Solo Leveling: Infinite Talent

The night sky stretched endlessly above as Mai Lee emerged from the dungeon's entrance, the cool air brushing against his skin. The battle within had been intense, far more than he had anticipated. Yet, it had yielded results beyond expectations.

His status window flickered to life, displaying the latest changes:

[Partial Status Update]

Strength: +20

Agility: +18

Mana: +25

New Skill Acquired: "Spectral Dominion"

Talent Fusion Successful: "Abyssal Phantom" (Merged from Phantom Reflexes and Shadow Manifestation)

Mai Lee studied the new talent carefully. Abyssal Phantom. The fusion had created something unique, a blend of extreme reflexes and the ability to phase in and out of shadows. With this, his movement and evasion techniques would be on an entirely different level.

He clenched his fists, feeling the surge of power coursing through his body. Every battle brought him closer to true dominance, and now, his abilities were evolving at an exponential rate. He had always known that the day would come when he would no longer need to fear any opponent. That day was fast approaching.

A soft rustle in the distance made him turn sharply. The forest surrounding the dungeon was eerily quiet, save for the occasional chirp of night creatures. But Mai Lee knew better. Something—or someone—was watching him.

He activated Spectral Dominion, his vision shifting slightly as ethereal outlines of the surrounding area became visible. There, hidden behind the dense foliage, a figure crouched low, observing him intently. The moment Mai Lee's eyes locked onto them, the figure darted away.

"Not so fast." Mai Lee vanished into the shadows, reappearing in an instant behind the fleeing figure. With a swift motion, he grasped their shoulder and spun them around, only to come face to face with a woman clad in black armor, her eyes wide in shock.

"You… You weren't supposed to see me," she whispered, voice barely audible.

Mai Lee smirked. "Then you should have tried harder to hide."

She sighed, seeming to realize escape was futile. "Fine. You're stronger than I thought. I'll be direct—I was sent to observe you."

"By whom?" Mai Lee's eyes narrowed. He wasn't surprised. After his recent victories, it was only a matter of time before someone took notice.

The woman hesitated before responding, "The Shadow Council. They've been watching your progress, and they're… interested."

The name triggered something in Mai Lee's memory. The Shadow Council was a secretive organization operating in the underbelly of hunter society. Their influence extended far beyond what most hunters realized, and their interests often aligned with those who wielded power in unconventional ways.

"And what does this Shadow Council want from me?" Mai Lee asked, crossing his arms.

She met his gaze, her expression unreadable. "A meeting. A simple discussion. No hostility."

Mai Lee chuckled. "People like you don't arrange 'simple discussions.'"

"You're right," she admitted. "But whether you go or not, they will continue watching you. This is your chance to control the narrative before they decide their next move."

Mai Lee weighed his options. He could eliminate her and send a message, but that wouldn't stop the Council's interest. Instead, accepting the meeting might give him a chance to gather information on them.

He sighed. "Fine. But on my terms."

The woman gave a small nod. "Understood. We'll send you the location." With that, she stepped back, vanishing into the shadows as swiftly as she had appeared.

Mai Lee exhaled slowly, watching the spot where she had disappeared. The game was shifting. New players were stepping onto the board, and he needed to stay ahead.

"Shadow Council, huh?" he muttered, his smirk returning. "Let's see what you have in store."