Chapter 23: New Quest
Back in His Room
Noah found himself alone in his room.
Well—alone was a relative term. His shadow was always there, shifting and watching. But for the sake of argument, let's consider him alone.
And now that he was, he could finally check what he had gained from that brutal dungeon. He had gained in the room boss, inside a treasure chest some skills. But all of them in wind affinity.
Truly not worth his attention.
That was His first dungeon. The first place where he had almost died.
But also—
The place where he had acquired his first beast companion.
Premier.
Who was now at the peak of B-rank after being fused with the boss monster and already capable of taking human form. A boy seemed barely ten years old with wolf like ears and tail.
Speaking of him—
'Master, this beast makes me want to strangle him.'
Noah sighed.
Since Ester could store both objects and living beings inside her shadow space, he had ordered Premier to stay there for now. No one should know of his existence yet.
But—
'He wants out. He's throwing a tantrum like a damn child. Can I strangle him?'
"Leave him be, Ester. And yes he is a damn child. It's a brand new soul after all."
Then, he smirked slightly. "Shouldn't you be more concerned about preparing for when you meet both my mother and yours?"
Ester stiffened.
"…You did notice how my mother was eyeing my shadow, right?" Noah continued, amused.
Even if Selene didn't know exactly what had happened—she knew something happened.
Ester went silent.
"Just go," Noah chuckled. "You're being summoned anyway."
Knock, knock.
A voice called from behind the door.
"Young Master, The Lady is requesting Ester."
Noah gave his shadow a knowing look, as if saying, See? Told you.
Ester grumbled before the shadow twisted, morphing into her human form. She gave Noah one last glare before walking out.
Noah chuckled. Ester had become comfortable around him since the event in the dungeon. Now she act freely with him.
He shakes his head slightly in amusement.
Now, Noah was truly alone, without even a shadow.
"System, show me my new titles and skills."
⸻
[Titles Obtained]
[The Worthy Master]
You are seen as a master worthy of following.
— Your charisma has increased.
— Gaining admiration and loyalty from others will be easier.
[The Master of a Shadow]
Your shadow is no longer normal.
— Awakening Shadow Affinity will be easier once the required conditions are met.
— As long as you are alive, your shadow will never die.
— Once you and your shadow grow strong enough, you can gain access to the Shadow Realm.
⸻
Noah leaned back in his chair, smiling.
The Worthy Master.
A title like this would be invaluable in the academy. There were countless geniuses, hidden monsters, and potential allies—many of whom would be worth recruiting.
And for his second new title, as long as he was alive… Ester would never die.
That was a relief.
But it also meant—his life was no longer just his own.
Someone depended on him now.
Noah chuckled, shaking his head.
Fine. He would shoulder the burden.
He then looked at the last effect of his title.
A shadow realm hun ? What an interesting thing. Is that a realm where only shadows lived ?
Noah grinned. Things are getting interesting aren't they ?
"System, show me Ester's profile."
⸻
[Status Window]
Name: Ester
Race: Human (60%) / Shadow (40%)
Rank: A
Aura: Aura of the Shrouded
Titles: The Self-Taught, The Bound Shadow
Bloodline: None
Physique: None
Affinities:
— Shadow (SS Rank)
Talents:
— Blessed by Shadow (SS Rank)
⸻
Noah's eyes widened.
"…Since when does she have Shadow Affinity at SS Rank? And an SS Rank talent?!"
The System's voice echoed in his mind.
[After she partially transformed into a shadow. And the higher her rank grows, the more her transformation will continue. At the end of the process—she will no longer be human. She will become a pure shadow.]
Noah rubbed his chin. Truly surprised.
Titles…
They were mysterious things.
And powerful.
A single title had altered her very race. Had elevated her affinity. Had strengthened her talent.
Incredible.
What the limit of title ?
Noah grinned. His blood boiled with anticipation.
This world is insane.
And he loved it.
He couldn't wait. He couldn't wait to meet the other geniuses. To explore the world's secrets. To fight, to grow, to conquer.
Back on Earth, he had been nothing but an ordinary man struggling to survive.
Here?
Here, he had talent. He had a System. He had a purpose.
Noah exhaled.
Then, slowly, a mad grin stretched across his lips.
Elijah…
Just wait for me.
You're in for a surprise.
⸻
Meanwhile…
While Noah was affirming himself—
Elijah just received a very interesting quest.
[New Quest: Your Rival or Enemy]
[Difficulty: SS Rank]
[Description:] The Goddess has noticed someone of concern. Someone who may become an obstacle to your destined path.
Eliminate the threat now.
Eliminate Noah Weaverheart.
[Rewards:]
— Talent Upgrade (Light & Space)
— New Affinity + New Talent
— 500 Stat Points
— SS-Rank Sword Artifact
⸻
Elijah's face darkened.
His arrogance—his pride—vanished.
If even his Goddess had issued a quest about Noah…
Then that meant he had gravely underestimated him.
Or—
All of them had.
His eyes flicked toward the difficulty level.
SS Rank.
He swallowed. His current power had already placed him above 99% of this generation's talents. And not saying 100% is him trying to be humble.
Even the Heirs. The Princesse.
Even the Saintess…probably.
And yet—to kill Noah Weaverheart, the System rated it as SS-Rank?
Elijah's heart turned cold.
"…What the fuck are we missing?"
It made no sense.
In his current state, he was stronger than everyone.
So how was Noah—someone with only one SSS rank talent —such a threat to him ?
He might be a threat to other obviously. But to him ? It made no sense.
His fire counter his ice. And he had two others talents too.
So how ? What did he miss ?
Elijah stood up.
He might be arrogant—but he was not a fool.
He had suffered too much in his childhood. Had learned too well how cruel this world was.
And right now—
A massive red flag was waving in front of him.
A red flag named Noah Weaverheart.
A second SSS-rank holder.
A name he had barely considered before.
But now—everything had changed.
He grabbed his mana communication tool and spoke.
"Increase the intensity of my training. Double it—no, triple it. I want to be more than ready for the Academy."
"…Understood, Blessed One."
He hung up.
Then, raising his palm, he summoned fire.
It flickered. Shifted. Took form.
A small phoenix—its flames swirling above his hand.
Elijah watched it with sharp, gleaming eyes.
A rival, huh?
…Good.
He had been getting too complacent anyway.
—End of chapter 23—