Yuki

A celestial voice resonates through Xin's troubled psyche, stirring him from a dreamlike state. Around him, a spectral realm unfolds, revealing a stairway leading forward.

As he ascends, he is captivated by the sight of a spectral maiden with flowing white hair and eyes mirroring the endless sky. However, the tranquility is abruptly disrupted as a menacing presence emerges from behind the maiden. Two grotesque hybrids of demon and shadow, their teeth emitting an ominous light, ensnare her.

"Stay strong, Xin!" The maiden's voice, soothing and comforting, floods his senses like a fondly remembered sister's caress. Though her identity remains mysterious, locked away in his memory.

In an act of desperation, Xin attempts to strike his enemies with a shadow blast, only to be met with disbelief as his attack fails. The shadow creatures laugh, taunting him about the ineffectiveness of his shadow magic against them.

Enraged and on the edge of sanity, Xin succumbs to Umbravore's influence, transforming into a monstrous, bloodthirsty creature. "I crave sustenance," he growls, obliterating one of the shadow creatures with a blinding burst of light.

Umbravore reflects, "It's regrettable that he didn't master light magic. But since it's a part of him, I can make use of it." Unfazed, the shadow creature reforms and sneers, "With such weak resistance, you'll soon be our meal."

As one of the entities lunges at Xin, now under Umbravore's control, the other keeps the maiden captive. Umbravore boldly asserts, "You Spectral Leeches are merely F-rank abyssal creatures, a disgrace to shadow monsters. You feed on corrupted souls. You're nothing but inferior parasites compared to me." He then commands the surrounding shadow souls to consume the Spectral Leech.

Suddenly, the environment transforms into a desolate landscape, with dilapidated buildings and utility poles. Umbravore, with glowing red eyes and a towering form, turns his attention to the maiden, abandoned by the fleeing Spectral Leech. "Ah, an S-class soul, a rare delicacy. I seldom get to feast on such a treat; even Xin continues to resist. But I know my time is limited before he regains control. Why not leave him a parting gift... Your disfigured and mutated form should be enough to shatter his psyche once again," Umbravore taunts, ordering his shadow minions to attack the maiden.

Just as the minions close in, Ranto, a heroic champion, arrives with a fiery shadow explosion. His Phoenix Totem advises, "We can't win here. We must rescue the maiden and cleanse her corruption before it's too late."

Ranto responds, seemingly irritated, "When will I get another chance to fight an S-class hero who wields the power of an S-class shadow monster? I've been itching for a challenge like this. But you're right, the maiden's safety comes first. Xin will have to find his own way."

Ranto summons smaller humanoid shadow minions to transport the maiden to safety within Maticona, while the others distract Umbravore, facilitating their escape.

"If Xin's soul is merging with Umbravore, doesn't that make him an SS-level threat, Phoenix?" Ranto asks.

"Yes, Ranto. That abomination is an SS-level threat," Phoenix confirms.

"It's rather amusing that he transformed just to deal with F-level shadow monsters," Ranto ponders, questioning Umbravore's true strength or Xin's resilience.

Phoenix begins to explain, "The primal shadow creatures enjoy showcasing their power and dominance, even against lower-ranked monsters. Umbravore-"

"Enough talking, Phoenix! I just want to fight!" Ranto interrupts, displaying his arrogance. His totem animal manifests a fiery arm and smacks Ranto on the head.

"Umbravores don't concern themselves with energy conservation here since this is Maticona, a realm of primal shadows; their energy is limitless."

"Enough talk, Phoenix! I just want to fight!" Ranto interrupts again, his arrogance evident. Phoenix reprimands him once more, smacking him on the head. "Fool, you're outmatched by this creature. We must retreat and return with reinforcements."

Filled with reckless bravado, Ranto disregards the caution echoing in the cryptic winds of fate and charges headlong into combat with Umbravore. But as he nears the creature, a chilling premonition of mortality slithers into his consciousness, a grim specter of impending doom.

This ominous intuition paints a ghastly tableau before his mind's eye—a scene of his own self being overwhelmed, not only by Umbravore's dominating presence but also by the ravenous multitude of abominations under its thrall.

Confronted with this horrifying revelation, Ranto's primal survival instincts urge him to flee. Swiftly reversing his audacious advance, he retreats, leaving the battlefield to the abysmal monstrosity that is Umbravore.

After ensuring the maiden's safety, Ranto and his shadow minions make their way to the forest, leaving some behind to hold off Umbravore's minions. As they reach the edge of the barrier, a primal screech and roar ominously resound in the background. By a stroke of luck, Ranto stumbles upon a portal, offering an escape route. With Yuki at his side, they dive into the spectral unknown.

In the immense vastness of Matoniaco, Xin begins to fight back, starting the process of eliminating those brave souls trapped by Umbravore. But unfortunately, the monstrous Umbravore maintains control, beginning the gruesome consumption of Xin's former companions.

These unfortunate heroes, once considered A to D-tier, dared to cross into the mysterious nexus. Their minds, initially strong against the onslaught of madness, succumb to its insidious whispers, spiraling into corruption and insanity.

After what feels like an eternity, Xin finally regains consciousness, only to find himself soaked in the lifeblood of his fallen comrades.