Online Game: Starting With SSS-Ranked Summons-Chapter 449: Empowering The Living Shadow

The final upgrade brought his shadow’s capabilities to 80% of his own power, a level that approached true combat partnership rather than simple assistance. Furthermore, the shadow had gained a new effect, an equipment bonus, which meant that the shadow is now able to use the powerful weapons that Arthur can bestow on it.

With enhanced attributes, equipment bonuses, and access to transferred skills or talents, his living shadow would effectively function as a second Arthur operating at slightly reduced capacity.

Arthur examined his remaining resources: 14 skill points remained available for future investments. The next tier would likely require even more points, but the foundation had been established. His living shadow was now ready to serve as both tactical asset and strategic reserve.

Looking down at his own shadow cast by the sunlight, Arthur could sense the dormant intelligence waiting within the darkness at his feet. When activated, this shadow would become a formidable ally capable of independent thought, autonomous action, and lethal effectiveness against even superior-rank opponents.

...

Arthur then activated the skill, feeling the familiar sensation of his mythical ability responding to his will. The shadow beneath his feet began to shift and ripple, as if the darkness itself was coming alive with intelligence.

Slowly, the shadow separated from his body, rising from the ground like liquid darkness given a body to move through.

The process was mesmerising to watch—what had been a simple projection of light and shadow gradually took on three-dimensional substance, becoming a perfect silhouette of Arthur that possessed weight, presence, and intelligence.

Even the Golden Beetle was slightly startled as the shadow figure suddenly materialised before them, its massive eyes tracking the new entity with obvious confusion. After a quick moment of assessment, the beetle’s mental voice carried recognition and understanding. 𝑓𝘳𝑒𝑒𝓌𝘦𝘣𝘯ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝑚

"Ah, it is your shadow, master," the beetle observed with some shock. "I had heard legends of such abilities, but to witness the manifestation directly is... remarkable. This is truly worthy of your power, master."

Arthur studied his living shadow with satisfaction.

The figure before him was identical to his own proportions and stance, but composed entirely of complete, utter darkness. Despite its shadowy composition, the entity possessed a clear definition and obvious intelligence, its featureless head turning to observe the surrounding forest with awareness.

However, Arthur recognised that having only attribute-based capabilities was insufficient for maximising his shadow’s combat effectiveness. The living extension of his will needed proper equipment and skills to reach its full potential as an autonomous warrior.

Otherwise, with nothing but his attributes, it would be difficult for his shadow to survive in this forest, after all, most of the monsters here are in the epic-rank or above, and they are also higher level than Arthur.

Arthur opened his spatial inventory and began selecting items that weren’t part of his primary equipment collection but would significantly enhance his shadow’s combat power.

The first enhancement he decided to provide wasn’t physical equipment, but rather one of the skills he had acquired during his early development in Armageddon.

<Blade Whirl>

<Rank: Epic>

<Active>

<Description: Using a bladed weapon, you can execute a whirling motion that increases the damage per hit of the four-strike combo. Each successive strike in the sequence becomes more powerful than the previous one, creating a devastating chain attack that can overwhelm even heavily armoured opponents.>

The skill was undeniably powerful. By any conventional measure, it would be considered an extraordinary asset. Most players would view an epic-rank combat ability as a pinnacle achievement, something to build their entire fighting style around. For many, it would become the cornerstone of their strength, their signature move, their greatest weapon.

In truth, the number of individuals who possessed such high-tier abilities was astonishingly small. You could likely count them on two hands, even across the entire continent. These kinds of skills were not just rare; they were game-changing, coveted, and fiercely protected.

Owning one meant you were no longer in the realm of average awakeners. You were stepping into the territory of true elites.

However, Arthur simply had no practical use for it in his current combat style, considering that he primarily wielded his Chaos Katana, a pseudo-legendary weapon that possessed its own integrated skills and abilities that far exceeded what Blade Whirl could provide.

Thus, Arthur decided to transfer the skill to his shadow, where it would serve a more valuable purpose. Through the mystical connection that bound them, he felt the ability flow from his consciousness into the shadowy figure, watching as his living extension immediately understood and integrated the new combat technique.

After completing the skill transfer, Arthur checked his status, and just like he thought, the skill was gone.

Arthur then turned his attention to physical equipment. He began to pick and choose the clothing he wanted for his shadow.

He ended up with a comprehensive set of very rare items that would provide substantial enhancement without using any of his primary equipment.

First came the body armour. It was a lightweight suit designed and crafted specifically to balance protection and agility. Unlike bulky plate armour that restricted movement, this set hugged the body like a second skin, offering exceptional flexibility without compromising durability.

Every seam and joint had been carefully constructed to accommodate swift motion, sudden pivots, and silent manoeuvres.

This was not armour meant for brute force confrontation. It was tailored for the battlefield of assassins, for ambushes, evasive strikes, and rapid repositioning. For someone who relied on stealth, speed, and precision, it was the perfect fit for his shadow. It would protect without slowing down, and it would move as the wearer moved, fluid, silent, and certainly lethal.

Next, Arthur equipped his shadow with a mana-enhancing earring that would boost the entity’s magical capabilities, followed by an amulet that provided additional attribute bonuses and minor protective enchantments.

Boots came next, crafted for silence, precision, and unmatched agility. Every step would be muffled, every movement clean and unhindered. They were ideal for a creature designed to melt into darkness and strike from angles its enemies would never see coming.

Then, Arthur retrieved the final items from his inventory.