’Looks like I have become an Undead...’
Rey had a wry smile as he looked at his pale skin, sensing a numb sensation course through his entire body.
He quickly realized many peculiarities about his new form after a few seconds of careful analysis and exploration.
This new body of his felt no true sensation or erratic emotions.
No hunger.
No pain.
No fear.
It was as if his entire body was wrapped in a thin sheet that separated him from these things, giving him a nearly disconnected feeling that made him desensitized.
Not just that, but he had recovered from all his injuries and he could also sense recovery properties coursing through his new body.
In essence, he could now regenerate.
Just like a true undead.
’The Hollow Technique worked. Not just that, but the loophole I took advantage of actually functioned as I had hoped.’ Rey couldn’t help but beam with delight.
’It’s a good thing I opted for Delayed Activation. If I had activated it right then and there, I could have become an undead in front of everyone.’
Nevertheless, everything worked out well.
He had done it.
Rey had officially become a Soulless.
’Sequence 6 of the Hollow Technique transforms its target into an undying entity, but it consumes the Soul as a result, hence the name Soulless.’
This meant that whoever was turned into a Soulless would no longer have their personality intact and would simply become a vestige of their former self in exchange for an undying body and great power.
Practically speaking, any user of the Hollow Technique wouldn’t use this on themselves.
Instead, they would use it on others.
This would allow them to have an undying servant who no longer had a personality. They could then control said servant as a slave.
But Rey did not use Sequence 6 like this.
No...
He actually turned himself into a Soulless.
But, unlike others, his core identity was preserved.
Why?
Since Rey had two Souls, the one that got consumed was the second one.
He remained himself.
Yet he gained all the perks of becoming a Soulless. An endless pool of stamina, an improved physique that gave him advanced strength, speed, and heightened senses.
Lack of hunger, pain, fear, and other limitations that impeded efficiency in a normal, living body.
He had greatly benefitted from this transformation.
’This was a last-ditch plan that I wasn’t sure would work. Not only had I not fully mastered this Sequence, but I wasn’t certain the loophole would take effect. It’s a relief everything went according to plan.’
For the first time in a while, Rey felt lucky.
But—
’It’s too early to celebrate.’
—This new opportunity did not come without its drawbacks.
’Now that I am undead, my body has been altered to the point of no return. I will surely stand out among everyone else, an abomination that must be exterminated or controlled.’
This was only the beginning.
’My body is currently filled with Chaos Energy, and it will continually erode all other Imprints or Energy within my body until there is nothing left but Chaos.’
This would not be a worry for normal people who simply enslaved another through this Technique.
After all, Hollow Technique was a Chaos Art, and thus wouldn’t be eroded by the abundant Chaos energy within the body. Plus, since the Soulless no longer possessed a Soul and its body was now filled with Chaos, it was already an ideal entity.
Rey, however, was not a normal Soulless.
He still had his soul.
... For now.
’As time passes, the Chaos energy will surely infect my Soul and completely erode it until everything is filled with Chaos.’
The only silver lining was that the Chaos Energy within him had some benefits.
It had thankfully removed all other foreign Imprints on his body, including the Curse Imprint of his former master, Augustus, as well as Logan.
Rey had finally achieved what he wanted all this time—he was free.
But...
’I am neither alive nor dead. I cannot improve my Ether Core. My progression has also stopped, since only living people can grow and change.’
He was stuck like this.
This was also likely why he could regenerate.
His new body had to retain its shape, which meant his injured state would always try to revert to the form he used to have before the injury, hence giving off the illusion of regeneration.
It was merely stagnation.
’I can’t really complain, though. I was able to preserve my life and personality thanks to this technique. Although I will certainly become a public enemy with this new identity, and if I do not change myself within due time, I will lose my true self, I have managed to survive yet again.’
To Rey, that was all that mattered.
He was not yet dead.
That meant he had a chance to turn the tables and achieve his goals.
It wouldn’t be easy, of course.
Now that his ties with the Desgarron Family were gone, he had officially lost his accumulated wealth, connection, and the protection that they offered him.
With no allies to call his own, he was at his most vulnerable.
But... Rey did not feel dejected.
In fact, he was excited.
’The Chaos Energy in my body will surely amplify all the Techniques I currently possess, since all of them belong to the Chaos Art. I am also a lot stronger and more durable than before. Most importantly, no one thinks I am alive. This gives me a lot to work with.’
It hadn’t even been five minutes since he was revived, but Rey quickly began to scheme.
’First, I have to get out of here...’
He was able to easily escape the unguarded room by using Inverse Technique to unlock the bolted doors and walk outside.
He also stole a few garments lying around and covered himself with a thick black cloak.
With his identity hidden, he navigated the corridors of the Coliseum and found a back entrance available to staff members.
Security was so lax within this place, and the ones that were active didn’t react to him.
’It must be because I am not a living entity.’
Rey chuckled silently, finding yet another advantage of his current self.
Most security measures were designed to target living creatures. Even observation methods had the same limitations—especially among low Sequences or common Artifacts.
Only special abilities had a more widespread application.
Thus, Rey could consider himself largely invisible and undetectable by normal means.
This was how he was able to walk into the streets without obstacles, finally stepping into the world on his own.
As a free man!
’Oh? There are many people gathered here. Looks like the Annual Coliseum Festival is over. I wonder who won...’
Rey decided to join the large crowd that dispersed from the Coliseum without drawing any attention to himself.
By blending in with them, he listened to their comments and was able to glean some information.
It turned out the winner of the contest was a new contestant—a dark horse making her debut.
Her name was Golden Silkworm.
Although Rey found it strange that the House didn’t win this time around, a part of him considered the likelihood of this being part of the Duke’s scheme.
Even at that, he quickly set those thoughts aside.
’I can’t be too focused on that right now.’ He sighed in admittance. ’I have to worry about my own predicament.’
He walked into the dark streets, not stopping for even a second.
’Now that things have turned out this way, I have to find the quickest way to get my footing. Starting from scratch to accumulate resources will be too slow. I need something more efficient.’
Dark thoughts swirled in his mind.
’First, I should do something about my identity. I need allies or subordinates, preferably the latter. My individual strength is still insufficient, so outsourcing is preferable...’
His eyes shone with cruel light.
’Hehehe! Just you wait, all of you! I haven’t forgotten a single thing.’
Even when laughter and cries echoed all around him, and he found himself surrounded by desolate streets and unfamiliar alleys, he continued moving forward.
Rey did not stop for anyone or anything.
Because he knew...
... His moment of opportunity...
... Was finally close!
[A/N: New Character Arts are in the book’s profile. You can check them out and vote for your favorite characters.]