Extra Pages: The Author's Odyssey

3 minutes left to go....

My mana eyes already activated and I could follow the traces of mana around me as far as my eyes can see.

There is just something else I have to prepare.

Nightshadow Bow is an [Legendary] ranked means an S ranked artifact.

With my current ranked which is [D-] I couldn't hope use full potential of this bow.

But...

This bow can amplifiey of the arrow up to [C+] ranked for me with my current power.

'But it's not enough.'

With My mana eyes I could see the window of the mansion could hold up attack up to [B-] rank.

My strength wasn't enough but that doesn't mean that I have no way to break the window.

As moonlight shone through the dark night, I turned my head towards the ground.

More specifically, I was looking at my shadow.

My shadow was still there wasn't any changes in my shadow.

Not until now at least.

"Shadow Control." I muttered under my breath and at that time my shadow began to stir.

Soon my shadow detached himself from my body and stood still in front of me.

My shadow was actually one the strongest weapon I have that I can use it's full potential.

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Name:- [Shadow Control]

Rank:- [B rank]

Skill Type:- Passive

Description:- [Your shadow is more independent than most. It is an invaluable helper. Your shadow moves at your command, capable of performing simple tasks, providing reconnaissance, and even aiding in combat.]

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My shadow stood before me, its form shifting and twisting as if it were alive, waiting for my command. It was eerie to watch, a dark reflection of myself that moved independently, but this was exactly the kind of advantage I needed.

The Shadow Control skill was unique, allowing me to manipulate my shadow as an autonomous entity.

Unlike my bow, which relied on my physical abilities, this skill operated on a different principle—one that didn't demand raw power but finesse and cunning.

I focused, mentally linking with my shadow. It was like feeling an extra limb, responsive and obedient to my will.

My mind raced as I considered my options.

The windows of Boros Mansion were reinforced, designed to withstand direct attacks, but they weren't impenetrable. If I couldn't overpower them with sheer force, I would have to be more creative.

"Disrupt the mana flow," I ordered silently.

The shadow nodded—or rather, shifted slightly in acknowledgment—before it flowed down the church steeple like a stream of darkness.

It moved swiftly across the ground, invisible under the night sky, reaching the perimeter of the mansion.

From my vantage point, I watched as my shadow slipped between the cracks, unseen by the guards and partygoers.

It melded into the shadows of the mansion, targeting the weak points in the window's mana barrier. It didn't need to shatter the glass; it just needed to disrupt the protective spell enough for my attack to penetrate.

[8:29 P.M.]

One minute left. I could feel my shadow's efforts working, the mana around the windows flickering as it subtly weakened the barrier. It was a delicate process—too much force, and it would be noticed; too little, and it wouldn't be enough.

"Almost there…" I whispered, steadying my bow and drawing the arrow.

[8:30 P.M.]

Roan stepped into the garden, laughing and gesturing grandly with his champagne glass.

At the same time I activated yet another artifact of mine.

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[Shadow Veil Pendant] [High rank – Enchant] [Stealth attribute]

*An enchanted pendant that cloaks the wearer in shadows, enhancing stealth and reducing the chance of detection.

*Enchanted with the high-rank magic effect 'Shadow Cloak'.

===

As I activated the Shadow Veil Pendant, a thin layer of darkness wrapped around me, blending my presence seamlessly into the shadows of the church steeple.

The pendant's enchantment muffled all noise, concealed my mana signature, and blurred my outline, making me virtually invisible to any onlookers or surveillance spells.

With my preparations complete, I exhaled slowly, steadying my breath.

My mana eyes flickered, confirming that the protective barrier around the window had weakened just enough. The faint, flickering distortions in the mana told me that my shadow's disruption was working perfectly.

It was time.

I nocked the arrow, feeling the familiar hum of the Nightshadow Bow's energy course through my fingers.

The arrowhead glowed faintly, infused with the amplified mana that would elevate its power to [C+] rank. It wasn't enough to break through the window directly, but with the barrier disrupted, it would strike true.

I drew back, muscles tense, feeling the pull of the bowstring against my cheek.

My vision narrowed, focusing solely on Roan, who remained blissfully unaware, entertaining his guests in the garden. His arrogant smile was a perfect target.

The moment stretched into eternity. Then, in a single, fluid motion, I released the arrow.

SWOOSH—!!!

It sliced through the air, a silent whisper of death.

There was no flash, no sound—just a fleeting streak of darkness that hurtled toward its mark.

The weakened barrier around the window failed to react in time, and the arrow punched through effortlessly, finding its target.

Roan's expression froze mid-laugh.

TAK—!!!

The arrow struck him cleanly in the chest, and he staggered back, eyes wide with shock.

CRACK—!!!

The glass of champagne slipped from his fingers, shattering on the ground as he fell to his knees. Panic erupted in the garden; guests screamed and scrambled in every direction, but it was already over.

Roan was dead before he hit the ground.

I watched for a moment, ensuring there was no chance of survival. The chaos in the garden below was my cue to disappear.

I swiftly dismantled the Nightshadow Bow, returning it to its compact state, and commanded my shadow to retreat. It flowed back to me, reattaching seamlessly, as if it had never left.

At the same time and unknown emotions began to flow in me.

The target Roan, wasn't Fallen Human.

I just killed human, it wasn't my first time killing human.

I had killed human in past but at that time I didn't have choice.

It was either I die or enemy.

But this time I had choice and this is the choice I made.

Well, I could think that I killed human garbage.

After all, he was gangster and who knows how many people he had killed before?

It was good...

Yup, I did right thing.

"Ah...It feels nice."

At that moment I didn't know but a twisted smile appeared on my face.

If someone sees me know, they would think I'm a phycopath.

The sensation was intoxicating—a heady mix of power and control. Roan's lifeless body was proof of my skill, but beneath the satisfaction lay a darker truth.

For a moment, I stood there, watching the chaos unfold below.

The guests were in a panic, shouting for help and scrambling to get away from the scene.

Security was rushing to Roan's side, but it was already too late. My arrow had done its job flawlessly.

I should have felt relieved, or at least indifferent. But something inside me twisted as I replayed the kill in my mind.

Roan wasn't just another enemy soldier or a monstrous Fallen; he was a man, a criminal, sure, but still human. There was a finality to what I had done that I couldn't easily shake off.

I pulled my gaze away from the scene, forcing myself to focus. I didn't have time to linger or reflect.