thefictionvixens Chapter 283: Damian’s Humanity
Chapter 283: Damian’s Humanity
Damian continued staring at the floating panel while the endless dark waters beneath him rippled gently. The abilities had become increasingly absurd the higher he climbed, to the point where even he found himself wondering what kind of madness Lin Qui had been carrying around all these years. Regardless, he had no intention of slowing down now. He had come too far to hesitate.
210... 220... 230... 240... 250...
A familiar pulse swept through the dark world.
[Name: Heavenly Harem]
[Type: Active]
[Description: Creates divine avatars of bonded partners to fight alongside you. This is limited to only those you have performed ritual mating with and each avatar carries 50% of the original’s capabilities.]
Damian stared at the ability for several seconds before letting out a low whistle.
"Ooh, wow... That’s a really sex incentive kind of ability. Because I’m suddenly eager to have a taste of all the powerful bitches that come for me."
His eyes narrowed thoughtfully.
Knowing an ability like this existed, he was suddenly tempted to release Rah and sleep with her just once. Not because he needed her. Not because he wanted her loyalty. Simply because obtaining a divine avatar of a future demigod sounded extremely useful.
The same applied to Loth.
The more Damian thought about it, the more attractive the ability seemed. Strength wasn’t even the point anymore. He simply liked the idea of collecting them.
Rin merely watched him think. For once, the fox did not bother commenting.
Compared to some of the ridiculous things previous princes had done, Damian’s thoughts were relatively harmless.
Without dwelling on it further, Damian continued investing points.
260... 270... 280... 290... 300...
The dark waters trembled again.
[Name: Desire Bandit]
[Type: Active]
[Description: You can steal and give desire to targets. Effectively giving you the tools needed to manipulate and influence their actions.]
Damian froze.
The longer he stared at the description, the wider his eyes became.
This ability was terrifying. Far more terrifying than most combat abilities.
At first glance it sounded simple but upon deeper reflection, anyone can tell it was truly horrifying.
Desire was the driving force behind almost every action a person took.
People worked because they desired wealth.
People fought because they desired victory.
People loved because they desired companionship.
People ruled because they desired power.
If those desires could be stolen or implanted, then almost anything became possible.
A thousand scenarios flashed through Damian’s mind. If he ever decided to run for office, he could simply remove his opponents’ desire to compete.
A warlord could lose his desire for conquest.
A revolutionary could lose the desire to rebel.
A coward could suddenly develop overwhelming courage.
A peaceful nation could be pushed toward war.
Entire civilizations could be manipulated without ever realizing it.
The more Damian thought about it, the more absurd the ability became. Without question, this was one of the strongest upgrades he had ever received and that was saying something considering everything already sitting in his arsenal.
"You can make her want you again if you want."
Rin’s casual suggestion broke his train of thought.
Even without mentioning a name, Damian knew exactly who the fox was talking about.
He simply rolled his eyes.
"She wants me. She just loves her values more."
His answer came without hesitation.
"By the way, it wouldn’t be love if it’s forced."
Rin immediately groaned. The fox buried his face inside his paws.
Why was a Prince of Hell talking about morality?
The entire conversation felt ridiculous.
He was a demon and a future Demon Lord candidate. A being whose existence would be defined by wars, betrayals, schemes, assassinations and divine conflicts.
What was the point of possessing power if one refused to use it?
"Sometimes you show you’re human. I just hope it doesn’t hold you back in a situation that really matters."
Damian frowned slightly. The words felt oddly insulting yet because their minds were linked, he understood exactly what Rin meant.
The fox wasn’t mocking him, it was genuinely worried.
"I’m human after all, so it’s refreshing to know I haven’t completely lost myself."
Damian shrugged the thought away. Then his gaze became distant.
"By the way, you said life as a human in the Underworld is risky. If Clara is going to step into such a life, it should be her choice."
Rin sighed heavily.
Sharing thoughts with a human was dangerous. He could understand Damian’s reasoning perfectly.
Even when he disagreed, he couldn’t completely dismiss Damian’s perspective because he understood exactly where it came from.
Still, he tried one final time.
"You have nothing to fear if you’re destined to become the Demon Lord."
Damian immediately turned toward him.
"Tell me you one hundred percent believe I’ll succeed and I’ll go brainwash her tonight."
The answer died inside Rin’s throat.
For the first time, he had nothing to say because he couldn’t guarantee it.
Nobody could.
Not even Sol.
The previous Demon Lord had died.
Lin Qui had died.
Countless gods had fallen.
No one was immune to fate.
No one stood above misfortune and Damian understood this perfectly.
His greatest fear had never been rejection or losing Clara. It was losing Clara because of him.
The idea of her becoming a target was what terrified him. Far more than heartbreak ever could.
Eventually Rin lowered his gaze.
"So it’s really over between you two?"
Damian nodded.
"We can’t always have what we want."
The smile he gave was bitter. Neither of them wanted to continue discussing it. The depression hanging around Damian was already becoming obvious.
Thankfully, the talent tree provided a welcome distraction.
Without hesitation he resumed upgrading.
310... 320... 330... 340... 350...
The dark waters erupted with violet light.
[Name: Lover’s Sacrifice]
[Type: Active]
[Description: Once death is imminent, you can pass on the fate to your partner but this permanently removes one Ritual Mating Partner slot.]
Damian’s eyes widened immediately.
"Wait... Hold on."
He reread the description.
Then reread it again.
"I can exchange my life for my partner’s as long as we’ve performed the permanent mating ritual?"
Rin nodded.
Silence followed.
A long silence.
Neither of them needed to say the question aloud.
The answer was already there.
Why didn’t Lin Qui let one of his wives die in his place?
The thought lingered heavily between them. Eventually Rin chuckled but it was not a happy sound. It was the kind of laugh that only appeared when remembering something painful.
"Have I emphasized how much Lin Qui loved his wives?"
Damian remained silent.
"Now you understand."
The dark waters rippled around them. For a moment, neither moved.
Lin Qui had possessed every tool necessary to survive. Yet in the end he chose them.
"If only Lin Qui didn’t force you into that Faustian Bargain, we would have had more options."
The fox sighed.
"You would’ve lived a longer life. But now you can’t even properly use this ability because of that agreement."
Damian said nothing because Rin wasn’t wrong. Unlike Lin Qui, Damian wasn’t certain he would make the same choice.
He loved his wives genuinely. But not blindly. Given the right circumstances, he could abandon them.
Given the right reason, he could sacrifice them and Rin knew that. It was one of the reasons he had been so desperate for Damian to keep Clara close.
Not because Clara was stronger.
But because Clara occupied a place in Damian’s heart that none of the others could replace.
If the day ever came when impossible choices had to be made, Clara’s existence ensured Damian would always have someone he valued more than his wives. Only then can he use such an ability without hesitation.