My Living Shadow System Devours To Make Me Stronger Chapter 858 - 859: Closure

The days that followed were quite remarkable. The cult Damon had founded expanded with such frightening speed that he began to wonder if Seraph Null had simply lost his grip on the situation.

However, after reflecting on the matter, a realization dawned on Damon.

Friction between the Chained and the Outsiders was intensifying. Though it was masked by the opulence of the inner city, the signs were visible to those who knew where to look.

The invisible rift was widening, fueled by hushed murmurs and circulating rumors. It began with minor grievances.

"These outsiders are filthy..."

"They are the reason our resources are being depleted..."

"They are coming here to steal our livelihoods..."

Trivial complaints, perhaps, but they were more than sufficient to light the fuse.

Damon understood the situation now.

The fragile peace maintained in the inner city—where only the most skilled outsiders were permitted—was beginning to unravel.

He could sense the mounting hostility. As for the outsiders, they were already a marginalized class in a world that despised them. They fought desperately for the meager scraps they possessed.

Consequently, witnessing one of their own being mistreated by the Chained planted seeds of bitterness in their souls.

It was remarkably simple.

Generating hatred required very little effort.

Shared resentment is the fastest way to forge a bond between people.

All that is required is an object of scorn. A scapegoat to shoulder the blame.

"Any being capable of complex thought and reason is, at their core, an emotional beast. We descend back into our primal nature so easily."

This display of pettiness, like so many before it, would inevitably result in tragedy. Blood would be spilled. It would devolve into a binary conflict of 'us versus them.'

But that was perfectly acceptable.

This outcome was exactly what Damon desired.

If Seraph Null intended to hasten the collapse, Damon was happy to let him proceed.

"You’ve grown arrogant, Seraph Null," Damon whispered, his gaze fixed on the dark tower looming over the city's heart.

"You likely believe that being in the seventh class makes you invincible..."

Technically, he was correct. He was beyond reach because no one, not even those of the seventh class, could exert their full power within this realm.

Yet, there was a single exception.

Lazarak.

"You think you've cornered me... but no. It is quite the opposite."

Regardless, Damon cautioned himself to remain vigilant. While Seraph Null was oblivious to his true nature, Damon still lacked sufficient information regarding the lesser god.

He let out a sigh, leaning his weight against the balcony's edge.

For some reason, Damon had developed a fondness for this spot, primarily due to the sprawling urban vista it offered.

He looked toward the tower once more. His sister's salvation was contained within those walls. Perhaps that was the real draw.

The moment he secured the cure, he could finally turn his back on this twisted world for good.

In doing so, he could prevent all the potential tragedies of the future.

However, a dark intuition nagged at him.

He feared he might fail to find death.

His Deathless skill was far too proficient at preserving his life against his own wishes.

He considered using his third-class skill, Dethrone, to suppress it, but that would merely be a stopgap measure.

He had begun to grasp the true nature of Deathless.

Initially, he thought it was simple probability manipulation, but its roots reached much deeper.

This seemingly minor passive skill was actually exerting influence over fate itself.

Specifically, his own destiny.

He speculated whether the Unknown God had bestowed this ability as a safeguard—a form of insurance to prevent the Goddess of Doom from claiming him again.

Still, Damon suspected that if she truly committed to his demise, even Deathless would prove insufficient.

"I still possess the Fate Manipulation Resistance mastery..."

Damon summoned his system interface.

---

[HP: 24995/24995] [Mana: 55,567/55,567] [Strength: 31,124] [Agility: 23,157] [Speed: 33,985] [Endurance: 34,210] [Class: Usurper] [Shadow: 1900] [Shadow Hunger Levels: 15%] [Shadow Level: 19] [Condition: Shadow Is Fed] [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] [Shadow Manipulation Lv1]

[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]

"The Nightmare of Lazarak quest still remains, and I haven't figured out how to fulfill the requirements..."

He shifted his focus to the primary objective.

"And then there's the Path to Conflict," he murmured quietly.

He let out a weary breath.

"Now that the end is so close... do I truly wish to finish everything?"

"Heheheh..."

A soft chuckle escaped his lips.

"Yes. I absolutely do. Nothing will stand in my way."

A fleeting thought crossed Damon's mind.

His death would likely be... distressing for his sister.

He needed to provide her with some form of closure.

After a moment of contemplation, he retrieved a pen and stationery, pulling a desk and chair from his shadow storage.

He needed to compose a final farewell to his sister. It was a standard practice for those seeking their own end, after all.

"Hm. Where to begin... what have I left unsaid? What does she need to hear from me..."

"Hmmm."

He rested his chin in his hand, thinking deeply.

Of course.

He had been regretting the fact that he never explicitly told his sister he loved her. It was always understood, but the words were never spoken aloud.

"Right... that's the one."

He pressed the pen to the paper and began to write.

The opening words flowed out.

"I love you."

Then he stopped abruptly.

He sensed a presence hovering behind him.

A familiar scent reached him, accompanied by a recognizable shadow.

He had been so engrossed in his thoughts that he had tuned her out, along with the ambient noise of the city.

"Which woman is the recipient of this love letter?"

She rested a hand firmly on his shoulder.

"Is it meant for me?"

Damon's eyes gave a slight twitch.

"Ah... princess," he replied slowly. "It has been quite some time."