Chapter 92: Shadow Battalion
The blue fragments lingered in front of David’s eyes for only a moment before they began drifting back together.
One by one, they assembled themselves into a new translucent window.
[A-Rank Skill Acquired]
Shadow Battalion
Classification: Hybrid Class (Shield / Assault)
Current Level: 1
David’s gaze remained fixed on the floating words.
"...Shadow Battalion?"
The name rolled around in his head for a second.
It wasn’t what he’d expected.
After seeing A-Rank, he’d unconsciously imagined something far more straightforward—a devastating sword technique, some absurdly powerful enhancement skill, or maybe even another passive ability that would simply make him stronger.
Instead...
Shadow Battalion.
The name alone told him almost nothing.
Which somehow made him even more curious.
Without taking his eyes off the screen, he gently adjusted the blanket covering Holly, making sure it hadn’t slipped while she’d fallen asleep. She stirred ever so slightly, unconsciously snuggling closer against him before becoming still again.
A faint smile tugged at the corner of his mouth.
"Sleep well."
Only after he was certain she was comfortable did his attention return to the floating window.
New lines slowly appeared beneath the skill’s name.
Description:
A unique cloning skill capable of evolving alongside its owner.
Current Skill Level: 1.
Current Criteria Available: 2.
Additional Criteria will unlock as the skill evolves.
David’s eyebrows rose.
"Evolving..."
He quietly repeated the word under his breath.
Most of the skills he’d received so far had been exactly what they appeared to be.
Useful.
Powerful.
Simple.
This one...
It sounded as though he hadn’t even seen half of what it could eventually become.
His curiosity only grew stronger.
Without another thought, he mentally selected the first available criterion.
The description disappeared, replaced almost instantly by another screen.
Criteria One
Maximum Active Clones: 3
Clone Output: 60% of Player’s Current Combat Ability
Duration: 3–5 Minutes
Restrictions:
• Cannot use Player Skills.
• Cannot wield Secondary Weapons.
• Disappear upon death or expiration.
David read the information once.
Then a second time.
Then, almost unconsciously, a slow grin spread across his face.
"...So that’s how it works."
His first thought had been simple cloning.
It wasn’t.
Not exactly.
These weren’t weak illusions meant to confuse an opponent.
Nor were they fragile afterimages that vanished the moment someone touched them.
They were actual combatants.
Real bodies.
Real fighters.
Just...
Slightly weaker versions of himself.
David’s mind immediately began painting the picture before he could stop it.
A monster charged.
One clone intercepted it head-on.
Another circled around its flank.
Meanwhile...
The real him slipped into its blind spot.
Three swords.
Three directions.
Three different attacks arriving almost simultaneously.
Even if one of them was destroyed...
The one disappearing wouldn’t be him.
His heartbeat picked up.
"...This is ridiculous."
He’d expected an A-Rank reward to be good.
He hadn’t expected something with this much potential.
His eyes drifted back toward the words Maximum Active Clones: Three.
Three.
That number wasn’t random.
One clone could become a shield.
Another could force an opening.
The last could pressure an enemy from behind.
Even at only sixty percent of his strength...
Numbers mattered.
Especially in a fight.
A smile slowly spread across his face.
"This isn’t just a cloning skill..."
He found himself muttering almost unconsciously.
"It’s battlefield control."
The more he thought about it...
The more dangerous it became.
Still...
There was one thing bothering him.
If the skill really was as incredible as it looked...
Then why stop at three?
David frowned slightly before his eyes drifted lower.
Another tab quietly rested beneath the first.
Criteria Two
He selected it without hesitation.
The screen rippled once before replacing the previous information.
Criteria Two
Maximum Active Clones: 3
Clone Output: 30–40% of Player’s Current Combat Ability
Duration: None
Restrictions:
• Cannot use Player Skills.
• Cannot wield Secondary Weapons.
• Destroyed only through death or Player dismissal.
David blinked.
"...Huh."
That was...
A lot weaker.
His first reaction was almost disappointment.
Thirty to forty percent?
That wasn’t even half of what he could do.
Against stronger opponents, those clones would probably be cut down without accomplishing much.
"So why would I ever choose these over the first ones?"
He rubbed his chin absentmindedly.
The first criterion gave him stronger clones.
Sure, they only lasted a few minutes...
But in the middle of a fight, wasn’t that all he really needed?
His gaze lingered on the screen for another second.
Then...
It caught on a single line.
Duration: None.
David’s eyes narrowed.
"...Wait."
He read it again.
No duration.
No time limit.
The disappointment that had started creeping into his expression slowly disappeared.
"...Oh."
A grin tugged at the corner of his mouth.
"...Oh, that’s sneaky."
He leaned back slightly, careful not to disturb Holly.
"So they’re not meant for fighting."
Well...
Not primarily.
The realization came so naturally that he almost laughed at himself for missing it.
"They’re meant to stay."
Immediately, ideas began flooding his mind one after another.
Leave one guarding his apartment whenever he was away.
Send another through unfamiliar streets before walking into an ambush himself.
Station one outside a dungeon entrance.
Use one as bait if he suspected a trap.
His smile widened.
"No..."
"They’re better than that."
He could leave one standing outside a building for hours if he wanted.
Or spend an entire day having one quietly follow someone from a safe distance.
He didn’t have to risk himself at all.
Even if the clone was discovered...
Even if it was destroyed...
He’d lose nothing except the clone itself.
David let out a quiet whistle.
"That’s... actually terrifying."
His fingers tapped lightly against the blanket covering Holly as his thoughts raced ahead.
A weaker clone wasn’t useless.
Far from it.
Against monsters, maybe it wouldn’t survive long.
But people?
Most people weren’t expecting someone to deliberately sacrifice themselves just to gather information.
His eyes drifted back to the words on the screen.
Three temporary combat clones.
Three permanent utility clones.
The skill wasn’t giving him two different versions of the same ability.
It was giving him two entirely different ways to think.
One for winning battles.
The other for controlling everything before the battle even began.
"...Whoever designed this skill..."
David shook his head with a quiet laugh.
"...You’re scary."
Almost as though responding to his words, the screen shimmered again.
New text slowly appeared beneath the second criterion.
David’s smile gradually faded, curiosity replacing it once more.
"...There’s more?"
The words lingered on the screen for another moment.
Just as David thought he’d reached the end...
The window rippled.
Fresh lines slowly appeared beneath the second criterion.
Special Function
Player may freely create, dismiss, and maintain Shadow Battalion clones within current skill limitations.
Player may designate any clone as the primary consciousness.
Upon designation, Player’s consciousness will immediately transfer to the selected clone.
The previous body will become a Shadow Battalion clone.
Player may freely observe through any active Shadow Battalion.
If the original body is destroyed...
All Shadow Battalion units will immediately disappear.
David’s smile gradually faded.
He stared.
Read the words again.
Then a third time.
"...Hold on."
He frowned.
"I can... what?"
His eyes immediately returned to one particular sentence.
Player may designate any clone as the primary consciousness.
"...No."
He shook his head.
"I think I’m reading that wrong."
He read it again.
Slower this time.
Word by word.
His heartbeat began to quicken.
"It doesn’t mean..."
His voice trailed off.
"...It can’t."
Almost as though sensing his confusion, another line quietly appeared beneath the description.
Current consciousness may remain within the original body.
Or...
Current consciousness may transfer into any Shadow Battalion.
Selection is entirely at Player discretion.
David’s eyes widened.
"...Holy..."
His mind immediately jumped ahead.
"So if I create a clone..."
"...I don’t actually have to stay here."
His breathing unconsciously slowed as the implications unfolded one after another.
He could stay inside his own body...
And simply send a clone somewhere else.
Or...
He could leave this body exactly where it was...
Transfer himself into the clone...
And walk away as though nothing had happened.
He pictured it almost instantly.
One David sitting quietly inside his apartment.
Another David walking through the city.
To anyone watching...
There wouldn’t be a difference.
They’d both look real.
Because they were.
The realization sent a chill running down his spine.
"...That’s..."
He searched for the right word.
"...Insane."
It wasn’t just cloning.
It wasn’t even battlefield control anymore.
This was something else entirely.
He could scout dangerous areas without risking himself.
Attend one place while another version of him remained elsewhere.
If he ever suspected an ambush...
He wouldn’t even have to be there.
The more he thought about it...
The more impossible the skill became.
Then another thought suddenly crossed his mind.
"...Wait."
His eyes narrowed.
"If I can transfer my consciousness..."
"...Then can I still see through the others?"
The answer appeared before he’d even finished thinking.
Player may freely perceive through any active Shadow Battalion.
Player may alternate visual perspective at will.
David let out a slow breath.
"...Of course I can."
He couldn’t help laughing quietly.
"You know..."
He shook his head.
"I thought Criteria Two was the weaker one."
His gaze drifted back toward the words.
Three permanent clones.
Three additional sets of eyes.
Three additional ears.
Three additional bodies.
"No..."
A grin slowly spread across his face.
"I had it backwards."
"They were never made to fight."
"They’re meant to gather information."
"They’re meant to stay alive."
"And if they happen to win a fight..."
He shrugged.
"...That’s just a bonus."
For a long moment, David simply sat there, staring at the translucent screen.
Then...
His curiosity got the better of him.
He slowly looked down at Holly.
She hadn’t moved.
Her breathing remained soft and even as she slept peacefully against his chest, completely unaware that his entire understanding of the skill had just been turned upside down.
David smiled faintly before carefully adjusting the blanket around her one last time.
"...Guess one little test won’t hurt."
As though waiting for him to reach that conclusion, the screen shimmered once again.
A single prompt quietly appeared.
Passive Skill Detected.
To activate Shadow Battalion...
Imagine stepping beyond yourself.