CHAPTER 252: WHAT SHADOWS EAT

Zane’s heart pounded against his ribs like a war drum. His hands were shaking. He had never learned any martial arts, never swung a sword, never even punched someone.

I don’t know how to fight... I don’t know how to win this...

The traffickers closed in, knives flashing under the dim light. Zane’s shadow twitched violently, as if impatient.

The system reminder burned in his vision:

[Reminder: Shadow is very hungry. Critical state imminent.]

Zane swallowed hard. His mind raced. Shadows... what do I even know about shadows? They hate light... they’re strong in the dark... but what would they eat?

Then it clicked. His gaze fell to the ground. The alley was full of shadows—every man had one stretching under his feet.

Zane’s eyes widened. "Of course... what else can a shadow eat except... another shadow?"

The system chime instantly responded.

[Quest Complete: Feed your Shadow.]

Reward: +60 Exp.

Additional Rewards Pending...

Zane pushed the glowing text to the corner of his vision. He couldn’t think about rewards right now.

He clenched his fists. His voice shook. "Little guy... I don’t know what’s about to happen. But—FEED!"

His shadow surged forward, rippling like spilled ink. It slid across the ground and latched onto the nearest man’s shadow.

At first, nothing happened.

Then the man screamed.

His voice broke into a raw, animal howl. His body convulsed as his shadow began to shrink, its edges eaten away like paper in a fire. His outline thinned, faded—until his shadow disappeared completely.

The man’s eyes rolled white. He collapsed like a puppet with its strings cut.

The others froze, staring in horror.

"What—what did you do?!" one of them shouted.

Zane didn’t answer. His eyes were locked on the twitching black mass beneath him.

The devoured shadow pulsed, and a tendril shot outward—straight into another man’s shadow. He screamed too. His body shook violently before dropping to the ground.

The third tried to run. Too late. His shadow was consumed mid-step. He fell face-first into the dirt, lifeless.

One by one, every trafficker collapsed.

The alley fell silent, broken only by Zane’s ragged breathing.

He sank to his knees, trembling. His hands gripped his head. His shadow calmly pooled beneath him, innocent now—like nothing had happened.

Zane whispered, voice cracking, "What... what have I done?"