Chapter 135: Let Me Do It Instead

Herman immediately made a ruthless decision. He turned to the only remaining third-level apprentice beside him and ordered, “The wraith’s consciousness is unstable. Throw someone over there—let it absorb a spirit and get distracted.”

The third-level apprentice hesitated for a moment but quickly responded in a deep voice, “Yes!”

Herman did not bother to conceal his command from his subordinates. Those around him immediately showed expressions of horror.

Some quick-witted apprentices turned and attempted to flee, only to find dark green vines sprouting from the ground, wrapping tightly around their legs.

One of the vines suddenly lashed out toward the wraith, hurling a low-level apprentice directly in front of it.

The wraith, unbothered by the method of delivery, wasted no time. It easily tore out the unfortunate soul’s spirit and began to “chew and digest” it.

Seeing that the wraith was indeed occupied with the low-level apprentice, Herman, Bill, and Wright all breathed a sigh of relief. Without further hesitation, they began preparing their respective Tier 2 spells.

However, just as Wright was about to channel his mental power, Bill suddenly kicked him.

Wright glanced over in confusion, only to hear Bill’s transmitted voice.

Wright’s eyes flickered, but he continued pretending to cast his spell as if nothing had happened.

Some apprentices who weren’t restrained by the vines were also filled with fear.

They knew that once all the captured apprentices were dead, it would be their turn next.

Under years of oppression, no one dared to openly defy Herman, but not all of them were willing to sit and wait for death.

Some began to desperately charge at the wall of Head Monsters, throwing whatever potions and scrolls they had at the wraith and its minions.

Unfortunately, the low-level potions and scrolls they possessed were too weak to harm the wraith.

Moreover, most of the apprentices were too poor, only managing to pull out one or two magic items at most.

Those who attacked the Head Monsters did manage to kill a few, but in the next moment, more of the creatures swarmed them. They were devoured alive, leaving only their severed heads and feet, which fused into new Head Monsters.

Even more horrifying, the freshly created Head Monsters, after a brief moment of confusion, began slowly moving toward the other living apprentices, drooling with hunger.

Enemy count +N

At this point, no one dared to act recklessly anymore. They scrambled to stay as far away as possible from the wraith, from the ruthless third-level apprentice, and from the frenzied, howling Head Monsters.

Squeezed into the shrinking gap between death and despair, they could only hope they wouldn’t be the next sacrifice.

Meanwhile, the real Saul remained seated on his diary, watching as one apprentice after another died a miserable death—without a hint of emotion.

When he saw the wraith absorbing spirits using his hands, a thought crossed his mind:

"After devouring so many souls, will its consciousness become even more unstable?"

"Go on, keep absorbing. Whole souls will indeed keep increasing your strength. But the mixed wills of the spirits you consume will surely affect your consciousness. Maybe I won’t even need to do anything—your power will collapse on its own."

"Heh heh heh heh…"

Saul and the wraith laughed at the same time.

At first, their laughter was disjointed, but as it continued, their rhythm gradually synchronized.

It sounded as if only one person was laughing.

Suddenly, the diary beneath Saul flipped open.

Saul was caught off guard and nearly got thrown off.

Fortunately, at the last moment, he managed to grab onto the hardcover cover with both hands.

When he climbed back onto the now-open diary, he noticed several new lines of text had appeared.

---

[Lunar Calendar Year 316, April 20th]

"Leaving your body—what a novel experience!"

"But getting out is easy… getting back in is the problem."

"A chaotic wraith is doing whatever it wants with your body."

"But the souls it absorbs are too low in quality."

"They’re not strong enough to shake its dominant consciousness."

"You need to give it an extra push—"

"Otherwise, you’ll just end up losing this battle of wills effortlessly~"

---

Saul immediately glanced at the wraith.

Confirming that it still couldn’t see the diary, he relaxed and continued reading.

The diary’s white pages were smooth and delicate, almost like a baby’s skin.

As Saul ran his fingers over the paper, he noticed that no marks were left behind.

Saul’s expression turned serious as he looked up—just in time to see the wraith consume another apprentice.

"Hey! What’s the point of eating those inferior souls?" Saul shouted, pointing at Herman, Bill, and Wright.

"See those three? They’re the real delicacies. Go devour them instead!"

The wraith paused, tilting its head in confusion—but saw nothing.

Just then, another unlucky apprentice was thrown forward, immediately redirecting the wraith’s attention.

No matter how much Saul called out, it ignored him.

As Saul pondered how to influence the wraith’s actions, Herman and the others finally finished preparing their spells.

Their eyes filled with desperation as they stared at the wraith.

Sensing danger, the wraith suddenly opened its mouth and let out a piercing, soul-shaking shriek.

A visible shockwave rippled outward at blinding speed, sweeping over everyone.

The three third-level apprentices, just moments from casting their strongest spells, vomited blood and collapsed.

Herman’s silver armor cracked in multiple places, revealing blood-red flesh beneath.

Wright’s ears and nose bled profusely as he clutched his head in agony.

Bill fared the worst—he lost consciousness instantly.

From his body, thick, dark purple fumes began to seep out, corroding the ground and fabric, releasing a choking, toxic smoke.

Clearly enraged by their attempted attack, the wraith tossed aside its current victim and began stalking toward the closest prey—Herman.

Still somewhat conscious, Herman’s eyes widened in terror. His pupils quivered violently.

As the wraith drew closer and closer, Herman suddenly grabbed a third-level apprentice beside him and, ignoring his desperate pleas, hurled him straight at the wraith.

The wraith actually hesitated.

"What a pathetic coward." Saul scoffed. "At this rate, Herman might actually feed the wraith enough sacrifices to stabilize its power."

The weak-willed, low-quality spirits weren’t enough to disturb the wraith’s dominant consciousness.

Saul turned his gaze toward Herman, who was quickly drinking a potion, and his eyes flashed coldly.

He moved to the edge of the diary—and jumped back onto his own shoulder.

Saul wasn’t sure of his exact state, but he could still feel his connection to his own body.

He climbed over his shoulder, gripping his own chin for balance.

Then, he stepped onto his own lips, grabbed his nose, and began crawling toward his ear.

Without hesitation, Saul dove inside.

He felt himself compressing, like a strand of noodles squeezing through a narrow space, pressing toward a faint light inside.

Suddenly, the wraith froze mid-motion.

Its pupils rolled back—then flicked forward again.

But now, its eyes weren’t just chaotic and frenzied—they held a terrifying rationality.

Yet deep within… was a hint of madness.

Saul smirked.

He let go of the trembling apprentice and laughed lightly as he turned toward Herman—who was still stabilizing his soul.

And then… he walked forward.

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