One-Eyed Monster

Shared Spiritual Perspective is a skill Alchemists obtain through Exchange Beasts.

Alchemists control Exchange Beasts using their Spirit Power, and all sensory feedback from these beasts is relayed to the controlling Alchemist. This Spirit Power Feedback is then shared with others via an Alchemy Array—this is Shared Spiritual Perspective.

Ordinary Alchemists find it difficult to share perspectives individually, as it requires the support of an Alchemy Array. Setting up such an array is not a simple task; even Alchemists from the Golden Seats in the Alchemy Workshop cannot deploy one single-handedly, let alone other Alchemists.

However, Darkness Type Alchemists have their own unique spells. They are not bound by the Alchemy Workshop’s rules; its taboos and restrictions do not apply to them. As long as they can achieve their goals, they will do anything necessary.

”One, two, three, four...” In the Non-Intoxication Tavern, the muscular Fighter was counting on his fingers. ”Seven people in total. Two Alien Species. We have almost twice their number in Puppets, but still no advantage. The situation really isn’t looking good.”

”Heh, perhaps this Alchemy Array isn’t suitable...” Wizard Gus said, smiling as he took a swig of his drink.

”If you shut up, no one would think you’re a mute! The Annihilation Array is an Alchemy Evil Array. You don’t know shit!” Gus’s provocation further stoked the chubby Alchemist’s temper.

”Right, right. But I still don’t see anything special about this array.”

”Then stop looking!” The chubby Alchemist snatched back the small white bottle Gus was holding.

The small white bottle contained Split Entities from a Wire Puppet, a type of Parasite. The Wire Puppet Queen produced these Split Entities, which would eventually become independent adults. These adults were essentially the Queen’s extensions, acting as her eyes and ears, carrying out her commands. This way, the Queen could remain in her nest, relying on the Split Entities to gather food and drink. In case of any unexpected situation, the Queen could abandon these Split Entities to ensure her own survival.

The chubby Alchemist capitalized on this characteristic of the Wire Puppet to implement the Shared Spiritual Perspective skill. He used several Split Entities of the Wire Puppet as his Spiritual Clones. Then, using these clones, he formed a small Alchemy Array to share the perspective of all Split Entities controlled by the Wire Puppet Queen.

Once a Wire Puppet takes control of a host, it becomes extremely powerful. The afflicted individual loses consciousness, completely controlled by the Wire Puppet Queen. Even if the Queen commanded the host to sever its own limbs, it would obey without hesitation...

Once infested by a Wire Puppet, the host’s life is essentially forfeit. Only those with an indomitable will can endure its torment. However, even if they manage to break free from the Wire Puppet’s control, they are left physically and mentally scarred.

However, this Wire Puppet was ultimately a Contract Beast. Despite the chubby Alchemist’s insistence on calling it a Summoned Beast, he couldn’t change the fact that it was time-limited. Once its time was up, this ferocious creature would vanish completely.

The chubby Alchemist controlled the Wire Puppet using a white porcelain bottle. This bottle was his treasure, crafted from his own flesh and blood, with which his self-created Alchemy Equation was integrated. This equation balanced his own lifespan against the Wire Puppet’s temporal limit.

In other words, the chubby Alchemist was using his own life force to summon this terrifying species. No wonder he insisted on calling it a Summoned Beast.

The existence of this Wire Puppet was tied to the chubby Alchemist’s own life!

”Fine, don’t watch then. You look like someone owes you a fortune.” At that moment, Wizard Gus’s demeanor was strikingly feminine.

”I can’t be bothered talking to a shameless creature like you.” The chubby Alchemist retorted and then ignored Wizard Gus.

Although Wizard Gus often appeared as a frail old man, that was not his true form. As the chubby Alchemist had said, Gus was shameless.

More accurately, Gus had many faces. If he wished, he could transform into several different people in a single day.

He could be a feeble old man, a scruffy, malodorous middle-aged man, or even a petite and beautiful young woman. As long as he willed it, he could change. This was his unique spell, a Spellcraft involving the transformation of Spirit Power. Wizard Gus had delved into countless forbidden spells. Unlike conventional Wizards, he hadn’t advanced to become a Gray Robe or White Robe; instead, he had gone down a darker path, becoming a genuine Dark Wizard.

Others could change their appearance at will—a skilled makeup artist could achieve that. But Gus could alter not only his facial features but also his entire physique, which was truly remarkable...

This was actually one reason for Gus’s high success rate in Divination. He would always change his appearance, indirectly aiding those for whom he performed Divination to achieve success.

As for Gus’s true appearance or his actual age, only he knew.

”That fire-controlling Hunter is not going to be easy to deal with,” the burly Fighter said, his tone resigned.

”Don’t worry. The Wire Puppet hasn’t fully taken over yet. Once it completely possesses these Puppets, it will produce more Split Entities. As long as those Split Entities manage to bite them, it’ll all be over.”

”Huh? Why are there Exchange Beasts here?” The burly Fighter exclaimed. Through his Spirit Vision, he saw tiny ants crawling everywhere, their Spirit Power steadily approaching the Puppets controlled by the Wire Puppet.

”They’re from the Alchemy Workshop.”

”Why would those guys get involved? We haven’t interfered with them,” Wizard Gus said. Although he couldn’t see what was happening at the front, he could still hear the other two speaking.

”I don’t know. But I won’t spare anyone who gets in my way,” the chubby Alchemist declared, secretly gathering his Spirit Power. This Alchemy Array and the Contract Beast were very demanding on his Spirit Power.

”Hahaha, you make it sound as if you could actually beat the Alchemy Workshop. You’re no match for Reed. Even Reed avoids confronting them. Do you think you can stand your ground?” Gus taunted the chubby Alchemist again.

”The Alchemy Workshop is interfering! My Puppets can’t stop those people from escaping! The Alchemy Workshop has a contract with Reed, so why are they suddenly targeting us, the Black Crow? I already announced my affiliation, but that owl still tore the Wire Puppet off my Puppet!”

”That’s Reed’s problem. Our mission has nothing to do with Reed. We are to follow the Grand Leader’s orders,” the Fighter said casually.

This well-built Fighter also delved into Forbidden Spells. Dark Fighters studied Reverse Physical Technique. Normal Fighters pursued Physique Technique to bring every part of their body to its peak state. Reverse Physical Technique also aimed for the body’s limits but did so through shortcuts. Practitioners would often force a specific part of their body to transform instantaneously, thereby becoming stronger, more agile, and faster.

”Looks like I have to go up the mountain,” the Fighter said, unable to sit still any longer as he stood up.

”What happened?” Gus asked.

”An Awakened one has appeared. And it’s a Wizard—they’ll be difficult to handle,” the chubby Alchemist said. He was now drenched in sweat; they had unknowingly spent the better part of the day in the Non-Intoxication Tavern.

”More crucially, the Alchemy Workshop has shattered his Annihilation Array. He can no longer pursue that fire-controlling Hunter. He’ll be lucky to escape with his life.”

”Aha! So your plan failed, Fatty, and you’re about to lose your Wire Puppet too? Hahaha!”

”Are all shameless people so vile? We have a common mission! If we fail, the Grand Leader won’t spare any of us.”

”Rest assured, we won’t fail. You focus on dealing with the Alchemy Workshop members. I’ll pursue that Alien Species,” Wizard Gus said solemnly, his earlier sarcastic tone completely gone.

”Everyone, be careful. It seems the Grand Leader foresaw this. The young master of Rostov is indeed crucial. So many factions are after him, including the Alchemy Workshop. This matter is not as simple as it appears,” the chubby Alchemist said, wiping his sweat. He resumed drawing circles and dots on the table, formulating an Alchemy Equation.

”Stay vigilant. I’m going up the mountain. Gus, you’re responsible for intelligence and assassination. Ensure timely communication of any news.”

”I originally thought we’d ambush them when they came down the mountain. But it seems Fatty was right; these people are too elusive. Who knows if another Awakened one will appear? It’s better to strike fast and decisively.”

”Black Crow is immortal!” the Fighter shouted first.

”Black Crow is immortal!” Gus and the chubby Alchemist echoed.

These three were leaders within the Black Crow organization, answering only to the Grand Leader of the Black Crow, Willem.

The three Black Crow leaders had spent the better part of the day in the Non-Intoxication Tavern. Yet, they never noticed that the tavern servant they had driven out early that morning had been replaced by someone else. In appearance and physique, this new individual showed no change whatsoever.