episode_0472

This place was his domain.

Crafted solely to his liking through powers bestowed directly by the divine.

Bestowing upon me numerous advantages, yet a cruel land that offers nothing to its inhabitants.

Those who became his targets met their end here without exception.

Whether the target was weak or strong was not a consideration.

Isn’t there a saying that even a lion goes all out to catch a single rabbit?

He quite liked that saying.

If one underestimates their opponent and fails in assassination, don’t they have to target the same individual twice?

“Nothing is more bothersome than that.”

Tedious tasks are detestable.

Repeating the same task two or three times is even worse.

This domain was his best and finest move.

This task was no different.

– “Kill Kim Dojin and return.”

Embracing the tedious mission, he set foot on Korean soil.

In the process, he studied what the opponent’s strengths were, where traps could be set, and more.

After countless analyses, today he finally put his plans into action.

Though the opponent fought fiercely beyond expectations, the outcome remained unchanged.

“Oh, what a damn messy fight…”

Praise coming from the opponent.

Those he targeted spat out those words before dying together as one.

To him, it was practically a sign of victory, a signal.

With an emotionless demeanor, he commanded the shadows.

“Kill.”

The shadows took their steps.

999 shadows, having broken the opponent’s will, aimed to kill just one human.

Swish!

The first shadow to reach swung a dagger towards the opponent’s temple.

However, something strange happened.

Whoosh!

With a peculiar sound, the shadow disappeared.

Had it succumbed to the enemy’s counterattack?

“No.”

The shadow that vanished under the enemy’s attack returned to his side.

More accurately, it was the power of the ability he had implanted, reflecting his own image, that returned.

But while the number of entities decreased, the power did not return.

What could have caused this?

“Stop.”

Sensing an inexplicable unease, he halted the shadows’ advance.

Then, he separately commanded one shadow closest to Kim Dojin.

“Attack.”

The command sent chills down as the shadow dashed menacingly through the darkness.

Just as it raised a large axe high to strike down…

The man, Shadow Walker, witnessed it.

Whoosh!

His shadow being absorbed into the opponent’s body.

“…!”

The man’s eyes widened as he watched this scene.

How could this be happening?

It was a moment of great confusion as he witnessed this sight for the first time in his life.

“Hehehe… Why didn’t I think of this?”

A sinister laugh escaped Kim Dojin’s lips, thinking his will had been broken.

Only now did he realize.

That he had been hasty.

“It’s not over yet.”

The opponent’s will had not been broken.

No, precisely, it was now half-bent, aiming back at him with means to eliminate his shadows in an entirely unpredictable manner.

“Retreat!”

As he urgently tried to pull back the shadow…

Shwaaack!

A black aura emerged from Kim Dojin’s body.

Darker, more intense, rougher, and fiercer than his domain.

Truly a force so savage that no other description sufficed.

Whoosh!

Grabbing some retreating shadows, it harshly dragged them back.

Snap!

The dragged shadows vanished without a trace.

Or rather…

“Eaten, my energy…?”

Swallowed whole.

From 998 shadows reduced from 999, the count diminished once more.

Now standing at 888.

Kim Dojin, who had devoured 111 of my shadows through unknown means, grinned widely.

“G-gulp.”

A nauseating gulp.

Having caught a scent of the unknown in that place, he shuddered slightly, seized by faint fear.

* * *

He had forgotten.

About swords and magic.

And about the potent abilities granted to me.

No, he couldn’t forget that existence.

In any situation, how could one not recognize that imposing presence?

However, I simply turned away for a moment.

Since joining the organization known as the Guardians.

And since discovering that Seoyeon had become the Apostle of Restraint in my place.

Rather than pondering how to use this power, I have been contemplating how to conceal it.

It was natural.

The risk of exposure was too great, even if the risk of hiding it was considerable.

Normally, it would be best to keep it hidden.

Having recently joined the Guardians and unable to accurately discern the intentions of the Saint, now was even more precarious.

But here, it’s different.

In this place consumed by the opponent’s powers, I realized that I could use this power as much as I wanted without repercussions.

“Gluttony.”

Awakening the dormant monster.

A vicious and malevolent aura spreads like wildfire, extending its tongue towards the surrounding shadows.

Swish!

The opponent’s power is devoured as if it were a matter of course.

You cannot seize the source of the power being manifested.

However, if it emanates from the source, you can consume it as much as you want.

Just like now.

Chomp!

After consuming a considerable amount, my stomach quickly fills up.

[Feeding state activated.]

This signaled that my power had reached its peak and also served as a warning.

Attempting to feed more at this point would only invite trouble.

“Sigh…”

Wounds are healed.

Lost stamina rapidly replenishes.

But it’s not enough.

Engaging in another battle in this state would only lead to a futile outcome.

Ruthlessly tearing through the shadows, only to witness them regenerate, would result in frustration.

That cannot happen.

“An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth.”

When facing someone who fights dirty, I must get down and dirty as well.

As I awaken Gluttony once again, the creature seems delighted, swaying happily.

Feeling satiated is solely within my grasp.

The eager creature, reveling in the opportunity to indulge, eagerly awaits.

Chomp.

My tongue, eager to taste once more, flicks out.

Of course, this is merely the form visible to me.

In reality, it might appear as if the black fangs are kidnapping the shadows.

Crunch!

Zip!

The shadows that were previously devoured now swiftly retreat.

From their erratic movements, it becomes apparent that the opponent is thoroughly perplexed.

[Feeding state activated!]

[Feeding state activated!]

[Feeding…!]

Ignoring the flashing red warning signs before me, I smile.

The energy filling the creature begins to harm my body.

I’m starting to feel a bit nervous.

We agreed to fight until one of us falls, but at this rate, we might both end up dead…?

Nevertheless, once Bluttony is unleashed, it must be pursued to the end.

Slowing down Gluttony’s pace slightly, I contemplate a way to turn the situation around.

Observing the shadows clearly visible before me, I ponder, “How do I command them?”

After absorbing the energy, one thing became certain.

The entity commanding these numerous shadows does not actually exist in this location.

Therefore, it must be issuing commands from somewhere else.

But how are these commands being transmitted?

“Hmm.”

There’s a saying that knowledge is power.

With azure magic coursing through my body, the vague outlines of things that were previously obscure gradually start to take shape.

The viscous essence-like aura.

Through this, it becomes clear that there is a connection between this domain and the shadows traversing within it.

Surely, this connection extends to the main entity.

In other words, if I find this connection pathway, I can trace the opponent’s location in reverse.

The problem lies in how to do that.

The solution turned out to be simpler than expected.

“…Once I’m connected, it should be fine, right?”

If I become part of that connection, wouldn’t that be enough?

The energy they share is abundant within me as well.

If I overlay this on my body, creating confusion with shadows to establish a connection.

Wouldn’t the main commands also be transmitted clearly to me?

Where those commands originate from is beside the point, you know.

“Hmm, alright.”

The answer remains unknown.

I’ve merely caught a glimpse of the possibilities.

So now, I suppose it’s time to confirm.

[Deactivating the Dominator’s Domain.]

Breaking the boundaries.

Harnessing the energy flowing through the circuits in various ways.

I cloak myself not as an outsider to this domain but as an immersed entity.

Hands and feet tinged with a murky hue.

Gradually, my entire body succumbs to the bluish magical power, transforming into a shadow-like figure.

I sense my body deteriorating slowly.

It’s inevitable to be attacked since I’ve wrapped someone else’s energy around me, even without activating the Dominator’s Domain, allowing it to freely encase my body.

Nevertheless, the energy faithfully opens its path.

It resonates.

-“Step back.”

A voice mixed with surprise from the other side.

-“What… are you doing right now?”

Questioning gazes directed towards my darkened form.

Carefully deciphering the conveyed intentions, I gauge the positions of both the other party and myself.

Through this, I come to realize one fact I was unaware of.

“…It wasn’t just a simple domain.”

The shadows didn’t surge up.

I was drawn into a world where shadows exist.

Likewise, the world wasn’t blanketed in bluish magic.

“It was projected.”

Projected onto the existing world.

Forcibly extracting shadows that should have only existed underfoot or beneath the ground and superimposing them onto the world.

The ability for hundreds of shadows to flutter about is due to this reason.

Once I grasp the concept, the individual’s location becomes clear.

Outside the overlaid world.

Inside a long limousine waiting there.

And they’re lying down comfortably.

The bewildered voice of the individual reaches me.

-“How did you…?”

They’ve also realized.

The fact that they used the connection link that commands the shadows to pinpoint their own location.

It’s unavoidable.

It’s not something that can be concealed even from the owner of this connection.

So, swift action was necessary.

The world before my eyes.

Tearing apart the rough projections of shadows that have flipped the original world, I warn the individual.

“You’d better run until sweat drips from your feet.”

The world rapidly crumbling under a mere trickle of light.

As I step out from there, I continue speaking.

“Don’t regret being captured so easily.”