The Umbra Unveiling

"Ughhh... Shit. ". Groaned Ronan waking up. "How the fuck am I alive. "

As he observed his surroundings he realized that he was still on the floor and the sun had already set, but oddly enough he could see clearly as if it was still day time.

Not just that, but on looking at the floor where a shadow was cast down he felt a strange connection to the shadow. One he never felt before. It was a strange feeling for him, but it felt oddly comforting.

"What the fuck is going on? " Ronan muttered.

[Host is finally awake.] A monotonous voice sounded in his head.

Ronan's eyes widened as he got up quickly and observed his surroundings.

"Who the fuck is there?!" Ronan yelled as he kept looking around.

'Shit. Is Henry still here?' He muttered in his mind.

[I can assure you host that nobody is around within a 100 meter radius. So you can lower your guard.] The monotonous voice sounded again in his head.

Ronan's guard was still up now more than ever.

"Who the fuck are you? And why the hell are you calling me host?" Ronan asked demanding for an answer.

[I am the system which will help guide the host on his journey. As of now this is all I can relay.] The system as it called itself answered Ronan's question.

'That was a shitty answer.' Ronan thought with a blank face.

[I'm sorry host.] Said the system. [More knowledge has been withheld because host is currently not strong enough.]

"What the fuck! You can hear my thoughts?" Ronan exclaimed.

[That is correct host. And I'm also the one who healed you up cause your health was reaching dangerously low.] The system explained

'A system huh?' Ronan thought. "So what uses do you have exactly?"

[If host can give the command and say system interface, all the basic information about host and about the system will be displayed for host to view.] The system relayed.

"System Interface."

[Host attribute] [Skills and abilities] [Quests and Missions] [Store]

Ronan focused on the host attributes and all his basic information popped up.

[Host Attributes]

Name:Ronan Erebos

Level:1

Class:undecided

Exp:0/100

Hp:30/30

Shadow essence:20/20

[Attributes]

Strength:10

Perception:8

Speed:8

Agility:10

Intelligence:5

Charm:3

[Attribute points:0]

"Ouch. Didn't know I am so unattractive." Ronan said looking at his charm stats.

On realizing it, he didn't know for sure but looking at his stats in general it was pretty lacking in many departments.

"Intelligence? What does that mean exactly?"

[The system advices host to figure it out by himself and try to improve his overall stats.] The system replied bluntly.

"Tch. Useless."

Ronan decided to explore more of the system interface.

[Skills and attributes]

Shadow step:Level 1

Bolt:Level 1

Shadow Manifestation:Locked

Shadow Mark:Locked

?????

?????

?????

"Huh. Why are they locked?"

[They are locked because host is unable to access them at the moment.

Maybe when host reaches a higher level the skills will become accessible to him.]

"Huh. So I'm now an Advancer?"

[That is correct but also incorrect at the same time. Host is what the people of this earth call an Advancer, but host is much more than that.]

"What exactly am I then?"

[Host will figure it out in due time.] The system replied, keeping more secrets than Ronan would like.

Ronan wanted to test his new abilities. He first looked at the skill description of the skills he had access to.

[Shadow step:Level 1

Description: Allows the person to transverse in the shadows or move through them easily. But due to the low level, host only has a range of 10 meters.]

Ronan read the description and he was elated. It was just as he thought, he could move through the shadows. That was probably the reason he felt a strange connection to his own.

On looking at his shadow and the one's that were surrounding him, he wanted to test his new ability.

"So how do I activate these powers?" Ronan asked.

[All host has to do is concentrate on the skill that he wants to utilize.]

"Alrighty then."

[Shadow step]

Immediately, Ronan found himself inside the shadows for a short while, while inside the shadows, Ronan felt as if he was in his natural space. He felt safe, comfortable and relaxed, as if nothing could harm him or endanger his life. The feeling was quite addictive. And as soon as that feeling came, it quickly disappeared. He found himself 10 meters away from where he was originally.

"Woah. What was that?" Ronan asked. And immediately he asked that, he felt tired all of a sudden.

[The host abilities are closely related to shadows. And as this was the first time that the host was transversing through the shadows, he naturally felt a connection to it. And as of now the host is tired because he has exhausted a huge amount of his shadow essence.] The system replied.

"Status." Ronan ordered, and as it appeared he checked on his attributes

[Host Attributes]

Name:Ronan Erebos

Level:1

Class:undecided

Exp:0/100

Hp:30/30

Shadow essence:5/20

"Sigh. Just from a little distance of 10 meters depletes 15 of my shadow essence." Ronan said dejectedly. "Wait a moment. What even is shadow essence."

[From the system's information, humans who you refer to as Advancers, tap into a unique power system known as essence. But you host are special. Because of your innate ability to control and have access to the shadows, the host power system is referred to as shadow essence.]

"So do I get any benefit from this 'very unique power system'." Ronan asked.

[In due time the host will figure it out.] Replied the system curtly.

"Why do you always make things secretive? What's the harm in telling me what I need to know?" Ronan asked getting pissed.

The system kept quiet not responding to Ronan's questions.

Ronan sighed and decided to try out his other ability [Bolt].

First, he read the skills description.

[Bolt: Level 1

Description: This skill enables the users speed to double by 2 for a period of 5 seconds.

Shadow essence required:5]

Ronan's eyes glistened. With the combination of [Shadow step] and [Bolt] he had the ability to sneak up and deal fatal damage to his enemies.

Speaking of enemies, Ronan smiled mischievously.

"System, is there a way for me to increase my shadow essence?"

[Yes there is. It's a simple method actually depending on how you look at it.]

Ronan raised his eyebrows. "Really. Then how do I raise them?"

The system responded saying. [By killing]