Vol 3 Chapter 15 (2/2)

It was this sixth sense that allowed him to notice he was being followed, though he couldn't determine who or where .

And it was that same sixth sense that tingled now, instinctually letting him know he was in danger . He didn't make it all the way to the Seventh Layer by ignoring his instincts .

He hadn't heard or seen anyone . But he could sense a very subtle awareness .

”Who are you? What do you want?” Micheal flicked his wrist slightly, tapping on the Low-Tier Spatial Ring that could be found there . Immediately, a long steel blade appeared, held out in front of him as he stood up .

WHOOOSH

Micheal's room was lit by a lamp that was set on the plain desk . This light flickered and dimmed as a gout of darkness abruptly floated underneath his door, forming a vaguely human shape .

'A Shadowalker!' Michael instantly recognized the Ability .

The Shadowalker Type Ability cost 96,000 Points in the store . It transformed one's body, granting them higher Endurance and Recovery and a small increase in Strength, as well as giving them the special power to 'Shadowalk . '

A Shadowalker could morph their body into dark essence, invulnerable to regular blows . This essence was like a gaseous fluid, able to change shapes and moves through spots where regular humans could not .

Energy and light-based attacks could still injure Shadowalker's when they were in their essence form and the increase in Strength from the Ability wasn't as significant as many other Abilities . The utility of the Ability, though, especially on the First Layer where energy and light-based attacks were a rarity, couldn't be discounted .

'My Grandmaster Sword Mastery should let me injure him, but the damage will be greatly reduced when he's in his shadowy form . ' Michael's mind raced ahead of him as he glared at the target . He didn't pause to question why he might be here, saving stray thoughts like that for later .

The Shadowalker's vague form coalesced into a complete human form, revealing a man wearing a full set of black clothes and a black mask, with several throwing knives strapped to them .

”I-” Micheal began but immediately cut himself off as the Shadowalker attacked . The shadowy figure's arms seemed to blur, being covered by darkness as he snagged a pair of knives .

”Huh!” Micheal threw himself down as he felt more than saw two black knives hurling towards his head . His already ached body tried to rebel as he forced himself into action, something he promptly ignored .

The knives narrowly missed him, slamming into the wall next to his bed .

”Hiyaa!” Micheal spun onto the floor and jumped up in a driving strike, leading with his blade . His eyes zeroed in the attacker, activating his Grandmaster Sword Mastery Ability . His every movement was guided with precision, shutting out the screams of his tired body . A sheen of sweat covered his forehead as a result, his eyes bloodshot .

WHOOSH

The black clothed man collapsed into a collection of vague shadows as he saw the approaching attack, a look of surprise in his eyes . Micheal continued with his strike unabated, his sword slamming directly into the shadowy essence of the fighter .

”Arrrrgh!” The cutting energy on Micheal's sword elected a pained scream from the Shadowalker as he was forced back into existence, blood bursting from a long cut on his arm . Shock and horror could be seen in the man's eyes as he was slammed backwards, cras.h.i.+ng down hard on the wall of Micheal's room .

”Give me a reason why I shouldn't kill you, right here and now . ”

Killing intent flooded off of Micheal's soul in riveting waves as he glared at the Shadowalker, his Steelborn Sword a mere centimeter from the man's neck . Micheal's every cell was full of heightened awareness, his heart pounding from the excitement of the fight .

The shadowy figure trembled, looking at Micheal in complete disbelief .

.