My Living Shadow System Devours To Make Me Stronger Chapter 1041 - 1043: Shadow Prison

Their relentless advance into the depths of the forest continued for several days. The strategy was straightforward: confront and vanquish the monstrous creatures, purge the woodlands with fire, embed protective runes, and then push onward.

While simple in theory, executing this plan proved more formidable than anticipated.

The abominations spawned within the forest possessed formidable strength, and each new territory presented unique challenges. The forest itself harbored malevolent forces capable of disorienting travelers, inflicting curses, spreading corruption, and unleashing various other dreadful afflictions.

Furthermore, the thick smoke mingling with the pervasive mist had concocted a noxious airborne toxin, its effects varying unpredictably from one individual to another.

Damon observed his system interface as he progressed. He had been absent from it for some time, but he had been diligently feeding his shadow with the countless remains of fallen foes encountered here, resulting in his stats soaring to unprecedented heights, though the lesser monsters offered minimal gains.

In a comprehensive assessment, Damon had experienced substantial growth.

[HP: 54995/54995]

[Mana: 103,567/103,567]

[Strength: 61124]

[Agility: 43157]

[Speed: 53985]

[Endurance: 34210]

[Class: Dominator]

[Shadow: 1900]

[Shadow Hunger Levels: 0%]

[Shadow Level: 19]

[Condition: Shadow Is Full]

[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] [Bestowal] [Shadow Prison]

[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 Lv4] [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 Lv5] [Charisma Lv9] [Tyranny Lv3] [Ragebaiting Lv9] [Shadow Manipulation Lv3] [Pheromone Resistance Lv3] [Sailing Lv3]

[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] [Book Of Shadows] [Charms] [Potions] [Miscellaneous Items]

[Quest:]

[Path to Conflict]

His most recently acquired ability was Shadow Prison.

[Shadow Prison]

[Description]

"Mother, may I venture outside? I yearn to witness the world beyond," the unknown inquired.

"My dearest child, the world outside is simultaneously too constrained for your magnificence and far too immense for your current state," his mother responded, her flowing silver tresses cascading past her grand, expansive wings.

He pondered why his mother would transform his simple yearning into such an enigmatic reply.

"I wish to glimpse what lies beyond the Crystal Palace. My wings have grown stiff from remaining here; I desire to unfurl them," he uttered softly, not wishing to inflict pain upon his mother with his words.

"My cherished, unknown one, if it is your heart's desire to spread your wings, then a new expanse I shall fashion for you, adorned with countless galaxies for your flight." Her smile was gentle, radiating warmth.

Unknown grasped that she was once again denying his request.

"Why do all my siblings depart and return as they please, while I am confined to observing the outside world through a looking glass?"

He felt a surge of wrath accompanying his words. The ensuing silence remained indelible. She offered no reply. Only later did he truly comprehend.

"The world beyond is too small for you, and yet still too vast," she whispered, as if confessing a transgression.

"Pray tell, why must it be so?"

"You are too grand for the external realm, and simultaneously too delicate to withstand its harshness. It could mar your inherent beauty. The collective resentment of many would shatter you. Remain here with your mother, for my capacity to love you is boundless."

"You cannot perpetually confine me here. My presence here is not eternal."

He never forgot the look in her eyes as she averted her gaze. The reason eluded him then.

"This sanctuary is naught but a prison."

His words fractured her heart. He did not grasp it at the time.

I wander freely now, choosing my own path, yet my heart aches for the familiar embrace of home, for the warmth I once perceived as my prison.

[Effect]

This bestows upon you the capability to ensnare both the shadow and the physical form of your target, eroding their willpower until their desire to depart vanishes completely.

[Cooldown]

0 secs

This was merely one among Damon’s array of abilities. However, he recognized its inadequacy against Ashergon, and thus, he had alternative stratagems in mind.

Damon had perused this particular passage repeatedly since regaining consciousness, yet the meaning remained elusive.

The world beyond is too small for you and still so vast.

The individual conversing with his mother was unmistakably Unknown, lamenting a past recollection. His own mother, it seemed, faced her unique set of challenges.

The external world felt confined to him, for he was the Unknown God, yet it was also boundless due to a peculiar trait he possessed, a trait that rendered him formidable.

This Unknown God had the ability to perceive and experience the suffering of all beings. It was akin to viewing life through another's eyes, but exclusively for those who had endured unimaginable hardships.

All their accumulated pain. Their profound sadness. Their festering resentment.

At least, that was Ashcroft's explanation to him.

Perhaps this was the very reason he sought to abolish such afflictions, though it felt unjust to eradicate only the aspects he disliked.

Consequently, he was systematically dismantling everything.

In truth, he waged a war against cruelty, pain, and suffering – this was his chosen path.

"But what about us?" Damon whispered, his footsteps echoing as he walked.

"What about our choices? Do we not possess the inherent right to experience suffering, the right to harbor resentment?"

Though he spoke to himself, Ashcroft, residing within his mind, heard his words.

Then, a response came.

"Yes. I once posed the same question to him, and his reply was:

"Regret is a harsh instructor and a deceptive narrator. It unveils potential pasts, persuading you that an alternative path existed, that you could revisit and alter every circumstance. It disregards present realities. You cannot change the past. And thus, we regret."

Damon fell silent, finding no counterargument to this profound statement. He bit his lip, and as he lifted his head, his gaze fell upon a vast expanse of the forest where numerous colossal war machines were in the process of construction.

Other contingents were arriving, lending their aid to the fortification of what would undoubtedly become a formidable stronghold.

Evangeline appeared at his side, her boots crunching amidst the ash as her eyes scanned the unfolding panorama. "We've arrived," she murmured.