Investigation.
Notification!
[You have received a Shadow Box. Click to open.]
"Another Shadow Box!?" Vanitas muttered in disbelief, his gaze scanning his surroundings. The park was still bustling with activity—children playing, families chatting, and strangers passing by.
'I can't open this here. Too many eyes around,' he thought, swiftly storing the Shadow Box in his inventory.
[Item Stored.]
He let out a sigh of relief before making his way out of the park. The streets were alive with noise and activity, a maze of people moving in every direction. Vendors shouted to attract customers, car horns blared in the distance, and the scent of grilled meat lingered in the air.
Walking through the bustling street, Vanitas's eyes landed on a barbecue stand nestled between a fruit vendor and a small convenience store. His stomach grumbled loudly, reminding him that he hadn't eaten since breakfast.
He approached the stand, the tantalizing aroma of smoky grilled skewers calling to him.
"Hello there, Vanitas! Good to see you!" the stand's owner greeted him warmly, a wide grin spreading across his face. The man was in his mid-40s, his apron stained with sauces and spices. "How's your mom doing these days?"
Vanitas hesitated for a moment, caught off guard by the question. "She's doing well, I think..." he replied, his voice trailing off as he avoided the man's gaze.
The owner nodded and turned to flip the sizzling skewers on the grill. "Good to hear! It's been a while since I last saw her. Tell her I said hi, okay?"
"Sure," Vanitas replied awkwardly, his eyes focused on the skewers as the flames crackled beneath them.
After a few minutes, the owner handed him a skewer wrapped in paper. "Here you go. Enjoy!"
Vanitas nodded his thanks and took the skewer. He moved to the side, found a quiet spot near a wall, and bit into the perfectly grilled meat. The flavors of the smoky marinade and tender meat were heavenly, a stark contrast to the bland meals he'd been eating recently.
As he ate, he grabbed a bottled water from a nearby vendor and drank deeply, the cool liquid soothing his parched throat. It felt as though he hadn't drunk properly in days.
"This hits the spot," he murmured to himself, savoring the moment.
But as the noise of the busy street surrounded him, his thoughts wandered back to the Shadow Box sitting in his inventory. He couldn't help but wonder what secrets or rewards it held. 'I'll check it out once I'm back at my apartment,' he decided, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand and heading toward home.
**
At his apartment, it was still a mess, and Vanitas decided it was time to tidy up before opening the mysterious box he received from the system.
---
Minutes dragged on, feeling like hours as he worked through the clutter. Finally, the place was clean, and a sense of accomplishment swept over him.
"Finally, it's done," he muttered, wiping sweat off his chin with the back of his hand. The once-chaotic apartment now looked neat and organized, giving him some room to breathe.
"Inventory!" he whispered, and the system interface appeared before him. He clicked on the Shadow Box, summoning it into existence.
The box materialized in front of him, shaking violently, almost as if it were alive. For a moment, he stepped back, wondering if it might explode. But then, as quickly as it started, the shaking stopped, and another notification popped up.
---
[You have received Shadow Essence!]
---
"Shadow Essence?" he muttered, furrowing his brows. "What's this supposed to do?"
Curious, he tapped the notification, revealing a detailed description.
---
[Shadow Essence]
Tier: ???
(Consumable)
Description: Once consumed, it will increase your shadow-based skills.
---
Vanitas stared at the glowing essence in his hand. Its black, fiery surface shimmered, flickering like an otherworldly flame. He couldn't help but marvel at it.
"For now, I won't use it. Not until the right time comes," he murmured, carefully storing the Shadow Essence back into his inventory.
Just as he was about to relax, a commotion from the television caught his attention.
---
"This just in: Another man has gone missing in the same area in Seoul. Unlike previous cases, this time, authorities found a bloodied mark on the ground resembling a large claw scratch. Officials say it is not from any known animal.
Citizens are once again advised to avoid the location, especially at night. Some rumors suggest this could be a Dungeon Break, but the Hunter Association is still investigating."
---
Vanitas's expression darkened as he listened. "Another person went missing? And now there's blood? People are even saying it's a Dungeon Break…"
His mind raced as he pieced together the news. The timing couldn't be a coincidence. Whatever was happening out there, it was connected to the same valley where he killed a human being.
Later that evening, the moon rose high in the sky, its silvery light breaking through the scattered clouds. The stars twinkled like they were alive, casting a faint glow over the world below.
Vanitas, sitting on the edge of his bed, had made up his mind. He was going to the place where people had been disappearing—a dangerous venture, but his curiosity and determination burned brighter than his fear. Before heading out, he decided to check his stats.
"Stats!" he commanded.
---
[Stats]
Strength: 9
Agility: 5
Stamina: 8
Intelligence: 4
Luck: 3
Unassigned Points: 5
---
He rubbed his chin as he stared at the interface, weighing his options.
"If I'm going there, I need to prioritize strength. No point in holding back now," he muttered. Without hesitation, he allocated all five unassigned points to strength.
---
[Stats Updated]
Strength: 14
Agility: 5
Stamina: 8
Intelligence: 4
Luck: 3
---
"That should do it," he whispered, closing the interface.
Vanitas grabbed his dark hooded cloak, pulling it over his head to conceal his identity. The cloak's fabric swayed slightly as he fastened it securely. He took a deep breath and gave himself a final once-over in the mirror.
"Here I go," he said, stepping out into the night.
As he walked through the dimly lit streets, he glanced up at the night sky. The stars shone brightly, almost pulsating, as though they were alive and watching him. The moon, half-veiled by wispy clouds, cast a ghostly light that illuminated his path.
Vanitas clenched his fists, feeling the newfound strength coursing through his body. The streets became quieter as he approached the valley. The faint hum of the wind and the occasional distant bark of a dog were the only sounds accompanying him.
"I'll find out what's hiding in that valley," he murmured, his resolve hardening as he vanished into the shadows of the night.
'Shadow Eye Activate'