Die, Replay, Repeat - Chapter 193: Identity Exposed
Ace of Spades looked at King of Spades, confused.
King of Spades had a strange look in his eyes. He respectfully but oddly asked Fang Xiu, “Sir, didn’t Joker discuss this plan with you?”
Fang Xiu knew King of Spades was suspicious of him. He had met the two enough times to understand the two’s personalities.
Ace of Spades was stronger but less smart. He acted impulsively and didn’t think much. King of Spades, on the contrary, was the opposite. He was weaker but smarter, calmer, and more perceptive.
Fang Xiu thought this might be a flaw of the Specterization process, or maybe Ace of Spades was just naturally less intelligent.
Even though he was under suspicion, Fang Xiu remained calm. He said coldly, “We didn’t communicate.”
Hearing this, the suspicion in King of Spades’ eyes grew, and even Ace of Spades noticed something was wrong. It was such a big plan; Fang Xiu, being a big shot in the organization, would surely know about it.
King of Spades continued, “No communication? I thought you went undercover for training at headquarters for this plan. So you had another purpose? By the way, sir, I always forget to ask you this, but… what’s your rank?”
A silver light shot straight at King of Spades’ throat. But he seemed prepared. A white bone grew instantly to block the scalpel.
Fang Xiu wasn’t surprised; King of Spades was never weak. He increased his Spiritual Energy input, making the scalpel glow with a cold light.
It cut through the bone, but King of Spades had already moved away. He was covered in bone armor, looking coldly at Fang Xiu. The attack completely exposed Fang Xiu’s strength, which obviously didn’t match his previous haughty demeanor.
“Who are you really?” King of Spades demanded.
Ace of Spades was instantly furious, shouting, “You dared to deceive me?”
Remembering how he had bowed and scraped, he was both angry and humiliated. A murderous intent began to brew within him.
Ace of Spades attacked in rage. Shadows surged, turning into black spears, attacking Fang Xiu wildly.
Facing such a violent attack, Fang Xiu didn’t speak. He activated the scalpel and the Genesis Mask. Black energy and fire covered him instantly. His silver hair grew, and his eyes turned red.
Seeing the Genesis Mask, Ace and King of Spades were shocked.
“You stole the Chosen One’s Genesis Mask? How could you?” Ace of Spades yelled.
Black flames burst out instantly, and Fang Xiu’s figure vanished in the firelight. He teleported to avoid the countless black spears.
Seconds later, he reappeared right in front of King of Spades.
King of Spades’ expression changed drastically as white bones grew all over his body, making him look like a porcupine.
Fang Xiu kept slashing, cutting down the bones, but King of Spades’ bones regenerated endlessly, making it hard to get close.
With a flash of blood light from the Blood Pupil, King of Spades froze for a moment. Fang Xiu seized the chance, throwing the scalpel straight at his throat.
At that moment, the shadows under King of Spades seemed to come alive, wrapping around him and merging into the surrounding darkness, allowing him to dodge the attack.
Ace of Spades’ assault followed immediately, with black spears filling the entire room.
Seeing this, Fang Xiu activated the Genesis Mask’s power. The black flames on his face exploded, covering him and turning him into a figure clad in black fire. The black spears melted like ice in the black flames.
For a moment, they were at a standstill, the black fire and shadows clashing.
Fang Xiu knew this stalemate was a test of their Spiritual Energy; whoever’s energy ran out first would lose. He didn’t want to waste time in a meaningless standoff, so he charged at Ace of Spades, shrouded in black flames.
Ace of Spades, wary of the Genesis Mask’s fire, melted into the shadows.
Fang Xiu frowned, surprised by their strange abilities. He tried to blast the shadows with black flames, but it was pointless. The shadows seemed endless, constantly regenerating.
The situation reached a deadlock. Fang Xiu couldn’t pinpoint the true positions of Ace and King of Spades, only wasting energy against the shadows.
This shadowy world felt strange, similar to a Specter Zone. He suspected Ace of Spades might not be a third-tier psychic. His strange methods and strength far exceeded third-tier levels.
Even though Fang Xiu couldn’t fully harness the Genesis Mask’s power, he shouldn’t struggle this much against a third-tier opponent. So, there was only one explanation: Ace of Spades was fourth-tier.
_’So that’s the power of a fourth-tier psychic? He can create a space like a Specter Zone?’_
In truth, Fang Xiu hadn’t planned to kill Ace and King of Spades. He had overheard their conversations about the Pokers’ plan and felt they could still be useful. His attack was merely to test his own strength.
Now, Fang Xiu had a clearer judgment.
With the scalpel and the Mask fully activated, he wasn’t invincible among third-tier psychics, but he was certainly among the top ones.
If he wanted a more detailed assessment, he would have to visit the headquarters to see more third-tier psychics. After all, some psychics might have extremely powerful abilities.
As for fourth-tier psychics, he still had to bridge the gap. If creating something like a Specter Zone was exclusive to fourth-tier psychics, then dealing with them would be more challenging than Fang Xiu had imagined.
With this thought, he decided to end this farce. He unleashed all his Spiritual Energy, activating the Genesis Mask without restraint.
A burst of fire shot up, crashing into the shadowy walls.
The shadow wall exploded, creating a large hole that began to heal rapidly. But for Fang Xiu, that was enough. Enveloped in black fire, he vanished and reappeared outside the shadow world.
The furious Ace of Spades wasn’t ready to let Fang Xiu go. Boiling shadows turned into countless black arms, reaching for him.
Fang Xiu calmly glanced at his “wife” outside the shadows and said, “Honey, it’s showtime.”
Yes, he planned to reset the situation. His “wife” instantly became terrifying, exclaiming, “You can see me!”
She transformed, her pale skin cracking like a shattered porcelain doll, and her black hair whipped wildly. From where she stood, the surrounding darkness retreated like it had met its nemesis.
With a loud bang, the shadowy domain shattered, and Ace and King of Spades fell out, looking terrified at Fang Xiu’s wife.
“This is impossible! Just by standing there, she shattered my shadow domain? What kind of monster is that?”
Quickly, Fang Xiu’s “wife” dealt with Ace and King of Spades, as well as Fang Xiu, effortlessly. She killed the three of them instantly, as Fang Xiu had planned.”