CHAPTER 586: CHAPTER 588: WHAT IS BROKEN

His wish. That had been what shaped his second class, the very philosophy that guided him. A desire to end it all.

That was his wish.

"All your final wishes... I will take care of them. Your kin will live in abundance. All you need to do is let me in..."

Damon subconsciously felt his struggle halt. Ashcroft was all powerful. If anyone could save his sister, it would be him.

"Can you cure an incurable disease..."

Ashcroft’s eyes slid toward Damon, who was slowly loosening his resistance.

"I am a master of alchemy and all healing. I can cure anything but death."

Hearing those words, Damon’s dark eyes flickered.

’Well... this is a good way to go. I tried... I really did... but maybe... just maybe... just once... I wanted to....’

As the thoughts crossed his mind and uncertainty grew within him, his shadow rippled violently. Coldness burst from it, and a fist struck Ashcroft’s chin with crushing force.

The Demon Lord of Domination, trapped in a goblin’s body, was flung through the cavern, smashing into the corpses of crystal spiders. His jaw shattered, half destroyed.

Since his return, this was the first time Ashcroft had truly been struck.

His eyes narrowed as he glared at the unexpected figure. A woman stood before Damon, clad in familiar Ascendant Armor.

Ashcroft recognized it at once.

The Armor of Shattered Ice. Except now, it was darker, infused with frost and shadow. Her aura was immense, infinitely close to the fourth-class advancement. From her back spread wings of solid ice, and in her hand she held a gleaming sword of frost.

"A fairy... no, a shadow."

She was Damon’s shadow. Ashcroft could feel the umbral attribute flowing from her soul, tied directly to her master. The bloodlust and rage directed at him were clear.

Ashcroft smiled. He couldn’t help himself.

This was expected of a shadow — such loyalty, such resolve. This was the first entity to stand before him without even a trace of fear.

Having the loyalty of such a shadow only made the Usurper more interesting in his eyes.

There was no point trying to dominate her. Shadows were loyal to one alone.

"Stand down, shadow. I have reached an agreement with your master. Going forward, you will serve me."

Before he could continue, the air froze. A storm of ice burst from the armored woman, engulfing the cavern. The cold bit into the soul itself.

Ashcroft felt his failing body corrode further within the storm.

This was Matia’s skill, Ruin’s End. From her wings, a winter spread that threatened to consume all.

Ashcroft realized immediately — this shadow would never allow him to claim Damon. She was too deeply bound, too loyal.

"Its one thing after another.... I don’t have time for this."

A muffled boom echoed in the frozen storm. Ashcroft clashed with the Ruined Fairy.

Spears and swords of ice rained down from every angle.

"Ice Dominate."

He raised his hand calmly. The spears froze midair, halted by his will. The storm itself slowed, granting him a moment to breathe. But the cold had already frozen the blood on his body, encasing him in a brittle layer of ice. It cracked and peeled away skin as he moved.

Ashcroft lifted his arm, aiming to crush the shadow. She had become an obstacle, and he could not afford her interference.

But she moved swiftly. Her sword dissolved into a spear of ice. As she thrust forward, time itself seemed to slow. Ashcroft saw her strike accelerate beyond reason, aimed at his chest.

This was the enchantment of her Ascendant Armor.

Frozen Timestep – Slows the perception of time when switching between weapons or after landing a critical hit.

There was barely any time to react.

Still, Ashcroft was Ashcroft. His cold smile spread across his ruined face.

"Flesh Dominate."

He dominated his own weak body, forcing his flesh to soften like pliant clay.

Matia’s spear pierced straight through as he hollowed out his own chest, leaving a gaping hole. The weapon passed without killing him, the force shaking the cavern.

She did not relent. Her spear dissolved into a shield and axe. She slammed the shield into his tiny goblin body. He dodged, but her axe swung upward immediately after.

He swiped it aside, moving through the storm. Another spear formed, this one kicked with such force it left a sonic boom.

Ashcroft dodged again, but her wings flared, releasing a wave of ice. The blizzard thickened.

He did something unexpected. He turned and rolled in the direction of the spear. As the ice cleared, another Matia appeared — a phantom double formed of frozen mist.

Ashcroft’s sword of wind slashed it apart.

"I knew you would use Flake of Cold Eternity."

Flake of Cold Eternity – Can summon a frozen double to fight alongside her briefly.

He knew the fourth enchantment of the Armor of Shattered Ice well. He was an old monster from the Second Epoch.

How could this young shadow’s tricks compare to his experience?

His fist struck her cleanly, sending her flying. She crashed near Damon, who had forced his broken body up, his head bleeding heavily. She landed at his feet, her cold blue eyes flickering before going still.

Damon looked down at her. His exhausted gaze hardened, a murderous light flickering within it.

"I wish...die.."

"That is my wish... but I don’t need you to do anything for me. I can do it myself."

Blood streaked down his face as he raised his head.

"I can die... but not by your hand. I still have people who want me to live...."

He lowered himself, touching Matia’s face gently. Her skin was as cold as a corpse, but she was alive.

His touch lingered, then he sent her back into his shadow.

"Don’t worry... I won’t die. Just watch. I’ll win."

Damon stood as she sank into his shadow.

"You hurt my friend. The deal is off. I’m killing you."

His hand reached for his crown.

"You say all I do is take and have nothing. You are right. I am weak. That’s why I take. I devour the strength of others and make it my own."

The shadows rose around him, vast and endless.

"Today, I will devour your strength and make it mine."

"My Living Shadow System will devour your Domination System."

He removed his crown, tossing it aside. The shadows engulfed him, transforming him into a monster of darkness. His voice came out low and husky, as if it echoed from the abyss itself.

"You want to dominate my mind? Come."

"Even you cannot dominate what is already broken."