Chapter 13

[Ding!]

Killed a powerful individual. The host has reached the maximum level gain from a kill.

[The host has leveled up to Level 60.]

'Nice…' Ashburn nodded, feeling the surge of power flow through him. 'Both of them gave me 15 levels.'

It made sense. Charles Xavier was powerful enough to fight the Dark Phoenix, only winning when Jean Grey helped out. He was that strong.

Honestly, a part of Ashburn had doubted if the sneak attack would work. If Charles had acted fast enough, boosting his mind speed, he could have called for help or moved just in time to survive.

But two things happened when Ashburn fired those arrows. First, he used [Ruler's Authority], not just to guide the arrows, but to accelerate their speed, ensuring they hit their targets before either could react.

Charles was distracted, searching for Ashburn's location, something Ashburn sensed thanks to [6th Sense]. That distraction was all he needed.

Second, Ashburn targeted the air around the Scarlet Witch, using [Ruler's Authority] to slam her into the ground while cutting off her air supply. The timing had to be perfect. Even the slightest delay would've given her time to cast a spell, and if that happened… Well, Ashburn wouldn't be standing here right now.

Luckily, this world worked in his favor. With Charles controlling her mind, the Scarlet Witch's instincts were dulled, leaving her wide open. If she'd been free-willed, Ashburn would be running for his life.

Ashburn looked at the sea of notifications flooding his vision.

[+150 to all stats]

[+200 free stat points]

[Congratulations on reaching a milestone, Level 35.]

Gained [+300 to all stats].

[Congratulations on reaching a milestone, Level 40.]

[Shadow Monarch] has grown stronger.

[Shadow Extraction] now costs less MP.

Shadow soldiers' strength has grown stronger. (10% stronger than when alive)

[Congratulations on reaching a milestone, Level 45.]

Shadows are now even stronger. (15% stronger than when alive

[Congratulations on reaching a milestone, Level 50.]

You're halfway to Level 100.

[Shadow Monarch] has reached its early anime strength. (

[Shadow Extraction] no longer costs MP.

(Note: If you use [Shadow Extraction] on someone far stronger than you and it somehow works, the shadow's strength will be heavily suppressed to prevent it from becoming a threat.)

[Level 25 Gear] has evolved to [Level 50 Gear].

Gained [Umbrakinesis].

[+500 to all stats].

[Congratulations on reaching a milestone, Level 55.]

Gained [Monarch's Domain].

[Congratulations on reaching a milestone, Level 60.]

[Shadow Monarch] has grown stronger.

'Well, that's a lot,' Ashburn thought, eyes scanning the flood of notifications. When he had reached level 30, the milestone reward had been nothing more than +150 to all stats. It wasn't much of a big deal. 

He went through the gains carefully. His shadow soldiers were stronger, much stronger. By the looks of it, they couldn't surpass him by more than three steps. Ashburn didn't fully understand what that meant, but it sounded like a good thing. If it meant his shadows couldn't outgrow his control, it was more of an advantage than a limitation.

The fact that [Shadow Extraction] no longer consumed MP was another major gain. Even if he extracted someone far stronger than himself, their strength would be weakened to the peak he could manage. That might sound like a downgrade to some, but for Ashburn, it was perfect. There'd be no risk of his own shadows turning against him, no matter how powerful they had been in life.

But the biggest surprise? His gear. It had evolved alongside him, growing ten times stronger. That was huge. No longer just comfortable clothing with minor stat boosts, his [Level 50 Gear] was now more like armor disguised as casual wear.

[Umbrakinesis]- You are the Shadow Monarch, no longer limited to just shadow soldiers or passive control over shadows. Your power extends to both shadows and darkness, allowing you to reshape them into anything you desire—weapons, shields, or even offensive constructs.

(The greater your mastery, the higher the success rate of [Shadow Extraction], and the stronger your shadow soldiers can become.)

(With enough control, you can be as weak as an ant and still command a shadow soldier rivaling gods.)

(This skill requires zero MP.)

[Monarch's Domain]- A unique buff skill exclusive to the Shadow Monarch. This ability allows you to project your own shadow, creating a domain where all shadows within gain a 50% increase in stats while fighting.

'I wonder who's stronger—this skill or Knull, the ruler of the void,' Ashburn thought, watching as his shadow slithered forward, swallowing the two lifeless bodies without a trace. But before he could even process the gain, the floor beneath him exploded, debris flying in all directions as a wave of figures burst out. X-Men. Dozens of them. All zombies.

Ashburn reacted instantly, shooting through the window like a shadow, landing on the mansion's lawn as he stared up at the swarm now filling the ruined room.

'What the hell…?' It took him only a moment to understand. Charles must have had them all under his control. Now that Charles was dead, they'd regained their freedom, and in their haze, they had acted on instinct. Attacking first. Not wanting to fall under control again.

Ashburn's frown deepened as he scanned the horde, their rotting eyes locked onto him, expressions twisted with confusion and hunger.

"He looks alive… but why can't I smell the fresh scent of meat on him?" Storm's glowing eyes narrowed, locking onto Ashburn with suspicion.

Ashburn's brow furrowed, caught off guard by the comment. What does she mean by that? Up until now, Ashburn had assumed these zombies couldn't sense life force, that their hunger wasn't tied to the living. Apparently, it was the scent of fresh meat that drew them in. but that left the question of why they couldn't smell him.

Before he could process it further, a familiar chime echoed in his mind.

[New Mission: Full-Scale Threat Detected!]

You've gained the full attention of the X-Men… and even Doctor Strange.

Objective: Kill them all and show the might of the Shadow Monarch.

Reward: [Your Life] (Since you have no means of escape.), [2 TItles], [Shadow Preservation v3]

Punishment: [You will die at their hands and be devoured.]