Chapter 875 Downfall



Fading darkness.

With light already shining, the slithering shadows receded. They coiled back, their fates undecided.

In that moment, hope was lit anew. The onlookers were brought relief, and it seemed they could finally rest in their achievement.

However, this sweet delusion only lasted for a brief moment.

"Haaaa… hahaha…. ahahahaha…"

The malevolent cackle of the monster they all feared echoed in the air, bringing the hopeful fools back to their senses. The battle wasn't over.

Not yet.

"That hurt, you know?"

Dark purple mist hissed from Merlin's body as he once again appeared. It seemed a good chunk of his lower body was missing, but it was being estored in no time.

The dark clouds returned, and the situation reverted to how it was before their assumed victory.

Nothing had changed.

"I take it back. You're a pretty good team. I underestimated your power."

Merlin's body was now completely restored, and it seemed like he never got scathed in the slightest. The sight was both baffling and terrifying.

"However, that makes you that more dangerous. I should take things a little more seriously."

Stretching his hand out, Merlin closed his eyes and whispered.

"[Dark Summon: Wraith]."

At that moment, a terrifying screech pierced the air, and a malformed entity was birthed from the darkness.

It had a ghost-like body—transparent and floaty. It aso had pale skin, accompanied with sharp claws and monstrous jaws.

A monster—that was what best described the being.

"An incorporeal entity even more dangerous than a Spectre. Your attacks won't work on it, and it'll drain your life force. Using this, I won't need to do the dirty work myself, and I'll be able to watch you all suffer." Another twisted grin formed on his face.

However, this grin was cut short by the appearance of someone he wasn't expecting.

The footsteps of the lady that emerged seemingly out of nowhere caught the attention of both the exhausted Outers and the almighty Merlin.

The latter's face contorted to express downright shock.

"How unexpected. What are you doing here?"

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Jane Ursula had woken from her slumber a few moments earlier, and she witnessed the desperate attempts of the Outgroup in stopping Merlin.

They ended up failing, obviously.

She thought of them as foolish. Why would they undertake a task that they knew would most likely not guarantee them any success? It really boggled the mind, didn't it?

In any case, after watching for long enough, she couldn't hold it in any longer.

And that was what led to this moment—Jane Ursula standing before both the Outers and Merlin.

"You should really take your disgusting ghost claws off my Jared's body." Jane declared, her hand on her hip as she spoke.

Despite the immense aura of malevolence that poured from Merlin, she didn't seem too fazed. Her eyes showed nothing but confidence with every syllable she uttered.

"Jane, it seems you really had a few screws loosened from your head when you got knocked out. Is that why you no longer feel fear?" Merlin replied, still stuck between surprise and amusement.

"I suppose this is a good thing. I get to achieve both of my goals quicker than I thought. Kill the Outers and obtain Jane. Both are within my sight."

Jane didn't budge despite his bone-chilling statement.

"Why did you betray Jared? He was really going to do it, you know? He was going to revive you." Her voice was calm, but stern.

"Why wouldn't I? We both desired unlimited power. We both desired to rule everything. He stood in the way of that, so I got rid of him. Wouldn't Jared have done the same?"

"So, all this time, you've been manipulating him and using him for your purposes?" Jane further asked.

"You get the picture. As always, you're sharp."

"Hmmm…" Jane placed a finger on her glossed lips. Before anyone realized it, they curlped upwards.

"Pfft… just as he suspected."

"What?"

"Pfft… haha… hahahaha… hahahahahaha!" Jane culdn't stop laughing at this point. Despite the people looking at her, she didn't shy away from cackli ng as much as her heart desired.

"Why are you laughing? What's so amusing to you?"

"Ah, nothing really. It's just… haha… Jared already realized this would happen." Jane spoke, still recoiling from the humor only she felt.

"He… did?" Merlin's face twisted in disbelief.

Why?

If Jared really suspected him, he would never have danced along and fallen so easily for his trap.

But Jane didn't seem to be joking. Despite her laughs, her words felt totally real.

"Why would he…?" Merlin's eyes widened slightly, and his lips twitched the moment he stared at Jane one more time.

She had a device on her hand.

The answers suddenly began manifesting in Merlin's head as he considered the most probable reason Jared would allow himself to be taken over.

"No…"

"Yes, you bastard." The device in her grasp was a simple switch, but it was far more complex than anyone would expect.

"Wraith, stop her!"

"Too late. The switch has already been flipped." Jane smiled. "I was just stalling for time."

The Wraith didn't move an inch from its position, and neither could Merlin. He looked at his body, and found it to be different from the one he had just earlier.

It was wrinkled and completely emaciated. Worst of all…

"N-no way!"

… It was incorporeal.

Merlin had reverted to his state as a ghost.

"I have to thank you, Merlin." The deep voice that should have belonged to him rang from the body that should have been his.

However, it seemed someone else was in control.

"Thanks to you taking over my body, I was able to build an even stronger capacity for Dark Energy. I was also able to absorb your memories. I now have access to all the knowledge you chose to withold from me…"

It was Merlin's body and voice, but it was already clear who was speaking.

"J-Jared…?" Merlin's voice stuttered as he witnessed the malevolent smile he displayed.

Upon hearing the name, his face only showed more satisfaction.

"In the flesh."

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[A/N]

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