Chapter 164: One Body, Two Spirits! Doomsday Game Rules!
The sheer force of the mental shockwave and the overwhelming tide of spiritual pressure left the revenant girl with no capacity to resist. Almost instinctively, she fell to her knees, despite her ethereal form making this movement in mid-air look strange and unnatural. Yet, no matter how odd it seemed, she had succumbed completely to the power before her.
Novak, observing this, was more than satisfied with the result.
Telekinesis was proving to be one of the most versatile and potent abilities among spiritual professions. As his vision cleared, the familiar feedback from his talent tree resonated once again in his mind:
[T-Virus – Strengthening Activated: Strength +30, Agility +30, Constitution +30, Spirit +80. Gained abilities: Mind Control, Mind Impact, Mind Shield!]
The effect of the T-Virus enhancement was truly remarkable. The sheer boost in spiritual power and telekinesis alone made his investment of evolution points more than worth it.
At that moment, Spirit, which had been Novak's weakest attribute, surged to become his strongest by far. He took a final glance at his attributes and abilities, satisfied with the result:
[Novak Yie (Forerunner) (Zombie Slayer)]
- Evolutionary Number: 001
- Talent: Virus King (SSS)
- Level: 10 (7500/150k)
- Strength: 255 (+12)
- Agility: 268 (+13)
- Constitution: 252 (+12)
- Spirit: 298 (+15)
- Charm: ???
- Luck: ???
- Gold Coins: 8605 gold coins, 3 silver coins, 92 copper coins
- Skills:
- Cell Rebirth (A-level passive)
- Hellfire Burning (A-level skill)
- Exploding Fireball (C-level skill)
- Spiritual Perception (D-level skill)
- Talent Skills:
- Influenza ("Black Light Virus" Abbreviated) Virus System: Mind Control, Mind Impact, Mind Shield
This newfound power gave Novak an indescribable sense of strength. His mind felt sharper, clearer, and his control over his own body became more precise and transparent.
With his enhanced Spiritual Perception, Novak's gaze shifted to the soul girl before him, and her data appeared vividly before his eyes:
[Yuzuru Yamai]
- Evolutionary Number: ...
- Talent: One Body, Two Spirits – Evil Spirit (S-level)
- Level: 2 (50/1000)
- Strength: 6
- Agility: 8
- Constitution: 1
- Spirit: 15
- Charm: ???
- Luck: ???
- Gold Coins: 6 copper coins
- Innate Abilities: Wraith Impact, Yin Absorption
So she 'was' an evolutionary.
Novak narrowed his eyes, intrigued by her talent.
[One Body, Two Spirits – Evil Spirit]: An abstract yet concrete representation of duality. Good and evil exist as one. The existence of good inevitably gives birth to evil, and evil nourishes the emergence of good. As long as one spirit survives, even if the other perishes, it can be revived. Both spirits share experience, levels, and skills!
"Interesting," Novak thought as his pupils shrank slightly.
The expanded spiritual vision, fueled by Novak's heightened mental power, allowed him to see the second revenant girl, cautiously lurking behind the door. She was identical to the one in front of him, the very same Yuzuru who was now trembling under his mental grip.
"What does this talent really entail?" Novak pondered.
Generally, S-level talents come with a talent tree that helps evolve their innate abilities. But this pair of soul-bound girls had the most peculiar talent he had ever encountered. His attention shifted to the wary figure still behind the door, confirming his suspicion:
[Kaguya Yamai]
- Evolutionary Number...
- Talent: One Body, Two Souls – Good Spirit (S-level)
The implications of this talent were fascinating. Essentially, as long as one of them survived, the other could be resurrected—even after death. And any experience or skills acquired by one would be automatically shared with the other.
"This talent... Interesting," Novak mused.
Previously, his interest in these two had been mostly driven by the novelty of their undead nature. But now, with his recent boost in power, the desire to possess them has intensified.
But this time, it was more than just curiosity. He was truly captivated by this unique pair.
He shifted his focus to Yuzuru, still trembling and kneeling in front of him. She seemed utterly bewildered now that the spiritual storm had dissipated. Yet, there was no longer any lingering malice or resentment in her aura, which pleased Novak.
As he took a step closer, the girl seemed to finally come to her senses, looking up at him with fear evident in her wide eyes. Novak's lips curled into a smile:
"Don't be afraid. Just listen to me, and I won't hurt either of you," he assured her in a calming tone.
Yuzuru remained silent, but the other girl, Kaguya, timidly floated forward from behind the door.
"Uncle... please don't hurt Yuzuru... don't hurt her..."
A visible black line appeared on Novak's forehead, his irritation creeping in. His mental age might be far beyond his physical years, but being called "uncle" by these girls—who appeared no older than sixteen to eighteen—was pushing it.
The "good" spirit, it seemed, wasn't the brightest of the pair.
Suppressing his annoyance, Novak's brows twitched, but he kept his voice steady.
"Enough with the nonsense. From now on, both of you will follow me. As long as you obey, I'll protect you. And you'll get stronger, step by step," he declared firmly.
In this doomsday world, there was no time for sentimental attachment or cultivating emotional bonds. This was not a story of pure love; survival was the only priority.
As for betrayal or deceit? Novak had never placed his complete trust in anyone—not even the women who followed him, like Daphne. In this apocalyptic landscape, human nature was unpredictable, and often, the worst. People would betray their closest allies for a better weapon, skill book, or even just the prospect of gaining power.
Given that, what point was there in wasting time building emotional ties?
The rule was simple: if those he brought under his command ever betrayed him, it would be his own fault. A failure of his strength, his control. Not theirs.
Blaming others for treachery was futile. In the game of survival, strength and control were all that mattered.