"Either too much time has passed since death, causing the Origin Power to dissipate, or it’s because aberrations inherently have less of it. And then there’s..."

There’s one other possibility, the worst-case scenario—that Soul-Devouring Magic is most effective when devouring Wizards from the same Ghost Soul School.

If it were the first two, that would be better. I’d just have to keep fighting and devouring methodically, and my Origin Power would continue to grow.

But if it’s the latter, that might also explain why Ognian was hostile toward me.

’I hope that’s not the case...’

If that were true, I’m afraid things aren’t exactly peaceful within the Ghost Soul School.

Wei’en glanced around and saw that the entire room had been cleaned spotless. Even the dust in the corners, the furniture, and the carpet had been devoured. He looked up at the Xiaoxis.

Seeing them all scrunching up their faces, mouths wide open as if they wanted to vomit but couldn’t, he couldn’t help but laugh.

"You need to learn to distinguish between what’s useful and what’s not... Never mind, that’s too much to ask of you."

Clearly, they were incapable of it.

When he cast Soul-Devouring Magic or any other Magic, his will was the absolute center of it all.

No matter how intelligent these origin child bodies were, or what they were doing at the time, they would execute his commands without hesitation the moment they received them.

Wei’en suspected this was likely related to the Soul-Devouring Rune.

However, that Soul-Devouring Rune was far too complex. He wanted to dismantle and analyze it, but with his current knowledge of runes, it was still too difficult. He could only wait until his rune studies leveled up.

With that thought, Wei’en opened the door and went out. "Tina, the cleanup is finished."

The white-haired girl saw the clean state of the room, her small mouth forming an "O," a flicker of astonishment on her face. "Tina, go."

Wei’en pulled her toward the exit, glancing at the clown doll being dragged on the floor. He reminded her, seemingly casually, "Tina, it’s still raining outside. It’s better if that doll doesn’t get wet."

Tina obediently moved her hand from the clown doll’s neck to a spot a little below its waist...

He sucked his teeth. ’How... refreshing.’

’I guess that works...’

Wei’en felt his own midsection tighten slightly and silently resolved to never, ever get injured and fall unconscious. He had no desire to have injury piled upon injury.

The plump tavern owner was wiping the corner of his mouth with a napkin. Seeing them emerge, he asked in surprise, "All cleaned up? So quickly?"

"Yes, the scene wasn’t too bad. But I trust you don’t mind that the furniture was... cleaned up along with everything else?"

"Of course not, I..." The tavern owner froze for a second. ’A scene of carnage... and he calls that "not too bad"?’

"Well, goodbye then."

Before he could finish, Wei’en led Tina out of the tavern, opened an umbrella, and disappeared deep into the district.

A moment later, the tavern owner rushed out, panting. Under the astonished gazes of the enthusiastic ladies at the entrance, he roared, "You damned harbinger of misfortune! You didn’t even fucking spare the floorboards and the bed! There’s nothing left!"

Hearing the shouting behind him, Wei’en quickly lowered his umbrella and picked up his pace. He didn’t have any spare money for compensation...

But what he didn’t know was that at this moment, inside a tavern at 114 Basil District...

"Is that him?" a slender figure asked, staring at his retreating back.

Elno said resentfully, "Yes, Your Highness. He’s the one who killed Tiki."

"Collins, what do you say?"

Collins deliberated. "Your Highness, the most important thing right now is that item. It’s vital to the Vasquez. I suggest we prioritize the plan..."

"Of course, the plan is the most important thing," the slender figure said, glancing at him. "But if everyone is gone, what’s the point of our clan’s existence?"

"Then Your Highness’s meaning is?" 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝐰𝚎𝕓𝐧𝚘𝘃𝗲𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝕞

"Before the plan begins, I want to offer up his head as a sacrifice!"

Collins hesitated for a moment, exchanged a look with Elno, and gritted his teeth. "I know what to do."

"Also, what is the status of Gengrich and that Divine Statue?"

"They are at another stronghold, just waiting for Jack First Officer to arrive."

The slender figure mused, "So, tomorrow or the day after..."

"Based on the timeline, the First Officer will be here by tomorrow evening at the latest," Elno added.

"Mm, then let’s start preparing now."

"As you command."

The slender figure was about to nod when she saw the figure outside the window, a hint of a smile flashing in her eyes. "Oh? Looks like there’s a show to watch."

Curious, Collins and Elno followed her gaze...

At that moment, as Wei’en was leading the white-haired girl out of Basil District, he heard Tina speak up: "Tina, hear voice."

Wei’en thought the white-haired girl was talking about the tavern owner’s curses from just now. "The tavern owner is just blowing off steam. It’s probably nothing..."

"Tina, hear. Kill you."

"Hm? Who wants to kill me?"

Wei’en frowned, his first thought being Collins and his group.

He scanned the surrounding crowd, especially the sailors who clearly radiated ill intent, but didn’t spot anyone suspicious.

Tina tilted her head as if listening to something. "Tina, one hundred."

"One hundred what?"

"Tina, ten meters."

’Distance? Ten meters??’

"Wha—"

[You have been locked on by the killing intent of Endrit Wirt. Evaluation: Be careful. Reward: Survival Points +3.]

’Be careful?’

SWISH—

"Nico, Ruke." (Blink.)

A flash of a blade sliced through the air. Two illusory clones had just appeared when they were cut to pieces, not even having the chance to cast a Charm Spell.

Wei’en, now standing a short distance away with Tina, leveled a loaded flintlock at the black-robed figure who had concealed their form. His brow was tightly furrowed. "Who are you?"

"A Wizard..."

The attacker clearly hadn’t expected his strike to miss, let alone that Wei’en would instantly blink a hundred meters away, causing him to freeze his follow-up attack.