[Muspelheim Dungeon] Ucharin

Hello, my name is Ucharin. I'm a shadow!

I don't quite remember what I was originally a shadow of — it's been so long — but I was probably the shadow of some living creature. I have hazy memories of being dragged around here and there. Oh, you're wondering how a shadow like me can talk? Haha. Want to hear? Alright, I'll explain.

I used to be just like any other shadow. I only showed up when there was light, stuck flat to the soles of my master's feet. No freedom to go anywhere on my own. Everywhere my master went, I was dragged along.

Then one day, my master suddenly spoke to me.

"Ugh, I can't do anything properly because of this shadow! Why does a shadow keep showing up? I wish it'd just go away."

I think my master was doing bad things. They didn't want to be spotted by other creatures and wanted to hide even their shadow. My master found my very existence a nuisance, always telling me to disappear. Pretty heartless, right?

But that actually turned out well for me. All that heartlessness piled up into a powerful wish, and that wish carried a mysterious force that finally let me separate from my master! A mere shadow like me broke free and found freedom! That moment was so wondrous — I remember it vividly. It was something I'd never seen before in my life: my master running away and leaving me behind! As a shadow that had only ever chased their heels, it was the first time I watched my master's back grow smaller in the distance.

After my master left, I was alone. I went wherever I wanted, saw whatever I wanted, and traveled. There are so many beautiful things in the world! Animals with big floppy ears, tall plants with gorgeous wide leaves, those towering structures humans stack up! I especially liked the shadows of buildings — solid and sturdy, a real treat to look at. As I wandered around examining various shadows, a sudden wish arose in me.

'I want to try being the shadow of something else. I want to have a different form.'

Tired of having just one shape, I wished desperately for a different form. I strained with all my might to change, but no matter what I tried, I couldn't take any shape other than my master's. I pondered. How can I change my form? Must I live like this forever? Is it wrong to want just a bit more freedom?

But some problems just don't have easy answers, no matter how long you think about them. It was the first real difficulty I'd ever faced. Hoping something might change if I hid inside another shadow, I slipped under a tree's shadow — but nothing happened. Sighing deeply, I climbed the tree and dangled from a branch, continuing to mull it over.

From up in the tree, the sunlight blazed down. Normally, light makes shadows disappear, but strangely, I existed in my full form under the light. I'm not sure why — maybe it was a gift from my master's wish? If only the gift had included the power to change my form too. Tch.

While I was lost in idle thoughts, a squirrel climbed up my tree. It seemed hungry, searching for fruit. Poor unlucky squirrel — this tree doesn't bear fruit. But the squirrel didn't know that and kept scampering around the tree under the blazing sun, searching for invisible fruit. Feeling sorry for the poor sweating thing, I draped myself over it to give it some shade — I had no fruit to offer, but hey, shadows are cool!

The moment my body covered the squirrel, something strange happened. Good heavens — I only meant to lend it some shade, but the squirrel slipped right into my body! Just like that, it vanished without a sound. Horrified, I scrambled down the tree. Where did the squirrel go?! It came inside my body? There's no room! My body is flat — like gum stuck to the ground. Where could a squirrel possibly fit?

Panicking and moving around, I spotted a lake ahead. I rushed to the lake and looked at my reflection on the surface. My flat, gum-like self was gone — and in its place stood a shadow in the shape of a dark squirrel! In 3D, no less! (No wonder my eye level felt strangely high...) The exact shape of the squirrel I had swallowed! Can you imagine how shocked I was? You've probably never had your whole appearance change in an instant, so maybe not.

Having eaten the squirrel, I approached various objects to test my hypothesis that 'I can eat things I cover with my body and take their form.' First, I ate a leaf on the ground. And I transformed into a thin, palm-sized leaf shape. Next, a fruit, then a passing snake, a cat, a fox — I ate them all in order. When I covered them with my shade, they were sucked into my body just like the squirrel, and I changed into the form of whatever entered me. When I realized my hypothesis was correct, I thanked God. Thank you for giving me freedom!

I think I stayed in fox form the longest. I tried eating something bigger than a fox but kept failing. Whatever I wanted to eat had to be completely covered by my shadow — not even a sliver could be left exposed. After repeated failures, I started targeting sunset hours. When the sun sets, shadows stretch long, so my form stretches a bit too. Using my elongated shadow, the next thing I ate after the fox was a small foal. The foal's speed taught me what a refreshing breeze felt like.

Eating this and that, I discovered something else — I can take not only the form but also the functions of what I eat! When I ate a bird, I could fly. When I ate a foal, I could run fast. Then... if I eat a human, could I learn to speak?

I always envied my master's ability to make sounds. Being able to convey your thoughts through voice — what a beautiful thing! My next hunting target will be a human!

Oh, right. Why is my name Ucharin? Some strange human wearing long robes and carrying a thick staff called me that. Ucharin! Doesn't it have a nice ring to it?

Ahaha. Well, if you ever see this Ucharin, say hello! I'll lend you my shade anytime!