shadow Ascendants

The undead guardians encircled Ren, their hollow eyes burning with eerie blue flames. Each step they took rattled their brittle bones, but there was no hesitation in their movements. They were not mindless—they were executioners, sent to eradicate intruders.

Ren exhaled slowly. His body still trembled from the overwhelming rush of power, but his instincts screamed at him—fight or die.

"If I hesitate, I'm dead."

A skeleton lunged, its bony claws aiming for his throat. But this time, Ren saw it clearly—the subtle movement before the attack, the opening in its stance. His body reacted faster than his mind.

Dodge. Counter. Strike.

His fist, wrapped in black mist, connected with the skeleton's chest. BOOM! The brittle bones shattered, and immediately—

[Shadow Absorption Activated.]

A surge of dark energy flooded into Ren's body. His vision sharpened, his muscles felt lighter, and his breathing steadied. He was leveling up.

"This power… It's real!"

The remaining skeletons charged. Two from the front, one from behind.

Ren didn't back down.

He slid low, dodging a claw swipe, then pivoted sharply, driving his elbow into another undead's ribcage. As it staggered, he grabbed its skull and crushed it with his enhanced strength.

[Shadow Absorption Activated.]

Another rush of power. His heart pounded wildly, his body demanding more.

"I can keep going!"

A third skeleton swung a rusted sword. Ren barely dodged, the blade grazing his shoulder, leaving a stinging cut. But before it could swing again, he instinctively reached out.

Dark mist gathered around his fingertips. A new power awakened.

[Ability Unlocked: Shadow Claw]

Black talons extended from his fingers, dripping with ominous energy. Without hesitation, Ren slashed forward.

SCHRACK!

The skeleton split apart, its bones crumbling into dust.

Silence.

Ren stood amidst the remains, his chest rising and falling with exhilaration. He looked at his hands, where the Shadow Claw flickered for a moment before vanishing.

He smirked.

"I'm not weak anymore."

[Status Updated]

Name: Ren Ardent

Level: 3

Abilities:

Shadow Absorption (Passive) – Consume the essence of fallen foes.

Shadow Claw (Active) – A spectral claw attack that tears through enemies.

A deep rumbling echoed through the ruin. The shadows around him stirred, shifting unnaturally. A door at the end of the chamber creaked open, revealing a massive hall.

And inside, something watched him.

Ren's smirk faded. His fight wasn't over yet.