MMORPG: Rebirth of the Shadow Mage

<
[
1️⃣ ????,
2️⃣
3️⃣
~~~~

The loot of the killed lizard was good for a normal monster. Grabbing all the drops I was about to move into the forest, towards the city, when another pair of yellow eyes appeared in between the greenery.

Roar...

Another lizard, an elite one, emerged from the forest's cover aiming straight for my head. The monster used its hinge legs and leapt at me, managing to reach my location in a second.

I didn't have any time to dodge, hence deployed Shadow Protection to block the beast's path. Unfortunately Salamander also noticed the shield and shot out a fireball that shattered my spell and opened up a path towards me.

Crash...

Luckily my Shadows have also reacted to the surprise attack and were onto the Lizard trying to pierce through his red scales.

[ +????
A wave of fire was released from the Lizard's body, instantly burning shadows that were near the monster.

Gritting my teeth I watched as my shadows were killed by the Lizard simply approaching and killing them with the heat of his fire.

' To my shadow! '

Commanding soldiers that were still alive I ordered them to retreat back into my Shadow and took a deep breath. Soon my whole body was covered in white flames, while the grass around me was lit on fire.

I wanted to test if I could resist the flame of the Salamander by covering my body with Demonic Flames.

Roar...

Seeing me also releasing an aura of Fire around me the lizard lifted his head up before releasing a breath of fire aimed at my chest.

At the last second I moved to the side and raised my arm, engulfed in Demonic Flames, to get it hit by the attack.

Whoosh...

I felt painful heat assault my hand, I felt as if the blood in my arm began to boil. It was survivable, but it was hardly bearable. I also received some miniscule damage, due to heat damaging my body.

- ????
- ????
- ????
Retreating my hand I saw the skin of my forearm red in color while there was smoke rising from the surface of my skin.

' I smell like grilled pork '

Smelling my hand I grinned while avoiding another Fire Projectile aimed towards my body. I came to the conclusion to not try to endure the Fire by covering my body with Demonic Flames. Even though it was working it was also painful as hell.

Taking a deep sigh I was about to engage with the beast when a sudden system notification appeared on my screen.

<
<
< +
~~~~

Pumping all of the SP points I currently had into the INT staff I summoned a Lightning Bolt that held a bit more power than previously.

Whoosh...

The Projectile pierced through the air making it difficult for me to follow its movements and hit the lizard's scaly chest.

- 612 Magical Damage!

Even though the Lizard's body was reinforced by scales it couldn't do much against being electrocuted.

Roar...

I heard the lizard roaring in pain as I created another Lightning Spell aiming to end the fight with my next throw.

Unfortunately I heard someone step on the branches behind me and instinctively jumped to the side. Behind me there was another Fire salamander that was sneaking up behind me. Fenrir was also confused, because he didn't sense nor see the lizard approaching us.

' It's probably an Elite one... '

Eyeing the new enemy I quickly created two Lightning Bolts and held each of them in my hands.

Zzinggg... Zzinggg...

Lightning particles were dancing on my hands making me look like a god of thunder or a masochist who likes to feel pain by electrocuting himself.

Slowly shifting my body away from the previous Lizard I, once again, summoned my Shadow Soldiers and ordered them to attack the Lizard while Fenrir will lead them. Surprisingly I could partially give Fenrir control of my shadows, so he could order them as well as I did.

Focusing all my attention on the new Elite Salamander I took a deep breath.

' I should prioritize to finish the fight as quickly as possible '

Looking at my draining Mana and almost empty Shadow Energy reserves I understood that I wouldn't be able to fight for a long period of time. Even though I could regenerate Mana by potions, Shadow Energy could only be gathered by staying in the Shadows and I was in a bit of trouble. It was the middle of the day.

Looking around I brushed my hair and took off my hood, the heat released from the Lizard made me kind of dizzy and I didn't want to risk losing concentration or even worse, fainting in the middle of the fight.

Even though I was reluctant to reveal my face I knew that I was a good distance away from the city and the chances of someone coming upon the vicinity were little to none. The World of Fragmental was simply so huge that some even say it is at least twice the size of the earth.

Whoosh...

Now that the hood was removed I could feel the cold breeze of the wind and see the light was already starting to annoy me.

' I'm really compatible with my Sub-class... '

Trying to cover my eyes with the palm I started running to the side while a beam of fire was chasing after me. The Elite Lizard also had a Fire breath Skill and I could clearly feel it being stronger from the previous lizard's breath.

' He's elite after all... '

Shrugging my shoulders I threw both Lightning Projectiles I held in my hands, aiming for the neck of the monster.

Unfortunately the Lizard was not so dumb to just stand in place and started maneuvering around the place making both Bolts miss. Luckily one of them exploded close enough for Salamander to take some damage.

- 146 Magical Damage!

The Lizard's red scales were somewhat damaged while a growl left its mouth. Its yellow eyes with slit pupils glared towards me and I noticed that my legs are getting strangely hot.

Looking below I noticed that it was not my legs, but the ground below me that was quickly turning red. At the last second I managed to roll to the side evading an eruption of flames coming out of the ground where I stood just a second ago.

' The Lizard even has landmines '

Mumbling under my breath I quickly stood up only to feel the ground below me heaten up once again.

Boom...

Another explosion shook the place while I was rolling to the side desperately trying to evade the unseen attacks.

In between these moments I quickly directed my gaze to Fenrir and my shadows only to see them slowly overpowering the other lizard and driving him into overheating.

' They are doing visibly better than me '

Grinning, I looked at the Elite lizard whose head was slightly beginning to release smoke. His expression was unreadable, but I could guess he was agitated that I managed to dodge his trump card.

Creating two Grey Orbs I powered them with the last reserves of my Shadow Energy. Keeping them afloat above my palms I started slowly approaching the lizard trying to get as close as possible before launching my spells.

Of course the lizard wasn't that stupid and understood my aim shooting fire out of his mouth.

Whoosh...

I had to sacrifice one Shadow Blast to gain some time to dodge the attack at such close range. While Shadow Orb was competing against Fire breath I threw myself to the side where I could clearly see the unprotected side of the Salamander.

As I was about to release my spell when Salamander's face shifted into a grin.

Whoosh...

I was suddenly engulfed by flames that came from under the ground. I wanted to shout, but I couldn't, the pain was so high that even I was momentarily stunned.

Seeing my rapidly dropping Health Bar I somehow managed to slowly let the Demonic Flame cover my body while a HP pot appeared in my burnt arms.

Gulp...

Drinking the potion's contents I could feel pain all around my body subside and my burnt body parts were turning back to normal. I could even feel my hair being regrown. After a few seconds the fire surrounding me was finally extinguished and I dropped to my knees.

' That was painful '

Recalling the odd sensation of being burnt alive I lifted my eyes to meet the monster's gaze.

The lizard's yellow eyes were looking towards me with an emotion I couldn't discern.

Was it admiration?

Fear?

Awe?

I couldn't tell, but I didn't care. Since I was still very close to the lizard and had a Shadow Orb floating above my palm I quickly dashed towards his direction while using all my power to throw the Orb at the monster's face.

Boom...

At the last second the Salamander managed to shift his body, but the Orb still hit him.

- 745 Critical Damage!

A huge damage graph appeared on my screen as I watched my previous enemy struggling to get up with only 3 of his limbs...