Overall, Deklan's strength in this form was around that of a three-star bronze rank or a bit higher.

For someone who was only at the five-star iron rank, this was an incredible increase; some would even say that it was a monstrous increase. But it was still far below the Alpha Ghost—the gap between them was simply too wide.

Deklan managed to pierce its skin, yes, but all the wounds he inflicted were superficial.

None of his attacks could penetrate the layer of muscles fully.

And that was made incredibly stark as one attack from the Alpha Ghost rendered him weak.

Had it not been for Marsha's healing, he would've been a goner.

But that could change.

Swoosh—!

Abruptly, Deklan sprinted towards the entrance, using the Breeze Affinity to increase his speed further.

He was charging straight at the other Ghosts still trapped outside.

It was unclear how the Alpha Ghost could enter through the hamlet's protection, but the opening it made must be the reason why one Flaming Skeleton managed to slip inside. Had it not been the case, the other Ghosts would've entered the hamlet by now.

Keeping up with Deklan, the Alpha Ghost pounced from the side.

Deklan leaped in time and spun his body mid-air, exiting the hamlet and going over the other Ghosts.

From his initial exchange with the Alpha Ghost, he could tell that it was solely aiming at him.

At the end of the day, it was merely an animal.

It has no sense of cruelty, so it doesn't have the capability to leverage the people or even Marsha to its advantage. All that was spinning in its mind was to kill the infiltrator that dared to ransack its territory, and even incapacitate one of its beloved underlings.

Deklan swung the farming scythe horizontally.

An arc of reddish mana burst forth, striking the Ghosts underneath him.

[Killed a Flaming Skeleton (1-star Bronze): 15 Spooky Dollars]

[Killed a Flaming Skeleton…]

[Killing a Flaming…]

Several notifications announced his kills as Deklan landed on the ground softly.

He levelled his gaze at the Ghosts across, planting his feet and hefting the farming scythe on his shoulder in a swaggering, fearless pose. His free hand swept outward—taunting them to come at him. Since these Ghosts are here for him, then why not lure them away from the hamlet?

Roar!

Graah—!

Deklan was successful.

In the next moment, he was being chased through the forest.

Flaming Ghosts, including the Alpha Ghost, were hot on his tail out of pure anger.

Crash!

Boom—!

Each attack they hurled towards Deklan missed, but the devastation was laid bare for everyone to see.

Sword cleaved down from above, then a swipe, and then the big fireball was hurled by the Alpha Ghost.

As more Ghosts participated, it was starting to get harder and harder to avoid the attacks.

Boom!

A fireball slammed into the earth beside Deklan—close enough that he felt the heat peel across his skin.

It was the fire from the Alpha Ghost, one that his Fire Skin trait couldn't resist.

He dodged, but only barely, and the blast erupted a heartbeat later—the shockwave caught him full-force and launched him away like a broken doll. Deklan crashed into tree after tree; his body spun helplessly through the air until the ground finally stopped him.

A hard fall.

Blood burst past his lips as his entire body convulsed.

Marsha was left far behind.

No healer at his side. No backup. And the barrage wasn't slowing—he was falling behind, fast.

Just then, he heard a rustle.

Deklan grabbed his farming scythe and raised it, pointing at the figure who emerged from behind a tree.

A familiar figure—Kaelyn.

Seeing the Ghost's towering form, Kaelyn drew her katana free—and prepared to fight. A Ghost of this caliber had no business wandering the forest, yet here it stood, radiating strength that was not too far from the Alpha Ghost.

But more importantly, this Ghost resembled neither the Shadowed Town nor the Land of Flames.

That inconsistency alone sent a sharp thread of confusion through her.

Even after last night, she has never seen this one.

'Only Ghosts from those two Null Zones roamed this forest, so where does this Ghost come from?'

Her eyes narrowed in confusion.

But seeing the Ghost lowering its weapon was even weirder.

It was then that a person crossed her mind, "Deklan…?"

Roar—!

Deklan abruptly stood up and dashed away, leaving Kaelyn behind without saying anything.

He was still being chased, and a few seconds were precious at the moment.

On the other hand, Kaelyn and the Exorcists she brought with her hid behind a tree as a horde of Ghosts charged past them in a stampede. Their eyes were blazing with murderous intent—which was easily the confirmation Kaelyn needed to know for certain that the Ghost earlier was Deklan.

'Those Ghosts must've come seeking vengeance for the Beta,' She thought—and turned to the others. "Check the settlement and see if there is anyone who needs assistance. Also, find Zayne and keep watching him. I have questions to ask."

Nodding their heads, the Exorcists continued onward while Kaelyn went in the other direction.

Meanwhile, Deklan leaped high and grabbed hold of a tree branch.

He spun around, avoiding a Hellhound chomping down its maw, and then used the branch to leap away.

It was hard and took a moment, but he finally reached the inner area.

Deklan entered and immediately looked around.

[Notice: Host has entered the Shadowed Town!]

Just like the night before, battle was still raging on, leaving the Shadowed Town basically empty with most of the Ghosts focused near the border. He came to ask for help. After all, he was now the ruler of this Null Zone.

But none was available.

Then, a pulse flared through his right hand.

Deklan glanced down and froze.

Ink-black symbols could be seen crawling back across his skin, visible even through the crimson cloak.

Even the crimson threads seeped from his fingertips, stretching unerringly toward a single point.

The Beta.

Realization struck him with the force of a hammer—the forbidden spell hadn't vanished at all. It had only gone dormant when he drifted too far from its target. Now that he was within range, the Marionette Bind reawakened.

Its return was announced by a sharp, stabbing agony driving up his arm.

Time was pressing against him.

However, the forbidden spell provided a necessary alternative that might save him right now.

Deklan moved again; this time, he was heading across the border.

He leaped across the border, easily going over the battlefield with his newfound strength.

[Agna the Red Scarecrow: 1 minute remaining!]

Deklan was greeted by a surprising notification from the system, notifying him that he could only retain this persona for one more minute before reverting back to normal. One more minute. That's incredibly brief, but he has to make do with it.

Roar!!

Like a wracking ball, the Alpha Ghost barged inside the moment Deklan landed.

He was headbutted hard, hurling him away.

Crack!

Giving no chance for him to breathe or slip away, the Alpha Ghost stomped him to the ground hard with its paw, driving him into the earth with a force that made his ribs scream. Blood flooded past his lips as the weight pressed in, threatening to pulp his entire body under its wrath.

It lowered its head until its burning maw hovered inches from Deklan's face.

Snarling.

A deep, venomous rumble tore through its throat as it bared its fangs.

Betas are like the Alpha Ghost's family or even children, so taking out one was a capital offense.

One that could only be repaid in blood.

"Crimson Lash!"

Out of nowhere, a red energy arc sliced the Alpha Ghost's side.

It growled and turned its head toward the culprit, only to find a flashing blade dancing in strokes.

Swish—!

Kaelyn rolled across the ground and pointed her hand forward, using another spell.

"Purify!"

A red magic circle bloomed beneath the Alpha Ghost, like it were being drawn by an invisible hand. And a heartbeat later, it detonated in a violent surge of mana. The blast was not destructive. In contrast, it was subtle, but it caused the Alpha Ghost to actually recoil with a startled whimper.

Once the paw loosened, Kaelyn snatched Deklan from right under and brought him away.

Both tumbled across the scorched ground, skidding through ash and embers.

"Is it really you, Deklan?" She asked, voice tight dubiously.

But the look in his eyes silenced her.

No doubt about it that this… Ghost was really Deklan.

"Either way, we can't win this. We have to run away," She said, feeling the burn getting to her already.

However, Deklan has no intention of doing so.

He shook his head and extended his hand to the side, toward the Beta that could now be seen.

It was still where Deklan left it.

Deklan twitched his fingers, focusing on the motionless Beta in the distance—and to his surprise, the crimson threads responded. They hooked into the creature's form like invisible strings, turning the beast into a puppet at his command.

Realizing he could control it, he didn't hesitate to summon it.

Growl!

At the same time, the Alpha Ghost charged in, but the controlled Beta tackled it from the side.

Both massive hounds tumbled and growled at each other.

In that moment, Deklan gritted his teeth and stood up.

He fought through the pain and gestured for Kaelyn to follow him as he dashed straight at the battlefield.

Compared to last night, the battle wasn't as intense.

Most of the Ghosts remaining were the stronger ones, while the weaker ones were mostly dead.

Using the few precious breaths before the Alpha noticed them, Deklan and Kaelyn slipped behind the two remaining Betas locked in battle. They struck in perfect tandem. Deklan drove his blade deep into its flank while Kaelyn's katana carved clean through its hind legs, dropping the beast.

Seeing this, the Shadow Knight took the opportunity and stabbed its weapon through the Beta's chest.

It died almost instantly with a spectacular splash of flames.

[Killed a Hellhound (Three-star Bronze): 150 Spooky Dollars]

Behind, the Alpha Ghost roared as it lost another portion of its power.

Deklan's plan was simple—use the puppet Beta to block the Alpha Ghost while he killed the remaining two Betas that were trapped in a battle. And with the fall of the first Beta, the last Beta has no chance of surviving, as it went against two Shadow Knights along with Deklan and Kaelyn.

It felt like the other.

As the last one fell, Deklan's pupils dilated as the Alpha Ghost charged straight at him.

Unlike earlier, it went all-out.

Deklan pushed Kaelyn out of the way and took out the Lethal Durian, throwing it at the Alpha Ghost.

Black smoke exploded on the Alpha Ghost's face, but it kept going.

It bit onto Deklan's body, sinking its fangs deep before throwing him across the bridge.

But a smile curled on Deklan's shrouded lips as he got what he needed.

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