Damon took a long, deep breath. All his preparations were as complete as they could be under the circumstances, though the rushed setup left much to be desired.

    His shadow coiled at his feet, restless and hungry, though not yet to the point of taking over.

    He opened his system panel, scanning the familiar stats with a frown.

    [HP: 50/50]

    [Mana: 90/90]

    [Strength: 9]

    [Agility: 17]

    [Speed: 35]

    [Endurance: 10]

    [Class: —]

    [Shadow: 60]

    [Shadow Hunger Levels: 40%]

    [Shadow Level: 2]

    [Condition: Shadow is Mildly Hungry]

    [Attributes: Umbra]

    [Skills:]

    [5x] [Remorseless] [Shadow Perception]

    [Locked]

    ---

    Damon clicked his tongue. The incident with Renata earlier had taken its toll, forcing him to use his shadow just to survive her aura.

    "Using my shadow to resist her was a waste," he muttered bitterly.No?v(el)B\\jnn

    His shadow pool, initially around 100, had increased to 200 upon reaching level 2. But he''d noticed something strange: his Shadow Hunger only kicked in once the pool dropped below 100.

    "So, as long as my energy stays above 100, hunger won''t rise. It just glitches between 2% and 3%," he observed, recalling how it had stabilized before the depletion.

    "Marcus..." he croaked, barely able to stand.

    The figure stepped closer, his expression cold.

    "Actually, no," came the flat response.

    Tobias''s eyes widened as he recognized the voice. "Damon Grey... it''s you... why?"

    Damon shrugged casually, his bow already in hand.

    "Why not? It''s only fair," he said, his tone as sharp as the arrow he prepared to notch.

    Tobias coughed harder, his head swimming. "Is this... revenge? Did you kill Isaac?"

    Damon shook his head, a faint smirk curling his lips.

    "No, and yes. It''s not about revenge, Tobias. It''s about survival. The law of the fittest. And right now? You don''t look very fit."

    He raised his bow, his voice turning icy.

    "Let me help you on your way."

    Tobias staggered, his knees buckling under the weight of the poison coursing through him. Damon''s shadow flickered in the pale light as he drew the bowstring taut.

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    But before the arrow could fly, Tobias laughed weakly and stood upright. His hand glowed with a swirling orb of water, and with a burst of energy, he launched it at Damon, sending him flying into a nearby tree.

    Damon groaned as he hit the ground, his body soaked and his bow slipping from his grip.

    "You almost had me, Grey," Tobias said, straightening his posture.

    "But you made one critical mistake." He sneered, his voice laced with contempt.

    "You didn''t know I''m half-merfolk. Poison doesn''t work on me—it''s temporary at best."

    Tobias''s sharp glare locked onto Damon as water droplets slid from his hands.

    "Now, I''m going to drag you back to the academy and make you confess to your crimes, you bastard."

    Damon scrambled to his feet, clutching his bow as he disappeared into the shadows once more.

    Tobias clicked his tongue in irritation.

    "You can''t hide from me. Merfolk live in the depths—we see perfectly in the dark. You''re dead, Damon Grey."