming my successor."
Silence fell.
Lina looked shocked.
"Successor?"
Arif shook his head.
"I'm not interested."
The Shadow King chuckled softly.
"I expected that."
Suddenly—
His aura exploded.
Dark energy spread across the mountain.
Lina struggled to stand.
"This pressure…"
Arif activated Shadow Armor.
The Shadow King looked impressed.
"You've improved."
Arif raised his blade.
"I won't let you destroy this world."
The Shadow King tilted his head slightly.
"Destroy?"
He shook his head.
"I want to remake it."
Arif frowned.
"That's the same thing."
The Shadow King smiled.
"Then stop me."
Suddenly—
He vanished.
Arif's eyes widened.
"Fast—!"
The Shadow King appeared behind him.
Arif blocked instantly.
CLANG!
The impact shook the mountain.
Arif slid backward.
"So strong…"
The Shadow King attacked again.
Arif activated Shadow Step.
They moved across the battlefield at incredible speed.
Their blades clashed repeatedly.
Dark energy exploded with each strike.
Lina tried to join—
But the pressure pushed her back.
"They're on another level…"
The Shadow King attacked again.
Arif blocked.
But—
He was thrown into the ground.
BOOM!
The mountain cracked.
Arif stood up slowly.
Blood ran down his face.
The Shadow King looked calm.
"You're still not enough."
Arif clenched his fists.
He activated Shadow Domain Lv.2.
Darkness spread.
But—
The Shadow King walked freely.
Unaffected.
Arif's eyes widened.
"He ignored my domain…"
The Shadow King smiled.
"I created the shadows."
Suddenly—
He raised his hand.
Thousands of shadow blades appeared in the sky.
Arif's eyes widened.
"Move!"
The blades rained down.
Arif dodged repeatedly.
The ground shattered.
The mountain collapsed in several places.
Arif rushed forward.
"Shadow Strike!"
He attacked.
The Shadow King blocked easily.
He countered.
Arif was thrown again.
Lina shouted.
"Arif!"
The Shadow King stepped forward.
"You're strong… but not enough."
Arif stood slowly.
His breathing heavy.
But his eyes remained determined.
"I'm… not done yet."
The system suddenly appeared.
[Hidden Skill Unlocked]
[Shadow Awakening]
Arif's eyes widened.
Dark energy surrounded him.
His aura exploded.
The ground trembled.
The Shadow King smiled.
"Interesting."
Arif's eyes glowed black.
He rushed forward.
Faster than before.
Their blades clashed again.
This time—
The Shadow King stepped back slightly.
Lina's eyes widened.
"He pushed him back…"
Arif attacked repeatedly.
Dark slashes covered the battlefield.
The Shadow King blocked.
But for the first time—
He looked serious.
"Good…"
Suddenly—
He released more power.
The sky darkened further.
The mountain shook violently.
The real battle…
Had just begun.
To Be Continued…