My Living Shadow System Devours To Make Me Stronger Chapter 914 - 915: Tell Me About The Man

A hush descended instantly when Damon uttered those words, as though the very essence of the Evil Forest had been frozen in place by his declaration.

"Bellum. The ninth pillar." Damon offered nothing more.

A brief pause hung in the air, everyone absorbing the weight of what had just been revealed.

"The ninth pillar," Amadeus echoed, his curiosity piqued.

"Indeed, the ninth. I happened to catch an outsider, the Blind Old Daoist, mentioning it once. Just the ninth—that's all I picked up."

"What exactly is this pillar? And yes, it must be why entities from higher realms descend to our world."

Damon sensed the probing intensity in his stare.

"The Pillar of Conflict represents the ultimate essence of strife itself. This pillar was given to the goddess of doom for safekeeping. She forged our entire world just to shield it, and reflecting on that now, it suggests we hold little significance in her view."

"A core concept of conflict," Amadeus murmured thoughtfully.

"Share more details," he urged, as Seras struggled to process the flood of information.

The expedition team's members had smartly retreated to a distance. They understood that too many secrets could spell disaster. Caution always trumped recklessness.

Honoring their choice, Renata gestured, forming a soundproof dome from her zero attribute that sealed off all noise.

Excitement built in Amadeus. The insights he'd gained that day surpassed his wildest expectations.

"Reveal it all to me. More, please," he pressed Damon with fervor, like a long-hidden truth had finally surfaced.

"What are you willing to give in return?"

Amadeus hesitated briefly, then produced a box.

"Behold, a magical box. It's a one-time artifact I acquired from a world dungeon. My findings indicate it can manifest one desired item, and that's its sole function. Its worth is immeasurable, regardless of whether you recognize it."

Damon eyed the box, unable to assess its true nature.

"Hmph. You're asking me to take a risk," he replied uncertainly.

"In exchange, I'll claim your staff, and from this point forward, you'll answer all my queries with complete honesty. You'll also swear no harm to me or anyone I choose."

"Is that an agreement?" Damon inquired steadily.

Amadeus looked toward his staff, a cherished possession.

"The staff remains mine, but the rest I accept."

Damon extended his hand.

"Agreed."

"So, what exactly do you understand about the pillar?" Amadeus inquired with keen anticipation.

Damon folded his arms deliberately.

"You mean the pillars. From my knowledge, there are twelve in total, each forming the bedrock of existence itself. They consist of..."

"The Pillar of Beginning, Genesis, source of all creation, including the primordial gods. Don't bother inquiring about the primordial gods—I have no idea what or who they are," he interrupted Amadeus preemptively.

"Ahem."

He cleared his throat with a cough.

"Existence then birthed the Pillar of Reality, Aeternis, which wove the structure of the universe into being. With reality set, the Pillar of Time, Chronis, arose, enabling the stream of past, present, and future. Time's arrival sparked the Pillar of the Soul, Anima, as consciousness stirred and spread. Souls in turn gave rise to the Pillar of Emotion, Empyros, bearing passion, determination, and the sparks of transformation. Emotions fueled a hunger for insight, spawning the Pillar of Knowledge, Noesis."

Seras observed his exposition closely, captivated by this depth of wisdom. She'd dismissed him as mad before, but witnessing this erudite facet left her subtly mesmerized.

"However, knowledge sparks discord, and from that sprang the Pillar of Chaos, Pandemion, embodying endless turmoil. Yet chaos demands balance, so the Pillar of Order, Kosmos, appeared to impose harmony and rules. The tension between order and chaos forged the Pillar of Conflict, Bellum, fueling progress, battles, and advancement."

He halted momentarily, then continued, "That's the pillar guarded by the goddess, embedded in our world. It's why endless wars rage here. We're all captives, twisted by its frenzy and inherent drive. Eternal strife."

He took a swig from his flask, cleared his throat again, and pressed on, drawing from the Unnoticed Singularity's teachings on the pillars.

"Conflict then elevated the Pillar of Ascension, Apotheon, symbolizing the drive to climb, evolve, and shatter boundaries. Yet even grandest things fade to oblivion, birthing the Pillar of Void, Nihilos. The void itself demands an end, paving the way for rebirth, thus the Pillar of End, Nemesis, arose to seal every loop."

He fell silent, noting even the lich's jaw drop from the deluge of lore.

Damon held back further details, such as the gods' ancient war or how seizing the pillars fit the Unknown God’s grand scheme for the omniverse.

Damon's intent in unveiling such profound truths now centered on reciprocity. In his street-raised life, gaining demanded giving. That's why he'd scattered these tantalizing hints for the lich. He knew a being who embraced lichdom wouldn't ignore fresh enlightenment.

He shot a look at the lich.

"My turn now."

Seriousness sharpened Damon's gaze, a chill determination within.

"Speak. Unload every detail you possess on the figure called Mugu, the Wicked Prophet."

Renata hesitated. Naturally, Damon's aim had been to uncover all he could on Mugu.

Amadeus faltered.

"My knowledge is limited. Or rather, nothing I know might prove valuable to you. Still, I'll share what I have."