Supreme Warlock System : From Zero to Ultimate With My Wives

Chapter 106: Out of The Frying Pan, Straight Into The Fire

Warlock Ch 106. Out of The Frying Pan, Straight Into The Fire

Damian ignored him, his mind racing. If he could create a new skill—something that didn't rely on his locked mana reserves—it might work. Creating a skill was fundamentally different from casting one. Casting required energy output which he couldn't do due to these chains. Creating came from within, a deep understanding of his abilities and how to shape them into something new.

He thought back to Cassius, to the way he moved with an almost supernatural fluidity, appearing and disappearing like a shadow. 'Something like that. A teleportation skill.' It was a long shot, but it was all he had.

He closed his eyes, focusing inward, tuning out Malthus's voice and the oppressive drain of the Mana Core shackles. The warlock mark on the back of his hand began to glow faintly, pulsing with an energy he hadn't felt before. He latched onto it, concentrating harder than he ever had.

Malthus's laughter cut through his focus, sharp and mocking. "Don't tell me you're trying to create a new skill now," he said, shaking his head in disbelief. "Unlocking a skill takes time, discipline, and preparation. You can't possibly—"

He stopped mid-sentence. The laughter faded from his voice, replaced by a flicker of something Damian hadn't seen before, doubt. Malthus's eyes narrowed as he watched the glowing mark intensify, the faint hum of energy in the air growing stronger.

"No," Malthus muttered, his voice low. "That's impossible…"

But Damian wasn't paying attention. His entire focus was on the mark, the core of his being, and the vision of a skill that would free him. He could feel it forming, the strands of energy weaving together into something new, something raw and untamed.

Malthus's expression twisted into one of fury. He lunged at Damian, his hand glowing with dark energy as he slammed it against Damian's chest. The force knocked the air from Damian's lungs, and a searing pain shot through him as Malthus's fingers dug into his flesh, as if trying to rip the Mana Core out by sheer force.

The agony was overwhelming, but Damian gritted his teeth, refusing to scream. 'Focus. Focus. You need to get out. You need to survive.'

"You think you can stop me?" Malthus growled, his voice filled with venom. "You think your pathetic tricks will save you?"

Damian didn't answer. The pain was excruciating, but he channeled it into his concentration, using it to fuel the spark of creation within him. The mark on his hand burned brighter, the glow spreading across his arm and into his body.

Malthus's eyes widened as the energy around Damian reached a crescendo. "No… this shouldn't be possible!"

A notification flashed before Damian's eyes, cutting through the haze of pain.

[New Skill Unlocked!]

[Shadow Step Lv. 1: Allows the user to step through shadows, instantly teleporting to a nearby location. Cooldown: 60 seconds.]

Without hesitation, Damian activated the skill. The world around him twisted and blurred, the shadows wrapping around him like a cloak. He felt a sudden pull, like he was being yanked through a narrow tunnel, and then—

He was free. Yes, he knew it would work because the teleportation skill also didn't require energy output at all.

The cold stone of the dungeon was gone. Damian stumbled, falling to one knee as the Mana shackles lifted. He gasped for breath, the crisp air burning his lungs as he pressed a hand to his chest. The faint, lingering ache from Malthus's attempt to extract his core throbbed with every heartbeat.

Looking around, he realized he wasn't free yet. The alley was dark, the walls rough and ancient, made from the same kind of stone as the dungeon. The faint hum of malevolent energy lingered in the air, and Damian's heart sank. He was still in Malthus's stronghold—just a different part of it.

'Great. Out of the frying pan, straight into the fire,' Damian thought, forcing himself to his feet. He didn't have time to catch his breath. Malthus would be after him any second, and if the warlock didn't find him, those shadow servants would.

He reached deep into himself, activating [Spectral Surge]. Energy coursed through his body, sharpening his reflexes and leaving a faint trail of afterimages as he moved. 'Alright. Time to get out of here.'

Keeping to the shadows, Damian darted forward, his enhanced speed making it easier to avoid detection. He turned corner after corner, his heart racing as he scanned for any sign of a way out.

The first attack came from the darkness. A shadow servant lunged at him from above, its claws swiping at his head. Damian ducked just in time, spinning and firing [Dark Bolt] in a single, fluid motion.

[Shadow Servant] took 210 damage.

The bolt struck true, sending the servant reeling, its form flickering like a candle in the wind. Damian didn't wait to see if it recovered—he was already moving again, his senses on high alert.

But the further he went, the more servants appeared. Some moved in small groups, others alone, but all of them were far stronger than the shadows Cassius used. These weren't just passive watchers or errand runners—they were hunters, designed for combat.

A horde of them appeared ahead, their glowing eyes locking onto him. Damian skidded to a halt, his mind racing. 'No way I can take all of them head-on.'

"Fine," Damian muttered under his breath, summoning his resolve. "Let's make some room."

He raised his hands, activating [Dark Chains]. Ethereal chains erupted from the ground, snaking out and wrapping around the nearest servants. Their movements slowed, their power visibly weakening as they struggled against the bindings.

[Shadow Servant ] took 150 damage and is immobilized.

[Shadow Servant ] is immobilized. Physical and magical power is reduced by 40%.

Using the opening, Damian dashed past the group, weaving through the narrow alleys with his enhanced speed. He could feel the servants closing in behind him, their presence a constant, oppressive weight on his senses.

'This place is a damn maze!' he thought, frustration bubbling up as he turned yet another corner, only to find more shadow servants waiting for him. One of them lunged, its claws slashing toward his chest. Damian threw up a [Shadow Barrier] just in time.