The Sovereign's Path: A Shadow Slave Fanfiction

I don't know exactly where I am, but it's cold and dark. A cave, most likely. I hear splashing sounds in the distance—probably the sea. If my guess is correct, I don't know whether I should consider myself lucky or unlucky. Either way, I'll have to wait until sunrise to get a better look at my surroundings.

Fortunately, nothing attacked me during the night, and when the sun finally rose, my suspicions were confirmed. I am indeed in the Forgotten Shore. But not where Sunny, Nephis, and Cassie were dropped—not even near the Dark City.

I'm close to the Hollow Mountain, where the Dawn Shard is supposed to be.

If my memory serves me right, I have about seven months to reach the Dark City before Nephis and her cohort sets out for the Dawn Shard. If I choose to wait for them here instead, I have around eight or nine. Either way, I have about five months to decide what to do.

"Ah, I really want to acquire the Dawn Shard and show up before they begin their journey. I can just imagine their faces."

But is it even feasible?

Before I make any grand plans, I need to test myself against Nightmare Creatures. I don't know how my flaw will react to them, and I have no real measure of my own strength against Nightmare creatures in this world.

This cave is a good hideout. I'll remain here for now—hunting during the day and returning before nightfall.

With that decided, I set out to explore. The area is filled with thick, web-like strands—each as strong as iron. Not the most comforting sight.

After a few hours of wandering, I finally spot my first prey.

"Just in time. I was starting to get hungry."

I halt.

Emerging from the darkness, its eight legs clicking against the stone, is a spider-like creature. Its segmented body is covered in dull, rusted metal plates. Eight gleaming eyes lock onto me, reflecting the dim light like shards of glass.

I exhale slowly, shifting into a cautious stance. My weight centers, my mind sharpens. I've never fought Nightmare Creatures before.

The spider lunges.

I sidestep smoothly, letting its bladed legs slice through empty air. It's fast—but not as fast as I expected. I dance around its swipes, analyzing its movements.

It's sluggish. Its strikes are predictable.

I click my tongue. This thing is weak.

The spider lunges again. This time, I meet it head-on. My muscles tense, my body moves instinctively—White Tiger Crescent Moon (Chi You - Halberd Form).

I twist on my heel, my leg snapping up in a perfect crescent arc. My foot meets the spider's head with devastating force. A sharp, metallic crack rings through the air.

The beast's head is destroyed.

For a moment, the spider's corpse stands still, as if unwilling to acknowledge its death. Then, with a dull thud, its body collapses.

[You have slain Awakened Beast: Iron Spider]

[Your soul grows stronger]

Soul Fragments: [6/1000]

I lower my leg, exhaling slowly.

"That's it?" I mutter, shaking my head. If this is what the Awakened Beasts here are like, then this journey might be easier than I thought.

"At least i confirmed that my flaw doesn't activate against nightmare creatures, not with the non-humanoids for sure. Lucky."

Then i tried absorbing the essence crystal and it worked. I will have an easier time filling my core like this.

Soul Fragments: [7/1000]

No Memory or Echo—tough luck. I'm still naked, too. I need to make something to wear.

But first, I have to get back and eat.

Gathering what meat I can from the spider, I start heading back.