Ahmad_Naveed_Khan

In a world where magic is forbidden and ancient clans rule with iron laws, the weak are discarded like insects.
 Zayn was one of them: a street beggar who was despised by society, deceived by the only person he ever trusted, and stabbed to death in an abandoned alley.
 However, death was not the end.
 [Shadow System Binding is Complete.]
 [Hi, Reincarnator.]
 Zayn awakens ten years in the past, within his younger self, with a strange system attached to his soul.  One that thrives on gloom.  One that becomes stronger with each kill.  One that murmurs truths that the world has tried to conceal.
With forbidden powers and memories of betrayal seared in his mind, Zayn refuses to be a pawn again.  This time, he will hunt in the shadows, expose the ancient clans' lies, and rise above the laws that once crushed him.
 "They said I was worthless..."  Now I'm the shadow they fear."
 Zayn's rise to prominence raises the question of whether he can control the darkness or succumb to it.

The System Reincarnator: From Zero to Shadow King

The battleground at Iron ridge Pass was a whirlpool of madness, with half of the Crusader Host eaten by the abyss and the other half engaged in terrible fight with Kaelen's shadow armies.

But all eyes were on the clash at the center of the carnage.

Kaelen stood, his body wrapped in dark tendrils, confronting Sephira, the Grand Inquisitor.

Light encountered shadow. Faith confronted rebellion.

The Duel Begins

Sephira advanced, her weapon trailing a golden arc of holy fire.

Kaelen confronted her head on, his Shadow blade crackling with abysmal power.

Steel struck steel, causing a concussive shock wave that threw adjacent soldiers off their feet.

"Kaelen, you're a worm playing king. Surrender, and I will give you a clean death.

"I'd rather see your throne burn."

He launched Shadow Burst, a wave of dark energy that exploded outwards.

Sephira replied with Sanctum Barrier, and the shadows splashed harmlessly against her radiant shield.

The Dance of Light and Shadow

Kaelen slipped into the shadows and reappeared behind her with a sweeping slice, prompting Sephira to turn and parry with a blast of burning light.

Kaelen faded into the ground and reappeared at her side, his blade grazing her armor, leaving a scar of pure darkness.

Sephira hissed, then retaliated with a spear thrust that ignited the ground beneath his feet.

Valen, watching from the battlefield, whispered, "He's pushing her..." But for how long?

The System's Edge

[ Skill Unlocked: Shadow Clone (Advanced) ][ System Tip: User may manifest temporary shadow copies with 60% combat capability. Duration — 30 seconds. ]

Kaelen's lips curled into a grin."Let's see how you handle this."

Three shadow clones erupted around Sephira, attacking from all sides.

For a moment, her defense faltered — Kaelen's real blade scored across her arm, blackening the pristine white of her armor.

Sephira Unleashes Her Divinity

But Sephira was no ordinary adversary.

Her aura exploded, sending a pillar of golden fire into the sky.

"Judgement of the Seraphim!"

Wings of radiant light burst from her back, unleashing shock waves that swiftly destroyed the shadow clones.

Kaelen lurched back, the scorching heat tearing into his skin through his defence.

Sephira's eyes blazed with divine fury.

"You dare use shadows against the light of the gods?"

Kaelen forced a breath as his body ached.

The Turning Point

As Sephira pounced for the killer blow—

A volley of Shadow Arrows fell from the ridge.

Nyssa, sitting with her shadow archers, fired an accurate shot.

The arrow struck Sephira's shoulder, temporarily disturbing her aura.

Kaelen took full advantage of the opportunity.

Tendrils emerged from the ground, wrapping around Sephira's legs and pulling her down just enough—

Kaelen lunged, blade aimed at her heart.

Clash of Fate

Sephira roared, channeling all her power into a single barrier.

Kaelen's blade struck — shadow against divine light — sparks exploded, darkness and radiance swirling violently.

The force hurled both of them backward, crashing into the blood-soaked ground.

Sephira Retreats

Sephira rose, breathing heavily, blood staining her white armor.

"It's not over, Shadow King. "The next time we meet, I will burn your soul to ashes."

Her wings flared, and in a blaze of light, she fled with her remaining champions, escaping into the skies.

Kaelen watched her leave, his sword still humming with shadow energy.

Valen approached with an air of awe and disbelief.

"You fought a divine champion… and lived."

"We have won the battle. "The war...is just beginning."

System Notification

[ Shadow King Title Progression: 38% ][ Legendary Feat Unlocked: Survived a Duel with a Divine Champion ][ Shadow Domain Influence Expanded ]

Chapter 22 — King of Shadows vs. The Grand Inquisitor