Shadow Slave-Chapter 2289: Paid Leave
Sunny’s incarnations stood at the very edge of the scorched tangle, gazing out over the rows
of ancient barrows beyond.
The land of barrows marked the boundary between the Forgotten Shore and the Burned
Forest, separating two grim and haunted realms.
One of the incarnations dismissed the battered Jade Mantle, letting it sink beneath his skin, or
more accurately, into his skin.
Then, he smiled with a mischievous glint.
“How much would you wager that whatever is buried in those barrows is going to wake up
one day and make us regret ever turning our backs on it?”
The source of this c𝐨ntent is freeweɓnovēl.coɱ.
The other incarnation shrugged with an air of arrogance.
“When it does, we will kill it and give it a proper burial this time.”
Sunny had not returned to the barrows since that ominous first visit. He preferred to observe
them from afar. Of course, the day would come when he had to deal with whatever secrets
they held, but for now, he was content to let the ancient burial grounds remain undisturbed, as
long as they did not cause him trouble.
There was a reason he remained suspicious of the towering barrows, and it was not just their
unsettling atmosphere. More significantly, the Dark Sea had never passed beyond them,
which implied it had been cautious about their presence.
Perhaps it was due to the sky overhead. Here, at the threshold between realms, the starless sky
of the Forgotten Shore gave way to one still graced by sunlight. That change alone might have
been what kept the Dark Sea at bay.
But Sunny remained uneasy about the eerie barrows nonetheless.
Letting out a quiet sigh, one of the incarnations asked:
“So, what do you think?”
The other pondered the question for a moment.
“It was not bad, I suppose. We did manage to kill the Queen, and the harvest of lesser shades
was generous.”
He paused, then added, “Still, I am not satisfied. We are lacking something.”
The first incarnation nodded.
“Agreed.”
This invasion of the Burned Forest served several purposes. Strengthening the Shadow Legion
was one. Searching for unclaimed Citadels was another. A third was exploring the Dream
Realm in preparation for its eventual integration with the waking world.
But just as important, Sunny had used this battlefield to refine his understanding of his
Supreme power.
His Supreme Ability, [Shadow Legion], was in many ways the purest manifestation of his
Aspect. He was not even sure it qualified as an Ability in the traditional sense. It might simply
have been the natural conclusion of all his other powers evolving to their apex.
The silent shades were his Domain. They nurtured his soul, amplified his power, and gave
shape to his Will.
The [Shadow Legion] Ability allowed him to unleash that Domain upon the world.
He could summon the shades from the depths of his soul, grant them form, and command
them as loyal soldiers, an evolution of [Shadow Step], [Shadow Manifestation], and [Shadow
Control]. The shades also served as vessels for his mind, bearing traces of his Transformation
Ability.
However…
This power had limitations.
Unlike the summoned swords of Anvil or the puppets of Ki Song, the silent shades were
independent entities. Sunny could not control them directly. He could only issue commands,
which they carried out to the best of their ability.
Their capacity to follow orders varied wildly. Most were beasts or monsters, creatures that
lacked intelligence. Even among the sentient shades, cohesion was sorely lacking.
They were not a disciplined army.
In truth, Sunny’s so-called Shadow Legion was more of a chaotic mob, not much different
from the mindless tide of the Black Millipedes, and in some ways, even inferior.
Things had improved slightly due to the presence of certain champions. Saint could act as a
general, enhancing control over surrounding units. Daeron of the Twilight Sea could rally the
human shades under his banner. The Remnant of the Jade Queen appeared to hold sway over
the weaker shadows.
But each champion could only command a limited number. There was no true unity. No
centralized leadership. No formation. And even Sunny’s formidable intellect could not guide
every shade with precision in real time.
Complex strategies, synchronized formations, and advanced battle tactics were still beyond
the reach of the Shadow Legion for now.
Sunny had spent a year learning how to lead it more effectively. Yet, he was still far from
achieving a satisfactory result.
One of his incarnations chuckled and clapped the other on the shoulder.
“Well, at least we have the Ember Queen now. She should be able to control the millipede
swarm. You will be fine.”
The other smirked.
“Naturally. Why would I not be?”
Sunny laughed, then sighed and cast one last glance back at the Burned Forest.
He was not going to miss it…
Especially because part of him was staying there.
“Well, my job here is done. Time for me to go.”
His other incarnation stared at him without sympathy.
“Get lost, then.”
Sunny gave himself an injured look.
“Wow. How heartless. No pity for your poor self? I will be all alone, surrounded by stunning
princesses, stuck hanging out with Kai…”
The other scoffed.
“Idiot. Go before I change my mind and take your place.”
Sunny grinned impishly.
“Alright, alright. Sheesh, could you at least lend me a Shadow? I doubt I can bring Saint, and
Fiend is a bit too conspicuous. What about Nightmare?”
The other incarnation glared at him.
“You can take the feral one.”
Sunny scratched his head.
“Slayer? Well… maybe. Like a field trip. A paid vacation?”
With that, he laughed and started walking toward the distant barrows.
As he strolled away, he waved behind him.
“You are going to miss me when I am gone!”
From behind, he heard his own voice growl:
“As if. And why are you walking, fool? Just shift back into a shadow!”
A moment later, one of the incarnations vanished from view.
The other turned his eyes back toward the endless black wasteland of the Burned Forest,
sighing.
“Tell Kai I said hi, you moron. Goodspeed.”
Despite his grumbling…
He could not wait.
