Shadow Seer (Rogue Merchant Book #3): LitRPG Series by Roman Prokofiev (english reading book TXT) 📗

temptation to kill two birds with one stone: fulfill the promise to Fayana and test my new ability.

“Curious. I’ve never heard about anything like that,” the Pioneer leader said. “Let’s try it, but I’ll call Bonus!”

The summoned shadow turned out to be pretty small—up to my knees, the size of a dog. I could control its actions and give it simple commands, similar to a familiar or a pet. In the material plane, the shadow looked like a dark smudge that kept changing shape. When I touched it, it felt like thick, pliant rubber. With my permission, the pet charged forward, attacking the Pioneers—I wanted to learn its combat potential. Unfortunately, it wasn’t high—Fayana and Bonus pushed it around the cargo hold for a few minutes, figuring out its damage, resistance values, and weaknesses.

“It’s nothing special,” the mapmaker said after everything was over and the creature melted into a pool of ectoplasm. “Low damage, mediocre resistances, around thirty each, weak to light. It has an odd ability to make itself denser, increasing physical defense for several seconds. I expected more!”

The Pioneers and I started running trials: I released various shadows on them, monitoring their strength in proportion to the ability level. A level zero shadow didn’t pose any threat in the material world, but starting with level four, its density and power markedly increased, making its structure harder and enhancing its resistances and physical defense. When it came to level seven, Fay and Bonus were unable to leave even a scratch on it—their weapons bounced back, as if the shadow were made of stone. Only magic, archetype skills, and enchanted weapons allowed them to defeat it—just barely. Out of breath, Fayana said, “How are you doing it? This creature’s far from simple. The only way to hurt it is light and air magic!”

I gave her a mysterious smile. Going by the description, a fully-leveled up summon could use items, meaning that nothing prevented me from empowering them with protective gear and weapons. The final entry read:

Summon Shadow (7/7): you can summon seven lesser shadows or one supreme shadow. Summon density: maximum. The shadow can use items and weapons from the material world. They will obey your commands, defend you, and fight on your side. 1 attempt/24 hours.

 

You have reached rank 4: Shadow Controller! Ability unlocked: Shadow Armor (0/10)

Shadow Armor (0/10): you can use one of the summoned shadows as your armor. The armor’s durability depends on the shadow’s attributes. It protects against effects of all types with the exception of mind magic. 1 attempt/24 hours.

 

I felt the thrill of excitement. I was just a few steps away from the fifth rank of the archetype, which would grant me a talent—a powerful ability usually surpassing the previous ones. What would it be?

I put ten points into Shadow Armor, one after another. Each new point allowed me to increase the number of layers by using the summoned shadows. In the end, it transformed into Shadow Aegis, an awesome defensive ability that slightly resembled the Greater Shield. It allowed me to use Shadow Armor to protect not only myself but also my companions.

The fifth and penultimate rank of the Proxy archetype gave me the title of Shadow Dominator, unlocking the first of the two hidden talents.

Shadow Transformation (0/15): you can transform your body using summoned shadows in the Shadow Plane. The extent of transformation depends on the level of ability.

Shut up! Going by the scant description, I could transform my body in the Shadow Plane as I pleased. Say, grow wings like Tormis...

I had only three attribute points left. With bated breath, I put all of them into the talent, watching the text change every time. Thrainul pulled me away from this process, having personally descended into the hold.

“You asked me to tell you when we’d pass by the Crown of Ice,” he grumbled. “You can relax. You have eight more hours. I’ll let you know.”

 Interlude: The Bazaar

WHILE THE ABYSSAL WAS SAILING out of the Sea of Terror, I decided to leave the game and take a breather. Recent events had been happening at a frenetic pace, not giving me a minute to relax.

Fat chance! Sphere wasn’t going to let me out easily. I logged out, planning on taking a shower and napping, but the annoyingly buzzing communicator had other plans. The screen was full of notifications and other nuisances. I had blocked my personal messages, incoming mail, and clan channels during the battle with the Guardian, dealing with the Pandas, and exploring the Isle of Terror—constant comments distracted me from focusing on what was important.

What could transpire over two days to make me so indispensable to others? I was a bit unnerved by so much attention. With a heavy sigh, I started scrolling through my inbox, the new letters carefully forwarded by Sphere’s mail server straight from the game, and the log of missed calls.

The Jordi from Helt Akor (somehow, they had contacted their clan, who forwarded the message to me) reported that their camp was ready, as well as their processing laboratories. Ellurite mining was on track, with almost a thousand gallons already packed and ready for shipping. They were also demanding another caravan with supplies, the list enclosed: equipment, tools, construction materials, containers, reagents, freight mounts, golem workers. The lines with rations—a third of all requested supplies—were highlighted: beer, ale, undermountain moonshine, food, and, for some reason, musical instruments. Apparently, they decided to go all-out.

They also referred to me a different team of underground miners. Those guys were even willing to partially pay for guarding and transporting them through the Endless Paths.

I had to consider it. Of course, increasing the number of workers would speed up mining, but it meant additional expenses, not to mention leading the caravan through the elevators and keeping it alive. Also, the more people knew about the ellurite deposit, the