My Tribrid System.

Tahir returned to the dojo, his steps calm but carrying a quiet eagerness. Inside, he found the master waiting, his gaze as composed as ever, though with a hint of curiosity in his eyes.

"Training went well, I take it?" the master asked, his voice steady but welcoming.

Tahir nodded, recalling the intensive sessions he'd endured with Barta, Gelda, and Palm. Each master had pushed him to new limits, and through it all, he'd unlocked something extraordinary—the Shadow Ability. He kept his explanation brief, though the master's expression shifted slightly when he heard about the shadow power, understanding it was no ordinary feat Tahir had achieved.

As they wrapped up the conversation, Tahir felt an urge to revisit the armory where he and the master had gone once before. It felt almost nostalgic as he walked the familiar path.

Inside, his eyes were drawn to a modest ring resting on one of the shelves. It was plain but seemed to hold a subtle, mysterious energy. Beside it lay a stack of dark-bound books, each carrying an aura that practically hummed with potential.

Curious, Tahir reached out and touched the first book, and the system interface appeared.

[Level 2 Shadow Ability Book Absorbed]

He continued, each book bringing a steady progression, his energy shifting as he absorbed their contents.

[Level 3 Shadow Ability Book Absorbed]

[Level 4 Shadow Ability Book Absorbed]

[Level 5 Shadow Ability Book Absorbed]

Finally, he reached the last one.

[Level 6 Shadow Ability Book Absorbed]

With the final book, a surge of power resonated through him, the shadow ability within him settling, gaining new depth and potential.

The system displayed the skills he'd unlocked, each with a clear description and guidance.

Shadow Ability Skills:

1. [Skill Name: Shadow Veil]

Description: Allows Tahir to blend into shadows, rendering himself nearly invisible in dimly lit areas. This skill is ideal for stealth and surprise tactics.

MC Cells Required: 15

Execution: Tahir focuses on his presence, mentally envisioning himself merging with the surroundings, making his form almost invisible in the shadows.

2. [Skill Name: Phantom Strike]

Description: Creates a decoy shadow clone that distracts enemies but cannot inflict damage. The clone moves and mimics Tahir's actions, confusing foes and allowing him to strike from unexpected angles.

MC Cells Required: 20

Execution: Tahir visualizes a duplicate of himself, pouring his energy into the shadow form. The decoy appears as a convincing replica, moving in sync with him but remaining non-lethal.

3. [Skill Name: Abyssal Grasp]

Description: Extends shadowy tendrils from Tahir's hand, binding and immobilizing enemies for several seconds. This skill is especially useful for halting fast-moving or powerful foes.

MC Cells Required: 30

Execution: By concentrating shadow energy into his hand, Tahir summons dark tendrils that shoot toward the target, wrapping around them and holding them firmly in place.

4. [Skill Name: Dark Step]

Description: Grants Tahir the ability to teleport short distances through shadows, providing him with rapid movement to evade or reposition.

MC Cells Required: 35

Execution: Tahir focuses on a shadowed area within a short range, visualizing his destination. With a quick surge of energy, he vanishes and reappears at the chosen location.

5. [Skill Name: Eclipsing Blade]

Description: Imbues any weapon Tahir holds with shadow energy, enhancing its sharpness and power, enabling it to pierce through armor and defenses.

MC Cells Required: 40

Execution: Tahir channels shadow energy into his weapon, coating it in a dark aura that sharpens and strengthens it for more effective strikes.

6. [Skill Name: Shade Wraith]

Description: Temporarily transforms Tahir into a ghostly, intangible form. While in this state, he can pass through solid objects and avoid most physical attacks. However, he cannot attack or interact with physical objects while in this form.

MC Cells Required: 60

Execution: Focusing deeply, Tahir lets his form meld with the shadows, becoming ethereal. For a limited time, he can phase through obstacles, making it difficult for opponents to land a hit. The effect dissipates after a few seconds, returning him to his solid state.

As Tahir read through the list of new skills, a mix of excitement and surprise surged within him. Each ability sounded powerful, far beyond what he had initially expected from the shadow ability. However, as he checked his MC cell reserve, his excitement dampened slightly—it was sitting at only 10. With that amount, he could barely attempt even the simplest skill from his list, leaving him feeling both intrigued and a bit limited.

Just then, another prompt appeared in his mind's interface:

[Blood Ring found: Vampire Ring successful acquired!]

[Item: Vampire Ring]

[Description: A unique artifact, the Vampire Ring grants temporary protection from sunlight, allowing its bearer to withstand direct exposure for a limited time.]

[Reward: +10 MC cells, +20 EXP]

Tahir's eyes narrowed as he read the description again. A Vampire Ring? He thought, momentarily stunned. What was a relic with vampiric properties doing here on Earth? The implications puzzled him. Were vampire artifacts more common here than he'd thought or was there some other explanation?

Feeling the subtle energy boost fill his body, he flexed his fingers, his mind already buzzing with plans for the new skills he would soon be able to try. Reflecting on everything he'd gained over the past months, he murmured to himself, "These past ten months away have been… fruitful."

As Tahir considered the future of his faction, a thought crossed his mind. Where would we base ourselves? He mulled over the question, weighing different options in his head when Bruce's voice chimed in from within his system.

'You could always continue that project of yours,' Bruce suggested, a hint of humor in his tone. 'That large spaceship you've been tinkering with the one you found in pieces?'

Tahir's eyes lit up with realization. That old spaceship, or what was left of it, was buried in an old hangar, discarded as little more than a pile of junk. No one had believed it could ever function again. But Tahir, with his knack for fixing and engineering, had gradually restored much of it over time. What was once only a hulk of metal had begun to take shape under his hands, and now it had potential.

The ship was huge, built to house over 300 people comfortably a floating fortress with potential for both mobility and security. It seemed almost perfect for his goals.

"Last time I checked, I'd already restored the security system," Tahir muttered to himself, recalling the long hours he'd spent rewiring the place. He grinned, feeling a renewed surge of purpose.

"Alright, let's use these last two months to finish this ship," he said, determination evident in his voice. With a final nod, Tahir stepped out, ready to bring the ship and his faction plans to life.