Reborn as Sung Jin Woo

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***

Stretching my neck, I take a step forward.

Vestments.

No longer saying it, with a single impulse of will I made my own shadow flutter up and cover my body. Igris, on the other hand, already flinched naturally at my transformation.

- So you're going to test me. - I drew my blade from the shadows.

The Scarlet Knight stepped towards me, placing the same huge sword on his shoulder. The armour made my figure seem more massive, but the knight, even in his armour, looked more graceful. He looked like he had the perfect balance of speed and strength.

And, the very sight of him urged me to....

- Get ready, I'm attacking. - I said, stepping forward.

Igris sprang to his feet and drew his sword, ready to fend off my attack.

I sprang forward and used Ruthless Slashing at just the right moment. My heart skipped a beat. I could see this... fight developing. He could have dodged my attack, but since I had warned him, it was as if the knight felt the need to take this blow, to assess it on himself, to recognise my... honesty?

Bang!

With a deafening rumble, the shadow blade collided with Igris' sword.

And from the force of the blow, it was as if reality itself shook. The wave caused the floor to crack, as did the nearby columns, and the recoil travelled down my arms, embedding pain in my bones. At the same time, though the knight's sword withstood, it was not his hand that held the weapon. Igris's hand bent with a clang and the metal of his armour shattered.

The knight himself fell to a knee from the pressure, slamming his joints into the floor.

I didn't want to lose the initiative.

With all the speed I had, I brought my weapon up for another strike. For a moment, the shadow sword transformed, reverting back to dagger form to lighten the weight. In addition...

Suppression!

And, it was penetrated.

Putting in all my strength, I strike again with Ruthless Chopping, striking from top to bottom.

Again the rumble and pain in my arms. But if I was just uncomfortable with the recoil, Igris's arm crumpled at the elbow. The other hand, which he used to grasp the blade itself, was also damaged. And, by now, the suppression had worn off.

And, just as I was about to swing for a third strike...

The knight's swift movement sent me flying. He almost blew my head off with his sword from his advanced position, and then elbowed me in the stomach. The shadow armour cracked and it was as if my spirit had been knocked out of me. And before I realised it, Igris had risen abruptly, grabbing my arm and throwing me over him, tossing me towards the throne.

- Kha...

My head is spinning.

Also from those staggering blows, I just couldn't hold the Knight Killer in my hands, and my weapon flew away.

- Shit..." I groaned.

That was a lot. About a quarter of my health was gone like it never happened, and everything inside felt like it was twisted. But, I also felt that my blows had also hit the knight pretty good.

- Heh-heh-heh... comfortable chair... - I said a little nervously.

Igris clenched his fist, making his mangled glove creak painfully.

Fires of indignation flashed in the eye sockets of his helmet. His visage seemed to scream, "How dare you sit where he sat?"

- Ohhh... I'm sorry, I didn't mean to offend you. But, you're the one who threw me here.

Straightening up proudly, the knight set his sword down, resting its point on the floor. Now he just stood and waited for me to get off the throne and continue the fight. Obviously, he didn't want to fight me while I was just sitting here. So I...

Relaxed a little bit, got into a more comfortable position.

- I'm just gonna take a breath.

And he put his foot on his leg.

Igris shook his head, which made his armour make a threatening clanking sound.

- Don't be in such a hurry... you'll get there in time. - I waved my hand.

My breathing had just recovered, and my insides were no longer twisting.

- That's it, let's get on with it.

Standing up, I moved away from the throne, approaching my opponent. A two-handed weapon was retrieved from my inventory, which was immediately covered in darkness. Running after the flying Knight Killer seemed a bit too awkward for me. At least in this particular fight. I didn't really have to run after him, though. Weapons from the system shop have one interesting feature, but I think it can be used later.

For now...

Igris, raised his sword, preparing for another round.

Another moment and...

The knight's eyes flashed.

We attacked at the same time. I could almost feel the air creaking with my movements. The speed made the air seem viscous, like tar. And Igris was moving just as fast. We were about equal in speed, or, he was even a little faster.

A simple overhead kick...

I tilted my weapon to the side and increased its mass by shadow to use the weight of the sword to dodge. That way, I was able to avoid the crushing blow of Igris' sword. And then, shifting my centre of gravity, I delivered a swift blow myself before the knight could deal with the inertia of his attack.

My blade was aimed at his neck, upwards, but the Scarlet Knight managed to twist.

I didn't blow his head off, but I hit him in the shoulder with all my might.

Igris's shoulderplate shifted with an agonising squeak. The force of the blow tore the metal of his armour and tore the fasteners off.

A moment more, and using the inertia of the recoil, I struck again from the other side, making a U-turn and allowing this lunge to gain a new charge of monstrous inertia. But, then Igris managed to raise his sword, parrying my blow by just pulling it a little higher, forcing the shadow blade to pass over the knight's head.

- Ha! - I had the spirit knocked out of me again.

I imagined how I could attack next, but I just didn't have the time. Parrying my second blow, Igris attacked faster, punching me under the breath. And before I knew it, his clawed fingers were digging into my helmet, tearing through the metal and into my hair.

Bang!

A sharp jerk of his hand and he brought my head down with force, hitting me in the face with his knee. And that blow just crumpled the helmet of the shadow armour. My eyes flooded with blood. And, after that, followed by a final throw that threw me back into the column.

- Khaa...

The weapon fell out of my hands again, and I slumped to the floor as I slid off the column.

My heart thumped in my temples, my ears were ringing, and my vision was a bloody blur. I could only vaguely see Igris approaching. His sword, which the knight was dragging behind him, sounded like a splintered clang. He was coming slowly and inevitably, like death itself. And I tried to pull myself together.

Even without seeing the status, I felt that my health had already fallen below half. Much lower.

I might not survive a second series of blows like that.

Perhaps this was the time I should have used the rune of escape. But, I still had hope of victory. I had a plan lined up in my head. And, even though it was a risk, I just didn't want to back down. Damn it, Jin Woo, it's your bad karma! Why do I have to find myself in such a critical position?

I can hardly take a breath.

The Scarlet Knight stopped in front of me and swung his sword, bringing the blade above his head.

And just as he was about to finish me off...

I put my last strength into a single leap.

In the same instant, the Fang of Rasaka appeared in my hand, and with a lightning-fast blow I drove it into the slot on Igris's helmet.

Suppression!

My mana was almost at zero, but I still had enough for one single strike.

And as the Knight Killer summoned through the system appears in my hand, it is immediately enveloped by darkness, turning the weapon into a two-handed blade. The merciless chopping delivers a crushing blow to my enemy's neck, crumpling the metal. И...

A clang...

The Scarlet Knight's helmet flew away, and darkness rushed out of his armour.

- Haa...

Backing away, I collapsed backwards onto the floor with my back against the pillar.

At the same time, the Scarlet Knight's armour also fell to my knees.

You have killed Blood Scarlet Knight Igris!

Your level has been raised

Your level has been raised

Your level has been raised.

I responsibly declare that this was the hardest fight I have ever experienced in this world.

And the relief was true happiness.

And with what triumph I reached the defeated enemy to get my loot.

Items obtained:

Red Knight's Helmet

Rank - S

Absorbs 15% of incoming damage

+20 Strength

+20 stamina

Leather pouch

Used!

+ 150000 gold

Runestone - Monarch's Power

Skill can be learnt by destroying the stone

Stone of Return

A consumable item that allows you to leave the dungeon until conditions are met

The most valuable items here were the helmet of Igris, and the runestone.

In fact, I didn't hesitate and immediately equipped a new helmet instead of the old one taken from one of the regular knights. Although, I wouldn't mind a full set of his armour. But, if the helmet received as a loot could be equipped, but the actual armour was clearly not to my size.

And after all, it's awkward to undress this guy.

I also immediately crushed the rune stone in my hand, letting the power hidden in it flow into my body.

And, it was such a familiar feeling too.

Another gift of the Shadow Monarch. It was one of his abilities that was contained in this stone.

I suppose he might have left this stone to Igris himself, to pass the stone to his... successor through him....

The Power of the Monarch gr. 1

You can move objects without touching them.

This was another activatable skill that didn't require mana.

- Hnn...

Reaching out my hand, I used the new ability and made Igris's helmet that flew off pull towards me. I felt some resistance, but overall, the power of this skill seemed to match my strength. That is, the more weight I could lift with my hands, the heavier the object I could lift with this skill.

But, in general, it's amazing how, along with new skills, it's like some sort of intuitive understanding of how to use those powers flowed into me.

And anyway...

It was a tough fight.

I'm completely exhausted. I have a little over twenty per cent health left. Mana is running low, I won't even be able to use acceleration, suppression, or chopping. Although, I still have skills that don't require mana....

И...

The profession change quest is starting

The system message sounded like a mockery.

The longer you endure, the more points you'll receive, depending on which high-class profession will be granted.

I sighed desperately.

- Ohhh... well does it have to be this? Aren't the previous trials enough? Can't you just give me a profession?

A ringing silence reigned in the hall.

The message dawned and suddenly changed. But before it did, it was as if I heard a lock click. A pulse of power erupted in my chest and the Shadow Monarch's energy surged violently into my body. But, if before it would have just destroyed me, now.....

It was fine.

The power filled me like a vessel until it filled me completely to the point where dark veins began to run through my skin, glowing with a dark purple fire from within. Just a little more and I would have been torn apart for sure, but, that was the end of the transmission. I had gained exactly as much power as I could handle.

You have gained the exclusive Shadow Lord class.

And at the same time, the shadows in the hall seemed to dance around me, picking off the floor and walls, reaching for me with grim tentacles, merging with my armour.

- Oh... and so what... was it possible? - I blurted out.

I could feel the echo of the Monarch's apathy in that strength.

He hadn't said anything to me, then or now. But it was as if I could hear his tired sigh of pity. It was as if he was saying, "Young people are always in a hurry to get somewhere, okay, here's a candy". You could feel the old man's grumbling. And, along with that, the clear realisation came to me that it was not the Architect who created the system, but the Shadow Monarch himself who was responsible for this ordeal, at least.

- Haa...

In several pulses, the power spread through my body.

And, with each pulse, new messages appeared in front of me.

Class skill gained

Character bonus received

Received the title "One who seeks easy ways".

My eye seemed to twitch.

Title - The One Who Seeks the Easy Way.

Your damage resistance is increased by 100% while you are clad in the Monarch's shadow

At that, I didn't even hear, but felt something strange with my soul. An otherworldly impulse that made me turn around and look at Igris' armour.

Shadow summoning can be used on this target

Please select a key phrase to activate the skill

Hmm...

But before fulfilling the system's request, I opened my list of skills.

Passive:

Fortitude - 5 grades.

Two-handed Blade - 3 level.

Active:

Sprint - 6th level.

Suppression - 3 levels.

Cloak - 3 levels.

Monarch's Power - 1 level.

Shadow Extraction - 1 level.

Shadow Vault - 1 level.

And the last two skills were particularly interesting at the moment.

Shadow Extraction - 1 level.

Creating a shadow warrior from the remnants of the dead man's own mana

The chance of success depends on the dead man's strength, as well as the time since death

Number of summoned shadows - 0\50

Shadow Vault - 1 level.

You absorb shadow warriors and place them in the vault.

Shadows can be summoned and reabsorbed at any time.

Vault capacity - 0\50.

And, it was exactly what I wanted.

Ever since I came to this world, I had a burning desire to possess these powers. The funny thing is, the real test was the duel with Igris, and what was to come next was just for the amusement of the system's creator or the Monarch himself. And I guess no matter how canonical Jin Woo would have gone about this ordeal, he would have ended up with the same result. Also, it turns out the Monarch isn't completely gone. He's still connected to me. But, there's also a certain impatience in his power. He's waiting for me to be ready to take not a small part, but all of his power.

Sighing, I also checked my characteristics.

Song Jin Wu

Level 46

Speciality

Shadow Lord

Title

One who seeks the easy way

Health - 100%

Mana - 100%

Characteristics:

Strength - 126 (+25)

Dexterity - 126 (+20)

Stamina - 126 (+30)

Perception - 85 (+20)

Intelligence - 84 (+5)

My stats have increased, as has my level.

My health and mana have also recovered, but I've already had a taste of that.

And I guess it's time...

I went back to that message again and finally gave the activation phrase. But of course, it could only be....

- Rise.

Could it be anything else?

And, along with that word, the skill itself was activated, causing Igris' armour to shudder, followed by a reek of gloom.

The attempt to extract the shadow had failed

Two attempts left.

Oh, come on!

Taking a deep breath, I looked at the armour.

- What are you doing? It was fine.

He's still fighting! He doesn't want to be reborn, you see!

- Hey, listen... you almost killed me here... but you know, it was still the most exciting fight of my life. And I wouldn't want our acquaintance to end there. I want to fight you again.

With that speech out of the way, I looked up at the throne.

- And, after all, you have nothing to guard here, you have done your duty... his last order.....

The shadow of Igris shook subtly.

- But why does it have to be the end? Rise and serve me. Igris!

Part of the phrase was spoken as an activator. And with a powerful pulse, the Scarlet Knight's shadow came to life.

The retrieval of the shadow was successful

The shadow has been given a name.

The shadow's level has been raised.

Igris

Shadow Knight

An otherworldly power pulsed through the warrior's ghostly body. And, it felt stronger now than when we fought. I'm afraid if it had been as strong then, I wouldn't have stood a chance. But to my surprise, I felt that this was not yet the limit. A servant's strength is related to the master. The shadow knight's power is still restrained by the system, but it's actually hundreds of times stronger... only, that power is locked away, just like the Monarch's power.

The shadow itself...

Clad in a black armour of gloom, Igris solemnly knelt down, bowing her head.

- Huh... still, you decided to follow me... - I smiled.

Though inwardly I was just cheering. With such an ally... definitely, I will become much stronger.

- Then... let's go...

Turning around, I headed towards the gate leading to the corridor through which I had come here. The space of this dungeon was already trembling, preparing to close. But, I managed to approach the armour that was left here earlier.

- Rise.

I walked on, and the shadow warriors rose behind me and followed me, ready to serve. In passing, I noted that they were of a different rank than Igris.

Shadow Warrior

Almost all of the knights were of this rank, and none of them had a name. Only one particularly large armour that was twice as tall as me and, it was harder to fight with than the others, here he was given a higher rank.

Elite Shadow Warrior

In terms of his own strength, he was just somewhere between an ordinary shadow warrior and a shadow knight.

Thus, before I left the dungeon... the volume of the shadow vault was completely filled. The rebel knights had hidden within my own shadow. That said, there were still a few warriors remaining that I didn't have enough skill resource for.

Nevertheless, they too served me by becoming part of my attire.

And so the dungeon closes....

Time is up

The daily task "Become Stronger" has not been completed!

The player will be penalised.

Damn...

I forgot all about it.

*** 

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