Chapter 8: The Birth of Umbranex
Chapter 8: The Birth of Umbranex
The silence in the vast estate was deafening. Loras, stepping out of the main hall, noted the absence of any guards or servants. The air was thick with the aftermath of the Grand Elder's ruthless orders. Everyone near the hall had been eliminated, their deaths ensuring the secrets of the trial remained buried.
Loras's gaze swept the empty corridors, a faint smirk playing on his lips. "So much effort to secure a secret," he mused. Yet, despite his disdain, he couldn't deny a faint admiration for the lengths the Doom Clan would go to protect their own.
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~A New Gift from the System
The system's voice echoed in his mind, breaking his thoughts:
<>"Congratulations,
Host. You have changed your destiny and taken a critical step toward world domination. As a reward, you are granted the 'Ancient Darkness Shadow' element."
---
~Ancient Darkness Shadow
Role:
-Enables the creation of shadow armies, constructs, and domains.
-Allows fragments of its power to be transferred to followers, enhancing their loyalty and capabilities.
-The element grows stronger as the number and strength of users under the main holder increase.
---
Loras's crimson eyes gleamed with anticipation as he processed the information. He felt the shadow energy stirring within him, waiting to be unleashed. "Perfect timing," he murmured.
Returning to his chambers, Loras began experimenting with the new element. Shadows crawled from under and behind him, engulfing the room in an oppressive darkness. The Ancient Darkness Shadow responded as if alive, twisting and merging with his other elements: Void (Chaos Fire) and Ancient Sword. A single shadow detached itself from the void, forming into a bead in Loras's hand.
He held it aloft, watching it pulsate with power. Smirking, he placed the bead on his desk. "This will do nicely," he whispered before deciding it was time to put his plans into action.
---
Hours later, Loras slipped out of his room under the cover of night. Cloaked by the Ancient Darkness Shadow, his movements were undetectable. Even the Silver God guards stationed nearby failed to sense him. His destination was clear—the back gardens, a secluded area he had long observed for this purpose.
As he moved through the estate, Loras's mind churned with thoughts. He was about to recruit his first follower, a critical step in building the foundation of his organization.
Reaching the gardens, Loras saw a lone figure sitting on a weathered bench beneath a towering tree. The man was broad-shouldered, his posture slouched as though weighed down by centuries of regret.
"Ah, the adulterer," Loras thought, his lips curling into a cold smile.
---
Status Check
Name: Garden Guard
Age: 673 Years
Cultivation: Peak False Immortal
Notes:
Stagnant at his level for 300 years due to flawed technique and lack of resources.
---
Loras approached with deliberate slowness, relishing the tension that built as the guard noticed his presence. The man froze, his face paling as he dropped to his knees.
"Y-young Master," he stammered, his voice trembling. He pressed his forehead to the ground, too afraid to meet Loras's gaze.
Loras stopped a few steps away, his crimson eyes gleaming in the moonlight. "Stand," he commanded, his voice cold yet calm.
The man obeyed, his posture stiff and his eyes glued to the ground.
---
Loras regarded him with mock curiosity. "Do you always guard this park alone?"
The man nodded quickly. "Yes, Young Master. I've been assigned here for centuries. No one else comes."
"No one?" Loras pressed, his tone deceptively light. "Not even friends? Or… certain companions?"
The guard stiffened, a bead of sweat rolling down his temple.
Loras tilted his head, his smile turning sharp. "I remember a night not long ago. You weren't alone then, were you?"
The guard's breath hitched. "Young Master, I—"
Loras cut him off, his voice soft but laced with menace. "I saw you with her. My maid. The married one. The one who perished in the fire."
The man fell to his knees, tears streaming down his face. "Forgive me, Young Master! Yes, I loved her. The child was mine, not her husband's. But I swear, I had no hand in the fire!"
Loras watched him, his expression unreadable. Internally, he scoffed. "Pathetic. Weak-willed and desperate. But that makes him useful."
Outwardly, he waved a dismissive hand. "I don't care about your sordid past. What's done is done. Stand up."
---
Reaching into his robe, Loras produced a shimmering object—the Immortal Penetration Pill.
The guard's eyes widened, his breath catching as he recognized it.
"This," Loras said, holding it between his fingers, "is your chance. Swear your loyalty to me—not the clan, not anyone else—and this will be yours. Refuse, and you will remain stagnant, a forgotten relic."
The man's gaze flicked between the pill and Loras, his hands trembling.
Loras's voice turned sharp. "Decide now. Your future depends on it."
Tears streamed down the man's face as he fell into a deep bow. "Young Master, I swear on my life, my soul, my very existence. I am yours!"
---
Loras smirked. "Good."
Placing a finger on the man's forehead, he activated the Absolute Obedience Technique. The man gasped as the technique imprinted itself onto his consciousness, binding him irrevocably to Loras.
Before the man could respond, shadows surged from behind Loras, blanketing the world in darkness. A single tendril detached itself, forming another bead in Loras's hand. He placed it on the man's forehead, allowing it to merge into his consciousness.
The guard's body convulsed as the Ancient Darkness Shadow fused with his being. His aura darkened, his eyes glowing faintly with shadowy energy.
"What… what is this?" he whispered in awe.
"Power," Loras replied. "Power beyond your comprehension. From this moment, you are no longer a mere garden guard. You are Shadow 1, the first follower of Umbranex."
---
Loyalty Reaches 80%
Shadow 1 fell to his knees, tears of gratitude streaming down his face. "Master, you have given me everything. My strength, my purpose, my future. I will serve you with all my being!"
The system chimed:
"Follower Loyalty: 80%."
Loras nodded in satisfaction. "Good. Do not disappoint me."
---
Loras began explaining his vision:
"Our organization will be called Umbranex. We will operate in the shadows, controlling worlds without ever being seen. By the time I turn five, I want every intermediate world under our influence. After that, we move to the upper worlds."
Shadow 1 bowed deeply. "The worlds will be engulfed in the shadows of Umbranex, Master."
"Begin by mastering the technique," Loras instructed. "Once you've broken through, recruit others and teach them. When they've proven their loyalty, I will grant them a fragment of my power."
Shadow 1's eyes burned with determination. "Your will is my command, Master."
---
Returning to his chambers, Loras considered the name Umbranex:
1. Umbra (Shadow): Secrecy, control, power hidden in plain sight.
2. Nex (Death): Finality, dominance, the end of all opposition.
"Soon, every realm will kneel in the shadow of Umbranex," Loras whispered, a cold smile on his lips.
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End of Chapter 8.