Chapter 24

As I watched the wobbly Hydewolf getting up, I reaffirmed the surging power within me.

...I didn’t expect my power to have increased this much.

However, I still feel a sense of breathlessness, as if my breathing has become thin.

It’s best to keep in mind that I can’t use it for a long time.

I once again deactivate the Dark Knight.

While adjusting my labored breathing, I start to check the next skill.

Next, I’ll try the Shadow Technique.

After confirming that the Hydewolf has wobbled to its feet, I activate the Shadow Technique.

My shadow stretches out as if detaching from my body.

I manipulate it, extending it towards the Hydewolf.

“Gyuu!?”

The Hydewolf seems to perceive my shadow as a threat.

It retreats as if trying to escape, but the shadow is faster.

I manipulate it to lift the Hydewolf.

In the next moment, the shadow rises from the ground and approaches the Hydewolf.

I see, so it can be used like this.

I further manipulate the shadow, changing its shape.

I sharpen the tip like a spear and launch it at the Hydewolf’s back.

However, the Hydewolf jumps to the side to avoid it.

My shadow hits a nearby tree and pierces through it.

It’s quite powerful.

As expected, it’s difficult to control.

I still can’t perform fine movements.

It’s hard to land a direct hit, but it’s definitely a useful skill.

Next, I need to see how heavy an object it can lift.

I manipulate the shadow that hit the tree, making it circle around the tree.

Then, I pull the tree out and lift it.

It feels heavy. There might be a limit to the weight the shadow can carry, but this much is manageable.

I manipulate the tree as if swinging it, but the Hydewolf has escaped from the attack range.

I see.

With a basic understanding of the Shadow Technique, I deactivate it.

The Hydewolf, which had been staring at me intently, now seems less aggressive compared to the beginning.

I turn my back to the Hydewolf for a moment.

However, while observing its movements with the Perception Skill, I notice the Hydewolf kicking the ground.

It must have thought I was off guard.

Facing the Hydewolf, which was about to pounce, I retreat and release the final skill.

The Black Shield.

A black shield appears between me and the Hydewolf as soon as I activate it.

It’s about two meters in diameter, nearly square in shape, but with a curved bottom typical of a shield.

The tip of the shield is embedded in the ground.

“Gah!?”

The Hydewolf, charging with great momentum, hits its head against my Black Shield and falls to the ground.

...It’s quite sturdy.

The Black Shield, like the Shadow Technique, can be manipulated. I can slightly change its shape to cover my front.

The Hydewolf, which had wobbled to its feet, is now completely terrified upon seeing me.

I make the Black Shield appear in front of the Hydewolf, which is trying to run away.

“Ugh!?”

Unable to stop its momentum, the Hydewolf hits the suddenly appearing black wall head-on.

With that confirmed, I activate the Shadow Technique.

My shadow stretches out, approaches the Hydewolf’s back, and changes shape.

I sharpen the tips of the shadow, now split into several parts, and launch them at the Hydewolf.

The shadow, released with great force, pierces the Hydewolf’s back, successfully finishing it off.

I place the motionless Hydewolf in a hole made with Earth Magic, burn it with Fire Magic, and quickly bury it with Earth Magic.

If I leave the corpse, there’s a possibility that the northern sub-humans might notice it.

...This skill is incredibly convenient once you get used to it.

Until now, I didn’t have a skill that could interfere to this extent during combat.

Most of my skills were more suited for non-combat situations, but the Dark Knight has drastically enhanced my combat abilities.

All I need to do now is practice to get used to the Shadow Technique and the Black Shield.

For now, I’ll conduct the investigation of the northern sub-humans while also hunting monsters.

This is a new series. ↓ Please read it from the link below!

I accidentally went on a rampage against an S-rank monster while helping my sister with her dungeon streaming, and it went viral.

https://ncode.syosetu.com/n9783ig/

The Time-Looped [Dark Knight] uses future knowledge to go on a rampage—From the lowest rank, I rise to the top after being exiled as an unfortunate class.

https://ncode.syosetu.com/n9795ig/