29. Fourth Specialization. (2)

“What… what is this.”

I stood up awkwardly from my spot.

My shadow was holding a sword.

It had no skin, face, or hair.

It was just a shadow.

Its feet and mine were connected, like a wall standing right in front of me.

It was strange.

A bizarre sight.

What is this all about?

My shadow is standing in front of me, holding a sword.

I slowly walked around my shadow.

Its head moved, following me.

It seemed to be looking at me.

But it’s just a shadow.

No face, no eyes, just the sword.

It was really strange.

Looking from the side, it had a forehead, the back of the head, chest, and back, just like a real person.

A 3D shadow.

Something I’ve never heard of or seen before.

Shadow Warrior specialization.

Am I the Shadow Warrior, or does this specialization create a Shadow Warrior?

With that question in mind, I slowly walked around my shadow.

It just stared at me without any other reaction.

I looked at it, and it looked back, creating a strange feeling.

But…

How do I use this?

Without looking away, I slowly pointed to the other side of the rooftop.

…It walks.

My shadow walks.

Faster than I expected.

The rooftop is large.

A large mart with three floors, and the building is shaped like a stacked tower.

The rooftop is quite spacious, enough to lay out a large garden bed.

About twenty-some meters? Or maybe thirty?

My shadow stopped there.

Standing still, not moving.

I swallowed hard.

…It can be controlled.

I thought to the side.

“Over there.”

…It moves.

My shadow’s head turns, its torso shifts, and it takes its first step.

And walks precisely to the point I indicated.

…Impressive.

“Come here.”

Thinking that, my shadow quickly turned around and came back to me.

“Eek, damn it.”

It stopped just a meter away, startling me.

It moved so fast it was almost invisible, like it was using acceleration.

Checking the status window, no acceleration count was used.

That’s right.

The skills are for me to use, not my shadow.

It’s just naturally fast.

“…Huh.”

Yes, it moves according to my intentions.

I nodded and extended my hand.

My shadow accurately placed the sword in my hand.

And then disappeared.

Like crumbling sand or collapsing pixels, the shadow quickly faded.

I smiled.

“…This is nice.”

Checking the status window, no Power was consumed or any other stat used.

Summoning it doesn’t consume anything.

Like the maintenance gloves are always active, the Shadow Gloves’ function is also always active.

When the conditions are met, the shadow appears.

My Shadow Warrior.

…Then what are the conditions?

I decided to test more things.

I picked up the bow.

Does this work too?

I extended my hand holding the bow.

Nothing happened.

Last time, when I let go of the sword, the shadow appeared.

So…

I dropped the bow.

Thud, it fell to the ground.

“…It doesn’t work.”

I tried with the sword again.

And let it go.

A soft whoosh.

Shwoosh!

A dark shadow appeared before my eyes.

My shadow picked up the sword and slowly looked back at me.

…Asking if I had any commands.

I laughed.

“…Haha.”

It’s satisfying.

It’s great!

Shadow Warrior…

At least the bow doesn’t work.

Which probably means other ranged weapons won’t work either.

It only responds to melee weapons.

Melee weapons that I’ve let go of.

…I need to test more.

I looked around the rooftop.

The distance my shadow moved earlier.

Not exact, but roughly thirty meters.

Neither too far nor too close.

Difficult to use like a bow over hundreds of meters.

So, it’s a mid-range warrior.

My guess is it’s for close combat.

I’ll have to test it now.

I summoned the shadow warrior to receive the sword.

Whooshing, the shadow disappeared.

“Good.”

I put on the lifting belt and went downstairs.

From the fourth floor, I took the elevator down and slowly walked to the lower floors.

Noises are important.

I carefully avoided making any sound as I went to the mart warehouse on the third floor and then to the office.

Only the warehouse and bathroom had windows.

The windows had steel pipes inserted into the silicon-sealed frames, and wood was nailed over the glass with silicon for reinforcement.

What’s visible is silicon, but they probably used every adhesive possible.

I slowly removed the steel pipe.

And gently pushed the window.

It opens.

Not too wide.

So they won’t notice.

I sat on the desk and looked through the window crack.

…Zombie wave.

Massive.

Dozens of meters below, they’re packed tightly.

…This height is suitable for testing the shadow warrior’s range and performance.

I opened the status window and held out the sword outside the window.

…Don’t get caught.

No noise.

Well, the growling continues, but it doesn’t change.

I swallowed hard and looked at the sword I held out and the window crack.

Two things to test.

The performance of the shadow warrior.

…And.

“Phew.”

I let go of the sword.

Whoosh!

A dark gust of wind rushed out through the window crack.

The shadow warrior grabbed the sword and fell to the ground!

Into the zombie wave!

I gritted my teeth and activated the skill.

Acceleration.

[Auto-cast: Acceleration]

Acceleration activated.

This is the second element I’ll test.

When acceleration is active, everything slows down.

But I speed up.

What about the shadow warrior?

Outside the window, the shadow warrior landed on the ground.

And moved.

Through the crowd of zombies.

Looking up at me.

No unnecessary movements.

Neither slow nor fast, just normal movement.

It moves!

Normally!

Even with acceleration active!

I felt a thrill.

My shadow warrior isn’t affected by acceleration!

Or rather, it’s affected just like me!

“…Haha.”

I laughed silently, only exhaling.

And gave the command.

Attack them.

The shadow warrior raised the sword high.

The blade gleamed in the streetlights.

And my shadow warrior charged in all directions.

With no hesitation, it slaughtered the human beasts with elegant movements, beheading and stabbing them left and right.

The status window floated in front of me.

Power dropped rapidly!

From 46 to 40, 33, 25…!

My shadow warrior was precisely targeting their heads!

…This is it.

This is the Power skill.

The Shadow skill that always attacks weak points!

I didn’t command it to cut their heads.

I just told it to attack.

Yet, my shadow warrior is accurately beheading them, killing them all.

My shadow warrior is using the Shadow skill!

Or rather, the shadow warrior itself is the Shadow!

Materializing close-range skills.

That’s what the Shadow Gloves are for.

And my Dalgurum Gloves!

I watched as the shadow warrior swept through the zombie wave.

Blood splattered everywhere.

And I laughed.

“…Haha.”

I’m happy.

Truly happy!

Shadow warrior and Shadow.

Their applications are incredibly versatile.

Precision and Shadow.

Combined with the shadow warrior, these two skills will diversify my combat style tremendously.

It’s fun.

Really fun!

Before I knew it, a bright smile spread across my face.

Meanwhile, my Power reached 0.

Unknowingly, 46 zombies were hunted.

The shadow warrior stopped.

Should I recall it?

I hesitated for a moment.

…Wait.

What happens when acceleration ends?

The sword…

It might not come back, but it’s worth testing.

I used 8 accelerations.

Without retreating, it slaughtered 46 zombies non-stop.

I waited, looking down, with some anticipation.

…Acceleration ended.

Whoosh!

Blood splattered everywhere.

Heads flew into the air like a graduation ceremony.

Brains hit the ground with a splat.

Grrr, crash!

46 human beasts collapsed, shaking the ground.

The shadow warrior just stood there.

And fell silent.

“…Phew.”

A smile returned to my lips.

It doesn’t react!

They don’t react to my shadow warrior!

Because it’s not a living being!

Not human!

I covered my mouth with my fist and laughed again.

Quietly.

This is incredible.

Shadow warrior!

Is this what it was meant to be!

I laughed for a moment and looked back out the window.

And commanded.

Return.

The shadow warrior looked up at me sharply.

Bowed.

And jumped up the wall, climbing powerfully.

Up the wall!

More amazing every time.

Not just the distance, but the height means nothing to the shadow warrior.

I placed my hand on the open window crack.

The shadow warrior raised its arm strongly.

The sword landed precisely in my hand.

And the shadow warrior faded away.

“…Phew…”

I took a deep breath and quietly closed the window.

Inserted the steel pipe back.

Left the office and headed to the stairs.

Sshh-

Smoke rose faintly from the sword.

The shadow warrior had damaged the blade, which was now recovering.

I shook the sword, splattering blood.

Clang!

And sheathed it.

Shurur- Click.

I smiled.

“…Good.”