Solo Leveling : 10 Shadow Technique

Finn lounged lazily inside the dungeon, munching on popcorn while his shadow twisted and stretched like a living abyss. Towering tentacles slithered out, wrapping around two massive beings struggling to resist his pull.

One was a behemoth of living darkness, its body fractured with glowing red cracks pulsing with energy. The other was a golden humanoid colossus, covered in celestial runes that shimmered like stars.

Finn sighed as he casually expanded his shadow, causing even larger tendrils to emerge. The monstrous beings had no chance—both were effortlessly dragged down into the abyss. At the same moment, Finn tossed the empty popcorn bag aside, wiping his fingers on his coat.

From the depths of his shadow, clones emerged with mining equipment, immediately getting to work extracting mana stones. Meanwhile, Finn pulled out a small, worn notebook and flipped it open to the fourth chapter. He jotted down his latest acquisitions:

Abyss Tyrant – A behemoth of living darkness with red, glowing cracks. Absorbs energy and unleashes devastating bursts.

Satisfied, he flipped to the next page. Pulling out a soft drink from the void, he took a sip before continuing.

Aether Titan – A golden colossus inscribed with celestial runes. Nullifies magical techniques.

"Another nullifier and something that deals with energy absorption…" Finn mused, clicking his pen shut. He glanced at the cover of his notebook: [S-Rank Shikigami], before casually letting it sink into his shadow.

He sighed, stretching as he started making his way back toward the dungeon entrance.

"Damn... I still feel like I wouldn't even last against the weakest Monarch."

With that thought lingering, he summoned the Great Serpent, which emerged from his shadow, hissing softly as it coiled around him. In one swift motion, Finn hopped onto its back and commanded it to slither toward the exit.

Dungeon Exit – A Minor Setback

As Finn emerged from the Gate, the remnants of the Aether Titan still hung from his shadows, being carried like broken trophies.

A large truck sat parked nearby—the one he had ordered in advance. With a snap of his fingers, he commanded the Abyss Tyrant to load three of the Titan's bodies onto the truck.

However, as soon as the first titan was placed, the truck groaned in protest. By the time the second was added, the tires nearly burst. The third? The entire vehicle started to tilt dangerously.

Finn pinched the bridge of his nose, exhaling sharply.

"Are you kidding me?" He muttered. "I paid a million pesos for this damn truck, and now you're telling me I need another cart just to haul them?"

Reaching into his shadow, he pulled out a massive, reinforced cart with an easy flick of his wrist.

"Good thing I'm always prepared."

As the weight of the extra load left his shadow, Finn suddenly felt lighter—physically and mentally. He stretched his arms and cracked his neck.

"Damn, that feels good."

To complete the setup, Finn summoned Kraven—his Echo Kraken—to attach the cart to the overloaded truck. Satisfied, he took a step back, admiring his own resourcefulness.

Then, he turned to the driver's seat, staring at the wheel.

And stared.

And kept staring.

Minutes passed. Finn sighed and slapped his own face.

"Yeah… no. I'm not dealing with this."

He pulled out his phone and dialed a familiar number. After a few rings, a deep voice answered.

"Yo, Finn! How's it going?"

It was James, his older cousin and former truck driver—before he awakened.

Finn didn't waste time. "Yeah… I'm stuck."

There was a pause.

"What do you mean, stuck?" James asked.

//--\\

Some time later, Finn sat in the passenger seat of the truck while James drove. However, the atmosphere inside the cabin was… tense.

James' eyes were wide as he gripped the wheel tighter than necessary.

Finn, on the other hand, looked visibly annoyed, leaning against the window with his face partially covered by his hand.

James kept glancing at the rearview mirror every few seconds. His unease was clear.

"Hey… you sure those things are dead?" he asked, his voice slightly shaky.

Finn gave a lazy wave with his free hand, still covering his face with the other.

"Nah. They're dead." He paused before adding, "Killed with the perfect lethal dose. Those things might as well be rotting in the afterlife."

James gulped. Even though Finn sounded casual, the truck driver still felt the weight of sheer dread radiating from the cargo behind them.

Meanwhile, Finn narrowed his eyes as his thoughts drifted elsewhere.

"I promise… I'll become the strongest. Without the help of any Monarch. Any Ruler. I'll do it on my own."

"Not even death will escape my Venom."

His aura shifted. A dark, venomous pressure oozed from him, making the air thick and poisonous.

James, gripping the wheel even tighter, felt a cold sweat forming.

"What the hell did I get myself into?"

//--\\

Finn sat in his office, mindlessly playing on his phone when it rang. He answered without looking.

"Yeah, what is it?"

A familiar voice came through the speaker.

"Sir, the Hunter Association President wants to meet with you," said Jess, his assistant.

Finn raised a brow. "Oh?"

Curious, he summoned his newly evolved Phantom Hare—the upgraded form of Rabbit Escape. It emerged from Jess's shadow, and from it, Finn stepped out, fully materializing into her office.

Jess sighed, already used to his nonsense.

"Could you not do that?" she muttered.

Finn ignored her, clapping his hands together. "So, when's the meeting?" Then, as an afterthought, he added, "Oh, and buy me a new phone—mine kinda got destroyed."

Jess groaned. "Yeah, yeah… I'll get you one. Anyway, the President seemed really stressed."

Finn smirked. His Phantom Hare had already slipped into the Hunter Association President's shadow.

Without another word, Finn teleported, emerging directly into the President's office.

//--\\

"HELLO!" Finn shouted as he materialized.

The Hunter Association President, Elias, jumped so hard he almost had a heart attack, clutching his chest.

"You little—!!" Elias gasped. "You can't just appear like that! I almost died!"

Finn grinned mischievously. "Oh, come on, old man. You're not that old." His smirk widened. "Just because everyone calls you an old geezer doesn't mean you have to act like one. I mean, yeah, you're old—but, hey, don't let that define you, oldster."

Elias' left eye twitched. He took a deep breath to calm himself.

"Is this what the next National-Level Hunter is like? Really?"

He sighed. "Finn."

Finn leaned forward, still smirking. "Yes, Oldster?"

Elias twitched again.

"Just sit down. We need to talk."

Finn chuckled. "Alright, alright. But this better be good."

---

This is a start of a new arc it may still be fast paced but I'll try to slow it down,

And all the OG Shikigami is upgraded, but now Mahoraga my man to op,