Chapter 24: Shadow Clouds
Chapter 24: Shadow Clouds
Jett deepened his understanding of dullahans and his other companions, all while honing his ballroom skills. Afterward, he buried himself in the mansion’s library, absorbing Fayralia’s history and the legacies of past Wardens.
Just like I thought, Wardens aren’t necessarily the good guys.
On his way to meet Noctlisa, Jett mulled over his predecessors and the brutal ways they maintained equilibrium. One figure in particular haunted him—the Ruler of Earth and Rivers. The man’s methods were infamous, and his signature skill mirrored the power Jett had gained from the World Tree.
His concept of balance mixed mercy with monstrosity. He diverted rivers to feed starving provinces, yet unleashed blood‑red floods that swallowed entire kingdoms, erasing royal lines, commoners, even slaves—anyone who might inherit a will to disrupt the scales.
If the last Warden hadn’t been gone long, the world might still bear his scars. The Ruler of Earth and Rivers had been the previous Warden; Jett, the Ruler of Heavens and Storm, was his heir. The thought didn’t weigh on him so much as it provoked a question—could he do the same?
Wiping out everyone is insane. Another Harbinger—or some other power‑hungry punk—will always pop up. Balance is always at risk, so why nuke an entire nation?
His musings stopped when he reached the mansion’s top floor. Beyond the door to the main balcony, Noctlisa leaned against the rail, the moonlight bathing her in silver. A shimmering path stretched over the black ocean, and though ragged clouds drifted nearby, none dared dim their moment.
"Sorry I’m late," Jett said.
"I arrived early, Master," Noctlisa replied.
He stepped beside her and glanced up. "Sky’s not exactly cooperating tonight."
She gave a single nod.
He intended to swallow the Shadow Evolution Gem and let one of his skills adapt. The idea of black lightning slipping into a shadow and bursting out elsewhere—perfect for a finisher—made him grin. Noctlisa’s stare bored into him, taut and unblinking.
"Quit staring and just say it," he urged.
"Feels damn cowardly, Master."
"Haha, fair point. From a head‑on bruiser like you, it probably looks chickenshit." Knowing her knight‑maid upbringing, he understood her view. "A win’s a win. If I can finish somebody from a blind angle, the victory’s already mine—without that move, I’d just have to grind twice as hard."
"Aye. We dullahans charge head‑on, Master."
"Yeah."
Weather still refused to play along. For the gem to work best, he needed pitch‑black clouds to swallow the moon, yet the balcony glowed like a dance floor.
"Wanna practice? The universe seems hell‑bent on making us dance tonight."
"As you command, Master."
Jett led, leveraging his fresh lessons, while the second maid followed, her steps stiff but improving. After a few turns she tripped. He caught her, rolling to take the fall, and Noctlisa landed atop him, her slightly widened eyes unexpectedly alluring.
"I apolo—"
He pressed a finger to her lips. "Happy accident. I’m in your shadow—a perfect darkness to pop the gem."
Her eyelids widened.
"You’ll be the shadow that guides this evolution," he finished.
He produced the Shadow Evolution Gem, pressed it to her lips, then reclined on the cold floor. She verified her skirt draped over his legs, engulfing him in darkness, then leaned down and kissed him, passing the gem mouth‑to‑mouth. It melted on his tongue, sliding down like glacial liquor.
A numbing, exhilarating cold rushed through his chest, spidering into every nearby shadow. It mimicked the World Tree’s mana flow, but colder and truer to shadow itself. Seconds felt eternal until she broke the kiss, still looming above him.
Shadows leaked from his body in thick tendrils.
[Your skill, Call of Clouds, has gained the sub‑skill: Shadow Clouds.]
The wisps coiled together, condensing into clouds so black no normal eye could pierce them.
"Guess I had to brew my own clouds since the sky wouldn’t oblige."
"Damn fine work, Master." Noctlisa’s usually flat face glowed with rare delight.
"I want to finish this evolution inside you. I’m going to stretch this shadow cloud by fucking you brainless," he growled.
"Yes, Master!" she cried—the loudest he’d heard.
Outside, the cloud swelled. Clothes flew free, the mass quivered like pudding, shadows swallowing every sound. Now and then a limber foot poked through before vanishing, the darkness pulsing harder each time.
By the time Jett and Noctlisa finished, the moon had already slipped below the horizon. The Shadow Clouds unraveled, revealing them sprawled on the balcony floor. Noctlisa lay completely naked, while Jett wore only a shredded shirt—her claws had ruined the rest. She clung to his arm, her wide eyes shining on a sweat‑mussed face.
She still wants more... but I can’t keep going. I’ve blown past my limit. I need to keep our sessions in the bedroom until I build proper stamina. I must’ve burned my mana for stamina—my World Tree reservoir is bone‑dry. She literally sucked me dry!
Almost none of Jett’s seed was visible; only the small amount that leaked from Noctlisa after the cloud vanished glistened on the tiles.
Good—Shadow Clouds work exactly as I felt they would. They devour everything.
He rolled toward his dullahan. "You were fucking amazing, and I know you want to keep going, but I can’t."
"Morning training, then, Master," Noctlisa whispered.
"Yeah, I really need to build my stamina. But hey, I was just a normal human three days ago... I think I did pretty well, right?"
"Master’s a damn stud," Noctlisa answered.
Jett chuckled. Next time we have sex outside, I’m definitely fucking her brainless.
After the chill breeze lulled them on the balcony floor, Jett and Noctlisa grabbed a quick shower and retreated to their rooms. Six hours later he woke to a morning wood even harder than before. Any new maid would think the head maid was giving him head!
Sure, the head maid had solved this problem yesterday, but could he really wake her every morning for the same thing—and then expect her to cook him breakfast?
Will I ever stop waking up like this? Not satisfied yet, huh, little brother? Gimme a break!
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