Chapter 6: The Castle of Shadows
As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting a crimson hue across the forest canopy, Renji and Zarya stood before the looming structure that had haunted their thoughts since morning. The castle, half-consumed by vines and time, exuded a chilling aura. It stood silent, its broken towers clawing at the sky, the main gate a gaping maw into the unknown.
They stepped inside, swallowed by the suffocating darkness of the corridor. The air was thick with mildew and dust, and their footsteps echoed ominously on the cold stone floor.
Renji shivered. "This is definitely karma," he muttered, forcing a crooked smile. "All those times I made fun of horror protagonists for walking into obviously cursed places... now here I am. Three steps from 'Free Death Ahead'."
Zarya's large form moved beside him like a pale ghost. The faint light that seeped through the cracks in the walls illuminated her white fur just enough to make her presence less monstrous, more majestic. Suddenly, she halted and let out a deep, guttural growl.
Renji froze. His grip on his katana tightened as his heart raced. "What is it, girl?"
From the darkness ahead, the corridor shook with thunderous steps. A moment later, two hulking figures emerged — trolls. Massive, grotesque creatures nearly three meters tall, their gray-green skin like stone, each wielding a spiked iron club that looked as if it could crush a tree in a single blow. Above their heads, glowing faintly, floated the text: Level 7.
"Oh crap..." Renji whispered, sweat beading at his temple.
The trolls roared, and instinct took over.
"Zarya! Go left!"
The polar bear lunged with a feral roar, her massive paws leaving cracks in the stone floor as she pounced on one of the trolls. Renji dashed right, his katana singing through the air as he aimed for the eyes of the second troll. He felt the vibrations in his bones as his blade clashed with the monster's thick skin — but he struck true. The troll bellowed in pain as Renji's sword grazed its eye.
But then — a blur of movement. The troll's club came down like a meteor.
BOOM!
Renji was sent flying. He slammed against the stone wall, gasping as pain shot through his ribs. Zarya, too, was thrown across the hall by the other troll's savage strike.
But she stood first, her fur singed and bloodied, and roared louder than before. Her eyes blazed with fury as she charged again.
Renji coughed, pushing himself to his knees. His hands trembled as he lifted his katana. A quick glance told him it was cracked — one more heavy hit and it'd shatter. He clenched his teeth, his knuckles whitening as he tightened his grip.
"I need more power... just like in the animes," he muttered. "Channel your energy into the blade... focus."
He closed his eyes briefly, summoning the raw mana inside him. It was a faint ember — but he poured it into his weapon. Slowly, a soft blue flame ignited along the blade. The heat pulsed in his hand but did not burn.
When he opened his eyes again, they burned with resolve.
"Let's end this."
He sprinted forward, his blade aglow. Zarya had managed to pin one troll, biting and slashing at its chest while avoiding its furious swipes. The other troll, half-blinded, swung its club in wild arcs. Renji ducked under a blow, his heart thundering, and saw his chance.
With a battle cry, he drove the flaming sword into the troll's other eye. The creature shrieked in agony and flailed violently, smashing its own club into the skull of the second troll. Zarya roared in triumph and leapt for the distracted monster, sinking her fangs into its throat.
Blood sprayed. The troll staggered, and Zarya tore the flesh wide open with her claws.
Renji, using the chaos, leapt and yanked his blade free from the blinded troll's eye. With a spinning strike, he slashed its neck — once, twice — until, with a final roar, he severed its head completely.
Silence fell. Only the sound of heavy breathing echoed through the ruined hall.
[Level Up!]
A notification flashed before Renji's eyes as he panted. Level 5. 4 Attribute Points Available.
He limped toward Zarya, who was already munching on a glowing crystal that had fallen from the troll's body. Her fur was stained with blood, but her eyes sparkled with primal glee.
Renji smiled weakly. "You're a complete battle maniac, aren't you?"
Zarya licked her paw clean. "I haven't fought enough. Let's keep going."
Renji opened his status screen.
[Status before assigning points] Name: Renji Costa Nakamura
Class: Druid
Level: 5
Skills: Animal Healing, Memory Sharing, Animal Affinity
Attributes:
STR: 10 | INT: 9 | AGI: 9 | END: 6 | MANA: 2
Points Available: 4
He thought for a moment. "If I want to keep using that mana blade trick, I'll need more mana."
He dragged his finger along the screen:
+4 to MANA
[Status after assigning points] Name: Renji Costa Nakamura
Class: Druid
Level: 5
Skills: Animal Healing, Memory Sharing, Animal Affinity
Attributes:
STR: 10 | INT: 9 | AGI: 9 | END: 6 | MANA: 6
As he confirmed the changes, a warm surge filled his body. He felt lighter, faster — more connected to the energy flowing within him.
"Alright," he said, stretching. "Let's keep moving."
Zarya stood, her size now even greater. Her level had increased to 6, and it showed in the confident way she carried herself.
Suddenly, growls echoed through the corridor ahead. A group of twisted creatures emerged from the shadows, their yellow eyes glowing.
Renji sighed, pulling his glowing blade up. "Guess this isn't a safe zone, huh?"
Zarya snarled beside him. "Let's fight."
Together, they charged into the darkness once more.