Chapter 32 : [101 Shadows]

Note: First, I'm so sorry. Second? Why didn't I up more chapters for one week or longer? The answer is I'm sick. That d*mn Aedes aegypti. I really hate them. Do you get the answer?

By the way, I will upload a bonus chapter at volume 0. I know you guys always want to know what is all the shadows of [101 Shadows]. So, enjoy it!

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"Alright, it's time to get serious. I'm going to teach you how to properly use [101 Shadows]," said Alexander. "Be proud, kid. You're being taught by the strongest human in all of history."

Hearing his ancestor's boast, Van only rolled his eyes.

'If I were a naive kid, I might have believed you,' Van thought as he recalled writing about the ancestor of the Black family, Alexander Black.

Alexander Black, the ancestor of the Black family, was an extroverted yet foolish person. Even so, he was the second strongest in the party after the ancestor of the Avalon Royal Family.

His talent in swordsmanship was terrifying. Additionally, the skill [101 Shadows] made him a formidable threat to the [Demon King Gehenna].

Despite his strength, he was a troublemaker within the party. His actions often gave the other party members severe headaches.

However, he wasn't very well-known at the time despite being part of the hero's party. This was because his face was just average. Fortunately, the genes of the Black family's successors were saved since Alexander's wife was an exceptionally beautiful woman.

"So, where should I start?" Alexander asked. "Try using [101 Shadows]."

Van nodded and activated [101 Shadows]. From within his shadow, numerous creatures emerged—Demons, Angels, Fallen Angels, Dragons, Giants, and many others.

"I see now. Your [101 Shadows] is a bit different from mine," Alexander remarked after observing the [Shadows]. "Yours are already tamed, whereas I had to subdue mine first. You're lucky, kid."

"There's one that hasn't appeared..." Van said flatly.

"Yeah, I know. The final [Shadow], [God of Beasts]. Try not to summon it. That creature is quite troublesome," Alexander warned, a flicker of wariness passing through his eyes.

"Got it," Van replied briefly.

"[101 Shadows] isn't just about [Summon], but also [Fusion] and [Combination]," Alexander said proudly, flaunting his knowledge.

Seeing his ancestor act so proudly, Van rolled his eyes.

'I already know that,' Van thought.

"[Fusion] means you can merge with the [Shadows] and gain their abilities," Alexander explained, snapping his fingers. "For example: [Fusion: Angel]!"

Alexander's body was enveloped in shadows. When they dissipated, his appearance had completely changed.

His figure was shrouded in a bright light, a golden halo floated above his head, and six white wings extended from his back.

"Cool, right?" Alexander asked enthusiastically.

Not wanting to deal with his extroverted ancestor, Van simply gave a slight nod.

Alexander was then covered in shadows again and returned to his normal human form.

"Next is [Combination]. You can merge two or more [Shadows]. For example: [Combination: Fire Dragon & Hydra]!" Alexander explained.

From Alexander's shadow emerged a massive 100-meter-long Western-style red dragon. Strangely, this dragon had nine heads.

"If you cut off one of its heads, two more will grow in its place. Additionally, all nine heads can unleash [Fire Breath]," Alexander explained. "A single [Fire Breath] can destroy an entire city. Imagine nine of them attacking simultaneously."

Hearing his ancestor's explanation, Van had to agree. The skill [101 Shadows] was truly a cheat.

What is talent? Just summon dozens of dragons.

"Do you have any questions?" Alexander asked Van.

"How do I increase my [Mana]?" Van asked calmly.

"Eh—seriously?" Alexander looked confused. "I explained [101 Shadows] at length, but you're asking about increasing your [Mana] capacity?"

Van simply nodded in response. Seeing Van's reaction, Alexander could only accept his descendant's cold and indifferent attitude.

"Honestly, your personality is just like that damn white-haired guy," Alexander muttered.

"What did you say?" Van asked.

"Never mind. Anyway, if you want to increase your [Mana] capacity, you should strengthen your body and mind. You see, [Mana] comes from nature, and our bodies absorb it so we can use it," Alexander explained while moving his hands. "Think of it this way: our body is a basin, and [Mana] is water. If you want to hold more water, you need a bigger basin."

"I see. So, I just have to wait until I grow up," Van replied.

"Exactly. Your current body won't be able to withstand much more [Mana]. However, there is a way to control it," Alexander said.

"[Mana Control]," Van and Alexander said simultaneously.

"So, you know about it too. [Mana Control] is also important. For that, you need a strong mind. Even if you have a large [Mana] capacity, if you can't control it, you'll explode," Alexander explained. "Additionally, if your [Mana Control] is high enough, you can also master [Aura]."

Alexander snapped his fingers, and a black [Aura] swirled around him.

"This can be used for both attack and defense," Alexander said as the black [Aura] moved around him.

'I know that,' Van thought.

"I see. By the way, do you know the full contents of [World Treasure]?" Van asked.

Hearing Van's question, Alexander suddenly froze.

"What? You have [World Treasure] too?" Alexander asked in disbelief.

"Yeah. You didn't know?" Van asked, confused.

"I'm just the remnants of a soul inside the skill [101 Shadows]. I'm not omniscient," Alexander replied.

'That makes sense,' Van thought, as if he had just found the answer to his question upon arriving here.

In his novel, Oliver also met the Black family's ancestor through the Black family's heirloom item, [Sword of Black]. This was because remnants of the Black family ancestor's soul resided within the [Sword of Black].

Unlike Oliver, Van was able to meet the Black family's ancestor because his soul remnants were inside [101 Shadows].

'I knew there were soul remnants in weapons, but in a skill? It seems there are still things I don't know, even though I wrote this novel,' Van thought.

"[World Treasure] is the treasure I gathered throughout my life, kid. Don't waste it on luxuries," Alexander said.

'Not your treasure, damn it. It's the Demon King's treasure that you stole!' Van thought irritably.

"How should I put this... [World Treasure] is also a skill that's no less powerful than [101 Shadows]. At first, it was just an ordinary storage skill, but after being filled with all sorts of treasures, it became extremely valuable," Alexander explained.

"What kind of treasures?" Van asked curiously. Even though he had written this novel, he never detailed the full contents of [World Treasure].

He had only mentioned that it contained extremely dangerous weapons, valuable potions, and immeasurable wealth. In his novel, [World Treasure] was mainly focused on deadly and dangerous weapons.

"So, [World Treasure] contains..."