NOVPUBThe Clown swiftly retreated, attempting to dodge.
However, a crimson gleam flashed, activating the Enchanted Eye.
For an instant, the Clown’s movements stiffened. Seizing this window of opportunity, Daniel acted swiftly.
With ferocity, three needle-like bone spikes shot from behind, aiming straight for the Clown’s neck.
Yet, just then, shadows bubbled and frothed at the Clown’s feet.
Rising up, they enveloped him entirely, effectively parrying Daniel’s assault.
The chasm between a level 3 Evolver and a level 4 Evolver wasn’t something easily bridged.
The Clown’s onslaught was relentless.
Every shadow bullet struck Daniel with unerring precision.
The Devouring Maw couldn’t swallow all the attacks flawlessly.
Injuries marked Daniel’s body, and although healing energy mended them almost immediately, he was undeniably at a disadvantage.
Seeing this, Daniel summoned the eerie energy within, tearing open another rift on his left hand.
The Behemoth Maw manifested!
With a sound akin to the universe being cleaved in two, a monstrous roar reverberated, deafening all.
Even a mirage of the Behemoth materialized, entirely enveloping Daniel.
It was as if he and the Behemoth were one and the same.
The air thickened with the eerie presence of the creature, as if a gargantuan monster was on the cusp of emerging into the world.
The Clown’s eyes widened in shock.
"Behemoth?!" he exclaimed, disbelief flooding his gaze. "You are... the Behemoth?"
Quickly, realization dawned on him. "No! You’ve truly obtained the Behemoth Maw!"
The shadow attacks upon Daniel were like droplets hitting a red-hot iron. They hissed upon contact, evaporating in an instant.
For a moment, the situation reached a deadlock.
The contest shifted from Daniel and Clown to a duel between the Behemoth Maw and shadow powers.
The appearance of the Behemoth Mirage was a result of Daniel depleting his Spiritual Power to its utmost.
He was acutely aware that before long, he would perish from the exhaustion of his Spiritual Power.
Unwilling to squander an opportunity for a redo, he began to advance.
The Behemoth Mirage, with its gaping maw, lunged ravenously towards Clown.
However, Clown, seemingly wary of the Behemoth, transformed into a shadow, melding seamlessly with the surrounding darkness.
This made Daniel slightly furrow his brows.
The shadow powers were indeed peculiar.
He attempted to use the Devouring Maw to tear through and consume the nearby shadows, but new shadows would immediately form, seemingly endless.
A stalemate ensued.
Unable to pinpoint Clown’s exact location, he was merely depleting resources with no clear objective, knowing he couldn’t hold on much longer.
Daniel couldn’t help but ponder.
The shadow powers were exceedingly overpowered, seemingly infinite, making it impossible to locate the true entity.
Unless...
Suddenly, it dawned on him. Clown was a level 4 Evolver.
The engulfing shadow area was likely the hallmark ability of a level 4 Evolver - the Domain.
With his current strength and arsenal, battling a level 4 Evolver without the use of Domain Power shouldn’t be this challenging.
Hence, this must be the power of the Domain. The Dark Domain.
Curiously, Daniel observed his surroundings.
This was an ability beyond his scope of power.
Immersed in the Dark Domain, it felt as if he was trapped in a world of utter darkness.
In truth, he had no real desire to eliminate Clown.
Without a comprehensive understanding of the Rebirth Corporation, keeping Clown alive served Daniel’s interests.
His move was primarily to test his own capabilities.
Undoubtedly, within level 3, he was unparalleled.
He could confront a level 4 Evolver without the Domain, but once Domain Power was deployed, the outcome became uncertain.
Far more challenging than he had ever anticipated.
With that realization, Daniel no longer desired to prolong the confrontation.
He mustered every ounce of strength within him, unleashing a might he had never manifested before.
If he were to put an end to this, he’d see if he could shatter the Dark Domain at his full power.
The Behemoth Mirage surged skyward, expanding in an instant as if threatening to burst through the entire mansion.
A tangible aura exploded forth, fiercely battering the shadowy cage surrounding them.
Crackle!
A vast hole was torn open in the shadowy prison by the Behemoth Maw.
However, it mended itself at a visible pace, restoring itself to its initial state within moments.
Clown’s voice echoed from every direction, "Hmph, a level 3 trying to shatter my Domain? It’s like a mantis trying to stop a chariot!"
"Is this all I can muster?" Daniel pondered, furrowing his brow.
Suddenly, through the gap, he caught sight of the Siren Monster standing in the living room.
A thought swiftly flashed through his mind.
His brow relaxed, a look of epiphany spread across his face.
Calmly, he met the eyes of the Siren Monster, "Why are you hesitating? Isn’t it time you acted?"
Indeed, he wanted to see whether Clown or the Siren Monster would prevail over the other.
The Siren Monster’s fair face cracked in an instant.
Only the whites of its eyes remained, its expression ghastly and grotesque.
"You can see me?!" it exclaimed.
The tassels on its body defied gravity, dancing upwards like serpents writhing in the air.
With the Siren Monster at its epicenter, the engulfing shadows retreated step by step, akin to a defeated army in hasty retreat.
Snap!
A crisp sound pierced the air.
The encroaching darkness cracked like fragile glass, allowing blinding rays of light to seep through the fissures.
From a mere spark, a blaze was kindled, and in the blink of an eye, the light dispelled every shadow.
The Dark Domain vanished instantaneously.
Clown plummeted from the ceiling, disheveled and in disarray.
He stared at the terrifying Siren Monster with eyes wide in horror and disbelief.
"How can this be?!"
"You could still summon a creature?!"
"And what sort of creature is this, that merely by its presence, it can shatter my Domain? What on earth is it?!"
Clown’s gaze shifted to Daniel, as if expecting an answer.
As Daniel opened his mouth, ready to explain, the unexpected occurred.
With alarming ease, the Siren Monster disposed of both him and Clown.
The world crumbled into chaos.
...
[Remaining retrospections within 24 hours: 8.]
Just as before.
After dealing with the little girl enjoying her lollipop, he entered the house and waited.
Shortly, the ambiance dimmed as if under a dark spell.
In the blink of an eye, the entire living room was submerged in shadows, and the Dark Domain manifested once again.
Clown emerged from the shadows, kneeling on one knee.
"Honorable Master."
Daniel’s expression remained unchanged, his voice filled with a deathly stillness, "I recall instructing you: without my command, you are forbidden from seeking me out. It appears you’ve forgotten."
His voice was indifferent, yet it carried an intrinsic aura of authority.
Trembling, Clown quickly replied, "Please, Master, quell your anger! I remember every word you’ve spoken. But there’s urgent news I had to convey. Hence, against your orders, I risked coming here."
Daniel replied coldly, "Such matters needn’t be reported by you."
Confusion clouded Clown’s face. "Such matters? Does the Master already know what I intended to convey?"
The power of a Prophet was truly beyond comprehension.
He hesitantly asked, "Master, do you already know what I wished to discuss?"
"Mhm."
Daniel nodded.
"In three days, there will be the engagement ceremony of Samuel and Rachel. But they will never marry. Mark my words. Once the organization’s plan is executed, there will be no need for Samuel to continue living."
Clown felt a storm of emotions inside.
He had actually known!
Clown had hoped to inform the Master in advance, aiming to curry favor.
But the Master knew it all.
He couldn’t help but utter, "You truly are incomparable, Master."
Daniel’s gaze remained steady, "How’s the plan progressing?"
Caught off guard, Clown replied, "Which plan are you referring to, Master?"
Now, it was Daniel’s turn to be taken aback.
Clearly, the Rebirth Corporation had myriad plans in play, so much so that Clown wasn’t certain which one Daniel referred to.
With a look of mild exasperation, Daniel said, "Foolish. How many of the organization’s plans do you think are worth my attention? Of course, I’m speaking of the one regarding Samuel and Rachel’s wedding."
"If you continue to exhibit such obtuseness, there will be no need for you to seek me out again."
A shiver ran down Clown’s spine, and he fell to his knees, fervently saying, "I beg your forgiveness, Master. Such mistakes will not recur!"
"As for that particular plan, it is progressing smoothly. Lord Joker personally oversees it; there will be no mishaps."
Daniel nodded in approval, "Good. But what I’m more interested in is how you plan to deal with Samuel."
Clown hesitated briefly before continuing, "Upon the plan’s completion, our Rebirth Corporation will stand as the sole Evolver organization in the world. As for Samuel, we merely utilize his abilities to transport monsters for the plan’s execution. Once our objective is met, he becomes redundant."
A thought flickered in Daniel’s mind.
To become the only Evolver organization in the world?
To transport monsters?
From just a few words, he’d gleaned much valuable information.
It appeared the Rebirth Corporation was gearing up with some ominous strategies.
Otherwise, they wouldn’t exude such confidence about becoming the world’s lone Evolver entity.
At the same time, curiosity stirred within him.
He wondered what preparations the members of the Rebirth Corporation had made, and how they felt confident enough to challenge the Supernatural Phenomenon Investigation Bureau.
After all, the Investigation Bureau boasted four level 4 Evolvers!
