The Origin Shadow Path

Chapter 100 — The Origin Shadow Path

By sunrise, Aether had reached the outskirts of a large city.

Stone walls surrounded the settlement, while travelers and merchants passed through its enormous gates.

After everything that had happened beneath the continent, the ordinary activity felt strangely peaceful.

Aether walked through the gate without attracting much attention.

His appearance still drew a few glances, but he ignored them.

His attention was elsewhere.

His shadow.

Aether had been thinking about it throughout the journey.

The power wasn't simply another technique.

It was connected directly to his Infinite Origin Physique.

The more he understood it, the more possibilities he discovered.

He stopped in a quiet alley.

No one was nearby.

Aether looked down.

“Come out.”

The darkness beneath his feet moved.

Blackfang emerged first.

Its enormous black body formed from mist, followed by Ironhide.

The two shadows stood silently before him.

Aether studied them.

They weren't alive in the conventional sense.

A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.

They were manifestations of his Origin Energy.

Yet they possessed instincts, combat awareness, and the abilities inherited from the creatures whose Origin imprints had been used to form them.

More importantly…

They belonged to him.

Aether raised his hand.

“Return.”

Both shadows immediately disappeared.

The alley became empty again.

Aether opened his System interface.

[Origin Shadow Authority: Initial Stage]

[Origin Shadows: 2]

[Shadow Storage: Unlocked]

[Shadow Exchange: Locked]

[Shadow Evolution: Locked]

[Shadow Command: Basic]

[Shadow Realm: Locked]

Aether stared at the information.

“Only the beginning.”

The System responded.

[Origin Shadow Authority has recognized its host.]

[Future evolution path established.]

Aether's eyes narrowed slightly.

Another notification appeared.

[Origin Sovereign Path: Locked.]

He didn't know exactly what the future path would become.

But one thing was obvious.

The current two shadows were only the foundation.

Aether closed the System.

He wasn't interested in building an army simply for the sake of having numbers.

Every shadow needed to be useful.

A fast creature could become a scout.

A powerful beast could become a frontline fighter.

A creature with unusual abilities could fill a specialized role.

And exceptionally powerful enemies could become commanders.

That was the direction he wanted.

A force that could grow alongside him.

A force completely under his control.

Aether stepped out of the alley.

The city was becoming busier.

He walked toward the central district, searching for information about the surrounding regions.

After everything that had happened with Blackridge, he needed to understand what was happening beyond the areas he had already visited.

The Continental Origin Formation had been damaged.

Blackridge was still moving.

The Origin Heart had chosen a new path.

And somewhere out there, the Stage 9 Blackridge operative who had escaped was still alive.

Aether's eyes became cold.

Next time, there wouldn't be an escape.

He continued walking.

Then he suddenly stopped.

His Origin Sense detected something.

A powerful presence.

Not human.

Aether slowly turned his head toward the northern edge of the city.

A faint smile appeared.

A powerful beast was nearby.

Its presence was much stronger than ordinary Stage 7 creatures.

Aether immediately understood what that meant.

Another potential shadow.

He adjusted his coat.

“Looks like I won't have to search for long.”

He walked toward the northern gate.

Deep inside his shadow, Blackfang opened its crimson eyes.

Ironhide's massive silhouette shifted beside it.

Neither made a sound.

They simply waited.

Aether's army had only two members.

But it wouldn't stay that way forever.

Because from this day onward, every victory could leave something behind.

Every powerful enemy could become another weapon.

And every shadow could become part of something much greater.

The Origin Shadow Path had begun.

And Aether intended to walk it all the way to its end.