Chapter 665: Spirit Body Threads

Under the strong sunlight, the sea reflected a golden shade. Apart from

that, deep in Klein's eyes were countless illusory black lines.

They extended from the nearby mermaids, from his body, and from the

different parts of the neighboring waters. They were packed densely in

thin and numerous threads, corresponding to different spots. Some

extended into the infinite distance, to the ends of the void.

This strange, beautiful scene wasn't an unfamiliar sight to Klein. In

the few times he used the All-Black Eye's powers and his usage of it to

create the fake World, he had been able to see similar scenes.

This was the source of a Marionettist's Beyonder powers!

From the knowledge he obtained from the potion, these illusory thin

black threads were known as Spirit Body Threads. By controlling them,

one could directly influence the target's Soul Body, Astral Projection,

Body of Heart and Mind, and Ether Body. Then, with the Ether Body as a

bridge, one could control the target's body.

Therefore, all the Beyonder powers of a Marionettist was built on the

Spirit Body Threads.

Firstly, it could find a hidden target using the Spirit Body Threads

that existed in every creature. It was the best measure against a

Demoness's invisibility and a Shadow Ascetic's hiding in the shadows. Of

course, Klein wasn't aware if there were means to hide one's Spirit Body

Threads.

Secondly, it was to control a target like a puppet. It would make the

target's thoughts and body stiffen. This was a type of forceful control

and was almost indefensible. The only way of escaping this control was

to rely on the potency of one's Spirit Body. It was almost no trouble

for a Sequence 5 Marionettist to control anyone who wasn't a demigod.

Thirdly, through the passage of time, the control would deepen. A

Marionettist could completely turn the target into their marionette. Up

to a certain distance, they could hide behind the scenes and control the

marionette to do battle. While doing so, the marionette could use all of

its original Beyonder powers!

*This is truly magical, terrifying, strange, and indescribable. It's the

perfect thing for someone working behind the scenes. It's no wonder

Rosago claimed that the control of Spirit Body Threads is one of the

most difficult abilities to deal with for anyone that isn't a

High-Sequence Beyonder...*

*But it requires time. Control cannot be instantly achieved. It requires

a process that deepens with each step until it's ultimately achieved. To

obtain initial control, the present me needs 20 seconds. But with the

digestion of the potion, the time needed will clearly decrease. Once my

Marionettist potion completely digests, I might be able to do it within

five seconds. Yes, before the effects show, the target wouldn't even

notice it. Perhaps those with prophetic abilities might be able to

detect it...*

*Once initial control of the target has been achieved, they will

immediately be slow to think. Their actions will be impeded and their

bodies stiffened. Then, bit by bit, they will develop into a puppet, a

marionette. If a Marionettist has a partner, this process will make it

easy to finish off a target that has been forcibly controlled. Yes, if

the enemy's Spirit Body isn't strong enough, a Marionettist will have

the strength remaining to even draw a gun or use a mystical item to act

in concert with himself.*

*If the controlling process isn't disrupted by an external force, the

target will become my marionette after five minutes. In a sense, the

marionette is truly dead and the process is completely irreversible.

Once the potion is completely digested, the time it takes to convert

someone into a marionette will definitely be greatly shortened.*

*The maximum number of marionettes I can control at present is one. I

can't be sure how many I can control in the future, but it will

definitely increase. The limit seems to max out at three.*

*This will not only need time, but there's also a distance restriction.

I can only see Spirit Body Threads within a hundred meters. And to

control them, I need to be five meters from the target...*

*When controlling marionettes, I cannot be more than 100 meters from it.

I'm sure it will increase in the future.*

*Heh, apart from keeping its Beyonder powers, a marionette can also

normally use mystical items and Sealed Artifacts. Furthermore, it

expends its own spirituality and not mine. Of course, my controlling of

the marionette will expend spirituality itself.*

*This ability is very suited for me. In extremely dangerous situations,

with me having no choice but to investigate, I can let the marionette do

it for me. Although it will be heartbreaking to lose it, it's better

than having myself die. Heh heh, back when Marionettist Rosago came to

deal with me, he must've been engaged in another operation. This

resulted in him losing his marionette. Yes, he must've not fully

digested the Marionettist potion. That's why he wasn't able to achieve

initial control over me while waiting for me to open the door. He had to

enter in order to converse with me.*

*In short, this lives up to being a Sequence 5 Beyonder power!

Furthermore, the Beyonder powers before this have also been enhanced by

50%, or even more...*

*I'm really looking forward to knowing what kind of qualitative changes

I'll experience when I reach Sequence 4 when possessing so many strange

powers. Sigh, I don't even know what its name is...* Klein ended

the inspection of his body and reflected wistfully.

He then used the experience of setting an activation and deactivation

method for his Spirit Vision to give himself a restriction of seeing

Spirit Body Threads, so as to not see things he shouldn't see.

*Activating by tapping my left thumb twice on the first segment of my

index finger. Repeating the action deactivates it. Same for the right

hand...* He reined in his thoughts and looked ahead, and he saw

that the remaining mermaids had turned around and were looking at him

with watery blue eyes.

At the thought that he would've lost control and become a Sealed

Artifact akin to 2-049 without their singing or this simple ritual,

Klein gave them a friendly smile.

Affected by the charm, the mermaids also moved their lips and showed a

somewhat embarrassed smile.

As their light purple or deep red lips parted, one by one, Klein saw

their teeth---razor-sharp like wolf fangs. They were white and shiny and

dripping from them was a sticky liquid.

Klein was taken aback. He discovered that this was even more

unacceptable for him than a real monster.

He had originally mentally prepared himself and treated mermaids as

creatures that swam in the sea. Therefore, no matter how crazy and

terrifying they looked, he believed that he could tolerate it. However,

the situation was somewhat beyond his expectations. Mermaids were

clearly beautiful and alluring females on the surface. Their tails had a

hetero sense of beauty, but their teeth were nasty and disgusting. This

was a stark contrast that Klein couldn't take. He nearly moved his eyes

away.

Waving his hand, he quickly took out a charm from the Sea God domain and

created another gale of wind to push his dinghy back to the Future.

Along the way, Klein couldn't help but recollect the feelings he just

had.

*So the mermaids' singing is meant for neutralizing and balancing.

Otherwise, most Faceless are unable to resist the corrosion of their own

Spirit Body Threads by the Marionettist potion. They would directly lose

control. Heh. Lucky ones like Kalvetua aren't included. Perhaps, it's

because of the lack of the ritual's help that it's relatively

weaker.*

*In theory, as long as there's a voice or Beyonder power with similar

effects, they can be used to replace a mermaid's singing, but people who

haven't personally experienced it themselves wouldn't be able to tell

the minute differences. Therefore, High-Sequence Beyonders who aren't

from the Seer pathway will find it difficult to provide any effective

suggestions.*

Amidst his thoughts, the dinghy returned to the Future. With a rope,

Klein easily returned to the deck.

Anderson Hood stood by the shipboard and chuckled.

"So your search of mermaids was a requirement of a ritual, and not

because you wish to obtain the corresponding ingredients."

"That's obvious," Klein succinctly replied.

Anderson shrugged and said, "No, it's not. A normal person will guess

that mermaids are the ingredients you need, as this doesn't match the

rituals needed by a Sequence 4. But who knew that Adventurer Gehrman

Sparrow, who was at the level of a pirate admiral, was only a Sequence

6."

What do you mean "only?" Klein resisted the urge of

controlling Anderson's Spirit Body Threads.

Ignoring the Strongest Hunter who automatically had a provocative halo,

he entered the cabin and returned to his room.

Just as he approached the captain's cabin, he heard a creak as the door

before him opened.

Cattleya didn't wear her heavy glasses. She looked at Gehrman Sparrow as

the dark purple hue in her eyes swirled.

"Congratulations on your advancement.

"P-previously in the dream, did I say something?"

"You know what you said," Klein replied with a deadpan expression.

Cattleya fell silent for two seconds before saying, "You questioned me

about my relationship with Queen Mystic?"

As she spoke, she couldn't help but look around.

*She guessed that Queen Mystic might be on the Future because of my

rather sudden question? I really have to be careful when conversing with

a smart person...* Klein nodded, walked past her and returned to

his room, leaving the corridor in silence.

Only when he opened the door and took a step inside did he hear

Cattleya's voice sound out from the captain's cabin. It reverberated

through the entire ship.

"Set sail for the return voyage."

Inside the room, Klein waited a few minutes before reentering the

bathroom. He set up the ritual again and threw Creeping Hunger, which

was turning more irascible due to the lack of food, above the gray fog.

After doing this, he wasn't in a rush to leave. He summoned the

distorted iron-black Tinder and made it land before him.

After studying it for a moment, Klein placed Tinder inside the iron

cigar case and threw it into the junk pile.

Although this expensive glove was now unusable, Klein was certain that

trash could still be used.

Immediately following that, he slowly took off the already silent

Creeping Hunger, and he similarly placed it into the junk pile.

Phew... Klein remained silent for two seconds before leaving

the palace that looked like a giant's residence, and then he ventured

deep into the mysterious space above the gray fog.

From his previous exploration, he discovered a bright staircase that

seemed to lead to heaven. He suspected that the number of steps had

something to do with his Sequence; therefore, he immediately came here

to confirm it after he advanced.

After walking for a while, Klein finally saw the holy staircase made out

of pure light. Compared to before, there was another step, making it a

total of five steps.

Indeed... Klein sighed, unsurprised.

Then, he climbed up the staircase that appeared to be prepared for

giants and arrived at the top.

At that moment, he wasn't that far from the gray fog which was hardened

in midair. He seemed to just need one more step to reach that height.

Klein subconsciously looked up and seemed to see something.