I Was a Loner, but My Class Got Summoned to Another World…-Chapter 375: Scouting the Abyss

That night, Logan walked quietly through the camp.

He could feel it—Kryst was weakened. The ambient dark mana that clung to the land was affecting her. Like Lisa, she was light-blessed, and prolonged exposure to this much darkness-aligned energy was taking its toll.

And yet, she endured.

Kryst sat near one of the crystalline trees she had begun cultivating, using her own magic to synthesize darkness elemental crystals. These strange formations not only absorbed some of the miasma in the air but also refined it into high-quality darkness crystals—perfect fuel for the strange egg Logan had been nurturing.

"Thank you, Kryst," Logan said softly, placing a hand on her now surprisingly lifelike surface. The slime had learned to mimic the feel of human skin and hair. None of her texture stuck to him like it once did.

"You've always helped me. You've shaped this kingdom into what it is today."

"No problem," Kryst replied with a cheerful hum. "Master makes me strong. I'll make the others strong too—and help master kill demons."

Logan smiled. "Just let me know if you need anything, alright? And don't stay outside too long—I don't want this miasma hurting you."

She gave a bubbly nod as Logan turned away. Outside the fortified camp, several of his strongest creatures stood guard—Gaia, Scorch, Stormwing, Zephyr, and Wyver—taking shifts eradicating the vermin drawn to Kryst's growing crystal trees.

As for the humans, many were back aboard the ship, recovering from the miasma's effects. The rest were inside the fort, eating and resting.

Logan remained outside a little longer. Oddly enough, he didn't feel drained.

If anything… he felt stronger, it was like the island was feeding him.

Then, a voice cut through the quiet behind him.

"Sorry to come without permission, Logan. Is there anything I can do in the journey tomorrow?"

Logan turned. From within his shadow, a figure materialized—soft and soundless.

"Victor?" Logan said, unfazed. "I had a feeling you'd show up. Next time, maybe just say you're coming with us?"

The hero of shadows scratched the back of his head. "Apologies. It was part of a quest. I had to shadow others—follow in their steps while remaining only as a shadow. Now, I just need to meet the Darkness Spirit and earn two new shadows."

Logan's expression hardened slightly. "You didn't…"

"Nothing like that," Victor interrupted quickly. "It didn't always have to be people. I shadowed your creatures, too. Every being I followed let me imprint a shadow based on them. It's how I get stronger—how I create more realistic, specialized summons."

He held up a hand.

Dark mana swirled as a new shape formed—a shadowy version of Zephyr, sleek and birdlike, but crow-colored.

"Cool, right? That one was a pain. Your bird doesn't exactly stay still. But eventually I figured out how to imprint just the talons—when they were covered in shadow."

Logan chuckled. "Looks like a crow version of Zephyr."

"Well, I can fly now, like you. So thanks—seriously," Victor said with a proud smile.

"No problem… well I didn't even do anything." Logan replied. "But I am going to need your help tomorrow. We'll be heading toward the Temple of Darkness… and if I'm right, that's where you need to be too."

Victor hesitated. "Yeah, but… I'm not as strong here. I need light to cast shadows. In total darkness, I'm kind of useless."

He looked down, voice quieter.

"If you can provide a strong light that stays lit long enough, I can unleash some high-level shadow skills. Maybe even finish fights quickly. But without it…"

Logan gave a small nod. "I've got a few things we can use in an emergency. We'll figure it out in the morning. Right now, I need food and sleep." freёweɓnovel.com

He started walking, but Victor stopped him again.

"Oh, one more thing," the shadow mage added, gaze slightly more serious now. "After your trial… you should visit Charlotte. She's too shy to ask, but she needs your help."

Logan raised a brow.

"She hasn't reached out because… the stronger you get, the stronger she becomes. I think she's waiting for you to finish your quest first—but she won't say it. What a cowardly knight you have… you should give her some attention." Victor gave a soft laugh.

With that, Victor vanished—dissolving into the air like mist, his shadow-Zephyr following silently behind.

Logan took it as a sign to head back and eat. He lay down soon after, though rest didn't come easily. The thick black fog surrounding the camp seemed to invigorate him rather than drain him. There was one other person with so much energy it was Rubin who was also blessed by darkness.

By morning, a quick meeting was held to determine the next scouting team. The rising sun thinned the fog slightly, but not enough—they would still need someone to produce light throughout the day.

An hour later, they were back out in the field.

Now that the immediate area around the camp had been explored and secured, it was time to press outward. Two groups were formed.

Group One: Logan, Rubina, Scorch, and Uriel.

Group Two: Victor Rosengard, Victor the Shadowchaser, Lisa, Orus, Wyver, and Stormwing.

Their only objective for the day was to find the trail leading up the mountain.

"Alright everyone, you know the plan," Victor Rosengard said, his tone steady. "Just find the trail—don't climb it yet. That part needs careful planning."

He gave Logan a quick glance. Though hesitant about sending his daughter into danger, he trusted Logan's strength enough to let her go.

"Understood. Let's get this done quickly," Logan added. "We can't spend more than a few hours out here—light magic eats through mana fast. Those of us producing it won't last much longer than that."

With no further delay, the two teams split off in opposite directions.

Logan let Scorch take the lead, relying on the Tyrant's radiant scales to cut through the darkness. Between Scorch, Rubina, and Uriel, the area ahead was bathed in fierce, hot radiant light.

For once in this journey, Logan wouldn't have to play the walking flashlight.