Chapter 916 – Irresistible Approach
Azik’s gaze is met with a startling revelation as he beholds a feathered serpent with a face identical to his own, stirring a maelstrom of memories and pain within him. Fragmented scenes flash before his mind’s eye, revealing the dark truth about his past and the reason behind his cyclical deaths and resurrections. He realizes that his soul is incomplete, a victim of Death’s secret plan to split his son’s soul and stitch it with Azik’s, creating an artificial connection that has haunted him for centuries.
As the memories flood back, Azik understands the true nature of his existence and the presence of another, more powerful iteration of himself, Artificial Death. He recalls the countless failed attempts to uncover the truth, only to be thwarted by his own recurring demise. The weight of this knowledge crushes him, and he is torn between the desire to reunite with his other half and the terror of losing his humanity.
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With a newfound sense of determination, Azik begins to transform, his body contorting as he struggles to stand amidst the unfolding chaos. The mausoleum around him shudders, and the fabric of reality begins to unravel, revealing a world of darkness and shadowy tendrils. As he approaches the feathered serpent, the stakes grow higher, and the fate of Azik’s very soul hangs in the balance.
Chapter 917 – Three Choices
Klein remains unaware of the unfolding chaos within the mausoleum, his spirituality converged and eyes closed, waiting for the right moment to act. Meanwhile, Azik is offered three choices by a mysterious, authoritative female figure: to continue seeking completeness by allowing Salinger to revive within his body, to extract the half soul and reunite with his original form, or to give up everything and remain stuck in his current state. Each option comes with its own set of risks and uncertainties.
As Azik ponders his decision, the feathered serpent behind him grows restless, attacking him with dark red flesh and fangs, but to no avail. Amidst the unsettling silence, Azik chooses the third option, resignation etched on his face. The hooded lady extracts the golden bird-shaped accessory from Azik’s forehead, causing his soul to disintegrate and eventually split into two halves. One half fuses back into his body, while the other merges with the accessory.
As the process concludes, Azik’s twisted expression eases, and he turns to Klein, exhausted but relieved. The air remains thick with tension, and the black fog continues to blanket the mausoleum, shrouding the truth about the mysterious woman and her intentions.
Chapter 918 – Guesses and Ideas
Klein sits in an inn in Kolain City, sipping black tea with lemon, surrounded by an air of tension. His mind races as he tries to make sense of the events that transpired in Death’s mausoleum. He’s particularly intrigued by the mysterious female figure who helped Mr. Azik, and he’s determined to uncover her true identity. Klein’s analysis leads him to formulate a bold theory: the woman might be the Goddess, one of the seven orthodox deities, who has been watching him closely.
As Klein delves deeper into his theory, he becomes convinced that the Goddess is involved in the unfolding events. He recalls his earlier encounter with the Sea God Scepter and the holy sword, whichFurther strengthen his suspicions. The Goddess, as the Mistress of Repose and Silence, might be searching for the three Sequence 1 characteristics of Death’s godly powers. This realization sends a shiver down Klein’s spine, and he can’t help but show his piety by forming the sign of the crimson moon.
Klein’s thoughts are interrupted by memories of his previous conversations, including the one with Snake of Fate Will Auceptin about obtaining the High-Sequence Beyonder potion formulas of the Seer pathway. He realizes that all paths lead to the same conclusion: the Goddess is somehow connected to the events unfolding around him.
Chapter 919 – “Perfect” Inference
Fors awakens from a nap with crucial information from Mr. Fool about an abandoned ancient castle in Delaire Forest, containing at least two ancient wraiths and other dead spirits. She plans to explore the castle with Xio’s help, considering the necessary preparations, including hiring other Beyonders to record their powers. As Fors contemplates her strategy, Xio returns with Desi pies and announces she’s accumulated enough points to exchange for the Interrogator potion formula.
Meanwhile, Fors receives a letter from her teacher, Dorian Gray Abraham, warning her about Calderón City, a dangerous location in the spirit world. This revelation hints at Mr. World’s intentions, further entwining the threads of the mysterious plot.
In a separate development, the Red Gloves team, led by Soest, prepares to strike a secret gathering location of the Numinous Episcopate in East Balam City. Suddenly, a new telegram from Backlund arrives, revealing that Gehrman Sparrow, aka Klein Moretti, has reappeared, confirmed through divination methods. This development promises to shake the world of Beyonders, as old acquaintances and new adversaries merge into the unfolding narrative.
Chapter 920 – Calderón’s Origins
In the slums of Bayam, The Hanged Man Alger and Admiral of Stars Cattleya meet in secret, exchanging information about Gehrman Sparrow’s sudden reappearance. Alger confirms the news, revealing that Gehrman has turned Admiral Hell into his marionette, with the help of a mysterious figure known as Death Consul. This title, Alger realizes, is associated with the Sequence 2 angel of the Death pathway, sparking a sense of unease.
As Cattleya presses for more details, Alger’s mind wanders back to his encounter with Vice Admiral Hurricane Qilangos, whose rapid decay was undoubtedly the work of a potent force from the Death domain. Alger believes this force to be a High-Sequence Beyonder, possibly a saint, but now suspects it might be a Grounded Angel, sharing the same level as the three crowns of the various orthodox Churches.
The weight of this realization settles in as Alger struggles to process the implications, his eyes shimmering with concern. Cattleya senses his unease, prompting him to reveal that Mr. Fool has a Death angel amongst his Blessed, leaving the reader wondering about the extent of Mr. Fool’s power and the impending consequences.
Chapter 921 – Politeness First
Klein, with the City of Silver’s ancient knowledge, recalls the legend of Phoenix Ancestor Gregrace, an ancient goddess who founded the Underworld and perished at the end of the Second Epoch. Despite her demise, her influence remains, and Klein senses danger in her connection to the Underworld. He communicates with Arrodes through a radio transceiver, asking about Calderón City and the risks of removing Admiral Hell Ludwell’s mask. The response reveals Ludwell’s true nature as a Gatekeeper, containing a powerful Underworld creature that erodes his body, turning him into a half-human, half-dead existence.
As Klein learns more about Ludwell’s condition, he becomes increasingly uneasy, realizing the creature’s connection to the Underworld and its attempt to open the door and return. Klein’s understanding of Ludwell’s abilities, including his power to extract Spirit Bodies remotely, sparks a mix of fascination and concern. With this new knowledge, Klein decides to proceed with caution, removing Ludwell’s mask to reveal his gruesome appearance, complete with transparent skin and indescribable shadows flowing beneath.
As the ritual concludes, Klein returns Ludwell to his masked state, pondering the implications of his discovery and the mysteries that still shroud the Underworld. The air is thick with tension, and the reader is left wondering what other secrets lie hidden in the shadows, waiting to be uncovered.
Chapter 922 – Mushrooms and Fish
As Alger observes the lights emanating from the oriel window, a shadow materializes into a lanky, pale figure – Bloodless Heath Doyle, the second mate of the Future. Heath reports to Cattleya that the targets have prepared pan-fried fish as tonight’s main course, unaware of the poisonous mushrooms that will be served alongside it. Alger pieces together the core element of tonight’s operation, realizing that the mushrooms are the key to success.
Cattleya explains that the mushrooms will only cause harm when paired with fish, exploiting Artisan Cielf’s aversion to fish due to a past incident. This strategic move will minimize risks for their side while reducing the enemy’s effective strength. The dark environment-bred mushrooms, which can be detected by Beyonders with sharp spiritual perception, are not used in this plan. Instead, the harmless mushrooms created by Frank will be employed, relying on their contact with fish and water to trigger a mutation.
As the operation unfolds, screams and pangs of pain erupt from inside the house, followed by Cattleya’s succinct order to begin. She transforms into a starry sculpture, shattering and reassembling into her figure as she enters the targeted building with Alger. Inside, they find Artisan Cielf retreating in horror, surrounded by victims who are vomiting mushrooms, their bodies sprouting the fungi.
Chapter 923 – After Effects
As Cielf reveals the mystical items, Alger’s eyes widen at the sight of the “Word of the Sea” cane, a Sealed Artifact crafted from Gehrman Sparrow’s Ocean Songster Beyonder characteristic. Cielf explains the cane’s powers, including releasing lightning and creating water spheres, but warns of its three negative side effects: it enjoys singing, has living characteristics, and makes the wielder prone to lightning strikes. Alger takes the Word of the Sea and Gargoyle Glasses, leaving the rest for Cattleya to pick from.
Cattleya selects the Blade of Poison, and then turns her attention to Cielf, questioning him about the Primordial Moon believers’ plans. Cielf reveals they want to control him to create mystical items, and possibly for an unknown plan that requires an Artisan’s help. Cattleya and Alger exchange a silent look, deciding to leave Cielf behind to monitor the situation and uncover the believers’ plans.
With a calculating gaze, Cattleya requests a few drops of Cielf’s blood, intending to establish a long-term working relationship with him. Cielf nods reluctantly, trapped in a precarious situation as the Primordial Moon believer-turned-pawn in the midst of a larger game.
Chapter 924 – First Key Factor at Carrying out Risky Operations
As Klein ponders the limitations of the Seven Lights in Calderón City, he realizes Miss Messenger’s unique insight might be rooted in her spiritual intuition. He hands her a gold coin, thanking her for the information, and begins to consider alternative helpers for his risky operations. However, his mental list of potential demigod allies, including Will Auceptin, Councilor Ricciardo, and Queen Mystic Bernadette, all have their own limitations and complications.
Klein’s thoughts shift to his enemies, contemplating the use of the Black Emperor card and radio transceiver to lure High-Sequence Beyonders into Calderón City. However, he quickly abandons this plan, recognizing the high risks and uncertainty of success. As he reflects on his dwindling options, Klein recalls Miss Sharron’s importance in potentially becoming a Sequence 4 demigod and her prior gratitude towards him.
With newfound hope, Klein takes up his pen and paper, beginning to write a letter to Miss Sharron. After a moment’s hesitation, he reconsiders his approach, knowing he must be more direct and frank in his communication, mirroring her own restrained personality. With a flick of his wrist, the paper ignites in scarlet flames, and Klein’s next move hangs precariously in the balance.
Chapter 925 – Choosing “Clothes”
Klein receives the Word of the Sea cane, a mystical item with living characteristics, as a reward for completing The Hanged Man Alger’s sacrificial ritual. Though it’s a weaker version of the Sea God Scepter, Klein notes that it lacks demigod-level powers and has several negative effects, including the risk of being struck by lightning on stormy days and belting out Beyonder singing every six hours. He plans to communicate with the cane to reduce the frequency of its singing and considers using Winner Enzo to hold the cane most of the time.
Klein decides to test the cane’s abilities and creates a barrier to isolate it with Creeping Hunger. He then attempts to perform a divination to determine the danger level of scouting Calderón City’s periphery but fails due to the city’s secrecy and divine kingdom setup. Undeterred, Klein decides to trust Red Light’s information and prepares to send his marionettes to scout the area.
As Klein lifts the barrier, he’s greeted by the sight of Creeping Hunger weakly propping itself up, while the Word of the Sea cane suddenly comes to life, “hopping” around The Fool’s seat and dodging Creeping Hunger’s attempts to chase it. The scene ends with Klein watching in silence, a hint of amusement on his face.
Chapter 926 – Spiraling City
Klein, adorned in the papal tiara and dark blue robes, seriously observes his new state, suppressing the negative effects of the Sea God Scepter with the Tyrant card. He selects a few trusted items, including the human-skinned glove and Word of the Sea, while leaving behind potentially risky artifacts like Groselle’s Travels and the mutated paper figurine.
With his preparations complete, Tyrant Klein passes through the Door of Summoning, arriving in the real world. He then hands Word of the Sea to Enzo and Death Knell to Admiral Hell Ludwell before Traveling to the spirit world coordinates provided by Miss Magician. The trip is smooth, and his Tyrant aura deters any strange creatures from approaching.
As Klein approaches the mysterious city, his field of vision widens with the help of his marionettes, revealing a grand, spiraling city that descends into the depths of the ground, with buildings of diverse styles and eerie, pale-white stone columns. The closer it gets to the bottom of the pit, the more preserved the buildings are, while the top is filled with dilapidation and rot.
Chapter 927 – Tyrant’s Might
Klein, still reeling from his transformation into a cadaveric being, approaches the mysterious golden disc with caution. He realizes the reflection on the disc’s surface is not the real him, but rather a deceased version of himself, sans the gray fog. This revelation raises questions about the nature of Calderón City and its unique properties.
As Klein continues to explore, he discovers a tombstone with an intriguing epitaph, which leads him to a hidden tomb. Suddenly, pale-white beams of light burst out, but Enzo, his trusted marionette, remains unharmed. The tomb reveals a giant blacksmith, who seems harmless, but Klein’s instincts scream otherwise.
Klein’s worst fears are confirmed as his body turns numb, and he realizes someone is controlling his Spirit Body Threads, reminiscent of his encounter with Sealed Artifact 2-049. The truth dawns on him – the Spirit World Plunderer has a partner, the giant blacksmith, who has been watching him all along. With his own safety compromised, Klein’s mind races with thoughts of escape and salvation as the blacksmith readies to strike Enzo.
Chapter 928 – Misdirection
Klein pieces together the Spirit World Plunderer’s misdirection, realizing it targeted him due to the law of Beyonder characteristic convergence and used the golden disc and giant blacksmith to distract him. He understands the Spirit World Plunderer secretly arrived within control distance, attempting to turn him into a soul avatar. Klein credits his instincts and preparedness for thwarting the plan, but self-reflects on his own rashness.
As the Spirit World Plunderer appears in mid-air, Klein unleashes a barrage of lightning attacks, aiming to prevent its escape. The Plunderer uses Flaming Jump to create distance, and a four-meter-tall bluish-black giant intervenes, serving as a soul avatar and blocking Klein’s line of sight. With his Sea God Scepter, Klein destroys the giant, creating an opportunity to strike the Plunderer.
Klein summons a catastrophic storm, utilizing the dark clouds and rain to track the Plunderer’s movements. He unleashes bolts of lightning, narrowly missing his target multiple times as the Plunderer dodges and weaves. However, Klein soon becomes anxious and exhausted, realizing the Plunderer is trying to drain his spirituality. The Spirit World Plunderer’s cunning and intelligence become apparent, and Klein must regroup and reassess his strategy to outmaneuver his foe.
Chapter 929 – True Soul Body
Klein uses the Fate Siphon charm, switching fates with the Spirit World Plunderer, turning the tables and putting the Plunderer in a dire state. The Plunderer, now sluggish and slow, is caught off guard, allowing Klein to unleash a barrage of lightning attacks, successfully defeating it. As the dust settles, Klein senses the Plunderer’s collapse and dissipation, marking a successful hunt.
However, the aftermath brings a new wave of uncertainty, as a sudden quake rocks Calderón City, hinting at the awakening of a more terrifying creature. The atmosphere is tense, with an indescribable feeling of grayish-white illusory energy rising from the bottom, like a tidal wave. Klein readies himself, diverting attention to monitor the situation, anxiously awaiting the Spirit World Plunderer’s characteristic to form an ingredient.
As Klein paces at the edge of the abyss, he recalls Creeping Hunger’s praise of the True Creator and suspects that the deity might have taken notice of the commotion. Just then, a figure enters the entrance of Calderón City – a handsome man with silver hair, gentle yet cold eyes, and illusory layers of pure wings behind him, blocking the entire entrance.
Chapter 930 – Former Organization
Klein, still reeling from his battle with the Spirit World Plunderer, is thrown into a new whirlwind as a figure emerges at the entrance of Calderón City – Ince Zangwill, a former bishop who betrayed and fled the Church of Evernight. The mention of his name sends the Red Gloves into a stunned silence, and Leonard Mitchell can’t help but clench his fists in anger. Daly Simone breaks the silence, demanding to know where Ince is meeting with Dwayne Dantès, but the Numinous Episcopate member claims ignorance.
Soest, the Red Gloves team captain, steps in, outlining a plan to inform Goddess’s Eye and continue investigating Palenque Taciblius to uncover Ince’s motives. Meanwhile, Leonard receives an enigmatic message from Pallez Zoroast, hinting at a cat-and-mouse game. As Klein recovers from his exhaustion, he begins to formulate a plan to secretly investigate Ince’s motives, using his abilities as a “dead” person to avoid 0-08’s notice.
With the tension simmering, Klein returns to his daily routine, adopting the persona of Enzo and indulging in a lavish lunch. However, beneath the surface, the wheels are turning, and the pursue-and-evade game between Klein and Ince Zangwill is about to begin.
