My Living Shadow System Devours To Make Me Stronger Chapter 913 - 914: Education

Given the lich's extensive understanding of the world, Damon felt confident that he was aware of the seal placed upon it. He'd picked up this piece of information during his journeys. Long ago, the goddess had enclosed the entire world.

This seal likely stemmed from Lazarak's uprising back in the Zero Epoch. Its purpose wasn't to confine those inside. Instead, it sought to block the Unknown God from entering.

Yet, that effort seemed futile, or at least not very effective. The Unknown God continued to act freely, and based on what Damon could gather so far, he held the advantage.

When forced to pick the more frightening figure, Damon would definitely choose the Unknown God.

Still, he couldn't be entirely sure, as the goddess hadn't shown any real actions yet.

The lich's empty stare forced Damon to shut his eyes, though he didn't wish to. Actually, he had no choice. That chilling, frosty aura in its vacant eye sockets pressed heavily upon him.

"I'm surprised such knowledge would elude you, Amadeus, particularly someone as knowledgeable as you."

Amadeus drove his staff into the floor and rested his hands on the table.

"Knowledge forms a boundless and endless ocean. The deeper you dive, the clearer your own lack of understanding becomes. Thus, only a fool or a god would claim to have grasped all there is to know."

Damon gave a nod. That was a compelling viewpoint. Was this the reason he kept probing them with questions?

"This realm stands isolated and fractured in certain ways. Ages past, a god challenged the goddess during his initial revolt. She removed free magic from the world, binding everyone here to a rule that permitted only one type of magic. The following part remains unclear to me. From my studies, she also stripped away the true names of all beings in this domain."

As Damon shared this, even Seras reacted with a shift. She hadn't heard any of it before. He seemed like a walking archive of forgotten lore.

She gripped her sword tightly. Such revelations were perilous, the kind that could doom the whole expedition to death if they spread.

She noticed the shocked expressions on their faces. But that posed no issue. Everyone had sworn on the oath scroll. Breaking it would mean their end, if breaking it was even possible.

Oaths given willingly held immense power.

Amadeus concentrated on Damon's explanation as he went on.

"Another limit stopped us from advancing past the seventh class and rising to the upper realms. During the Zero Epoch, lesser gods handled the task of holding us down, so nobody hit the seventh class until Lazarak's revolt. Following that, the goddess's seal ensured no one could attain the eighth class."

Amadeus paid close attention.

"I understand. If the goddess aims to exclude something—here, the Unknown God—then there must be something precious in this world worth protecting. It can't possibly be us."

Damon sipped his beverage. True to form for an ancient being, the cursed lich had already figured out the Pillar's presence.

"I think I've quenched your hunger for insight. Now, you must uphold your promise."

Amadeus's energy surged a bit, dimming the surroundings. Damon stayed steady, unflinching.

"Hahaha. Naturally. I will. This is just a fair trade among allies. Maybe I ought to warn you about the dangers ahead in the Evil Forest. The landscape twists with peril and teems with nightmares."

Damon pondered sending him away, but a thought in his head warned that in this deadly area, information could mean survival. Even if the lich knew of the Pillar, locating it would prove impossible for him. And should he possess any hints, Damon stood to gain from hearing them.

He looked toward Renata, who offered a faint nod. She'd remained at his side throughout, pouring his drink, her face showing slight concern.

For those unfamiliar with her, it might be hard to spot. But Damon knew her well enough to read her through her subtle cues.

"Fine then. Why don't you start," he replied.

The lich inclined his head gradually. A violet light flickered in his empty sockets, and then he began to speak.

"Not in any particular sequence, the forest never stays fixed. It shifts. It expands. It withers. It thrives in an endless loop. Judging by your direction, you plan to head toward the sea."

Seras gave a slow nod from behind Damon.

"We do."

The lich, Amadeus, gestured with his hand, summoning a holographic image.

"In the coming hundred paces, you'll step into the Hungry Ground."

He eyed Seras and caught her scowl.

The Hungry Ground served as an alternate title for a zone deep in the forest where the dark earth started draining life force.

He looked at Seras once more.

"You know the guidelines for the Black Roots."

Her face stayed composed as she drew from her recollections.

The soil appears inky black and yielding like damp soot. Footsteps plunge farther than expected. The surface feels heated, akin to breathing skin, nearly as if caressing a live body.

The guideline boiled down to basics.

The more time you linger motionless, the stronger the earth's pull on you, speeding your demise.

From prior encounters, the Black Roots would creep around legs during pauses, demanding constant movement.

These roots drew on life essence and mana, causing a draining fatigue.

Those ensnared experienced fierce cravings and weariness before the earth yanked them down, much like sinking mire.

Her fingers trembled recalling the aftermath.

The engulfed didn't perish right away. They lingered as feeding points, partially interred, aware for days, months, or longer.

Their cries echoed via the roots, drawing in more prey.

Survival hinged on one straightforward tactic.

Avoid settling straight onto the soil. Levitation spells sapped energy quicker in this place, rendering them unwise.

Bodies needed instant cremation, lest they sprout roots and turn into undead or Black Root beasts.

Seras had faced this during her third year at the academy. It seemed distant now, yet the fear and marks endured.

She signaled to Damon. Gathering more details would boost their odds.

He shut his eyes.

"It’s called the Pillar of Conflict."