Chapter 55 Stranger [1]

Hamlet had a special Unique skill. Monster Mimic. It was a special skill a Demon King Slime had that allowed it to take the form, appearance, skill and nature of any living creature it devours. It didn't just copy a monster and it skills, Monster Mimic allowed Hamlet to literally become the monster and replace it's existence. From the way I saw it, it was an unfairly overpowered ability. But that ability was also part of my arsenal now. One of the skills I received since I made Hamlet my familiar was an Extra skill called 'Partial Mimic.' This was like a lesser and downgraded version of the Monster Mimic that allowed Hamlet to become the living creature it devoured. Just like the name implied, mine only let me imitate, and mimic certain few characteristics of the victim. The only downside is, I'm not allowed to choose what I might end up copying. But the good side is, I don't have to be the one devouring the victim, Hamlet was good enough and any monster he devoured would automatic also become a part of me. Something like that. With Partial Mimic I can obtain only a single characteristics of the victim, unlike Hamlet who literally becomes their existence and possesses all of their aspects. The characteristic I obtained from the Midnight Fox this time was a pleasant suprise. ... [You have received a new Attribute, {Lesser Midnight Blessing}] [Description: you have obtained a fragment of the shadow and darkness attribute and your affinity towards darkness has risen slightly. You will experience a slight increase in all stats when surrounded by your innate element.] ... The aspect I got from the monster this time was a new Attribute! The last few times I tired Partial Mimic on other Monsters or animals along the way, I ended up either getting a part of their body or physical characteristics. 'Those are deeply unsettling, so I have zero intentions on using them unless completely necessary in the future! Why did I even get the weird idea of devouring a chicken again? Ah well, in any case the loot this time was an Attribute. These things were actually quite rarer than Skills to come about apparently and my only other attribute was the one I got from eating the fruit of Aurora back when I was still at the dungeon Midnight Foxes were beast type monsters with considerably high affinity for shadow and darkness, and this was evident the last time I attempted to invade their den. Those guys gave me a really hard time honestly. The description said I received a 'fragment' of the shadow affinity, this was quite literal as always as the Partial Mimic skill only allowed me to receive a part of a characteristics of the Monster Hamlet devoured. I didn't get a skill that let me blend into the darkness or manipulate the shadows, but the Lesser Shadow Affinity gave me a passive increase in all stats when I'm surrounded by my element. Just like those blasted foxes! "Hehehe...it was a gamble, but it all worked out in the end." Considering it was a slim percent chance that I'd end up with something as useful as a Skill or an attribute like this, especially when I've become less confident of my luck - due to certain reasons - I was pretty lucky this time around. Enough so to make me suspiciously glance at the cold bronze ring on my finger. I looked at Hamlet who was still in a cross form of the Midnight Fox, and a Dire Fanged Wolf and smiled slightly before petting his furry head. "Heh, I guess you can be pretty redeemable at times." 'But I'll still make you suffer.' I added inwardly. Hamlet seemed to enjoy my praise as I felt it transmit it's intention towards me. It was a raid from a group of notorious bandits in these parts. The terrorised villager's scurried around the place with panicked expressions, and horror. Turmoil and chaos swept the village like a storm. Men donning black and wielding weapons like short swords, whips and dagger scurried around the place, chuckling darkly as they relished the sight. Off to the square of the village, there were horse drawn carriages lined, with iron cages held on the back. The villagers were hunted and gathered together to the square. There, they were binded and restrained. Many cried and screamed for help. Their voices were lost to the descending sun behind the distant horizon. Evening was quick to coming in. The radiance of the sky was quick to dim. The bandits dragged their victims, mothers and children, and hauled them all together into the cages. They would make fine merchandise to the slave traders across the borders of the kingdom, they said. "Hahaha!! Round them all up, boys! What a fine catch we got today. Hahaha!" The dark laughter rolled like an omen of dread to the villagers. They watched with helpless horror as the bandits set fires to their houses and properties. Their valuables and wealth were stripped and piled in one of the cages that was filled with the bright gold, silver, and platinum glint of coins and jewelleries. That was their loot from their previous target. As the carnage only continued to unravel, the rays of the sun completely deserted the world. Nighttime had finally fallen. Finally, it was dark. -Flap. A black coat fluttered lightly in the wind. "What's this?" A dark and cold voice resounded above the turmoil. It was a voice that instinctively sent dread through the backs of all those who heard it. The bandits immediately stopped what they were doing and looked up. The crying villagers raised their heads and stared above as well. Then everyone froze. Their eyes shivered with unrestrained chill. There was a person...no, it was a Demon. Sitting on top the edge of one of the carriages in the villages Square, a mysterious man with white hair that reached his neck, wearing an all black outfit and a long coat, looked down on the world from above. But what truly struck them with an indiscernible sense of horror and dread was his deamen. And the black fiendish mask he had on. A brawny man with a shaved head and deep eyes, who was the first one to snap out of his reverie stepped forward. He was the boss and leader of the band of rampaging bandit. In his hands, he had short dual battlel axes glinting with a dull silver light. He looked up at the mysterious stranger who was sitting on top the carriage from above and frowned. "And who are you?" He asked in a deep voice. The night had only just descended entirely and the bright silver moon slowly rose into the sky. The shoulder's of the stranger slowly began to tremble as a deep, dark and twisted laughter left his throat. "Mhmhmhmhmhmhm..mhmhahaha!!" It started from a low rumble to a dark and explosive boom. The sinister voice that seemed to hold the promises of dark truth filled everyone with unease. "Who am i?" He said. "Me?" He chuckled ominously. The stranger placed his gloved hand against the mask resting on his face and tilted his head slightly. A cold chill suddenly spread through the surroundings as his voice reverberated darkly. "Guess."