Shadowcaster… Shadowcaster…
Nia whispered the name to herself, her eyes shimmering with a brilliance she had never shown before.
For the first time in her life, she felt a fierce curiosity toward a man.
She could clearly hear the rapid thumping in her chest.
It was her own heartbeat, racing uncontrollably.
Shadowcaster, which school are you from? You saved my life. I haven't even thanked you yet!
Seeing Zayne turn to leave, Nia quickly called after him.
But Zayne had absolutely no intention of indulging her. He waved a hand dismissively and walked deeper into the forest.
There's no need for thanks. It was nothing.
Shadowcaster…
Nia lifted her foot, wanting to chase after him, when Zayne suddenly halted and spoke in an icy tone.
Do not follow me. The beasts ahead are far stronger. You are not capable of entering that part of the forest. And…
I suggest you put your clothes back on.
Nia froze, lowered her head––and finally realized that most of her outfit had been burned away by the earlier flames, revealing large swathes of pale skin.
A sharp yelp escaped her. Her cheeks flushed crimson as she dropped into a crouch, hurriedly trying to cover herself.
By the time she gathered herself, Zayne's figure had already disappeared into the night.
Shadowcaster!
Just you wait. I will catch up to you. One day, I will stand at your side with my head held high!
Her voice echoed through the forest, unanswered.
Nia bit down hard on her lip, a fierce determination blazing in her eyes.
Yet beneath that fire was unmistakable humiliation.
She had always considered herself a prodigy.
But comparing talent… she couldn't even put a scratch on the Dragonblood Troll, while Shadowcaster killed it in a single strike.
And when she tried to follow him, he saw her only as a burden.
Comparing appearance… half her clothes were gone, leaving very little to imagination, yet Shadowcaster did not spare her a second glance.
As if she had no charm at all.
That stung even deeper.
Women were strange like that.
If you looked at them, you were a pervert.
If you didn't look at them, they began to doubt their own attractiveness.
Nia had always been confident in her looks.
Since childhood, suitors surrounded her endlessly.
She had rejected them all with cold indifference.
But this was the first time she had shown even a hint of initiative toward someone.
And Shadowcaster had responded with complete apathy.
It was unacceptable.
Especially because this was the first man she had ever been truly moved by.
Zayne's dismissiveness had lit a bonfire under her pride.
She swore silently to herself that the next time they met, she would make sure Shadowcaster saw her in a completely different light.
Shadowcaster, I won't forget you. We will meet again when this novice dungeon closes. And I will not lose to you!
Nia changed into new clothes and marched forward with renewed resolve.
The silhouette of Shadowcaster burned in her mind.
He had become her obsession, her target, and the very reason she pushed herself to grow stronger.
She would reach level ten before the dungeon closed.
And she would prove to him that she was no burden.
Phew. At least now I don't have to worry about that idiot woman pestering me.
Deep in the forest, Zayne finally let out a long breath and removed his disguise.
After that performance, Nia's attention would remain fixated entirely on the fictitious Shadowcaster.
As for him, the coward who had supposedly fled…
The next time she saw him, she would probably turn around and walk the other way without a word.
Perfect.
He had no interest in getting tangled up with Nia.
As for why he saved her?
Simple.
SSS awakeners drew massive attention.
If Nia died inside the dungeon, the authorities would definitely launch a full-scale investigation.
If they discovered his immortality… that would spell disaster.
To avoid that mess, Zayne acted.
And besides, killing the Dragonblood Troll still counted as farming monsters. It wasn't like he was going out of his way.
But this did mean he had to avoid using Hellfire Armageddon and Infernal Overdrive casually from now on.
Fortunately, the troll had supplied him with the last bit of experience he needed.
He was now level four, unlocking a new Forbidden Spell.
Name: Zayne
Class: Forbidden Spellcaster
Level: 4 (0.02 percent)
Strength: 40
Agility: 60
Spirit: 120
Skills: Forbidden Spell Worldbane Thunderfall, Forbidden Spell Infernal Overdrive, Forbidden Spell Hellfire Armageddon, Forbidden Spell Savage Death Rewind
Forbidden Spell Worldbane Thunderfall: Sacrifice a part of your own body to call down destructive thunder from the heavens. The more essential the sacrifice, the stronger the summoned lightning. At its peak, summons Abyssborn Thunderfall. Power scales with the caster's level and Spirit.
Forbidden Spell Infernal Overdrive: Burn your own life force to massively increase Strength, Agility, and Spirit.
Forbidden Spell Hellfire Armageddon: Sacrifice your own blood to summon hellfire capable of burning all things. Once it touches an enemy, the flames cannot be extinguished.
Forbidden Spell Savage Death Rewind: Sacrifice three years of lifespan to negate one instance of lethal damage.
Note: Forbidden Spellcaster spells have no cooldown and no cost.
Zayne eagerly examined his new spell.
One glance later, his expression went dark green.
You've got to be kidding me.
This spell was completely useless to him.
He was literally immortal.
Why would he need an ability that burned lifespan to avoid death?
What was he supposed to do with this?
Frame it? Hang it on a wall?
But just as he was about to curse the heavens, Zayne suddenly froze.
No.
No, wait.
This wasn't useless.
This was… genius.
His eyes brightened, a bold idea forming in his mind.
Savage Death Rewind might not protect him in any real way, but it was the perfect cover.
If someone stabbed him in the heart, chopped off his head, or blew half his body off, he wouldn't die.
But that would expose his immortality.
Now, with this spell…
If he survived a lethal hit, he had an excuse.
I'm a Forbidden Spellcaster.
I sacrificed three years of lifespan to survive.
Perfectly reasonable.
Zayne grinned wide in the shadows.
This wasn't a trash skill.
This was the ultimate camouflage.