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nLiam called the ability ‘Expel’.

nLiam had actually found that branch of his Transfiguration by mistake.

nWhen he was attempting to clear himself of the deformity using his Ashura Form, a morsel of his flesh abruptly exploded due to a mistake.

nAnd it wasn’t a normal explosion either.

nIt had three entire levels of strength behind it.

nHis Rank 4 body, his Rank 3 Blood, and his Rank 3 core.

nAnd these powers stacked atop one another!

nThe result was a devastating explosion far more destructive than Liam’s Abyssal Needle or his Surging Burst.

nBut it was harmful.

nThat morsel of flesh that exploded?

nIt took 2 weeks to heal.

nA tiny morsel.

nHalf a nail’s length.

nAnd this was with Liam’s monstrous regeneration, which healed up the most lethal wounds in less than 10 seconds.

nThis meant that something fundamental had been deleted off of Liam’s body.

nA part of his anatomy or otherwise.

nFor this reason, Liam didn’t think he’d ever use Expel unless his life was in severe danger.

nEven for him, it was dangerous.

nBut Liam didn’t figure out how to deal with the deformity.

nAnd truth be told, he was getting annoyed with it.

nHe could inscribe with that arm, and it was pretty much useless unless he painstakingly figured out a cure.

nSo, what did he do?

nSimple.

nHe just exploded it in Twilight’s dumb face.

nObviously, this was an oversimplification.

nLiam was getting sapped of his energy during the fight, and in a battle of resignation, he’d lose.

nWas winning worth sacrificing an entire arm?

n…Yes.

nYes it was.

nLiam didn’t know if he could regenerate limbs, but it was probably possible.

nProbably.

nHe could grow fingers back.

nAnd toes.

nBut he was never injured enough to lose a hand.

nNevertheless, when the arm exploded, producing a noise similar to several shotguns going off, Liam was blown away like a leaf in the wind.

nTwilight managed to cover her body with light to defend herself last minute.

nBut it wasn’t enough.

n“Shadow Demon wins.”

nThe magic words.

nThe beautiful, beautiful words were spoken, even as Liam flew through the air.

nLiam was conscious as the pain poured in, but he didn’t dare lose consciousness.

nNo.

nHe wanted the world to see this victory, and know who it belonged to.

nOutside, the atmosphere came to a standstill.

nThe world seemed to stop at the sight of three words.

n“Shadow Demon wins.”

nAnd when they saw the battle’s aftermath, they simply couldn’t voice a cheer or any coherent word.

nLiam was missing an entire arm, and patches of his bloodied and bruised skin looked strangely wrinkled.

nBut Twilight’s face and body were smeared across the ground.

nLiam took in the silence, studying the clans’ expressions.

nNorth Star looked distraught.

nMyriad Brush looked shocked.

nUnmoving Mountain had furrowed brows.

nFelling Wind had widened eyes.

nSun’s Spear scowled.

nMiasma Queen was crestfallen.

nCerulean Dragon was amazed.

nNot even the acolytes cheered, staring at him blankly.

nLiam looked towards the night sky, heaved a sigh, and hid the smile from his face.

nA small cheer grew louder in the audience.

nThey spoke of a name.

n“Shadow… Demon…”

n“…Shadow Demon!”

n“Shadow! Demon!”

n“SHADOW! DEMON!”

nIt spiraled into chaos after that.

nNo one had seen him fight, yet they roared for him like he was their savior.

nLiam didn’t even hear their roars.

nInstead, his gaze was on the stars.

n‘Just wait for me.’

n***

nAfter the outrage and pandemonium, Myriad Brush announced Liam as the victor.

nWhat followed afterwards were just formalities.

nThe Miracle Fruit would be born in two weeks.

nUntil then, the Temple had to wait patiently for their reward.

nThe other clans were already preparing gifts and pledging allegiance.

nEven if there was a little chance of it, having a powerhouse as an ally wasn’t something light.

nFor this reason, the Temple surged in strength once more – in both resource and manpower.

nIf his actions were any less of an indicator, Usan was one to hold a grudge.

nSome pledges of allegiance were outright denied because the Unforgiven didn’t like them.

nLike the Wings of Glory.

nPast that, Liam’s notoriety grew like wildfire.

nThough, it wasn’t his notoriety.

nIt was the Shadow Demon’s.

nShadow Demon was basically the poster child for the Temple of Shadow.

nHaving a second identity was perfect for Liam.

nWhatever ridiculous thing he did could just be pinned on the Shadow Demon and not him.

nAnd by the end of it, Liam was back in the temple hall rooms, in a high ranking meeting with the Unforgiven and his trusted Elders.

nIn front was Usan, and to his sides, the dozen-some Elders of the clan.

n“Nice arm,” Usan sarcastically complimented the stump on Liam’s shoulder.

nWhere Liam’s arm once was, there was nothing.

nStrangely enough, it felt like there was, like a phantom limb.

nBut when Liam moved it, nothing happened.

n“Not bad yourself,” Liam gestured towards the stump on Usan’s shoulder.

nIndeed, both of them were now crippled!

nFor Liam it was the right arm, and for Usan it was the left.

nAlthough the circumstances were a little funny, nobody laughed.

nLosing an arm was a serious thing!

nBut the two still had the energy to exchange blows.

nThe air turned serious.

n“I’ve gathered everyone here who was privy to a cut of the fruit,” Usan said. “And since I lost the final battle and Liam won his, it’s only fair for a few things to change.”

nAll those present nodded their heads in agreement.

nBefore Usan could continue, Elder Ryu cut in.

n“I’d like to give up my share of the fruit,” he said.

nSilence.

nThe Elders looked at Ryu with raised brows.

nRyu shrugged.

n“I didn’t win those battles. They did. It’s only fair that we relegate our shares. It’s a bit selfish to receive a cut, anyway.”

nUsan and Liam said nothing.

n“I’ll give up mine, too,” Elder Verium added with a little sigh.

n“Same,” Elder Jax said.

n“Us too,” Elder Jane, Aki and Orisa followed.

nEveryone followed suit, until it was just Liam and Usan privy to the Miracle Fruit. .

nWell, what do you want to do now? Usan said to Liam.

nNow that Liam was his ‘heir’, the Unforgiven wasn’t as secretive and restrictive to his plans.

nLiam shrugged.

nJust eat the whole thing and give me an inch of it. All roads lead to my stomach, anyway.

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