Shadow

Biodata

Name	Shadow (影子)
Species/Race	Half-elf 15
Gender	Male 15
Affiliation	Argyle Capet's team; Longsheng Empire border forces 12 14 17
Occupation/Role	Archer, scout, and ranged protector 14 16 21
Status	Active 24
First Appearance	Chapter 12: Map 12

Appearance

Shadow is a slender Half-elf archer with an understated, field-ready appearance suited to snowy forest operations. 14 15

• Dark brown hair and pointed ears. 15
• Emerald-green eyes. 15
• Usually wears leather armor; frost and snow often accumulate on his gear during winter patrols. 14 15
• Carries a longbow and is at times described wearing a white cloak in the Misty Forest. 15 16

Personality

Shadow is habitually restrained and expressionless, speaking only when necessary. His rare visible reactions are therefore notable: he approves of Jialan's advancement, grows angry over the military wasting Jialan's talent at an isolated border post, and shows embarrassment after revealing that concern. 15 16

He is pragmatic and mission-focused, yet shows a gentler side in his treatment of Qiuqiu. He trusts the squirrel's judgment immediately when it tracks the escaped Necromancer. 18 22

Abilities & Skills

Archery

Shadow is a highly capable archer who provides precise ranged support while constantly repositioning around the battlefield. 14 21 23

• Fires rapid volleys, including three arrows in immediate succession against an assassin. 14
• Targets the Soul Fires of undead corpses to destroy them efficiently. 21
• Uses terrain and unexpected firing angles to slow stronger pursuers. 23
• His Chasing Wind Arrow condenses his strength and skill into a powerful single shot against a Wind Mage. 23

Close-Quarters Combat

Although primarily an archer, Shadow can fight effectively at close range.

• Kills a descending ambusher with a backhanded dagger strike. 16
• Finishes an armored Warrior by shooting him through the throat after Jialan knocks him down. 17

Reconnaissance and Fieldcraft

Shadow is an alert forest operative capable of identifying threats, guarding allies, and coordinating pursuit tactics.

• Detects the presence of multiple ambushers and accurately counts their number. 16
• Maintains watch while Jialan recovers through meditation. 17
• Quickly understands Jialan's plan to force an assassin onto a frozen lake and adjusts his position to support it. 14
• Recognizes Ancient Elven writing, despite having been raised in human society. 24

Equipment / Weapons / Items

• Longbow — Shadow's primary weapon; used for rapid volleys, precision shots, and the Chasing Wind Arrow. 14 23
• Arrows — Used against assassins, undead Soul Fires, and enemy professionals. 14 21 23
• Dagger — Used to eliminate a close-range ambusher during the Misty Forest ambush. 16
• Qiuqiu — A squirrel companion that travels on Shadow's shoulder and tracks enemies by scent or instinct. 18 22

Relationships

• Jialan Grant — Initially evaluates Jialan as a potential recruit, then becomes his protector and combat partner. Shadow provides the Arrow Protection spell structure in exchange for Jialan joining Argyle's team. 15 17 18
• Argyle Capet — His captain. Shadow carries Argyle's message to Misty City, relays the captain's concerns about Jialan, and remains loyal to the team's mission. 12 15 17
• Qiuqiu — His squirrel companion. Shadow gently cares for Qiuqiu and follows its lead when it locates the Necromancer. 18 20 22
• Katerina Siwen — A fellow member of Argyle's team; Shadow coordinates ranged attacks with her during their retreat from enemy forces. 23
• Kaisalin — A teammate whom Shadow supports during the Necromancer operation and subsequent pursuit. 21 23

Story Role / Major Arcs

Argyle's Investigation

Shadow first serves as Argyle's messenger, delivering information to the Misty City military for transmission to the Imperial Capital. 12

He later joins Jialan and Squad Leader John in pursuing an assassin through a snow cedar forest. Shadow's arrows help pressure the target while Jialan devises the plan to restrict the assassin's mobility on a frozen lake. 14

Jialan's Recruitment

After Jialan advances, Shadow congratulates him and conveys Argyle's concern about worsening conditions deeper in the forest. 15

Shadow is subsequently sent to the border camp and accompanies Jialan into the Misty Forest after the latter is temporarily conscripted. During an ambush, Shadow identifies the enemy force, kills one attacker at close range, and remains behind to delay pursuit so Jialan can prepare magic. 16

Following the counterattack, Shadow reveals that Jialan's background was investigated for a secret mission. He recruits Jialan by offering the structural analysis of the rare defensive spell Arrow Protection. 17 18

Necromancer Operation

Shadow joins Argyle, Jialan, Katerina, Kaisalin, and Qiuqiu in investigating a Necromancer and possible Aus Empire infiltration. 19 20

During the battles with undead, he eliminates corpses by striking their Soul Fires. When the Necromancer escapes using a secret technique, Shadow immediately trusts Qiuqiu's tracking and leads the group after it. 21 22

He later supports the team's retreat from a High Wind Mage, coordinating with Katerina while using the terrain to delay their pursuers. His Chasing Wind Arrow follows Argyle's life-costing Light Judgment against the enemy Mage. 23

Ancient Elven Ruins

Within the ruins, Shadow recognizes Ancient Elven script and becomes visibly excited by the possibility that the inscriptions preserve Ancient Elven knowledge. 24

Notable Quotes

“Congratulations.” 15

“Fancy tricks.” 15

“You won't refuse!” 17