My Living Shadow System Devours To Make Me Stronger Chapter 867 - 868: Falling Out

Damon reached out and seized her arm, attempting to halt her departure.

"What the hell was that?"

Lilith didn't bother to look back. A dull throb pulsed behind her eyes, and she exhaled a long, weary breath while pressing her fingertips against her temple.

"What."

Damon's brow furrowed, his grip tightening just enough to signal his growing agitation.

"Don't play dumb with me. Spilling the secret of the elixir to everyone... and the fact that you even knew its name."

That was a detail he had never been privy to. His knowledge was limited to the existence of an elixir deep within the Black Tower—a treasure capable of saving his sister.

Lilith spun around abruptly, shaking off his hand with a look of pure irritation.

"So what? Do you honestly believe a few extra competitors makes it impossible to obtain?"

Damon scrutinized her features. Her exhaustion was palpable, and the facade of her confidence seemed to be fraying at the edges. Despite his frustration, his tone softened.

"Hey. Are you doing all right?"

Her jaw tightened, a small muscle twitching as she pressed her lips together.

"Am I doing all right? That is a question I should be directed at you."

Her sudden outburst startled him. She took a slow, deep breath, struggling to regain her composure.

"Fine. I am doing just fine."

It was painfully obvious she was lying.

Damon manifested a chair from his shadow storage and placed it on the ground next to them.

"Do you want to talk about it?"

She simply shook her head in refusal.

"I am fine. Just drop it."

He frowned deeper.

"What is your problem?"

Another breath was drawn into her lungs as heat flared in her chest.

"I am fine. I just need a moment to gather my thoughts," she replied with a cold edge.

Damon’s gaze shifted to the flower nestled in her hair. The sense of dread it evoked finally compelled him to act. He activated his appraisal skill.

It was moments like this where appraisal truly proved its worth.

"So," he murmured, "how many times have you done it?"

Her eyes flickered with emotion as she bit her lip.

"You appraised the flower, didn't you?"

He offered no denial.

"Looking at how furious you are, I'm assuming things didn't go our way in your previous attempts."

A hollow, mirthless chuckle escaped her throat.

"No. Everything went perfectly. But do you want to know what the real issue was?"

She lifted her hand, pointing her finger directly at his chest.

"You. You were the problem. The first attempt was a total disaster. The second was no better. The third showed promise, and the fourth was nearly flawless. But in every single timeline..."

Her finger began to tremble.

"The issue was always you."

Damon crossed his arms, his expression darkening.

"My plans were solid enough. You can't account for every single variable in war."

"Hah," she let out a bitter laugh.

"The arrogance. You still don't get it. You are the reason we remain stuck in this wretched place."

She clenched her fists so hard her nails dug into her palms.

"I don't understand. Make me understand."

Her voice broke, filled with a mixture of bewilderment and pain. Damon remained silent, merely watching as she began to unravel before him.

She glared at him through gritted teeth.

"I don't understand this obsession you have with killing yourself. Why? Why do you treat death like some glorious end? Dying isn't defiance. It’s a coward’s way out. It’s the living who are left needing closure. You just vanish in the middle of a sentence. Wishes, dreams, ambitions... all gone."

Her strength failed her, and she collapsed to her knees.

Then, her voice shifted.

It became flat, icy, and controlled, yet she didn't stop.

"Do you know what's more painful than watching you die? It's the realization that my words will never be enough to make you stop."

"I will never be enough."

Slowly, she raised her head.

"And for that, I will never forgive you for breaking our promise."

Damon offered no response. He looked away, unable to bear her gaze any longer.

There were a thousand things he wanted to tell her.

Instead, they all withered away into a single word.

"Sorry."

A soft, mocking scoff left her lips.

"Haha."

She pushed herself back up to her feet.

"Fine. Do whatever you want. But mark my words: the gauntlet has been thrown. I won't lose this time. You are going to live whether you like it or not. This hell you’re so eager to flee? You aren't going anywhere. I swear it by the forgotten name of the unknown god."

As the oath was sealed, the stigmata on her back erupted with a dim, menacing light.

Damon slowly turned his head. He had no desire to look at her, to see a version of Lilith that stood in direct opposition to him.

Their bond had always been rooted in trust and mutual understanding. Whether he was a hero or a villain, she had always stayed by his side.

Now, she was his adversary.

"We all have choices to make in this world," he whispered. "I made mine. I only wished you would respect it."

She stared him down, her eyes burning with rage.

"I can't. Not when you're so wrong."

He finally turned to face her completely, a profound sense of isolation washing over him.

"Yes," he silently conceded. He felt incredibly alone.

"You won't win, Lilith. It's impossible to play a game when your opponent has already decided the outcome."

He folded his arms over his chest.

"Is that why you revealed the elixir? Because if I die, I'd leave it to you. I know you'd fulfill my last wishes even if you hated me for it."

He made a slight gesture with his hand.

"I have no use for the elixir. It's worthless to a corpse. My only goal is to ensure you obtain it."

She gave him a cold, sharp smile.

"I won't."

He let out a soft chuckle, his gaze toward her becoming almost tender.

"You will. You won't let Luna die. You love that girl just as much as I do."

Stepping closer, he lowered his voice to a near whisper.

"Doesn't this feel like the old days? Back when we played cat and mouse. The rules haven't changed, and neither will the result. My life is on the line once more."

He leaned in and brushed a light kiss against her cheek.

"Well then. Good night. We have a long day ahead of us. I'll be counting down the days until I die."

His tone was casual, almost buoyant, as if admitting the truth had lifted a weight from his shoulders.

Lilith bit her lip until the metallic taste of blood filled her mouth.

"I really didn't want to do this to you, Damon," she said softly.

"But you've forced my hand."