My Living Shadow System Devours To Make Me Stronger Chapter 919 - 920: Displace

With a precise flick of her legs, Seras shoved him away from her thighs, her action both elegant and forceful, hurling Damon backward straight into a tree.

The impact crashed his back against the rough trunk with a solid thump, causing bark to crack and leaves to rustle down from the force.

She drew in a steady breath, her chest expanding gradually while she gazed at the shattered heaps of roots scattered on the earth, each one mangled in numerous spots. The crimson sap inside them, much like blood, stained the soil and smeared over her boots and garments.

Damon rose to his feet with a relieved exhale, massaging the rear of his skull as fragments of bark tumbled from his shoulders.

"Man, that was close—you really came through in a pinch... I knew my scheme to draw them away from the group would succeed..."

He announced this clearly for all to hear, adjusting his coat and wiping away the dirt, despite the fact that he hadn’t devised any such plan. It was merely a fortunate turn of events.

Seras fixed him with a sharp stare.

Meanwhile, the expedition members regarded him with faces full of amazement and reverence, their previous terror now transformed into respect.

"Incredible—that must have been his strategy."

"I’ve heard Damon Grey is a tactical mastermind too."

"No wonder—he’s the grandson of the Golden Sun."

"He’s incredibly courageous, putting his life on the line for us—what a noble soul..."

Renata shut her eyes in defeat.

If they believed that was his intention, they were sorely mistaken.

He’d only been focused on his own survival.

That being true, she had to admit she was struck by it. Damon truly excelled at spinning tales. See how swiftly he’d crafted a story and allowed others to complete the details themselves.

Seras scanned the expedition group, then glanced down at the dark roots still tangled around her feet. She raised one leg and pulled it loose with a strong tug, the sap stretching taut before breaking.

"Let’s move now..." she commanded, as the weary expedition pressed onward.

The woods had unleashed its full fury in this spot against them, and Seras had crushed it utterly.

As they advanced, Damon abruptly sensed they’d passed some unseen barrier, akin to piercing a delicate veil in the atmosphere. He halted for a brief moment, eyeing the area intently, yet nothing seemed off. Seras continued marching forward without pause, so he chalked it up to his own wariness.

She was the ideal ally to stick with.

Damon eyed her sturdy thighs once more and couldn’t suppress a subtle grin.

"I sense you’re checking me out... cut it or face death..." Seras warned without turning, slicing through a bush with a smooth, level stroke that highlighted the heavy undergrowth encircling them.

Damon clutched his chest in feigned shock.

"What rubbish—I wasn’t checking you out... I merely figured you appear lovely from this angle..." he chuckled, utterly unbothered by Seras keeping her blade ready.

"I’ve slain guys for smaller offenses..." Seras replied, annoyance creeping into her voice.

"That explains your single status... nobody wants to get close..." Damon’s grin widened as he caught up to walk beside her, hands folded casually behind him.

Seras gripped her fist hard, her knuckles paling, before easing it open with a sigh.

"That’s not accurate..." she whispered softly.

Damon rolled his eyes with flair.

"Keep lying to yourself—if I perish here, no guy will ever want to check you out... in fact, you ought to feel flattered and grateful that I’m admiring your rear... I could be the last one interested in you..."

Seras halted abruptly in her stride and gradually unsheathed her tachi.

The soft metallic hiss of the blade emerging resonated amid the trees.

Damon’s scalp prickled at her response.

Then she grinned.

"Fine then... I’ll concede... so be it... if that’s how it is, why not look after me starting now... I dislike indecisive men—I prefer one who meets my gaze... so from this point, I’m under your watch..."

Damon stiffened, his expression twisting in bewilderment as he blinked a couple of times.

"Hold on, hold on—something’s off... what do you mean by that..."

Seras offered a gentle smile, her gaze sharpening slightly.

"It means I’m accepting your official proposal, naturally—if you’re some indecisive type just playing with my emotions, I’ll end you to preserve my honor..."

She edged nearer, the chilly blade of her tachi resting gently on his armor by the collarbone.

"You’re not, right..."

Damon shut his eyes for a second, then reopened them. He scanned her from head to toe deliberately and pondered.

'If I refuse, there’s a slight risk of serious harm or worse—if I agree, I’ll be tangled up with a woman my mother’s age...'

He extended his hand awkwardly for a clasp.

"Seems like a mutual benefit... I’ll be under your watch..."

She furrowed her brow at his phrasing, then let out a soft laugh. It felt like an entertaining diversion, so she didn’t object—especially since she lacked options anyway.

"Very well, look after me..." Seras stated deliberately, her tone icy and devoid of warmth.

Damon pressed his hand to his chest once more.

"Actually, look after me instead..."

Before more words escaped, a noise reached him.

"Actually, look after me instead."

Something echoed it from the branches.

Damon started to lift his gaze when Seras’ grip seized the back of his head and yanked it downward.

"Don’t look..." she hissed quietly.

"Don’t look... ahahahhah..." something cackled from the trees.

"Keep your heads lowered... now..." Seras yelled to the expedition members.

Not all managed to obey.

One person gradually lifted their head.

It was a young fellow bearing a scar on his neck. Being in the third class, he couldn’t be too youthful, but he appeared so regardless.

His brown eyes bulged as though he’d spotted something in the branches from where the voice originated.

His pupils shifted to white.