My Living Shadow System Devours To Make Me Stronger Chapter 871 - 872: A Splendid Dream

"So... what brings you back here so quickly?" Lazarak inquired, pouring a drink for Damon before sliding the vessel across the tabletop.

Damon bit his lip, thinking back to how Lilith was likely—no, she was definitely—furious with him. She probably wouldn't want to speak with him. No, that wasn't quite right. He was the one avoiding her.

He shifted his gaze toward Lazarak and then back to the cup. Lazarak was likely the only individual he could confide in at this moment.

The only one who wouldn't treat him as if he had completely lost his mind.

Lazarak currently appeared to be his true age. He was a handsome young man. In fact, he was more than handsome; he was beautiful. His dark hair flowed long and smooth, his black robes were pristine and without a crease, and his face remained composed with a soft expression.

A spark of jealousy flickered within Damon, and he made no attempt to mask his resentment.

"I had a bit of a disagreement with a friend..."

Lazarak gave a slow nod, a faint smile pulling at the corner of his mouth.

"I take it you are the one in the wrong, considering you came running back here."

Damon grabbed the drink and swallowed it in a single gulp, the glass making a soft clink as he placed it back down.

"I wouldn't exactly say I was wrong... I mean, I was merely trying to exercise my rights. There was no reason for her to get so pissy about it."

Lazarak nodded, inhaling deeply as he reclined slightly in his seat.

"And what was this right you were attempting to express? I suspect it was something quite grim..."

Damon bowed his head, his fingers tightening for a brief second.

"She discovered I was planning to end my insignificant little life, and she got angry at me for it."

"I see. So it was a completely reasonable reaction then," Lazarak replied in a casual tone.

He was already well aware of Damon’s desire and had even personally handed him a weapon capable of killing him without fail. Nevertheless, Lazarak believed it was not Damon’s destiny to perish by that spear.

"What were you expecting? Did you think she would cheer and celebrate your suicidal tendencies?"

Damon scowled, taking a much slower sip of the wine this time.

"Yeah, I'm aware of that, but it’s just... Lilith has always stayed by my side. Even when I’m in the wrong. She’s the one person I always counted on to have my back. And now that she wants something different for me..."

His voice grew quiet. "I just feel a bit lonely..."

Lazarak nodded once more, his ancient eyes showing a deep sense of understanding.

"You cannot expect her to accept it simply because she understands. Life offers second chances. Death provides none. In life, no matter how far you fall, there is always a path to redemption. She is placing her bets on that chance."

Damon rolled his eyes, shifting his gaze away.

"It's nice to see you're on her side as well..."

Lazarak looked at the drinks sitting between them, his fingers tracing along the rim of his cup.

"If I were to die... Damon, would you be sad?"

Damon raised his eyebrows, caught completely off guard by the question.

"Yeah. You’re my friend. It would be a tragedy."

Lazarak offered a soft smile, his eyes shimmering with a hint of sorrow before he looked away.

"I'm sorry..."

Damon’s brow furrowed slightly.

"What are you apologizing for..."

Lazarak shook his head, then forced a smile as he turned back to Damon.

"I'm sorry that I cannot support your nonsense. If my passing would make you sad, then what about your own death? All of your friends would be heartbroken. You have a sister who truly loves you. You even mentioned a grandfather. You possess so much, and so much worth living for."

He stared down at his palms, slowly curling and uncurling his fingers.

"I, on the other hand, am a god with absolutely nothing to my name. My own brother is my greatest enemy. My creator loathes me. My peers look down on me with contempt..."

Damon went quiet as Lazarak spoke, listening in silence.

"I'm your best friend. I adore you. I look up to you."

For every point Lazarak made, Damon instinctively looked for a rebuttal. It wasn't like him to be so honest about his feelings, but for Lazarak's sake, he was.

"Then live..." Lazarak whispered.

"Succeed where I have failed. You mentioned a promise made to a mentor of yours, to create something beautiful. I know you are capable."

He smiled at Damon, and the expression was entirely genuine.

"And when you achieve it, build a massive statue of me. That way, no one will ever forget a minor god like me, because I would live on in everyone's hearts."

His words lacked the bleakness of Damon’s. Instead, they were filled with life and potential.

Lazarak found beauty in that sliver of hope.

Damon bit his lip, hesitating as he wrestled with whether or not to speak.

"Hey... do you know..."

Lazarak smiled gently and gave a nod.

"We are inside a dream, aren’t we? A dream so vivid it makes reality seem like an illusion."

Damon’s eyes widened in surprise.

"Ho... how did you know?"

Lazarak gave a simple shrug of his shoulders.

"The signs were present from the very beginning. I never truly witnessed how you were trapped in Eidolon, only that you were there. That was the starting point of everything. Then came the confusion. Then the words of Root Ore. I didn’t confirm my suspicions until I laid eyes on the Lake of Tears."

He looked at Damon, centuries of divine awareness and experience reflected in his gaze.

"Arriving in this city and meeting people like you only confirmed the truth."

Lazarak exhaled a slow breath.

"I am a god, after all."

His fist clenched tightly as screams and images surged through his mind. He had been present. He had heard every sound. He had watched the slaughter of millions. Many had begged God to save them from the flames and the blades, and the only god who had been listening was him.

He offered no answer.

"But that still doesn't excuse what I've done. What I'm a part of. The horrors..." His voice dropped to a low whisper. "I fear that before this dream concludes, I will have forgotten my own nature because I chose to compromise."

"Then this is a nightmare... for you, isn't it?" Damon asked softly.

Lazarak gave a slow nod.

"Yes, it is..."

He turned toward Damon, giving him a gentle smile.

"But it was also a magnificent dream."