Crossroads

The Hardness of Shadow is determined by two factors. The amount of mana contained within it, and how skillfully one uses Shadow. In other words... the stronger one is, the more powerfully and effectively one can use Shadow.

With numerous thorns, I pierced a Monster rushing towards me. Thorns erupted from the floor, the air, and the ceiling, impaling the Monster's body. Watching it unable to do anything, I let out a small laugh. I then assessed the potency of the thorn attack in more detail.

This should be enough to inflict critical damage on at least a High-grade Expert.

Even if it doesn't, a follow-up `Internal Explosion` would... likely result in an instant kill.

Realizing the immense growth this alone represented, I savored the sensation a little longer.

The Monsters, as if realizing this wouldn't do. All the dormant Monsters rose, each grabbing a weapon, and began to charge at me. Gazing at the colossal horde, easily numbering over a thousand, I took a shallow breath, raised my hand, and fell into thought.

In the past, seeing this would first have filled me with a sense of vague despair.

Amusingly, confidence now came before despair, and I summoned countless `Shadow Thorn`s to impale them.

Blood splattered and flesh flew in all directions. Listening to the screams from all sides, I nodded in satisfaction as I watched the Monsters gradually fall.

Easy...