Chapter 13 - Shadow

Julian's footsteps echoed faintly through the darkened hallway as he made his way toward the teachers' office. Beside him, Clarissa and Emma followed in silence, the only light coming from the faint glow of emergency lamps overhead.

Kael's info had been clear.

Leo Rippin.

The user of [Shadow].

A direct subordinate of Erwin.

Eliminating him now would destabilize the enemy's inner circle before any full-scale war began. More importantly, Julian was curious, he wanted to see what it was like to fight another skill user in earnest. He didn't hate Leo. But in this world… kindness didn't matter. Only strength.

Survival of the fittest.

Behind him, Emma finally broke the silence.

"Hey, Julian… I've been meaning to ask. Why don't you just dominate all the zombies around us and wipe out Erwin's group completely?"

Julian slowed his steps slightly, glancing over his shoulder. "Because I could. But it would burn through my mind like fire." He paused. "Keeping control of even five zombies already puts strain on my brain. If I try more… I might pass out. Or worse. My mind could fry."

Emma nodded thoughtfully. "So that's the weakness. Mental overload, huh?"

"Exactly." Julian smirked. "Sharp as always."

Suddenly, grrroooowl.

The sound of a stomach rumbling broke the tension.

Clarissa blushed furiously, wrapping her arms around her belly. "Ugh… not again…"

Emma chuckled. "You've always been a bottomless pit, Clarissa."

Julian turned, grinning. "Oh? Is that so?"

Clarissa huffed, embarrassed. "I—I eat when I'm stressed, okay?! And lately, I've just… been hungry all the time."

Julian raised a brow in thought. "That might actually because of your skill. Telekinesis probably burns through your energy faster than normal. The more you use it, the more fuel your body demands."

Clarissa's eyes widened. "So you're saying… I need to eat even more?"

Emma smirked. "Exactly. You've got to charge yourself up. You might be a model student, but when it comes to food, you're a bit slow, Clarissa."

"Uhh…" Clarissa pouted cutely, cheeks puffed.

Julian chuckled and reached into his bag. "Here. Eat this. You'll need the energy for what comes next."

He handed her a pack of energy bars. Clarissa took them gratefully, already nibbling one like a chipmunk as they approached their destination.

Eventually, they reached the end of the hall. The door ahead was labeled, Faculty Room.

Julian stopped. His gaze hardened.

"This is it."

He turned to them. "Stay alert. Stay hidden."

Emma and Clarissa nodded, slipping into the shadows.

Julian stepped forward and inhaled deeply. Then, with a flick of focus, his eyes shimmered faintly, he activated [Domination].

A lone zombie wandered near the hallway. Julian extended his will toward it.

The creature froze mid-step, then turned its head sharply toward him.

Kneel.

It obeyed instantly, dropping to one knee.

Julian's mental voice pulsed again.

Break down the door.

The zombie growled low and shuffled toward the faculty room, muscles twitching with mindless obedience. It raised both arms, and SLAM!

The first crash echoed down the halls.

Then another.

SLAM! SLAM!

Inside the room, movement stirred. Muffled voices. One sharp, agitated.

"What the hell is that?"

Julian's eyes narrowed.

Got you.

-------×-------

Leo sprawled on the old leather couch inside the faculty lounge, arms crossed behind his head, one leg lazily dangling over the armrest. The dim light from the corner emergency lamp flickered, he hated that annoying buzz. Around him, his group of subordinates murmured nervously, pacing the room or sharpening blades.

"Alright," Leo muttered, his voice thick with boredom. "You guys go out and find any skill users out there. Recruit them."

The room fell silent. One of the older boys spoke up, voice edged with concern.

"But… there are still a lot of zombies out there. Shouldn't you be the one recruiting? Erwin said—"

Leo groaned, lifting his arm and pointing lazily toward them.

"You all have weapons, don't you? Blacksmith Aya made them. And if anything goes wrong—"

A black mist began to swirl around Leo's feet, thick and inky. From his shadow, several thin tendrils crept across the floor toward his subordinates.

"I'll give you my protection."

The shadows twisted like living ropes and coiled around their ankles. A dark pulse vibrated through the air.

"This link means I can find you anywhere… teleport to you… and protect you when your life's in danger. But only if you agree."

His subordinates looked at each other, hesitant. Still, one by one, they nodded.

"But still," another said, braver than the rest. "Even if we find skill users, it doesn't mean they'll want to join—"

SHLKT.

A sharp, black spike shot from the ground beneath him—straight through his chest.

He gasped.

The others screamed.

Blood splattered across the wall as the spike retracted, the boy's body crumpling to the floor like a ragdoll. Leo didn't even lift his head.

"Don't whine," he said flatly. "I'm tired. I hate working. That's why you do it for me. Make yourselves useful."

Silence fell, thick and paralyzing. No one dared speak.

"Do you understand?" Leo said, still not moving.

"...Y-yes," someone whispered.

Then—BANG. BANG.

A heavy pounding echoed from the hallway.

Leo frowned. "What the hell is that?"

Everyone froze.

"Go check," Leo ordered.

Two of them crept toward the door and tried to open it. It wouldn't budge.

"It's blocked… something's ramming it…"

Leo clicked his tongue. "Move."

He stood and raised his hand.

From the floor, four long, sharpened blades of shadow erupted upward, slicing the steel door into four clean diagonal pieces.

The wreckage crashed down.

Standing behind it was a lone zombie.

"…A zombie?" Leo muttered, confused.

And then, flash of steel.

A sword came flying straight for his neck.

Leo snapped his arm up just in time. A black shield burst from his shadow and deflected the strike.

Julian stepped forward from behind the zombie, blade gleaming, eyes cold and focused.

Gasps erupted behind Leo.

"Get him!" someone yelled—and rushed forward.

But before they could exit the room—

SLAM!

Desks, chairs, even metal cabinets slammed into the doorway, sealing it tight. Clarissa stood outside, hands glowing faintly as her telekinesis locked everything in place.

Emma joined Julian, flames crackling from her palms.

Julian smiled slightly. "You've got good reflexes. I was hoping to finish this in one hit. But I guess that would've been boring."

Leo narrowed his eyes. "Who the hell are you? Do I know you?"

Julian tilted his head. "Nope. Don't overthink it. Just fight."

The battle began.

Julian lunged with precise strikes, his sword clashing against shadow-blades sprouting from Leo's feet, arms, and even ceiling corners. The room became a deadly ballet of steel and shadow.

Emma danced around the edges, lobbing fireballs, forcing Leo to keep moving. His shadows twisted into shields, walls, and spikes, blocking and countering every attack. At one point, he disappeared into the floor, then reappeared behind Julian with a shadow dagger.

CLANG!

Julian blocked it, spinning, sweeping Leo's legs, but Leo vanished again into the shadows.

Clarissa held the door tightly with her power, crushing anyone inside who dared move, pinning tables and lockers against the frantic group.

"You're cheating!" one of Leo's men screamed. "Three against one?!"

Julian didn't even glance back. "There are no rules in war. The victor writes the history."

Leo snarled. "You're pushing your luck!"

His entire body sank into darkness. Shadows exploded across the room, stretching to every corner, forming claws and serpents.

Julian narrowed his eyes. "Emma! Light this place up!"

Emma nodded, her entire body ignited. Flames swirled and burst outward in a dome, pushing back the shadows.

Julian shouted, "Clarissa! Destroy anything that casts shadows!"

Clarissa focused, telekinetically hurling lamps, blocking corners, even breaking ceiling tiles that created deep shadow pockets.

Leo's advantage began to collapse.

He grew desperate, launching blind attacks. Julian seized the moment, closing the distance and—slash!

Blood sprayed.

Leo collapsed, breathing ragged, on one knee.

"Kill me…" he whispered. "Just end it. I… I can't take this…it's hurt..."

Julian stepped closer, eyes glowing faintly with power. "Not yet. I want your information. You don't die until I get what I want."

"No… please…"

Julian crouched. "Then submit. Kneel. Surrender everything."

Leo's lips trembled. "F-Fine! I submit! Just kill me…"

Suddenly—

[Skill: Extraction – Active]

A translucent panel appeared before Julian.

Target Leo Rippin is Dominated. Would you like to use [Extract]?

Julian pressed YES.

Leo's body twitched violently. He gasped, eyes widening as he felt the essence of his power drain from his soul.

"No—no—what's happening?!"

Another panel appeared:

Skill [Shadow] successfully extracted. Absorb now?

Julian's finger hovered briefly—then pressed YES.

A surge of black energy rushed into his chest. His shadow rippled unnaturally, then bent unnaturally around his legs.

New skill acquired [Shadow]

Julian stood.

Stronger than ever.

And Leo.. nothing but a broken shell, gasping like a fish on the floor.