CHAPTER 251: HUNGRY SHADOWS

Zane stood in the middle of the street, turning in slow circles like an indecisive pigeon.

"Bell tower to the left, then right at the big fountain," he muttered, replaying the directions he’d been given. "Except there are three bell towers. And four fountains. Fantastic. It’s like the city was designed specifically to make me fail navigation."

A few passersby gave him strange looks, but Zane had gotten used to that already. He tried asking again, but his brain scrambled the instructions halfway through.

Ten minutes later, he had somehow walked into a narrow alley that smelled like smoke, damp wood, and bad decisions.

He sighed. "Well, this definitely doesn’t look like the Academy. Unless the Academy has upgraded to rat-infested decor."

That’s when he bumped into someone.

A broad-shouldered man with a scar across his chin sneered down at him. Behind him, two more figures emerged, cutting off Zane’s way back.

"Well, well," the scarred man drawled. "What’s this? Pretty boy wandered too far from home?"

Another snickered. "Boss’ll be happy with this one. Easy money."

Zane blinked. ...Wait. Are these guys seriously the cliché alley kidnappers? This city is efficient, I’ll give it that.

"Uh, sorry, gentlemen," Zane said, trying to sidestep. "I’m late for... not being kidnapped, so—"

A thick arm blocked his path. "Why don’t you just follow us, pretty boy?"

Before Zane could answer, a familiar system chime echoed in his head.

[System Notification]

Shadow: Very Hungry.

Approaching Critical State.

Zane froze. "...That’s not ominous at all."

He quickly pulled up his stats, the glowing text flickering before his eyes.

Strength: 12

Intelligence: 8

Speed/Agility: 10

Defense: 5

Mental Fortitude: 2

Rank: Null

Abilities: None

Quests:

Feed your shadow. (Find out what your shadow wants and feed it.)

Reward: +60 EXP

Reminder: Shadow is very hungry. Critical state imminent.

Zane glanced down. His shadow was twitching on the ground like it was alive, edges writhing, stretching, straining.

The men noticed.

Scar-Chin’s grin widened. "Even better. He’s got powers. Powers like that? He’ll sell for a high price."

Zane muttered under his breath, "Great. First day outside and I’m about to get mugged, kidnapped, and possibly eaten... not by them, but by my own shadow. Nice to know I’m multitasking disaster already."

The shadow twitched again—violently.