Extra's Magic

Chapter 189 Strange Creatures

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Crack...

As I walked back towards the village, my senses were on high alert. Every rustle of leaves, every snap of a twig, sent a jolt of adrenaline through me. The encounter with the blind Shadow Anaconda had taught me that danger could lurk anywhere on this island, and I couldn't afford to let my guard down.

I moved cautiously, my steps measured and deliberate. I threaded my way around the outskirts of the village, keeping a safe distance from the destruction left in the wake of the blind Anaconda's rampage. The village, once a bustling settlement, now lay in ruins – a testament to the power and ferocity of the creatures that inhabited this island.

As I navigated the area, I couldn't help but marvel at the strange beauty that seemed to coexist with the danger. The vegetation, though overgrown and wild, held a certain allure and the calls of the island's native creatures echoed through the air.

Tap... Tap...

With each step, I scanned the surroundings, my eyes darting from shadow to shadow, searching for any sign of movement. The sun hung low in the sky, casting long shadows that seemed to dance and shift with the breeze. I was determined not to be caught off guard again.

Crack...

With each step, the forest seemed to come alive around me. The soft rustling of leaves, the distant calls of unknown creatures – all of it contributed to the eerie atmosphere that hung over the village. I knew I had to be cautious, for any sudden movement or noise could attract the attention of another dangerous inhabitant of this island.

I maintained a vigilant gaze, slowly approaching the first houses of the village while keeping to the shadows. The broken windows and crumbling walls spoke of the devastation that had taken place here. As I slipped into one of the houses through a shattered window, I couldn't help but feel a sense of unease.

Glancing around the dim interior, I listened for any signs of movement. The silence was almost oppressive, broken only by the faint sound of my own breathing. I cautiously stepped deeper into the house, my eyes flicking from corner to corner as I tried to assess the situation.

Moving silently, I made my way to the nearest window and peered out into the street. My gaze swept over the broken buildings, the debris-covered ground, and the eerie shadows that seemed to stretch in all directions. It was a desolate scene, and my instincts screamed at me to stay vigilant.

Satisfied that there were no immediate threats, I turned my attention back to the interior of the house. The stairs leading upstairs beckoned to me, and I knew that I needed to continue my search for any clues that might lead me to the Shadow Dungeon.

My hand instinctively moved to the hilt of my Authority, ready to draw it at a moment's notice. The air grew tense as I ascended the stairs, the wooden planks creaking beneath my weight. Every sound seemed magnified in the stillness, and I strained to hear any sign of danger.

Creak...

As I reached the top of the stairs, my golden eyes were drawn to a trail of blood stains on the worn wooden planks. My heart raced as I followed the trail, my instincts telling me that it might lead to answers or even more danger.

My grip on my Authority tightened as I moved with caution, my senses on high alert. The trail of blood led to a closed door at the end of the hallway. With a deep breath, I steeled myself for whatever might await me on the other side.

But something stopped me. A gut feeling, a sense of foreboding. I knew that I needed more information before I confronted whatever was behind that door. In a split-second decision, I spun on my heel and retraced my steps, making my way back to the balcony that overlooked the village.

The moonlight bathed the village in an eerie glow as I climbed onto the roof, moving with the careful grace of a predator. The village's rooftops became my path, my movements a dance of stealth and caution. Each step was measured, and each landing was tested for stability as I navigated the crumbling structures.

I moved from rooftop to rooftop, my eyes scanning the surroundings for any signs of danger. The wind whispered through the broken windows and chimneys, and I felt a shiver run down my spine. This place held its secrets close, and I was determined to uncover them without alerting any potential threats.

As I moved, I caught glimpses of the village from different angles. The twisted remnants of what was once a thriving community now seemed like a ghostly echo of the past. The moonlight cast long shadows, and I used them to my advantage, staying hidden from any prying eyes that might be watching.

From above, I could observe the remnants of the once-thriving settlement in a new light. It was like viewing a painting – each brushstroke of destruction and decay telling a story of tragedy and abandonment.

'It feels saddening...'

My eyes, sharpened by the need for survival, caught movement in the streets below. Shadows began to roam like random wanderers, their forms shifting and twisting in unnatural ways. It was as if the very essence of darkness had taken physical shape, and I couldn't help but shudder at the sight.

But that was not all. As I watched, I noticed something even more unsettling. Hordes of various Shadow monsters clashed in the streets, their battles creating eerie sounds that echoed through the desolation. It was a chaotic dance of darkness, and I felt a surge of unease at the sheer number of these creatures.

I continued to move through the village, staying low on the rooftops and out of sight of the roving Shadows and their violent confrontations. Each step was deliberate, each breath calculated as I navigated the unstable terrain. I knew that even the slightest misstep could alert the creatures to my presence.

As I silently observed the ongoing turmoil in the village, my mind raced.

What had caused this upheaval among the Shadows?

Was there a power struggle, or was it something else entirely?

The sight before me was both fascinating and terrifying – a glimpse into the hidden dynamics of this shadowy realm.

And then, as my eyes scanned the outskirts of the village, they picked up on something strange – a void, a crack in the air that seemed to shimmer with otherworldly energy. My curiosity piqued, I adjusted my course and made my way toward it, careful to avoid the Shadows that now seemed to be drawn to this phenomenon.

As I moved closer, my eyes lit up and my smile widened in anticipation.

"Shadow Dungeon..."

Looking at the portal, I could feel all the exhaustion disappear from my body.

As I stood on the rooftops, my gaze fixed on the shimmering crack in the air that seemed to mark the entrance to the Shadow Dungeon, a surge of excitement and determination coursed through me. This was what I had been searching for – the gateway to the heart of the mystery, the place that held the answers to the questions that had been haunting me.

But as eager as I was to step through the portal and face whatever challenges lay beyond, my instincts held me back. My eyes caught a glimpse of movement just before the entrance, a presence that seemed to be guarding the way.

My heart skipped a beat as I focused on the figure that lay there, partially obscured by the shadows. It was a creature unlike any I had encountered before – a being that seemed to be a fusion of shadow and substance, its form shifting and swirling as if it were made of smoke and mist.

The creature's eyes, two orbs of eerie light, locked onto mine, and I felt a chill run down my spine. It was as if it could see into my very soul, assessing my intentions and measuring my worthiness. I could feel the weight of its gaze, the sense of ancient knowledge and power that emanated from it.

'What the fuck is that...'

Cursing under my breath I inspected the creature from afar.

There was no such being within the game so who and why was this 'Shadow' guarding the entrance of the Dungeon Portal?

My instincts screamed at me to proceed with caution. The creature's appearance alone was enough to give me pause, but its aura of authority and the sense of purpose with which it guarded the entrance made it clear that this was not a being to be underestimated.

I shifted my weight slightly, adjusting my stance on the rooftop.

As I continued to observe the creature, I noticed subtle details that sent shivers down my spine. Its form seemed to ripple and shift, almost as if it were a living embodiment of the shadows themselves. The edges of its body blurred, making it difficult to discern its exact shape. It was as if it existed in a state between reality and illusion.

This was another unknown variable in my journey.

Now that I think about it...

I've met too many unknown variables in the past few months.

I shouldn't be surprised.