Shadows of Ascension

The air grew heavier as Kael ventured deeper into the dungeon. Every breath he took was tinged with the cold, damp scent of stone and the metallic tang of the blood that still oozed from the gash on his arm. The pain had dulled, but the tension hadn’t left his body. His senses were on edge, his nerves stretched taut as he anticipated the next encounter.

The Dreitailen was silent again, its presence felt but unseen. It had saved him twice now, and both times it had moved with lethal precision, waiting until the perfect moment to strike. But the creature’s method left Kael with a nagging uncertainty. Each time the Dreitailen vanished into the shadows, it left Kael vulnerable, forcing him to rely on his own skills until it deemed the time was right to intervene. And each time, the Shadow Corruption seemed to grow, creeping deeper into his mind.

Kael flexed his fingers, feeling the shadow energy still swirling within him, but knew better than to think it made him invincible. The power he wielded wasn’t purely his own—it belonged to the Dreitailen, and as much as it gave him an edge, it came with a cost.

Ahead, the tunnel narrowed again, leading to another chamber, dimly lit by the familiar crystalline formations embedded in the walls. But this time, something felt different. The atmosphere was heavier, more oppressive, as if the very air was charged with a sense of finality. Kael slowed his pace, scanning the room for movement.

There, at the center, something shifted in the shadows.

Kael froze, eyes narrowing as he tried to make out the shape. His breath caught in his throat as the creature stepped into the dim light—a towering, armored figure, far larger than anything he had faced so far. Its eyes glowed a pale yellow, casting a sinister gleam over its heavily muscled frame. Black, chitinous armor covered its body, its form vaguely humanoid but twisted with monstrous features. In its hand, it held a long, wickedly curved blade, dripping with a dark, viscous substance that hissed as it touched the ground.

This was no low-tier creature.

“Final opponent detected. Combat initiated.”

The System's voice rang out, confirming what Kael already suspected. This was the final test.

He pulled up his status screen quickly, eyes flicking over his stats. The last few fights had pushed him to his limits, but he wasn’t completely out of resources yet.

Status Screen

Attribute Value

Name Kael

Soulbound Creature Dreitailen

Rarity Tier Unique Rarity

Level 2

Evolution Stage 1

Health Points (HP) 80/110

Mana Points (MP) 70/85

Stamina 80/95

Strength 13

Agility 15

Intelligence 9 (-1 Corruption)

Endurance 14

Perception 12

Luck 8

Shadow Corruption (SC) 6%

Synergy Bonus None

Kael could feel the Dreitailen stir within him, its presence rippling through his body like a coiled spring ready to strike. But it wasn’t moving yet. This battle would start with him.

The armored creature turned toward him, the blade in its hand glistening ominously in the faint light. It let out a low growl, the sound rumbling through the chamber, and began to advance.

Kael’s heart raced, his mind scrambling for a strategy. He had Shadow Meld to buy him time, but this thing was bigger and stronger than anything he’d fought before. If it caught him, there would be no getting away.

He had to move.

Kael dashed to the side as the creature lunged, its blade crashing down where he had stood a moment before, sending sparks flying as it struck the stone floor. He barely had time to recover before it was on him again, slashing and stabbing with terrifying speed and precision.

His instincts kicked in. He activated Shadow Meld, the familiar cold wash of darkness enveloping him as his body blurred into the shadows. The creature paused, confused, its glowing eyes scanning the area for him. Kael circled around it, moving silently through the darkness, the cold energy of the shadows coiled in his limbs, ready to strike.

When he was directly behind the creature, he lunged.

Shadow Strike activated with a surge of power, Kael’s fist coated in shadow as he aimed for the back of the creature’s neck. The strike landed with a satisfying thud, the impact jarring the creature, but the armor was too thick. It staggered forward, but it wasn’t down.

Kael’s eyes widened in alarm as the creature whirled around, swinging its blade with brutal speed. He barely had time to dodge, the blade grazing his side as he rolled out of the way. Pain flared, hot and sharp, but there was no time to dwell on it.

The creature was relentless, advancing on him again, and Kael knew he couldn’t win this by brute force alone.

“Dreitailen!” he called out, desperation creeping into his voice. “I need you!”

For a moment, there was nothing but the sound of his ragged breathing and the creature’s low growls. Kael’s heart pounded in his chest as he prepared for the worst, wondering if this time, the Dreitailen would let him fall.

But then, from the shadows, the Dreitailen emerged.

It struck with terrifying speed, its three tails lashing out from the darkness. The creature, focused on Kael, didn’t even see it coming. One tail wrapped around the armored figure’s arm, yanking it backward with immense force, while another coiled around its neck, squeezing tightly. The third tail lashed out, striking the creature’s exposed side where the armor had shifted, delivering a powerful blow that sent the monster stumbling.

Kael didn’t waste the opportunity.

He activated Shadow Strike again, pouring everything he had into the attack. The shadows around him responded, wrapping around his arm as he lunged forward, driving his fist into the creature’s vulnerable side. This time, the impact was enough. The creature let out a strangled roar, collapsing to the ground as the shadows tore through its body.

It was over.

Kael stood there, breathing heavily, his entire body shaking with adrenaline. The Dreitailen slithered back into the shadows, silent once more, but its presence lingered—stronger now, more tangible. Kael could feel it, the bond between them deepening with each battle, each victory.

“Enemy defeated. Awarding experience points.”

Level Up

| Soulbound Creature: Dreitailen | | Level 2 → Level 3 | | New Creature Ability Unlocked: Shadow Venom |

Kael stared at the System prompt as it flashed before his eyes. Shadow Venom. Another ability unlocked by the Dreitailen, but one he hadn’t chosen. He could feel the creature growing stronger with each battle, its influence creeping deeper into his mind and body.

But before he could dwell on the implications, the System’s voice echoed again.

“Performance evaluation complete. Awarding reward based on combat effectiveness.”

Kael’s breath caught. This was the moment he had been waiting for. Rewards were given based on how well you performed in the dungeon, and it wasn’t just about surviving—it was about how you fought, how you used your soulbound creature, how efficient you were.

A small, glowing pedestal rose from the floor in front of him, and atop it sat a weapon—a dagger. Its blade was sleek and dark, pulsing faintly with a shadowy energy. As Kael approached, the System chimed once more.

“Reward: Shadowfang Dagger. This weapon enhances shadow-based abilities and applies poison to enemies upon contact. Scales with Shadow Corruption (SC).”

Kael’s eyes widened. The dagger felt like an extension of the Dreitailen itself, a weapon born of the same shadows that now coiled within him. He picked it up, the cool metal feeling almost alive in his hand, as if it were waiting to be used.

Shadowfang Dagger

Type: Weapon

Effect: Increases damage of shadow-based abilities. Applies a poison debuff to enemies upon contact.

Bonus: Power increases with Shadow Corruption (SC).

A sense of satisfaction settled over Kael as he strapped the dagger to his belt. The dungeon had tested him, but he had proven himself capable—at least for now.

“Dungeon complete. Exit portal now available.”

A shimmering portal appeared at the edge of the chamber, glowing softly. Kael felt a strange sense of relief wash over him. The dungeon was over. For now, at least.

He took a deep breath, casting one last glance at the dark chamber behind him, before stepping toward the portal. The Dreitailen’s presence was still there, coiled in the shadows at his feet, silent but ever-watchful. Kael knew he couldn’t escape it—not now. The bond between them was too strong, and the power it offered too great to ignore.

But with that power came the creeping Shadow Corruption, and Kael knew that every battle, every victory, would only bring him closer to the edge.

As he stepped through the portal and back into the world of Draelith, he couldn’t help but wonder how far the darkness would take him—and whether he’d still be himself when he reached the end.