My Living Shadow System Devours To Make Me Stronger Chapter 1011 - 1013: Familiar Face

Damon's gaze was fixed upon a fallen priestess, her eyes still open, an unseeing stare now a permanent fixture in death. The once beautiful priestess was no more.

He suppressed the surging anguish, questioning the cruel fate and the choices that led them to such an end.

"What is all this for?" he murmured, his voice barely a whisper.

"What are we even fighting and dying for?"

Ashcroft let out a slow breath.

"Conflict is a universal constant, driving the wheels of progress. It's the natural order. However, the madness consuming this world is not natural."

Damon vehemently shook his head.

"No. It's the Pillar of Conflict. As long as it stands, we shall never know true peace."

A moment of silence passed before Ashcroft replied.

"Perhaps. But you will soon discover that even without it, peace is fleeting. You would merely be postponing the inevitable."

"So be it," Damon declared, raising his head. His eyes, now dry and hard, held a new resolve. "I will find a way. But first, Morticai will die."

Ashcroft offered no response.

High above, Orbitus' spell bore down upon the heavens, resembling a sky ready to collapse.

"It seems you might just make it through today," Ashcroft commented dryly.

In the distance, streaks of light rapidly converged toward the ongoing battle.

Orbitus let out a laugh. "This world is quite peculiar. You always seem to possess a surprising number of individuals at this caliber. It's a pity your destiny is to languish here, never to witness a higher realm."

Ittorath's form flickered as he materialized beside the wizard.

"Enough. You couldn't have sent them too far. Those nearer are already returning."

Orbitus merely smiled, his spell continuing to press down on Seras, Paimon, the headmaster, and the elf king. Of the seven powerful beings, only four still resisted, struggling against the immense magical pressure.

Morticai glanced down at Damon, a faint smile touching his lips, aware of Wendy's demise.

"Shall we proceed to obliterate this continent?" he inquired casually.

"I wouldn't recommend that," Zhang Dafei stated, appearing beside them. "Unless you intend to face the wrath of the Goddess of Doom."

"However, we can bestow upon them a small parting gift."

He raised his hand and drew it downward with force.

Space ripped apart with a sound akin to tearing fabric. He grasped the distorted space as if it were cloth and then flung it towards the ground. It descended slowly, drifting like a weightless feather.

"Run!" Seras yelled a warning to those below.

Yet, there was nowhere left to flee.

Paimon raised both her hands.

A mystical formation, concealed beneath the destroyed temple, illuminated beneath Damon's feet.

Ashcroft spoke rapidly. "That's a failsafe. It allows the priestess to teleport everyone away if the temple collapses. Where we'll end up is anyone's guess."

Damon lifted his head, locking eyes with Morticai. The phoenix met his gaze with cold, unwavering arrogance.

"The next time we meet," Damon vowed quietly, "you will die."

The world dissolved around him.

He was violently swept into a spatial current. Something impacted him during the transfer, and then everything went dark.

When Damon regained consciousness, his head throbbed intensely.

He groaned and pushed himself into a sitting position.

Beside him sat a young woman with dark hair. Her face was recognizable, but the expression she wore was entirely unfamiliar. Noticing his movement, she offered a smile, radiating a warmth he had never before witnessed on her typically stoic features.

He frowned slightly.

"Um... Abellona?"

She moved quickly, embracing him tightly.

"Oh, thank the heavens you're alright! I was so terribly worried about you."

Damon blinked, bewildered by her reaction.

Then, her expression shifted, hardening.

"What is wrong with you, Mugu? I specifically told you not to do anything so reckless."

Damon froze mid-breath.

"What did you just call me?"

She placed a hand on her hip, her tone laced with impatience.

"Did you hit your head? Mugu?"

His eyes widened in disbelief.

She leaned closer, concern now overriding her irritation.

"Mugu... are you truly alright?"

Slowly, Damon raised his hand, staring at it intently.

This was not his hand.

He stumbled towards a nearby washbasin and peered into the water.

The face reflected back at him was undeniably not his own.

/* Author's Note */

/* End of Arc 7 */

Arc Seven has finally reached its conclusion. It feels as though an eternity has passed in its writing, yet the journey has been profoundly enjoyable.

For want of a more fitting designation, I shall refer to this land as the Demon Continent.

Damon has undergone a significant transformation. He now bears the weight of an ever-growing list of transgressions and hidden secrets, burdens he can never reveal to the world. He stands at a crossroads, torn between the human life he painstakingly constructed and his burgeoning existence as a demon, engaged in a perilous dance with the Unknown God, allied or opposed.

Above all else, Damon continues his quest to understand how to simply live. Or perhaps, deep within his heart, there are moments he wishes for oblivion. Nevertheless, he perseveres.

Within this arc, the Evil Forest was finally explored. Another colossal dragon made its appearance, revealing the true, terrifying nature of that place. Even for someone of Sera's considerable power, the forest remained a deadly peril.

Despite the perilous journey across the vast ocean and arriving at the Demon Continent, lighter, more reflective moments were present, highlighting the immense growth Damon has experienced compared to his contemporaries. His inherent arrogance, much like a tenacious honey badger daring to confront a mighty lion, remained unyielding. However, signs of his maturation were also discernible throughout this phase.

Concurrently, Iris and Luna relentlessly pursued their investigation into the past. A strong suspicion had already formed: Amon was the architect behind Carmen Vale's demise. The sole remaining piece of the puzzle was uncovering Amon's true identity. Once this revelation occurred, the prophecy would commence its unfolding, leading to Damon's betrayal by someone he held dear.

Regrettably, Wendy would not be the one to enact this betrayal. Her state was... almost entirely devoid of life. Her destiny was irrevocably set from the outset. Nevertheless, several other individuals remained on my roster of potential betrayers. I found myself contemplating which name would be crossed off next.

Significant developments are on the horizon for the upcoming arc. Mugu's history demands resolution. The quest for the Pillar of Conflict has been initiated. It is possible we will gain further insight into Lysithara and the enigmatic Ascendants. I sincerely hope the Outsiders conveyed the formidable threat they were intended to represent. If their presence failed to instill sufficient dread, perhaps the ancient deities must re-emerge to reacquaint the world with the meaning of true power.

Regarding the remaining Outsiders, Ittorath would undertake the task of their liberation. The fervent race to secure the Pillar of Conflict had now officially commenced.

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Until our reunion in the next arc.