My Living Shadow System Devours To Make Me Stronger Chapter 992 - 994: Them All

At the brink of his tower, Damon leaned lightly against the frigid stone balustrade, gazing as the city below twisted in fierce combat. A peculiar nostalgia welled up in his heart.

He wielded true power now. Real, formidable power.

But it wasn't enough yet.

He held importance... though insufficient to reshape the world.

Back when weakness gripped him, a mighty dragon brought catastrophe. Even now, at his fourth class advancement, such beasts remained utter calamities.

An errant surge of magic strayed toward the tower. Protective runes blazed alive with a piercing buzz, devouring the strike smoothly without disturbance.

Streets ran crimson with blood. Monster cadavers blanketed the pavement.

With idle detachment, Damon observed the scene.

"Aren’t you being too arrogant?" Renata questioned, placing her hands on the balustrade while peering into the turmoil below.

He tilted his head faintly her way. A biting gale swept from the peaks, laden with ash, blood, and the faint rot of decay from the far-off battlefield.

"I am," he replied evenly. "Because I know I’d win. Would it not be hypocritical to deny arrogance when my victory is inevitable?"

"Pride comes before a fall," she countered, eyeing the sheer plunge beyond the edge. "And with how high we are, I’m not looking forward to the impact."

Damon exhaled and folded his arms.

Pride? What pride?

She, of everyone, understood he harbored no pride. That trait didn't define him.

Arrogance was his essence.

"I pride myself on having no pride," he stated with a faint grin, facing her fully.

"Still, I understand where you’re coming from. I’m not being reckless... even though I tend to be when I get overly confident and a tad too arrogant beyond my britches."

"Nice to know you’re still self-conscious," Wendy grumbled from her perch on the balustrade, legs dangling carelessly hundreds of meters over the void.

Damon simply grinned in response.

"Funny enough, I always am. There’s nothing more insufferable than a piece of shit who doesn’t know he’s deplorable. I’ve learned to stay conscious of my shame and I accept it. No need to bash me."

She twisted to eye him, her tresses whipping madly in the gusts.

"I wasn’t bashing you. I was just making sure you don’t do something stupid and get yourself killed."

A tender smile curved Damon's lips.

Was worry for him gnawing at her?

Her cheeks tinted pink upon catching his gaze.

"I... I am not worried about you. I just don’t want you to die, is all."

A soft laugh rumbled from his chest.

"I didn’t say you were."

He peeled away from the railing, striding leisurely onto the expansive balcony as gusts yanked at his cloak.

"I’m aware it’s madness to try and take them all at once. Surely they would unite against me if I don’t conform to the traditional way of doing this... but so what? When have I ever conformed? Especially when I know I can win."

Renata breathed out heavily, kneading her temples.

"Can you dominate that many demons?"

Damon shook his head.

"Not sure. But I want to use this as an opportunity to comprehend my domain. I want a battle with everything on the line... without anything that would give away my true identity."

Lana had lingered silently off to the side during the exchange. She fidgeted restlessly, gripping her sleeve's edge tightly before venturing to speak.

"Erm... my lord, that would be holding back on using your shadow attribute..."

Damon shook his head.

"No. I’m going to use it. Just... an application of it. The part that allows me to be more subtle."

She chewed her lip, gaze flicking hesitantly between the group.

Damon shot her a look and sighed.

"Spit it out."

Lana nodded with unease.

"I... I’m still not used to the knowledge that you are a demon. Still, I worry how this may affect your family. If this gets revealed then... House Brightwater would suffer backlash..."

A pang hit Damon's heart.

This hadn't fazed him earlier. Protecting his sister had always been his chief concern. He dreaded her learning of his disgraceful plunge.

His plunge into corruption.

But now...

Grandfather. Uncle. Aunt. Eva.

Family bonds... they anchored his worldly ties. The subtle dread lurking in his thoughts.

Grandfather, who'd sacrifice all for him. Uncle, stern yet loyal, chiding Damon relentlessly like a nag. Aunt, ever gentle, championing his cause. House Brightwater had indulged him and Luna utterly.

For an instant, Damon recalled the hollow ache of orphanage.

"No one will find out," he grumbled.

Though he realized secrets never stay buried forever. Though a god had foreseen his falsehoods' unveiling.

Lana poised to reply once more when a scorching blast roared over the balcony.

Gotrog soared up the tower's flank, crashing down with a resounding thump, inclining his massive head as thin flames trickled from his wings.

"My lord," he intoned.

He motioned below.

"The first batch of enemy heads have been delivered. We have also selected some outstanding fighters for your army."

He hesitated, then raised his gaze to Damon.

"However, the other tower lords are dissatisfied with the chaos of these past few days. They are demanding an explanation... or they will be forced to take action against you."

Silence claimed Damon.

His features hardened. His disposition soured.

Then, gradually, a chilling grin laden with murderous aura unfurled on his face.

"They want an explanation? Are they worthy of one?" he murmured softly.

"Go and tell them this..."

"By sundown tomorrow, I want them to come before me and prostrate themselves before my rule."

Gotrog’s eyes bulged wide.

Yet Damon pressed on.

"Declare that to the whole city. If they can’t face me, then they are unworthy of ruling."

Gotrog's fist tightened. These fiends were fiery, haughty virtuosos. None would stomach the insult. Ignoring it would shatter their followers' spirits.

"My lord... you are great, but we are vastly outnumbered..."

Damon nodded.

He was fully aware.

"And they are outmatched."

This could hint at his domain.

If Ashcroft occupied his place, would he yield? Would numbers daunt him?

"If I fight them one by one, I’ll win too easily. I want a challenge."

Gotrog inclined his head again and launched skyward to proclaim the decree.

Renata scrutinized Damon closely.

"Are you sure about this?"

Damon shifted his stare to the distant skyline, gaze serene and remote.

"Yes.

I am."