My Living Shadow System Devours To Make Me Stronger

Chapter 786: Chapter 787: Sin Of Gluttony

When Damon heard Matia’s familiar cold voice he felt relieved. He let out a shaky sigh as he glanced in their direction. By Damon’s side two people had appeared.

A woman in black armor made of shattered ice stood with her shoulders tight, a freezing chill following her.

There was a wave of killing intent in her eyes directed at the Archivist; however, she must have realized she could not touch the warden of the library.

Her hands lingered on her sword, her cold blue eyes flaring dangerously.

The second was a toddler in gaudy black robes made of pure darkness. He looked chubby and adorable, yet his eyes held deep profundity. He clasped his hands behind his back as he looked at Damon.

There seemed to be an ancient and divine elegance to him, as if there was a purity and solemnness to his otherwise cute form.

Damon raised his arm that was barely held together. His fingers twitched from the pain. He was all but destroyed, though he had managed to avoid one sin and spare himself the pain of being flayed alive.

Come to think of it Damon used to flay people in his childhood. He had the habit of putting flay powder in people’s clothes, watching their skin burn and peel away leaving grotesque scars.

Many people wanted him dead for that, though he was still here, and most of them were dead.

Lazarak looked at Damon with a frown, then at the Archivist. Slowly he let out a sigh.

He seemed to have gotten the picture by just standing there. The wisdom of a god who had lived for ages could not be underestimated.

“I see. I think I understand how this trial works now.”

Damon’s flesh was burned so severely that parts of it seemed melted into the rest. Still he spoke clearly.

“A little too late for that. I already figured it out. You are accused of a crime linked to a deadly sin. If you feel the slightest guilt for that crime you will be punished for the sin.”

Lazarak nodded from where he stood.

“Yes I figured as much. That is not what I was going to tell you. I expected you to see that by now, seeing as you must have suffered a few ordeals. And the fact that you are still alive means you have not experienced the sin of pride.”

Damon nodded, trying to take advantage of the moment of rest.

“I have experienced greed, sloth, wrath, envy and well they left me looking like this.”

“You do not look so good my friend.” Lazarak winced as he looked at Damon’s state.

“I do not feel so good either. Though I did manage to not feel guilty for lust.” Damon answered casually.

Lazarak nodded with understanding on his small face.

“No surprise there. You do not get ladies. I mean you are ugly. And more by possessing others…. Wise choice abandoning lust.”

Damon winced, bitterness flashing across his expression.

“Can you help already..”

Lazarak shook his head.

“I am. We cannot interfere in the trial of sin. It seems the Archivist chose you because in our group you are the greatest of sinners. That said, overcoming lust gave you an advantage. That is why we were brought here.”

Lazarak glanced at the Archivist.

“Isn’t that right, warden of the trial of sin, Archivist.”

The Archivist nodded slowly.

“For every sin you fail you are punished. For every one you overcome you are closer to freedom.”

Lazarak nodded, his eyes steady.

“Listen. You have to overcome this trial. Someone has to pass it. Either you or him.”

“Him.” Damon replied, confused.

“Yes, him. He is a prisoner here as well and trapped by his own guilt just like you.”

“Sins are not measured by deed, Damon, but by the truths you refuse to accept.”

Damon glanced at the Archivist.

“So that is how it is. For every sin I overcome you take damage while I do not. Matia and Lazarak being here was not your will. It was you taking damage so your power waned.”

The Archivist did not say anything. His quill moved slower. Damon noticed one of his bony fingers looked mangled.

He raised his head and looked at Damon.

“You fear judgment because somewhere in the marrow of your being you know you deserve it.”

Matia’s eyes narrowed. Her hands tightened slightly, as if she wanted to reach for a weapon she could not move. It was as if some rule here prevented her body from acting.

Still all she could do was have faith Damon would succeed.

“Don’t worry he will find a way.” Lazarak whispered softly to her. His fingers fidgeted behind him.

“And if things go awry I will burn my very soul to make sure he survives.”

This was Lazarak’s promise.

The Archivist glared at Damon. There was a silent acknowledgment in his eyes.

“You have carried this one for so long. This is your greatest lie and your biggest shame. You have hidden it in the shadows where it was born.”

The Archivist raised his quill as he spoke coldly.

At the same time Lazarak spoke from Damon’s side.

“Guilt is a cage you lock yourself into. Shame is the key. Forgiveness breaks the bars not from others but from yourself.”

Lazarak bit his lips as he whispered inaudibly

“Defy yourself Damon.”

The Archivist pointed his quill at Damon and his cold voice echoed in the library.

“Hunger is no excuse. How vile for you to walk among us while you feast on the flesh of others. How deplorable to view your fellow man as food for your satisfaction.”

Damon’s eyes trembled when he heard these words. He knew it was only a matter of time before this crime surfaced.

“You are insatiable. You kill and devour your peers without end, feasting to expand the deep dark pits. Your crime is cannibalism. You have feasted on the flesh of your fellow man.”

“What a grave sin, the sin of gluttony.”

Damon bit his lips, already knowing which memory would be called out to invoke the most guilt.