Ethan's heart pounded in his chest, his breath coming in ragged gasps as the Shadowfang stalked forward, its glowing red eyes locked on him with murderous intent. The beast's black fur rippled with the power of dark energy, and its gnarled bones were reinforced with jagged metal, making it a terrifying sight.
The air was thick with an eerie tension, the stillness before the storm of combat. Ethan's senses were sharp, honed by years of training. He could feel the crackle of energy in the air, the way the shadows seemed to twist around him as if the world itself was holding its breath.
[Shadowfang Lv. 5 – Health: 350/350]
The system's voice rang out in his mind like a cold, mechanical observer. He barely acknowledged it. He didn't need the numbers to tell him the beast was dangerous. He could see it in its predatory posture, the way it moved with a silent grace that suggested deadly precision.
His hand instinctively reached for a weapon that wasn't there. The pain of his past life—the chains, the betrayal—still burned deep in his chest. But that pain had also forged his resolve. He had died once, been cast aside by those who should have protected him. But now… now, he was given a chance to rise again.
"Let's see what this 'Shadow Heir' can do," Ethan muttered under his breath. He focused on the system's interface, his new body, and the surge of energy building inside him. His gaze hardened. "I'm done being weak."
[Activate Shadow Sense: Enabled.]
A rush of information flooded his mind. He could feel the Shadowfang's movements before it even made them. He could sense the beast's intent, its hunger, its every twitch and ripple of muscle. The world around him seemed to slow as the shadows themselves seemed to obey him, swirling at his feet like they were waiting for his command.
"Let's dance," he whispered, a faint smile tugging at the corner of his lips.
The Shadowfang lunged. Ethan's reflexes, already sharpened by his past training, kicked in. He didn't have a weapon, but he didn't need one. His hands moved like lightning, the shadows at his command forming around his limbs. A barrier of dark energy materialized just in time to deflect the beast's claws, sending a shockwave through the air.
The creature growled in frustration, its massive body twisting in the air to land gracefully behind him. It was faster than he had anticipated. But the shadows responded to his will, and he was already moving before the beast had even finished its turn.
[Activate Phantom Step: Enabled.]
In an instant, Ethan vanished from sight, his body slipping into the shadows like a wisp of smoke. The Shadowfang snarled, its senses flaring as it searched for him, but it was too late. Ethan reappeared behind the creature, his fist glowing with dark energy. He drove his fist into the beast's side with a force that sent ripples of energy through its form.
The Shadowfang let out a pained yelp, stumbling back. Its blood—black as night—smeared across the ground, evaporating into wisps of dark smoke. But it was not defeated. The creature howled, its red eyes flashing brighter as it prepared for a counterattack.
Ethan's eyes narrowed. He wasn't finished either. The Shadowfang was strong, but his power was growing, feeding off the rage, the betrayal, the hunger for vengeance that burned inside him.
[Shadow Fang critical hit: -150 HP][Health: 850/1000]
"Not bad for a beginner," Ethan muttered, flexing his fingers. "But you're just a stepping stone."
The system's voice responded, cold and calculating.
[Shadowfang: Lv. 5, 350/350][Host: Lv. 1, 850/1000][Skill: Shadow Blade (Unlocked)]
A sudden surge of dark energy coursed through him. His body flickered, a silhouette of shadow and flame, as he summoned the power he had been given by the system.
The Shadowfang charged again, its claws extended like daggers. But Ethan was ready this time. The shadows coiled around his arms like serpents, forming into jagged blades of pure darkness. With a swift motion, he lashed out, the Shadow Blade cutting through the air with a sharp crack of energy.
The beast tried to block with its forelegs, but the shadow blade sliced clean through its defenses, cutting deep into its flesh. The creature howled in pain, staggering backward as the wound bled black blood, its body shaking with the force of the blow.
Ethan's heart raced, the power of the system thrumming through him. The world was different now. The rules had changed. He wasn't a helpless boy anymore. He was an heir to darkness, a shadow with the power to reshape everything.
[Shadowfang Defeated. +50 XP][Level Up: Host Lv. 2]
Ethan stood over the fallen creature, his chest heaving with exertion. The system flashed in his vision, a small, satisfied ping at his victory.
[New Skill Unlocked: Flame Veil (Locked)][New Stat Points Available: 3]
He looked down at his hand, watching as the dark energy that surrounded him began to dissipate. The shadows retreated, flowing back into the cracks in the stone floor. The air smelled of burnt ozone and the acrid scent of the Shadowfang's blood. He wiped his brow, still catching his breath.
"I need to get out of here," he muttered. "There's no time to waste."
But as he turned to leave, a voice echoed through the vault—a low, resonant tone that seemed to come from everywhere and nowhere.
[Warning: New Objective Assigned.][Defeat the Trials of the Forgotten Realm.]
Ethan's head snapped up, his heart skipping a beat. He had been expecting the system's voice to guide him, but this was different. The voice had a presence—something ancient and vast, beyond the scope of the system.
[Trial 1: Reach the Heart of the Vault.][Time Limit: 72 Hours.]
A countdown appeared in his vision, ticking away with merciless precision.
"Dammit," Ethan cursed. He wasn't ready for this. But there was no turning back now. The trial would only get harder from here, and with each step, his enemies would grow stronger. The Blackwood Clan would learn of his return eventually. They would come for him.
But Ethan Blackwood was no longer a pawn. He was the Shadow Heir, and he would reclaim his legacy.
End of Chapter Two