My Living Shadow System Devours To Make Me Stronger - Chapter 382

Chapter 382: Chapter 383: Much Needed Scolding
He sucked in a breath of cold air. Did that really just happen? Did he actually just gain shadow energy?

This was not an illusion, nor was he hallucinating from the madness in his life.

This was real—a way to gain shadow energy without devouring people.

“Ahh… ahh…”

Damon felt his heart tighten. A wave of relief and frustration slammed into his chest.

All the days when he… had to kill and devour people, just so he wouldn’t turn into a monster.

The fear he had locked deep within—fear that he’d lose control, that he’d devour his friends if the hunger ever won.

He clenched his fists.

All of that… all of that could’ve been solved by eating shades.

Damon took a deep breath. He shook his head. That wouldn’t have changed much—shades were rare.

But still… it made sense. He could devour them for shadow energy.

One, they were souls. And two, they were mostly human—or at least, shadows of intelligent, sapient creatures.

Damon realized he could also use shades for something else. He could use them to increase the counter for his Ascendant Armor.

He’d be closer to ten thousand vanquished foes if he destroyed shades or used them to vanquish enemies.

“I need more shades.”

He stopped, glancing back into the darkness behind him. He bit his lip.

Should I really go back? Should he hunt more?

But what about his party? He needed to be here to lead them.

And he couldn’t tell them either. Not because he didn’t trust them to keep a secret—but once a secret was shared between more than two people, it was hardly a secret anymore.

At least, that’s what he’d learned from that wretched Elf… back to back.

As for why he was so secretive—

‘Undead control spells, skills, and abilities are taboo by the Temple.’

If he used it openly, he’d be hunted as a necromancer by the Inquisition.

Hell, someone might even call him a lich pretending to be human. Or worse—a demon.

Not even demons would likely approve.

Necromancy, or any dark art that tampered with the souls of the dead—or even their shadows—was frowned upon, reviled.

And Damon understood. If any of his parents had turned into shades, and some schizophrenic kid raised them like puppets… he’d be furious too.

But that wasn’t going to stop him. He needed this power.

Still, the shades had many uses. And for now, his shadow hunger was… quiet. He was full—with some to spare.

“Let’s rest before we reach the next chamber.”

Damon’s voice echoed from the darkness.

The party, illuminated by the ball of light Evangeline conjured, paused, glancing in his direction.

The light split off, catching Damon’s face in the shadows.

“Hmmm… you want us to stop…” Leona raised an eyebrow.

Damon nodded. “Yes. We need to rest after the battle. The next part may be dangerous…”

He looked toward Sylvia as she activated her skill. She winced—just a little—but he noticed. She’d grown so used to pain that her face rarely shifted.

‘She must be really suffering to show that expression…’

He hated that she had to use such a vile skill.

But it was a necessary evil.

“There’s a chamber ahead. We can rest there,” Sylvia whispered.

“The place after that… is called the Forbidden Library. It’s vast. But we shouldn’t linger. The moment we get there, we use the windows and get out.”

Leona clenched her fists, wearing a bright smile.

“We’re finally getting back on track… after being underground for days.”

Sylvia frowned, her white hair gleaming in the light.

“I wouldn’t get so excited if I were you. We’re in the heart of the city now. The Keeper might still be searching for us…”

A cold silence followed. A lingering dread seeped into their hearts.

“Wha… wha… how do we overcome something like that…” Evangeline’s voice trembled.

“We face him, obviously,” Damon replied coldly.

Matia frowned, glancing at him.

“Did you figure out his game?”

Damon shook his head. “I haven’t. But I found a way to delay it.”

Xander shifted, spear in hand. “How?”

Damon tilted his head, a thin smile curling his lips.

“By asking nicely. And one other thing…”

Leona narrowed her eyes. “What’s the other thing?”

He pointed at his ear. “Cover your ears. He won’t force you to play unless you’re trying to leave the city.”

Evangeline blinked, then stared at him in disbelief.

“That’s… the dumbest damn plan I’ve ever heard. Did you hit your head before the shade fight or after?”

She glared at him, furious. Evangeline did not like this plan one bit.

“And I imagine you plan to risk it yourself… while we flee, right?”

He shrugged. “More or less. But covering my ears won’t work… so I gotta make sure I really can’t hear him.”

Sylvia sighed. “I don’t approve at all… It’s too dangerous; you’re being reckless. I know it’s a last resort, but you’ll still gamble…”

“I know you won’t,” he interrupted her.

Evangeline’s glare deepened—he’d seen her angry before, but this… this was a new level.

Before he could react, she slammed her fist into his face, sending him flying into a nearby wall. The stone cracked from the impact.

Her voice trembled with rage and frustration.

She launched into a tirade, berating him for risking his life without a single thought for how others felt.

Blood trickled from Damon’s nose as he slid down the wall… but somehow, he smiled.

A tired smile.

Not because of the punch—but because for once, he felt like someone genuinely cared.

People who actually cared about him were far too few.

Fewer than ten in the whole world.

The way her golden hair swayed, the way she pointed and ranted—it almost reminded him of his mother.

“That angry expression is almost the same as hers…”

Evangeline planted her hand on her waist.

“Who are you talking about?! Are you even listening to me?!”

She grabbed him by the crevices in his chestplate, lifting him until they were eye level.

“Listen up! When we see the Keeper—we run like hell! Do you understand?!”

Damon smiled. “Sure… as long as you let me go…”