NOVEL NEXT Chapter 39
When all things were swallowed by shadows and turned black.
Inside the cave, a fierce battle was unfolding.
Chaeng-! Chaeng-! Chaengjaeng-!
Weapons made of shadows flew around, clashing against one another.
In the shadow-covered space, other forms of magic were swallowed by darkness and became meaningless.
Since only shadows could decide the outcome, Ruphon and Rydan poured their mana into just one type of magic.
To the naked eye, it appeared simply black, but within, opposing shadows were locked in a battle of power as they sought to expand their realms.
“Indeed, since our levels and types of magic are the same, a conclusion isn’t easily reached.”
“Well then, we have no choice but to face each other with skill.”
Creativity was an important virtue for magicians.
Even with the same magic, the power and range could change depending on how it was used.
Thus, the outcome was set to depend on how deeply each one had researched and utilized shadow magic.
The two paused their meaningless attrition and each wove new changes into their shadows.
Ruphon imbued his shadows with properties.
The shadows surged like waves or transformed into a slippery gelatinous form, taking on various shapes.
Originally, qualities like viscosity, conduction, and explosiveness had no place among shadows.
By introducing diverse properties, he created a completely new substance from shadows.
Meanwhile, Rydan endowed his shadows with personality.
From Rydan’s broad shadow territory, figures taking on human forms rose up.
The shadow humans moved like living beings, each wielding weapons, gathering into what could only be described as a battalion.
Though both of their magics were the same, they had transformed into completely different types.
Rynelle, who could also use shadow magic, watched the new manipulation of shadows in awe.
“Quite an interesting idea you’ve thought of, Ruphon. But it’s meaningless in front of my army.”
“Quantity alone is not enough.”
“Let’s see about that right now.”
As Rydan reached forward, the shadow soldiers began to charge.
At the same time, Ruphon snapped his fingers, and a wave made of shadows surged violently.
Like a monster’s maw, the wave consumed the charging shadow army, reaching Rydan’s position.
The shadows that crawled back to the ground merged into one, taking on the form of a giant.
The shadow giant held its ground against the wave, protecting Rydan.
“Let’s see if you can block this!”
As the wave’s momentum waned, the shadow giant removed one of its arms and transformed it into a spear.
Gripping the spear tightly with one arm, the giant spun in place.
Gaining acceleration from the spin, it hurled the spear toward Ruphon.
The size of the spear was not just for piercing; it was meant to completely crush the body.
Just imagining it sent chills down Ruphon’s spine, yet he raised his index finger calmly.
The undulating shadows grew sticky and elastic, expelling a bouncy wall.
As the spear touched the surface of the wall, it stretched back, demonstrating astonishing elasticity.
Ultimately, the spear thrown by the giant stopped right in front of Ruphon Agail.
“This time, it’s my turn.”
Ruphon modified the shadows, reversing the position of the spearhead.
Additionally, he added an incantation to sharpen it even further.
Once the enhancement was complete, Ruphon flicked the long, extended shadow wall forward, launching the spear.
The giant reached out to catch the spear, but it effortlessly pierced through its abdomen.
Even after the giant was brought down, the spear continued with fierce intensity.
The soldiers raised their shields in succession to block the incoming spear, but one by one, they were pierced and vanished.
“That won’t do at all.”
Rydan, pooling shadows as before, formed a hand much larger than the giant’s hand.
The shadow hand, reaching the high ceiling of the cave, swept forward and grabbed the spear.
Successfully halting by firmly gripping the spear’s shaft.
Rydan smiled mockingly, but furrowed his brow.
Ruphon was preparing another spell without disassembling anything.
And it was not magic related to shadows, but rather, the foundational fire elemental spell called ‘Ignite.’
‘What the heck is he planning?’
Fully aware that fire doesn’t travel through shadows, Rydan couldn’t fathom why his brother was preparing elemental magic.
Why waste mana when it was already scarce?
Ruphon wasn’t the type to act without reason, making Rydan increasingly distressed.
Then, a moment later, Rydan realized the presence of the spear he was holding.
The shadow, attempting to absorb it, found it impossible due to the spear’s different properties.
And within it, there was an explosive like powder.
“Damn it!”
“Burn to death right there!”
Little sparks flared atop the spearhead.
As soon as they made contact with the surface, the sparks blossomed into flames, and as multiple flames layered, a dazzling explosion occurred.
The vast explosion engulfed the area Rydan stood in, shaking the entire mountain.
With the impact of the explosion, the cave’s ceiling began to collapse, signaling the onset of a disaster.
“Rynelle! We must get outside now!”
“Ah, yes!”
Protected by Ruphon’s shadows, Rynelle began to leap hurriedly upon seeing his beckoning gesture.
Rydan, who had taken the brunt of the explosion, was surely dead.
So they believed as the father and daughter raced toward the exit without looking back.
“This way! Quickly!”
“Hah… Hah…!”
Leading the way was Ruphon, who knew the path to the exit, with Rynelle struggling to keep up behind him.
The cave continued to crumble, and the path they had taken was being swiftly buried in dirt and stone.
Standing at the edge, they had to make it to the faintly visible night sky.
They needed to pass through only one last uphill to escape.
Just as they squeezed out that final effort, suddenly—
“Gah?!”
“Rynelle?!”
An arm shot up from the ground, grabbing Rynelle’s leg.
A horrific, melting figure was burning in the high heat.
The arm’s owner revealed his face outside of Rynelle’s shadow, and his visage was likewise aflame.
“I can’t die alone like this…! At the very least, I’ll take away the daughter you cherish so much!”
“Rydan! How dare you…! Ugh!”
“Kwa-hahaha! Live your life struggling in despair for all eternity!”
To live was to face a greater pain than death, Rydan was already envisioning his victory.
Ruphon’s rage was evident, his face pulsating with anger as veins stood out.
But the shadow soldiers, drained to their limits, couldn’t hold back Rydan and rescue Rynelle.
“Let go of this!”
“You must come with me! I need to show that cursed brother of mine what despair really is!”
“No!”
The collapse was nigh, and Rynelle was desperately trying to escape.
‘If only I could use mana…!’
Rynelle was currently sealed off from her mana by White Pang and Rydan.
Unable to use magic, she couldn’t even throw off the single arm holding her leg properly.
In the chaos of collapse, the ground continued to shake, and soon enough Rynelle stumbled backward.
As time ran out, a falling rock approached Rynelle.
“Ugh!”
“Rynelle!”
At the moment she looked toward the rock barreling toward her head, memories flashed before her eyes.
Rynelle felt her father’s distant voice fade into echoes as she was enshrouded by the terror of death, tightly closing her eyes.
Inwardly, she called out the name of someone.
The name of the man who had always come to her aid whenever she tasted despair.
“Professor Daniel…!”
Then, something magical happened.
The loud noise and tremors that had echoed just moments before ceased.
Rynelle, wondering if she had perhaps died and was unable to notice, cautiously opened her eyes.
The rock that had been aimed at her face floated in mid-air, and the collapse had temporarily halted.
“What the heck were you thinking without me around?”
“Ah…!”
That annoyingly sulky voice.
Yet, at this moment, it was more cherished and sweet than ever.
Hearing it in person flooded her entire body with joy and exhilaration.
“Now get out of there.”
With Space Magic, Ruphon and Rynelle swiftly exited the cave in an instant.
Meanwhile, separated from Rynelle’s shadow, Rydan lay pitifully on the cave floor.
Right on the brink of executing his greatest revenge, his plans had fallen apart.
In utter disbelief, Rydan raised his head dejectedly.
Regardless, Daniel began to shift the space he had held.
Rocks that had been surging toward Rynelle started to fall onto Rydan instead.
Amidst the piling rocks, Rydan kept his eyes fixed on the void above.
Eventually, the cave crumbled and fell entirely silent.
“Phew!”
Daniel exhaled deeply.
Turning his back to the Agail family, he stood still for a moment before breaking into a grin.
“Since it’s all over, let’s head back!”
Rynelle thought the time spent inside the cave was terrible.
She had been trapped for so long, her father sacrificed his arm to save her, and in the end, she had nearly died by her vengeful uncle.
Even looking back at it now gave her the creeps.
Yet, as soon as she stepped outside, she realized her experiences had merely been a game compared to what lay before her.
The once-vibrant greenery was stained with blood, and human flesh was scattered about.
Some lay twisted at unnatural angles, while others were outright crushed.
Furthermore, grotesque and horrific corpses filled the area in various nightmarish states.
The terror those who had stood here must have felt was beyond imagination.
It was chilling yet oddly exhilarating.
For she had been saved by her father, who had mercilessly slaughtered an immense number of enemies in the process.
‘Ah….’
The moon and stars shining from the mountaintop glimmered brilliantly.
Yet, the beautiful night sky could not reach Rynelle’s gaze.
She was focused on a particular person. She felt her heart racing intensely.
‘Was this how Mother felt when she looked at Father?’
The girl who once longed for everyone’s attention was no more.
Standing there was just a girl who desired to capture the singular interest of that one person.