Chapter 6 – New Horizons
Darkness.
Then awareness.
Chris's eyes snapped open.
The forest had changed. The light was different now—softer, golden, slanting through the trees at a low angle. Evening. He'd slept for hours.
He sat up slowly, wincing. His body still ached, but the pain had dulled. A quick mental check confirmed it.
"HP: 85/100. You have recovered during rest, Master."
"Good to know," Chris muttered, stretching his stiff limbs.
The shadow goblin stood exactly where it had been before—motionless, patient, those purple eyes never wavering.
Creepy. But useful.
Chris rose to his feet, brushing dirt and leaves from his clothes. His stomach growled loudly.
Right. Food. That's going to be a problem.
But first, he had something to address.
"System, I have a skill point. How do I use it?"
"Simply access your status and select the skill allocation option, Master."
A screen appeared before him.
╔═══════════════════════════════════════════╗
║ SKILL POINT AVAILABLE: 1 ║
╠═══════════════════════════════════════════╣
║ ║
║ Options: ║
║ ║
║ [1] Upgrade existing skill ║
║ [2] Unlock new skill ║
║ ║
╚═══════════════════════════════════════════╝
Chris considered. Upgrading his current skills would be useful—more range on Shadow Control, shorter cooldown on Blink, more servants for Shadow Rise.
But a new skill could open entirely new possibilities.
"What new skills are available?"
"Based on your current abilities and Shadow Young Lord title, the following skills are available for unlock:"
╔═══════════════════════════════════════════╗
║ AVAILABLE SKILLS ║
╠═══════════════════════════════════════════╣
║ ║
║ [1] Shadow Cloak ║
║ Wrap shadows around yourself for ║
║ stealth and camouflage. ║
║ MP Cost: 10 per minute ║
║ ║
║ [2] Shadow Sense ║
║ Passive detection ability. ║
║ Sense living beings through shadows. ║
║ Predict enemy movements in combat. ║
║ MP Cost: None ║
║ ║
║ [3] Shadow Tendril ║
║ Create whip-like tendrils from ║
║ shadows for combat. ║
║ MP Cost: 15 per use ║
║ ║
╚═══════════════════════════════════════════╝
Chris read through the options carefully.
Shadow Cloak was tempting—stealth was always useful. Shadow Tendril offered more combat options.
But Shadow Sense...
Passive. No MP cost. Detection AND combat prediction.
The combat prediction especially caught his attention. If he could sense enemy movements before they happened, his swordsmanship would improve dramatically. It would look like natural skill, not magic.
Perfect for hiding my true abilities.
"I'll take Shadow Sense."
"Excellent choice, Master. This skill will complement your combat instincts well—predicting attacks before they occur will make your reactions appear supernatural to observers, yet entirely mundane."
╔═══════════════════════════════════════════╗
║ NEW SKILL UNLOCKED ║
╠═══════════════════════════════════════════╣
║ ║
║ SKILL: Shadow Sense (F) ║
║ ║
║ Passive ability. No MP cost. ║
║ ║
║ Effects: ║
║ - Detect living beings through nearby ║
║ shadows (current range: 15 meters) ║
║ - Sense hostile intent ║
║ - Predict enemy movements in combat ║
║ (slight precognition through shadow ║
║ vibrations) ║
║ ║
║ Note: Becomes stronger with upgrades. ║
║ Higher ranks = longer range, ║
║ clearer predictions. ║
║ ║
╚═══════════════════════════════════════════╝
The moment the skill activated, Chris felt it.
It was subtle at first—a gentle awareness spreading through his mind. He could feel the shadows around him, not just see them. They whispered to him, carrying information.
There. A squirrel, twenty feet up in that tree.
Insects crawling beneath the leaves.
A bird, perched on a branch to his left.
No threats. Nothing hostile within range.
"Whoa," he breathed.
"Shadow Sense is now active, Master. You will passively detect all living beings within range. Hostile intent will trigger a warning. Additionally, in combat, you will perceive faint 'echoes' of enemy movements before they occur."
"This is... incredible."
And it'll make my swordsmanship look much better than it actually is.
Chris grinned. With Shadow Sense, he could react to attacks before they fully formed. To observers, it would seem like exceptional reflexes and combat instincts—not magic.
The perfect cover.
He checked his full status.
╔═══════════════════════════════════════════╗
║ Name: Chris ║
║ Level: 1 ║
║ Title: Shadow Young Lord ║
║ HP: 85/100 ║
║ MP: 50/50 (Restored) ║
╠═══════════════════════════════════════════╣
║ Skills: ║
║ - Shadow Control (F) ║
║ - Blink (F) ║
║ - Shadow Rise (F) ║
║ - Shadow Sense (F) [NEW] ║
╠═══════════════════════════════════════════╣
║ Servants: 1/1 ║
║ - Shadow Goblin (F) ║
╠═══════════════════════════════════════════╣
║ Quests: None ║
║ Inventory: Iron Sword ║
╚═══════════════════════════════════════════╝
Four skills. One servant. Still level 1, but stronger than before.
Progress.
Now he needed to find civilization. Food, shelter, information—he couldn't survive in the wilderness forever.
Chris looked at the shadow goblin.
"Can you scout ahead? Find a road or path?"
The creature tilted its head, purple eyes flickering. Then it dissolved into the shadows, melting into the darkness between the trees.
Chris blinked.
Enhanced Stealth. Right.
He waited, extending his Shadow Sense as far as it could reach. He felt the goblin moving—a faint presence gliding through the darkness, faster than any physical creature could manage.
Minutes passed.
Then the shadow goblin reformed before him, rising from the ground like smoke taking shape. It turned, facing a specific direction, and waited.
It found something.
"Lead the way."
The goblin moved, and Chris followed.
---
The forest thinned gradually.
Trees grew sparser, undergrowth less dense. The light grew stronger as the canopy opened up. Chris's heart lifted with each step.
Civilization. Please let there be civilization.
The shadow goblin stopped at the edge of the treeline.
Chris caught up, pushing through the last of the bushes, and froze.
A road.
A dirt road, wide enough for carts, stretching left and right into the distance. It was worn from use, ruts carved by countless wheels over countless years. Grass grew along the edges, but the path itself was clear.
A road means people. People mean towns.
Chris almost laughed with relief.
"Good work," he told the shadow goblin.
The creature made no response, but Chris felt a faint pulse of acknowledgment through their connection.
Now... which way?
He looked left. Then right. Both directions disappeared into the distance, offering no clues.
"Master, I detect vibrations through the shadows. Something approaches from the east."
Chris tensed. "Threat?"
"Unknown. Multiple beings. Moving slowly."
Multiple beings. Moving slowly.
A patrol? Bandits? Merchants?
"Hide," Chris commanded the shadow goblin.
The creature dissolved instantly, melting into his shadow. Chris could still feel its presence—waiting, ready to emerge if needed.
He positioned himself at the edge of the treeline, half-hidden by a large oak. His hand rested on his sword hilt.
Stay calm. Observe first.
The sound reached him before the sight—creaking wood, clopping hooves, jingling metal. Familiar sounds. Mundane sounds.
A cart emerged around the bend.
It was a simple wooden wagon, pulled by a single chestnut horse. The back was covered with a canvas tarp, lumpy with goods beneath. Sitting at the front, reins in hand, was a man.
He was middle-aged, perhaps mid-forties, with a weathered face and a thick brown beard streaked with gray. He wore practical traveling clothes—leather vest, linen shirt, worn boots. A pipe dangled from his lips, smoke trailing behind him like a lazy ghost.
No weapons visible. No armor. No hostile intent—Chris's Shadow Sense remained quiet.
Merchant.
The man hummed a tune as he drove, seemingly without a care in the world. He hadn't noticed Chris yet.
This is my chance.
Chris stepped out of the treeline, raising a hand.
"Excuse me!"
The merchant startled, yanking the reins. The horse snorted, slowing to a stop. The man's eyes found Chris, widening slightly.
"Bloody hell, lad! You nearly gave me a heart attack!"
He speaks the same language. Thank god.
"Sorry," Chris said, approaching slowly, hands visible. "I didn't mean to startle you."
The merchant studied him, taking in his disheveled appearance—torn clothes, dried blood, dirt everywhere.
"You look like you've been through the wringer," he observed. "Bandit attack? Monster?"
"Goblin," Chris admitted. "Ran into one in the forest."
The merchant's eyebrows rose. "And you're still standing? Impressive." His eyes flicked to the iron sword at Chris's hip. "That your only weapon?"
Chris nodded. "It's not much, but it got the job done."
"Aye, I can see that." The merchant puffed his pipe thoughtfully. "You move like you know your way around a blade. Trained, are you?"
He noticed my stance. Be vague. Don't give too much away.
"Self-taught, mostly," Chris said carefully. "Picked up what I could in my village."
It was a lie, but a simple one. Easier than explaining anything about Earth.
The merchant nodded, accepting the explanation without question.
"Self-taught and still alive after a goblin fight. Either you're talented or lucky." He grinned. "Maybe both. Name's Gareth. Traveling merchant. You?"
"Chris." He hesitated, then added, "I'm a swordsman. Looking to join the Adventurer's Guild."
The words felt strange on his tongue, but they fit. That was his cover now—a swordsman from a small village, seeking fortune and adventure.
Simple. Believable. Forgettable.
Gareth nodded approvingly. "Adventurer's Guild, eh? Good choice for a young fighter. Rendercity's got a decent chapter—that's where I'm headed."
Chris's heart leaped.
A city. With a guild.
"How far is it?"
"Half a day's travel, give or take." Gareth jerked his thumb toward the back of the cart. "I've got room, if you need a ride. Better than walking, and safer than staying out here after dark."
Chris's eyes widened. "I... I don't have money to pay you."
Gareth waved dismissively. "Bah. Consider it a kindness between travelers. The roads are dangerous enough without leaving young swordsmen to die in the wilderness." He patted the seat beside him. "Hop on. Unless you'd rather take your chances with the night creatures?"
Chris didn't need to be asked twice.
He climbed onto the cart, settling beside Gareth. The wooden seat was hard and uncomfortable, but it felt like a throne compared to the forest floor.
"Thank you," he said sincerely. "Really."
"Don't mention it." Gareth flicked the reins, and the horse began moving. "So, Chris the swordsman. Where's this village of yours? Can't say I recognize the accent."
Accent?
"Your speech patterns differ slightly from the local dialect, Master. It is noticeable but not alarming. I recommend claiming a distant origin."
"Far east," Chris said vaguely. "A small place. You probably haven't heard of it."
"Try me. I've traveled all over Vardenas."
"It's... really small. Remote. In the mountains."
Gareth raised an eyebrow but didn't push. "Mountain folk, eh? That explains it. Isolated villages always have strange accents."
Good. He bought it.
Chris relaxed slightly, watching the road ahead. The forest gradually gave way to open fields—farmland stretching toward the horizon, dotted with the occasional cottage or barn.
"What can you tell me about Rendercity?" he asked, changing the subject.
Gareth perked up, clearly happy to talk.
"Rendercity! Fine place, fine place. Not the biggest city in Aeloria, but respectable enough. Good trade, decent guards, and most importantly—" He grinned. "An Adventurer's Guild."
"How does registration work?"
"Easy enough. You go to the guild, pay a small fee, take a basic test, and they rank you based on your abilities. Most newcomers start at F-rank, work their way up." Gareth shrugged. "It's not glamorous at first—you'll be hunting rats and gathering herbs—but everyone starts somewhere."
F-rank. Chris almost smiled. At least he'd fit right in.
"What about... magic users?" he asked carefully. "How are they treated?"
Gareth puffed his pipe thoughtfully.
"Depends on the magic. Elemental mages are common enough. Healers are always welcome—temples and guilds fight over them. Summoners are rare but respected."
He paused, and his expression grew more serious.
"Dark magic, though... that's different. Shadow mages, necromancers, curse-wielders—people fear them. Some kingdoms outlaw it entirely. Aeloria's more tolerant than most, but even here, you'd want to be careful." He glanced at Chris. "Why do you ask?"
Chris kept his face neutral.
"Just curious. Heard stories on the road."
Gareth nodded slowly. "Aye, there are stories. Most of them exaggerated, probably. But folks are superstitious. If someone suspects you're dabbling in forbidden arts..." He drew a finger across his throat. "Best to keep that sort of thing quiet, if you catch my meaning."
"I understand."
More than you know.
"A wise approach, Master. Your decision to present yourself as a swordsman is tactically sound. Discretion will serve you well in this world."
Chris stared at the road ahead, thoughts churning.
His powers were dangerous—not just to enemies, but to himself. One wrong move, one witnessed ability, and he could be hunted, imprisoned, or killed.
Swordsman publicly. Shadows secretly.
That's the plan.
Stick to the sword in public. Use shadows only when absolutely necessary, or when no one's watching.
And someday, when I'm strong enough...
I'll combine them both.
The cart rolled on, the horse's hooves clopping rhythmically against the dirt road. The sun sank lower, painting the sky in shades of orange and pink.
After another hour, Gareth pointed ahead.
"There. See it?"
Chris looked.
On the horizon, silhouetted against the setting sun, a city rose.
Walls of gray stone surrounded clusters of buildings—houses, shops, towers. Smoke drifted from countless chimneys. Lights began to flicker in windows as evening approached. A massive gate stood at the entrance, flanked by guards.
Rendercity.
Chris stared, a mix of emotions swirling in his chest.
Hope. Finally, civilization. Safety. Opportunity.
Caution. People meant rules. Rules meant danger for someone with forbidden powers.
Determination. This was just the beginning. He'd come to this world with nothing. Now he had skills, a servant, and a sword.
He wasn't going to waste it.
"Beautiful, isn't she?" Gareth said proudly. "Rendercity. Not the grandest city in the kingdom, but she's home to many." He grinned at Chris. "Ready to start your new life, swordsman?"
Chris looked at the city—his first real destination in this new world.
Shadow Young Lord.
Swordsman.
Survivor.
That's what I am now.
And someday...
He thought of the god's words. The title progression. The power waiting to be unlocked.
Shadow Monarch.
"Yeah," Chris said quietly, a small smile forming on his lips. "I'm ready."
The cart rolled toward Rendercity.
And the shadows followed.
[End of Chapter 6]