Distorted Shadow

Distorted Shadow.

These semi-energy-based Shadow Life don't need to feed like other monsters, nor do they have fixed lairs or even leave any traces of movement. Therefore, you often have no way of knowing their location; only when these monsters emerge can you find out which shadow they were hiding in. Fortunately, these monsters have virtually no intelligence, acting entirely on instinct and filled with Destruction desires and aggression; otherwise, they would be extremely difficult to deal with Stalker.

Clusters of shadows appeared.

These Distorted Shadow share a common characteristic: within their bizarrely shaped, contorted bodies, a blurry, indistinct humanoid figure is hidden in the shadows. This is said to be their soul; legend has it that Distorted Shadow are the transformed souls of many creatures that died in the Shadow Plane. These shadow-like monsters can be found throughout the Shadow Plane Shadow Plane, especially in its cities, where these shadowy creatures are frequently seen.

"Fire Bolt!"

--"Melf's Acid Arrow!"

--"Missile Storm!"

Because Soren was within range, Vivian dared not use Spell with wide-area attacks, and could only kill the Distorted Shadow one by one. At the same time, she Melf's Acid Arrow, aiming it at the Skeleton Undead. Acid is highly corrosive to bones, and although Melf's Acid Arrow was only a Spell below the third tier, it was very lethal to many creatures.

--"Stoneskin!"

"Haste!"

Soren dared not be careless in this situation. He immediately activated the Elemental Crystal and a piece of equipment he had captured during the Legendary naval battle. It could temporarily activate the Haste effect, but it could only be used twice and the duration was relatively short. High-level Supernatural Item were too rare; there weren't many on the entire South Coast. The best equipment Soren possessed were the two items given to him by the Princess of Arendelle. It seemed that after dealing with the matters of the Overseas Islands, he would have to find some time to go to the Desert Region.

Soren remembered there were three Legendary Equipment there, as well as the ' Anti-Detection Cloak,' which was very important to the Rogue.

Clang!

The Scimitar transformed into a streak of light, slashing down on the Skeleton Undead. Soren leaped more than ten meters, simultaneously slashing at the Distorted Shadow.

The blade felt as if it had cut into tough rubber.

Soren frowned and slashed, simultaneously pulling back. But at that moment, the Distorted Shadow pounced, its arm barely brushing against Soren's, yet it made him tremble involuntarily for a moment.

A row of data prompts appeared:

"You have been attacked by Distorted Shadow!..."

"Distorted Shadow inflict 1 Bruise on you!... You are affected by Shadow Erosion!... You take an additional 14 Shadow Erosion damage!..."

--"Shadow Assassination!"

As Soren was attacked, he retaliated with a slash. The Distorted Shadow's corrosive attack was similar to Shadow Assassination, both using shadow energy to erode the opponent. The Distorted Shadow wasn't very Hit Points, and Soren hit it several times in succession. Finally, one was killed, and Soren gained a total of 3250 Slaughter Experience points.

Shadow-type monsters grant approximately a 20% Slaughter Experience.

--"Ice Storm!"

As soon as Soren created distance, Vivian seized the opportunity to cast a spell. The young girl swiftly completed the incantation, and a howling wind and sharp hail appeared within a 40-foot radius. This was a fourth-circle Spell, not a commonly used Spell, but perfectly timed, keeping Soren out of Spell range. Compared to the explosive impact of Fireball, the Ice Storm, while damaging enemies, also slightly hampered their movement.

--"Sword Momentum: Whirlwind Dance!"

--"Sword Momentum: Decapitation!"

Soren seized the opportunity to kill the two Distorted Shadow beside him, and after enduring a wave of shadow energy corruption, he finally resolved the troubles around him.

The subsequent battles became much easier.

Vivian's Ice Storm inflicted significant Cold Damage, and the Evocation Spell all had good burst damage. Soren turned around and began reaping kills, gaining nearly 20,000 Slaughter Experience in one go. However, the Skeleton Undead ultimately died at Vivian's hands, its cervical vertebrae melted by Melf's Acid Arrow; otherwise, it would have given around 5,000 Slaughter Experience points.

A quick cleanup of the battlefield.

The Skeleton Undead gave nothing, but the Distorted Shadow dropped three gray-black crystal fragments.

These are materials for Alchemy.

A crystal containing Soul Energy and Elemental Energy, which only appears in a small number of special creatures. This can be used to directly exchange for equipment from high-level Wizard.

Soren carefully put it away.

He's been too busy lately to study Alchemy, Vivian has been focused on learning Spell and hasn't really touched Alchemy either. The two siblings probably don't even have 50 points in Alchemy combined.

The two rested for a short while, and then continued on their way.

However, they had to be much more careful at this point, and Vivian dared not run around anymore, because this was obviously much more dangerous than the Material Plane.

There were almost no monsters after that.

Soren led Vivian forward for about three hundred meters, and a dilapidated building came into view. They were now close to the outer perimeter of the Wizard Tower. There were many ruined buildings nearby, suggesting that a group of people had once lived around the Wizard Tower.

Be careful.

Soren turned and glanced at the little girl, then said, "Let's see what's here. It seems like no one's been here for a long time. Don't approach the Wizard Tower lightly, lest you trigger its defenses."

Vivian nodded gently, then said with a rather serious expression, "Brother! There seems to be the legendary [Mythal] ahead! This might be some Arcanist's Wizard Tower!"

A gray haze stretched ahead.

The space beneath the Wizard Tower seemed somewhat distorted, appearing almost unreal. [Mythal] are a technology from the Arcane Empire era, essentially a powerful array. Those capable of setting up Mythal were primarily Arcanist. However, not all Wizard during the Arcane Empire era were Arcanist; it was a highly specialized advanced profession requiring exceptional talent. It can be understood as analogous to the [Archmage] class, which now requires Legendary Wizard to advance to—the two are advanced professions with a certain historical connection.

Soren nodded slightly, then pushed open a door on the left.

It was full of dust.

There didn't seem to be any monsters, but there didn't seem to be anything there either. Just as Soren was about to leave, he suddenly seemed to discover something. He immediately squatted down and tapped the wall with his hand, then pulled out his Scimitar and stabbed it in, digging a hole in the wall. It was empty inside; in the hole, about thirty centimeters in diameter, was a rather exquisite box.

"Luckily, my investigative skills are pretty good!"

Soren tapped the box, then gestured for Vivian to step back. He took out a lock-picking tool from his Bag of Holding, preparing to open the box and take a look.

...(To be continued~^~)