Chapter 220: Soul Hook
As soon as Klaus re-entered his soul sea, he was greeted by the sight of a terrifying red eye with red runes spinning around it. The moment his gaze met the red eye, his vision blurred for a few moments before he regained clarity.
"What the fuck was that?" Klaus muttered, shaking his head.
"Seriously, why can't anything in my soul sea show some care and gentleness when they're trying to bless me with something?" Although he complained, a small smile tugged at his lips.
The blackout he had just experienced wasn't a bad thing—in fact, it was good. He had received a technique from the red eye, and judging by its nature, it was exactly what he desperately needed.
During the battle with the zombies, Klaus used the Eye of Despair along with his Eye of Malevolence to launch a soul attack that killed a Zombie Prince.
But it wasn't all sunshine and rainbows. The attack was powerful, but he paid a steep price for it. The severe headache and soul strain were the consequences he had to endure for using the Eye.
The senior had already warned him not to use the Eye of Malevolence in that way until he reached the level of a Saint. Despite his vast soul sea, he still wasn't strong enough to handle powerful soul attacks through his eye.
The strain would be too much for him, and Klaus knew that. But in such a terrifying battle, where the odds were against him, he couldn't just sit back and not put everything on the line. He had to push hard, and luckily, he managed to win this time.
However, Klaus knew he wouldn't make the same mistake again. Using the Eye of Malevolence like that was reckless. Now, he needed to prioritize, and the Eye of Malevolence had given him a new path forward. He no longer had to rely on the Eye of Despair every time he wanted to launch a soul attack with his Eye of Malevolence.
Aside from being able to see all around him without even opening his eyes, he now had a way to deliver a soul attack that would benefit him in the long run. Yes, he had received a technique, but it wasn't what most would think.
The Soul Gaze ability of the Eye of Despair allowed him to deliver a devastating attack instantly upon locking eyes with a target. However, the new technique, called Soul Hook, was different—its name said it all.
All Klaus had to do was use it. Once it landed on the target, it would create a hook that connected his soul to theirs in a one-way link. This link had a single purpose: to steal the soul strength of the target and add it to his own.
Of course, it was temporary, but it was exactly what he needed right now. By linking another soul to his, Klaus could strengthen his own soul, which in turn would allow him to use Soul Gaze without suffering as much backlash.
Additionally, this would let him use the Void Piercing Needle more effectively, as his soul would be charged with another's energy. As long as he maintained the connection—or multiple connections—within a 60km radius, he wouldn't run out of soul strength.
This also meant he could now see everything within that 60km range. However, Klaus usually limited himself to using a 4km radius when activating his skills, because within that range, his abilities had their maximum effect.
The Bell of Harrows delivers a much stronger attack within that 4km radius, the Eye of Despair worked the same way, and although he could now control the Void Piercing Needle within a 20km range (up from the previous 10km), he still preferred the 4km range. At that distance, even the strongest targets would have difficulty dodging his Needle.
But aside from using the Soul Hook to steal soul strength, Klaus could also use it to empower others. But he wasn't naive enough to believe he should just give away his soul power to help others. He would rather steal their strength and end the battle before risking both their lives.
With the new upgrades, he could now see through illusions as if they weren't there. No one could charm him anymore—at least, no one he had already laid eyes on. Cynthia Ross had the strongest effect when it came to charming him, but with this upgrade, he could resist all forms of charm.
Previously, without turning his eyes red, his control over the Eye of Malevolence was limited. Now, however, he could use it more effectively without needing to turn his golden eyes red.
Of course, in combat, he would still use the red version since it allowed him to track his target's movements much better.
Klaus also noticed that he could now see people's intentions to some extent. While he could already sense someone's intentions by paying attention to their aura, with the Eye of Malevolence, he could now get a glimpse of their thoughts just by locking eyes with them.
This will allow him to see to some extent, a person's darkest intention toward him. Of course, he would rather not in other to kill them with no record of their intentions which in tend would delete all forms of guilt, but Klaus knew he had to be careful.
This would require greater soul strength, but he knew he could do it. He wouldn't always use this ability since it might make him look like a creep, but in situations where trust was needed, he could study people without them realizing what he was doing. Discover exclusive tales on m,v l'e|m-p| y r
The most important change, though, was his growth as a Spirit Master. During the battle in the Demon's Abode, Klaus had used his Soul and Mind control over weapons multiple times to change their trajectory or slow them down.
He maintained a connection with the weapons throughout the battle, but his control was limited. He couldn't fully influence weapons held by others—like stopping them from being used or destroying them.
He still didn't have the strength to destroy such weapons, but now, his control over changing their direction had improved. He could alter the trajectory of a weapon and even slow it down to reduce its impact.
In the final moments of his battle with the Blood Queen, when he was caught in her trap, her sword was aimed at his heart. At the last second, Klaus used every ounce of his soul and mental strength to change the sword's path. Although it was a small adjustment, it missed his heart by a fraction, only cutting a small part of it.
If it weren't for that last-minute advantage, he would have died. However, with this new advantage and control over weapons, he could now prevent accidentally falling into traps.
As a Weapons Overlord, he is very sensitive to weapons. Whenever a weapon is drawn, he immediately notices which one is more dangerous to him. It's even better than tracking someone's movements. All he has to do is be within the 10 km, and if a weapon is drawn nearby, he will sense it.
He doesn't know much about his Weapons Overlord class since it didn't come with a manual. But he knew he would soon see its effects as he grew stronger.
This aspect of his class is overpowered. Klaus understands that as he gets stronger, his control over weapons will also improve. He can't help but imagine how cool it would be to kill people with the weapons they are holding.
"Now, that is something to look forward to," he muttered before turning to the last thing that appeared in his soul sea.
"Senior, what is that?" Klaus asked, looking at a red mark or more like a rune large enough to fill an entire bus, exuding a bloodthirsty aura. Just looking at it made Klaus want to run off from his own soul sea. The rune is red and all around it, a red arcane form of energy keeps swirling around it.
That portion of his soul looks like a slaughterhouse, exuding a very potent bloodthirsty aura that Klaus just couldn't handle lightly.
The senior voice echoed as he replied
"That is a seal... it's the Seal of Slaughter."