Shadow Monarch's Requiem

Chapter 5 - The Awakening of Darkness

Jin-Ho Kang stood in the middle of the blood-soaked battlefield, his breath heavy. Around him, the corpses of mutated beasts lay still, their once-ferocious eyes now lifeless. The scent of iron filled the air, yet Jin-Ho felt something stir deep within him—a call to power.

The Shadow Monarch's System had granted him a second chance at life, but the true nature of his abilities remained a mystery. Until now.

> [System Alert: You have slain 35 Mutants. Shadow Extraction Unlocked.]

Would you like to raise your shadows? [Y/N]

Jin-Ho's heartbeat quickened. He had seen the notification before but had never dared to activate it. But now...

He smirked.

"Let's see what you can do."

He selected [Yes].

A strange black mist spread from his body, creeping toward the fallen creatures. The corpses twitched violently before their eyes, once dead, flickered with a haunting purple glow.

> [Shadow Extraction Success!]

New Shadows Acquired: 5

The beasts rose to their feet, but they were no longer mindless monsters. Their once-golden fur had darkened, their claws sharper, their aura filled with an eerie presence. They knelt before Jin-Ho, as if awaiting his command.

Jin-Ho grinned. "I see... so this is my power."

For the first time, he truly felt the weight of what it meant to be the Shadow Monarch.