The shadows twisted and writhed around me, their grotesque forms barely holding together as they lunged with gnarled claws and jagged teeth.
But they were weak—so weak. [F+] rank creatures, barely a challenge.
I didn't even need to use any fancy techniques.
Just a bit of mana strengthening to enhance my body and some basic swordsmanship.
My blade sliced through them like butter, reducing them to cube-shaped pieces that dissolved into black mist as they hit the ground.
"Pathetic," I muttered, flicking the blood—or whatever passed for blood in these things—off my blade.
I glanced around the dimly lit cavern, my eyes scanning for more threats. The Shadow's Crypt.
The name echoed in my mind, and I couldn't help but feel a sense of irony.
This was the dungeon I'd originally planned to come to for the Truthseeker fruit. But in the novel, it had never been named. Aron had just stumbled upon it in volume 1 of the novel.
"What novel?" Aro's voice cut through my thoughts, his tone dripping with curiosity. "You keep mentioning a novel. What are you talking about?"
I ignored him, focusing on the path ahead. The dungeon was dark and oppressive, the air thick with a suffocating aura.
The walls seemed to pulse faintly, as if alive, and the faint glow of the crystals embedded in the stone cast eerie shadows that danced along the ground.
Aro clicked his tongue in annoyance. "Oh, so that's how you want to play it? Fine. Keep your secrets. But don't think I'll let this go."
I shrugged, my tone nonchalant. "I'm not telling someone I don't trust. Simple as that."
Aro let out a low, mocking laugh. "Trust? Oh, Lucas, you wound me. After everything we've been through?"
I didn't respond. Instead, I muttered, "Status," and an interface materialized in front of me.
My eyes scanned the information, and I couldn't help but feel a mix of surprise and unease.
________________________________________________________________________________
Name: Lucas Morningstar (Alex Friedman)
Age: 13
Rank: D-
STR (ATT):130/260 (260/520) [E+]/[B-]
AGI (SPD):142/290 (284/580) [D]/[B]
DEF:124/245 [E+/D-]/[C+]
Mana:400/1100 [B]
Magic:143/290 [D]/[B]
**Affinities:**
- Fire [A]
- Ice [A]
- Lightning [A]
- Chaos [???] [Partially Locked]
Skills:
- Devour (Unique): This ability allows the user to devour his opponents and add a portion of their power to his. Subskill of Gluttony.
- Appraisal (B): This ability allows the user to scan and see the information (Stats) of anything (people and artifacts).
- Rule Breaker (Divine): This allows the user to break rules and reconstruct new ones in their place as the user sees fit. Time limit: 5 minutes. Cooldown time: 1 day.
Corruption: 2%
________________________________________________________________________________
A lot had changed. My potential had increased significantly, which was surprising.
My stats were higher than before, and my affinities were all at [A] rank now.
But the most alarming thing was the new addition: **Chaos [???] [Partially Locked]**. Seeing that made my stomach churn.
Was this why Lucas—the original Lucas —had become the Emissary of Chaos?
Was this why he'd been so cruel as a child? Because of Aro's influence? Or was it something deeper, something inherent to who he was?
And then there was the Corruption section. Just seeing that word sent a chill down my spine.
2%.
It wasn't much, but it was enough to make me feel uneasy. Corruption in stories like this was never a good thing.
It always led to something dark, something irreversible. I couldn't help but wonder what would happen if that number reached 100%.
"Aro", I said, my voice tight. "What's this corruption thing? And why is my potential so much higher now?"
Aro was silent for a moment, and I could almost feel him smirking. "Wouldn't you like to know?"
I clenched my fists, frustration bubbling up inside me. "Fine. Keep your secrets. But don't think I'll let this go."
Aro laughed, the sound echoing in my mind. "Oh, Lucas. You're so predictable. But don't worry, we'll have plenty of time to talk. For now, let's focus on getting that Truthseeker fruit, shall we?"
I took a deep breath, forcing myself to calm down. He was right. Right now, I needed to focus.
The Truthseeker fruit was my priority. Once I had it, I could figure out what to do next. Get out of this dungeon, find Katherine, and head back to Erantel.
Everything else—Aro, the corruption, the Chaos affinity—could wait.
I sheathed my sword and started moving again, my eyes scanning the dark corridors for any sign of the fruit.
The dungeon was vast, and I had no idea where to start looking. But one thing was certain: I wasn't leaving without it. No matter what it took.