Hacking the Game Didn't Go as Intended [Part One]

CHAPTER 116: Final Farewell & The Shadow Djinn

Time was of the essence. Daisuke knew the longer it took for him to find a trail, the harder the overall search was going to become for the kids.

A part of him yearned for a Gate that could teleport him to Wonderelle, but alas, Dusthaven needed to develop into a full-fledged city to possess such a convenient and invaluable resource.

Before passing through the western gate, Daisuke paused at the solitary hill that held his virtual mother's grave. Zephyr watched quietly as his companion knelt beside the tombstone, carefully replacing the snacks that the local rodent-like monsters had likely pilfered.

"Hi mom," Daisuke began, his expression not as somber as before. "Sorry about earlier; I wasn't really sure what to say. But after a bit of thinking, I've decided what it is that I'd like to do."

***

After speaking his mind, Daisuke brushed a leaf from atop the crude tombstone and pushed to his feet, his eyes whispering one final goodbye. But before he could make his way down the slope, both his and Zephyr's radar began picking up a disturbance.

"Grr," the pup growled, his hackles raised.

Daisuke summoned the Lipanthyer's Fang, his eyes flitting from left to right as he focused his senses on the vibrations underground. It can't be! Don't tell me that damned Ekimmu had a vengeful twin brother or something?!

All of a sudden, the quaking stopped. But rather than dropping his guard, Daisuke tightened his grip around his dagger.

BOOOOM!

The earth exploded, and out came a small fiend in the form of a mole-like creature. Daisuke's body dipped low in pure battle-readiness while Zephyr's maw went aglow with a raging flame. But before the elements of destruction could converge on the monster—

"Meow~"

Daisuke stilled in his tracks as the mole transformed into a familiar feline. "M-Midnight?"

DING!

[Are you sure «Midnight» is the name you would like to assign to the Shadow Djinn?]

Before Daisuke could even formulate a coherent thought—

DING!

[The Shadow Djinn delightfully accepts the name «Midnight»!]

DING!

[A master-familiar contract has been forged between you and the Shadow Djinn!]

DING!

[The Shadow Djinn «Midnight» has joined your party!]

DING!

[The title «Master of Djinn» has been acquired!]

DING!

[The active skill «Shadow Veil» has been acquired!]

DING!

[The Stealth stat has been acquired!]

Daisuke righted his stance and dismissed his weapon, his expression blank. "Okay, so I guess from the very start, I had no say in the matter—wait!" He froze, recalling the feline's previous mole-like appearance and how it correlated with Elysia's description. "Are you the Guardian Spirit that discovered the water vein?"

With an endearing "meow", Midnight daintily made his way atop Daisuke's shoulder, olive-green eyes drifting close as he tenderly rubbed his cheek against his master's.

Daisuke chuckled softly, running his fingers through the purring feline's velvety fur. Meanwhile, Zephyr looked on with clear discontent, appalled by the newcomer's audacity to claim what he considered his rightful throne.