'No, that can't be possible. Every person has only one Shadow.'

'The original Neo can't have multiple Shadows.'

Neo did not understand what was happening.

He exhaled.

'I'll think about it later. First I need to complete the task before me.'

He stood in front of Arthur's Shadow.

The Shadow did not try to fight back.

It knew its fate was sealed.

"Any last words?"

"Last words?" Arthur's Shadow smirked. "Shadows never die.

"We'll meet again and, next time, I'll make sure you stay dead.

"You damned traitor—"

Neo sliced the Shadow's head off its shoulder.

Quest completion notification appeared in his vision.

He ignored them.

"Dammit, I feel like shit even though I won."

Neo used Immortal.

There was nothing wrong with using his skill in the battle.

Still, he felt like had cheated.

It wasn't the type of victory he wanted.

"Fuck, this is almost as if I'm weaker than Arthur."

Neo clenched his fist.

He would surpass Arthur.

He didn't care if Arthur was the protagonist or the hero who was destined to save the worlds.

Neo was not going to give up.

…

Depth Level 3

Lucas activated the device.

A spatial ring formed around the crack in the space — the Corner — and it tried to forcefully close the crack.

At the side, Nathan used the communication device to alert the other teams on Depth Level 2.

Mars, Felix, and Cassandra used the device to close their Corners.

The three Corners were closed at the same time.

"It's done. The Window will soon close.

"We need to leave."

Lucas created a portal.

Arthur didn't step into the portal immediately.

"Arthur, we can't waste time."

"…"

Arthur nodded and entered the portal with downcast eyes.

The group moved towards the doorway of Depth Level 2 at a quick pace with help of portals.

They met with Felix, Mars and Cassandra.

"Where are the others?" Mars asked.

Arthur shook his head.

Mars face hardened.

He did not say anything for a few moments.

"I see…"

A sigh escaped his lips.

"Let's leave," he said.

The group returned to Depth Level 1 quickly and left the Window with the help of the portals.

The principal, Charlotte, and Elizabeth, disguised as Anna, were waiting for them.

"Good work. The medical team will take care of the injured.

"All of you can take a rest for three days. You'll receive your reward after that."

Charlotte did not ask about the missing students.

It was easy to guess what happened to those who did not return.

She looked at the slowly closing giant tear in the sky.

Suddenly, Elizabeth took a step.

Rings of fire materialized around Elizabeth.

Before the students could realize what was happening, Charlotte's dolls teleported them away.

She stared at Elizabeth.

"Where are you trying to go?"

"To save Neo. He wouldn't have died."

Elizabeth was about to break the flames created by Charlotte until she sensed multiple powerful presences in vicinity.

They were hiding, but their bloodlust was as clear as day.

"Master, did you prepare those people to stop me?"

"Yes, I did, since I knew you would try to enter the Window if that boy died there."

Elizabeth clenched her fists.

She could sense someone as strong as herself among those people brought by Charlotte.

"Eliz, we can't risk bringing out your Shadow.

"If that thing appears when you enter the Window, there will be countless causalities.

"We can't afford such scenario."

"I'll defeat my Shadow."

"You can't. No one can defeat their own Shadow."

Elizabeth realized her master would not let her enter the Window.

There was no other choice.

A spear materialized in her hand and the gravity around her started to go out of control.

Before she could take a step, Charlotte sighed.

"Fine, I accept it. The boy is alive.

"I can see him. He has defeated the Kingsley boy's Shadow just now."

"Then that means I can still save—"

"No, the boy doesn't need your help."

"…?"

Charlotte looked at the Window that was nearly closed.

"He isn't even trying to return. I'm sure he has a plan."

"That's no excuse to leave him there."

Elizabeth was about to leave when suddenly her vision blurred.

Her body grew weak and she lost consciousness before she could realize what was going on.

Charlotte looked at the teacher's staff room far into the distance.

Inside, an old man was drinking his coffee.

He smiled bitterly.

"The lass is quite strong. It took me an entire day to knock her out."

"Thank you."

The old man and Charlotte talked as if they were sitting next to each other even though they were thousands of meters apart.

"Don't mind it. But is this okay? What will happen when the lass wakes up?"

"There will be mayhem."

Charlotte massaged her brows.

As she watched the Window disappear, she hoped — prayed — Neo had a plan to return alive by the time Elizabeth woke up.

…

Inner Castle, Depth Level 5

The Shadow monster attacked.

Its massive arm hit Jack's abdomen.

His body flew back and crashed into the wall.

"Cough! Cough!"

Jack was caught by the Shadow monsters.

He didn't even realize how long he had been fighting for.

He bled from the multiple wounds inflicted on his body.

The Shadow monster tried to grab his neck.

Jack hurriedly slipped into the shadows on the ground and tried to escape.

But the Shadow monster tailed him.

When the monster left the hall, running after Jack, a Shadow appeared inside the hall.

It was Jack.

He fell to the ground, exhausted and injured.

"I need to… keep moving… the double won't fool them for long."

Jack used the Shadow Double Spell to create a doppelganger and baited the Shadow monster with it.

He had to escape while the shadow monster was gone.

Just as he tried to stand and run away, he noticed dozens of shadow monsters patrolling the corridor outside of the hall.

"Ahah... hahahaha."

A hollow laugh escaped his lips.

Tears slipped down his cheeks.

He couldn't escape.