《The Reluctant Darkness: Being a Dark Summoner [abandoned]》 Prologue "Is there any error in the system" "No mame!" "Everything is fine nothing''s out of the ordinary" "Then why the hell is the difficulty so high isn''t this meant to be a tutorial?" ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª "Where are we" Several people had just awoken in the middle of an array of lights. As many more awoke many started questioning the situation. Who wouldn''t? It was strange, one was sleeping and rose next to strangers. But that''s not the worst of it they woke up only to be flash banged by an array of lights. Anyway, the questions are most of the standard questions you have when you are kidnapped "Where am I?" "How did I get here!" "Who are you, people!?" And many more but to save time we needed to cut those out, after all, no one is worried about how many people ask the same question everyone wants to know what''s next. For these wild cards. EXPOSITION TIME. I the God of chaos have gathered all these people to be Wild Cards beings with no set faith or destiny. Many gods have their version of this "tutorial" but they all have a type be it law, order, evil, war, strength, etc¡­ with so many having pre-destined paths there''s no fun to be had as such I built this to make the world a more interesting place. People who have nothing in common are forced to fight to survive. Anyone from teenagers who haven''t had a taste of the real world to hardened veterans who have been in many wars are here. In the end, luck is about the only thing that matters in this tutorial. Why tell all this? Because I need someone to see it don''t I? Wait now that I think of it you may not know what''s going on, do you? You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version. Well, I''m sure you can piece it together right? Although, even I don''t know why this time around is so much more difficult than the last time. Maybe some of them have unique classes that would be interesting but only time will tell. ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª I opened my eyes and saw the light thinking I went to heaven I remembered who I am. There is no way I could be here! So I got up to see what had happened only to see many others also rising to their feet. Looking from the sky down I see the light is more of a barrier in the shape of a pyramid outside of it is nothing but darkness. A few were already awake trying to make sense of the situation I am no different but once I saw just a little further outside the barrier the darkness became clear and revealed the horrendous monsters. Some are from fantasy such as goblins, orcs, and ogres but then there are those from metrology such as sirens, harpies, and minotaurs. Lastly, some can only be described as demons having humanoid appearances but too different from others to be called any creature in memory. However, they all had the same goal to get to us as they attacked the barrier with several attacks some with brute force and others with magical attacks From nowhere without warning a figure appeared with a strange almost ambiguous appearance. And when it spoke it did so in a joking manner "How are my wild cards doing?" The creature spoke as if we signed up for this. " all of you are here to be the chance in this world. All of you have something that makes you different from one another and all have their path to pick." As he spoke the barrier started breaking from the monster''s constant attacks "Once the barrier is down you can only rely on your ability" The barrier was on its last legs as a message appeared in front of everyone. "As a final goodbye all of you will receive a trait now and later you may earn more" So this is it, there is the standard game-like system window displaying everything from your name to your stats separated into strength, dexterity, stamina, defense, intelligence, Magic, and luck But there was little time to think. A gift is automatically opened and received I gained a trait labeled foresight telling me what is to come. It was at this moment the barrier stood no longer and the monsters charged at all angles. Many who stood on the edge were slaughtered many more tried fighting back thinking they were the main character or something yet I know better than that. The best chance for survival is to slip out of this and figure things out. To accomplish this I left via the least populated point allowing me to slip through my trait has shown this is the best path to live the longest yet it was in vain. The moment I got out of the stamped of creatures both human and nonhuman I fell to the blade of a demon. In my final moments, I thought to myself "Did my trait lie to me or was this how far I could go if I who can see the future can''t live who can?" With that, I died unremarkably with nothing to show for it I wonder what will be of me in my death? How did things end up this way? The Summoner鈥檚 Path (1) ¡°Finally out of that hell hole¡± After I accepted to test a game on my phone I woke up in the middle of a pyramid of light and was told to live by an androgynous figure with a parting gift. All I did was run and fast really I just got lucky I should''ve died a million times before making it out. I¡¯m not sure what is happening but for now, I have one goal to live. I¡¯m out of danger for now but how long will that last? Just have to find a safe space before I can get things in order. All that I can do right now is walk down the corridor to avoid the giant creatures. I ran for a few minutes before slowing down ¡°Is that a crack in the wall¡± [arhhh] ¡°Shit¡± Monsters were on their way so with little choice I went into the wall. It was a tight fit but I got through peeking outside I saw a Minotaur Name: Minotaur Class: Labyrinth Guardian Title: Guardian of the Labyrinth Not a high enough level to see more After a moment the Minotaur left causing shakes on the ground as it did. Afterwards, I caught my breath. With my composure collected I started to analyze the situation first with my trait. Eye of Ra allows the user to see aspects of others (Improves as you level) Assuming this ¡°game¡± works like an RPG it could be useful in strategic aspects but what is more important are my stats if they are lacking I can¡¯t do much. With the will to do so my status window opened Name: Aether Blackwell Age: 17 Traits: Eye of Ra Class: N/A Titles: N/A Stats Strength:7 dexterity:5 Stamina:6 defense:2If you come across this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it. intelligence:12 Magic:42 luck:130 Bio. An average man with potential in the magic field Though below average at most things In a world full of magic he may thrive if he decides to. All of the stats were in a radar chart from a 1/100 scale, yet luck going off the chart is odd. But does everything have a bio, if I level up could I see creatures¡¯ bios? Either way, I need to get a class but the only way to acquire one is by leveling up or titles assuming the Minotaur earned the title before the class. As I had such thoughts a system window popped up Eye of Ra ¡®You are correct in assuming that you can only acquire a class via those methods however you can also use abilities without knowing the class. Ex. Use dark magic without having a dark magic class¡¯ ¡°Wait you can read my mind?¡± ¡®¡­Yes¡¯ ¡°And you''re sentient?¡± ¡®More part of a greater existence using the trait as a medium¡¯ ¡°Okay, please don''t read my mind you might see something you¡¯ll regret¡± ¡®Too late¡¯ ¡°F¡­duck¡± ¡®Anyway, I have a favor to ask or more like a mission to go to my alter hidden in this labyrinth and cleanse the evil hidden within it after that, offer alone my alter some food we are starving right now¡¯ ¡°How. You know doesn''t matter if you want me to do this I need you to give me something in return¡± As I said this another window popped up Mission: cleanse the altar Description Ra has asked you to cleanse their alter in exchange for a great reward Reward Incentive: black magic grimoire Upon completion: a unique class, titles, and unique trait Do you accept Y/N ¡°Well that is very generous but why black magic?¡± ¡®It¡¯s the only grimoire I can spare and is most helpful for your lazy personality as you can summon¡­¡¯ ¡°Say no more I¡¯m in¡± Directly after accepting the quest a book materializes in a moment ¡®Thanks for accepting but level up before you continue at least lv.5 to get your class until next time¡¯ Okay, I have a job now. If this is like any of the manhwa I read, having the favor of a god will be beneficial in the short term at least. Well anyway, time to read, the item given as an incentive was a black magic grimoire however the moment I opened the grimoire it was not a paper page-by-page grimoire it was a tablet. Either I¡¯d been duped or it was just a different form of grimoire. I hope it''s the second. With a tap, the tablet illuminated, and from it showed a book so in other words a digital grimoire. User detected applying dark magic attributes What''s this now? Obtained trait black mage Obtained basic black magic spells Progress made towards intermediate black magic (0/400) That is very convenient however being able to do doesn''t mean I can The Grimoire contains your standard magic jargon such as ¡®All magic derives from the same source¡¯ And ¡®Dark magic is the opposite of life as such most common in places filled with death¡± Standard stuff but of course the chapter that I want to read Dark Summoning ¡®Dark summoning requires two main ingredients: dark magic and a dark portal, the second being where most are stuck; however, I have discovered the method to find one. First, turn the page.¡¯ As instructed I turned the page there was a loading screen with writing above. ¡®Second, follow the map generated below it might take a minute or two but you will find the closest one along with other places of interest¡¯ Once done loading it depicted a maze and several areas in passages that opened into other locations such as the tomb of the dragon lord or the altar of the abyss. All have rewards or as the map puts it expected rewards. Such as the Dragonlord tomb having the expected reward: Dragonlord corpse. With the map in hand, I developed a plan to gain as much on my way to the portal with the use of dark magic. I should level up before long and with the items obtained be able to finish the assignment given to me. The summoner鈥檚 path (2) Well enough with the future, I¡¯ll focus on the present. Figuring out how to even do magic if most stories I read are anything to go by I just need to picture it, condense mana, and release. Hold on let me see that chapter ¡®Basics of Black Magic¡¯ ¡®Unlike normal magic black magic can hardly be condensed any further, calling several concepts into question¡­¡¯ ¡°Okay so don''t condense just picture and release¡± ¡®To start with being a dark mage has negative connotations attached due to early users and methods in acquiring otherwise it would be considered the same as any other because of this don¡¯t use it in front of others especially holy or light magic users¡¯ Yata yata yata more lore, warnings, and other things that I don¡¯t need right now. Get to the spells already. Wait what¡¯s this ¡®Unlike normal magic, dark magic can¡¯t buff but can curse. Think of it as it can¡¯t add but it can remove¡¯ Duck that means I can¡¯t cover my weaknesses. I can only lessen the gap between me and my opponent. ¡®Spells below may require ingredients¡¯ The list was more of an organizer where you could filter it to find the spell you need. Since I was just starting I went with the most for its cost and no ingredients. Of the few that caught my attention, there were only 3 that I wanted to try. Mask presents ¡®Makes the user less likely to be noticed¡¯ Dampen sound ¡®Lowers the volume of all noise made within its range¡¯ Lesser of many sound-deafening spells Both are useful for sneaking And lastly my main form of attackIf you find this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the infringement. Umbral bolt ¡®The most adaptable dark magic as it can change shape to accommodate the situation (ex. Fighting fire creatures can turn into a liquid form, fighting metallic creatures can turn to lightning, etc.) built by yours truly¡¯ This is when I remembered I was not the first owner of this grimoire someone else had written this with the intention of someone else reading it but who? Skipping page after page of chapters trying to find anything that could hint who or what the author was From what I knew they could use black magic and were at the level of creating new spells. Yet after searching the book from cover to cover I was unable to find any info on the author maybe I can ask Ra when I get there. ¡°Enough preparation, just preparing while doing nothing will lead to nothing getting done. To get moving on my road to the dark portal I needed to get out of this area.¡± It was a good camp spot but the entrance was too narrow as such my completely rational mind decided that the best thing to do was to widen the crack. As such I used it as my first training dummy. After a short concentration, I launched my first spell ¡°Umbral bolt¡± With a loud crash, it hit the target however it barely left a scratch Black magic intermediate (1/400) ¡°That¡¯s odd¡± It should¡¯ve blown up or at least damaged. What''s happening let me check the book. One of the warnings that I glossed over was the answer ¡®Most dark magic can only damage living creatures apart from specific spells they can not be used for damaging buildings leading to only the living beings inside or outside of it being damaged(ps. This includes bypassing armor) This was a little unfortunate but it gave me an idea. If I widen the opening I will be able to move through but the Minotaur won''t and using black magic¡¯s unique properties I can kill it with minimal damage as well as test spells on it or any decently sized creature for that matter. With a new plan, I started to put it into motion first by finding a spell that could hurt structures. Looking through the long spell list would take forever even with the filter options as there¡¯s no ¡®can damage structures¡¯ option. Thankfully looking a little after the end of the spell list was the chapter on theories it started with the theory of dark magic and structures. ¡®Though there are dark spells used to demolish buildings they all require expensive ingredients that even I struggle to get yet I believe that there is another way. However, to pull it off without death being the outcome you would need a high magic stat anything over 40 would work but not for long using the construct spell to make say a pickaxe to mine through stone would quickly drain your magic but would be able to touch inanimate objects.¡¯ Constructs? Looking for the spell yielded little results. It probably wasn¡¯t written so from the description it works by changing the shape of mana, in this case, dark mana. Concentrating on forming a pickaxe out of my mana I felt drowsy after forming it. Using some energy to swing it I managed to make a small tunnel to crawl through and reach the labyrinth before the pickaxe disappeared, likely because I ran out of mana. As such rest was what I decided to do lying down and resting on the surprisingly smooth floor slowly falling asleep. ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª ¡°Tell me how many are still alive?¡± Asked the lady with noble features ¡°Not many from the 10,000 that were summoned only 2,000 are still alive¡± Responded the lady''s subordinate ¡°Could I ask you something?¡± ¡°Of course¡± ¡°What would happen if no one makes it out?¡± ¡°I don''t know there has never been a tutorial that has failed so the result is uncertain nor have we been able to discover the reason for its increased difficulty¡± ¡°Why of all times must it be when it is our turn to recruit the newcomers that the gods decided to do this¡± ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª While I was sleeping I felt a strong vibration from the ground. In a moment it stopped before I heard the sound of a bull¡¯s snort moments before the sound of a large body slamming against the wall finally woke me up. With adrenaline pumping, I quickly analyzed my surroundings with nothing around me. I looked to the crack now a small tunnel only to see the Minotaur attempting to break through the wall to get to me. The summoner鈥檚 path (3) I quickly cast an umbral bolt to hit it. Once it hit it turned into flames causing the bullheaded monster to cry in fear. The description of the umbral bolt means the Minotaur¡¯s weakness is fire. With this new information, I quickly opened the grimoire and scrolled through the spell list quickly applying filters to search for the right spell before a giant shockwave from the Minotaur struggling to get to me knocked it out of my hands, with it on the floor and the tunnel getting wider there was little time to think with a glance O read one spell name Umbral flame ¡®Using dark magic to make flames by¡­¡¯ *smash* Unable to read anymore, I did what came naturally to me. Put my wrists together and gather dark mana by converting the natural mana generated in my body, envisioning a black flame and launching it toward the Minotaur. Trait-activated: black mage As the flames hit the narrow entrance it looked as if they climbed the walls towards the exit as it was left undamaged. Building pressure before blowing like a geyser, the Minotaur screamed in what can only be interpreted as pain after a few seconds the noise went away. Notice ¡®Achievement awarded do you want to claim rewards¡¯ Y/N After seeing the notification I thought it would be an achievement for killing the Minotaur however I doubt I was that lucky, if I did or not why say no to rewards? Alert ¡®Awarded: Notice ¡®You are the first of this batch of wild cards to dual cast(casting different or the same spells with both hands)¡¯A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation. After receiving the full recovery I felt for a moment all that was wrong with my body disappeared, it was as if I was in paradise before being dragged back down to reality. ¡°First of the batch¡± ¡®You have been recognized as a natural at magic as such more gods will have their eyes on you from now on¡¯ Well, having one isn¡¯t bad but having multiple will be¡­ difficult. ¡°In any case, I can¡¯t stay here forever time to head to scout the area¡± Other than the Minotaur and the labyrinth I don¡¯t know much about the area around I need to find the essential food, water, and shelter. This place is good but if it''s attacked again it won''t last. Picking up the grimoire I head out of the now cave-like entrance being widened by the Minoutar¡¯s attack. Taking a few moments to observe my surroundings I see the Minotaur''s deeply imprinted tracks implying that it was in a hurry as there are no other tracks that deep most are displaced dust while some are shallow prints on stone. Taking this into consideration the only things that he could be rushing towards a water source to put out the fire. For a moment I thought of following the tracks to the water source but I didn''t have the confidence I could kill the thing when it came to it. On the other hand, going back to the hellscape I just escaped from with few options I decided to deviate from the Minotaur¡¯s path to avoid him and the hell pit. However, I¡¯m still conflicted on what to do first should I gain the strength to battle or should I try to get food? Water is in the direction of the Minotaur after some deliberation I decided to gather some strength first. Moving through the maze with only the map as my guide I head toward my first destination ¡°The Tomb of the Dragon Lord¡± Expected reward: Dragon lord¡¯s corpse buried treasures ¡®The Tomb of the Dragonlord houses the corpse and legacy of a forgotten dragon lord¡¯ I am almost certain they would be buried with something useful. I need strength before I can gather my needs for survival. If the Minotaur is the benchmark then at best I can chase them away at worst I would be dead. ¡°Either way, I have to get to the tomb¡­huff huff¡­ jeez this is tiring how did that song go? All you gotta do is walk.¡± ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª- Hello everyone, The god of chaos is here for some fun Explanations for what? The dragon lord and the current state of the tutorial why? Because you would be lost without me, you simple-minded creatures you. Chao¡¯s info cards The Dragonlord The being itself is a dragon who has transcended past its limits reaching godhood. Why would a god die? Often gods die from several things be it a lack of faith from their followers or another god yet there is a way that only the strongest may die from yet you don¡¯t want it. Why wouldn¡¯t you want a death that only the strongest can achieve? To keep it simple they would be the last being in the universe before getting recycled into something new. (I don''t know why I wrote this under ¡°Dragon Lord but whatever not writing it down again) Now that you know what a dragonlord is the update on the tutorial To keep it brief, although a large number of people were slaughtered in the beginning there are still many people out there battling for survival with both the monsters and each other. Yet they have discovered a few things such as not all monsters are mindless, many have their civilizations and many are stronger than humans at the moment and they know it. Why tell this? Because the labyrinth that the fellow you were reading about is labeled by the humans as forbidden. At first, they thought it was safer because the other monsters didn¡¯t follow the reason behind this was the Minotaur as the moment you step into its home he knows where you are at all times which they learned the hard way. Now a human skull hangs around the Minotaur''s neck. The dragon lord (1) ¡°Like Hannibal over the mountains¡­*huff huff*¡­ I gotta keep moving¡± Before I could continue singing the lyrics of the song my shoe got caught in a crack on the floor. ¡°Shi¡­*crash*¡± Before I could even curse my face met the floor, with the rhythm of my walk interrupted I felt all the soreness from the long journey all at once my legs felt true pain. I took it as a sign to rest Notice ¡®You have pushed your body to its limit¡¯ Stamina +1 ¡°Fuck this ¡­huff huff¡­ this thing really likes messing with me¡­huff¡­ or maybe I take it too personally¡­huff¡­ nah it¡¯s definitely mocking me¡± After looking in the grimoire to check my progress I found that the tomb was around the corner which I would¡¯ve missed had I continued with my musically driven walk. Unauthorized use of content: if you find this story on Amazon, report the violation. ¡°Maybe god wanted me to find it?¡± Using the labyrinth wall I lifted myself to my feet and started to make my way to the Tomb of the Dragon Lord with my feet so tired of the long walk I used the right wall to keep myself standing as I hobbled towards the corner. Once I turned the corner I saw the end of the labyrinth though it was not the end as it was just an open area inside of the labyrinth it was a big enough area to feel like it was the end. Not to mention the tomb seems to be made of gold with some light source as it looks like a cave exit. As I entered the area labeled ¡°The Tomb of the Dragon Lord¡± I realized the tomb was a pyramid that raised several questions but now¡¯s not the time to question things. Looking around the outside of the pyramid you can see what looks like ruins from a civilization. Walking over to inspect the ruins you could see very little left from what it was only being able to make out that they were likely houses of very zealous people with Muriel and shrinks to what looks like a giant Dragon in a way that invokes resemblances to Egyptian hieroglyphs. Showing humanoid creatures that most closely remind me of the Kobolds from D&D worshiping a dragon god. ¡°Though because they¡¯re kobolds it could and likely is exaggerated.¡± Eye of Ra ¡®What are you doing here? Get out the dead still live¡¯ ¡°Stop it with the cryptic message and tell me what you mean¡± Eye of Ra ¡®I hate the guy in the tomb so leave I demand it¡¯ ¡°Just because you demand it doesn¡¯t mean I¡¯ll do it¡± Eye of Ra ¡®It should, also you¡¯re taking too long I¡¯ll have to start taking it out of your reward¡¯ ¡°That''s low even for a dying god¡± Eye of Ra ¡®How did you know I was dying.¡¯ ¡®*?¡¯ ¡°Doesn¡¯t matter I Know that''s all you need to know¡±