Chapter 10: Shadows Unleashed
The sun was barely rising when Hayden entered the Ruins of Eternity, a notorious S-Rank dungeon known for killing even teams of hunters with ease. The system pulsed insistently:
[Multiple High-Rank Hunter Engagement Detected Nearby | S/SS-Rank]
[Recommended Action: Caution | Optional: Combat Test]
Hayden smirked. Caution wasn't his style. "Let's see how they handle a Player," he muttered, vanishing into the shadows.
Outside the dungeon, a group of hunters had gathered. Kael and Althea were joined by two more S-Rank hunters, and Selene watched from the distance, analyzing Hayden's movements with clinical precision. She noted his trajectory, the energy surges, and the shadows he manipulated her mind racing to predict his actions.
"You think this is a game?" Kael shouted, stepping forward. "We're taking him down together!"
Hayden's system pinged:
[Combat Probability Against Multiple High-Rank Hunters: 82% | Player Advantage: High]
With Shadow Merge, he disappeared, reappearing behind Kael. Shadow Clones attacked from every direction, confusing the hunters and splitting their attention. Hayden's strikes were precise, controlled non-lethal, yet enough to show overwhelming superiority.
Selene's attention sharpened. She had seen his skills grow over days of observation, but watching him in direct confrontation with multiple S-Rank hunters was something else entirely. His movement was elegant yet lethal, calculated yet instinctive.
When Althea tried to trap him in an S-Rank magical barrier, Hayden activated Shadow Manipulation, twisting the shadows of the dungeon to tear the barrier apart.
Selene's lips parted slightly. She didn't realize she was holding her breath. She subtly moved closer, positioning herself where she could intervene discreetly if he got overwhelmed though he clearly didn't need it.
Within minutes, Hayden had incapacitated the entire group, leaving them stunned but unharmed. He stood in the center of the clearing, shadows swirling around him, Shadow Dagger gleaming with absorbed energy from the dungeon.
He turned his gaze to Selene, though unaware she had been following him, and spoke aloud:
"Not bad for a dead weak hunter, right?"
Selene's heart skipped a beat. There was no arrogance, only calm confidence an intensity she couldn't look away from. "Indeed," she whispered softly, almost to herself, and began retreating to avoid detection, though a subtle protective instinct lingered in her posture.
The system chimed:
[High-Rank Hunter Engagement Completed | Reputation Greatly Increased]
[New Task: Prepare for SS-Rank Solo Dungeon Challenge | Hint: Extreme Difficulty Ahead]
Hayden smiled. His power had grown exponentially, and the world had begun taking notice. But more importantly, he had caught the attention of someone he didn't yet know would matter to him Selene.
And even though she would never admit it, she had begun tracking him more closely, subtly protecting him from afar and letting her curiosity and admiration grow.