In Naruto as the Shadow Monarch

Chapter 9

Kuro kept his breathing steady, blending into the shadows. A faint scraping noise echoed as 6 goblins shuffled around, seemingly on a hunt for something.

Kuro hides as he assesses the goblins. Just then, the system sounded in his mind.

Tti-ring!

[You have been given two choices to choose from to complete the dungeon.]

[Quest: Gun Blazing]

[Run into the goblin settlement and rain carnage upon their tiny lives.]

[Rewards:]

- Depends on the carnage and chaos created.

OR

[Quest: Silent Shadow]

[Be like the ninja that you are, taking out the goblins without letting them know what strikes them.]

[Rewards:]

- Depends on your performance

Looking at the two quests, Kuro decided that it was far safer to hit and run than to be surrounded by enemies on all sides.

With a steady breath, Kuro made his decision.

'I choose the second quest, Silent Shadow.'

[Quest: Silent Shadow has been chosen.]

Kuro moves around without alerting the goblins. Most groups he encounters consist of 5 or more goblins.

As Kuro continued to search, he ran into a group consisting of 2 goblins. They seem to be injured and making their way back to where more goblins roam around and their settlement.

'Look like this group failed their hunt. A chance for me to test their strength and practice.' Kuro smiles as he forms the hand sign of the Shadow Possession Jutsu.

When his shadow stretches out from under him, he imagines the shadow splitting into two. It was something he had been testing out since his progress had slowed down. What if he can split his shadow and bind multiple targets?

For a split second, his shadow split a little before becoming one again. It binds one of the goblins, causing it to pause. His companion turned around.

"Gaba? Gagaba dirigi?" The goblin asks.

"Naba kifda redawer." The blind goblin replied with a confused face.

It then feels like it can move again when the world starts spinning.

Click

Kuro put the katana back into the sheath. He turned back to look at the two headless bodies falling to the floor.

[You have slain a goblin.]

[You have received EXP.]

[You have slain a goblin.]

[You have received EXP.]

The notifications show up but Kuro ignores them.

'It seems the goblins are far weaker than the Armored Lizards. However, they make up for their weakness by moving in groups. For me though, the more of them there are, the better. It means more EXP.'

Kuro didn't feel much killing the goblins. Humans would be different, but he would cross that bridge when the time comes. 'Than again, humans are worse than monsters.'

For the next few hours, Kuro started hunting smaller goblin groups. As Kuro moved deeper toward the goblin settlement, the more organized and alert the goblins seemed to become. 

What had started as small, scattered groups now formed into larger hunting parties, some numbering up to 8 or more. They were restless, frequently stopping to sniff the air, glance around, or even hiss at the slightest disturbance in the shadows.

The rumors of an unseen predator hunting them had clearly spread, and the goblins were growing paranoid. Kuro's smile widened as he watched their frantic movements from the shadows.

During one of his hunts, Kuro unlocked the skills 'Stealth' and 'night vision'. The skill made it easier for Kuro to strike the goblins. Before the survivors can respond, Kuro would have already left the scene.

Kuro's movements became more fluid as time passed. With each passing hour, his confidence grew, and his ability to remain unseen, undetected, became sharper. 

A group of 15 goblins huddled around a campfire, the flickering flames casting long shadows. Two were sitting, eating, while the others kept watch, their eyes darting back and forth nervously. The smell of cooked meat wafted through the air, but Kuro's senses were sharper than ever. He waited for the perfect moment.

With barely a sound, Kuro crept forward, his eyes locked on his first victim. A goblin, taking a piss break, seemed too engrossed in nature affair to notice Kuro's presence. With one swift motion, Kuro struck. His hand shot out, covering the goblin's mouth before it could even scream. A flick of his wrist, and the goblin's body went limp, its life snuffed out like a candle.

Kuro hit one patrolling goblin as another without making a sound.

The other goblins, completely unaware of the attack, continued their distracted chatter. By the time they notice the surroundings becoming too quiet, it was already too late. Kuro throws one of the dead goblin bodies into the fire, snuffing it out. The remaining goblin became restless as the surroundings turned dark. Although there were lights illuminating from fungus, it was not enough for the goblin to see Kuro.

'One by one,' Kuro thought, his heart steady as he systematically picked them off. The last one, the leader, turned just as Kuro closed the distance. The goblin's eyes widened in terror before its body was dragged into the darkness.

The goblins never saw Kuro. He was like a silent phantom that hunted them.

Kuro decided to rest after dispatching the 15 goblins. With a final glance at the fallen goblins, he disappeared into the darkness once more to find a place to rest and recover his chakra.

…

[Skill: Stealth Lv. 2]

Active Skill

Chakra required to activate: 15.

The art of going invisible, making it hard for enemies to sense you. As the skill level increases, the better your stealth capability.

[Skill: Night Vision Lv. 2]

Active Skill

Chakra required to activate: 10.

Infuse your eyes with chakra, strengthening certain receptors. You would be able to see in the dark.

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