NOVEL NEXT Chapter 7: Chapter 7: Confronting The Ogre's Wrath
The ogre let out a low, rumbling growl that shook the very ground beneath it, its massive body heaving as it struggled to free itself from the dark tendrils still coiling around its legs.
The shadows clung to it like a prison, tightening with every twitch of its muscles. Xender's eyes flicked to the ground, watching the way the tendrils twisted, pulsing like they had a life of their own.
He could feel the spell starting to lose its strength, the shadows flickering, weakening, but not before he'd measured the power he'd tapped into.
Ten seconds, he counted in his head, narrowing his eyes. His Dark Embrace spell, now at level 4, had held stronger than he expected. The Shadowsong level 5 spell could barely keep the ogre for a few moments. But this... this was something different.
"I see now," Xender muttered to himself, a grin tugging at the corners of his lips.
"The stronger the monster, the faster I level up... and the more control I have over my powers." He glanced down at his power level: 15. He couldn't help but feel a surge of exhilaration.
Before the ogre could fully regain its balance and swing its massive axe, Xender moved. His hands snapped up, his fingers curling as he channeled the shadows around him.
The air grew thick with energy, a heavy tension, as if the world itself was holding its breath. He focused, not on the trees or the ground this time, but on the ogre's own shadow.
The change was immediate.
The ogre's shadow, stretching long and twisted behind it, suddenly jerked and writhed as if it had a mind of its own. The ground trembled beneath Xender's feet, a deep rumble filling the air.
The ogre stumbled, caught off guard by its own darkness, as if the shadows had come alive to drag it down. The mighty creature let out a muffled roar of surprise, its movements sluggish as the shadow clung to it like iron chains. It tried to move, but its legs were locked in place, unable to free itself.
The air seemed to vibrate with power. Xender's heart pounded in his chest as he watched the ogre's massive form shake with frustration, its fists slamming the ground with a deafening crash.
The earth cracked under the force, rocks shattering and sending debris flying in all directions. But the ogre's struggles were in vain. The shadows only tightened, refusing to let go.
Xender's breath came out in short, sharp bursts, his pulse racing. It worked. It actually worked. He could hardly believe it. The ogre was completely trapped, its movements jerky, panicked as it tried and failed to break free from the tendrils wrapped around it.
The ground beneath it cracked and splintered, dirt and stone flying as the creature roared again, but the shadows held firm, unyielding.
Xender stood there, his gaze fixed on the ogre, adrenaline surging through him. He had expected to be crushed beneath the weight of the monster's wrath, just another casualty in a world full of danger. But now, with the ogre tangled in its own darkness, he felt a rush of power like he'd never known.
For the first time since arriving in this world, he felt alive.
Xender watched as the Ogre thrashed about, its massive frame straining against the chains that held it captive. Despite the creature's struggles, he felt a sense of dread.
The Ogre's skin looked impervious, a solid wall of muscle and hide that no ordinary sword could penetrate. He unsheathed his sword and stared at it, frustration bubbling. It wouldn't matter how hard he swung; he was simply not strong enough.
Then an idea flickered in his mind like a flame. What if he could harness the shadows? He took a deep breath and focused, feeling the darkness around him respond.
To his amazement, his own shadow reared to life, wrapping around his limbs and legs like an armored cloak, infusing him with newfound power.
Fueled by this dark energy, Xender felt lighter, stronger. He gripped his sword tighter and launched himself into the air, soaring toward the Ogre's face.
With a fierce cry, he plunged the blade deep into the creature's forehead. Unfortunately, the impact was disappointing. The sword barely broke the surface; the Ogre's skin was like granite, unyielding and thick.
The fierce roar of the Ogre snapped him back to reality. It thrashed violently, dislodging Xender as it broke free. Panic surged as he tried to leap away, but the Ogre's massive fist was already hurtling toward him like a meteor.
There was no time to dodge. In that split moment, he summoned the shadows again, raising them just in time to form a shield around him.
The blow landed with a thunderous crash, echoing through the forest. Pain radiated through Xender's body as he was sent flying, crashing into a cluster of trees that splintered upon impact.
He felt several ribs crack and his left hand snap. The crunching sound of bone was drowned out by the heavy thud of his body hitting the ground.
"Dammit! That blow could've killed me!" he gasped, blood trickling from his wounds and soaking into the forest floor.
He lay there, dazed and hurting, as the Ogre slowly turned toward him, its eyes narrowing with malevolent intent.
As dread wrapped around him tighter than his shadowy armor, an ethereal status screen flickered into view, hovering just inches from his face.
Current Power Level: 25
New Title Earned: [Master of Shadowmancy]
Shadowsong Level: 5
Dark Embrace Level: 5
Advanced Shadowmancy Spell: Abyssal Conjurer Level: 1
New Spell Class Unlocked: [Soul Manipulation]
Soul Thief Level: 1
Master of the Void: Locked
A surge of adrenaline flooded through him as the status effects washed over him. Each new title promised untold possibilities, but right now, he needed to focus and survive.
With the Ogre approaching, its heavy footsteps shaking the ground beneath him, Xender knew he had to act quickly. The shadows whispered to him, urging him to tap into the power that had just awakened within.
Time to unleash the true potential within the darkness.
Xender couldn't believe his luck as he stared at the ethereal interface floating before him. Abyssal Conjurer—a spell that would change everything.
The realization struck him: he could summon shadow minions from the darkness around him. With a flick of his wrist, he could bring fearsome creatures to life, using the shadows of the forest to fight for him. But he also knew that they would fear the light, disappearing as quickly as they came if they came into contact with it.
And then there was Soul Thief—a spell that would allow him to siphon off a part of his enemy's soul, weakening them while giving him a little boost. If he leveled it up, he could even heal himself by drawing energy from his foes. But he also recognized the risks; stronger opponents might resist, leaving him vulnerable to counterattacks.
"Wow! To think I leveled up this much!" he muttered, a mix of excitement and anxiety coursing through him.
The Ogre before him loomed like an elite monster, but with his new abilities, Xender felt an unexpected surge of confidence.
Ignoring the pain from his broken arm, he activated the Shadowsong spell. Shadows spiraled around his wounds, the darkness working like a healing balm that stabilized his broken limb.
Though battered and bruised, he stood defiantly before the colossal creature.
"I'm not scared of you anymore," he declared, an unsettling resolve igniting within him.
"Soul Thief!" he shouted, channeling the spell toward the approaching Ogre.
But the creature simply roared, charging forward with a thunderous crash. Nothing happened. Xender's heart sank.
"What the hell? Does it take time?" His voice was filled with frustration.
"Dammit!" he cursed, quickly shifting his strategy.
He unleashed Dark Embrace at advanced level 5. To his surprise, the shadows responded to his command with fluid grace, wrapping around the Ogre and stopping it in its tracks. The air grew thick with tension as the creature struggled.
"Now let me try again!" he shouted, fueled by determination.
"Soul Thief!"
This time, as the shadows held the beast in place, he felt the energy shift. A strange tingling coursed through him as he siphoned off a small portion of the Ogre's power. It was like a warm surge filling him up, invigorating him with its dark essence.
He cast the spell repeatedly, relentless in his assault. Each time, he could feel the Ogre weakening, its roars fading into pained grunts. Finally, the beast collapsed to the ground, still alive but unable to move. Xender felt alive, more energized than ever.
He couldn't help but laugh at the sight of the fallen giant. With each step, he felt a growing sense of control. He climbed onto the Ogre's massive face, looking down with a twisted smile.
"I guess my Soul Thief spell isn't strong enough to finish you off yet. But don't worry, I'll save you the suffering."
With a firm grip on his sword, he began to stab down repeatedly, the sound of steel slicing through flesh filling the air. Each thrust sent crimson sprays of blood splattering against the trees, painting the forest in a dark hue. A final, horrid gasp escaped the Ogre as life drained from its body.
"Man, that was bliss!" Xender said, exhilaration pulsing through him as he stood amidst the chaos, covered in the Ogre's blood.
His power level surged to 30 as he took a moment to catch his breath. The familiar notification chimed in his mind: Soul Thief spell leveled up to 2.
Xender was no longer the weak false hero he pretended to be; he had tasted power, blood, and the thrill of victory. As he surveyed the smoldering ruins around him, he knew this was only the beginning. The shadows were now his allies, and he was ready to embrace whatever darkness awaited him next.