Chapter 252: Puppet Paperman

Chapter 252: Chapter 252: Puppet Paperman

Besides those two items, the only other things worth mentioning were a strange paper effigy, a Group Chat Proof, and the axe Rex Shaw had been using.

Seraphina Sinclair examined them one by one, starting with the paper effigy.

The thing was only the size of her palm, crafted from coarse Yellow Paper. The workmanship was crude, and two red dots painted with cinnabar served as its eyes, giving it an indescribably sinister air.

It was cold to the touch, and a faint, dark light shimmered across its surface. No matter how she looked at it, it was clearly not a wholesome item.

[Puppet Paperman (B-level)]

[Description: A sinister paper doll refined with a Secret Technique, containing a sliver of treacherous power that can control a Divine Soul. When a target survivor is in a weakened state (e.g., severely injured, Spiritually weak), place the target’s blood (at least three drops) or a personal item carrying their strong aura onto the paper doll’s heart. Then, chant their true name to forcibly establish a puppet link. Establishing the link takes ten minutes and must not be interrupted. Once the link is successful, the target will gradually lose their self-awareness and become the user’s puppet, obeying all commands absolutely.]

[Note: The Puppet Paperman can only be used once. Once a link is established, it cannot be reversed. If the user dies, the puppet will regain its freedom, but its Divine Soul may suffer permanent damage.]

[Remark: Those who play with the hearts of others will eventually be devoured by them. Use with caution!]

Seraphina Sinclair pinched the sinister paper doll, the icy sensation from her fingertips seeming to pierce straight to her heart.

B-level!

This unassuming paper doll was actually a B-level item, a grade higher than even the Lunar Thunder Rune!

And its effect... As Seraphina Sinclair read the description word for word, a chill quietly crept up her spine.

’When a target survivor is in a weakened state... blood or a personal item... chant their true name... establish a puppet link... lose self-awareness, obey absolutely...’

’So that’s how it was.’

’Rex Shaw had been so hell-bent on teaming up with me not for a share of the rewards, nor because he was interested in my runes. From the very beginning, his target was me, "Blacktiger Ford," as a person!’

’His constant insistence on cooperation, even his willingness to make huge concessions on the rewards, was all to create an opportunity for me to become "weakened." A special region is fraught with danger, and with D-level monsters around, getting injured is practically a given.’

’Besides, even if I hadn’t been injured by a monster, with a teammate as treacherous as Rex Shaw...’

’As soon as I got hurt in there and my condition worsened, Rex Shaw could have seized the opportunity to use this Puppet Paperman, turning me into a walking corpse that only listened to his commands—a perfect puppet with immense combat power but no self-will!’

’At that point, all my runes, my combat skills, everything I had, would have become Rex Shaw’s property.’

’What a deep scheme! What a venomous mind!’

Seraphina Sinclair recalled Rex Shaw’s last words, filled with resentment and confusion: "You... knew." Now, she completely understood.

Until the very end, Rex Shaw thought she had killed him because she had seen through his scheme. He never realized that Seraphina Sinclair had simply acted on intuition and caution, sensing his ill intentions without knowing the specifics.

"Those who play with the hearts of others will eventually be devoured by them." Seraphina Sinclair murmured the paper doll’s remark, a cold smile touching her lips. "Rex Shaw, you certainly embodied that phrase perfectly."

The Puppet Paperman’s effect was terrifyingly powerful, but its activation requirements were also extremely strict, needing the target to be weakened and requiring a full ten minutes.

This was precisely why Rex Shaw had to find a way to team up with her, to create a relatively "safe" environment where she could still get injured.

Seraphina Sinclair carefully put away the sinister paper doll. Although the item was malevolent, it was a B-level tool after all. In certain extreme situations, it might have a miraculous effect.

After dealing with the paper doll, she looked at the other two items.

The [Group Chat Proof]’s effect was the same as before, so she put it away for now.

Finally, there was Rex Shaw’s ridiculously oversized great axe.

[Fury War Axe of the Berserker (E+)]

[Description: A heavy and vicious weapon! The axe head is thick and heavy, its edge glowing with an ominous, dark red light. The rough handle is wrapped in tough, non-slip leather. When held, you can feel a violent power pulsating within. Overwhelmingly powerful, utterly devastating! Wielding the axe automatically triggers a war cry effect, slightly increasing the user’s intimidating presence and adding 9 points of Strength, while also drastically reducing the user’s movement Speed!]

Seraphina Sinclair stared at the nine points of Strength and clicked her tongue. Her longsword was E-level and only added seven points.

No wonder Rex Shaw had tossed the axe aside to flee. The Strength had come at the cost of Speed.

The weapon’s pros and cons were exceptionally clear, but it didn’t suit Seraphina Sinclair’s fighting style. She followed a path that combined agility with runes, and this kind of heavy weapon would only hinder her Speed.

Still, it was better to keep it. The nine-point Strength bonus might have an unexpected use at a critical moment.

Seraphina Sinclair tossed it into her storage space and paid it no more mind.

With that, the inventory of Rex Shaw’s legacy was complete.

The haul far exceeded her expectations: one E-level special region entry ticket, one C-level Lunar Thunder Rune, one B-level Puppet Paperman, twenty-three Arena Proofs, plus a large amount of supplies and 6,234 Black Fog Coins.

The greatest hidden danger had been eliminated, and she had even made a windfall.

Moreover, she had also recovered the Immunity Crystals she traded away. Besides the one she sold to Rex Shaw, there were also a few he had gotten from killing monsters himself. With a total of four Immunity Crystals, she could exchange them for more money in the regional channel.

Seraphina Sinclair was in a good mood. Her gaze fell once more upon the entry ticket.

The guidance from the Moonlight Jellyfish’s Blessing was still clear.

’An E-level region, with D-level monsters at most...’ she mused. ’Exploring alone is still risky, but with the Lunar Thunder Rune as my trump card, plus the D-level Talismans I’ve made, it’s not impossible to give it a try.’

’My immediate priority is to boost my current combat power. I need to draw more runes.’

’And then there’s the Sunflower...’

Seraphina Sinclair turned to look at the energetic Sunflower beside her. Its Hunger Level for the day hadn’t been depleted yet, so of course it was full of spirit.

But as Seraphina Sinclair looked at it, she found it more and more displeasing to the eye.

She immediately crafted a few more Black Fog Lamps and placed them on the windowsill before finally opening the regional channel to take a look.

Just like the group chat, the place had already exploded with activity.

"Holy shit! Rex Shaw is really gone?! I watched his profile picture go gray!"

"Master Blacktiger is a badass!! @Blacktiger Ford, say something, Master!"

"Wait, it’s over already? I thought the fight would last longer. Rex Shaw looked pretty fierce, how’d he go down so easily?"

"To the guy above, you think you can do better? Rex Shaw was one of the top dogs in our region, you know. For Master Blacktiger to finish him off so quickly, can you imagine how terrifyingly strong he must be?"

"@Blacktiger Ford, Master, hey Master, was there anything good in Rex Shaw’s loot? Share some details, would ya?"