The Extra System: Summoner of Shadows

A giant creature slithered its way into the chamber ahead. Cedric had to make a split-second decision to rush forward. If he allowed the creature to corner him in the corridor, he would truly be between a rock and a hard place.

The monster growled as it noticed Cedric's sudden movements. Before it could run in his direction, Cedric already bolted into the wide chamber and rolled away from the incoming monster. Water splashed around him, letting Cedric know he was in some sort of pool.

His vision cleared once he was inside the chamber. Cedric realized the creature awaiting him was a giant crocodile. However, its tail was also a giant viper.

[Viper Crocodile (Level 25)]

The panel sent shivers down his spine as this was the strongest monster he had ever faced. Shade came flying through the door, landing beside Cedric. Rather than the monster, it seemed more annoyed with the few inches of water beneath them.

The water was not enough to drown them, but it was more than enough to make their fight ten times harder. Not to mention, dodging, even walking around this place, was frustrating. The monster had the advantage given its large size.

"Are you ready, Shade?" asked Cedric as he rose from the ground, looking at the giant monster's lustrous scales shifting in the dim light. "Use the lightning first."

Shade flew above his head and summoned its lightning. Before it could discharge the attack, the crocodile came rushing toward them, each step shaking the entire chamber. As his summoned creature charged its attack, Cedric had to buy them time.

The sword appeared in his hand again as Cedric used his agility to run around the chamber. Each limb the crocodile had was enough to tear Cedric apart, but its giant frame worked against it.

Cedric jumped here and there, and the monster seemed to realize his plan to distract it from Shade. The crocodile turned around and the viper shot toward Shade, who dodged in time to avoid being bitten. This alarmed Cedric as he rushed toward the crocodile and slashed it with his sword.

Cling!

The attack left a white mark on the scales, but not even a dent could be seen. Cedric felt his entire body reverberate with the recoil of his attack, making him stagger backward. The Viper Crocodile turned to face him, bolting forward with its giant jaws wide open.

Instead of retreating, Cedric rushed forward. He realized that attacking the monster's scales was useless, and the only method to kill the crocodile was by using its own force against it. Therefore, as it tried to bite off his arm, Cedric placed the sword inside its mouth.

The jaws snapped shut, and the sword pierced through the crocodile's upper mouth before coming out the other side. It let out a cry of wrath as it wriggled around, sending Cedric flying and slamming him into the walls.

As he fell into the water again, Cedric stared at the monster. His arm was bleeding because some of its teeth had sunk into his flesh, but since he could still move it, he realized that it wasn't a major threat at the moment.

The monster thrashed about as it tried to take the sword out of its bleeding mouth. However, like a fishbone getting stuck, it became impossible given its short limbs. Therefore, it slammed its head around and caused more damage.

"What an idiot," muttered Cedric with a smirk as he tried to rise. As if his insult aggravated the crocodile further, it rushed toward him. It aimed its snout at Cedric, not caring if it was still bleeding.

Cedric was surprised as he looked for an exit, but he was already in the corner. The door to the next chamber was locked and wouldn't open unless he defeated his current enemy. As he prepared himself for impact, lightning rained from the sky and struck the crocodile.

A wave of electricity engulfed Cedric's body as he began to convulse as well. It was then that he realized the water had worked as a conductor for the electricity. Before he passed out, he commanded Shade to stop her attack.

Relief washed over him as Cedric fell into the water pool, smelling the scent of roasted meat. His body suffered a few internal burns because his bones had acted as a medium.

"This is why you don't use electronics in the bathroom, kids," muttered Cedric with a helpless smile as he stared at the giant crocodile, which had suffered the full burn of the attack. However, it was far from being dead, but it was slowly bleeding through the sword stuck in its mouth. Thus, Cedric ran back into the dark corridor and hid behind the door frame.

"First, let's unsummon Shade," muttered Cedric as he canceled her summoning. Shade disappeared without protest and turned to white particles while the monster was still disoriented by the attack. "Let's get forgotten, then."

[You have selected a target for the skill Forgotten.]

[Target Viper Crocodile has forgotten about your existence.]

[Duration is dependent on the difference in levels.]

Cedric activated the skill and took a deep breath. Then, he hid behind the frame without moving. The monster still thrashed about because it was electrocuted and still bleeding. In a direct fight, Cedric was bound to die. It was a miracle that he didn't get bitten or poisoned.

Time trickled by as Cedric remained motionless. Useless ideas, such as what novels to write in this world, crossed his mind, while the crocodile behind him still tried to get the sword out of its mouth.

Cedric realized what a powerful skill Forgotten was, as it could buy him time and act as an anti-aggro mechanic. Minutes passed as he remained hidden, his mana regenerating and his wounds healing.

'I wonder if Ember is fighting against the summoner already,' wondered Cedric. 'She might finish the sub-arc before I do. Most of her abilities work against shadows.'

The weakest among the nine Umbra Chosen was this summoner that Cedric was facing. It might be fate, or just sheer coincidence, that he faced a summoner in the beginning. But in either case, the Veilborn Order cannot obtain the power of shadows.

Thud! Splash!

The ground shook a little as Cedric heard a loud noise from the chamber. He was almost certain that the crocodile had fallen, but it had yet to die. The notification came after another five minutes of waiting.

[You have slain Viper Crocodile (Level 25)]

[You have leveled up!]

Cedric sighed in relief as he went out of his hiding spot and entered the dungeon again. The water had now turned green because of the monster bleeding to death.

As he reached the monster, Cedric pulled out his sword after some struggle. Then, he carved out the mana gem before summoning Shade. As soon as it appeared, it flew straight to his hand and snatched the mana gem.

Cedric did not mind that this was a Level 25 Gem, since Shade had proven more than useful in battle. If not for its existence, Cedric would have had to fight these monsters alone and he didn't think he would survive. Once Shade finished its meal, he received another notification.

[Shade has reached Level 21.]

[Stats of Familiar have increased.]

A pleasant surprise, thought Cedric. Summoned monsters could not level up in this world unless a skill called World Link was used. A summoner could link their summoned monster into this world and have them live here permanently. It was the skill that terrorized the world.

[You have finished the 1st Floor of Wraithshade Dungeon.]

Cedric heard a door open on the far end of the chamber. Beyond the door was a stairway leading somewhere, which Cedric guessed should be the second floor. However, the notification did not disappear.

[Floor Reward: Status Reset.]

A new panel appeared, and before Cedric could understand, his wounds disappeared alongside his fatigue. His mana pools were filled to the brim, and he felt like he had awakened from a deep slumber.

"Is that the reward?" muttered Cedric with surprise as he clenched his hand. His wounds from the earlier fight, which had been making him dizzy, disappeared. "I wonder if this reward is from the dungeon or from the system. Either case, I can challenge the second floor now!"

"Meow!" Shade agreed with excitement.