Master Of None

Chapter 2294: 2294. Intelligent Shadows

Fifteen shadow tentacles touched the ball of dark mana that Mordant had dropped in to his own shadow. But the moment that they did, they all retracted. It was similar to a kid grabbing their favorite candy then realizing that their parents had said no to eating it right away.

This didn't halt Mordant's plans, he just kept walking forward a little by little with more dark mana spilling around him. He was a dark dominator dragon. He had a large amount of dark mana that any monsters with the same affinity would find amazing. So much so that even in fear, if they needed it, they might take the risk.

Which was exactly what Mordant was hoping for.

If he could bait the shadow eating octopus in to taking this dark mana, then he would have some bond with it. At the very least, that bind would be so small that it did not immediately run away from him. Therefore, he could push forward and be able to bring it away from this place.

With every step, the dark mana being let free from Mordant was even more tantalizing.

Its tentacles were actually very weak compared to the size that they should be. It was just the exceptional talent that this shadow eating octopus had since it had always been trying to survive with the smallest amounts of dark mana.

Due to that, it had learned to use the smaller amounts to survive. Never truly full and never truly nourished. Yet, it was enough to understand dark mana deeper than what it would normally have done if it had remained within the dark elemental planes where it could easily just get the man it needed from its surroundings without much effort.

This was the same for many others in the world who had limited abilities to use a certain mana. Those born with weaker affinities with only one mana but were still given a mage system earlier in life before the world had changed to the proper flow again.

Those people had managed to learn how to use that smaller affinity and smaller amounts if mana with better efficiency. Meaning that they used their skills much better than many others allowing them to rise higher.

Nowadays, that might change, but the fact that hard training and a lot more effort in understanding would lead to higher realms was a fact no matter what. It just took the right amount of willpower for someone to grow in that way.

Watching closely, Walker saw one of the many shadowy tentacles try to reach out. This time, it did not retreat and started to steal away some of the dark mana. In response, Mordant focused his dark mana and allowed it to take even more.

That was when multiple of the tentacles slowly moved forward and Mordant welcomed it with them. Clearly, his method was working since it was showing that he could be trusted. That he was not here to hint or fight. Instead, that he was there for help.

While the shadow eating octopus had never met another due to the strange circumstances of its infant life and now current life changing, it still understood kindness. They were an intelligent monster to some degree, even if they had yet to learn much. It could feel the way that Mordant offered the dark mana.

He wasn't offering it in the form of force or violence, instead, Mordant was making it easily malleable without keeping his own will attached to it. This showed the shadow eating octopus that it was being given without expectation.

Hence why Walker was shocked when the larger mass of shadows slowly rose up showing off a purple and black smokey looking head attached to the thin tentacles.but it did appear sickly. As if its body was not properly filled out and the skin was too tight. It also had eyes which were slow. Not able to focus as they should on most things.

Seeing all of this, Walker felt that this was the best thing that they could have done. Feeding this monster lost from the dark elemental planes where it could have lived naturally was right. But neither were ready for what happened next.

"Many struggles. None living. Alone. Friends?"

While blunt, the words that echoed through dark mana and were understood by both Walker and Mordant. "So you can speak. I would assume you are smart because of what you have learned while in this place?" Mordant spoke out and also used a little more dark mana to encourage a response.

"Learned. Old stones. Remained with bones." a few tentacles moved and rose from the shadows fully pointing behind some of the large stones jutting out from the ground in this massive cave. "Way to a better place here once before. Not now. Maybe soon."

"Are you saying that ancient records have been left here and you learned from them? That's an incredible achievement. You also understand that if you stay here and learn to wait you would be able to go back to the dark elemental plane potentially."

Mordant turned his head and looked at Walker. "My friend here also thought that a way back to the dark elemental plane and many other elemental planes might open here when he walked in. but we already have a way to get to the elemental planes. Along with a place with many other friends you may meet. You are smart enough to do so as well."

"Since this is all the case, I will offer to voice for you if you would wish to come with us to our home. You can learn more. You can meet others similar to you, what others would call monsters, but they have intelligence and are called monster races now and live with other races in peace."

"You would also be allowed to venture in to the dark elemental planes if you desired once you have recovered some strength. I will even welcome you in to my territory to meet my followers. I am what's known as a dark dominator dragon."

Impressed. That's how Walker felt right now with what he had just watched.

Not only had Mordant managed to immediately speak calmly and in a friendly manner with this shadow eating octopus, he had learned more about how it had grown smarter. Beyond that, he was welcoming it in to Genesis as if it was second nature! It was great!

"I don't need to say much. I am Walker and I am also one of the founders of the Genesis alliance uniting many races and kingdoms. We are searching places like this and welcoming others in to our homes to grow together in peace and safety. You are welcome to come with us if it is what you wish. We will also protect this place even if you do not wish to do so. Places like this are unique."

Backing up Mordant was important. It also had an immediate effect on the shadow eating octopus who unfurled more of his tentacles and pointed about at various places. "Learned From those stones. Need rest. Welcome you too. Friends."

The learning had clearly only allowed a certain level of communication. But whatever had been here to learn from was enough to allow a lot for a monster with high intelligence in general. Beyond this, Walker also sensed that there was a welcoming flow of mana from this shadow eating octopus now.

Its eyes were dropping as it slowly fell in to its own shadow. The dense dark mana it had been given had allowed it the nutrients it needed and was missing. However, because of the sudden addition of dense dark mana, it needed rest.

"I will swear on the world that I will remain within this cave while you rest. I will personally defend it and will not cause you harm." Mordant held his hands up and made this promise clearly. The shadow eating octopus just melted in to the shadows and latched on to a few larger rocks before moving rhythmically in slumber.

"So, you are the new recruiter of dark affinity monsters and races to Genesis? I'm impressed." Walker teased a little and Mordant growled half heartedly. Clearly, Mordant enjoyed the praise. As any dragon would with their pride intact.

"Shall we take a chance to learn a thing or two? Our new friend mentioned bones and ancient carved writings. I would have a guess that intelligent races or intelligent ancient monsters once lived here and carved this place out to be able to live nearby the elemental bridge to the elemental planes. The perfect place for them to grow or flee if need be."

Both of them looked at the directions which had been pointed out. Understanding that these might not just be some caves but in reality, an odd form of ruins from much longer than what they had understood of other ancient events. It was exciting.

....

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