The First Shadow

Chapter 97 — The First Shadow

The group traveled through the forest for most of the morning.

Aether remained quiet.

The discovery from the previous night continued occupying his thoughts.

Origin Shadow Authority.

He didn't know what the finished ability would become, but the possibility interested him.

Aether had never wanted to depend on other factions.

Power that belonged to him was different.

It couldn't be taken away through politics, betrayal, or changing alliances.

His companions were people he trusted.

But if he wanted to stand against Blackridge, he needed another source of strength.

A force of his own.

By noon, Aether suddenly stopped.

"There."

Everyone looked around.

Lyra frowned.

"I don't see anything."

"Neither do I."

Aether pointed toward the trees.

"But something is there."

They followed him deeper into the forest.

After several minutes, the trees opened into a large clearing.

A huge beast lay in the center.

It was a black-scaled wolf-like creature nearly five meters long.

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Its body was covered in wounds.

It was already dead.

Seris approached cautiously.

"It died recently."

Aether activated Origin Sense.

A dense Origin imprint remained inside the corpse.

His eyes sharpened.

This was exactly what he needed.

The beast's cultivation had reached Stage 7.

Aether stepped forward.

[Origin imprint detected.]

[Compatibility with Origin Shadow Authority: 61%.]

[Shadow Core requirement partially fulfilled.]

Aether raised an eyebrow.

The notification was private.

No one else could see it.

He placed his hand over the beast's body.

"Let's see what happens."

He circulated his Origin Energy.

The remaining imprint began separating from the corpse.

Black energy gathered around Aether's hand.

The corpse trembled.

Then the shadow beneath Aether expanded.

The Origin imprint was pulled into it.

Aether's eyes widened slightly.

The process worked.

But the shadow suddenly became unstable.

[Warning: Origin imprint insufficient for complete Shadow Core formation.]

The black energy began dispersing.

Aether reacted immediately.

He poured more Origin Energy into it.

The unstable imprint slowly condensed.

A small black sphere formed within his shadow.

[Shadow Core formed.]

[Origin Shadow Authority: Initial Stage.]

[First Origin Shadow slot unlocked.]

Aether's expression changed.

A black silhouette slowly emerged from his shadow.

The shape resembled the beast that had died.

Its body was made entirely of dark Origin Energy.

Two crimson points appeared where its eyes should have been.

It lowered its head before Aether.

The others stared.

Lyra blinked.

"What... is that?"

Aether looked at the creature.

"I don't know yet."

The shadow beast remained completely still.

Aether tested his connection.

He could feel its senses.

Its location.

Its strength.

And most importantly, its loyalty.

There was no hesitation.

No fear.

No independent hostility.

It recognized him as its master.

Aether gave a simple command.

"Return."

The shadow beast dissolved into black mist.

It sank into Aether's shadow.

Everyone stared.

A moment later, Lyra walked closer.

"You just made that thing disappear."

Aether nodded.

"Apparently."

Seris looked fascinated.

"It's connected to your Origin Energy."

"Yes."

Aether looked down.

The shadow moved naturally beneath his feet.

He could feel the beast waiting inside it.

The first member of what could eventually become an army.

Aether looked toward the forest.

"Interesting."

Aria smiled.

"You look happy."

Aether gave her a small smile.

"I found something useful."

He opened his private System.

[Origin Shadow Authority: Initial Stage]

[Origin Shadows: 1]

[Shadow Storage: Unlocked]

[Shadow Exchange: Locked]

[Shadow Evolution: Locked]

Aether closed the interface.

He still had a long way to go.

One shadow wasn't an army.

But every army had to begin somewhere.

And Aether had just created his first soldier.