Chapter 242: 242: Shadow Marionette
Caleb saw various kinds of Apokalips in the royal palace that he estimates had the strength of Tier 9 to 7. There's even a hundred Tier 6! The number of total Apokalips was a thousand! What's weird, though, is the fact that every part of their bodies was made of shadows and they are exuding with black mist.
"They are Shadow Soldiers. Ability acquired after one becomes a Tier 5 Shadow Marionette. Simply, any creature you kill that is weaker than you will become your soldier. Yes, weaker. It cannot convert creatures stronger than you. For example, you are a Tier 8 now. Anything you kill from Tier 7 to 9 will automatically be converted to shadow soldiers. There's also a low possibility of converting enemies of the same realm if you're a tad bit stronger than them. However, one realm above is impossible to convert. In essence, you can form your own shadow army." The king explained graciously and smirked. "Do you now know why the Shadow Path is the strongest?"
'Too cheating!' Caleb's eyes widened.
Just like that, they floated in the ceiling of the palace and passed through it. Outside, it was the same as it was before. The manors, the streets, and the clouds. However, all of them exist in shadow form. What's also interesting is that there are no humans or any creatures besides the two of them.
"What do you want to do with me?" Caleb sighed as he had already accepted it. He can't escape against the man in front of him. The gap between Tier 4 and 8 was just too vast. Not to mention, his strength was currently sealed by the so-called special artifact. 'Damn... Is it my last day here?'
Caleb thought as the king and he levitated and instantly flew to the sky. His body passed through the shadow clouds. He couldn't help but reflect on his life in this world. Although there's no internet or any advanced gadget that he got used to in his first life. Everything was novel.
The World of Destiny gave him a surreal experience, and he made friends in this world... Rozho, Andre, Luna, Clifford, Kidd, Kazuto, Jin, and Dunn... Not to mention Fatty, who was still in a coma. He hasn't finished everything wants to do in this world, such as advancing to higher tiers of shadow path and way of the sword.
Unfortunately, it all happened because of his idea to investigate the royal palace and energy sources. A mission the old man entrusted to him and Rozho. He shouldn't have impulsively gone inside the palace. One thing led to another, and now he was in a helpless situation. However, the main cause of this was that he was still too weak!
After all, if he was just strong enough. Even if the king wants to catch it. He would have been able to escape. If he was just strong enough, he would have been in this situation. In the end, the shadow abilities that gave him unparalleled scouting, spying, and escaping means had still got onto his head.
It gave him so much confidence that made him dare what he did. He believed in the shadow abilities too much. He thought that no matter what. He would be able to escape as long as there were shadows. Well, actually, that should be the case. However, his damned luck decided to let him face a similar but higher-tier shadow path user, which made all his life-saving and escape abilities useless.
After all, if it was a Hunter Path or ShinobiPathh user. Even if they were Tier 4. They won't necessarily be able to find him. The king only managed to find him because he also possessed shadow senses and he was far ahead on his path than him. The king knows the shadow path more than him.
'Me and my luck...' Caleb almost wants to cry. He indeed managed to escape the vicious cycle. But it seems he still does not last long. If he lived conservatively, he wouldn't be in such a situation. 'Fuck that, old man! Why does he want us to investigate the energy source that was under the king's nose!?' He couldn't help but grumble.
"Still... Why did you infiltrate the royal palace? You're just a Tier 8 Destiny and you have the guts to do so under my watch?"
The king spoke as he saw Caleb became silent. He waved his hand and the shadow clouds around them parted.
Caleb looked at the king. He sighed for a moment before he decided to answer. Surely, he would die anyway. He didn't know what the king would do to him and why he wanted him. However, it surely not be good.
"I'm from a survivor outside. I'm a part of the Scout Regiment. Since there was a war outside I decided to sneak in in hopes of stealing the energy sources."
The king simply nodded and didn't even ask why Caleb knew the energy sources. "And? What do you need to do with those? Bluntly speaking, for me, your value is greater than the energy sources held by my subjects."
"Why?"
Fuck? His value is actually greater than energy sources!? Furthermore, the king told him from the start that he was the last piece in his plans. 'I'm really fucked this time. Why did I have the court death?'
As they said. If you don't seek death you won't die. But it's too late for regrets now. There's no use crying over spilled milk, right? He's not afraid of death. He's just regretful of the losses of benefits that should've acquired.
"We're here."
Caleb was pulled out of his daze. He looked around only to see that there was a towering shadow spire ahead.
He and the king landed on the ground. At this moment, the king removed his hands off of him which surprised him. He could now move on his own. He tried to mobilize his abilities though but there was still no response.
Caleb could only shrug and scan the towering spire in front of them. It was like those dungeons in novels he read and there was a circle drawn on its gate with five stars in the center. Lastly, the spire was towering enough to pierce the sky.