Chapter 22 Summary
The air in the cavern was thick with a metallic tang, the kind of scent that clung to the skin and whispered of danger. Sunlight never reached this place; instead, a dim, eerie glow pulsed from the walls, casting long shadows that seemed to move of their own accord. The S‑rank dungeon loomed before the hunters like a beast waiting to be tamed, its entrance a jagged maw of stone and ancient runes. For most, the mere sight of it would have been enough to turn back, but Sung Jinwoo stood at the threshold with a calm that bordered on indifference.
He had been summoned to the raid by the guild’s leader, Go Gun-Hee, a towering figure whose reputation for brute strength was matched only by his strategic mind. Beside him, Cha Hae‑In, the elegant hunter whose silver hair seemed to catch the faint light, tightened the straps on her dual swords. Yoo Jin‑Ho, the veteran with a scar that ran the length of his cheek, gave a curt nod, his eyes scanning the darkness for any hint of movement.
“Ready?” Go Gun‑Hee’s voice boomed, reverberating off the stone. “We go in together. No one gets left behind.”
Jinwoo’s response was a simple, almost bored smile. “Let’s see what this place has to offer.”
The party stepped into the darkness, their footsteps echoing in a rhythm that matched the thudding of their hearts. The walls seemed to close in, the air growing colder with each step. The faint hum of unseen energy vibrated through the floor, a reminder that they were not merely walking through a cavern but into a living, breathing entity that fed on the fear of those who entered.
As they progressed, the first signs of the dungeon’s hostility emerged. Small, spindly creatures—nothing more than twisted shadows—skittered across the floor, their eyes glowing like dying embers. Cha Hae‑In moved with the grace of a dancer, her swords flashing in swift arcs that sliced through the creatures with ease. Go Gun‑Hee’s massive hammer crashed down, sending shockwaves that pulverized anything within a radius. Yoo Jin‑Ho’s precise strikes left no room for error, his experience evident in every calculated move.
Jinwoo, however, seemed to glide through the chaos. He raised his hand, and a faint, violet aura emanated from his palm. The shadows recoiled, as if sensing an unseen predator. He moved forward, his steps deliberate, his gaze fixed on the far end of the hall where a faint, pulsating light beckoned like a promise.
The party reached a massive chamber, its ceiling lost in darkness. In the center stood a towering figure, its form shifting between a hulking beast and a mass of swirling darkness. The first boss battle had begun.
The creature roared, a sound that rattled the very stones. Its eyes, twin pits of void, locked onto the hunters. “You dare enter my domain?” it bellowed, voice echoing like a thousand whispers. “I will devour your souls!”
Go Gun‑Hee charged first, his hammer raised high. The impact of his strike sent a shockwave that rippled through the chamber, but the boss merely absorbed the blow, its form expanding to accommodate the force. “Hold steady!” he shouted, turning to the others. “We need to find its weak point!”
Cha Hae‑In darted forward, her swords a blur. She slashed at the creature’s flank, each strike leaving a faint scar of light. “It’s resistant to physical attacks,” she called out, her voice steady despite the roar of the beast. “We need something else.”
Jinwoo’s eyes narrowed. He felt the rhythm of the creature’s heartbeat, a slow, deliberate thrum that resonated with his own. He stepped forward, his hand outstretched, and a surge of energy pulsed from his core. The air around him crackled, and a dark silhouette materialized beside him—a figure cloaked in shadows, its eyes burning with an eerie violet light.
“Shadow Soldier,” Jinwoo whispered, a hint of awe in his tone. The figure bowed its head, acknowledging its master.
The Shadow Soldier lunged at the beast, its form shifting like liquid night. It struck at the creature’s core, a place where the darkness seemed to coalesce. The impact was subtle, a whisper of force that seemed to echo in the void. The boss staggered, a low growl escaping its throat.
“Now!” Go Gun‑Hee shouted, swinging his hammer with renewed vigor. The combined assault of hammer, swords, and the Shadow Soldier’s ethereal strike began to wear the creature down. The beast’s form flickered, its massive limbs trembling.
Yoo Jin‑Ho seized the moment, his blade flashing in a precise arc that cut through a tendril of darkness. “It’s losing its cohesion!” he shouted, his voice carrying a rare note of excitement.
The creature let out a final, guttural roar, its body collapsing into a vortex of black smoke that spiraled upward, dissipating into the ceiling. The chamber fell silent, the only sound the ragged breathing of the hunters.
Jinwoo lowered his hand, the violet aura fading. The Shadow Soldier stood beside him, its form solidifying into a more defined shape—a tall, armored figure with a sword that seemed to be forged from pure darkness. The hunter’s eyes widened as he realized the magnitude of what had just occurred.
“Did… did we just defeat an S‑rank boss?” Cha Hae‑In asked, her voice a mixture of disbelief and triumph.
Go Gun‑Hee nodded, wiping sweat from his brow. “We did. And we did it together.”
Jinwoo stared at the Shadow Soldier, his mind racing. He felt a surge of power, a new awareness that pulsed through his veins. The creature before him was not just a summoned entity; it was a fragment of his own potential, a manifestation of the shadows he had barely begun to understand.
“Shadow extraction,” he murmured, the term echoing in his thoughts. He reached out, his fingertips brushing the armor of the Shadow Soldier. A faint, electric sensation traveled up his arm, and a vision flashed before his eyes—a battlefield of countless shadows, each bound to a master, each waiting for a command.
The realization hit him like a wave. The dungeon had not only tested his strength but had also unlocked a new ability. He could now extract shadows, bind them, and command them as soldiers. The implications were staggering.
“Jinwoo, what’s happening?” Yoo Jin‑Ho asked, his tone cautious.
Jinwoo turned, a faint smile playing on his lips. “I think… I think I just leveled up to 2.”
The words hung in the air, a simple statement that carried the weight of destiny. The hunters exchanged glances, their eyes reflecting a mixture of awe and curiosity. The concept of leveling up was something they all understood, but the notion of a hunter ascending beyond the known limits was unprecedented.
“Level up to 2?” Cha Hae‑In repeated, her eyebrows raised. “That’s… that’s impossible. The system only allows us to gain experience through quests and battles. How did you…?”
Jinwoo’s gaze drifted to the Shadow Soldier, now standing tall and resolute. “The dungeon… it gave me something. A fragment of its power. I can feel it coursing through me. It’s like a new… a new system has been installed within me.”
Go Gun‑Hee stepped forward, his massive frame casting a shadow over the group. “If this is true, we need to understand it. This could change everything. We need to report this to the guild, but first… we need to see what else this power can do.”
The Shadow Soldier raised its sword, the blade humming with dark energy. “Master,” it said in a voice that resonated like a distant echo, “the shadows are ready to serve.”
Jinwoo felt a surge of confidence. He lifted his own hand, and the violet aura returned, brighter this time. “Then let’s see how far we can go.”
The hunters gathered around, forming a circle as Jinwoo began to channel his newfound ability. He focused on the remnants of the boss’s darkness that lingered in the air, drawing it toward himself. The shadows coalesced, forming a swirling vortex that hovered above the ground. Jinwoo extended his palm, and the vortex responded, its energy flowing into him like a river.
The Shadow Soldier stepped forward, its sword cutting through the vortex, separating the pure darkness from the lingering remnants of the beast. The extracted shadows fell to the floor, taking on a semi‑solid form—small, wraith‑like figures that hovered just above the ground, their eyes glowing with the same violet hue as Jinwoo’s aura.
“Shadow extraction complete,” the Shadow Soldier announced. “We now have three soldiers ready for command.”
Jinwoo nodded, his mind already racing through possibilities. “We’ll need to train them, understand their limits. But first, we should test their combat abilities.”
He turned to the rest of the party. “Cha Hae‑In, Yoo Jin‑Ho, Go Gun‑Hee—let’s see how they perform in a controlled scenario. I’ll give you a signal, and you’ll engage them. We’ll observe their coordination and strength.”
The hunters agreed, and Jinwoo raised his hand once more. A soft, violet light spread across the chamber, and the three shadow soldiers stepped forward, their swords drawn. Their movements were fluid, almost graceful, as if they had been fighting for centuries.
Cha Hae‑In was the first to engage, her swords flashing in a rapid series of strikes. The shadow soldiers parried with uncanny precision, their blades meeting hers in a symphony of clashing steel. Each contact sent ripples of energy through the air, the sound of metal on metal echoing in the cavern.
Go Gun‑Hee followed, his hammer swinging in wide arcs. The shadow soldiers dodged, their bodies bending and twisting as they evaded the massive blows. When they counterattacked, their swords cut through the air with a whisper, striking at the gaps in Go Gun‑Hee’s defense.
Yoo Jin‑Ho, ever the tactician, observed the patterns. He moved with calculated steps, feinting and then delivering precise thrusts. The shadow soldiers responded, their movements synchronized as if they shared a single mind. Jinwoo watched, his heart pounding with a mixture of pride and anticipation.
The battle was brief but intense. Within minutes, the shadow soldiers demonstrated a level of coordination that surpassed even the most seasoned hunters. Their attacks were swift, their defenses impenetrable. When the exercise ended, they stood still, their swords lowered, awaiting further commands.
Jinwoo lowered his hand, the violet aura fading. The hunters gathered around, their faces lit with a mixture of awe and excitement.
“This… this is beyond anything we’ve ever seen,” Go Gun‑Hee said, his voice hushed. “If you can summon and command these soldiers, Jinwoo, you could become a pivotal force in the guild.”
Cha Hae‑In stepped closer, her eyes softening. “You’ve always been quiet, always kept to yourself. But now… you’re showing a side we never imagined. I’m glad to see you harness this power.”
Jinwoo smiled, a genuine warmth spreading through him. “I never asked for this. The dungeon gave me a chance, and I’ll make the most of it. There’s still so much I don’t understand, but I’ll keep moving forward.”
Yoo Jin‑Ho placed a hand on Jinwoo’s shoulder. “We’ll help you. The guild will need to know about this, but we must be careful. If word spreads too quickly, other hunters might try to take advantage, or worse, the authorities could intervene.”
Jinwoo nodded. “Agreed. For now, we’ll keep this between us. I’ll train the soldiers, learn their limits, and see how far I can push this new system.”
The party exited the chamber, the darkness receding behind them as they made their way back to the surface. The sun was setting, casting a golden hue over the city’s skyline. As they emerged, the bustling streets seemed oblivious to the monumental events that had just unfolded beneath their feet.
Back at the guild hall, Go Gun‑Hee called a meeting with the senior members. The atmosphere was tense, the air thick with anticipation. Jinwoo stood before the council, the Shadow Soldier at his side, its sword sheathed but its presence undeniable.
“Ladies and gentlemen,” Go Gun‑Hee began, his voice resonating through the hall, “we have returned from the S‑rank dungeon with a significant development. Our hunter, Sung Jinwoo, has unlocked a new ability—shadow extraction—and has successfully summoned and commanded shadow soldiers.”
Murmurs rippled through the room. Some hunters exchanged skeptical glances, while others leaned forward, eager to hear more.
Jinwoo stepped forward, his eyes meeting each member of the council. “I understand the gravity of this revelation. The power I now wield is unprecedented, and I am still learning its boundaries. I ask for your support in training and integrating these soldiers into our operations, but I also request discretion. This is a delicate matter that could alter the balance of power among hunters.”
The council deliberated, weighing the potential benefits against the risks. After a lengthy discussion, the decision was made: Jinwoo would be granted a private training facility, and his shadow soldiers would be monitored closely. The guild would keep the development confidential until they could fully assess its implications.
In the weeks that followed, Jinwoo immersed himself in rigorous training. The Shadow Soldier, now named “Ashen Blade,” became his constant companion, guiding him through the nuances of shadow manipulation. Together, they explored the limits of extraction, learning to pull shadows from the environment, from defeated monsters, and even from the lingering remnants of the dungeon’s darkness.
Each night, Jinwoo would sit in the quiet of his room, the violet aura flickering around his fingertips as he practiced. He could feel the system within him evolving, a silent algorithm adjusting to his will. The more he used it, the more he understood the delicate balance between control and chaos. The shadows were not merely tools; they were extensions of his own soul, reflecting his desires, fears, and ambitions.
Cha Hae‑In visited often, bringing tea and offering counsel. Their conversations grew deeper, moving beyond the battlefield into the realm of philosophy. “You’ve always been the quiet one, Jinwoo,” she said one evening, watching the violet light dance across the walls. “Now you’re becoming a beacon. How does it feel to have this kind of power?”
Jinwoo stared at his hands, the faint glow pulsing in rhythm with his heartbeat. “It’s… overwhelming. I never imagined I’d be able to command something as intangible as a shadow. Yet, here I am, shaping it, giving it purpose. It feels like I’m finally becoming the hunter I was meant to be.”
She smiled, a soft, understanding smile. “You’ve always been more than a hunter. You’re a catalyst. The world needs someone like you, someone who can bridge the gap between the known and the unknown.”
Meanwhile, Go Gun‑Hee continued to lead raids, his presence a steady anchor for the guild. He kept a watchful eye on Jinwoo’s progress, offering strategic advice and ensuring that the new ability was integrated safely into their operations. He also maintained a close relationship with Yoo Jin‑Ho, who had taken on the role of analyzing the data from Jinwoo’s shadow extractions.
Yoo Jin‑Ho’s analytical mind was a perfect complement to Jinwoo’s intuitive approach. He compiled detailed reports, noting the energy consumption, the duration of each shadow soldier’s lifespan, and the correlation between Jinwoo’s emotional state and the strength of the shadows. His findings were crucial in developing a training regimen that maximized efficiency while minimizing risk.
One night, as the guild’s training grounds buzzed with activity, Jinwoo faced his first true test. A rogue monster, a massive, serpentine creature that had escaped from a lower‑rank dungeon, threatened the city’s outskirts. The guild dispatched a team, but the beast’s size and ferocity overwhelmed them. Go Gun‑Hee, recognizing the urgency, called upon Jinwoo.
“Jinwoo, we need you,” he said, his voice urgent. “The monster is too strong for a conventional raid. Use your shadow soldiers.”
Jinwoo nodded, his mind already forming a plan. He stepped onto the battlefield, the violet aura flaring brighter than ever. He raised his hand, and from the ground rose three new shadow soldiers—each distinct in appearance. One wielded a massive axe, another a pair of daggers, and the third a long spear that seemed to hum with dark energy.
The serpentine monster emerged from the shadows, its scales glistening like obsidian, its eyes burning with primal rage