Shadow's Call in Orario [[Damachi]]

The void was cold, empty, and yet somehow... calm. There was no light, no sound, no warmth. It was a place where time didn't exist, where only the void and the moon coexisted. I felt like I was floating in a sea of nothingness, and for a moment, I couldn't remember anything about myself. Who was I? Why was I here? How long had I been... waiting?

My thoughts snapped back into place like the last pieces of a jigsaw puzzle. I could remember, my life... well, bits and pieces of it. More than anything, I could remember reading. Web novels, light novels, manga... all of them filled with crazy, fantasy-like scenarios, often starting with someone dying or finding themselves in a void much like this one. 

A nervous chuckle escaped me, or it would have if there was air to chuckle in. But that's when *it* happened.

Reality itself rippled. In the blackness around me, something shifted. There was no form, nothing concrete but I could *feel* something. Something... omnipotent, something... terrifyingly powerful, and at the same time, strangely detached. I strained to make sense of it, but the more I tried to focus, the more it changed. Every time I thought I could define its shape, it blurred and transformed again, as if existence itself couldn't contain what I was perceiving and even my soul was in pain every time I tried to understand it.

And then *it* spoke. Not with a voice that came from outside, but one that echoed directly within my mind, reverberating through every fiber of my being. A voice that was neither male nor female, not deep or high-pitched, not human at all—it was just... *Old*.

"I see you are confused." The words rippled in my mind, an undercurrent of amusement barely detectable. "Do not worry. It is natural to be perplexed by such a situation."

I blinked, or I would have if I had eyelids. My mind reeled. Confused was an understatement. What was happening? Was I dead? Had I somehow gotten isekai'd like one of those web novel protagonists?

"You may consider yourself... chosen," it continued, the shifting presence around me pulsing rhythmically, as though in sync with my rising panic. "I am what you might call... a Random Omnipotent Being. A R.O.B., as your kind might refer to me."

*R.O.B.? Oh no.* Every part of me stiffened, well, metaphorically. I knew this trope all too well. Was I really about to go through this? My mind raced, memories of countless stories flooding back. Whenever an R.O.B. showed up, it usually meant one thing: wishes. And then, inevitably, being thrown into some sort of chaos.

"I can sense your recognition," the R.O.B. said, and somehow, I felt it smile, even though it had no face. "Yes. I will be granting you three wishes before sending you on your way."

Despite the absurdity of everything, my mind latched onto that word: wishes. **Three wishes.** That meant I had to think carefully. *Isekai'd* or not, I needed to choose something useful.

I tried to stay calm, but how could I? I was floating in a void, talking to a reality-bending being that could grant me anything I wanted. My mind swirled with possibilities. In every story I had ever read, the main character's first wish was the most important. It set the foundation for everything.

"I... I need to think," I mumbled, though I wasn't sure if I actually *said* it, given I was just a floating consciousness right now.

"You may take as much time as you need," the R.O.B. responded, it seemed like it was snickering as it shifted again. It was comforting in a strange way, though its presence was overwhelming, there was no malice. Just... an odd sense of amusement, as if it was genuinely curious about what I would do.

I began to sift through the endless stories in my mind. So many characters, so many powers... What would be the smartest choice here? Flight? Immortality? No, those were too basic. I needed something more... adaptable. Something that could grow with me, that could scale no matter what world I ended up in.

Then it hit me. Solo Leveling. The protagonist, Jinwoo, had a power that grew exponentially. He started off weak but could summon shadows, and defeat enemies far stronger than him, and he only got stronger as he leveled up. His power wasn't limited, it was scalable, which meant no matter what kind of world I ended up in, it would continue to evolve.

"I know my first wish," I said finally, my thoughts clearer now. "I want the powers of the main character from Solo Leveling."

The void around me seemed to hum, almost as if the R.O.B. was pleased by my choice. "Ah, an intriguing choice. You wish to wield the powers of the Shadow Monarch."

"Yes," I confirmed. "But with all the starting ability and to grow stronger as I level up. Just like the main character in the story."

The R.O.B. paused, and I felt a strange pressure like reality itself was holding its breath. "You will have the power you desire," it said, its voice softening in a way that made me uneasy. "But the world you are going to will not make that growth so simple."

"What do you mean?" I asked, suddenly feeling a sense of worry.

The R.O.B. shifted, and I could almost see the void around me ripple with excitement. "The world you will be sent to is not one where you can easily farm experience or face waves of enemies like in the world of Solo Leveling. No... in this world, leveling up will be... earned. Hard-fought. And the monsters you face... well, let's just say they are not the only danger."

I swallowed, or would have if I had a body. "What world are you sending me to?"

For the first time, I felt the R.O.B. laugh, a soundless, all-encompassing laugh that resonated through the very fabric of the void. "You will be going to the Dungeon... the world known as Orario."

My mind immediately connected the dots. *Danmachi?!* I was going to be in *that* world? A world where leveling wasn't as simple as killing endless waves of monsters, but rather, it was about the growth of the soul itself, this would make leveling harder.

Excitement and fear crashed into me like a tidal wave. On one hand, this was incredible, I'd always loved *Danmachi*. But on the other hand... the monsters there were no joke. The Dungeon was a living entity, a force that evolved and adapted plus its hate for gods, did the shadow Monarch count as a god?

"Exciting, isn't it?" the R.O.B. teased, sensing the mix of emotions swirling inside me. "Your journey will be challenging, more than you can imagine. But the potential for greatness is there, you might even become a goddess... if you are willing to fight for it."

There was something else I had to consider: *the divine*. The gods and goddesses in Orario were not passive beings, they could charm, manipulate, and bend people to their will. And those that didn't bend were killed off. I remembered enough from the light novel to know that people with strong charm resistance were rare. It wasn't just about physical strength, the gods and goddesses played by their own rules. Some of them could sway your very soul, twist your desires, and if you weren't careful, leave you completely under their control.

I needed something that could help me resist that. Charm magic, or whatever the gods threw at me, I couldn't afford to be helpless in the face of that.

I took a deep breath, steadying myself, and addressed the R.O.B. directly. "There's something else I need. Is there a power that can help me resist... charms? You know, against the gods. I'd like something that could make me immune to them."

The moment the word "immune" left my thoughts, the void shuddered. The R.O.B.'s form, if you could call it that, shifted again, becoming something altogether different. Its presence pulsed, and I felt it before I heard it. Laughter. Deep, resonating laughter that shook the very fabric of the void I floated in. The kind of laugh that made it clear I had said something *incredibly naïve*.

"Immune?" it echoed in a multitude of different voices, its tone sharp with amusement. The void seemed to ripple, reality itself bending and warping as the R.O.B. found humor in my request. "You wish to be outright immune to the influence of gods and goddesses? Oh, how delightful. You seek immunity from those who toy with mortal fates? There is no fun in that."

I frowned, or, well, I *felt* like frowning. The R.O.B. continued, its laughter still resonating through the void. "No, wishes like that are not allowed. To be immune to such divine charms? That would rob the world of its struggle, its unpredictability. You would be like a rock in a stream, unmoved by the current, unchallenged by the forces around you."

The R.O.B. paused, letting the weight of its words sink in. "Resistance, perhaps, can be granted. But immunity? No. You must face the trials of the world with some uncertainty. Without that, where is the excitement?"

I clenched my metaphorical fists. Of course, something like that would be too easy. But I understood. The R.O.B. was here for the fun of it, not to make things simple for me. Even so, I wasn't about to choose a power that wouldn't help me in the long run. The things it listed off after its laughter, various situational resistances, or items to help *sometimes*, just didn't seem enough. Resistance wouldn't stop a powerful god from charming me if they really wanted to.

As I weighed my options, I felt a twinge of frustration. The R.O.B. wasn't making this easy. Its suggestions didn't quite cover the scope of what I needed. I needed something more. Something versatile. Something that wouldn't limit me to rare, specific circumstances.

And that's when the thought hit me. Summoning monsters. If I couldn't be immune to charms outright, then maybe I could counter divine threats in another way. I thought about the stories I had read, and one world, in particular, stood out. *Monster Hunter.* The creatures from that universe were *powerful*, the kind of enemies that could make even gods take notice.

"I have a different idea," I said, the excitement building within me. "For my second wish, I want the ability to summon monsters from the Monster Hunter universe."

The void shifted again, and I could feel the R.O.B.'s presence swirling with renewed interest. "Ah, now that... that is a wish worth considering," it said, its voice crackling with excitement. "There are some Monsters from the Monster Hunter universe that are formidable. And you wish to summon them?"

I nodded, or at least I thought I did. "Yes. I want to summon them as my allies."

For a moment, the void was still. And then, the R.O.B. laughed again, this time even louder. The laughter echoed in my mind, shaking me to my core. "No, no, no. You misunderstand, mortal. You do not summon such monsters as allies. They are not your pets or your servants. They are living, and they will not simply bow to your will."

"What... what do you mean?" I asked, a sinking feeling growing in my chest.

"They will come with the intent to kill you," the R.O.B. said, its voice filled with dark amusement. "When you summon them, they might appear as Monster Rexes, the most dangerous of beasts in the world. Their first instinct will be to *eliminate you*. You will be their prey, and only by defeating them will you claim victory."

I felt my heart race at the thought. These weren't going to be allies, they were going to be my enemies, forces of nature that would hunt me the moment they appeared. If I could defeat them, if I could overcome creatures as powerful as those from *Monster Hunter*, the rewards would be unimaginable and could be a good way to level up.

"And once they are defeated," the R.O.B. continued, "their bodies will not disappear. You may use their remains to craft gear, weapons, armor... whatever you can imagine. And perhaps... you may even be able to bind their souls, should you grow strong enough."

I swallowed hard. The idea of crafting weapons and armor from the remains of Monster Hunter beasts was incredible. And binding their souls? Could I turn them into my shadow servants, like Jinwoo did with his enemies?

Still, there was one small grace in all of this. "Others... others can attack them too, right?" I asked, hoping to clarify. If I wasn't the only one able to fight them, I could at least rely on allies or others in the world to help me.

"Yes," the R.O.B. said, its voice softening slightly. "Others may fight them as well. But make no mistake, when they appear, they will *know* you are their target. You will be their first priority unless someone takes their agro. Survive, and you will gain unimaginable power. Fall... and your story will end there, a disappointment like you were in your last life."

My mind whirled as I chose to ignore what it said towards the end because I didn't remember much about my past life, maybe that was for the best. I could make armor out of *Rathalos* scales, forge weapons from *Nergigante* claws, and maybe even summon their souls into my shadow army.

But then, something shifted again. The R.O.B.'s presence loomed closer, its voice deepening with finality. "You have changed the request of your second wish twice now. There will be no further revisions. This wish is locked in."

I felt a jolt of tension. The wish was set. There was no turning back. I had no choice now my second wish was made for me.

The presence of the R.O.B. seemed to pulsate with increasing amusement. I'd barely begun to think about my final wish when suddenly, everything froze.

"Time's up," the R.O.B. declared, its voice ringing out in delight through the nothingness. The words echoed in my mind, a finality to them that made my heart sink.

"Wait!" I shouted into the void. "I haven't made my third wish yet!"

But there was no reply. The omnipotent presence remained silent as if watching with a knowing smirk from the shadows of reality. I tried to reason, to shout, but all I got in response was a strange sensation that ran through my very soul, like the world was about to change around me, regardless of my protests.

Then, I felt a pull. A sharp tug on my very being, like a current I couldn't resist. My soul—*my essence*—was being dragged toward something. I tried to focus, to regain control, but it was like fighting against a riptide. I was no longer in control.

My thoughts raced. "This isn't fair! I didn't make my final wish!"

There was still no reply. But then, a countdown appeared in my vision, as if someone had projected it directly into my mind. 

**3:00.**

And just like that, my panic doubled. 

A *timer?* A countdown? I could feel my pulse quickening, even though I had no physical form here. What was I supposed to do? I had no idea what was coming, and then the voice of the R.O.B. echoed one last time, almost teasingly:

"You must choose. Shape yourself. Your time is running out. You have three minutes. Only races from the world you are going to. Good luck."

The voice faded, leaving me with just the countdown:

**2:50... 2:49...**

My heart pounded in my chest if I had one right now. There was no explanation, no guidance. Just... pressure. I was supposed to *create* myself, but in what way? What was I supposed to do? 

The races from *Danmachi*... 

I could only pick a race that existed in that world. Thoughts raced through my mind. Elves, Dwarves, Humans, Pallums... but the one that stood out most? Amazons. They were fierce, strong, and more importantly, they were warriors. And if I wanted to make use of the gear I would make from the monster hunter universe Id need a body like theirs.

But there wasn't time to think it through properly. The seconds were ticking down mercilessly.

**2:20...**

The panic set in, making it harder to focus. My mind jumped from one option to the next, but I couldn't afford to waste time overanalyzing. Amazons had a natural advantage. 

"I choose Amazon!" I blurted out, my mind barely catching up to the decision before I said it. As soon as I did, I felt the world around me shift.

The timer continued, now ticking faster in my mind, but a strange sensation rushed over me. I could feel myself taking form—feel the shape of a body manifesting around me, almost like I was being sculpted from nothingness.

**1:40...**

And now, the next problem. My *appearance*. The countdown was speeding up, and I had no idea how long I had to finish this part. I could see the numbers, still ticking away. With every second, my thoughts spun wildly.

I saw a reflection of myself or at least, what *could* be myself. Hair, face, body... It was almost like I was designing a character in a game. 

Panic surged again, and in that frantic moment, I saw a mental image—an appearance that felt familiar. And then it clicked. *That's it. That's me.*

The look came together instinctively, based on the image now burned into my mind, short silver hair, sharp golden eyes, and a lean but strong frame. I could feel my hands, my limbs, the muscles shaping themselves as the final vision formed. This was the person I was meant to become.

**1:00...**

I felt the weight of it all rush over me. The seconds continued to slip away, but now I was taking control again. I could feel the energy in my body.

My reflection stared back at me but with that glint of uncertainty in my eyes.

**0:30...**

I took a breath, steadying myself. This was happening. This was real.

**0:10...**

The final seconds ticked away. The void began to fade. The world shifted.

**3... 2... 1...**

And then, with a blinding flash of light, the void vanished. The countdown hit zero. I awoke in darkness, lying on something rough and unyielding. My head spun, and for a moment, I couldn't remember where I was or how I'd gotten here. But as the fog cleared from my mind, I became aware of my surroundings, *really* aware. I was in a cave, the smell of damp stone filling the air, my body feeling… *different*. Solid, but light and strong, a sensation I had never experienced before.

I shifted, slowly sitting up. My clothes rustled, simple, lightweight garments draped over me in a style that reminded me of ancient Greece. There was nothing else. No weapons, no tools. Just me and these clothes. My hands brushed the coarse fabric, and I couldn't help but huff in frustration. Of course, the R.O.B. would toss me in here without any gear. This was supposed to be a challenge, after all.

Taking a deep breath, I pushed myself to my feet, feeling a strange sense of balance, after being in the void for so long I had come to forget what that felt like. As I moved toward the cave's mouth, a faint light filtered in from outside, and I could feel a fresh breeze teasing me forward. I made my way to the opening, stepping carefully over the uneven ground, and when I finally emerged, I had to squint against the light.

Outside, the view was breathtaking. A vast landscape stretched out before me, hills and trees rolling toward a distant city. And beyond that, towering over everything, was the iconic sight I'd seen so many times in the light novels and anime. *Babel Tower*, the spire that marked the heart of Orario. I was really here, in the world of *Danmachi*. The reality of it hit me like a punch to the chest, excitement and anxiety tangling in my gut.

Instinctively, I focused inward, willing something to appear, and sure enough, a translucent screen flickered into view before me. My stats. My heart skipped a beat as I took in the numbers, the representation of my strength in this world:

---

**Name:** Amara 

**Race:** Amazon 

**Level:** 1 

**Blessing:** Shadow Monarch's Mark 

**Summon Slots:** 2 

**Stats:** 

- **Strength:** I 75 

- **Endurance:** I 69 

- **Dexterity:** I 55 

- **Agility:** I 61 

- **Magic:** I 32 

**Magic:** 

- **Shadow Extract** 

 *Description:* Allows the user to pull the shadow from a deceased being, reviving them as a loyal servant. Can be used over a large radius to summon multiple shadows at once if the user's strength is sufficient. 

*Restrictions:* Shadow Extraction cannot be used on beings significantly stronger than the user. It has a maximum of three attempts per target, and cannot be used on spiritual entities. 

**Skills:** 

- **Unlimited Inventory:** Grants access to an endless storage space, accessible at will.

**Abilities:** 

- **Summon Monster:** Allows the user to summon powerful monsters from another world (Monster Hunter). These creatures will appear as hostile entities, and will start off focusing on the summoner, and must be defeated to be claimed. Upon defeat, the monster's body will remain, allowing the user to harvest resources from it or use Shadow Extract on its shadow if possible. Small chance the monster will appear as a mutated Monster Rex!

---

Seeing it all spelled out before me, My stats weren't zero, which was a small relief, but they were still on the low end. I was a fresh adventurer, a nobody in Orario's terms, but the Shadow Monarch's blessing was mine. It would allow me to grow without a Familia if I needed to, though I'd still be limited by my own strength.

As I stared at the stat screen, I noticed something at my feet, a small, lifeless body lying half-buried in the shadows of the cave mouth. I crouched, examining it more closely, and a strange sense of recognition hit me.

'No kitty....'

It was a *Palico*, one of those small, cat-like companions from the Monster Hunter world. It lay motionless, its eyes closed, fur matted and dirtied from battle. Was this... a gift from the R.O.B.?

I felt an odd pang of sympathy for the little creature, though I'd never met it. And then, almost instinctively, I realized what I had to do. My fingers twitched as I focused on my magic, and a single word slipped into my mind, *Arise*.

The moment I whispered it, I felt a surge of energy flow through me, coiling out toward the Palico's shadow. A faint black aura wove from my fingertips, reaching toward the creature, trying to coax the shadow from its body. But as quickly as the energy left me, it fizzled, dissipating into the ground.

My heart dropped. I had failed. *Of course,* I thought bitterly. This wasn't going to be easy. R.O.B. hadn't given me this power to make things simple. I took a breath, steadied myself, and tried again.

"Arise."

Once more, the dark energy pooled from me, snaking toward the Palico's shadow. And again, it faded before it could take hold. I clenched my teeth, frustration welling up inside. Was this really going to be how it was? My very first attempt to use my power, and I couldn't even summon one shadow?

One more time. I wouldn't give up that easily.

"ARISE!"

The word left my lips with more force, more intent, and this time, the energy didn't fade. It connected. I watched as the Palico's shadow shifted, stretching and contorting, rising up from the ground like a dark mist taking shape. The shadow solidified, dark blue eyes glinting as it came to life, looking up at me with a sense of recognition.

I felt a surge of relief, a bond forming between us in that moment. I had done it, I had summoned my first shadow. The Palico's form was still recognizable, a shade of its former self, but I could see a flicker of loyalty in its gaze, a silent understanding that it would serve me now.

I knelt, reaching out a hand to it. "I'll need to give you a name, won't I?" I murmured. It blinked up at me, head tilted slightly, as if waiting.

"Alright," I said, thinking. "How about... Nyx?" The name felt right, a reminder of shadows and night, a fitting title for my first shadow companion. The Palico *Nyx* nodded slightly as if accepting the name.

With Nyx by my side, I turned my gaze back to the distant tower of Babel. I couldn't stay out here forever. My journey was just beginning, and there was much I needed to learn. 

I considered my options. Did I even need a Familia? With the Shadow Monarch's blessing, I could technically grow on my own. But then again, Orario wasn't a place where people thrived alone. Having allies, a god or goddess to sponsor me, could make things easier. I might have the power to summon shadows, but I still had to face the Dungeon, the gods, and who knew what else this world had in store for me.

My gaze flicked back to Nyx, who was waiting patiently at my feet. Maybe I didn't have to decide just yet. For now, I'd get closer to the city, explore, and get a sense of my surroundings. 

With a last glance at the cave and the empty space where Nyx had once lay, I began to walk, Nyx trailing at my heels. The world of Orario awaited, and I had every intention of carving out a place for myself here. Whatever challenges lay ahead, I'd face them head-on, one shadow at a time.