Chapter 46: Changes and Return
Jaden walked towards the camera and picked it up. He checked the camera and put it into his pocket before calling out to his status.
————[System]————
Host: Jaden Cross
Job: The Shutter Summoner
Level: 10
Experience: 28/100
Mark: [Shadow]
Grimoire: Platinum (Bound – 0/7)
Skills:
[Capture] – Seal targets into pictures using Slots (Film).
[Summon] – Manifest sealed creatures temporarily.
[Binding Codex] – Synchronise growth with bound Grimoires.
Available Features:
[Profile] – Status overview.
[Epiphany Zone] – Training & comprehension mind space.
[Picturebook] – Codex of Summons, Spells, Arts.
[Quests] – Track active missions, objectives, and rewards.
Slots: 11
————[System]————
"Quests? That’s new," he muttered, and just as he spoke, messages appeared before him.
[Quest 1: Escape the grimzone ’The City of Eternal Prison.’]
[Reward: 1x Skill.]
[Quest 2: Obtain your memories.]
[Reward: Location of the seventh fragment.]
His expression turned into a frown as he asked with a puzzled look.
"The seventh fragment?"
"What’s that?"
He shook his head and moved that question and thoughts related to it to the back of his mind before calling out.
’No point thinking about it.’
"Profile."
————[Profile]————
Host: Jaden Cross
Age: 18
Job: The Shutter Summoner [SSS]
Job Description: You can capture and summon anything using your camera and grimoire.
Rank: Adept [10] → Expert [25]
Enhanced Stats:
Strength: 10 (1↑)
Agility: 10 (1↑)
Intelligence: 15 (1↑)
Spirit: 15 (1↑)
Charisma: 10 (1↑)
Available Stats: 5
Affinity:
Elemental: Fire, Water, Earth, Wind, Ice, Lightning, Darkness, Light.
Mark: Shadow, Soul, Death.
————[Profile]————
"Finally..."
He exhaled and his lips arched up as he dismissed the screen and called out.
’Picturebook.’
————[Picturebook]————
Entries Catalogued: 7
Sections: [Summons] [Spells] [Arts]
[Summons]
Mistwraith – [E]
Description: A being of flowing mist and a glass-like body.
Abilities: Mist Form, Wraith Claw
Summon Cost: 30 Mana
Galewolf(s) - [F] - [7]
Description: A swift wolf wreathed in slicing winds, its fur rippling like a living gale.
Abilities: Wind Magic.
Summon Cost: 10 Mana
Umbralfang – [C]
Description: A being born from the tiny fragments of the Shadow God and Moon God.
Abilities: Shadow Magic, Death Magic, Lunar Magic.
Summon Cost: 70 Mana
[Spells]
[1-star spells], [2-star spells - Unmastered]
[Arts]
[ Iron Body Form★ : 88%], [Shattering Fist ★ : 81%], [Dashing Step ★ : 85%], [Basic Sword Forms ★ : 73%], [Falling Petal Sword ★★ : 23%], [Gale Steps ★★ : 25%]
————[Picturebook]————
"What?"
Jaden’s eyes widened as he read the description of the umbralfang. He knew that the star beast was different from others just because it had used shadow magic... but it turned out to be a being born from the fragments of gods themselves.
"HAHAHAHA!" he laughed like a madman—the umbralfang was his, after all.
He continued to stare at the blue screen before dismissing it and looking up as he tried to find that hateful owl. However, it was nowhere to be seen.
"Damn it," he spat at the ground with a furious look and took out his sword as he began walking towards the city. He’d had enough fun in the forest.
’I completed the task I came for... and I don’t want to stay in this stupid forest anymore.’
He reasoned and quickened his steps towards the city with full vigilance; no star beast or nightmare attacked him on his way because he was covered in the blood of a C Rank nightmare.
Stepping on a few dried leaves and moving away a few vines with his sword, his gaze landed on the tall, wide walls of Nightshade City.
The city was bathed in the evening glow as he stepped out of the forest and began walking inside the short, dark tunnel.
He walked closer to the wall, picked up his leather bag, and took out the keys to the gate.
He walked towards the small gate at the corner of the main tall gate, unlocked it and pushed it open before stepping inside.
Just as he did so, someone grabbed him and pulled him away from the gaze of the guards who were talking to a civilian.
Jaden looked at the person who had pulled him with a disinterested expression and turned to curse at him, but stopped midway and asked with a puzzled expression.
"Navin?"
Navin looked at Jaden with a grave look as he stuttered.
"D-Did you go into the forest? What is all this blood?"
Jaden shrugged and waved his hands as he answered.
"Don’t worry, it’s not mine."
Navin blinked a few times and gave him a short nod before asking again.
"I see... You still have to answer my first question."
Jaden heaved a sigh and spoke with a smile,
"I am tired, and all this blood is annoying. Let me have a good bath and rest, then we talk."
"Mhm hmm." Navin nodded at his words and gave him a matching smile as he spoke.
"Not happening. Tell me right now."
Jaden’s smile faltered as he looked around and spoke.
"Let’s go somewhere private at least..."
"Hmm... follow me."
Navin turned around and entered a dark alley. Jaden followed, pulling his hood from the bag and slipping it on. They moved through the dark alley of the southern district leisurely, as they had no fear of getting caught.
Very few civilians lived within the southern district due to the fear of star beasts and nightmares of the forest, even though the wall kept the star beasts and nightmares out.
"Where are we going?"
Jaden questioned with his hands in his pockets. Navin turned and looked at him before answering.
"I have houses leased within all of the districts."
Hearing his words, Jaden frowned and questioned with a confused look.
"Why would you do that?"
"I am rich."
After listening to his reasoning, a vein throbbed on Jaden’s forehead.
He looked at Navin’s back and questioned himself.
’Is he also a young master in the mortal world?’
"No, I am not," Navin replied.
’HUH? He can also read minds?’
Jaden thought with wide eyes.
"No, I can’t. Your face says exactly what you’re thinking."
Jaden looked at him with narrowed eyes and replied.
"You know you aren’t proving yourself with that, right?"