The next morning, the sky over Iron Rock City was somewhat overcast.
Lin Ye woke up early. As sunlight filtered through the window, his shadow stretched long across the floor. He stared at it, the events of the previous night still echoing in his mind.
The shadow had indeed grown stronger. He slowly reached out his hand, and the shadow reacted instantly, flowing gently like black water. Lin Ye concentrated his mind. The shadow suddenly shifted, and a black spike rose slowly from the ground—more stable and sharper than ever before.
"It really has evolved," Lin Ye whispered.
Just then, a knock came from the door. "Lin Ye." It was Su Li.
Lin Ye retracted the shadow and opened the door. Su Li stood at the threshold, dressed in a light gray coat over her sleek combat gear. Her silver hair was tied back simply, giving her a sharp and capable look. The morning light caught her face, highlighting her fair skin and exquisite features. Lin Ye suddenly realized that while Su Li rarely smiled, she was even more striking when she was quiet.
Su Li looked at him. "Are you spacing out?"
Lin Ye snapped back to attention. "No."
Su Li narrowed her eyes slightly. "Didn't sleep well last night?"
Lin Ye hesitated for a moment. "My ability... it seems to have become stronger."
Su Li's expression turned serious immediately. "Show me."
Lin Ye nodded. He extended his hand, and the shadow rose from the floor once more, forming into a black spike. Su Li watched the shadow with intense focus.
"Its stability has improved," she said softly, "and the form is much clearer."
Lin Ye gave a wry smile. "Sounds like an experimental report."
Su Li managed a small laugh. "In a sense, it is."
The two headed downstairs together. Reg was already waiting in the inn's lobby, a piece of paper laid out on the table.
"New mission," he said. Lin Ye picked it up to read the details.
Mission: Investigate the Underground Mine
Location: Old Mining District, North of Iron Rock City
Status: Missing miners
Suspicion: Underground monster activity
Reward: 60 Silver Coins
Difficulty: Tier 2
Lin Ye frowned. "A Tier 2 mission?"
Reg nodded. "More dangerous than Shadow Wolves."
Su Li added, "The underground environment is far more complex."
Lin Ye thought for a moment. "Then why take this one?"
Reg replied flatly, "The fastest way to grow is to face danger."
Lin Ye remained silent for a short while, then nodded. "Fine."
Half an hour later, the three left Iron Rock City. The old mining district was twenty miles to the north. It had once been the city's most important mine but had been abandoned for years. After a two-hour trek, they finally reached the entrance—a massive opening in the cliffside that resembled a gaping black maw. Several rusted mine carts sat abandoned outside, and the air was thick with the smell of damp earth.
Lin Ye couldn't help but frown. "This place doesn't feel right."
Reg had already drawn his sword. "Stay alert."
The three stepped slowly into the mine. It was pitch black inside, with only the torches illuminating the path ahead. Their footsteps echoed against the stone walls. Suddenly, Lin Ye stopped.
"Wait."
Su Li looked at the ground. There was a strange trail, like that of a reptile, and it was massive. Reg's expression turned grim. "This isn't an ordinary monster."
At that moment, a sound drifted from the depths of the mine—a rustle-rustle—like something crawling over stone. The sound drew closer. Lin Ye's shadow flickered gently, and the low, blurred voice echoed in his mind again.
"New prey."
Lin Ye clenched his fist. "Shut up."
In the next second, two glowing green eyes lit up in the darkness. A massive creature crawled out from the depths. It was a lizard-like being covered in gray scales, with razor-sharp claws and a heavy tail dragging behind it.
Su Li whispered, "A Grotto Lizard."
Reg nodded. "A Tier 2 monster."
The creature let out a hiss and lunged forward with surprising speed. Lin Ye retreated instantly, and his shadow surged up. A shadow spike struck the monster.
Clang!
The spike hit the scales with a metallic ring. Lin Ye was stunned. "They're that hard?"
Reg had already charged in, his silver sword cutting a brilliant arc. Chink! The scales were sliced open, and the monster roared in pain, its tail sweeping across the floor. Su Li avoided the blow with a flip, her shortsword darting toward the creature's eye. The lizard retreated sharply.
The battle erupted instantly. Standing to the side, Lin Ye realized something: if the shadow spike wasn't strong enough, he had to change its form. He took a deep breath, and the shadow shifted again. This time, it turned into a slender, dark blade.
A shadow blade.
"Let's try this," Lin Ye muttered. The blade thrust out violently.
Pfft!
This time, the shadow successfully pierced through the gaps in the scales. The creature let out a harrowing shriek. Seizing the opening, Reg brought his silver sword down in a heavy strike.
Boom!
The Grotto Lizard collapsed to the ground. The mine grew silent once more. Lin Ye stood there as the shadow slowly retracted.
Su Li looked at him. "That move just now... it wasn't a shadow spike."
Lin Ye nodded. "I'm not sure what it was either."
Su Li's eyes sparkled slightly. "Shadow weaponry. Your ability is evolving."
Lin Ye looked at the ground. His shadow lay there quietly, looking like any ordinary shadow. But Lin Ye knew it was slowly transforming into a much more dangerous power.
The depths of the mine remained cloaked in darkness. What they didn't know was that the true danger lay much deeper within.