After a few minutes more of running, we eventually made it past all of the grey humanoids. It was a good thing too, I wasn’t sure how long I’d be able to keep up that whole near invisible trick, and it’s not like I can immediately replenish the energy needed to use it. Well, I’m safe and sound, and that’s all that matters in the end. Hina was stumbling after me; it seems the pace I set left her rather disoriented. She was moaning almost us much as the sack she carried.

Looking around, I noticed that the area had changed once more. Now that all those creatures were long gone, we’d found quite the cavern. It was decorated with skulls and bones of every variety, in a sort of mismatched style. It’s really creative if you look at it from a fellow artist’s perspective. The way they’re arranged as whole skeletons in various poses really gives of a feeling of mystery and intrigue, as though each has their own story to tell.

Personally, bones aren’t really my style. I prefer more spontaneous, in the moment forms of art. Just when the irons hot one might say… or when the limb’s cut. This display is of a far more preservative nature. The cave was far more illuminated now, various embedded stones emitting light. When Hina entered the cave after me, she gasped in what I could only assume was appreciation at the artistic display. It was so astounding that she even began to tremble with what was most likely joy. I understand the feeling Hina, I understand.

“Cyne, what is this place?” she whispered in an uneven voice.

What is it? It’s beautiful is what it is, although far more tame than the stuff I’m often involved in. After a few moments pondering her question, I came to the realisation that she was actually asking after the function or purpose of the room, or perhaps the history behind it. How exactly would I know that?

“I don’t know, let’s just keep moving forwards.” I responded in a similarly quiet voice; can’t disturb the atmosphere set by the scene.

She looked a bit displeased by my answer. I was starting to wonder if there was anything I could say without her life being in danger, or her being injured that would elicit a positive response. There are always those people you can’t get along with I suppose. Unfortunately this one isn’t exactly disposable.

As we walked forwards through the large cavern, I started to take more notice of the ever present stench of decay. While I can appreciate the scenery, such a Sol awful smell could only be described as repulsive. Hina looked to constantly be on the verge of emptying the contents of her stomach.

On the far end of the cavern lay a large door, approximately 4 metres in height. Like the rest of the area it was made of a similar dark stone, and the inscriptions along the walls that had constantly converged up to this point congregated on the door, swirling around one another to form a dizzying display. Every time you looked at it, your eyes couldn’t help but wander around, tracing along the inscriptions, and next thing you know, you’ve got a headache. Or at least I did. Hina was just concentrating on holding in her last meal.

Well, it was pretty obvious that the treasure, whatever it may be, was through that door. It was also pretty obvious that the dead people around us were most likely trying to get through that door… Should I make Hina go and try open it? Unfortunately, that’s not a viable action; if she dies a needless death then problems will definitely outweigh benefits. Serenity?

Most likely there is some sort of guardian that exists in the area; I had my own guardians long ago, although they eventually the passed away. Considering the density of natural magical energy, it’ll be S rank by adventurer rankings.

Well that isn’t a good to here. An S rank creature? No thank you. Maybe I’d be able to kill a low S rank or at least severely injure it if I went at it with the intention of giving up my life, but I like my life. All I could do was hope it was intelligent enough to be bargained with or stupid enough to be fooled. I decided to stop procrastinating and simply walked towards the door, fully prepared to hide in the shadows and run like the wind should the need arise.

When I got within ten metres of the door, a low rumbling shook the cavern. It looked as though the guardian beast was going to make a dramatic entrance. Well, at least he knows how to fill his role properly. Thinking these pointless thoughts, I noticed that the slightly elevated mound to my right had started to fracture and the stone was crumbling away as whatever lay beneath began to emerge. The old emerging-from-underground entry; at least it’s a classic.

As Hina began to scramble backwards in the corner of my vision, the shape of the creature became more and more apparent. Gnarled horns jutting from its shoulders, muscular humanoid upper body dotted with tiny black eyes, in addition to a large gaping may of needle like teeth in that very same upper body. It also had double jointed legs at the end of which existed feet with bird like talons, and it had ridiculously long arms with blade like projections from its fingers. How… pleasant?

It was lacking a head, but it may still be able to communicate. This thought was relatively quickly dismissed as the newly emerged creature began to fix it many beady eyes on me whilst its chest-mouth hung ajar, drool evidently leaking from the corner. This looked a lot more like a shadow than a magical beast.

It is a shadow. I recall having to keep my guardian beasts free of corruption by natural magical energy. The state of this creature means whatever presided over this area is long gone, or in a deep sleep. You should-

Nice update. Alright, so first time I’ve fought a shadow. There are no recorded S rank shadows, so all I could do was cross my fingers and check the adventurer stone… Damn. That definitely indicates S rank… and middle S rank to be specific… well at least it’s not high S rank. To get through that door, I probably need to kill this thing. Sometimes I can’t help but ask why life is so hard.

As I started to lament over the unfairness of the world, the shadow sprang into action. It began wildly scrambling along the floor on all fours towards my position, whilst making an irritating jittering sound. At least shadows are stupid. I created an illusion of myself and hid my real body in what darkness lay in the area. The shadow sprang at the illusion, maw wide open and did its best to swallow me whole. It was extremely fast if I had to say, so thank Sol it wasted so many movements; if it were actually to move with some semblance of efficiency, I would be in its stomach by now.

I observed the shadow, deeply confused by the lack of Cyne in its stomach, for openings to launch an attack. I was displeased to note that Hina had made perhaps the speediest retreat I had ever seen. Not as in actual speed, but the time it took her to abandon me once again. Heroic qualities? No, you don’t have those? Well that’s a shame. Eventually, when the shadow began facing the other direction, I darted in to pierce its body and test its body’s sturdiness.

My rapier managed to pierce about 1/3 of the length of its blade into the beast with the help of solar flames. Looking at it from a bigger perspective, compared to the 5 m tall monstrosity, that wasn’t very deep. It even took it a moment for the shadow to realise it had been struck. Of course once it did, it immediately flailed around in an attempt to snatch me to have as a snack. All it grasped was an illusion though. It began to survey the area making grunting sounds as it did so. If I relied on my sword, killing this monster wouldn’t be too different than killing a human with needle pricks. I don’t have that kind of time or energy. Let’s try some tier 6 spells.

Next up, I fired solar beam at the unsuspecting shadow’s face-chest, which it impressively managed to block with its forearm despite the lack of earning. Instincts are a terribly dangerous thing. The beam which consumed a substantial amount of magical energy gave the beast a second degree burn. Although, I was hoping for it to be cut in half or something of the like. Well, it is an s rank creature I suppose. To do substantial damage, I’d need a tier 8 spell. Once again replacing myself with an illusion and escaping the flailing arms of the enraged shadow as it dribbled all over the place, I gained some distance once again.

Time for Serenity’s spell! I sent a few dark wisps towards the creature, discreetly entering its system through the mouth without being detected. The only noticeable change however, was that a few out of a dozen or so of its eyes began to look a bit drowsy. To make this one fall asleep, I’d have to become better at manipulating magical power in addition to increasing the energy I can use at one time. Well, from all the information I’d gathered, my two strongest moves could give it a nasty burn (something you might get if you’re particularly negligent in a kitchen), and make it slightly sleepy.

Things weren’t exactly looking good. I had a limited amount of natural magical energy and moonlight left, and once it was gone, it was gone, and my magical energy would take some time to recover. When I estimated that I’d be able to hold up in the fight for only another 20 or so minutes, I couldn’t help but get slightly depressed. I could certainly make a run for it, but it’s questionable if I could get through those grey humanoids with the energy I had left.

If you keep up this tactic, I can slowly draw out the magical energy corrupting it to replenish your supply; the energy corrupting it is one of a dark nature, similar enough to mine for yo-

Fantastic Serenity, I can always count on you. Let’s do that! But what will removing the natural magical energy do? Will it revert to the former guardian? If so, wouldn’t it be smarter and possibly stronger?

No, the natural magical energy that corrupted it forced the magical energy already present in its body. Removing it will leave it powerless, and its mind has long since been destroyed.

Great, so… how long would this tactic of yours take? It can’t be especially easy to just take out the natural magical energy.

Indeed, it will take me longer to convert it into something usable by you, and it’s also harder to extract it from a creature. I’d estimate, if you keep up how you’ve been approaching the shadow I’d be able to keep your natural magical energy store stable and the process of completely draining it would take about 24 hours.

Serenity, all I needed from you was the 24 hours. As I thought this, the owl managed a scowl at me. Not sure why; I’d long accepted that she was big talker, never stops in fact. Wait… 24 hours? I returned to owl a gaze of incredulity. I have to fight for 24 hours straight and not die, against an S rank shadow? Also, who knows what’s happening to Hina at the moment, she may have fallen over and broken her neck, knowing how useless she is. I suppressed a sigh; if Hina wasn’t here I probably wouldn’t even have to fight the stupid shadow; it would chase after the stupid girl if I just sat and waited for Serenity to finish.

Oh well, the next 24 hours are going to be long. I gave a few stretches, making sure everything felt loose and free; can’t go pulling any muscles. Alright Serenity, begin! And with that I renewed my assault on the shadow.