Chapter 7: Confronting the Darkness

Lin Mu's heart pounded as the shadowed figure glided forward, the air around it growing colder and more oppressive with every step. The forest itself seemed to shrink back from the presence, as if nature itself was afraid of the creature. This was it—the source of the darkness that had corrupted the world.

The figure moved with eerie grace, its form barely discernible through the thick haze of shadows that surrounded it. Its eyes, glowing red and filled with malice, were locked onto Lin Mu, watching him intently. A chill crept down his spine as he realized the full extent of the power that radiated from the creature.

System Notification:

Source of the Darkness Identified: Shadow Sovereign

Threat Level: Extreme

Abilities: Shadow Manipulation, Soul Drain, Darkness Infusion

Weakness: Holy Light-based attacks, Disruption of Shadow Magic

Lin Mu swallowed hard. The system was blunt in its warning—this enemy was beyond anything he had faced before. The Abyssal Beast had been a powerful adversary, but this Shadow Sovereign was on a completely different level. The darkness that had spread through the forest wasn't just a byproduct of its presence; it was a direct manifestation of the creature's power.

His body tensed as the creature stopped a few meters away, its glowing eyes piercing through him. For a moment, there was only silence, the oppressive darkness pressing in on all sides.

Then, the creature spoke.

"You should not be here, mortal," the Shadow Sovereign's voice was like a whisper carried on the wind, yet it cut through the silence like a blade. "This world belongs to me now. You cannot stop what has already begun."

Lin Mu tightened his grip on his makeshift weapon, though he knew it would be useless against the Shadow Sovereign. He needed to think quickly. The system had already shown him that light was the key to weakening shadow creatures, but there was no light here—only the faint glow of the trees and the all-consuming darkness that surrounded the Shadow Sovereign.

The Shadow Sovereign moved closer, its shadowy form stretching and expanding as if to consume the very ground beneath it. Lin Mu took a step back, his mind racing. He couldn't fight it head-on, not like this. He needed a plan, a way to disrupt the creature's shadow magic and give himself a chance to strike.

System Notification:

New Objective: Disrupt the Shadow Sovereign's Connection to the Darkness.

Lin Mu's eyes flicked to the glowing trees. The light from the trees had been enough to weaken the Abyssal Beast—perhaps it could do the same to the Shadow Sovereign. But the creature's control over the shadows was far stronger than that of the beast. He needed to be strategic.

The Shadow Sovereign raised its hand, and the darkness around it began to shift and swirl, forming into sharp tendrils of shadow that lashed out toward Lin Mu. He barely had time to react, diving to the side as the tendrils struck the ground where he had been standing. The force of the impact sent a shockwave through the ground, and Lin Mu felt the cold bite of shadow energy grazing his side.

He scrambled to his feet, his mind racing. He needed to draw the Sovereign closer to the trees, where the light was stronger. If he could get it into the light, even for a moment, it might be enough to disrupt its connection to the shadows.

With a deep breath, Lin Mu sprinted toward the nearest glowing tree, dodging and weaving as the Shadow Sovereign's tendrils of darkness followed him. The creature's power was overwhelming, but Lin Mu's enhanced agility allowed him to stay just out of reach.

The Shadow Sovereign snarled in frustration, its red eyes narrowing as it watched Lin Mu dart toward the tree. It raised its hand again, and this time, the shadows beneath Lin Mu's feet seemed to come alive, grasping at his legs and slowing his movements.

Lin Mu gritted his teeth, pushing through the resistance. He was almost there. The light from the tree was faint, but it was enough—enough to give him a fighting chance. He dove behind the tree, feeling the tendrils of shadow snapping at his heels.

For a moment, there was silence.

Then, the Shadow Sovereign let out a low growl, its form shifting as it moved closer to the tree. Lin Mu's heart pounded in his chest. He needed to draw it closer, needed to force it into the light. But how?

The answer came to him in a flash. The new skill he had unlocked—Abyssal Strike. It was infused with the same dark energy as the creatures he had fought, but if he combined it with the light from the tree, it might be enough to disrupt the Sovereign's control over the shadows.

Lin Mu steadied his breathing, focusing on the energy coursing through his body. He activated Abyssal Strike, feeling the dark power surge into his arms. His makeshift weapon, weak as it was, began to glow with an ominous energy, the shadowy tendrils swirling around it. But Lin Mu wasn't going to rely on the darkness alone.

With a burst of speed, Lin Mu charged toward the Shadow Sovereign, swinging his weapon with all his might. The creature reacted, raising its hand to summon a shield of darkness, but Lin Mu was ready. At the last moment, he redirected his strike, bringing the weapon down onto the glowing tree beside him.

The tree flared with brilliant light as the dark energy from Abyssal Strike collided with the natural light of the forest. For a split second, the entire area was bathed in a blinding glow, and the shadows around the Shadow Sovereign flickered and weakened.

The creature let out a howl of rage as its control over the shadows wavered. Its form flickered, becoming less solid, more vulnerable. Lin Mu didn't hesitate. He darted forward, his enhanced agility allowing him to close the distance in an instant. With a roar, he swung his weapon directly at the creature's chest, channeling the combined power of light and shadow into the strike.

The blow connected, and the Shadow Sovereign let out a deafening scream. Its body convulsed as the light from the trees burned through its form, tearing apart the shadows that had given it life. The ground beneath it cracked and splintered as the dark energy that had consumed the forest began to unravel.

For a moment, Lin Mu stood frozen, his breath coming in ragged gasps. The Shadow Sovereign's form flickered violently, its glowing red eyes wide with shock and pain. It stumbled back, its body disintegrating into wisps of shadow as the light consumed it.

And then, with one final roar, the Shadow Sovereign collapsed into a cloud of dark mist, its presence vanishing from the world.

System Notification:

You have defeated the Shadow Sovereign. Evolution Points +30.

Mission Complete: Disrupt the Source of the Darkness.

Lin Mu fell to his knees, exhaustion finally overtaking him. The oppressive darkness that had filled the forest was gone, and the air felt lighter, freer. The glowing trees around him returned to their natural light, and the world seemed to breathe once more.

He had done it. He had defeated the source of the darkness.

But even as relief washed over him, Lin Mu couldn't shake the feeling that this was just the beginning. The system's missions were growing more dangerous, the enemies more powerful. And if the Shadow Sovereign was any indication, there were far greater threats waiting in the worlds beyond.

Lin Mu stared at the system screen, the 30 Evolution Points blinking at him. He had grown stronger—there was no doubt about that. But there was still so much he didn't understand about the system, about the worlds it had sent him to.

With a sigh, Lin Mu stood up, his body still aching from the fight. The mission was complete, but his journey was far from over.

He glanced at the forest around him one last time before turning his gaze to the horizon.

Whatever came next, he would be ready.

System Notification:

New World Unlocked: Elysium - High-tier Fantasy Realm.

Mission: Prepare for the Trial of the Gods.

Lin Mu narrowed his eyes, determination hardening within him.

The next world awaited.