Die, Replay, Repeat

Chapter 225: Specter Gate

No matter how strong a psychic's mental power was, it could not affect reality without the help of Specter power.

At this moment, Yan Changshou asked, "Do you know why the position of Chief Captain at headquarters has been vacant? Because they're waiting to see who breaks through to the fifth tier first! Whoever becomes a fifth-tier psychic first will definitely get the Chief Captain position."

He added a few more words, not wanting Fang Xiu to underestimate him, "If anyone is going to be the world's first fifth-tier psychic, it'll definitely be me. The only reason I'm still at fourth-tier is because, fourth-tier is now the limit that this world can accommodate. If I could stay in human form for more than an hour each day, I wouldn't have to use these tricks to get the Chief Captain position; it would be a breeze for me."

Fang Xiu didn't want to hear Yan Changshou bragging anymore, so he quickly asked, "You mentioned releasing pre-prepared Specters and that the Pokers would take advantage of the chaos. Have they already infiltrated headquarters?"

This question made Yan Changshou a little wary. He didn't answer directly and instead said, "That's not something you need to worry about. Just focus on your part. It's time for you to head back to the hotel. If you stay in the interrogation room too long, it'll look suspicious. Also, your double isn't needed anymore; I'll have him revert to his original form. You don't need to worry about being exposed."

Realizing Yan Changshou wouldn't share more, Fang Xiu knew it was time to act. With his blood on the parchment, his life was entirely under Yan Changshou's control. Yan Changshou had also taken his Genesis Mask, so even though there was no immediate danger, Fang Xiu needed to reset the situation.

Fang Xiu stood up slowly. Looking at Yan Changshou calmly, he said, "If you have nothing else to say, you can go ahead and die now."

Yan Changshou seemed taken aback, almost in disbelief. "You're telling me to die?"

Fang Xiu frowned slightly, "Did Specterization make you deaf?"

"Fang Xiu, this joke isn't funny. I don't know if you're losing it or if your Spiritual Energy is acting up, but don't forget, your life is in my hands," Yan Changshou responded coldly.

Fang Xiu shook his head, his tone detached, "Actually, your life has always been in my hands. Come on out."

As he focused his gaze, looking beyond the immediate reality, something incredible happened.

Suddenly, several terrifying Specters appeared out of nowhere. There was one like a lion with human heads, another that looked like a dried-up corpse, and a ghostly shadow figure.

After many encounters with Specters from the Other Side, Fang Xiu had started to understand some patterns. He noticed that the Specters he called were generally more powerful than those in the human world.

It was probably because the Other Side hadn't fully invaded the human world yet, so the more formidable Specters couldn't enter, leaving only the less powerful ones to come through first.

Yan Changshou jumped up, staring at the Specters in shock. "How is this even possible? You can summon Specters directly from the Other Side? Is your ability also to control Specters?"

"Also?" Fang Xiu caught on quickly—Yan Changshou could control Specters. That made him quite formidable, as he wasn't fighting alone.

Feeling the powerful energy radiating from the Specters around him, Yan Changshou's face turned serious. He realized he'd been tricked.

The fact that Fang Xiu could summon Specters from the Other Side meant he wasn't just a second-tier psychic.

Yan Changshou also understood why Fang Xiu wasn't afraid of bleeding on the parchment—his strength made him confident against the curse.

Yan Changshou didn't hesitate any longer. He slammed his hands on the ground. "Specter Gate!"

With a loud crack, the ground behind him split open, and the floor shook violently, like an earthquake.

A towering, ominous black gate covered in engravings of fierce Specter creatures rose slowly. It exuded an overwhelming sense of dread.

With a loud boom, the Specter Gate swung open, releasing a terrifying Specter enegy.

Swarms of Snakeworms poured out like a plague, quickly filling the space. But the Snakeworms were just the beginning.

Next came a humanoid Specter wreathed in a creepy green flame, a malformed Specter with three heads and mantis-like blade arms, a giant blue Specter with fangs, and more...

This scene thrilled Fang Xiu. For someone who could absorb Specter powers, Yan Changshou was a goldmine of Specters.

Finally, the grand finale approached.

The Specter Gate began to tremble and twist under some immense force. A terrifying aura filled the area even before the Specter appeared.

Just as Fang Xiu eagerly awaited its emergence, intense pain hit him.

He looked down to see the ghostly Shadow he'd summoned earlier clinging to him.

It had a powerful Specter energy, and as it latched on, Fang Xiu felt himself becoming insubstantial, starting to fade.

He tried to absorb the pain and recover, but it was useless.

After all, he was still just a second-tier psychic, and no matter how special his abilities were, they needed a solid foundation.

So, Fang Xiu began to die slowly.

Yan Changshou was stunned, his eyes nearly popping out. He struggled to keep the Specter Gate open, but in his shock, he accidentally closed it.

He couldn't understand—how could the summoned creature attack its master? Was Fang Xiu being consumed by his own power? But if Fang Xiu could summon Specters from the Other Side, he had to be powerful. Could he really be defeated so easily?

As Fang Xiu's life ebbed away, everything around him faded to darkness, and the fabric of time and space began to shatter.