CHAPTER 1035: 1032: PUPPETS

Corey’s expression was one of utmost seriousness as he looked at the Clown who radiated immense joy at his words.

Corey could sense and see that the Clown was truly enjoying himself, and this ticked Corey off.

’He has the Book of Death.’

That was the one thing that bothered Corey the most.

One of the things he did not anticipate was the Clown getting the Book of Death so quickly. In the previous timeline, he had been able to get the Book of Death after killing Anton, but it seemed like the Clown had allowed him to get it.

If the Clown wanted, the Clown could have gotten the Book of Death before him, using this same method he just used.

’Killing Anton in such a manner. Stabbing his heart, cutting off his head, and the self-destruction of two peak Tier 6s is definitely more than enough to kill Anton who has not even consolidated his Tier 7 status, talk less of the fact that he ascended in a manner that’s not fit for him.’

Corey looked at the Clown and decided to ask the question that was on his mind.

"How did you make the mage and the priest to betray the leader of the Freedom Fighters?"

"Hmm? That?" The Clown tilted his head with an amused tone, and then he chuckled. "Oh, Corey. That’s simple, they were merely my puppets, so I just ordered them to kill that little pest so that I can get the Book of Death before you."

The Clown looked at the Book of Death in his hands, and then he shook his head slightly.

"Unfortunately, I had to do that and expose myself because I cannot steal the Book of Death from where you store your items. It’s not in your system inventory. It’s not in a storage ring. It’s not in a storage pouch. It’s not in an item, and it’s not in your mana core."

"It’s strange, but oh well, what’s not strange about you, Corey Junior Zane."

The Clown smiled, and Corey’s lips twitched.

"Since I can’t steal the Book of Death from you if you take it, I decided to take it before you. That ruined a little bit of the fun since I was planning on surprising you that I still had my memories from the previous timeline, but oh well, what’s done is done. Let’s have some fun shall we?"

Corey, Pamela, and Syrelle’s expression was one of utmost seriousness as they looked at the Clown who stood on top of the shadow ball which was hovering over a gigantic crater in the ground.

While Pamela and Syrelle had their own thoughts, Corey was more concerned about the word ’puppets’.

’He said that the priest and the mage were his puppets, but how’s that possible? How did he get to them? When did he get to them? The priest is from the Temple of Darkness, and the Mage is from the Mage Association.’

’Making the two of them his puppets can have several severe implications, and each is extremely frightening.’

’How did he make the two of them his puppets? He can manipulate shadows and blood, and now he can turn people into his puppets? How? Through blood? Shadow? The mind? I’ll have to be watchful of that skill because of the future.’

’More importantly, neither Pamela or I noticed the fact that the two of them were controlled by the Clown. My Eyes of Omniscience showed nothing abnormal inside of them, and I sensed nothing abnormal too.’

’I’ll have to observe more closely, and most importantly... Does he have more puppets?’

Clap!

Clap!

As Corey had these thoughts, the Clown suddenly clapped, bringing back his attention and that of Pamela and Syrelle to the real world, instead of their thoughts.

"Gosh guys, do you know how you look like thinking so much about me? I’m flattered, but sheesh, obsessed much?"

The Clown ’shivered’ with a smile and a tone of amusement as he looked at them.

"Anyway, to not make the game boring for me, I’ll give you a free opportunity to turn things around."

Corey and Pamela frowned.

"What opportunity?" Corey asked.

The Clown smiled mischievously. "I’m glad you asked." He then gestured at the dying world tree in the distance. "I’ll give you time to fuse with the world tree."

"What?" Both Corey and Pamela exclaimed at the same time, and the Clown released a tired sigh.

"Like I said, I’ll give you time to fuse with the world tree. Please don’t let me repeat it again."

Corey and Pamela went silent, and they both looked at each other for a moment before looking back at the Clown with a suspicious expression.

"You’re just going to allow Corey to fuse with the world tree? What’s the catch?" Pamela asked, and the Clown nonchalantly shrugged.

"No catch. I swear on the soul of my beloved late grandmother’s cat."

Corey and Pamela’s lips instantly twitched numerous times as they looked at the Clown with a strange and more suspicious gaze.

The Clown laughed loudly. "My goodness. You should see the look on your faces. It’s so fucking hilarious."

The Clown laughed once again, much to the unamused Corey and Pamela.

"Anyway, I’m not lying. There’s really no catch. If I don’t allow you to fuse with the world tree, I can kill both of you too easily. So just go and fuse with the darn tree before I change my mind."

The Clown nonchalantly waved his hand, and Corey and Pamela still looked at the Clown with suspicious gazes.

’Is there really no catch? Nothing at all? Does he have so much confidence in his strength to the point that he’s willing to allow me to fuse with the world tree? He’s not bothered at all?’

’Or is he just a total madman? A complete lunatic?’

Corey frowned deeply as he was unable to comprehend the thought process and actions of the Clown.

’Besides, what of Syrelle? Even though she betrayed her family, she surely wouldn’t want me to fuse with the world tree and would rather fuse the world tree herself right?’

Just as Corey glanced at Syrelle, he was stunned when he saw her standing with a blank expression.

"Syrelle?" He called out with a frown.

Snap!

The Clown snapped his fingers, and then a red glow appeared at the center of her silver eyes.

"Oh, did I forget to tell you? She’s also my puppet."

"Surprise!"