My Living Shadow System Devours To Make Me Stronger Chapter 1047 - 1049: Deadly Combo

Damon collapsed onto his knees, a trickle of blood emerging from his nose as an intense headache ravaged his skull. In that fleeting moment of contact with the Book of Shadows, with the formidable Ashergon contained within its pages before he relegated it to his shadow storage, the dragon had almost managed a complete escape, and Damon had teetered on the brink of unconsciousness. His vision swam, his head felt an oppressive weight, and each subsequent breath was a shallow, struggling effort, as if his lungs had forgotten their natural function.

Ashergon was secured, precisely as he had orchestrated. This feat had been made possible by a singular artifact. An artifact he now hesitated to employ again, fearing the very real possibility of unleashing the dragon.

That artifact was:

[Book of Shadows]

Type: Transcendent

[Description]

Every novel detail of this new existence filled him with a profound sense of awe. He perceived hues previously unimagined by the mind, experienced sensations that lacked any prior nomenclature, and inhaled an atmosphere imbued with a latent, quiet power. This life was a precious gift, despite the vessel he inhabited feeling like an affront to the very heavens. Thus, he meticulously chronicled all that captured his attention. In due course, his written words ceased to merely follow creation; they began to move in sync with it. He documented all that was, all that would come to be, and in doing so, his tome absorbed the essence of infinity itself. A solemn reminder for all who peer into the depths of knowledge: the abyss invariably returns the gaze.

What began as the simple diary of a child would eventually be recognized throughout the omniverse, not as a personal record, but as the revered Tome of the Unknown God.

[Effect]

Unknown once captured a transient shadow, folding it into the fabric of infinity to forge this extraordinary tome. No other book can rival the original. Nevertheless, this particular volume possesses unique significance. While it does not house infinite knowledge within its leaves, it instead contains infinity itself. Any creature whose shadow falls upon the book will be immured within, forever bound amongst its pages. A word of caution: its might is limited solely by the user's capacity. This stood as the most potent magical artifact Damon possessed, both in its echelon and its genesis. It was a tome conceived by the Unknown God, who ensnared a shadow and folded it into the infinite expanse. Damon harbored a certainty that its true nature extended far beyond this given description; even this much sounded implausible. Then again, Unknown was a deity. Although, Damon perceived him more as a demonic entity. A being convinced that all potential outcomes were inherently malevolent, thus necessitating the termination of everything, including the very concept of endings. The notion of an omnipotent entity desiring the dissolution of existence was deeply disquieting.

The Book of Shadows proved terrifyingly effective. So long as Damon could make physical contact with a target's shadow using the book, he could seal them within. The primary limitation lay with Damon himself. However, once the book was placed into his shadow storage, its power source shifted from him to the unfathomable depths of his shadow space and whatever adjacent dimension it accessed. Ashcroft had posited it might be the abyss itself, or perhaps a self-contained fragment of it. Damon would be foolish to disregard such a hypothesis.

Furthermore, he possessed the skill known as Shadow Prison. By synergizing both abilities, he could maintain Ashergon's imprisonment indefinitely. Over extended periods, Shadow Prison would gradually wear down the dragon's resolve until the desire for freedom completely extinguished. This process would nonetheless require many, many years.

Evangeline and Leona hurried towards him, their gazes fixed on the vacant area where the colossal dragon had stood mere moments before. Leona's expression bore a trace of sheer terror. Ashergon had been formidable, but whatever power had caused his complete obliteration was, in its own way, even more frightening.

"What just occurred? What did you do?" she inquired, her eyes fixed intently on Damon. He wiped the blood from his nose with the back of his hand, his eyelids feeling exceedingly heavy.

"A lady never divulges her secrets," he stated, a subtle smile gracing his lips.

"You're a grown man," Evangeline retorted, a flicker of annoyance crossing her features.

"I'm a young maiden at heart," Damon mumbled as the world seemed to spin around him. His shadow energy reserves were critically depleted. Imprisoning Ashergon had exacted a far greater toll than initially apparent.

Evangeline moved closer, taking his arm to help steady him. She understood he wouldn't offer an explanation, not out of distrust, but because certain secrets were burdens carried to shield others from their overwhelming weight. Damon had always been this way: reserved, enigmatic.

Leona surveyed their surroundings while Damon concentrated on regulating his breathing. After a few minutes, he managed to stand upright, shaking his head to clear the lingering dizziness.

"Let's proceed to report to High Command. The great dragon has vanished," Damon announced, pressing his fingers against his temple.

Leona slowly crossed her arms.

"And how exactly are we expected to explain that?"

Damon met her gaze with a knowing look.

"Relate precisely what you witnessed. Ashergon was consumed by shadows. As for the rest, they can address it with me directly. You know nothing of the specifics."

Leona gave a slight shrug, seemingly content with this arrangement. She had no objections whatsoever.

Evangeline pinched the bridge of her nose, a sign of her exasperation.