Chapter 666: Spirit Body Threads (Seeking Monthly Tickets)

The sun blazed high in the sky, casting a golden glow over the sea. In Klein's eyes, besides this, there were countless illusory black threads.

They extended from the nearby mermaids, from his own body, and from different places in the surrounding sea. They were thin, numerous, and densely packed, corresponding to different parts of the body, stretching out into the infinite distance, reaching the end of the void.

This bizarre and densely beautiful scene was not unfamiliar to Klein. He had seen similar sights several times when borrowing the power of the All-Black Eye and relying on it for a long time to create the puppet "The World."

This was the source of the Marionettist's extraordinary abilities!

The knowledge gained from the potion told Klein that these illusory black threads were called "Spirit Body Threads." By manipulating them, one could directly affect the target's Spiritual Body, Astral Body, Mind Body, and Ether Body, and then, using the "Ether Body" as a bridge, control the opponent's physical body.

Therefore, all the extraordinary abilities of the Marionettist revolved around the "Spirit Body Threads."

First, by using the "Spirit Body Threads" that exist in every living being, one can find hidden targets. This is a nemesis to a Witch's invisibility and a Hermit's shadow hiding ability. Of course, Klein didn't know if there was a way to conceal the "Spirit Body Threads" themselves.

Second, by controlling the target like a puppet, making his thoughts sluggish, his body stiff, and his movements awkward. This is a form of forcible control that is difficult to resist. Basically, one can only rely on the strength of their own spirit body to break free. For a Marionettist already at the Sequence 5 level, there is almost nothing to worry about below the demigod level.

Third, over time and with deepening control, the Marionettist can completely turn the target into his own puppet. Within a certain distance, hiding behind the scenes, he can manipulate the puppet to fight. In this way, the puppet can use its original extraordinary abilities!

"This is truly strange, mysterious, and terrifying. It's practically the exclusive domain of the hidden mastermind. No wonder Rosago said that manipulation through 'Spirit Body Threads' is one of the most troublesome abilities to deal with below the high sequences…" "But this takes time. Control cannot be achieved instantly; it must be deepened step by step until it is finalized. To establish initial control, in my current state, I need about 20 seconds, but as the potion is gradually digested, this time will shorten significantly. By the time the 'Marionettist' potion is fully digested, it might be within 5 seconds. Hmm, before the effect takes place, the target is almost completely unaware. Those with a certain ability for prophecy might manage to detect it…" "Once I gain initial control over the target's 'Spirit Body Threads,' he will immediately experience slowed thinking, hindered movements, and bodily stiffness, gradually developing into a puppet. If the 'Marionettist' has companions, they can easily deal with the forcibly controlled target during this process. Hmm, if the enemy's spirit body strength isn't too high, the 'Marionettist' even has enough leeway to distract himself by drawing a gun or using a mystical item, cooperating with himself." "If the control process isn't interrupted by an external force, after five minutes, the target will become my puppet. In a sense, he has truly died, and things can never be reversed. Once the potion is fully digested, the time required to convert a puppet will definitely shorten significantly." "I can currently control a maximum of one puppet. I can't tell for the time being after that, but it will definitely increase. The limit doesn't seem to exceed three." "Besides requiring time, there are also distance restrictions. I can currently only see the 'Spirit Body Threads' within a range of 100 meters. To manipulate them, I must enter within 5 meters of the target…" "When manipulating a puppet, the distance between it and my main body cannot exceed 100 meters for now, but it will definitely increase in the future." "Hey, besides retaining its own extraordinary abilities, the puppet can also normally use mystical items and sealed artifacts, etc., and it consumes its own spirituality, not mine. Of course, the very act of me manipulating it is quite spiritually draining." "This ability suits me very well. If I encounter a dangerous situation that must be investigated, I can send the puppet in. Although losing it would be painful, it's better than dying on the spot myself. Heh, that 'Marionettist,' Rosago, must have had some other actions before he came to deal with me, which is why he didn't have a puppet. Hmm, he definitely hadn't fully digested the 'Marionettist' potion, so he couldn't initially control me in the time it took to wait for the door to open, leaving him no choice but to engage in a face-to-face conversation." "All in all, it truly lives up to being a Sequence 5 extraordinary ability! Moreover, the abilities from the previous sequences have been enhanced by 50%, or even more…" "I'm really looking forward to it. I wonder what qualitative change Sequence 4, which combines so many bizarre abilities, will bring. Ah, I don't even know its name…" Klein concluded his self-examination with a sigh.

He then, relying on the experience of setting the activation and deactivation methods for his "Spirit Vision," imposed constraints on his ability to see the "Spirit Body Threads," so as not to see things he shouldn't.

Press the first joint of the index finger with the left thumb twice to activate, repeat to deactivate. The right hand can also do it… Withdrawing his thoughts, he looked forward and saw that the remaining mermaids had turned around and were curiously eyeing him with their watery blue eyes.

Considering that without their singing, without that simple ritual, he would have lost control and become a Sealed Artifact similar to "2-049," Klein smiled at them amicably.

Under the influence of the charms, those mermaids also parted their lips slightly, revealing somewhat shy smiles.

As their pale purple or deep red lips opened, Klein saw their teeth: sharp like wolf fangs, row upon row, white and glistening, with viscous fluid dripping down.

Klein was stunned for a moment, finding this even harder to accept than real monsters.

He had already mentally prepared himself, regarding the mermaids as the kind from the sewers. Therefore, no matter how crazy or terrifying their forms, he thought he could bear it. However, the situation exceeded his expectations. The mermaids outwardly appeared to be beautiful and alluring women, and their tails had a certain exotic beauty, yet their teeth were so ferocious and disgusting. The contrast was too stark, making Klein unable to bear the sight, almost looking away.

Waving his hand, he quickly fished out a charm from the Sea God domain, conjured a strong wind again, and used it to propel his small boat back toward the "Future."

During the journey, Klein couldn't help but ponder over the feeling he had just experienced: "So the singing of the mermaids is a form of neutralization, a balance. Otherwise, the vast majority of 'Faceless' couldn't resist the corruption of the 'Marionettist' potion on their own 'Spirit Body Threads' and would instantly lose control. Ha, a lucky fellow like Cavitua the sea serpent is not within the scope of this discussion. Perhaps it was precisely because of the lack of a ritual's assistance that he was relatively weak." "Theoretically, any sound or extraordinary ability with a similar effect could replace the singing of mermaids. However, without having experienced it personally, one simply cannot distinguish the subtle differences. Therefore, it's difficult for anyone who isn't a high-sequence powerhouse of the 'Seer' pathway to provide effective advice."

Amidst his thoughts, the small boat returned to the vicinity of the "Future." Klein easily climbed aboard using a rope.