The Rise Of A Shadowsmith

Chapter 253: Turmoil

"Care to explain what’s going on here?" he demanded, unsheathing his twin swords. freёwebnoѵel.com

"Business, that’s what," Eclipse leader responded, rising from his seat with an air of nonchalance. "A business of fear, distrust and agony. Believe it or not, it’s quite a profitable one, to say the least."

The revelation was like a physical blow to Shinon. His father, the man he had held in high regard, was not only associated with the Eclipse like he knew but was also instrumental in their cruel operations.

The moral compass Shinon thought he knew was shattered in a moment, leaving a void of doubt and rage.

"You caused this undead outbreak?" Shinon inquired, struggling to reconcile the image of his father with the reality before him.

"Nope, but we turned it into a profitable business," Caleb replied, his eyes fixed on the ground as he couldn’t see Shinon’s eyes.

The Eclipse leader continued, "It was my idea, of course, but with him on my side, we had the means to turn that business model into reality."

"Aren’t you two the dream team," Shinon scoffed, his disappointment growing with each passing moment.

Shinon gave them a bitter smile. He was confused and nervous when he first found himself in a world filled with zombies. But then he adapted to it, and by pure luck, he discovered his father was alive.

That was the happiest moment of his life. Even through everything he had been through, he had never once thought his father, someone whom he held in high regard, would turn out to be a piece of shit.

The more Shinon thought about it, the more he realised he couldn’t just stand and do nothing. His code was on a direct collision course with his love for his father.

But it didn’t take long for him to decide what he needed to do. The father he loved was long gone, and the one before him was an impostor. He will have to put it all to an end. After all, it was a son’s duty to save his misguided parents... even if it had to be done with force.

Oblivious to the turmoil in his son’s heart, Caleb continued to sput bullshit with a twisted sense of pride and accomplishment.

"Join us, Shinon, and we will rule the world together-"

"Ah yes, the average Friday night topic for a father and son, isn’t it?" Shinon laughed maniacally as if it was the funniest thing ever.

With Shinon’s response, it was clear he had no intention of accepting Caleb’s proposal. But what he said next sealed the deal for Eclipse’s leader.

"You had a lot of fun fooling me, didn’t you, Father?" Shinon’s smile was bitter as he grabbed onto his head. "Well, guess what? You might have played me like a fool, but I’m not the same guy who used to be your shadow anymore."

He continued, "Thanks to your little disappearing act, I learned to grow into someone I’d be proud of. I thought you would be too, but after seeing what apathetic excuse of a man you had become, I no longer see you as my father."

"You... you don’t mean that," Caleb replied nervously. "It is your anger speaking. This isn’t you-"

Caleb tried approaching Shinon, but the shadows around his son didn’t allow him to do anything. Shinon pushed Caleb away with a shadow tendril.

"Oh, shut the fuck up!" Shinon scoffed. "You disgust me."

"Don’t be stupid, Shinon," Caleb warned, his mask finally slipping away. "Join us, and we can make this world ours. Everyone will bow before us!"

"This ain’t your world to rule," Shinon interrupted, the bitterness in his spoke of his resolve. "Hell, the way you are right now, I don’t think you belong to any world, neither ours nor this one."

Caleb took a deep breath, deadset on convincing his son to join him. But the Eclipse leader had other plans and stopped him.

"Caleb, you had your turn. He isn’t joining us... just look at those eyes of his. He has made his decision and now, it’s for you to decide what you’re going to do. Join your son and give up everything you’ve worked for, or join me and embrace your new future." freēwebnovel.com

Caleb, caught between his son’s resentment and the life he had created, hesitated before making a decision. He took a look at Shinon and saw the hate his son had for him. But caleb also saw a hint of acceptance and longingness in those rage-filled eyes.

For a moment, it seemed as if Caleb might choose a path of redemption as a father’s desire to reunite with his son wrestled against the life awaiting him outside the facility.

Caleb weighed the options. On one side stood Shinon, and on the other, Jessica and his other son. Upon reflection, it became clear to Caleb which path he needed to take – the one that involved abandoning Shinon.

"Make it quick... and ensure he doesn’t feel any pain," Caleb murmured, his voice barely audible in the suffocating silence of the room.

The Eclipse leader acknowledged with a nod, drawing his blades with a chilling sense of finality. "I will make it as painless as possible."

"I’m sorry it came to this..."

Tormented by the choices that led them to this grim juncture, Caleb spoke words that felt like an apology but held no comfort.

"You once told me not to use words that you don’t know the meaning of," Shinon replied as the shadows around him got denser. "I think it’s you who should stick to that advice."

Clouded with tears and guilt, Caleb’s gaze met Shinon’s for a fleeting moment. It was as if he wanted to reconsider his decision, but it was too late.

There was a profound sadness in his eyes, but no one seemed to care about it. Especially not his son. Unable to sustain the emotional weight, Caleb wiped away his tears with a shaky hand and left the room without another glance at his son.

"Now then," Shinon whispered, his voice cold and emotionless. "How will you like to die?"