The Shadow Army Begins

Chapter 98 — The Shadow Army Begins

The group continued traveling after leaving the forest clearing.

Blackfang remained inside Aether's shadow, completely silent. Although the creature had once been a living beast, it was no longer bound by a physical body. Its existence was now maintained by Aether's Origin Energy.

Aether could feel everything through their connection.

Blackfang's position.

Its surroundings.

Even its basic instincts.

There was no independent soul struggling for control.

It existed because Aether allowed it to exist.

Lyra had been watching Aether's shadow for almost half an hour.

Finally, she couldn't hold back.

"Can you really summon that thing whenever you want?"

Aether nodded.

"Yes."

"From your shadow?"

"Yes."

She smiled.

"That's actually pretty useful."

Sylvara looked curious.

"Can it fight?"

Aether glanced toward his shadow.

"Let's find out."

He stopped walking.

Blackfang emerged from the darkness beneath his feet.

The shadow wolf landed silently on the ground.

Aether pointed toward a large boulder nearby.

"Destroy it."

Blackfang vanished.

BOOM!

The boulder exploded.

Lyra's eyes widened.

"Not bad."

Aether nodded.

"It retained most of its original physical abilities."

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Seris carefully examined Blackfang.

"Can it be injured?"

Aether considered the question.

"We can test it."

He ordered Blackfang to remain still.

Then Aether released a controlled amount of Origin Energy toward it.

The attack struck Blackfang directly.

BOOM!

Part of its body was blown apart.

Lyra immediately frowned.

But Aether remained calm.

The damaged shadow dissolved into black mist.

Instead of disappearing, the mist flowed backward.

It returned directly into Aether's shadow.

Aether's eyes narrowed.

He could feel Blackfang's presence perfectly.

It hadn't disappeared.

It hadn't weakened permanently.

Its Origin Energy had simply returned to its source.

Aether looked at the others.

"As long as I'm alive, it can't truly die."

Seris understood immediately.

"Because its body isn't its real source."

Aether nodded.

"The shadow is formed from my Origin Energy. Destroying its body only disperses the energy."

He looked down at his shadow.

"If I have enough Origin Energy, I can reform it."

Lyra smiled.

"So destroying your army won't actually work."

"Not permanently."

Aether's expression became serious.

"There is still one weakness."

"What?"

"If I'm completely unable to provide Origin Energy, they won't be able to maintain their physical forms."

Seris nodded.

"So your shadows depend on you."

"Yes."

Aether raised his hand.

A stream of black Origin Energy emerged from his shadow.

Blackfang slowly reformed beside him.

Its body became solid again.

The wolf lowered its head.

Aether could feel its connection returning to normal.

Lyra stared.

"That's ridiculous."

Aether smiled slightly.

"It's useful."

The group continued traveling.

A few hours later, Aether suddenly stopped.

His Origin Sense detected a powerful presence nearby.

A massive armored bear stepped out from between the trees.

Its body was covered in thick black fur and natural armor.

Stage 7.

The beast roared.

Aether's eyes sharpened.

"This will do."

Lyra raised her weapon.

"We'll help."

Aether shook his head.

"Stay back."

The bear charged.

Aether met it directly.

BOOM!

His weapon struck the beast's shoulder.

The bear staggered but recovered immediately.

Its enormous paw swung toward Aether.

He ducked beneath the attack and struck its leg.

The beast roared and released a powerful burst of Origin Energy.

Aether activated Shadow Step.

His body vanished.

He reappeared behind the bear.

His weapon pierced through its defense.

The beast collapsed.

The System appeared privately.

[Origin Points +70.]

[Origin Points: 70 / 900.]

Aether looked down at the corpse.

A dense Origin imprint remained within it.

He placed his hand against the beast.

His shadow began spreading across the ground.

[Origin imprint detected.]

[Compatibility: 74%.]

Aether began extracting the remaining Origin imprint.

The process was much smoother than the first time.

The imprint entered his Origin Energy and began taking shape inside his shadow.

A black silhouette slowly emerged.

It was enormous.

The shadow bear stood several meters tall.

Its body was made entirely from Aether's Origin Energy.

Aether could immediately feel the connection.

The creature lowered its head.

[Origin Shadow created.]

[Origin Shadows: 2.]

Aether looked at the two shadows.

Blackfang possessed speed and sharp senses.

The bear possessed tremendous strength and defense.

Both were different.

Both were useful.

And neither could truly be killed while Aether remained alive.

Aether gave the new shadow a name.

"Ironhide."

The bear lowered its head.

Aether then looked at Blackfang.

"Stay close to it."

Blackfang moved beside Ironhide.

The two shadows stood silently behind him.

Aether looked toward the distant horizon.

Two shadows.

Two soldiers.

And the beginning of something far larger.

He didn't need an army given to him by another faction.

He would build his own.

Every powerful enemy he defeated could become another addition to his forces.

Aether's smile slowly appeared.

"Two is enough for now."

He turned toward the road ahead.

"But it won't stay two for long."