"Why are you able to come here? Last time you said it would be the final time you could help me, didn't you?"
I quietly looked at John Chou, who was standing to the side, and he sneered as he spoke.
"After all, the human part of you has completely disappeared now. As a ghost, I naturally have ways to find you through my echoes. My Deathstone is still with you, after all."
I didn't ask anything unnecessary. Instead, I watched the evil ghost walking toward me with caution. He kept making low, guttural sounds, and with each step, massive green ghostly energy erupted in all directions. Everyone—human and ghost alike—had already vanished from the surroundings.
I seemed to understand. That guy used past events in this city to make me see illusions—showing what it means to be a ghost. He wanted to completely awaken the ghostly part inside my body.
"The key is whether you can accept yourself as a ghost. Brother, things are much easier now, aren't they?"
I grunted in response and walked forward slowly. Now, my only reliance was my Deathbane Aura. My strength had returned. I raised both hands, and two Deathbane swords appeared in my grip. Sure enough, they were different from before—I couldn't achieve the same quality as before, because the human part was missing. Without the blend of vitality, the intensity of the Deathbane Aura was slightly reduced. But I knew very well that the Evil Ghost still wanted to devour me, having no intention of coexisting peacefully with my humanity. This was the primal desire of ghosts.
An extreme craving for everything human—flesh, soul, even thoughts. I glanced back. John Chou was already floating up to the rooftop, watching me with his hand propping up his chin.
"Brother, find a way to completely subdue him. Don't leave any threat behind. If this thing doesn't obey you, you won't be able to use your power properly—after all, it's your strength."
I grunted again, still sensing how far my Deathbane Aura could go. The green ghostly energy around the Evil Ghost drifted like threads, getting closer and closer. The Evil Ghost was now less than ten meters away from me.
Suddenly, I started running, transforming into a streak of black light that shot toward the Evil Ghost. He mirrored my action.
With a thunderous crash, I swung both swords at the Evil Ghost. Black and green lights collided instantly, and the entire city around us was obliterated in a heartbeat.
A creaking sound echoed as my Deathbane Aura Blade was gripped by the Evil Ghost's hands. He roared in fury—either at me, or perhaps at the vestiges of human consciousness within.
I felt my Deathbane Aura faltering as the Evil Ghost unleashed ever stronger Ghost Aura. With a resounding crack, my Deathbane Aura Blade shattered, but I quickly gathered more Deathbane Aura in my hands and struck at his face. My only option was to suppress him completely.
With a heavy blow, I widened my eyes. Before my fist could reach the Evil Ghost, his own fist slammed into my chest. I gripped his hand tightly, and with an explosive surge, the green Ghost Aura blasted me away.
Amid the explosive noise, I heard a piercing howl. The Evil Ghost appeared before me, swinging his fist down. I didn't retreat—this was no time for hesitation.
With a roar, I raised my hands to shield myself. Suddenly, a massive green beam surrounded me, engulfing me in suffocating Ghost Aura. My body began to fracture, and my senses were thrown into chaos.
With a thud, I crashed to the ground, landing on my back. The Evil Ghost's fist pressed down relentlessly. He intended to defeat me first, then consume me. His blood-red eyes glowed with malice, and guttural sounds rumbled from his throat.
I was on the verge of collapse. In a direct clash, my Deathbane Aura was no match for the Evil Ghost. Even trying to fend off his fists was becoming impossibly difficult.
With a series of crashes, the Deathbane Aura I unleashed was instantly frozen by the biting Ghost Aura, then shattered under immense pressure, dissolving into fragments.
The situation was getting worse. I considered every possible solution.
Suddenly, I remembered what Xuehan had told me before about countering Ghost Aura. Although I couldn't do it, I had to find the weakest point in the Evil Ghost's aura and use a burst of Deathbane Aura to break through.
I kept sensing, watching the Ghost Aura burn before me like roaring flames, flickering violently in front of my eyes. I felt the movement of the flames.
Found it.
In that instant, I sensed the Evil Ghost's left side. I let go with one hand as his fist hammered toward my chest. With my right hand, I released a surge of Deathbane Aura. With a bang, the Evil Ghost whimpered and was sent flying to the left, the immense pressure instantly vanishing.
I breathed a sigh of relief. I found the feeling—how to subdue this Evil Ghost. He's the embodiment of my power: all strength, no skill.
Smart move, brother. Looks like my foolish sister hasn't been wasting her time since she came back!
I quickly got up and put distance between myself and the Evil Ghost. He charged at me again in an instant—I couldn't dodge, so I wrapped myself in thick Deathbane Aura.
With a bang, the Deathbane Aura on my body scattered. I sensed the Evil Ghost's weak spot in his aura, reached out, and tried to break through with a burst of Deathbane Aura—but I was a step too slow. He crashed into me, sending me flying. After hitting the ground, I rolled to the left. With another bang, the Evil Ghost's lizard-like foot stomped down. He was growing more and more violent; his fangs turned green, and his blood-red eyes were filled with nothing but cold killing intent. The Evil Ghost's power kept increasing. I felt a rumbling—the place was about to collapse.
Move quickly, brother! If this place collapses, the battle will keep repeating. He'll drag you into the Evil Ghost's realm again and again, trying every way to devour you.
I nodded. As I got up, I swung my left fist at the Evil Ghost's lower left abdomen. With a bang, it worked—my Deathbane Aura easily broke through the weak spot in his Ghost Aura and struck him, making him howl even louder.
With a bang, the Evil Ghost crashed to the ground. I could finally breathe a sigh of relief.
Let me tell you something good, brother. Since it's your power, it will evolve. If you still can't defeat him, he'll be even stronger next time. The Ghost Aura will be more evenly distributed, and the next devouring won't be so simple.
Can't you just say it all at once?
I shouted angrily. The Evil Ghost had already climbed up from the ground, raising both hands and roaring furiously. Waves of intense Ghost Aura swept toward me, making it feel like I was flying against a strong wind—almost impossible to move. I noticed cracks spreading across the ground and in the air.
Looks like he's planning to break this place, then find another chance next time—like attacking you when you're wounded. Heh.
I widened my eyes as the cracks on the ground intensified. I flew over with all my strength.
I still couldn't think of any solution. The Ghost Aura on the Evil Ghost wasn't something I could penetrate with Deathbane Aura. What should I do?
Bit by bit, I closed the distance to the Evil Ghost. Finally, I got close. Suddenly, his hands clamped onto mine, pulling me in. He opened his mouth and bit my neck. My eyes widened as the green Ghost Aura invaded my body, and my consciousness blurred again.
With a roar, the Evil Ghost tore a chunk of flesh from my shoulder. He opened his mouth wide and bit at my cheek. I summoned all my strength—he seemed drained from his earlier attack. I pressed his jaw down with both hands.
With a bang, I forced the Evil Ghost's head aside. He whimpered to my right, and I kept pressing his head down. The ground was collapsing—I felt myself falling, my consciousness fading. This space wouldn't last much longer.
Bastard.
I shouted angrily. The ghost kept trying with all its strength to bite me—even now, it still wanted to devour me.
I didn't know what else to do. Suddenly, I opened my mouth and bit the Evil Ghost's neck. With a crack, my teeth struck his shriveled skin. I tore at it, and with a rip, a layer of black skin came off. I heard John Chou laughing uproariously.
That's it! I told you from the start—either you eat him, or he eats you. Eat him, brother! Devour the Evil Ghost's power. Swallow him and digest it.
I went wild, mouth open, biting the Evil Ghost again and again, swallowing each piece. Gradually, I felt my strength returning, while the Evil Ghost kept growing weaker.
Eat you, eat you...
With a rip, I bit off a large chunk of flesh from the Evil Ghost's neck. Black blood splattered. I chewed, jaws working hard as I twisted his head.
I was growing stronger. The Evil Ghost kept crying out in pain. His blood-red eyes softened, filled with sorrow.
I opened my mouth wide and bit down again.
I don't want to be eaten by you. I don't want to eat you, but...
I roared in anger.
Why can't humans and ghosts coexist?