My Living Shadow System Devours To Make Me Stronger Chapter 821 - 822: Weak Links
Previously on My Living Shadow System Devours To Make Me Stronger...
Everything was going smoothly, except for one significant complication.
The initial issue was easy to resolve. Within his shadow storage, Damon kept several hundred mana cores that would sustain him for a considerable time. Furthermore, he possessed an immense mana pool of his own.
Because his mana reserves were bordering on the absurd, he had no reason to fear for his own safety.
He shifted his attention toward Lazarak. The being was a god—enigmatic and formidable. Damon didn't waste any energy worrying about the bratty, toddler-like entity; if Lazarak couldn't find a solution for himself, then no one could.
Damon’s primary concern wasn't even Matia. Since she was capable of absorbing mana cores, he simply needed to provide her with a supply or let her hunt monsters to sustain herself.
No. The genuine problem lay with Lyn and Sithara.
Because they had yet to achieve their first class advancement, the two children lacked the capacity to absorb mana cores.
Despite the abundance of resources at hand, they were facing the prospect of a lingering, painful death.
Damon could sense Lazarak watching him. The god had undoubtedly reached the same grim realization.
The children were going to die.
Their end wouldn't come at the hands of a deity, a blade, or a beast.
The environment itself would be their executioner.
Damon bit his lip, recalling a fundamental lesson from his past.
During any expedition, the most terrifying threat wasn't the enemy you fought, but the world you traveled through.
"Ahh, I really don’t have much luck with mana anomalies, do I."
He turned away and shut his eyes. Though he carried several healing and recovery potions that could replenish mana, their effects were merely temporary.
They would not be enough to last the entire trek.
Furthermore, there was the lesser demon to consider, as it would also require mana cores for sustenance.
Damon rubbed his head, feeling a dull throb where a new demon horn was sprouting to replace the one he had previously torn off.
'Oh right. That too.'
He would need to incorporate filing down this growing horn into his regular schedule.
Fantastic. Just fantastic.
He wished the process didn't feel like his very tendons were being ripped out every single time.
"How long before they reach the first class advancement?"
He directed the question at Lazarak. The children remained silent as they watched, already grasping the peril of their circumstances.
Lazarak gave a small shrug and frowned.
"I do not know. Most of the time the first class is a psychological and philosophical awakening. It is different for everybody. Though sometimes, one awakening within a shared group may induce others."
This contradicted Damon's personal knowledge, but Lazarak’s vast lifespan meant he possessed deeper insights.
He simply knew more.
"Then can we induce it?"
Lazarak rubbed his chin thoughtfully.
"Retreat is no longer an option, and the path ahead remains a mystery. We can attempt to force it, but the ultimate outcome rests with them. Judging by the intensity of their convictions, their classes will be far from mediocre."
Damon's eyes sharpened.
"In that case, what we need to do is put them in life-threatening situations."
Lazarak winced, casting a sidelong glance at Damon.
"I really hate how your mind jumps straight to the cruelest option."
Damon folded his arms as the oppressive desert heat bore down on him.
Before he could defend his logic, Lyn spoke up.
"It’s also the most logical option. It meets all survival criteria. We are the weak link in this group. If we can’t contribute, then the least we can do is not hold the party back."
"How thoughtful for one so young," Lazarak remarked with a smile.
He looked over at Sithara, who was busy scribbling calculations on the lesser demon's back while talking to herself.
"By calculating the degree of mana consumption, by wind resistance..."
She was already several steps ahead, translating her thoughts into practical action.
Damon looked back at Lazarak, who was the most proficient magic user among them.
"Don’t you have any spell or method?"
Noticing Damon’s underlying worry, Lazarak gave a faint smile.
"Don’t worry. It will turn out fine. I hope."
Damon scowled. He couldn't tell what the bastard was keeping hidden, and it was clear Lazarak had no plans to share.
"Fine. Keep your secrets."
He had plenty of his own anyway.
Speaking of things hidden, he recalled receiving a new item from the system—a charm.
Given the nature of the unknown god, it was likely exactly what he required for the current crisis.
The unknown god had a tendency to provide such things.
However, the requirements for his next level-up were unsettling.
Level Up Requirements: Chained [0/10] Ten of the chained people.
Damon let out a sigh.
He despised how the system always seemed to anticipate the troubles waiting for him.
Opening his status window, he reviewed his current attributes.
[HP: 24995/24995] [Mana: 55,567/55,567] [Strength: 31124] [Agility: 23157] [Speed: 33985] [Endurance: 34210] [Class: Usurper] [Shadow: 1900] [Shadow Hunger Levels: 0%] [Shadow Level: 19] [Condition: Shadow Is Full] [Attributes: Umbral, Domination Fragment]
[Skills:] [5x] [Remorseless] [Shadow Perception] [Water Celebration] [Sacrifice] [Shadow Control] [Parkour] [Shadow Armor] [Beholder’s Gaze] [Dead Eye] [Spirit Affinity] [Ashborn] [Omen Of Dread] [Dealer’s Hand] [Bloodletting] [Shadow Movement] [Shadow] [Faceless] [Danger Sense] [Shadow Storage] [Wave Walk] [Shadow Clone] [Blitz] [Flash Step] [Air Walk] [Appraisal] [Iron Bones] [Astral Projection] [Accel] [Terror Engine] [Vengeance] [Soul Tongue] [Eyes of Veracity] [Shadow Stride] [Soul Conduit] [Heart of Shadow] [Demon Dominate] [Shadow Seizer]
[Mastery:] [Etiquette Lv3] [Swordsmanship Lv7] [Survival Lv10] [Persuasion Lv2] [Deception Lv3] [Bartering Lv2] [Theft Lv3] [Archery Lv5] [Trap Lv5] [Alchemy Lv1] [Dagger Arts Lv5] [Cooking Lv2] [Basic Magic Lv5] [Mana Control Lv7] [Magic Gatling Lv5] [Pain Resistance Lv6] [Mental Contamination Resistance Lv5] [Disintegration Resistance Lv3] [Sniper Lv5] [Rune Magic Lv3] [Insanity Lv4] [Fate Manipulation Resistance Lv2] [Ravenous LvMax] [Poison Resistance Lv6] [Elemental Resistance Lv3] [Petrification Resistance Lv5] [Magic Resistance Lv5] [Curse Resistance Lv2] [Pressure Resistance Lv2] [Corruption Resistance Lv5] [Aura Farming Lv4] [Charisma Lv9] [Tyranny Lv3] [Ragebaiting Lv5]
[Items:] [Pale Crown Armor] [Broken Bonds] [Deep Quiver] [Silver Blades] [Staff of Carnage] [Sword of Nicolas] [Furnace of Frost] [Helm of Balero] [Womb of Healing] [Charms] [Potions] [Miscellaneous Items]
[Quest:] [Path to Conflict] [Nightmare of Lazarak]
Shadow Seizer was his most recent skill. It was a pity he hadn't found an opportunity to test it yet.
But the new item was what truly grabbed his interest.
Womb of Healing.
It was supposed to be categorized as a charm, yet the system had listed it as a standard item.
Usually, any charms he acquired were placed in their own specific category.
"That’s odd."
He pulled up the item's description.
He hoped this might be the solution for Lyn and Sithara.
[Womb of Healing]