My Living Shadow System Devours To Make Me Stronger Chapter 930 - 931: Hanging Paths Below The Orchard Of Regret

His Ragebaiting advanced to the next level. Upon reappearing, he discovered himself in an unfamiliar territory. The earth trembled violently before he could even process his surroundings.

In the far-off distance, several miles away, Rexagon let out a mighty roar and unleashed flames toward the sky.

"I will track you down. I will smash you... even if it costs me my final breath..."

Astral winds grazed Damon's skin as a colossal, winged form resembling a mountain ascended into the air.

He looked down at the imp clinging to his legs, his face turning impassive. A sudden burst of fire erupted from his hand, reducing the beast to cinders.

Seras advanced and seized his collar, shaking him firmly.

"Did you really need to do that final bit?"

Fog enveloped the surroundings. Below them stretched an obscured abyss. Enormous trees, surpassing mountains in height, towered on the horizon, their limbs laden with house-sized fruits. Perched atop those fruits were odd nests, with shadows darting about ceaselessly.

The whole area seemed oppressive and stifling. The trees' roots remained concealed, while massive vines, thick as drawbridges, wove endlessly through the haze.

"Where have we ended up?" Damon inquired, peering up as Rexagon's distant silhouette glided over the woods in its hunt.

Seras dropped her eyes and regulated her breaths.

Fortunately, Rexagon had no clue about the displacement flowers' destinations and was far too massive to squeeze through them. Perhaps in human shape, but his arrogance wouldn't permit such a thing.

She let go of Damon's collar and blew out air between her teeth.

"Did you truly need to make our situation worse? You could've just fled without bruising his pride," she grumbled, irritation seeping into her tone.

Damon crossed his arms as the group paused to recover their strength.

"Pardon me for rescuing everyone from that insane, brooding dragon. This is the gratitude I receive," he shot back, showing no hint of remorse.

Seras rubbed the bridge of her nose and drew in a deep breath.

"Alright. Alright. You're correct."

Damon tilted his head up a bit, keeping his arms folded.

"That's what I thought. Now, back to my earlier question, if you don't object."

Seras pivoted and eyed Renata, who was dusted and smudged, wrapping up her tally of the survivors.

Renata wiped soot from her sleeve and gave a nod.

"It's incredible we faced a mighty dragon and still kept everyone alive."

Damon rolled his eyes with flair.

"Wonderful, Renata. Thanks for cursing us. Now he'll locate us, and some folks will perish."

Renata pressed her lips together and gave him a sulky look, obviously wishing she'd stayed silent.

"So, what's this place called?" Damon pressed, scanning the eerie landscape.

Renata stood tall.

"This is known as the Hanging Paths."

Damon winced.

"Got it. A dreadful mix. The name alone tells me I'll despise it."

Wendy huddled on the ground, arms encircling her knees, gazing into the fog.

"I wish I hadn't trailed you here."

Damon smirked under his breath. That served her right for extorting him. Yet, catching a note of remorse from Wendy struck him as odd. He observed it but kept quiet.

Renata gestured at the massive fruits dangling overhead.

"And overhead lies the Orchard of Regrets. They're separate realms but tightly connected. The Hanging Paths is the less hazardous of the two."

"Orchard of Regrets... Ah, that clarifies Wendy's mood," Damon murmured.

Seras approached the closest vine and placed a palm on it, checking its firmness.

"We'll traverse the Hanging Paths. For those unfamiliar, pay close attention. Speaking is risky on these vines."

Renata agreed with a nod and went on.

"The guideline here is straightforward. Greater fear means stronger gravity."

She explained deliberately, ensuring the group absorbed every word.

"Hesitation adds weight. Vines constrict during surges of panic. Certain bridges gradually flip upside down mid-crossing, so rely not on your sense of direction. And steer clear of flight attempts. Death comes quicker that way."

A quiet dread rippled across the team.

"Those who fall get pulverized or plunged into the hidden chasm. Their cries reverberate for hours, alerting our dragon companion faster if you yell in your final moments," Renata warned.

She paused briefly.

"No corpses ever reach the bottom. Or so my memory tells me."

Seras lifted her hand, capturing the group's focus.

"The key is basic. Traverse without pause. Silence is essential. Transporting the unconscious proves safer than the terrified, as they experience no fear."

Damon nodded, grasping the reasoning. His eyes wandered up to the huge fruits.

"Hold on. What of the orchard? And if flight's forbidden for us, how does the dragon manage?"

Seras folded her arms.

"It's a dragon, after all. Its rules differ from ours. The orchard serves as both boon and bane."

Renata retrieved a creased parchment from Lana, who dug into her pack and passed it along.

"Per the document from Amadeus," Renata stated, spreading it open.

"The twisted fruit trees yield crimson, throbbing fruits, or so most perceive them. Their aroma is inviting and soothing," she recited, her gaze sharpening.

"Don't be fooled. The fruits vary in appearance for each individual. Larger sizes signal deeper regrets, amplifying the dire consequences of consumption."

Damon tensed a little. To his eyes, the fruits loomed gigantic, rivaling houses in scale.

"The woods thrive on unfulfilled desires," Renata pressed on.

"Devouring the fruit delivers potent restoration or enhancements, which might seem advantageous, yet it's rarely advisable."

She gulped.

"Every morsel summons a regret as a tangible injury down the line, far more severe than before."

Damon resolved inwardly to steer clear of the fruit.

"Certain fruits hold recollections of cherished ones," Renata noted, her look fixed on Damon like a targeted caution.

"In time, regrets solidify into tangible beings. The deeper the remorse, the fiercer and deadlier they grow."

Her grip clenched on the parchment.

"These beings pursue their source and those around. Slaying them inflicts excruciating emotional torment on the originator."

She refolded the parchment.

"It advises: Avoid eating the fruit entirely. If compelled, only once. Incinerate the orchard if feasible, but best to refrain."

Renata returned the parchment to Lana.

"Individuals free of regrets endure the mildest effects, rendering them formidable."

Her tone grew gentle as she bowed her head.

"No living soul escapes regret entirely. We all fall prey to it."