Supreme Warlock System : From Zero to Ultimate With My Wives

Warlock Ch 107. Why Am I Still Here?

The servant's attack bounced off the barrier, but the impact sent a jolt through Damian's body. He winced, gritting his teeth as he retaliated with [Arcane Bolt], the energy chaining between the servants.

[Shadow Servant ] took 180 damage.

[Shadow Servant ] took 120 damage.

The brief pause was enough to let him slip through, but the drain on his mana was starting to take its toll. 'I can't keep this up forever.'

And then he saw it—a staircase at the end of the corridor, spiraling upward into darkness. Hope flared in his chest as he pushed forward, dodging another servant's attack and firing a quick [Hellfire Spear] at a group blocking his path.

[Shadow Servant] took 320 damage. Target defeated.

The explosion cleared the way, and Damian sprinted toward the staircase, his heart pounding. 'If I can just get to the top… maybe I can find a way out.'

As he reached the base of the stairs, a new notification flashed in his vision.

[Warning! Reinforcements are arriving!]

Damian glanced back and saw more shadows emerging from the walls, their glowing eyes locking onto him. He didn't have time to think—he bolted up the stairs, taking them two at a time. The sound of the servants' pursuit echoed behind him, their claws scraping against the stone.

'Keep moving. Don't stop,' he told himself, forcing his legs to keep going despite the burn in his muscles. The staircase seemed endless, twisting upward into the darkness, but Damian refused to let himself falter.

The top of the stairs finally came into view, a heavy door standing between him and whatever lay beyond. Damian didn't stop to think—he slammed his shoulder into the door, pushing it open with a burst of adrenaline.

What he saw on the other side made his stomach drop.

The room was massive, its high ceilings adorned with glowing sigils that pulsed with dark energy. In the center stood Malthus, his smirk wider than ever.

"Welcome back," Malthus said, spreading his arms as if greeting an old friend. His smirk was wide, and his eyes glinted with amusement. "Did you really think you could escape so easily?"

Damian's breath came in ragged gasps, his body screaming in protest after the relentless sprint up the stairs. The barrier's oppressive energy pressed down on him like a weight, making every movement feel heavier.

"Malthus," Damian growled, forcing himself to straighten despite the exhaustion. "You've got a real knack for ruining people's day, you know that?"

Malthus chuckled, stepping closer with deliberate, measured steps. "And you've got a knack for surprises, Damian Blackthorn. Shadow Step, at your rank? That's impressive. Unexpected, even. You've been holding out on me."

Damian's fingers twitched as he fought the urge to summon a spell—any spell. But he could feel the barrier's presence in the air, suffocating his mana, just like the shackles had done earlier. He didn't need a notification to know his abilities were being suppressed again.

"Lucky accident," Damian spat, masking his frustration with bravado. "Even a blind squirrel finds a nut sometimes."

"Is that what you tell yourself?" Malthus stopped a few feet away, tilting his head as he studied Damian. "No, this wasn't luck. Cassius has been pushing you harder than I thought. But even he wouldn't expect you to unlock something like Shadow Step at your level. Tell me—how did you do it?"

Damian didn't answer, his eyes darting around the room, searching for an opening, an exit, anything he could use to get out of here. But every path was sealed, glowing with the same ominous energy as the sigils on the walls.

"Trying to leave already?" Malthus taunted, following Damian's gaze. "Don't bother. This room is sealed. No more tricks, no more surprises."

"Yeah?" Damian shot back, his voice dripping with defiance. "Well, I've got a few more surprises left."

Malthus raised an eyebrow, clearly amused. "Do you, now? Let's see."

With a flick of his wrist, Malthus summoned the Umbra Devourer, the air around him darkening as the shadowy creature materialized beside him. Its grotesque form twisted and shifted, dozens of glowing eyes blinking in unison as it locked onto Damian. Its jagged mouth stretched into a sinister grin, and it let out a guttural hiss that echoed through the chamber.

Umbra Devourer

HP: ???

MP: ???

Skills: [Mana Leech], [Sleeping Injection], [Void Rend]

Weakness: ???

Damian's stomach tightened at the sight of it. The last encounter with this thing had been bad enough, and now he was facing it head-on with no backup, no summons, and his mana suppressed.

'Think. There's always a way out.'

Malthus's voice cut through his thoughts. "Do you know why I like the Umbra Devourer, Damian?" he asked, his tone conversational, as if they weren't standing on the brink of another life-or-death fight. "It's efficient. Precise. Relentless. Much like myself."

"Great. You found your spirit animal," Damian shot back, trying to keep his voice steady even as his mind raced. "Now what? You're gonna let it lecture me too?"

Malthus smirked, waving the Umbra Devourer forward. "No need for lectures. You've already proven you're full of potential. It's almost a shame to take it from you. Almost."

The Umbra Devourer surged toward Damian, its massive shadowy form moving with a speed that seemed impossible for something so grotesque. Its countless glowing eyes locked onto him, and its jagged teeth stretched into a wicked grin. Damian's instincts screamed at him to move, and he didn't hesitate.

"[Shadow Step!]" he activated the skill, his body dissolving into darkness and reappearing several feet away in an instant. He landed in a crouch, his breathing sharp as he took in his new position.

The Umbra Devourer's attack missed, its claws tearing through the air where Damian had just been. It hissed in frustration, the sound low and guttural, as it turned toward him again.

But Damian's relief was short-lived. He was still in the same room—the glowing sigils on the walls practically mocking him as they pulsed with faint, rhythmic energy.

"What the hell?" Damian muttered, glancing around in confusion. 'Why am I still here?'