NOVEL NEXT Chapter 3: Chapter 3: Leveling Up in the Dark Forests
The heroes can have the highest of about five different magic spells, the highest magic level each spell a hero can reach is level 5. As they grow stronger, they unlock new abilities, progressing through levels 1 to 5 in each spell, each one more powerful than the last.
Two weeks had passed since the heroes were summoned, and they had spent every day training hard to become stronger.
To help them level up, they ventured into places called the Dark Forests. These forests were filled with monstrous creatures, making them the perfect place for heroes to gain experience by fighting.
The deeper you went into the Dark Forest, the stronger the monsters became. Even more dangerous, demons hid deep within the forests, controlling the creatures to do their bidding.
To level up faster and become even stronger, the heroes were split up into smaller groups. Each hero formed their own party with adventurers, working individually to take on the dangers lurking in the Dark Forests.
'Dark Embrace'
Xender's shout echoed through the darkened woods as he unleashed his magic.
"Dark Embrace!" Shadows surged from his fingertips, snaking around three snarling werewolves that he and his party were fighting. The beasts, caught in the eerie bindings, struggled helplessly.
With a swift motion, Xender lunged forward, wielding his long silver sword. He sliced through the air, decapitating the first werewolf, followed by the second, and then the third. Blood sprayed everywhere as their heads flew off, the forest floor soaked in red.
His party members stood in stunned silence.
"Wow! That was incredible!"
"Yeah! So that's what a hero blessed by the divine can do!"
"I didn't even get a chance to attack," a third muttered, looking a bit deflated.
As they marveled at his power, Xender's thoughts raced.
"I can't count on these weaklings. If I'm going to become the strongest villain, I need to grow stronger on my own."
A smile crept onto his face as he checked his status.
"Finally, I've reached level 2!"
Status View
[Shadowmancy & Soul Manipulation]
Power Level: 10
Spell 1 - Shadowsong _ level 3
Spell 2 - Dark Embrace _level 2
Spell 3 - Abyssal Conjurer_ Locked
Spell 4 - Soul Thief _Locked
Spell 5 - Master of the Void_ Locked
Shadowsong (Basic Shadowmancy)
This ability allows Xender to confuse a single enemy by manipulating the shadows around them. He sends out tendrils of darkness to trap his target, disorienting them. The shadows can block their sight, create flickering illusions, or wrap around their limbs, making it hard for them to move or think.
Dark Embrace (Advanced Shadowmancy)
Building on Shadowsong, Dark Embrace allows Xender to bind multiple enemies in shadows. Tapping into the deeper parts of Shadowmancy, he summons thicker, more tangible shadows that can physically and mentally ensnare a group. These shadows can spring from the ground or walls, trapping enemies.
Abyssal Conjurer, remains locked but promises to grant him the capability to summon powerful entities or manipulate larger areas of shadow, extending his influence in battle.
The significance of unlocking Soul Thief is even greater, as it would allow Xender to siphon energy or life force from his adversaries, potentially turning their strength against them.
Finally, Master of the Void holds the key to his ultimate potential, enabling him to command the very essence of darkness itself, weaving devastating spells that could reshape the battlefield and plunge his enemies into eternal night, thus solidifying his dominance as a master of shadow.
His Shadowmancy spells can be countered by light-based magic, strong elemental powers, or enemies with enhanced senses or agility, who may be able to maneuver through or out of the shadows more easily.
The other heroes had been exploring the dark forests for days, each group battling different monsters along the way. Most of them had managed to unlock new spells in their power levels.
Luckily, none of them had encountered any demons—only goblins, wolves, werewolves, and humanoid monsters. While these monsters weren't too tough, they were still enough to help the heroes grow stronger.
In a remote part of the Dark forest, Mia and her four party members found themselves fighting a group of goblins.
These goblins were nearly human-sized and surprisingly fierce, armed with crude weapons made of rocks and wood, had ambushed them. Despite being outnumbered, Mia's party held their ground.
Her team included two mages, skilled in casting basic spells like lightning bolt and water, an archer, and a swordsman.
Together, they worked in perfect sync, each relying on the other. But the goblins were relentless, and soon fatigue began to set in. The party had taken some minor injuries, and they were growing tired.
Mia, determined to turn the tide, spoke up.
"Let me try the new spell I unlocked. But first, I need to blind them."
With that, Mia raised her hand and cast Radiant Flicker spell level 3. A bright flash of light exploded from her fingers, temporarily blinding the goblins and throwing them off balance.
Next, Mia followed up with Dazzling Halo spell level 1, summoning a glowing circle of light around her party. The warm aura flowed over her teammates, healing their minor injuries and giving them renewed strength.
"Wow! My injuries! They're fading away!" the archer exclaimed, feeling the healing energy wash over him.
"Let's finish them off!" one of the mages shouted.
With renewed vigor, the mage cast a large water spell that formed a swirling pool, engulfing the goblins.
At the same time, the other mage unleashed a lightning bolt, sending it crackling through the water and electrocuting the goblins in an instant.
With the goblins defeated, the team stood victorious, breathing heavily but relieved. All around them, the goblins lay motionless, defeated.
Mia's Status
[Class: Lightweaver]
Power level: 6
Spell 1: Radiant Flicker - level 3
Spell 2: Dazzling Halo - level 1
Spell 3: Luminous Mirage_Locked
Spell 4: Blinding Beacon_ Locked
Spell 5: Empyrean Radiance_Locked
Mia's journey as a Lightweaver is marked by a gradual yet profound enhancement of her powers with each spell she unlocks, allowing her to harness and manipulate light in increasingly intricate ways.
Starting with Radiant Flicker, she wields the ability to emit bursts of light that can dazzle or disorient foes, providing her with basic offensive and defensive capabilities.
As she ascends to the Dazzling Halo, her mastery deepens, enabling her to create protective auras that shield allies while simultaneously emitting brilliant light that can aid or empower companions in combat.
The potential of her abilities expands significantly with the unlocking of Luminous Mirage, which promises to grant her mastery of illusions and camouflage, allowing her to obscure real threats and outmaneuver adversaries.
The subsequent spells, Blinding Beacon and Empyrean Radiance, remain locked but represent the pinnacle of her Lightweaver potential, with capabilities that could unleash overwhelming brightness to obliterate darkness and inspire hope and valor in those around her, ultimately transforming the battlefield into a realm of blinding clarity and divine light.
Mei, the Spirit Summoner, is a master of versatility and strategy, able to adapt to any situation by calling upon a variety of heroic spirits. These spirits each bring their own unique abilities, from fierce warriors to powerful healers. However, her power has its limits—spirits can only stay for a short time, forcing Mei to think quickly and use her abilities wisely in battle.
Mei's Current Power Level: 11
[Spirit Summoner]
Spell 1- Initiate Summoner - level 4
Spell 2- Adept Summoner - level 3
Spell 3- Expert Summoner - level 1
Spell 4- Master Summoner _Locked
Spell 5- Spirit Fusion _Locked
Mei's abilities as a Spirit Summoner grow exponentially with the unlocking of each spell, transforming her from a novice to a formidable conduit of spiritual forces.
With Initiate Summoner, she can call forth lesser spirits to aid her in basic tasks, establishing a foundational connection with the ethereal realm.
As she advances to Adept Summoner, Mei's capacity to summon more powerful spirits increases, enabling her to channel their unique abilities and gain tactical advantages in various situations.
Unlocking the Expert Summoner spell allows her to enhance the strength and complexity of her summons, imbuing them with greater sentience and power.
Each spell acts as a stepping stone, amplifying her summoning prowess, while the locked spells Master Summoner and Spirit Fusion hint at untapped heights of strength yet to be achieved, promising even greater control over formidable spirits and the ability to merge their essences for devastating effects upon full mastery.
As Mei grows stronger, the spirits she summons become an even more integral part of her strategy, transforming her into a force to be reckoned with. However, each summon comes with the challenge of timing and knowing when to call upon each type of spirit for maximum impact.