Chapter 527 - 213: Garbage Authority, Blind Eyes

At the same time, he realized that his previous speculation was partly wrong—the advancement method for Enhanced Mages of the Blood Spirit School probably wasn’t source fusion.

Wizards have a long and storied history, so he believed the Blood Spirit School must have a more suitable advancement method for Wizards specializing in their flesh enhancement system.

’Hmm... Elemental Mages and Mechanical Puppet Wizards should have their own as well...’

Wei’en looked at the words he had just written on the parchment and speculated with a hint of malice, "Perhaps the old ghosts from long ago who studied other systems were also thinking they could borrow from the methods of other schools when it was time for their own advancement."

’Yeah, that’s probably it!’

If they weren’t confident in the advancement method they had already learned, then seeking out and learning from the methods of other schools was the best option.

He then put away the parchment while considering the application he would submit to the School.

’It would be best if the School has advancement methods for Elemental or flesh-enhancement systems. If not, I’ll have to find a way to get in touch with those schools...’

"Tsk, I’m finally starting to feel like a real Ghost Soul School Wizard..."

Wei’en patted his head, temporarily clearing these thoughts away. He still had a long way to go before advancing to the Legendary rank, so there was no particular rush.

Besides, and more importantly, he still hadn’t figured out how to unlock his innate talent.

This was just as high a priority as the advancement method!

Thinking of this, Wei’en took out the card and activated the triangular box. He placed the gold pounds and the Aberration-Suppressing Potion inside, deciding to complete the Nightmare Realm World transaction first.

Soon, the triangular box stirred. A Nightmare Worm spat out a ring and then quickly retracted into the box, as if it were rushing to the next contract.

Wei’en picked up the ring and examined it. ’A Space Ring?’

He extended his Spiritual Power into the space within the ring and "saw" a creature curled up inside, one that looked very similar to a Nightmare Worm.

"Uh, you couldn’t say similar, they’re exactly the same!"

Wei’en resisted the overwhelming urge to roast the Nightmare Sect, taking the creature out and examining it in his hand.

On its round head, there was only a mouth covered in fine scales and a single closed eye, as if it were asleep. Below its head were six soft tentacles, curled up beneath it.

To Wei’en, who was accustomed to seeing mutated species and ugly Abyssal Creatures, it actually seemed a little... cute?

But one thing was certain: this was a Nightmare Worm!

It had just been given a new duty and mission by the Nightmare Sect—a Messenger!

"How am I supposed to use this?"

Wei’en thought for a few seconds, then condensed a layer of Spiritual Power and poked the Messenger on the head. "Wakey wakey, time to get to work."

As expected.

Under this stimulation, the Nightmare Worm opened its eye, and his reflection appeared in its pupil.

Hm?

Before Wei’en could react, an illusory ray of light shot out from the worm’s eye and into his own.

"By the decree of the great Nightmare Sovereign, Anastasi, the one before me shall be recognized as the symbiotic Contractor..."

[You have received the blessing of the Nightmare Sovereign Anastasi. You have signed a symbiotic contract with the Nightmare Worm. Evaluation: Hmm, couldn’t you have taken in something better than this piece of trash? Are you a garbage dump? Special Rewards: Survival Points +3, Spirit Level +1, Resilience Level +1.]

[You have learned the name of the Nightmare Sovereign Anastasi. Anastasi’s Awakening Progress +1. Current Progress: 32,134/??? Evaluation: A lazy slob who just likes to lie around in the Dream Realm eating filth... Special Reward: Source +1.]

Wei’en: "..."

’This thing actually comes with its own master-binding contract?’

However, he looked at the prompts on the panel and stroked his chin thoughtfully.

’Contract, Nightmare Sovereign, slumbering, awakening progress...’

’Could those people from the Nightmare Sect be planning what I think they’re planning?’

’Are they trying to use this Messenger business to make more people aware of the name of the Nightmare Sovereign Anastasi, thereby hastening Her awakening?’

If that’s the case, then it seems the Nightmare Sect isn’t just doing good deeds out of the kindness of their hearts. They’re quietly building up their power and plotting something big.

Wei’en silently filed this discovery away, planning to find a chance to test his theory later.

As the phantom image faded, the Nightmare Worm stood up on several of its tentacles, propping up its enormous head. It then scurried from his palm, up his arm, and onto his shoulder, its mouth slightly open. "HISS HISS HISS..."

’Hm? Is it intelligent?’

Thanks to the symbiotic contract, Wei’en clearly understood the meaning behind its hisses.

Simply put, it was hungry.

"...What do you eat?"

"HISS HISS."

Wei’en raised an eyebrow. "You eat the emotion of fear? How does one eat fear?"

"HISS HISS HISS." (Food, hit, fear.)

"Uh, I think that’s going to be very difficult for you."

Through the symbiotic contract, Wei’en knew that this Nightmare Worm was incredibly weak. Forget an Extraordinary, it wasn’t even as strong as a normal person.

However, it possessed one very unique ability: it could freely enter and exit the Nightmare Realm to evade enemy attacks.

"HISS HISS..."

"I get it. It’s the same if *I’m* the one doing the hitting, right?"

Wei’en grimaced. Great, now there was another mouth to feed at home, and a particularly picky one at that.

He thought for a moment and decided to let the little guy go hungry for now.

"Food won’t be a problem, but you’ll have to wait. Right now, there’s something I need you to help me with."

"Hisss..."

The Nightmare Worm’s tentacles drooped, and it flopped limply onto his shoulder, as if devastated by hunger.

Exasperated, Wei’en placed it on the workbench. He picked up a nearby quill and gestured "menacingly" at it a few times. "No work, no food. Or would you prefer I dissect you for research?"

"HIIISSS—" (No)

The Nightmare Worm scrambled back up, slapping its head repeatedly with one tentacle as if to assure Wei’en. "HISS HISS HISS." (Leave it to me.)

"It had better be..."

PS: Sorry, I forgot to write the Chapter title. I’ll ask my editor to fix it tomorrow.