Chapter 3: Shadow Demon and Extraction Ability

Putting the spear aside, Leon picked up the scroll. Instantly, information appeared before his eyes.

[Ability: Darkness/Shadow Manipulation - Can create or solidify darkness and shadow elements into any form according to the user’s will.]

Looking at that brief explanation, Leon’s eyes widened again.

A manipulation ability? According to the user’s will? Wasn’t that a bit much?

It felt like he could become a god with it alone. However, he quickly suppressed his excitement and decided to learn it.

’Wait. How do I learn—’

[You have learnt the Ability - Darkness/Shadow Manipulation]

The scroll burned before his eyes, turning to ashes that dispersed in the air.

At that moment, Leon suddenly felt a presence behind him. Turning sharply with his hand reaching for the spear, he froze.

Standing before him was a woman. And not just any woman.

It was a beautiful woman capable of provoking wars between nations. Her skin was pale with no imperfections and seemed to glow in the light, contrasting with her lustrous black hair that fell like the night sky to her back.

Her eyes were a striking purple that shone like gems.

A black one-piece dress hugged her seductive curves, exposing only her two slender arms and two fleshy, slender legs that could make even a gay man drool.

’Fuck!’

Leon’s brain short-circuited, blood pouring from his nose slowly. He immediately stumbled back, as if the woman’s beauty was corrupting his sanity.

The woman blinked innocently, her eyelashes batting cutely as she gazed at him.

She tilted her head, then smiled.

"You can see me now? I’m flattered~"

Hearing that clear seductive voice that made blood boil, Leon took two steps back, his body tense with caution.

After suppressing his excitement at her beauty, he regained some rationality and became wary.

’How did she appear beside me without me sensing her?’

He didn’t hear footsteps or anything. It was as if she was a ghost that had suddenly popped up.

’Also, where did she come from? There’s no way someone like her is from this university. She doesn’t even look like she belongs to this world.’

The young woman was just too otherworldly.

"Ara~ You’re actually this guarded. There’s no need to be. I’m only a ghost after all."

Hearing her words, Leon’s brows furrowed. "A ghost? How come I’m seeing you then?"

The woman giggled softly, the sound alone sending shivers down his spine.

"You see, that ability you just learned is from me. More specifically, I created it. So that’s why you can see me, and that’s why I’ll be sticking to you like your shadow for a long time."

Leon’s jaw almost dropped. She created that ability. He almost couldn’t believe it. However, something told him that she clearly wasn’t lying.

It seemed she hadn’t created the ability casually too. His brain immediately started making rapid deductions, and he soon came to a conclusion.

So, cautiously, he spoke to her.

"What... are you?"

The woman’s beautiful smile grew wider, almost distracting him.

"You’re a smart one, I see. I’m a Shadow Demon, and my name is Thyra."

Her words confirmed his speculation, and he let out a sigh. After confirming that she wasn’t a human, her heaven-defying beauty now made sense.

"You don’t look surprised. Or are you pretending to be indifferent?"

Thyra folded her arms, accentuating her seductive figure.

Leon shook his head, straining to keep his gaze on her face.

"Naturally, I’m surprised. Just not too surprised. After all, zombies now exist. Who says a vampire or a demon can’t exist?"

Hearing his calm explanation, Thyra smiled proudly.

"You’re really smart and adaptive. I’m so proud of you~"

Leon shivered, frowning faintly.

"Don’t use that tone, ugh. I’m starting to suspect you’re actually a succubus."

Thyra wasn’t deterred, stepping forward. "How did you know? My mother was a succubus of great charm. I guess that’s how she ensnared someone as powerful as my father."

Feeling weirded out by the story, Leon turned away.

"No need for the history. Instead," His gaze turned solemn. "What do you want? You didn’t suddenly appear like a Father Christmas, no?"

Thyla’s smile dimmed faintly.

"You’re right. I need something from you. Unfortunately, you aren’t strong enough to help me. So I’ll have to wait for a while."

Leon became cautious, wondering if she could wanted to kill him and sap his life force once he was stronger. However, sensing no malice from her, he dropped the thought.

"Alright. I just hope you won’t hinder me in any way. If you do..."

His eyes suddenly sharpened with a terrifying glint that was completely unusual for a young man.

Thyra merely smiled back, seemingly amused.

Ignoring her, Leon finally took up his last reward. The golden card.

[Ability: Extraction - Can plunder and wholely remove abilities from other creatures. The plundered abilities will retain their full efficiency and level.]

’Oh?’

He was instantly captivated, staring at the screen with glittery eyes. If he was right, then this ability was practically a broken ability.

’Plunder abilities from other creatures...’

If the description was just as straightforward as that... Leon’s eyes flickered with excitement.

"Seems you got something good. How about you let me see~?"

Thyra stepped closer, peeping as if she could see the screen.

Unfortunately, she couldn’t. He even took a step away from her, careful to maintain some distance from her.

"Hmph! Stop bothering me. It’s mine to use."

Without giving her a chance to reply, he learnt the ability, feeling its information appear clearly in his mind.

[You have learnt the Ability - Extraction]

Instantly, it was followed by another message.

[You have learnt the Trait - Eyes of Discernment]

Leon felt his vision go blurry for a moment, then he could see clearly again. The difference wasn’t that much, but when he looked at the zombie corpse, he realized there was a holographic tag on it.

—No ability.

This clearly meant that the zombie had no special ability on it.

Curious, he turned to look at Thyra. Did she have abilities too?

Perhaps he could even get a peek at her arsenal.

Unfortunately, he didn’t see any holographic tag, proving that his trait didn’t work on her.

"Hm? Did I suddenly become more appealing to your eyes~?" 𝑓𝑟ℯ𝘦𝓌𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝑐ℴ𝓂

She purred, bending forward slightly in a way that subtly exposed the smooth white skin of her cleavage.

Leon sucked in a cold breath, feeling his lungs sting as his imagination ran wild. Although he was holding on, he wondered how long he could resist the urge to tear her dress to pieces and become a big bad wolf, if she continued to tempt him.

By then, he would have probably lost all sanity.

’Ugh... the future is bleak.’

Hearing the sounds of zombies still moving in the upper floors, Leon immediately snapped back to reality, remembering his goal of leaving the room.

He didn’t want to be trapped in the hostel. Holding the red spear in his hand, he took quick steps and descended the steps, reaching the ground floor quickly.

The lobby was a mess, almost completely crowded with zombies.

Because most people were hiding here from the rain, they were unable to resist zombie bites and were all turned.

Staring at the scene from the stairs, Leon’s face became pale.

How was he going to pass through such a dense crowd of zombies?

Behind him, Thyra stood silently, watching with a smile.

’Little Leon, what will you do now? Show this big sister what you’ve got~’