The witch Megan was filled with regret.

She hadn’t expected that the perfect body she chose would have an even more perfect soul.

Means of attack and defense on the soul level are the most direct.

The recent attack had already made her realize that Gauss’s capabilities on the soul level were stronger than hers, despite her many years of study in this field.

Of course, this doesn’t mean that her centuries of accumulation are inferior to his extraordinary talent.

It’s just that after each brain transplant surgery, it’s akin to starting over.

Therefore, the strength accumulated in the soul aspect doesn’t have the thickness of hundreds of years.

However, in employing methods involving the soul, she is more experienced compared to ordinary professionals who haven’t had the opportunity to delve into this area.

In the past, this kind of attack method allowed her to be invincible against many opponents.

For instance, when enemies severed her head and thought they had won, she would unleash a soul roar at close range to shatter the opponent’s soul when they let down their guard.

But...

"Don’t you think it’s a bit too late?"

Gauss’s water-like weapon condensed into a gauntlet wrapping around his right fist.

At the same time, a form of energy distinct from magic power gathered in the gauntlet, pure soul energy.

His soul power was significantly stronger than that of ordinary people.

After breaking through to Level 5 recently, and his Intelligence Attribute surpassing 15 points, his soul seemed to have been strengthened further.

Additionally, the sword soul as a sub-profession also possessed the ability to attack soul bodies using soul energy.

Though the profession includes the word sword, using this profession’s abilities isn’t limited to sword artifacts alone.

After all, a sword isn’t such a cumbersome object.

On the defensive side, the excellent quality equipment Moonlight Robe, recently obtained as a hunting competition reward, also blocked soul attacks and curses.

That’s why the old witch’s intended soul ambush failed.

She was attempting to ambush an opponent stronger than herself, one who had no weaknesses in offense and defense.

Without waiting for the witch to answer or take any action.

Gauss’s dragon-scaled right arm struck like lightning.

"Boom!"

In the instant his dragon claw right hand seized that lone head.

The sharp sword soul energy in his palm exploded with mighty soul power.

The black aura surrounding the witch’s head began to tremble violently as if confronted by a mortal enemy.

"Buzz buzz buzz buzz!"

Two types of energy from different souls clashed.

One burning like fire, akin to the sun in the sky.

The other cold as bone-chilling worms.

Aaliyah and her companions battling below with puppets squinted slightly.

They felt the overwhelming pressure from above.

Despite no physical movements like turbulent airflows, it felt like a heavy weight pressed on their hearts.

And this was just the aftermath.

Soul level attack and defense forms are subtle, yet their intensity is vicious.

Not inferior in the slightest to the brutality of close combat with real swords and guns.

In this bloody invisible battle, Gauss undoubtedly held absolute initiative.

He gripped that head firmly with his dragon claws.

Increasing the force while continually releasing soul impacts from his palm.

The witch could only grit her teeth and persevere, striving to maintain the black aura’s defense.

Yet those big hands tightened like a noose, gradually making her feel she "couldn’t breathe."

"Boom!"

Gauss slammed the witch into the ground.

"Pft!"

Blood spurted from her mouth.

The dual strikes on the soul and physical levels caused her defense to weaken further.

Especially the former.

Gauss was the first opponent she encountered with such exaggerated soul strength.

Previously, she always acted cautiously, hiding for years and "behaving herself," focusing solely on her research and never provoking strong enemies.

Professionals oriented towards research face a major disadvantage in actual combat.

Her instances of combat are far too few compared to adventurers fighting endlessly on the front lines.

Even if she had any, they were against mere ordinary people.

But those slaying experiences are useless against real experts.

Moreover, she’s currently in a transitional period, just like molting insects at their most vulnerable.

"Sp... spare me!"

The witch, enduring intense pain, pleaded for mercy.

"Boom!"

Gauss didn’t answer her.

Instead, he fiercely slammed her into the ground’s foundation.

"Crack crack!" 𝗳𝐫𝚎𝗲𝚠𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝘃𝚎𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝗺

Her head’s external bone, far harder than metal, appeared fractured.

With the black aura defense heavily worn, her head seemed less sturdy.

"I, I can serve you as a beast of burden!"

She hadn’t expected Gauss to be so "cold-hearted."

The witch quickly exclaimed.

Having lost the trump card of soul tactics, she began to panic.

Having lived for so many years, she hadn’t had enough.

On the contrary, the longer she lived, the more she feared death.

Thus, she didn’t hesitate to hide in the wilderness, dedicating most of her life and energy to "prolonging life."

No response came.

The witch’s heart gradually sank.

She seemed to sense the young man gripping her head aimed to end her life resolutely.

He was as cold as a stone devoid of temperature.

"Boom!"

The witch was again slammed senseless.

But she had no time to attend to the excruciating pain in her skull and quickly used her last ounce of strength to speak.

"Do you desire eternal life?"

"As long as you spare me."

"I can teach you the method of eternal life I possess!!!"

"..."

Having said this.