Chapter 15: Darkness Preservation and Darkness Energy

8:00 p.m.

"Thank goodness, I've made it home safe and sound. I should inform the butler before it gets too late," Rahul thought, dialing his number.

"Ding..."

"Call connected."

"Hello, I've reached home," Rahul said warmly once the call connected.

"Alright, young master. Rest well," a warm voice reassured him from the other end.

"Okay," he replied calmly, disconnecting the call.

As he hung up, his mind wandered back to his childhood.

The butler had been his pillar of support—his father, mother, and everything in between. He had lost so much in his early years, but the butler had given him the warmth of family. He had cared for him, shielding him from the harshness of the world, managing his family business for 13 years after his dad's death.

The mist arose unexpectedly, catching him off guard. Nevertheless, he fortified his resolve and stole a glance toward the brilliantly illuminated moon casting its light over the city.

"The more beautiful the appearance, the more thorns it carries just like the rose."

He had learned the harsh truth about the cost unexpectedly, inside the dungeon, during an encounter seven hours prior.

In the F-grade Undead Dungeon

Rahul had slain six undead skeletons, accumulating 6 stat crystals, 12 gold coins, and an E-rank skeleton. Together, the E-rank skeleton and he moved deeper into the dungeon.

In a mere two hours, he defeated a hundred undead skeletons and an F+ rank boss skeleton.

After each battle, he utilized 'Darkness Extraction,' forming a formidable army of 20 E-rank skeletons.

He maintained his strength by meditating, restoring his mana points using mana potions at every opportunity, and gained exceptional loot throughout his battles.

[You have slain 100 undead skeletons and 1 boss undead skeleton]

[You have gained 110 F-grade stat crystals, 250 gold coins]

[You have extracted 20 E-rank skeletons with Darkness energy]

He had increased his skill proficiencies; both 'Darkness Preservation' and 'Darkness Energy' had elevated by one grade.

['Darkness Preservation' skill reached E grade]

[The number of preserved darkness increased from 10 to 20]

['Darkness Energy' skill reached E grade]

[Mana cost reduced from 100 Mana points - 1 Darkness Energy to 80 Mana points - 1 Darkness Energy]

After a fruitful hunt in the 'F-grade Dungeon,' Rahul stood at the entrance of the second floor, having cleared the first floor.

Pleased with his gains, he decided to invest in his intelligence and spirit using F-grade stat crystals. Leaving only one skeleton out of 'Darkness Preservation' and storing the remaining skeletons, he immersed himself in his own imagination.

Suddenly, an arrow came hurtling toward him, and his eye widened as he barely managed to dodge it.

He swiftly turned his head to find five E-rank players, their conversation filling him with dread.

"Hey, kid!"

"Uh! The boss ordered us to take down this F-rank summoner."

"Shut up! Kill him! I'll kill every single one of you," barked a menacing man.

"Ok... okay," they stuttered in unison.

"Hey, kid, you're in for some bad luck," sneered a middle-aged man as he charged at him, wielding his sword.

His expression was flabbergasted for a moment as no idea what's unfolding before him before turning icy as he retorted, "You should be the one considering yourself unlucky."

"Attack him at his weak points," Rahul commanded his skeleton through a mental connection.

He steeled himself for the fight, rushing toward him with his E-grade sword in hand.

As the swords clashed, and at the right moment, he signaled mentally, "Now."

Bang!

He was thrown back toward the second-floor entrance, sustaining some minor injuries.

Silently, the Undead Skeleton advanced toward the man, swiftly wielding his sword at the man's neck.

The man, caught off guard, managed to react quickly, his mercenary instincts kicking in.

He sneered and slashed his sword toward the skeleton's weapon.

However, his expression turned to shock as their swords clashed.

He realized he couldn't match the skeleton's E-rank strength; he couldn't exert all his remaining power due to the unexpected attack and his awkward stance.

He watched in despair as the sword slowly claimed his head.

"Sliced."

The head rolled to Rahul's feet.

"Nice," Rahul grinned as he stood up and crushed the man's head with his right foot.

"Puchi!" A sound came as he gave a thumbs-up to the skeleton before everyone's unexpected eyes.

"Hello, you son of a b*tch," he sneered, showing his middle finger to the rest of them.

"What are you waiting for, you idiots? Go and kill him!" the leader said to the remaining men in a ferocious tone.

"Preserve," he whispered as he entered the second-floor entrance.

"Absolute Concealment," he murmured, and just like that, he vanished into thin air upon stepping onto the second floor.

Hidden away in a secret spot, Rahul couldn't suppress a wave of nausea.

"I kill... I vomited," he muttered, feeling queasy.

It was the first time he had taken a human life in both of his existences.

"Should I hide?" He considered it for a moment but quickly shook his head.

"In times like these, I have to appear strong, showing no vulnerability, as any sign of weakness could spell doom, knowing that I am now living in a 'strong prey on the weak' world."

He steeled himself, determined to kill and, more importantly, to uncover who had sent them.

He regained his composure; eyes glinting in the darkness and began closely monitoring their movements.

A short while later...

All 19 E-rank players had also made their way to the second floor.

Their leader barked angrily, "Search for that guy. I'll handle him myself."

"Yes," they replied, trembling as they commenced their search.

From his concealed vantage point, he observed every development around him.

"I don't have a choice," he whispered, recognizing that this was a golden opportunity to eliminate them while they were exposed in the light, and he remained hidden in the shadows.

He discreetly released all of his E-rank skeletons and instructed them to observe everyone covertly.

He with an idea in minds, too, began exploring every nook and cranny of the second floor.

Thirty minutes later...

"Sir, we can't find him," a man nervously reported to their leader.

"Incompetents! You fools can't even locate a rat?" the leader roared in anger, delivering a kick to the man.