Chapter 101
Shadow Technique, by its very nature, boasts high versatility. As long as it wasn't blocked by an opponent's overwhelming power, it could be used to get behind them or evade attacks. It could also be used to pressure an opponent with Shadow, or even to exert physical force to crush them.
*...But the problem was.*
Despite its excellent versatility, its 'power' was quite weak. This made it rather ambiguous to use as a main Attack Skill, like Origin Explosion. Therefore, it was often used as a Support Skill rather than an attack...
If I just shifted my perspective a little.
It could be used as an Attack Skill, not just a Support Skill.
I quickly shot Shadow into the mouth of the Monster in front of me, pushing it inside. Of course, the Monster resisted so fiercely that most of the Shadow was repelled, and only a tiny fraction managed to get in. Thinking it didn't matter much, I smiled and poured mana into the 'internalized' Shadow.
Kueeeek!
Even with a minuscule amount of Shadow, if supplied with mana, its scale could be expanded crazily. And no matter how tough a creature was, its insides were vulnerable.
If I make the Shadow sharp and hard, then detonate it as powerfully as possible.
Its internal organs and flesh would be twisted into an unnatural, jumbled mess.
Kueeeek! Kraaaagh!
Listening to the screams from ahead, I crossed my arms. I realized that if I could just get Shadow inside a body, it would almost certainly be an instant kill. I pondered how to use this effectively.
Rather than shooting it from afar, I would shoot it when I'm up close.
That way, the opponent would have a harder time reacting, so I nodded, thinking it would be a good approach.
And if I mix in a powerful attack that distracts them... the success rate would climb even higher.
It would be good to experiment a few more times. I slammed my mace down on the head of the fallen Monster and waited for the next opponent to appear.
After about a dozen Monsters were dealt with, The conclusion was that this Shadow *Internal Explosion* was not just highly lethal, but capable of killing almost all living, moving creatures.
“*I made it, but it”s insane.*'
Perhaps using this, killing those stronger than me wouldn't be difficult. I practiced it a bit more, then shook my head, deciding to seal this attack away for a while.
“*The reason I came here was to grow stronger, not to use cheap tricks.*”
So... what was important wasn't winning easily with this kind of attack, but rather. I decided it would be better to fight head-on and raise my Basic Caliber.
“*...Or not? I just absorb the orbs and it”s over. Is there really no need for that?*'
A sudden question popped into my head. However, the enemies I would face in the future weren't opponents I could defeat simply by having a high Basic Caliber. Furthermore, there was a high possibility of encountering those with even higher Basic Caliber than me, so practicing these technical aspects was also necessary.
“*So, enough with the tricks, let”s clash directly.*'
I resolved to do so, took a light breath, and gripped my mace. Honestly, in terms of Basic Caliber and technical aspects like Shadow, those Monsters were a step above me. There was an extremely high chance of facing agonizing pain to overcome them... but I instinctively knew that if I endured this, I could become incredibly strong. Gathering all my strength, I charged forward.
* * * * *
Mweeeh. Mweeeh-mweeeh-mweeeh.
Shiren patted the belly of the crying Super Giant Ddungddwaejji, comforting Daisy as she spoke.
"Stop crying. You'll lose weight if you cry."
"Mweeeh? Mweeeh-mweeeh-mweeeh."
"Ugh. *Totally a Dwejji*."
"Myaak!"
She called her a Dwejji to comfort her (?). Daisy, unaware of Shiren's intentions, thought she was being teased for being a pig and wildly lunged at her, throwing punches. Of course, they were so incredibly weak that it felt like being hit with soft cotton, but Shiren couldn't just stand there and take it, so she started fighting back.
"Ddungddwaejji, Ddungddwaejji."
"Myaak! Myaak! Myaak!"
Whether it was right to call it fortunate, Daisy seemed to have calmed down after the 'fight' (?), and with a much brighter expression, she let out a "Mweeeh" and collapsed into Shiren's arms.
Even so, she was a precious friend; so as Shiren patted her to comfort her... Ruen's figure came into view in the distance.
*...*
The wicked Super Giant cow... no, Saintess, was trying to steal her everything, Damian. Honestly, Shiren didn't dislike Ruen, but she didn't like how Ruen kept coveting the one treasure she had, making her sulk.
'*...Hmm.*'
Still, she felt a little... no, quite sorry for acting this way. When she had time to think like this, she wondered if she should apologize... But every time she thought about apologizing, the image of the two of them sucking their fingers kept coming to mind, and she lost all desire to apologize.
'*I'm angry.*'
Just as she was pouting, feeling full of anger, Ruen spotted her and trotted over, speaking to her.
Lady Shiren, would you like some snacks?
At the mention of snacks, the Dwejji in her arms, completely oblivious, brightened its eyes. It flapped its tiny hands, gesturing for them to hurry and give it some. Feeling annoyed by that sight, Shiren poked the Dwejji's cheek, just as Ruen handed over a cookie and spoke.
"Based on Lady Daisy's bulging belly, will she soon become a High-grade Spirit?" "Myaang!" "That's amazing. I heard High-grade Spirits are incredibly powerful."
Daisy seemed pleased that Ruen was praising her, and smiled triumphantly. She put her hands on her hips and began to strike a proud pose, saying "Mya-myaang." Something about that was irritating, so Shiren kept poking her cheek, when Liana's voice came from afar.
"Everyone, stop playing and get to work, please?"
"Uh-huh."
Hearing that, Shiren got up to resume her information gathering.
Daisy's body began to glow even brighter and whiter than before.
“*Is this how much a High-grade Spirit glows?*”
Just as Shiren was marveling at the sight, which literally began to shine like the sun. Ruen, next to her, exclaimed in surprise.
L-Lady Daisy is emitting divine power!
Divine power?
At that, Shiren gazed at Daisy intently.
A strange, pure white power, in addition to the Spirit's unique mana.
She already knew this was divine power, but she hadn't expected it to grow so much, so she watched in silence.
“*Why is a Spirit emitting divine power?*”
Was it because she ate the Holy Sword? Thinking that, she looked down at the chubby, round, completely Super Giant Ddungddwaejji Daisy, pondering. Then, she wrapped herself completely in a blanket and said.
My eyes hurt.
Divine power was divine power, and glowing was glowing. She just thought this was the best thing to do for now.
* * * * *
It seemed there was a mechanism where, just as I got used to taking down one, more enemies would appear to attack me. The number of Monsters kept increasing every time I defeated one, and they came at me, just like before.
*It's funny how I'm getting used to it, though.*
It had already been over a month since I started doing this. I could now take down four or five without much difficulty, enemies I couldn't even handle one or two of at first.
Of course, it wasn't as easy as snapping my fingers; I still had to fight with all my might, but it was certainly a tremendous growth.
“*At this rate, I might even be able to spar with Lorraine properly.*”
Before, Lorraine had to go incredibly easy on me for a sparring session to flow smoothly. Now, even Lorraine would have to put in some effort rather than just going easy, which made me quite proud of my growth.
*The problem, however, is that I still don't seem to be reaching High-grade Expert.*
This time, too, it seemed I would only advance by consuming the orbs. I took a deep breath, resolving to break through the Training Ground and move up a level.
“*I have to get stronger as quickly as possible.*”
In fact, High-grade Expert wasn't enough.
What I wanted was at least the highest grade, and if possible, to reach Master; only then could I take down Paladins, Dark Mages, the Imperial Family, or even the Demon Lord. I brushed off my wounded hands, lightly shouted at the Monsters charging at me, and leaped forward. As I continued to fight, in the distance, a faintly visible man sat.
“*What is it?*”
Somehow, the sight felt familiar.
I racked my brain, wondering where I had seen him, but couldn't recall, making me curious. Monsters, twice as numerous as before, suddenly rose and began to attack me.
Numerous hands reached out. Seeing this, I tried to use Origin Explosion to create distance and fend them off. But ironically, the moment I used it, the Monsters used Shadow to pull me directly towards them.
“*As I get closer to the boss, it seems the real enemies are starting to appear.*”
I took a light breath, feeling the need to find a new approach, and was pondering when to act. Suddenly, looking at the Shadows rising everywhere, I had another interesting idea.
“*It might work if I turn the Shadows into thorns and pierce the enemies.*”
This had two advantages. Its power was strong. And while I wouldn't use it for skill improvement right now, if an enemy were even slightly pricked by a Shadow Thorn... I could use Shadow *Internal Explosion*.
Realizing this, I decided to practice Shadow Thorn and made the Shadows surge upwards.