A lot had changed over the past two weeks. I have been going out for training, frequently slaughtering those Shades. The results are as I thought: my senses and skills with the katana have sharpened. I also ended up hitting Level 8 almost to 9. It took only killing one Shade each time to reach level 3, but after that, the experience accumulation for these Shades was compared to nothing—the reason it took me much longer than expected.

Meanwhile, Joon-soo was training in the morning while I was at night. He had been doing nothing but eating and training in a loop. He’s good at following directions. Oh, I also found out that the Pavilion Master was extremely offended when he heard the news of Courtesan Jun buying a slave out in the open. From rank #5, I was dropped to rank #13, and I became broke instantly. Instead of retaliating against that old man, it was best to have patience until I was going to meet with Ryuji tomorrow. And that’s when things would start to shift to my side.

I had heard a reply from Ryuji informing me to meet him tomorrow morning at his house. Odd. Most likely, he wants compensation, but I’m open to it. I will use whatever I can at my disposal, sex and relationships are only tools. The hard mode of my life hasn’t even started yet.

I slung back a sack full of opaque cores on my back as I was out for night training again. I was thinking of throwing these away, but realizing Shades were related to the Tower, I kept them. They might be useful when I enter the Tower. I was thinking of a training plan for Joon-soo, all I’ve heard him doing are sword exercises. Maybe sending him to the Training Towers is not a bad decision. I’ll have to talk to him, but I’ll leave the decision up to him, of course. Even if he doesn’t end up going, I can guarantee that he will acquire his class, Guardian Paladin.

I sighed deeply. I had been walking for an hour, and there was no sign of any Shades nearby. Did I kill the majority in this area? I then headed towards the forest, a bit closer to the Tower, where the Shades had a higher spawning rate. On my way to the center of the forest, I slashed down two shades casually. I had memorized their attack patterns, which made it exceptionally easy for me to counterattack them.

As I went deeper into the forest, something fell off. My instinct went off in my mind, warning me. I froze as if something was watching me. Just then, a horrid high-pitched screech was heard, shaking the ground as something massive was heading my way. I staggered; my balance was thrown as the sound grew louder.

“Is this a Shade or?” I whispered, tightening my grip around my katana. My body tensed.

Then, from behind the large trees emerged a far larger Shade I’d ever seen. It towered nearly seven feet, making my breath hitch. I couldn’t comprehend at the moment, there were other kinds of Shades, but why hadn’t this been reported to the public? The average Players here can’t even kill the small ones. How was this possible?

The seven-foot-tall Shade vanished into shadow particles rushing toward me. I could only defend myself against these shard-like particles with my katana. I struck out the shards flying toward me, each hit sending a shock through my arms. Then, from the particles, tendrils snarked from them.

It’s fast. Faster than anything I’ve seen before. And I realized the usual tactics won’t work here.  

It vanished.

Of course, invisibility.

I instantly closed my eyes, trying to sense the Shade nearby using [Enhanced Hearing]. But as I was searching for the Shade, a blast of shadow energy was shot at me. I barely dodged it, and yet my previous scar on the elbow throbbed. Grabbing my arm, I gritted my teeth, activating my [Critical Analysis].

So, it hesitates before firing those blasts. That will be my opening!

The Shade reappeared in its form faster than ever, lashing out the tendrils, creating shockwaves on the ground left and right. I ducked and did everything I could just to dodge. I was barely keeping up. I panted heavily as the tendrils kept attacking me, blood trickling from the several small cuts I had gotten. This is getting disadvantageous.

I swung at it again, knowing I couldn’t stop or else I would be the one to drop dead. I aimed for the left side, but the Shade vanished into particles again. I was barely able to defend against the shards, but suddenly, one of them appeared behind me. Too late, I thought, as my instincts were telling me to move, but I couldn’t physically.

A tendril whipped across my back and limbs, tearing through my skin deeply. I cried out, but stumbling, I tried to hold it in as much as I could. My blood splattered everywhere. With a pale face, I turned to the shards, gritting my teeth.

The Shade sends a blast toward me, and I sidestepped, barely dodging. This was my only shot, I reminded myself, watching it vanish again. For the last time, I used my [Enhanced Hearing], trying to find the Shade. Then, as luck would have it, I heard it faintly.

I spun with my katana without a second thought; I cut one of the tendrils. The Shade screamed, destabilizing. I didn’t hesitate and ended up severing three tendrils, but there were more coming my way. I knew I couldn’t finish it all myself.

Blood dripped from my limbs and back as I stood there contemplating whether I could defeat it or not. But as I was about to give up hope, the Shade regenerated immediately in its form, staring at me like an ant. But strangely, it went back the way it came from as if it received an order. Was someone controlling this Shade?

But I couldn’t care at the moment. I smirked, dropping to my knees and laughing out loud. I had survived! I then looked at my state and couldn’t help but swear to myself that I would kill the Shade myself the next time I encountered it.

I dragged myself toward a tree, breathing heavily and slumping against its trunk. I took what was left of the shirt and covered my wounds that were bleeding. Sighing deeply, I stood up walking back towards the Pavilion. I’m not coming back to this forest. I’m not ready to face enemies of this level yet; I should’ve checked the level of the Shade. On average, the normal Shade is of Level 2 or 3. They don’t range higher than that.

I’m not trying to be invincible like the regressor, being able to defend myself is the goal. But changing the fate of the regressor is no easy feat; I would have to suffer through things I can’t imagine...just by being next to him, I can’t live this life in peace if I don’t complete the SSS rank Mission.

Then suddenly, my [Sixth Sense] went off. Something was following me. What the hell was happening in this forest? I gripped my katana tightly; this area was more troublesome than I imagined. But I kept walking, and I could hear the heavy footsteps of the creature behind me. It wasn’t far off.

Then, a figure appeared out of the shadows, a few inches away from me. It felt like a ghost. The figure walked closer, and I could see its blank face with only a wide mouth. It looked just like the Shade’s, but it was much darker. It didn’t look like a shadow. It was more humanoid than the other Shades and moved almost like a living puppet.

I drew my katana slowly, staying alert, but no action was taken from the Shade. It just stood there, tilting its head, looking at me. Then it grinned widely with its jagged teeth poking out of its mouth. It approached me, but I stood firm, preparing for an attack. Yet, instead of lunging at me, the Shade dropped to the ground. It was lowering its head, waiting for my command.

“Why?” I asked. Was this some sort of trick? Even the seven-foot-tall Shade walked away, acting just like this Shade in front of me. Was this controlled, or had a mind of its own? I didn’t know. Analyzing the Shade using my skills, I found it had no hostility.

I lowered my katana. “Follow me,” I said, trying to test my theory. The Shade followed me, obeying instantly. I observed it closely, the way it obeyed felt like the Shade wasn’t a mindless creature. It was reacting to my commands as if it was its choice to submit to me. “Stand still. Move to the left. Come back to me”, I commanded.

It listened each time. No delay, and I started to feel like I had a connection with it. It felt…alive.

I tested it further. “Spin”. The Shade hesitated a bit and broke out in a ballerina spin effortlessly. Well, it was a pleasant sight…. I guess. “Stop”.

The Shade stopped instantly, and I swear I could almost feel its eye roll even though it didn’t have an eye. There was no way this was a coincidence. My theory turned out to be successful. But why was it following my orders?

I leaned in, curious. “Why are you listening to me?”.

Of course, no response was given. I wasn’t controlling it like a puppet, but it was following my orders. Like I had a strange influence on it, perhaps was it the [Charisma] skill? Or was it something else? I had no idea, but whatever it was, this was useful. Very useful, I thought, smirking at the Shade. “I’ll name you Zero from now on”.

Zero just tilted his head and nodded, appreciating the name he was given.