The System Reincarnator: From Zero to Shadow King

The sun was low on the horizon, casting a golden glow across the bloodied fields surrounding Grave march.

Kaelen stood on the battlements, his shadow wrapped around him like living armor. His violet gaze focused on the lone figure descending the far ridge.

Clad in silver and white, the visitor emitted a gentle, golden radiance that seemed to repel the darkness itself. The light curled around him like a shield, abnormally pure and unnervingly serene.

[System Notification].

Enemy Reincarnator is approaching.

Ardyn - The Light bringer Domain: Light Threat Level: High.

Ardyn paused fifty paces from the gate and raised a single hand.

"Kaelen of the Shadows," his voice sounded pure and majestic. "Give up this outpost and kneel before the Order of Light." "I offer you mercy and a swift death."

Kaelen stared deadpan. "Mercy? "You came alone."

Ardyn grinned slightly. "I am never alone."

The clouds shifted.

Light cascaded from the sky in narrow beams, forming incandescent spears around him, each buzzing with deadly intensity.

[System Alert].

Light Domain Active — Radiant Host's Blessing.

All opponent attacks are strengthened within a 50-meter radius.

Kaelen gave a sluggish, humorless chuckle.

"Then allow me to show you the difference between borrowed power… and owned darkness."

He stepped off the battlements.

The Field of the First Duel

Kaelen landed silently on the field of the first duel, sinking his boots into the fractured dirt.

Ardyn raised his hand, and the spears of light shot forward in a dazzling barrage.

[Holy Lance—Rank C]

Piercing injury of the light type.

Kaelen did not flinch.

His shadow exploded into a sphere of twisting tendrils.

[Shadow Veil — Rank D] Prevents light-based projectile attacks within 10m.

Before they could contact him, the lances vanished into the dark mist.

Ardyn's eyes narrowed.

"You resist my light?"

Kaelen smirked. "I consume it."

His hand flew forward, a black chain protruding from his palm.

[Shadow Bind—Enhanced]

Ardyn stepped aside, his figure flashing like sunlight on water. The chain snapped past him, leaving a mark on the ground.

He countered swiftly, his sword blazing with blinding brilliance.

[Radiant Edge—Rank B]

Light-infused strike. Shadow entities receive bonus damage.

Steel encountered darkness.

The clash shook the air, sending flashes of golden light and slivers of black flying across the pitch.

Kaelen's shadow-armored palm halted the blade in the middle of its swing. The dazzling edge hissed at his dark skin.

[Sovereign's Defiance—Passive]

Light-based dominance was rejected.

Ardyn's eyes widened. "Impossible…"

Kaelen's grin tightened. "Your mistake, Ardyn… is thinking light can banish a shadow that owns itself."

Kaelen charged forward, shadows coiling up his arm, producing a jagged blade of pure darkness.

He struck.

Again.

Again.

Ardyn parried, each impact knocking him back a step. His brilliant radiance faded gradually with each transaction.

[System Alert] Shadow dominance is increasing.

Light Resistance Wearing Down—22%

The Moment of Turn

Ardyn roared and thrust his sword into the ground.

A pillar of light erupted beneath him, propelling Kaelen backward.

But Kaelen flipped in midair, shadows cushioning his fall.

He landed in a squat, his eyes ablaze.

[New Skill Unlocked - Shadow Surge]

When facing Light-aligned foes, your speed and strength are temporarily increased by 50%.

Kaelen vanished with a single blink.

Ardyn's eyes opened wide.

Kaelen arrived behind him, like a whisper in the wind.

"Checkmate."

He directed his shadow sword at Ardyn's unprotected back.

But, at the last second...

A quiet hum sounded, and a barrier of pure golden light formed around Ardyn, deflecting the strike.

[System Alert]: Divine Shield activated as an emergency blessing.

Kaelen slid back, her eyes sharpening.

Ardyn turned slowly, his expression stern.

"Not bad..." "Shadow King." His tone was filled with mockery. "But this isn't over."

Golden wings of light emerged from his back.

With a flash, he disappeared beyond the clouds.

[System Notification].

Enemy Reincarnator is retreating.

You have deterred Ardyn, The Light bringer.

Reputation among reincarnators increased by 5. Domination over Grave march was solidified.

Aftermath: The Shadow King Stands Alone.

Kaelen stared at the sky for a long time.

He flexed his palm, and his shadow danced eagerly.

The battle was neither a victory nor a loss.

It was a message.

To Ardyn.

To the remaining Reincarnators.

To the System Itself.

The Shadow King had seized his position on the board.

Kaelen turned towards Gravemarch.

"Prepare the army," he told his shadow-bound captain. "The real conquest begins now."

[Next Objective Unlocked: March on the Capital—Eldrin's Fall]