# Chapter Five
Kang Jin-woo didn't kill the remaining members of the "Children of Dusk" cult immediately. Instead, he interrogated them coldly, extracting every useful piece of information about their rituals, beliefs, and any "secrets" they might know. They were just desperate, misguided individuals and didn't have much to offer, but Jin-woo was meticulous. Every detail, no matter how small, might be useful later.
After he finished interrogating them, he had them "help" him clean up the mess. He wasn't interested in hiding what had happened, but simply wanted a tidy workspace. Then, under the threat of his cold dagger and terrifying gaze, he ordered them to wait in a corner while he examined his spoils.
The "Tattered Book of Dusk Rituals" was what interested him most. It was an old book bound in cracked leather, its pages yellow and brittle. Many pages were missing or damaged, but what remained was filled with strange symbols and illustrations of rituals and beings from other worlds. Jin-woo used his "Cold Observer's Eye" on it.
[Tattered Book of Dusk Rituals – Magical Tool (Low Grade)]
[Durability: 5/15 (Severely Damaged)]
[Description: A fragmented copy of a forbidden tome containing rudimentary rituals for summoning shadow entities and manipulating chaotic energy. Most remaining rituals are incomplete or extremely dangerous for an unskilled user.]
[Remaining Usable Contents (Requires understanding of basic magic):]
* "Lesser Shadow Binding" Ritual (Incomplete, Medium Risk)
* "Temporary Shadow Brew" Recipe (Ingredients are rare, Low Risk)
* List of some low-ranking shadow "Anomalies" and their characteristics (Fragmented)
* Warnings about the dangers of dealing with the "Master of Dancing Shadows" (Exaggerated but contains some truth)
[System Note: Studying this book can increase your understanding of chaotic magic and provide insights into the "Shadow Path." Additional skills or knowledge may be required to fully decipher it.]
"Shadow Path..." That term caught Jin-woo's attention. Was the "System" suggesting a specific specialization for him? It seemed logical, given his abilities and title. He decided he would dedicate time to studying this book later, when he was in a more secure location.
As for the "Small Shadow Essence" he had obtained from the Shadow Imp, it was a small black crystal that pulsed with a faint coldness.
[Small Shadow Essence – Magical Material (Low Grade)]
[Description: Coagulated remnant of a shadow entity. Can be used to enhance shadow-related weapons, or as an ingredient in some shadow-related rituals and potions.]
[Potential Uses: Enhance Shadow Dagger (Requires "Shadow Crafting" skill or similar), Ingredient in "Temporary Shadow Brew".]
This was useful. Jin-woo stored it in his System inventory. Then he turned to the cult leader, Lee Jong-sook, who was beginning to regain consciousness, moaning softly. Jin-woo dragged him up by his hair and made him kneel.
"I believe we have much to discuss, cult leader," Jin-woo said with a cold smile. "Or rather, you will talk, and I will listen."
Lee Jong-sook was terrified. He had seen what Jin-woo had done to the Shadow Imp and felt the deadly coldness emanating from this young man. He had no illusions about his chances of resisting. He began to speak, revealing everything he knew about his book, about the "Master of Dancing Shadows" (whom he admitted he had never seen, only read about), and about his desperate attempts to gain power.
It was a pathetic story of a weak man seeking power through twisted means. Jin-woo felt no sympathy, only contempt. But he listened carefully, as weaklings sometimes stumbled upon interesting information by chance.
Jin-woo discovered that Lee Jong-sook had been planning to use his small cult as a base to expand his influence, and perhaps to offer larger "sacrifices" to his supposed "master" in exchange for more power. He also learned that there were other similar small groups scattered throughout the city, sometimes competing and sometimes allying in secret.
After draining Lee Jong-sook of all information, Jin-woo made his decision. He had no need for this failed leader. But he might need his followers, or at least a front. He ordered the trembling followers to tie up their former leader. Then, before their horrified eyes, Jin-woo used his shadow dagger to slowly and painfully end Lee Jong-sook's life, savoring every moment.
[Eliminated "Cult Leader (Lee Jong-sook)" (Level 4).]
[Obtained 70 System Experience Points.]
[Obtained: Simple Ring (Trash Grade), Some Suspicious Documents (Unimportant).]
[Due to the "Nascent Shadow Slayer" title and the nature of the kill, obtained: +1 "Dark Reputation" (Temporary, affects how dark entities react to you).]
"Dark Reputation..." That was new. Jin-woo smiled. It seemed the System constantly rewarded him for embracing his true nature.
He then turned to the remaining followers. They were a young man and a girl, in their late teens or early twenties, their faces pale with terror. "Now," Jin-woo said quietly, "you have a choice. Either you swear allegiance to me, and become my tools in this new world, or you can join your former leader in the void."
There wasn't much thought involved. The young man and girl immediately knelt and swore allegiance to him in trembling voices. Jin-woo didn't trust them, of course. But they would be useful as a front, and perhaps as bait in the future.
[Acquired two new followers (Disloyal, Fearful): Park Ji-hoon, Kim Yoo-ri.]
[You can now issue basic commands to them. Loyalty may increase or decrease based on your actions and treatment of them.]
Jin-woo ordered them to clean the place thoroughly and dispose of Lee Jong-sook's body in a way that left no trace. Then he ordered them to return to their normal lives and await his instructions. He gave them a secret way to contact him.
Jin-woo left the abandoned cannery as dawn broke, a sense of satisfaction filling him. He had obtained a magic book, some resources, and two new (albeit unreliable) followers. More importantly, he had once again proven that he was a force to be reckoned with in this dark and twisted world.
In the following days, Jin-woo began to study the "Tattered Book of Dusk Rituals" in earnest. It was difficult, as many of the symbols were unfamiliar, and the language was archaic and obscure. But his sharp intellect and ability to focus helped him make slow progress. He began to understand some of the basic principles of chaotic magic and how to manipulate shadow energy.
He discovered that the "Temporary Shadow Brew" required a "Small Shadow Essence" (which he had) and some rare herbs that only grew in cursed places or areas affected by death energy. The "Lesser Shadow Binding" ritual was more complex and dangerous. It involved summoning a small shadow entity and then forcing it to submit to the user's will, turning it into a kind of servant or spy. The ritual was incomplete in the book, making it even riskier.
Jin-woo decided he would try to create the brew first, when he found the other ingredients. As for the binding ritual, he would postpone it until he was stronger and had a better understanding of magic.
One night, as he was studying the book in his apartment, a new System window appeared.
[Sustained interest in the "Shadow Path" detected.]
[Special Quest Suggested: "Knowledge of the Deeper Shadows".]
[Description: There are rumors of a secret library or an old book collector somewhere in the city who possesses deeper knowledge about dark magic and shadow entities. Seek them out and acquire more knowledge to advance your "Shadow Path."]
[Potential Rewards: Rare magic books, Significant increase in magic understanding, Unlocking new shadow-related skills, Encounters with important figures in the hidden magical world.]
[Warning: Seeking this knowledge may attract the attention of powerful entities or other secret organizations.]
Jin-woo smiled. The System was guiding him again, offering him a new and exciting challenge. "A secret library... an old book collector..." This sounded very promising. It was time to take his explorations to a new level and delve deeper into the dark secrets this city was beginning to reveal.