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Time returned to two hours earlier.
The instant he merged with the potion's data, Klein's mind was torn apart, breaking into countless tiny pieces that combined with different Spirit Worms. There was no longer any distinction between an original body and a dominant one.
At some point, his body also began to collapse. The body beneath his half top hat and long black trench coat rapidly disintegrated, and transparent, contorted worms crawled out one after another.
The thunderstorm overhead gradually subsided, and the dark clouds began to drift slowly outward with the help of a light breeze. Richard returned to a corporeal state. While working hard to seal away the influence of the higher being that had possessed him, he shook his left hand vigorously, shaking the claw that was still in its Werewolf state back into a human palm. Then he pinched his tattered sleeves and trouser legs to inspect them and sighed regretfully.
"There always has to be an expense in this department."
The Temperance Angel sighed repeatedly. "Why can other people assume their Mythical Creature Forms without ruining their clothes... Huh? What's this?"
He raised his foot without stepping down, looking at a transparent little worm the length of a finger wriggling beside his feet. He sensed considerable spiritual power from it, along with a trace of something familiar.
"...Klein?"
Richard first bent over, then thought better of it and crouched. He nudged the worm crawling aimlessly around with a finger, then picked it up and placed it in his palm, asking in astonishment, "How did you end up like this? Don't tell me the Mythical Creature Form of you Seers is a worm?"
He couldn't help remembering the puppet he had once made for Klein. He had used a worm like this for that too,