Devouring

A circular brand composed of seven colors appeared at the edge of Gilan's vision.

Beside the iridescent number "722."

Its shape was the God-Communion Spiral's distinctive circle enclosing a hexagram, with a scepter at its center. Most notably, the phantom of an ancient wooden wheel faintly emerged as well, and within it was nailed a skeleton posed in crucifixion.

'The Kingdom Brand of Aldin Higgins, a fifth-tier "Brilliant" Long-Lived One and master of soul studies!'

Gilan's heart jolted, and he was overjoyed.

But the next second—

Thud!!

The steel war chariot he was in suddenly shuddered, rattling loudly.

The white-haired old man raised his head. His face rapidly shriveled into that of a desiccated corpse, and from his hollow eye sockets, he cast Gilan a gaze filled with profound malice.

"We can't stop... we mustn't stop..."

The old man spoke in a cold, hoarse voice.

"Once we stop, everything is over."

"Damn it! Damn it! Damn it!!"

"You really deserve to die!!!"

The old man's mouth split open as he let out a hair-raising roar.

Riiip—

His head, arms, and chest tore themselves apart, linked in the middle by filthy, bloodstained chains. His hands wriggled endlessly, transforming respectively into a high-speed spinning saw blade and a sharp iron hook.

Clatter!

The chains scraped and clanked. The iron hook slithered forward like a massive iron-gray python, attacking Gilan!

Gilan raised the Hammer of Justice and flung it out.

Clang!!

A savage force actually sent the transformed Gilan flying.

Whoosh—clatter!

The chain followed close behind, wrapping around one of Gilan's arms with lightning speed and locking him in place.

Then, a terrifying force of soul power spread along the chain and instantly struck deep into Gilan's mind, causing blood to pour from his eyes, ears, mouth, and nose.

The pain Gilan endured