Chapter 56: Ancient Retainers

"Anyway," Eden said, "you mentioned something about me inheriting Zephyros’ remaining power."

Sylvia’s smile immediately became awkward.

"Ah."

Eden narrowed his eyes.

"That doesn’t sound promising."

"I sincerely apologize, Master."

"How bad?"

Sylvia hesitated.

"It has been hundreds of thousands of years."

"And?"

"The remaining Dark Matter left behind by Zephyros has almost completely dissipated."

Eden’s expression flattened.

"Almost?"

"Almost."

’Great.’

Sylvia quickly continued.

"Dark Matter was a form of energy comparable to Essence. In some ways, it was even more versatile."

Eden looked toward the Black Knight.

"The black stuff."

"Yes."

"The thing that knight was using?"

"Dark Matter."

Eden nodded slowly.

"That explains the weapons."

Sylvia nodded.

Before Eden could ask another question, Sylvia stepped closer.

"However, there is one final step."

"What?"

"I must transfer the remaining Dark Matter directly into you."

Eden blinked.

"How?"

"I have to inject it."

"Into me?"

"Yes."

"How?"

Sylvia didn’t answer immediately.

Instead, she reached forward, placed one hand against Eden’s chest—

And kissed him.

Eden’s eyes widened.

For a moment, his exhausted mind simply stopped working.

’What the fuck?’

The kiss lasted only a few seconds.

When Sylvia finally pulled away, Eden stared at her.

"...Was that the injection?"

Sylvia’s cheeks were faintly flushed.

"I apologize."

She bowed her head.

"It was simply the fastest method."

Eden opened his mouth.

Closed it.

Opened it again.

"...Right."

Then the System appeared.

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[SYSTEM NOTIFICATION]

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Dark Matter has been injected into the user’s body.

Integration process initiated.

Essence and Dark Matter are beginning to synchronize.

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Eden’s eyes widened.

Another window immediately followed.

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[NEW SKILL ACQUIRED]

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Dark Matter Manipulation [S-Rank]

Description:

A unique authority formed through the integration of the user’s Dark Matter with Sylvia, the living manifestation of the remaining Dark Matter inherited from Zephyros.

The user may manifest Sylvia as a weapon composed entirely of Dark Matter.

The manifested weapon may take any form the user can visualize.

Alternatively, the user may command Sylvia to enter a supportive state, granting:

+10% All Attributes

+20% Essence Output

The strength of these effects is determined by the user’s available Dark Matter reserves.

If neither manifestation nor enhancement is used, the shared Dark Matter will instead enter a regenerative state, gradually restoring the user’s physical injuries and exhaustion.

Dark Matter reserves increase as the user acquires and absorbs additional Dark Matter.

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Eden stared.

"...That’s actually ridiculous."

Sylvia smiled nervously.

"It is currently much weaker than it should be."

Eden looked at her.

"Weaker?"

"Your Dark Matter reserves are extremely low."

She hesitated.

"The authority will grow stronger as you obtain more."

Eden reread the numbers.

Ten percent attributes.

Twenty percent Essence output.

Compared to Corrupted Surge, it wasn’t particularly impressive.

But that wasn’t the point.

He could turn Sylvia into a weapon.

Or use her as a passive regenerative source.

Or simply...

Let the skill grow.

And somehow, he had obtained an S-Rank skill from a woman who had appeared out of a dead B-Rank boss.

Eden laughed quietly.

"This is absurd."

He then noticed something.

The exhaustion in his body was beginning to fade.

His muscles weren’t screaming quite as loudly anymore.

His breathing became easier.

Even some of the smaller cuts across his body had begun closing.

"So this is the regeneration?"

"Yes."

"It’s slow."

"Very."

"But it’s working."

"It will become stronger."

Eden nodded.

He liked that.

Then another notification appeared.

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[SYSTEM NOTIFICATION]

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Obsidian has pledged his loyalty to his new Master.

Master: Eden

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Eden stared.

"...Obsidian?"

He turned toward Sylvia.

"Who’s Obsidian?"

Sylvia looked toward the Black Knight.

"Your new Retainer."

Eden’s eyes widened.

"Wait."

She smiled.

"Obsidian was one of Zephyros’ five Retainers, who had been granted a small portion of Dark matter to keep future Archdukes in check."

Eden’s expression slowly changed.

"The Black Knight?"

"Yes."

"The guy I just spent..."

He glanced around.

"...however long fighting?"

"Yes. He is quite powerful."

"How powerful?"

Sylvia didn’t answer.

Instead, a System window appeared.

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[STATUS]

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Name: Obsidian

Dark Matter: 5% [B-Rank]

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Attributes

Strength: 600

Agility: 500

Vitality: 400

Dark Matter: 200

Perception: 200

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Skills & Authorities

Dark Matter Manipulation [S]

Allows the user to freely manipulate Dark Matter, shaping it into weapons, defensive constructs, and other manifestations according to their will.

Impeccable Spirit [SS]

Grants the user absolute resistance to Debuffs and Mind Control effects, preventing hostile abilities from altering their physical, mental, or spiritual state.

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Eden’s mouth slowly fell open.

Six hundred Strength.

Five hundred Agility.

Four hundred Vitality.

And the Black Knight had only been using...

He looked at the first line again.

Dark Matter: 5%.

’He’s considered a B-Rank boss at just Five percent of his real power?!’

Eden’s expression changed.

"...Sylvia."

"Yes, Master?"

Eden looked back toward the status window.

"How strong were Zephyros’ Retainers?"

Sylvia’s smile became strangely nostalgic.

"They were specifically trained to keep the first generation of Archdukes in check."

"I’m not sure how strong the current generation of Archdukes are, but the Retainers at their full power should still be their equals."

Eden rubbed his face in disbelief.

He suddenly felt much less confident about the world he’d thought he understood.

He looked at Sylvia.

"And I can summon him?"

"You can."

Eden raised his hand.

"Then—"

"Master."

Sylvia interrupted him.

Eden paused.

"What?"

"Obsidian cannot be summoned at present."

Eden frowned.

"Why?"

"He dissolved himself into Dark Matter."

Eden looked toward the Black Knight.

Only faint traces of black particles remained where his body had fallen.

"Let me guess, he needs to recover?"

Sylvia nodded.

"You defeated him while he was already severely damaged. His reserves are extremely depleted."

"How long?"

"I cannot say. It can range from a few days to several weeks."

Eden sighed.

"Of course."

Sylvia continued.

"Retainers can regenerate their bodies by dissolving themselves into Dark Matter. So long as their core remains intact, they may eventually restore themselves."

Eden’s expression became serious.

"So they’re immortal?"

"No."

The answer came immediately.

"They can still die."

Sylvia’s voice hardened.

"If their bodies are destroyed beyond recovery, or if their Dark Matter core is annihilated before they can retreat into their reserves, they can perish."

Eden nodded slowly.

"So I have to make sure they retreat when they’re badly injured."

"Exactly."

"Otherwise I lose them."

"Yes."

Eden looked at the empty space where Obsidian had disappeared.

These weren’t disposable summons.

They were beings that had served Zephyros for countless years.

And now...

They were his.

He glanced at Sylvia.

"And the other four?"

"You’ll have to find them."

Eden’s eyes narrowed.

"You mean they’ll pledge loyalty just like that too?"

"They will likely challenge you the same way Obsidian did."

"To determine whether you’re worthy of holding Zephyros’ Dark Matter."

Eden smiled faintly.

"Then I suppose I have four more problems to find."

Sylvia smiled.

"Perhaps."

Eden looked around the destroyed dungeon.

He’d fought hundreds of monsters.

Then a B-Rank boss.

Obtained Two S-Rank skills.

Met the descendant of an ancient Supreme God.

Obtained a new Retainer.

And, apparently, kissed his own Dark Matter manifestation.

’I still doubt that was necessary.’

He let out a long sigh.

"...I really need to sleep."

Sylvia nodded.

"Of course, Master."

Eden stretched his aching arms.

His shoulders cracked.

He yawned so deeply that his eyes watered.

"Let’s go home."

Sylvia followed behind him.

"As you command, Master."

Eden glanced sideways at her.

"You’re really going to keep calling me that?"

"Yes."

"...Right."

He yawned again.

"Fine."

After a few more steps, Eden’s tired mind finally settled on the only thought that mattered.

Home.

He wanted a bed.

Food.

A shower.

And preferably several days without anything ancient, divine, murderous, or mysterious appearing in front of him.

Given his luck lately, he knew that was probably asking for too much.

Still...

For tonight, he would settle for sleep.

Eden walked toward the Gate.

Behind him, the last traces of Dark Matter slowly disappeared into the darkness.