The battlefield trembled with every strike, every clash of divine light against living darkness.
Altherion's wings flared, blinding brilliance slicing through the shadows, yet I felt no fear. The system hummed in perfect synchrony with my heartbeat.
[SYSTEM ALERT: Combat Efficiency — 95% Optimal]
[New Skill Ready: Shadow Assimilation Active]
I extended my hand. Shadows shot forward, forming independent entities that struck from multiple angles. Each one reacted to Altherion's movements, predicting attacks before they occurred.
The silver-haired woman moved beside me, precise and deadly, intercepting a strike aimed at my flank.
— You're stronger than I imagined, she whispered, eyes flickering with something more than admiration.
I allowed a brief glance, acknowledging her silently. She didn't hesitate — allies in this hunt were rare, and trust even rarer.
Altherion roared, radiant energy exploding around him.
— Mortal… you dare defy the gods!
[DARKNESS AUTHORITY — STAGE 5 COMPLETE: Shadow Domination FULLY ACTIVE]
[Effect: Shadows now capable of independent combat tactics and energy manipulation]
I smiled, feeling the rush of power. The shadows around me moved with a will of their own, constricting, striking, feeding on the divine essence Altherion exuded.
With a sudden motion, I unleashed Shadow Assimilation, briefly mimicking the divine aura of Altherion. My own strikes now carried fragments of godly power, piercing through defenses that would have been impenetrable before.
[REWARD: Darkness Mastery +10%, Combat Analysis +5%, New Skill Available: Shadow Echo — duplicate attacks with partial delay]
Altherion staggered, his light faltering, not from lack of strength, but from the relentless precision and adaptability of my shadows. Every movement he made was countered, every opening exploited.
The silver-haired woman's blade flashed again, striking with lethal efficiency. Her presence was a reminder — power wasn't just strength, but coordination, timing, and trust.
[HINT: Ally Bond Deepening — Minor Emotional Effect Detected]
As the divine light dimmed under the shadow tide, I felt the system's approval. This was more than just victory — it was evolution. Each encounter shaped me, strengthened me, and prepared me for the trials yet to come.
The storm of divinity was far from over. But in that moment, standing amidst the remnants of a powerful god, I understood one truth: I was no longer a mortal. I was a predator of gods.