My Living Shadow System Devours To Make Me Stronger Chapter 962 - 963: Change

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Previously on My Living Shadow System Devours To Make Me Stronger...

Damon subjugated a group of trolls, triggering an unexpected growth in his Seed of Depravity despite his growing calm and reduced resentment. The goblins and trolls, perceiving him as a demon warlord, knelt and offered their tribes' allegiance, which he accepted. After consuming the fallen troll's corpse with black flames, the system granted him the new skill Bestowal, allowing him to bestow boons upon followers at a potential cost. He commanded the troll and goblin leaders to kneel and activated the skill, draining his demonic energy as they began to tremble.

Suddenly, the troll's form began to spasm uncontrollably.

His muscles swelled with ferocious intensity, as though an inner force was ripping apart his very skin.

"GRAAAAH!"

The beast let out a howl of torment.

The goblin chief fared no better. Tremors wracked his frame while dark veins crawled over his flesh like writhing bugs.

The nearby goblins fell into chaos.

"Chief!"

Yet the troll's bellow intensified.

Snap went the bones.

His enormous build grew even vaster, back curving sharply as waves of demonic energy burst forth from within.

Then—

A clear chime rang out.

[Follower has awakened secondary skill: Regeneration Burst]

The troll pounded his fists down onto the soil.

The ground cracked apart under the impact.

All his injuries sealed up in an instant.

At the same time, the goblin chief drew in a sharp breath.

A peculiar golden glow flickered in his gaze.

Yet another alert popped up.

[Follower has awakened secondary skill: Instinct of the Pack]

Damon gradually brought his hand back down.

The troll remained standing, panting roughly.

The goblin chief bent low in reverence.

Both creatures gazed upon Damon like he was a deity.

A grin gradually formed on Damon's face.

"Interesting."

Soon after, the following alert emerged.

It sent a profound shock through Damon.

[Trolls have begun evolution → War Trolls]

Demonic energy detected. Evolution progressing → Demon War Trolls.]

Damon sensed a part of him being ripped free.

A torrent of strength surged out from him and flooded into the trolls.

However, the changes weren't limited to the trolls alone.

Yet another alert surfaced.

[Redcap Goblins have begun evolution → Redcap Hobgoblins]

Demonic energy detected. Evolution progressing → Demon Redcap Goblins.]

Horror filled Damon's eyes.

All the goblins and trolls in the vicinity started their metamorphosis.

Including those he hadn't even contacted.

Their bodies bloated and contorted. Sinews grew denser, skeletal structures snapped and reshaped, making their silhouettes bulkier and utterly nightmarish.

A piercing pain lanced into Damon's head.

His demonic energy was disseminating among every one of them.

Their shapes kept altering until they gradually settled.

Once the motion ceased, their eyelids lifted once more.

Brighter.

Keener.

Bearing a deeper, more malevolent cunning.

Lana staggered back.

Her fingers shook as she dropped to her knees on the dirt.

"What... what is this..."

Her words quivered.

"They’ve become demons."

Indeed.

That was precisely the occurrence.

They had evolved into beings much nearer to demons.

Damon perceived it clearly.

Employing Demon Dominate upon them at this point would succeed without fail.

"Wait..." Damon whispered gradually.

"Does this mean I can turn non-demon races into demons?"

His eyes drifted leisurely to Lana.

She gaped at the monsters in utter astonishment and terror.

At last, Damon grasped the essence of Bestowal completely.

He had misjudged its scope.

The reality now unveiled itself to him.

It was indeed a perverse gift.

Strength granted like a divine favor.

Yet the toll...

The toll consisted of a tainted essence.

Wasn't that the very method of the Unknown God?

True power always demanded sacrifice.

Damon embodied that principle himself.

He had acquired his abilities solely through an immense penalty.

He had devoured fellow beings.

His will had shattered.

His essence defiled.

To this day, that guilt lingered buried in his core.

And the cruelest aspect?

Should those dire times return...

He was aware he'd repeat the decision.

Gradually, Damon faced Lana.

She stood as the sole individual there unaware of his hidden truth.

Matia served as his shadow.

She'd sacrifice herself for him in a heartbeat.

Renata belonged to the demonkin. Betrayal was beyond her.

Wendy had her own monstrous past. Conventional human ethics held no sway over her.

But Lana...

Lana differed entirely.

She trailed him from unwavering allegiance.

A knight of unblemished dedication.

Maybe she ought never to have joined this venture.

Crimson liquid trickled steadily from Damon's nostril.

The act of Bestowal had taxed him heavily. His Heart of Shadows teetered on imbalance due to the demonic energy influx and the burden on his essence.

Lana had arrived to safeguard him.

He comprehended her intent.

That rendered the situation all the more regrettable.

He could be forced to end her life.

Damon approached her step by step.

From behind Lana, Matia quietly shaped an icy blade.

Should Damon genuinely plan to slay his knight, Matia wouldn't waver.

She'd deliver the strike personally.

Nevertheless, Damon subtly shook his head.

Not quite yet.

He drew nearer and softly raised her chin with his fingers.

Then, in a gentle yet perilously silky tone, he inquired,

"Lana Mesh..."

"Who do you serve?"

The response to that query would determine her fate—life or death.

Damon wished no harm upon her.

Yet he would act if required.

Exposing his mysteries was a risk he couldn't take. Not at this juncture. Never. Particularly following Sylvia’s foretelling of the moment his deceptions would unravel.

I will eliminate anyone necessary to safeguard my current existence.

Lana lifted her gaze to meet his.

Damon's features remained serene. Kind, almost.

He appeared far from a threat to her.

And in that instant, a realization dawned on her.

This remained the Grand Duke's grandson.

And she his sworn knight.

Lana composed herself and offered a proper salute.

"I am your knight, my lord."

Damon offered a subtle smile.

Next, he lifted his hand deliberately. His visage hardened.

"Then accept my Bestowal."

Energy streamed from his open hand.

Lana inhaled sharply as an otherworldly presence invaded her form.

Her legs gave way, sending her tumbling to the earth.

The sensation of it permeating her entire existence overwhelmed her.

Her soul.

Her core being.

Her mana roiled with fury, intensifying and compacting. Her power swelled like shackles shattering successively.

It was exhilarating.

Magnificent.

However, a darker element trailed after.

A shadowy presence.

A slender tendril of malice slithered into her soul, rooting itself like a planted spore.

The initial outward shift manifested in her eyes.

Her amber pupils shaded deeper.

Her complexion grew ashen.

Her locks extended, stirred by an unseen breeze.

Damon observed with keen attention.

Bestowal activated solely for those who viewed themselves as his true followers. In affirming her service to him, Lana had unwittingly invited this alteration.

Lana lifted her quivering palms gradually.

Raw might coursed through them.

She regarded them with incredulity.

Damon creased his brow faintly.

The transformation seemed... subdued.

Merely her eyes and tresses had shifted modestly.

No horns.

No wings.

She hadn't turned into demonkin as anticipated.

Odd.

He'd been convinced of her full conversion.

An idea flashed through his thoughts.