The dry wind swept across the barren desert like an invisible whip. Orange sand spiraled into small vortices each time Min Hu's feet struck the ground. Every day on this planet was more than a trial—it was an endless war.
Yet Min Hu did not stop.
He couldn't.
The System continued to guide him, an unseen voice that had grown into his second teacher.
---
Day 12 on Planet Orin-Δ
Min Hu crouched behind a jagged rock formation that resembled the ribcage of some ancient giant. His breathing was steady, his eyes sharp. In front of him, hard-skinned creatures marched slowly—like waist-high iron lizards.
Their stomachs pulsed with faint blue light.
Energy discharge.
Min Hu had already learned their pattern.
The System chimed swiftly.
> [Rapid Analysis: Spinebloom Lizard – Burst Type. Launch Radius: 2 meters.]
Min Hu's shadow spread wide like spilled ink.
"In that case…"
He sprang out.
One Spinebloom shrieked as its body expanded. Min Hu felt the air tremble—then his shadow morphed into a scaled black arm that grabbed the creature and slammed it into the ground.
THUD!
A flare of blue spread—but it was smothered by the net of shadows that wrapped around it.
Sand rose.
Wind exploded.
But Min Hu stood firm, shifting only a single step.
> [Shadow Control +]
[Endurance +]
"My body can withstand this now…" he whispered, almost in disbelief.
One by one, the creatures tried to detonate.
And one by one, Min Hu blocked, dodged, countered—his shadows growing more solid with each move.
Finally, the last of the colony collapsed.
And the System chimed—this time with a different tone.
> [Level Up!]
Level 22 → 23
Min Hu wiped his sweat.
His body felt hot, like metal being forged, but strong—strong in a way that was foreign yet liberating.
---
Day 20 – Hunt of the Sky Creatures
The sky of Orin-Δ seemed to hold an eternal storm. Streaks of lightning drifted lazily, like veins of light.
Min Hu stood atop a dune, staring upward with sharp vigilance.
The System warned:
> [Flying Creature Detected – Skyrend Harpy. Level: 29.]
Min Hu's shadow distorted, forming thin wings behind him—not true wings, but enough to control his leap.
A streak of black shot into the sky.
Min Hu launched himself with explosive force.
RAAAAWR!
The creature dove.
Its long talons were like knives.
Min Hu ducked midair, his shadow stretching into a spear—striking at the creature's abdomen.
It didn't pierce.
Its hide was too tough.
The creature twisted, folding its wings to strike.
Min Hu fell—then landed on one knee, sand erupting around him.
"All right… then let's try this."
He exhaled.
His shadow rippled violently.
It morphed into a massive black chain that shot into the sky.
CLANK!
The chain wrapped around the creature's leg.
Min Hu pulled with all his strength—his physical power combined with his shadow's might.
The creature was ripped from the sky, crashing into the dune and carving a crater.
Min Hu leaped, his shadow forming a thin edge—and he slashed the weak point on its neck.
Silence.
Sand drifted down slowly.
Min Hu stared at the creature's fallen body, panting.
> [Level Up!]
Level 29 → 31
[New Skill: Shadow Binding (Lv.1)]
"I can feel it… this power is like a second body."
---
Day 27 – The Gacha System
A flicker of violet light appeared suddenly in the desert.
Min Hu stiffened.
"What is that?"
The System replied:
> [Early Achievement Reward]
Level 30 Reached. System Gacha Unlocked.
Free Spin: 1
Min Hu swallowed.
"Gacha? Like a lottery?"
> [Correct.] Open?]
"…Open."
The violet light spun into a circle, producing a soft metallic chime.
Ding… ding… ding…
The light stopped.
> [Congratulations. You Obtained: SHADOW ELEMENT – Ice Variant (Basic)]
His shadow shivered as though pulled in two directions, then transformed into a cold black mist.
"Ice… but in shadow form?" Min Hu muttered.
He lowered his hand.
His shadow formed a dark spear…
and the tip crystallized into dark ice.
Min Hu smirked slightly.
"This is interesting."
---
Day 33 – Battle with the Beast of Dunes
The Beast of Dunes emerged from behind a ridge—its body a twisted mix of wolf and colossal worm, with a vertical mouth and pulsing, flesh-like hide.
The System quickly analyzed:
> [Level 37. Attack Pattern: Burrow, Ambush, Crush.]
The creature lunged from beneath the sand—
—but Min Hu was no longer the same novice who arrived here.
His shadow spread wide, morphing into dozens of black ice spikes.
"Frozen Shadow."
He snapped his fingers.
The spikes shot into the sand like a storm.
RAWWRR!!
The creature burst upward, impaled by dozens of dark spikes radiating cold shadow energy.
Before it could thrash free, Min Hu's shadow transformed into a massive axe.
With a single roar—
CRAAAASH!
Sand exploded.
The monster collapsed.
> [Level Up!]
Level 37 → 40
[Shadow Element – Ice Lv.2]
Min Hu stared at his hand.
"My shadow… responds faster now."
---
Day 45 – The Fallen City
Min Hu reached the ancient ruins. Curved pillars, half-buried structures, and cracked pathways glowed faintly with old energy.
At the city's center, the System announced:
> [Elite Training Area – Recommended Level: 45+]
[Elite Creature: Onyx Guardian]
The ground trembled.
A three-eyed giant emerged—its skin like obsidian, its arms extending like stone whips.
Min Hu steadied his stance.
"Let's finish this."
The giant struck, smashing the ground with force that collapsed nearby buildings.
Min Hu spun, leaping against a shattered wall—his shadow forming a thin shield to block the first blow.
The impact shook his arm numb.
"Hold…"
The creature attacked again.
Min Hu's shadow stabbed the ground, forming a black pillar to block the whip-like arm.
Using that moment, Min Hu vaulted high.
His shadow formed a massive ice spear.
He plunged it into the creature's central eye.
KRAAAK!
Cracks spread.
The giant roared, staggered, and—
BOOM!
Collapsed.
Dust and sand rained down.
Then the System chimed long.
> [Level Up!]
Level 49 → 50
[Level 50 Reward Obtained]
[New Skill: Shadow Burst (Basic)]
[Advanced Training Access Unlocked]
Min Hu exhaled, his body trembling between exhaustion and adrenaline.
"Level fifty… finally."
His shadow quivered like a proud beast.
He stared at the ruined skyline.
The orange wind drifted slowly, carrying the scent of eternal silence.
"This planet… changed me."
He clenched his fist.
"I'm ready for the next stage."
The sky above trembled.
A curtain of light descended.
The System spoke for the last time that day:
> [Phase 3 Training Ready to Begin.]
Min Hu gazed at the light—
and stepped into it without hesitation.
---
To be continued…